Transformative Principal

This episode is a special episode from UDL-Con, powered by CAST. CAST just released the Guidelines for (Universal Design for Learning) UDL 3.0, which you can find here. If you don't know what UDL is, it's a way to make learning accessible for everyone! You can check out more about the webinars here.Enjoy this special episode.Jethro Jones speaks with Donald Walker, National Career Technical Education Trainer at CAST. They discuss the importance of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in Career Technical Education (CTE), the use of drones to introduce young girls to STEM, addressing barriers in education, and the empowering aspects of UDL. The conversation also addresses the importance of safety in CTE programs and how UDL helps in engaging diverse student populations.Get in touch with Donald: [email protected]:00 Introduction to Donald Walker and the Role at CAST01:29 Importance of UDL in CTE03:08 Using Drones to Introduce Girls to STEM04:07 Developing UDL-based Curriculum06:32 Engagement, Representation, and Expression in UDL11:19 Importance of Safety in CTE13:54 Liberation Through UDL17:20 Contact and Further Involvement Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

This episode is a special episode from UDL-Con, powered by CAST. CAST just released the Guidelines for (Universal Design for Learning) UDL 3.0, which you can find here. If you don't know what UDL is, it's a way to make learning accessible for everyone! You can check out more about the webinars here.Enjoy this special episode.In this special episode recorded live at the UDL-Con: International Conference, host Jethro Jones interviews Shelley Berman, Chair of the Board at CAST, about the transformative nature of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). They explore how UDL shifts the educational focus from fixing students to fixing the educational system itself, emphasizing the importance of creating responsive and empowering learning environments.00:00 Introduction to UDL Con and Shelley Berman01:36 The Life-Changing Impact of UDL13:30 Shifting Perspectives from Students to Systems08:15 The Importance of Knowing the Students12:47 Creating Empowering Learning Environments16:48 Making Meaning in Education Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

Teaching distance before COVIDEnglish as a foreign language virtually and in person. How COVID remote learning laid the groundwork for virtual wellnessStudent Wellness for the internetDeveloping a personal relationship with AI that is based on curiosity and skepticism. Mindful adoption of technologyAI as a spectrumWhere AI brings out YOU!It’s not about how you USE this tech, it’s about how it augments you personally. What are the things AI can help you with and what are you already doing? How to be a transformative principal? Bring intention to your digital environments and interactions. About Seth FleischauerSeth is the president of Banyan Global Learning, which he founded in 2008 after teaching elementary school via NYC Teaching Fellows. With Banyan, Seth helps schools leverage technology for teacher and student wellness, including with AI Literacy PD for teachers and live virtual programs for students. Seth's programs have reached more than 10,000 students on three continents and touched the lives of teachers globally. He is a frequent presenter at elite edtech conferences and the host of two podcasts: "Make It Mindful: An Education Podcast" and "Why Distance Learning?" Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

This episode is a special episode from UDL-Con, powered by CAST. CAST just released the Guidelines for (Universal Design for Learning) UDL 3.0, which you can find here. If you don't know what UDL is, it's a way to make learning accessible for everyone! You can check out more about the webinars here.Enjoy this special episode.In this episode Jethro Jones interviews Lindsay Jones, CEO of CAST, during the UDL-Con: International Conference. They discuss the importance of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), the significance of in-person collaboration, and CAST's mission for the future.00:00 Introduction to the UDL Conference01:11 The Impact of UDL and the Conference Experience02:16 Future Directions for CAST and UDL Guidelines 3.003:49 The Three Main Focuses: Lead, Inspire, Convene07:23 Real-World Applications and Stories of UDL09:51 The Importance of In-Person Attendance at the Conference Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

This episode is a special episode from UDL-Con, powered by CAST. CAST just released the Guidelines for (Universal Design for Learning) UDL 3.0, which you can find here. If you don't know what UDL is, it's a way to make learning accessible for everyone! You can check out more about the webinars here.Enjoy this special episode.In this episode of Transformative Principal, host Jethro Jones interviews Andratesha Fritzgerald live at the UDL-Con: International Conference. They discuss the concept of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and its significance in making learning accessible to all students. Fritzgerald discusses the Instructional Practice Interrogation protocol, explaining how it helps educators identify and address barriers in teaching strategies. The conversation also touches on the importance of community in UDL and how traditional practices can be interrogated and adapted for better learning outcomes.Get in touch with Andratesha: [email protected]:00 Introduction to UDL and CAST UDL Con01:08 Interview with Andratesha Fritzgerald01:45 Instructional Practice Interrogation Protocol02:44 Identifying and Addressing Harm in Education04:42 Setting Up Community for UDL08:16 Learning Objectives in Inquiry-Based Learning07:18 Power of Community in Learning14:58 Closing and Connecting with Andratesha Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

Vital in an education setting to experience what life is like without a phoneHow you develop character through whether you’re using a phone or not. How to help teachers not be phone police.Support throughout the whole processCommon complaints about schoolsResetting expectations about structuresSchool taking a constructive approach to support student growth and developmentHow to do a rollout. Classroom vs. School phone free spaces. Tier 1 support worked better, but needs more communication.Accompanied by a strong and clear policy and then following through. More and more students are open to the idea of being phone free. Kids are aware that being connected all the time may not be beneficial.Yes, you can teach, but they need to actually do. Clarity and community buy-in. Graham Dugoni is the founder and CEO of Yondr. Since starting the company in 2014,he has been a leading voice in the emerging conversation about the effects of phoneson society and mental health. Graham coined the terms “phone-free spaces” and“phone-free schools.” He is the product designer of the Yondr pouch and the HomeTray. His mission-driven mindset keeps the company focused on meaningful ways tohelp educators, artists, and organizations worldwide create distraction-freeenvironments where focus and creativity can flourish without technology. Graham is aformer professional soccer player and a graduate of Duke University.Please add questions that we would ask here, and you can add anything that you would like to add as well. How did you come up with the idea?How did you convert this idea into a business?How many schools/students use Yondr, and in how many countries?Was there any particular moment which stood out to you early on, when it became very clear that phone-free spaces would become incredibly important in the future?Tell us about the different spaces that Yondr makes phone-free.Why do you think phone-free schools are important?What do you say to people who say that banning phones in schools does not teach young people how to become responsible digital citizens?Yondr is a program and not a product. Why is this an important distinction, and can you explain how this works?What do students say about Yondr? Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

Giving UDL away for freeBuilding products through grantsPeople think UDL is static, but it isn’t. Identity is important. UDL is human centric, not student centric.How UDL invites students to take ownership of their learning experiences. Do you feel behind? “What if I could have gone through school feeling unencumbered?” Expert Learners vs. executive functioningBounded autonomy. Assumptions about student learning. Joy Zabala - You can’t boil the oceanUDL Con is an ExperienceAI, Accessibility, UDL Guidelines 3.0UDL Con - where the guidelines will be released. CAST.org - check out the projects and resources. How to be a transformative principal? Ghostwalks - walk with nobody there in your school. What is being said by what is on the walls and in the classroom. About Bryan DeanBryan Dean is CAST's Innovation Specialist. Bryan has been working with hard-to-reach students with emotional impairments, conduct disorder, behavioral difficulties, and low interest for more than 20 years. Bryan has experience designing professional learning around learner experience design, specially-designed instruction, Universal Design for Learning, new teacher induction, Design Thinking, deep learning, and strategies for students in emotional dysregulation. In addition to the designing of professional learning, he has designed virtual learning environments, worked on longitudinal system implementation and design, designed organizational culture and climate/culture change models, and developed a unique UDL coaching system based on appreciative and ontological coaching matrices. Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

ShouldStorm - Culture of perfectionism and criticismWe as parents want to do what is best for our kids, but we are bombarded by everyone telling us what we should and should not do. Finding the “right” answer.Defining “expert”How the ShouldStorm impacts our kidsWe like to blame social media, but it really comes from what we talk about in our communities. What matters is not the college but the student.If you play someone else’s game, you will always lose, if you’re playing your own game, you can’t lose. Sigh, See, Start: transitions you from the anxiety of the ShouldStorm, to connection with your kids. The sigh is a built-in mechanism in our bodies, breathe out long and slow - sends a message to our body that we are OK. Vagus nerve turns on prefrontal cortex. See - moment of mindfulness - see your child. Noticing, not doing. Start - run an experiment about how to help the situation. Built on a faith that is scientifically grounded, you (and your kids) are more capable than you think (and than the world will tell you are). Emphasizing repairAlison Escalante, M.D., is a pediatrician, speaker, and author of Sigh, See, Start: How to Be the Parent Your Child Needs in a World That Won’t Stop Pushing. In a perfectionistic parenting culture that tells you that you are never enough no matter how much you do for your kids, this unique approach empowers you with a simple parenting technique to gain confidence, remain grounded, and connect positively with your children. Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

Dr. Joshua Barnett is an educational thought leader who has spent his career working to improve the effectiveness of teacher leaders. In an interview, he discussed how teacher leaders can establish trust, develop deep instructional knowledge, and build credibility with their colleagues. He also shared his thoughts on why the teaching profession is challenged with recruitment and turnover and how teacher leaders can be a key solution to helping principals manage the teaching situation. Barnett emphasized the importance of getting it right, rather than being right, and reminded us that localized solutions are often the most effective.Bringing professional learning to effective teacher leaders. Supported over 300,000 educators and 3.5 million studentsHow teacher leadership matters. Engage with and serve as the bridge between the leadership team and the rest of the schoolProvide instructional support - Collaboration with other teachersCoaching other adultsInstructional feedback1. Establish trust2. Deep instructional knowledgeIdentify the needs of other adults3. CredibilityOwnership of their learningHow do we help them take ownership of their learningWhat is the expectation that teachers have by going?Autonomy, capacity, and supportTeacher leader as conduit from national/regional training. The only learning that is valued is the “approved” learning. System-wide approach to help teacher leaders take on an approachWhy is our profession challenged with recruitment and turnover. Committed to building educator effectiveness. Practical conversations - teacher leaders are a key solution to helping principals manage the teaching situation. Get it right, rather than being right. Reminded vs. instructed.Localized solutions.How the role of the principal plays into this paradigm. District-based certification modelHow to be a transformative principal? Key strategy is to rely on teacher leaders for success. Giving them the time to go through the building and have a conversation. Dr. Joshua Barnett is NIET's chief executive officer, responsible for overseeing all of the organization's operations including service delivery, research and evaluation, professional learning and learning technology development, policy and communications, financial operations, and higher education partnerships. He is also the author of Unleashing Teacher Leadership: A Toolkit for Ensuring Effective Instruction in Every Classroom Previously, Josh served as president and chief operating officer for NIET, where he supported NIET partnerships with strategic oversight of research, NIET's higher education innovation, and service delivery. He was also the principal leader and investigator for NIET's successful federal projects. He has been with NIET since January 2013 when he joined as the organization's senior vice president of research and evaluation. In that role, he led NIET's research agenda and production of evidentiary support for all initiatives and grant programs. He also directed all external evaluation projects and research services.Josh's research work throughout his career has explored how to improve educator quality in all schools for all students by addressing two related issues: examining how teachers and principals are evaluated and how resources are distributed to and used within schools.Before joining NIET, Josh worked as an assistant professor of education policy and evaluation at Arizona State University, a visiting scholar at Massey University in New Zealand and a research associate in the Office for Education Policy at the University of Arkansas.Josh has taught courses in research methods, school finance, evaluation, and educational psychology; worked as an evaluator for nearly three dozen federal and state grants; served as an evaluator for the U.S. Institute of Education Sciences; and worked with local, state and national government agencies and organizations on projects aimed at improving educator effectiveness.He is author of Unleashing Teacher Leadership: A Toolkit for Ensuring Effective Instruction in Every Classroom and has been published in a variety of outlets, including Review of Educational Research, Teachers College Record, Educational Leadership, New Zealand Education Review, and Issues in Teacher Education. He is also co-author of A Straightforward Guide to Teacher Merit Pay: Encouraging and Rewarding Schoolwide Improvement and Learning on the Job: How Evaluation Systems Can Support Teacher Growth. Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Stud

In this informative interview, Jennifer Jennings, a school communication specialist, discusses the crucial role of effective communication in schools. She emphasizes the significance of building trust and engaging parents and the community through transparent and informative communication. Jennings provides practical strategies to help schools develop an overall communication plan, showcase their positive aspects, and avoid overwhelming their audience with excessive information. She also shares successful examples of schools that have implemented effective communication strategies, such as utilizing visual displays, digital signage, and a variety of communication channels.Why communication with the community is so important. How schools can communicate more effectively. Schools need to have an overall communication plan. Consistent messageConsistent brandingShowcase your school in the best light possible. Don’t bombard people. having visual displays has increased attendance at clubs, sport games, and events. Cannon Falls.Digital signage is a great way to expand on a school’s safety plan: see Necedah Schools in Wisconsin.New Prague in MinnesotaAppleTV as a PBIS MotivatorIf it’s not easy, people aren’t going to do it. Start in a small, manageable way. Set up your system so you can delegate properly. Make it part of your weekly routine so it is used consistently and routinely. Involve people who are excited about it. How to be a transformative principal? Find one person who loves graphic design and get them involved in creating content. Connect with Jennifer JenningsAbout Jennifer JenningsJennifer Jennings is a seasoned growth marketing manager with over a year of experience at Rise Vision, the leading digital signage software for K-12 schools. With a keen understanding of the education landscape, Jennifer is passionate about leveraging technology to enhance school communication, safety measures, and the overall school atmosphere.Throughout her tenure at Rise Vision, Jennifer has worked closely with schools to understand their unique challenges and develop customized solutions. Her expertise lies in identifying communication gaps, creating positive school cultures, and implementing strategies to increase building security. Jennifer is known for her ability to translate complex technical concepts into accessible and actionable insights for school administrators and educators.As a thought leader in the edtech industry, Jennifer is frequently sought out as a speaker at conferences and events. Her insights on the intersection of technology and education have been featured in various publications and media outlets. Jennifer's dedication to improving the learning environment for students and educators alike has made her a valuable asset to Rise Vision and the education community at large. Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can eleva

Welcome to Transformative Principal. Today, we are joined by Dr. Kenny Rodrequez, Superintendent of Grandview C-4 School District in Missouri. With over two decades of educational leadership experience, Dr. Rodrequez has been a pivotal figure in driving innovative strategies to enhance school culture and student success. His dedication to fostering an inclusive and dynamic learning environment makes him an ideal guest as we explore the transformative potential of AI in building district culture. Why using specific AI Agents is valuable for our work. How to engage with staff differently600 staff membersLebra is an engagement tool. Automatically creates a prompt for meBecause it knows our vision and plans, it incorporates those things into what we do. Between the work anniversaries and birthdays, it’s communicating 10-15 people per day.Understanding what we are focused on in our district.Being able to build relationships and culture through small simple acts. There’s just not enough time in the day.How using Lebra is improving the culture. Feedback from staff receiving AI messagesLeveraging technology to make you successful.How to be a transformative principal? Stop and take a breath. Improve one connection every day. About Kenny RodrequezDr. Kenny Rodrequez became Superintendent of the Grandview C-4 School District in July 2016. Before serving as Superintendent, Dr. Rodrequez served for two years as the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction in the Grandview C-4 School District. His responsibilities included the direction and overall delivery of K-12 curriculum programs, the developing, implementing, and evaluation of educational services for the district, and providing leadership for all Elementary and Secondary schools. Dr. Rodrequez has served in several capacities throughout his career. He was a music educator for 8 years in two different states, including being a band director, percussion instructor, and district music resource teacher. Dr. Rodrequez moved into school administration more than 10 years ago and has held site level positions of assistant principal and principal before moving into district-level positions of director and assistant superintendent. He was selected to create and implement the first Early College High School program in Tulsa through a partnership with Tulsa Community College. He directed the Tulsa Innovative School network, which served 1,200 plus students in grades K-12, and served as a lead examiner for the Oklahoma Quality Award Foundation, based upon the Baldrige process. In both Oklahoma and Missouri, he has done extensive work on the implementation of new teacher evaluation systems in an effort to raise academic achievement and build collaborative relationships between teachers and administrators. Dr. Rodrequez has a Bachelors degree from Oklahoma State University in Music Education, a Master of Science degree from Oklahoma State University in School Leadership, and completed his Doctorate degree from Baker University in School Administration. He has been happily married for more than 25 years to his wife Tracie. They have two wonderful children, Izzy and Jackson. Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research

This comprehensive discussion explores the intricate distinctions between leadership, leadership development, and leader development, emphasizing their intertwined nature and the importance of understanding the context in which they exist. The conversation delves into the dynamic roles of leaders and followers, underscoring the value of meeting individuals where they are in their professional journey, with respect to their unique backgrounds and experiences. Emphasizing continuous, incremental growth, it highlights the significance of self-awareness, reflection, and the necessity of adapting leadership strategies to suit diverse environments, from educational settings to global contexts. The dialogue further addresses the challenges of maintaining authenticity while navigating the expectations of different organizational cultures, and the potential obstacles faced by individuals from underrepresented groups in leadership positions. Central to the discussion is the potent role of self-reflection, facilitated by practices such as journaling, in personal and professional development, providing insights into identifying growth opportunities, leveraging personal strengths, and making impactful decisions in leadership roles.Leadership Development, leaders, followersMeeting people where they are at. See where the gaps are.Leverage the people around you. Who you are five years ago is not who you are today.VUCA: volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity.Knowing who you are. What level of assimilation are you comfortable with? The role is correct but the context isn’t. How to reflect: 1. Spouse 2. JournalingHow to Take Smart NotesThe Book: MaximizeHow to be a transformative principal? Start journalingAbout Dr. Peter RiosDr. Peter Rios is the Founder of Peter Rios Consulting and the author of Untold Stories: The Latinx Leadership Experience in Higher Education and Maximize!: 12 Keys to Unlocking Your Greatest Potential. He has served diverse organizations including businesses, religious institutions/churches, government, higher education and non-profits in the areas of organizational diversity, equity and inclusion; leadership development and innovation. His extensive experience and doctoral education in strategic leadership and intercultural studies has made him a sought-out keynote and conference speaker. Rios has been invited to speak and train leaders, nationally and internationally. In the United States Marines Corps he gained global leadership experience while stationed in Okinawa Japan and South Korea, and most recently has lived in Barbados and St. Maarten.Peter currently serves as a lecturer of leadership studies at Penn State and has been an adjunct professor at Colorado State University-Global Campus and Indiana Wesleyan University, teaching undergraduate and graduate students in organizational leadership, religious and cultural studies, and business management. Rios has also been a vice president at two universities. Prior to academia, Peter was involved in pastoral ministry for over ten years and has over twenty years of leadership development experience. Rios holds a PhD in Intercultural Studies from Fuller Graduate Schools, a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership (DSL) from Regent University School of Business and Leadership, completed doctoral work at the University of Southern California-Rossier School of Education, and an MA from Northeastern Seminary. He is married to Dr. Ruby Gonzalez-Rios, a cancer and infectious disease researcher. Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and att

In this podcast episode, hosts and guest Curtis discuss the concept of collaborative response, an educational framework designed to replace traditional multi-tiered systems of supports (MTSS) and response to intervention (RTI) models. The collaborative response model is outlined as consisting of three foundational components: setting up collaborative structures and processes in schools, utilizing data and evidence to inform conversations, and developing a continuum of supports tiered for different needs but not labeling students by tiers. The discussion highlights the importance of focusing on supports rather than labeling students, breaking down the first tier into two to ensure universal supports are coherent across classrooms, and establishing a culture where teacher ego is set aside to facilitate a genuine collaborative environment. The episode explores practical approaches to implementing this model in schools, emphasizing the significance of structured processes, the setting of clear roles and responsibilities, and the cultivation of a collaborative culture that prioritizes student success and involves all educators in a continuous learning process.Collaborative Response vs RTI and MTSS. Four tiersTier 1 - All instructionTier 2 - Supports, but still by the classroom teacherTier 3 - Supports provided by someone other than teacherTier 4 - Supports provided by outside the schoolTiering supports vs. Tiering studentsResponsibility of student successCollaborative team meetingsA key issue that a student is facing. Collaborative cultureSo much more powerful to have the culture and then document it, rather than announce it aspirationally. 5 ways to transform meetings free guideAbout Kurtis HewsonKurtis Hewson is an award-winning former administrator and teacher, as well as teaching faculty at the post-secondary level. He is the co-founder of Jigsaw Learning, a co-author of the text Collaborative Response: Three Foundational Components That Transform How We Respond to the Needs of Learners (Corwin, 2022), and currently works with districts and schools nationally and internationally establishing Collaborative Response frameworks and interacting with thousands of educators annually. Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

In the podcast episode with Barb Flowers on Transformative Principal with Jethro Jones, the discussion centered around self-efficacy and its relation to leadership. Self-efficacy is distinct from confidence and involves an individual's perception of their strengths and weaknesses. Building self-efficacy begins with awareness, humility, and recognizing that family comes first, establishing healthy boundaries. The episode also explored how a leader's self-efficacy impacts the culture and climate of their school. Practical strategies were shared to enhance self-efficacy, such as identifying small achievements, cultivating an adaptive and resilient leadership approach, and recognizing that giving 110% all the time is unsustainable. The conversation emphasized the importance of looking for small wins, challenging negative thoughts, and understanding the link between thoughts, emotions, and actions.Different from confidence - self-efficacy is about what you believe your weaknesses and strengths are. How self-efficacy relates to imposter syndrome. Awareness is the first step in building self-efficacy. It’s a blind spot. Humility vs. prideFamily comes first - having boundaries. There’s no recovering from giving 110% all the time. Committee chair - if I can’t be there, others can be there. Exploring how leaders’ self-efficacy contributes to the culture and climate of their schools.Sharing practical, evidence-based strategies that leaders can employ to boost their self-efficacy.Look for small things you’re doing well. 3 wins - can sometimes be hard to find them. Your thoughts create your emotions and your actions. Highlighting the outcomes of enhanced self-efficacy, including the development of a more adaptive and resilient leadership approach.About Barbara FlowersBarb Flowers, an educator with 6 years of experience in teaching and 8 years in educational leadership, including roles as a principal and assistant principal.Beyond her experience in education, she is a certified life coach whose core mission is to support educators and leaders by focusing on their well-being and improving their mindset, thereby boosting their career performance. She is also the host of the Principal’s Handbook and Teacher Burnout podcastsHer passion lies in supporting individuals who struggle with recognizing their worth, feeling inadequate despite their extensive experiences and achievements. Through her coaching, she aims to address these feelings, guiding her clients toward a healthier self-perception and more effective professional engagement.Her experience includes coaching teachers experiencing burnout, working with school leaders on prioritizing their personal well-being, and mentoring new administrators as they navigate the complexities of their roles. These experiences have enriched her understanding and approach to coaching, allowing her to offer nuanced and impactful guidance.She would love the opportunity to work with the client or their teams, guiding them to realize their worth and attain a more rewarding professional and personal life. Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline

Today, Damon Hargraves, host of the WorkflowED podcast turned the mic on me and interviewed me for the 100th episode of the Transformative Principal Podcast. I can’t believe I have done 100 episodes of this podcast. Thank you so much for listening to this and helping me make it better.RTI idea was in place, but we needed a little kick in the pants.Value of getting away from the day-to-day issues at school.How to keep it going when you come back from conferences: hang up the poster.Reducing ELA from 90 minutes per day to 45 minutes per day, with students who need 90 minutes still getting that much time.How to get teachers to agree to reduce the number of minutes for their content area.Yolanda WesterbergWe can always be better, so let’s always improve.There is a story written before you. Accept the story that has been there before your chapter 1 starts.How to have solid forward momentum as you make changes, and not get stalled.Meeting with the correct people so you don’t get stalled.Getting feedback and adjusting course.Schedules Explained for Teachers videoSchedules Explained for Parents videoMaking sure that the right people had the information at the right time.The schedule we creating had a place for every student in the school.How to design software for your school when you don’t have what you need.Having plans in place even if it is going to be very difficult.Guru Technologies - the company we hired to develop the app for us.The app you can actually use yourself: Pickr AppTeacher choice tutorial - kids know they aren’t performing and are eager to have the extra help.Be simple about what you’re trying to implement.MVP - minimum viable productGoals for moving forward: anticipate needs earlier.The book by Austin Buffum and Mike Mattos: It’s About Time Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

This is a special episode of another show on the BE Podcast Network. I recently had John Milhalyo as a guest on Transformative Principal and to I'm sharing one of his best episodes yet on why your fundraiser flopped. In this episode, John Mihalyo discusses effective strategies for Catholic school leaders to analyze and improve their advancement, development, and fundraising efforts. Drawing from his experience and expertise, John highlights common pitfalls in setting goals that are either too high or too low and emphasizes the importance of realistic planning, communication, sponsorship, budgeting, and offering desirable items or experiences at fundraising events. He also stresses the significance of timing, venue selection, and the power of saying 'thank you' to sponsors and donors. Throughout the episode, John offers practical advice on creating a culture of giving and forging strong community partnerships to support Catholic education worldwide.00:00 Introduction to the Catholic School Leaders Podcast00:34 Reflecting on the School Year and Advancement Efforts01:06 Analyzing Fundraising Efforts and Identifying Improvement Areas02:19 Common Reasons for Not Meeting Fundraising Goals05:01 The Importance of Proper Event Planning and Timing07:16 Maximizing Communication and Sponsorship Opportunities16:49 Ensuring Your Fundraising Offers What People Want20:29 Choosing the Right Venue and Recognizing Sponsors24:43 Avoiding Donor Fatigue with Strategic Fundraising27:18 Budgeting and Event Feedback for Future Success31:05 Conclusion and Invitation to Connect Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

The difference between a catholic school and a public school. System of Schools rather than a school system. Creating a culture of giving in the school community.What’s the cost to educate?How to be clear on what you’re doing as the advancement progresses.Friendraising vs. Fundraising The foundations we have come from elementary schoolsIt takes time to grow the office, have a clear purpose for the goals of the offices. Catholic Schools compete against themselves in fundraising. Get everyone on the same page. Moved their role from fundraising entities to friendraising entities. Have the visionHelp people put their guards down and put the vision of the school first. It’s very personal to them. Bring them into the fold and have them help the advancement office. No Fuss Fundraising Tie it to a vision and people get the value. Don’t put your fundraising into salaries. 90% of problems - consistency, communication, curb appeal.Connecting Catholic School LeadersNeeding to refresh and grow together. About John MihalyoJohn Mihalyo has served as a Catholic school principal for the past 15 years. In that time, he worked for preschools, K-8 schools, and a high school. He has worked for six pastors, two bishops, five superintendents, two dioceses in multiple states, and thousands of parents and constituents. He has found new and creative ways to partner with parents to keep Christ’s light alive in our parochial schools. After 15 years in Catholic schools and 25 years in education, he created Elementary Advancement Solutions LLC as a way to help other school leaders win in advancement, leadership, and recruitment! As principal, he has overseen the creation of two Advancement Offices. His schools have raised over $1.8 million in funding through annual funds, special events, grants, and other programs by using the methods being offered to you through Elementary Advancement Solutions LLC. He also led a $6 million renovation to his first school as a high school principal. In addition to his successful track record in fundraising, his schools have seen an average increase in enrollment of 21% from his start date to the end of his tenure. John has worked with and been trained by numerous organizations over his 15 years. He has seen what works and what doesn’t and has developed a strategy specific to teach elementary schools to win at advancement, recruitment, and leadership not just today, but for the future! He is eager to bring this strategy to individual schools to work directly with them to help them meet their advancement needs. He believes in taking a personal approach to help each school he works with find its success based on its specific needs. Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

Michael Fullan, the internationally known authority on educational leadership and proponent of whole system reform, joins us for this episode. No doubt, many of you listeners have been influenced by Michael’s work over the years. The former Dean of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education and Professor Emeritus of the University of Toronto, he is co-leader of the New Pedagogies for Deep Learning global initiative, served as Premier Dalton’s Special Policy Adviser in Ontario from 2003-2013, and received the Order of Canada (OC) in December 2012.Michael is the author of numerous books, including the focus of today’s episode: The Principal 2.0: Three Keys to Maximizing Impact (Jossey-Bass).We discuss:The Principal 2.0 (2023) is 90% new material from The Principal (2014). We cover the events that caused Michael to undertake such a significant revisitation.The disruptions of the past few years are forcing change in schools – which can turn out for better or worse depending on the evolving role of the principal. What forces have traditionally boxed principals into a narrower role?Spirit WorkGlobal evidence for these principlesSystemness in Action Connected Autonomy The Drivers – system change from the bottom upReasons for optimism about the futureFind The Principal 2.0 here: https://bit.ly/3TYJZx4 About today’s guestMichael Fullan is an internationally known authority on educational leadership. Professor emeritus at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto, Fullan is Global Co-Director of New Pedagogies for Deep Learning. He is an adviser and consultant on major education reform initiatives around the world. His previous books include Change Leader, The Six Secrets of Change, and Leading in a Culture of Change. Learn more: https://michaelfullan.ca/About the hostRoss Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Twitter @RossBRomano or https://www.linkedin.com/in/rossromano I also host Sideline Sessions, a podcast for coaches and parents of student-athletes. The show features conversations with coaches and performance experts in the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Olympics, and more. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

Dr. Thomas R. Guskey is Professor Emeritus in the College of Education at the University of Kentucky. He is known throughout the world for his work on student assessment, grading and reporting, professional learning, and educational research. Guskey is author/editor of thirty books, including his latest, Engaging Parents and Families in Grading Reforms (Corwin).We discuss:What is the purpose of grading?“Is my purpose as a teacher to select talent or develop talent?”The state of grading practices in US schoolsCommunicating grading — what families want to knowConnotations around the phrase “grading reform”What do families oppose?Purposefully engaging families: understanding roles and making it authenticWhat leaders get wrong about the change processExamples of successful grading reform in school districtsFind Engaging Parents and Families in Grading Reforms from Corwin or wherever you get your books. Learn more at www.tguskey.com. About today’s guestThomas R. Guskey, PhD, is Professor Emeritus in the College of Education at the University of Kentucky. A graduate of the University of Chicago’s renowned Measurement, Evaluation, and Statistical Analysis (MESA) program, he began his career in education as a middle school teacher, served as an administrator in the Chicago Public Schools, and was the first Director of the Center for the Improvement of Teaching and Learning, a national educational research center. Dr. Guskey served on the Policy Research Team of the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future, and on the task force to develop the National Standards for Professional Development. He was named a Fellow in the American Educational Research Association and was awarded the Association’s prestigious Relating Research to Practice Award. He is author/editor of thirty books and over three hundred published articles and book chapters on educational assessment, program evaluation, and grading and reporting. He may be contacted by email at [email protected], Twitter at @tguskey, or at www.tguskey.com. About the hostRoss Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Twitter @RossBRomano or https://www.linkedin.com/in/rossromano Ross also host Sideline Sessions, a podcast for coaches and parents of student-athletes. The show features conversations with coaches and performance experts in the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Olympics, and more. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

This is a continuation of our coaching calls with Eric Makelky. Please check our previous episodes 532, 527, 523 519 514, 510, 506, and 501In this episode, we talk about onboarding new staff. What Eric has done that has been helpful.District duties and Principal duties.How do we make people stick around?New Teacher Academy - in-house teachers come in and model, share, and showcase practices from their classroom.In-house people leading these things.Half-day around the building - basic information.Make a list, and trickle in during the summer.And what do they really need to be ready for the first day of school?Resources, curriculum, plan, classroom management.Big Picture vs. Details.How do you do that?Trello Board about onboardingHow do you avoid overwhelming them?Identify what is really valuable and what is extraMentoring new teachersHow do you not force mentoring on teachers?Collaborative teams within PLCs.Solid mentorMentorship is done according to the needs of the menteeIt’s about mentoring culture not just pedagogy.Have retired teachers come and be mentors when appropriate. Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

Do you ever doubt your decisions as a principal. As a principal myself, I understand the constant second-guessing and the toll it can take on confidence.Discover the symptoms of self-doubt, from questioning every decision to hesitancy in sharing innovative ideas. Understand the root cause of self-doubt and why it can hinder leadership effectiveness.Learn what doesn't work when trying to combat self-doubt and uncover practical strategies to stop it in its tracks. From remembering your value to setting realistic expectations and developing a support system, we've got you covered.Enhance your job satisfaction and stop doubting your decisions by tuning in and taking action. If you're ready to take the next step, check out the free workshop on How to Stop Doubting Your Decisions as a School Leader. Click HERE to take the workshop. After you finish listening, I would love to hear your most significant takeaway from today's episode. Take a screenshot of yourself listening on your device, share it on your Instagram stories, and tag me, @BarbFlowersCoaching.While you're there, please ensure you follow me on Instagram so you can get a behind-the-scenes look at how I assist educators in reducing stress, preventing burnout, and how you can benefit as well.Connect with Barb:Website Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

In this episode of Transformative Principal, Jethro Jones engages in a profound discussion with Sean Slade, co-head of North America at BTS Spark, about reevaluating traditional perceptions of leadership, particularly around the management of emotions. Sean challenges the archetype of the stoic, emotionless leader, suggesting that vulnerability, emotion, and personal connection are crucial elements for effective leadership, especially highlighted by observations from the first year of the pandemic. The conversation delves into how leaders who embraced their humanity, admitting uncertainty and fostering relationships, tended to succeed more. Drawing on a study and the insights from the book Embracing MESSY Leadership, Sean emphasizes the critical role of emotions in building trust, cultivating teamwork, and enhancing problem-solving capacities. He argues for a shift from controlling to exercising and utilizing emotions as strategic tools in leadership. The podcast also touches on the practical aspects of having difficult conversations and the importance of authenticity, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness in leadership roles. Sean concludes by underscoring the evolving understanding of leadership as beyond a series of tasks, advocating for emotional adeptness as a key leadership skill.Maybe the emotionless leader is not quite correct. MESSY Leadership came out of the pandemicThe leaders who were able to make personal connections, build relationships and show vulnerability did quite well. Exercise your emotion rather than controlling your emotions.Admit uncertaintyPose questions back to teamHigh level of self-awareness and self-confidenceEveryone wants to feel like they matter and they want to belong. You are part of this community. Don’t we want to be authentic ourselves?Get communication cards.Leadership as a series of tasks and duties. Making people feel happy on a surface level. What’s putting you in the box? And how do you get out of it? Leadership is not a series of checklists. Links:Sean Slade's website: https://www.seanslade.com/ MESSY LeadershipJethro’s Communication Cards: https://www.jethrojones.com/communication-cards About Sean SladeSean is the Co-Head of North America at BTS Spark. He is an education leader, speaker and author, with nearly three decades of experience in education, both in the US and globally. With a strong background in education reform and wellbeing, he has driven policy change, implemented initiatives, and developed educational leaders, to enhance the social impact of education. As Senior Director of Global Outreach at ASCD, Sean launched and grew the ASCD Whole Child Network to 1,800 members, 350 school districts and 56 countries. He is a Social & Emotional Learning expert for NBC Today, advisory member for OECD’s Future of Education & Skills 2030, a founding member of the UNESCO Chair on Global Health & Education. He has written for the Washington Post, Huffington Post, EdWeek, and is a frequent keynote speaker. Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standar

In this episode, Jethro is joined by Danny Bauer and Glenn Robbins, author of the book Calm In The Chaos: Ancient Stoic Wisdom for Successful School Leadership. We talk about how to be stoic as a leader in schools and apply that wisdom to your daily. Plus, you won’t believe the sign we saw in a school!How to get people on the same page when you’re not physically on an island. Community had come together before when they’ve been through something together. Starting from negative emotions doesn’t help you find success. When you come from a place of gratitude, it’s great. This is my roadmap for connecting with people. You’re still a human being, but you still have to rise up and be your best. Your pride sometimes takes away your willingness to share what you’re going through. We often don’t have models showing us how we do things different. Key piece is mentoring, models, and psychologically safe spaces where you can admit that you’re struggling. Expect people to be wrong, evil, tortuous, dishonest.Vulnerability can be perceived in many different waysStoicism is constancy. Be the rock, that is immovable. A lot of the expectation is expecting the sea to not rage, but that is not realistic. Mastering what is in your control. How we help people see they can choose what they control.How to be a transformative principal? Own your mistakes - DannyPsychological safetyAbout Danny BauerDanny Bauer helps Ruckus Makers Do School Different™ which means shifting from old, traditional, and often broken ways of educating to new, different, and innovative ways of educating.He’s written multiple bestselling books and hosts the Better Leaders Better Schools podcast which is the most downloaded show in school leadership and ranks in the TOP 0.5% of all shows worldwide.About Glenn RobbinsGlenn Robbins is the proud Superintendent of the Brigantine Public School District in Brigantine, New Jersey. His passion is harnessing a district culture that thrives on positive psychology, design thinking, futurism, innovative digital spaces, technology integration, esports, cybersecurity, Social Emotional Learning Zen Dens, and Maker cultures. In addition, Glenn encourages all students to have a voice, not only in building a school culture, but also in designing student led entrepreneur opportunities. Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

Aspirational Model Shifting MindsetEmotional Connection - Research in MESSY started at the beginning of the pandemic. There will always be the next crisis. Expectation of leaders - what’s important? Professional veneer - leave our personal outside our workplace.Establishing themselves as larger than life.Authenticity - personal and professional are more blurred. Heart, Head, and Hands - Dr. Marvin BerkowitzPresence triangle - think about the other person and how you’re delivering your message. Self-other-outsideTaking a deep breath, thinking about the relationship, moving to the perspective of the other individual. You matter, you’re not alone. Schools need you. Coaching creates a confidential space. Challenges: courage, empowering and coaching others, taken servant leadership too far, influence others to change their practice, lack of confidence, slowing down and not reacting all the time. Pleaser and MartyrDe-implementationLeaders get things done through influence.This is a Choose Your Own Adventure style of book. Two voices in our heads - Judge and PessimistHow to be a transformative principal? Carve out time to reflect. • Meaning Making: Create a shared vision and engage others by collaborating more effectively.• Emotional Connection: Build deeper, more trusting relationships to give feedback and hold difficult conversations.• Sensing the Future: Think creatively and tackle entrenched school improvement problems through experimentation and innovation.• Seizing Momentum: Be proactive, gain control of how you prioritize your time, and embrace new ways of working.• Your Presence: Build confidence by identifying the barriers that hold you back and learning how to overcome them.About Alyssa GallagherAlyssa Gallagher is the author of the book Embracing MESSY Leadership: How the Experience of 20,000 School Leaders Can Transform You and Your School. She is also the Co-Head of BTS Spark, North America, for BTS Spark, a not-for profit practice focused on bringing executive level coaching to every school leader. She has extensive experience leading schools and districts to revolutionize learning for students. Under Alyssa’s guidance Los Altos School District became a nationally recognized leader in education innovation with her work featured in Forbes, Wired, The Economist magazine and on CNN and CBS’ 60 Minutes. After two decades working within k12 education, Alyssa led the global leadership practice for The Wiseman Group, co-designing executive development strategies to enable leaders to become better ‘multipliers’ of their people’s talent. Alyssa has worked with a wide spectrum of leaders, ranging from early career professionals in her local school district to seasoned executives in Fortune 500 Companies. Alyssa enjoys working with leaders to design strategies that leverage the capability, creativity and intelligence of everyone on their team. Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs?

Worthwhile Links: Range by David EpsteinDrip7ReadwiseAbout Ryan PalmbaumRyan Palmbaum is the founder and CEO of Dabbl Discovery, an educational, bite-sized video learning platform designed to help people discover and follow new interests and career paths through short videos created exclusively by experienced experts and educators in a wide variety of industries. Dabbl combines the engaging, concise, 1-3 minute format of TikTok with the quality content and creators of Masterclass or Ted Talks to sit at the peak of engaging education. Before entering the EdTech space, Ryan was a world-traveled, ex-collegiate and professional soccer player having lived in 10+ countries, across 3 different continents, all before he turned 20. Throughout his travels, he decided to become a jack of all trades and a master of some. He was a commissioned painter, graphic designer, and musician–while also studying video game programming, finance, psychology, nutrition and much more. Ryan moved back to the United States in 2019 and obtained his bachelor’s degree in Finance & Management from SUNY University at Albany.Rather than pursuing a normal finance career out of college, he decided to pursue his passion of making the top educational content in the world accessible to everyone, no matter their financial situation or social status. Dabbl is excited to be a hub for the top educational video creators to share their unique experiences in a more streamlined way without being diluted down with misinformation and dangerous content that dominates conventional social media platforms.Ryan and Dabbl are focused on learning from the market and listening to their creators and users to develop the best platform for career and interest discovery possible for everyone involved. Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

In this episode, we explore the power of purposeful play in education. Join us as we discuss the importance of play in the learning process, the Connecticut legislation about play in elementary grades, and the benefits of purposeful play for students. We also delve into LEGO Education that highlights the positive impact of play on learning in K-8 students.We emphasize the importance of putting kids in the driver's seat, exploring concepts, making connections, and conducting experiments. We also discuss how building models and using natural curiosity can help students learn effectively. We encourage teachers to allow kids to find their own solutions and provide time for them to share and discuss their thought process.We believe that purposeful play empowers students and reimagines the classroom experience. It allows everyone to find success and reach their full potential. We acknowledge the challenges of implementing purposeful play, but we emphasize the importance of engaging with the information, discussing it, and using ideas in different ways. We also highlight the need for teachers to experience playful learning firsthand and to receive ongoing professional learning. Finally, we discuss the role of principals in creating a culture of purposeful play in schools.Play is about being in the moment. Purposeful play happening when we get to the goal of learning. CT Legislation about play in elementary gradesOver-engineering vs. open ended play. LEGO Education about K-8 students - play is a great way to help them learn. Students were more excited to go to school when they had play. Play can take so many different forms. Putting kids in the driver’s seatExploring conceptsMaking connectionsExperimentsBuilding modelsUse natural curiosity. Allow kids to find their own solutionsTime to share and discuss how they got there. When we can really interact with the informationPurposeful play will empower us to reimagine the classroom experience. Everybody can find success with purposeful play. Everybody can reach the bar that is appropriate for them. The challenge is that it takes so long to do these other thingsEngage with the information, discussion, then use ideas in a different way. How we wrap them together really matters. It can feel uncomfortable to do something new. Teachers need the love and opportunities, too. Teachers deserve some playful learning, too. Give teachers that experience first as a learner, and here are tools for you to use as well. Ongoing professional learning.How to be a transformative principal? Think about where students are and how can we bring playful learning back to them. 2. Be thoughtful about what engagement really looks likeDr. Jenny Bio, Headshot & LEGO® Education Logo: About Dr. Jenny Nash, Head of Education Impact, U.S., LEGO® Education: Dr. Jenny Nash serves as Head of Education Impact, U.S. for LEGO® Education, where she provides leadership in delivering meaningful learning experiences for students. As an advocate for playful hands-on learning, she is focused on instilling confidence in learning in students and teachers to build academic and 21st-century skills that will create active, collaborative, lifelong learners. She has worked in various levels of education, including as a middle and high school science teacher, professional development provider, and educational specialist. Dr. Jenny has presented at SXSW EDU, ISTE, CSTA, and NSTA among others; been quoted in publications such as Fast Company, TODAY, and District Administration; and was recognized as an Influential Woman in STEM and Tech. Dr. Nash received her doctoral degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Florida, along with her master’s in teaching and bachelor’s in accounting from Marshall University. Dr. Nash is based in Wisconsin and enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter and anything Disney. Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering wi

In this episode, Jethro talks with James Anderson, who has been on the show three previous times: The Learner Agency Model with James Anderson Transformative Principal 351Learnership with James Anderson Transformative Principal 455 Learnership: The Skill of Learning with James Anderson Transformative Principal 570 In this episode, we talk about teaching cultures and learning cultures, take a sidewalk into some deep thoughts about moral development, and finish with a bang. Do you have a sense of power and that you get to choose what you do in your life?Agency makes you the master of your circumstances, not the victim. Voice and Choice lip servicePower to choose vs. permission to choose. Agency is an outcome, not a pedagogy. There are some things we don’t have agency - the student needs to change and be capable over something that they weren’t capable of it before. Learning culture vs. teaching culture. Default ways we go about learning - teaching and performing. Learning is not the product of teaching, but the product of the activity of learners - John HoltTeacher doing all the heavy lifting in the classroom. Kids were coming to school to watch her work. Kids had been learning, but hadn’t yet become learners. Diagnostic tool to determine the level of learnership. Where kids are at in their own learning. Clear snapshot of where learners are at. Hidden Potential by Adam GrantTwo sides of the same coin. Character development or learnership are two sides of the same coin. Where habits of mind fit in the bigger picture. Teaching content, thinking models, within the context of good moral dimensions. How developing disposition is vital and important. Teachers are too busy “saving kids” from the challenges they are facing. Helping kids become creatures of discomfort. Help kids be safe while climbing, not taking away the opportunity to climb. Torvill and Dean - figure skating. So much more fun. If the results aren’t there, the teachers get the blame. It’s not up to me, it’s up to the learners. We’ve each got a role to play. Eduardo Briceño Performance ParadoxLearnship matrix shows them what it looks like. Expertise has a rich language to describe their area of expertise. Rich language of teaching, but impoverished language of learning. Teachers are expert teachers, but they are not expert learners. People become adequate and then they stop growing. Stop growing, start performing. Teachers may not have needed to be effective learners for a long time. Creatures of discomfort. About James Anderson James Anderson is a prominent Australian-based international speaker, author, and educator deeply committed to enhancing our capacity for effective learning. Central to his philosophy is the "Mindset Continuum," an extension of Carol Dweck's groundbreaking work on Growth Mindsets, providing practical tools to cultivate a profound understanding of ourselves as learners. His notable concept of Learnership, raising the status of learning from an act to an art, offers a powerful framework to comprehend and enhance our engagement in the learning process, ultimately helping schools to create the paradigm shift that is needed.With a rich background as a teacher and school leader, James has spent the past two decades collaborating with schools to create more thoughtful learning environments. He challenges educators to critically reflect on their own Mindsets and how these beliefs are subtly communicated to students, offering tangible strategies beyond clichés to instigate genuine shifts in learners' mindsets.James places immense value on the relationships he establishes with the schools and teachers he engages with, providing sustained support and follow-through often absent in professional development. Demonstrating the impact of his approach, a three-year partnership with Asquith Girls High School in Sydney led to students displaying increased persistence, embracing challenges, and teachers setting higher expectations. This comprehensive program was acknowledged as a finalist in the 2022 Australian Education Awards.As a Certified Speaking Professional and Certified Virtual Presenter, James frequently presents at global conferences, in both physical and virtual formats. His work has gained recognition in prominent publications like The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, as well as in popular educational and parenting podcasts such as Dr. Justin Coulson's Happy Families, Jethro Jones' Transformative Principal, and Renee Jain's Confident Child Summit.James's diverse body of work includes previous publications like Succeeding with Habits of Mind, The Agile Learner, and The Learning Landscape, alongside various e-books and teaching resources. His latest book, Learnership, raising the status of learning from an act to an art in your school, is set to become the book that every teacher will be talking about. Additionally, he offers online courses like the Growth Mindset Master Class and Learnership - the skill of Learning, which support educa

Jethro welcomes Dr. Jayne Lammers to Transformative Principal. Although we're talking about AI tools, we didn't spend a lot of time talking about the mundanity and what other sources are talking about: the how to, which tool does what thing. Really, we give guidance for school leaders about how to think beyond the boxes and the accountability systems that are currently set up to start to reimagine what learning can be in schools and beyond, and the ways in which generative AI tools might play a role in that. Edmentum has been using AI tools on the back end for a while. Courses products - self-directed learning. Teaching kids how to use the tools as a personalized tutor for them. Badges and micro-credentialingYouth engaged in “fandom” not looking for credit.Butting up against the expectations and formalization of Disrupt the siloed nature of secondary schoolsVery few learners get the opportunity to see connections between their content areas. The Sims 12000 players - writing the stories - Trying to set that up in classroom. “Slow and unwise” in school vs developing as a writer in her community. Don’t take what Eve does and give her grade for it. Making learning not about jumping through hoops. AI Tools can make more mundane tasks easierTutoring spaces - Need to differentiate. There’s not enough time in a class period to make the content connect to students’ particular interests. The need for a teacher is less important than it has been in the past. There is a need for teacher engagement in the relationship. The human connection can be transformative. Teacher moves into the role of facilitator, coach, and mentor, rather than an evaluator. How to be a transformative principal? Create a coalition of the willing - Do some experimentation - ChampionDr. Jayne C. Lammers is the Director of Learning Design at Edmentum. She began her education career as a middle and high school literacy teacher and found a passion for supporting teachers in meeting the needs of striving readers. She earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction at Arizona State University and spent 15 years in higher education, preparing teachers for the challenges of today’s classrooms. Her research explored the intersection of students’ interests and technology’s affordances, aiming to make literacy instruction more meaningful and impactful. Now, at Edmentum, Dr. Lammers helps ensure that their products leverage research-based best practices and consider the realities of teachers’ work and students’ needs. Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

Topaz Adizes is an Emmy-award winning creator who helps build the space between two people through deep and meaningful conversations. We have one of those for you today. Jethro and Topaz share how to listen better, ask better questions, and have intention in the conversations we have. {The AND} and 12 Questions for LoveIlluminating the space betweenWhat 12 questions would be the questions that spark a deep relationshipTrial and error - what questions work, and in what sequence?WHy are these questions and others working or not working? {The AND} is a formatIt’s about holding the space for people. There are as many stories of relationships as there are sands of the sea. It is what is.The Skin Deep is an experience design studio. The media suggests that the speaker is important. Questions fall into some sort of societal programmingAsk questions that go deeper than the simple questions we usually askIntention and well-constructed questionsThey’re asking themselves “How do we ensure that our students rank high?” Asking another question will lead to different behaviors and different questions? How do we make sure that each student feels that this school would not be the same if they were not here? What Learning Looks likeCoworkers - What values do we not share with our parents? ReframingLearning is always individualHow do I apply that in new formatsThe path to the heart is really listening. Listening with the body, being present to the space. If we’re not listening to the response, we’re not on the path to connection. What kind of conversation are we having? 4 meetings: checkin, brainstorm, social, decision-making.Education is high stakes, what is this conversation about?Common definitions of what we are talking about. We are all on a journeyWhere do we learn to really communicate?Please add your bio here: Topaz Adizes is an Emmy Award-winning writer, director, and experience design architect. He is an Edmund Hillary fellow and Sundance/Skoll stories of change fellow. His works have been selected to Cannes, Sundance, IDFA, and SXSW; featured in New Yorker magazine, Vanity Fair, and the New York Times; and have garnered an Emmy for new approaches to documentary and Two World Press photo awards for immersive storytelling and interactive documentary. He is currently the founder and executive director of the experience design studio The Skin Deep. Topaz studied philosophy at UC Berkeley and Oxford University. He speaks four languages, and currently lives in Mexico with his wife and two children. For more about The Skin Deep, visit TheSkinDeep.com. To learn more about Topaz Adizes and his work, visit TopazAdizes.com. Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

In this podcast conversation, Tiffany Caouette discusses the role and importance of play-based learning in education. Tiffany Caouette, currently working with the Connecticut Association of Schools, shares her insights on Connecticut being one of the first US states to acknowledge the significance of play-based learning through legislation. She talks about her experiences as an administrator, and her push for the inclusion of play-based learning in schools. She emphasizes the benefits of this learning approach, which not only includes improved executive functioning skills and critical thinking abilities among children, but also incorporates real-world applications into their learning process. The conversation delves into issues such as teacher autonomy, utilizing current resources, and balancing the use of electronics in classrooms. The podcast concludes with a discussion on the role of professional development for teachers and administrators in the successful implementation of play-based learning.We all struggle with executive functioning skills, and play based learning is a way to help instill those at the youngest ages. Play-based Learning - Second state in the countryLegislation about play-based learningBrought all kinds of organizations to the table to bring legislation to law. PreK and Kindergarten based classrooms should be using Play based learning, can’t be penalized for using play-based learningWhat does it look like to have play-based learning?How do you prevent play from being academized and boring? When kids are learning, it’s messy. How electronic devices play into it. What PD looks like. Play! Fiscal implementations, scheduling, etc. Organizing cohorts around the work. Grouping people together. Theme-based cohorting. How to help people get out of their own way and try some different things. If we want kids to change, we need to change as adults as well. Start small and expand your network. How to be a transformative principal? Focus on the 1 or 2 things that will make a change. About Tiffany CaoutteTiffany Caoutte was an administrator for 18 years, urban and suburban, elementary and high school. Been at CAS for a year and a half Tiffany Caoutte is a highly experienced administrator with over 18 years of experience in both urban and suburban school districts. She has served as an administrator at both the elementary and high school levels, and has a proven track record of success in leading and improving schools.Tiffany is currently the Assistant executive director at Connecticut Association for Schools, where she has been for a year and a half. CAS represents about a thousand schools.Tiffany is a strong advocate for equity and access in education. She believes that all students, regardless of their background, deserve a chance to succeed. She is committed to creating a school environment where all students feel safe, supported, and challenged.Tiffany is a passionate educator who is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of students. Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove

In this episode, Jethro is joined by Paul Thiessen and we talk about a broad range of topics from Podcasting for the school community to AI and Personalized Learning. The Daily - One topic, condensed in a short amount of time.Talking about events or different topics in our school (purple up and science of reading)Conversations with teachers about perceptions in the beginning, middle, and end of career. Why focus on his specific community - parent coffees, video calls, etc. 20-30 people ended up showing up. Gave more flexibilityThe Puma PawdUse DescriptJethro’s TEDxTalk about Attendance.Personalized LearningWorking with Education Elements32/40 educators really wanted to dive in to personalized learning. Synergy Podcast episodes on Transformative PrincipalIt’s about mindsetChange in education What impact can I make? How does AI tie into personalized learning?Embracing AI in educationStill need to have critical thinking to determine what is good information. AI can mark students’ progress in academic standards. It’s never going to be getting the students on board, it’s always about getting the adults on board. It’s not always easy to be successful. The unknown creates more anxiety than the known. The longer we push off the future, the less connected we will be with our kids. How to be a transformative principal? Get into the classrooms. About Paul ThiessenPaul is a passionate educator who is committed to providing students with a high-quality education. He is also a strong advocate for STEM education and believes that it is essential for students to be prepared for the 21st century workforce.Paul Thiessen is a 25-year veteran of the education field. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Waynesburg University in Southwest Pennsylvania, which he earned in 1999. Thiessen began his career as a third-grade teacher at Rachel Carson Elementary in Gaithersburg, Maryland, where he taught for three years as part of Montgomery County Public Schools. In 2002, Thiessen moved to Loudoun County, Virginia, where he opened Hutchison Farm Elementary as a third-grade teacher. He later served as the Elementary Dean for LCPS at Hutchison Farm Elementary, which was his first administrator role. In 2008, Thiessen opened Liberty Elementary (South Riding, VA) as Assistant Principal. He was part of the team that started the STEM work at that school. In 2018, the school was named National STEM School of the year. In 2012, Thiessen became Principal of Pinebrook Elementary in Aldie, VA, where they have become a Personalized Learning School.Thiessen is a passionate educator who is committed to providing students with a high-quality education. He is also a strong advocate for STEM education and believes that it is essential for students to be prepared for the 21st century workforce. Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

Today's episode is super fascinating. Rick Meyer shared his dashboard, and you might want to check out the YouTube video for this episode because it is incredible what he’s doing with teacher data. The power of the data hubVery reactive in MTSS to startDidn’t know how to do formulas to startData entry comes from Google formsMain test scores entered by admin/instructional coachProgress monitoring is done by paraprofessionalsStudents enter dataTeachers don’t put any data in. Daily: Checkin/attendance dataWeekly: Sonday Phonics Progress monitoring - Color coding based on their MAP Scores. Monthly or as needed: Raider badges & Freckle Intervention program Behavior data - Ownership roomsProtecting the data: hLookup Query and other formulasWiping out the old data.How to be a transformative principal? Identify what you want to collect! About Rick MeyerRick Meyer is an elementary principal in Sidney, NE. He has been in education for 19 years, the first 7 as a kindergarten teacher. He then transitioned to a technology coordinator for his district for the next 5 years, where he helped implement technology and taught K-5th grade technology integration. He then moved into administration and is in his 7th year as a principal. Meyer is married to another elementary principal in Sidney and they have two children, a daughter, 16, and a son, 12. He holds a master's degree in administration and is currently working towards his specialist degree to become a superintendent. Meyer has been passionate about technology in education since he entered teaching. Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

How she stays at the same place for so long. RelationshipsStreet cred and reputation exist, but they don’t know me personally. Each family is a new relationshipHonesty and transparencyPeople don’t always love the news I give them, but they do appreciate the honesty and directnessDon’t need to sugarcoat things because it doesn’t actually help. Call and connect with new families. Calling to share good news. Our students deserve our A game every dayDeveloping teachers when you have a good relationship. Be a good listener, open the door for reflection. Work together, rather than against each other. 90% of teachers want to be here for the right reason. Seeing brillianceThe meat of your work is not in doing observations. Small moments of walkthroughs are where the growth really happens.Keep a sense of humorWeird, hard, and funny happens every day. Don’t make rash decisions - Somebody else thought I should make a decision quickly. Don’t let anyone rush your decisions.How to be a transformative principal? Think about students you’re worried about and make a phone call to the family. Please add your bio here: Marianne Lescher is a life-long educator. Her 40 years in public education span Massachusetts and Arizona. Dr. Lescher started as an elementary and special education teacher and Assistant Principal in Westwood, Massachusetts and eventually moved to Arizona, where she has been in the Kyrene Elementary District for over 26 years. In Kyrene, Marianne started at the District Office as a Specialist and Director in Curriculum. Marianne’s heart is with children and families, so she moved to an elementary school and has been a K-5 and K-8 principal for 25 years. Over these years, Marianne’s schools have achieved the A+ School of Excellence Award from the Arizona Educational Foundation four times and her current school was honored with the National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Recognition in 2015. This is the highest honor a school can achieve from the Department of Education in Washington DC. A highlight of Marianne’s career as a Principal has been her work to envision and bring to life the goal of a K-8 campus for Kyrene Traditional Academy. Marianne was charged with not only developing and training a staff in new curriculum and instructional strategies, but also to work with architects and construction crews to add two new buildings to campus and overseeing the renovation of the existing school building, all on an active school campus! With her staff, students and community, Marianne’s school has almost doubled in enrollment and continues to achieve amazing results and has been recognized with numerous awards. Marianne is a life-long learner as well, and received her undergraduate degrees from Boston College in elementary and special education, her M.Ed. from the University of Massachusetts, Boston and her Ph. D. from Boston College in Educational Research, Measurement and Evaluation. She is a proud Double Eagle from BC! Marianne continues her own professional development and study through her work with the National Institute for School Leadership (NISL) where she trains and mentors new and aspiring school leaders. She also works closely with the Arizona Educational Foundation in supporting school leaders and is an adjunct with Grand Canyon University. Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social

In this episode, Dr. Erin Bailey joins Jethro Jones to talk about how to engage families in inspiring the joy of reading in children. Making reading backed by research, powered by joyConcerns in children’s reading - not teaching it correctlyTeaching teachers to be culturally responsiveTrain teachers in getting to know their students. Things we should do to teach kids reading: phonological awareness (hearing and manipulating sounds), phonics, vocabulary, fluency (rate, accuracy, expression), and comprehension.Typically science of reading stops at the first two.There’s no one way to teach readingMotivation to readGiving children access to books that they own and chooseLink between motivation and reading, and motivation and comprehensionBookmobile, printed, SkybraryGetting joy from the experienceParents are the primary educatorsYou can’t out-teach the culture of the home.Teacher PD about family engagement systemsFamily engagement vs. family involvementFamily engagement is the family system and the school system working together Power of storyFamily Literacy Evening - bring families on board to plan the event, rather than just having the school do everything, involve food, childcare (or activities) for other siblings, and give away books. Outreach is important, reach out to see why people didn’t attend. The location where you have your events is important - where else could you have the event? RIF coordinators getting books to kids during the pandemic.How to be a transformative principal? Listen to your families and make a connection. About Erin Bailey, Director, Literacy & Content, Reading Is FundamentalErin Bailey, Ed.D., joined Reading Is Fundamental in 2021 and currently serves as the Director of Literacy and Content. Her role includes serving as the subject matter expert and developing, curating, and managing content and professional learning for educators and families on literacy. Dr. Bailey has been an educator in U.S. and international classrooms. Her teaching experience spans from PreK-8 including roles as a classroom teacher, literacy specialist, English language learning specialist, and university instructor. Her interests include professional learning for teachers on family and community engagement, instructional strategies for multilingual learners, and literacy instruction. She is interested in the ways that partnering with families and communities, particularly for children from historically marginalized communities, can transform literacy instruction. Additionally, she designs curriculum and professional development for utilizing play-based learning to teach language and literacy to young children.Dr. Bailey has a robust and interdisciplinary research repertoire including learning through informal spaces such as public gardens, art museums, and social movements. She takes up art processes such as film, photography, and sound mixing to expand approaches to qualitative inquiry. She has presented her work at several major conferences including the American Education Research Association (AERA) and the World Organization for Early Childhood Education (OMEP) and has published in academic journals including Qualitative Inquiry, Journal of Early Childhood Literacy, and Journal of Literacy Research. Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in

In this episode, Matthew Ebert joins Jethro to discuss how to actively and intentionally create the space for educators to be their authentic selves at work and how that impacts a greater school community.Ongoing, authentic, and messy1:1 meetings with all the staff.Slack as a schoolwide communication tool - How to implement without teachers feeling like they need to be in the Avoid performative care6 staff meetings in one year. Use Slack as you need it - AutonomyPower of muting channelsHilarious communitiesThe power of continuous meetings. All development is personal. (The Personal is Professional)Must have holistic approaches to all things. Try, fail, cry, and try again. 6 staff meetingsThe Art of GatheringInitiatives came from the teachers, not from the administration. Grades were not an accurate reflection of what kids really could do. Care vs. accountability Schools are not families, they’re teams. How to be a transformative principal? Stop going to meetings and start going to classrooms. About Matthew EbertMatthew Ebert is a human-centered leader with 20+ years of experience in education, primarily focused on school leadership in urban settings. Matthew's consulting is grounded in his experiences as a teacher, director of academic innovation, academy leader, and a decade of successful leadership as a public charter school principal. Throughout his leadership tenure, Matthew has developed teams that exceed expectations, consistently achieving strong results. He is committed to cultivating healthy work and learning environments in which individuals feel seen, heard, and valued. In addition to helping team members consistently attain their personal and professional goals, Matthew has facilitated dramatic and consistent growth in student achievement in both Baltimore and Boston, in metrics focused on academic achievement and school climate. Matthew's leadership is based in the idea that we are all here to take care of one another. Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

Jethro sits down with David Bryan to talk about how to make school more worthwhile. The difference between public and private schoolsMore freedom in a private school to address issues in their schools.How to manage high tuition.All students paid tuition.Why he started New Roads to connect people. The richness of a diverse population leads to amazing environments.Schools that are worthwhile are flexible, nimble, and messy. What does the future of education look like? Schools have to invest in those areas where kids are interested.Improving the conversation by being together.Every human being has been learning from the time they were aware. “Getting Credit” for their learning.Kids learning skateboarding tricks. Fan the flames that are there. Grade school teachers David Bolton - Educational ActivistCuriosity Invited PodcastHow to be a transformative principal? Pause before you say no. About David BryanThrough a decades-long career in the trade, business, and education spaces, Dr. David Bryan has garnered the skills to be a curious and eager student of many fields. Having taught at middle school, high school, and university levels throughout the United States, Dr. Bryan gained the experience to spearhead his own venture, co-founding New Roads School, a unique independent school in Southern California that devoted between 40 to 50 percent of its annual budget to need-based financial aid. That allowed New Roads to create a private school population that was ethnically, racially, and socioeconomically diverse.Bryan served as a faculty member, Founding Head of School, and President from 1995 until his departure in 2013. Following this, he founded his own consulting business and lectured in economics at UC Santa Cruz.In 2020, Dr. Bryan relocated to rural Wyoming, and for the first time in years found himself outside of the classroom. The podcasting space has been steadily growing, allowing people all over the world to connect. Leveraging the podcasting format and fortified by his “enduring belief that a person can learn a great deal about the world and other people by simply being curious about what folks do”, Dr. Bryan launched his largest “classroom” yet, the CURIOSITY INVITED podcast. Between the podcast, participating on several boards, and spending time with his wife, Shelly Graham, exploring the many splendors of Wyoming terrain, his calendar and inbox are both pretty full. Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

How to converse with Chatbots using other toolsBackground in ELA teachingThinking of the tool as a reading assistantWhat is a reading assistant?Getting an executive summary Get an idea if I should really dive into this idea. Process - find the text, ask what it is, then zoom in, Zoom out as neededHallucinations exist, but they are reduced when the text is there. AI For the rest of us - AugmentationHow does this make Rod a better learner?Focuses my time better and helps me know what I should spend my time on. How leaders talk to one another. Finding a gap in the research - hard to discern the landscape. Reading more scholarly research because I have a tool that helps me know I’m going to get something from it. Science Direct and Google Scholar to find resources.Like the autonomy of interacting directly with the source. @rodjnaquin everywhere but check out the substack. Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

This is a trailer for a new show I just started called A Vision for Learning. In it, we focus on the Apple Vision Pro, AR, VR, XR, AI, and the future of learning. I've already released some great episodes, including two interviews with people who have been using AR in schools for years already!Click here to subscribe and get my learning-focused review of the Apple Vision Pro this weekend!If you listen to Transformative Principal, you'll love A Vision for Learning.

What we teach and how we teachPK-8th grade over a quarter million devoted to studentsSmall class sizes, 2 teachers in a class of 20. Started at 85 studentsIncredible amount of individual supportTransportation is 7% of the budget. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner every dayWraparound servicesOn-site partnership with Dayton’s Children's Hospital - full-time mental health, doctor, and other services for kids.Startup year - be naive about what starting a school entails. Temporary site - Fire marshallWorking with a local Medicaid provider30% higher in every category than every other child on MedicaidLooking at lots of data for whole-child outcomes51% at grade level at the start, and 85% at grade level at the end of the year.Not all roses and sunshineScreenings for character, mental health, etc. Age 27 goals. How they teach - Tried finding instructional strategies that really moved the needle. Influenced by Hattie’s work - prioritized by effect size.Teacher quality mattersBenjamin Bloom’s Research - Acton AcademyUsing personalized tools in a smart way. Zearn math program - typically used as supplementalThrown the idea out the windowMixed-age classrooms. Start teaching at the instructional level, not the age or grade level.Personality and character benefitsLooking at Age 27, and how that reflects in 1 year. Hire in the top 10% of teachers. About AJ StichAdam J. Stich (A.J.) is the founding principal of The Greater Dayton School. Prior to starting in this role, he spent nearly seven years as a principal in Chicago Public Schools, where he drove strong outcomes for students and teachers. You can hear his first interview on Transformative Principal at this link. Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

In this show we talk about creating a personal operating system, the core four needed to make yourself an amazing human being. You’re going to love this interview. You can’t lead others to do something you’re not willing to do yourself.Self-leadership in four core areas. Gap in what Leader who has a deep level of integrity Because of the depth of your own integrityYou can be better, but a great leader is someone who can find people who are better in their area of expertise. The thing that we are unwilling to do will cause resentment in those we lead. Nobody expects the leader to be better than everyone at everythingLeaders give people authority and trust to own that part of the organizationThis all starts at home. Servant-hearted leadership is the most powerful leadership. Doing it at home with your family makes it easier to translate to the workplace. The more I hold onto stuff, the more I’m the bottleneck.You have to let go in order to grow. Priority and sequence to everything. Get myself on point so I’m on the highest level of capacity to serve the people that matter the most. The family gets what is best first. If I’m on point with my wife and kids, and the family is thriving, that gives me a clarity to work in the workplace. Everything is connected. Relationships healthyStruggling everywhere, systems and processes made things better. Checklist Manifesto by Atul GawandeYou need a system to help you be on point. Core Four - Body, Being, Balance, BusinessSweat and Green SmoothiePrayer/meditation and journalNote to wife and children and one act of serviceLearn something new every day applicable to your careerMore powerful to experience than to explain. So easy to run and hide when things are difficult. Weaponizing your body - making your body the weapon to do the work you need to do. Download your tracker to change your life in 30 days at TheWorldNeedsMen.comAbout Franklin SwannFranklin Swann, an entrepreneur from Tyler, Texas, is the proud owner of Swann Furniture and Design. Beyond the realm of business, he is a loving husband to his beautiful wife, Brooke, and a devoted father to two remarkable children, EF and Camilla. Deeply rooted in his faith, Franklin is a committed follower of Christ, infusing his values into both his personal and professional life.Franklin is the torchbearer of a remarkable legacy, serving as the fifth-generation owner of Swann's Furniture & Design, a rich 128-year history. His leadership reflects a relentless pursuit of personal growth and development, setting the tone for the continued success of the family business. But Franklin is more than his furniture empire, like all of us. He is a multifaceted individual dedicated to family, faith, and the enduring pursuit of excellence.You can listen to his podcast at theworldneedsmen.comExplore more BE Podcast Network shows:The Authority Podcast: https://bit.ly/48dhakQ Morning Motivation for Educators: https://bit.ly/42dLGJaThe Learning Bridge with Richard Gerver: https://bit.ly/3Hw3AgCSideline Sessions: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave te

Linking Leaders Podcast - subscribe and listen in your podcast player of choice.Small little seeds of ideas Administrator hacks - How they interactBuilding pathways for administrator prep and their early days.Content and process of what we provide.Connector for administratorsMentoring aspiring administratorsWhat administrators need are connections with others. Opportunity and process to come together.Creating the time to step aside and having people think through a problem of practiceLower the temperature - make them feel less stressed. “It mattered that we met because…”Every time I’m in front of a group of leaders, I’m able to model something that they can learn too. Center for Leadership and Innovation - Planning summits, step aside, go deep. Rather than frequent check-ins do half day summitsPlay-based learning2nd year around - how do you take on everything but not getting in over your head? Marking where we have had some impact in our state. How to prioritize what you should change. Pulse surveys. Is this valuable to our leaders on a broader scale?Networking and building connections. How to be a transformative principal? Push your chair back and just listen. About Dr. Alicia BowmanDr. Alicia Bowman currently works for the Connecticut Association of Schools, as Associate Executive Director and Director of the Center for Leadership and Innovation. Prior to joining CAS, she spent twenty years serving the Farmington Public Schools at the school and district levels. Alicia was Connecticut’s Elementary Principal of the Year and National Distinguished Principal in 2015. She was featured in a chapter of Lee Teitel’s book School-Based Instructional Rounds, and in NAESP’s Principal Magazine for her work in using collaborative classroom observations and analysis to drive school and district improvement. Alicia is an active adjunct faculty member of UCAPP.Explore more BE Podcast Network shows:The Authority Podcast: https://bit.ly/48dhakQ Morning Motivation for Educators: https://bit.ly/42dLGJaThe Learning Bridge with Richard Gerver: https://bit.ly/3Hw3AgCSideline Sessions: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

How the coaching call worked well for Hillary. Female, like-minded folksTrying PQ reps has been newWorking on one saboteur - physically embody that saboteur.Constantly on technology and value time away from technologyListening to my team and giving them space. Teams focusing on helping her with her saboteur when she divulged what her saboteur isHow this is helping in her career changes. Loving the challenge of change. Fearful that I wasn’t very good at it, and you’re not until you get some experience and get your feet on the ground. How her leadership is supporting her in a career change.Focus to where she wants to live. How job interviews will be impacted by what she’s learning. You need to take care of you first. It takes discipline. You are worthy. Set asiAbout Hillary ChapmanHillary Chapman dreamed of being an educator at age 4 when she would assign homework to her neighborhood friends from her parent’s Readers Digest and National Geographic. Thanks to her Mom encouraging her to have more recess…Hillary has developed into an international educator and WA state librarian advocate. As an educator for 28 years, a school librarian for 20 years, and an international educator of 12 years, Hillary has grown roots in SW Washington and found a home in Washougal as the District Librarian TOSA. However, as the consummate student, Hillary attained her Principal’s Certification from EWU and aspires to grow her career into an Assistant Principal position in sunny California, returning to her husband Jim’s native roots. But, the uphill climb to administrator has been bumpier than expected. But, in Hillary’s eyes, it’s truly been a “Bloom where I’m planted” experience. Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

Family Engagement - Daily practice employing executive functioning skillsIf parents are informed they can help in a more powerful wayBringing parents into the process mattersHow do I hone this down into a daily task?Alexis Reid Podcast on Resilient SchoolsHow to keep from fighting with your kidsModeling and routines with kids.Physical tactile colored Organized Binder.Requires use of skills and practice.Predictable learning routines help kids take risks.If they get practice, they get opportunities to growAccountability - something that young people learn to do with practice.Getting practice with them in a “no-stakes” way. Jethro’s family goal setting page.Singular practice on goal setting - goal, sub goal, when and where, see what impacts it is creatingThen evaluate what you need to adjust to make it happenWorking on it over timeActual implementation is much better than lessonsThe actual implementation for schools and families - where to find everything, asking questions (prompts), Having Routines and modeling makes things very clear for the student. Advice for leaders about executive functioning skills - What would it look like to not teach them, but give them exposure to them through modeling rather than just teaching.About Mitch WeathersMitch Weathers founded Organized Binder out of a need to support struggling students with effective tools. He realized the importance of content-agnostic resources that could benefit students of all abilities. His journey began by embedding essential skills practice into his classroom routine, leading to improved student success and confidence.Today, Organized Binder is an evidence-based MTSS Tier 1 solution, creating structured, dependable learning environments. It offers content-agnostic tools for goal setting, reflective learning, time management, and more, aligning with UDL principles. Collaborating with diverse educational institutions, Organized Binder empowers students and supports educators in implementing best teaching practices under Mitch Weathers' leadership as the Founder and CEO. Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

We also talk about Jethro's six week coaching program that is incredibly powerful. Taylor shares her 1-session experience that made her want to go all in for the six week program. If you want a free coaching session like that for yourself, schedule a time here.Want to do more to level up and help peopleThe saboteur conversation really spoke to me. Identifying what path I do want to go down. Power of the free coaching call. The free coaching session kept Taylor from admiring the problem, and being able to focus on a solution.Getting deeper into the root cause of the problem of practiceHow the program helps her find success in current busy times.It’s OK to take 2 minutes to take a breather during the day. Heavy, tense training, and now she knows how to do manage it a little better. You don’t have to be isolated or alone doing this work. We should be doing this when things are hard. How this program helps with the really difficult things that are happening in Taylor’s personal life. This is about personal and professional development. Education is about working with humans, so we can’t forget about the human aspect. The challenge of working as the admin in the building with her son in the building. About Taylor DavisAfter completing college, Taylor Davis embarked on a professional journey as an account executive in marketing/sales. However, a realization struck – inspired by the wisdom of her father, a dedicated teacher and administrator – that a true passion lay in working with children. This revelation led Taylor back to school to pursue a Master’s degree and transition into a fulfilling career as an educator.The initial teaching years were spent in Georgia, where she dedicated three years to shaping young minds. Subsequently, a return to the home state of Washington extended her teaching career for an additional six years. During this time, the desire to make a broader impact on a larger scale ignited, prompting Taylor, with the support of her father, to pursue administrative credentials. This decision culminated in a role as an elementary Associate Principal in the Lake Washington School District, where she has dedicated the last nine years.Throughout this period, Taylor encountered the challenges and triumphs of education, navigating a pandemic alongside a myriad of high-needs situations within the school environment. These challenges included addressing behavioral concerns, trauma, and supporting low-income students and families. Taylor found herself in a leadership role twice within seven years, unexpectedly managing the responsibilities of the school due to principals being placed on administrative leave.Beyond the professional challenges, Taylor faced personal struggles, coping with an abusive relationship while being a new mom. The difficulty of concealing this trauma within the school context, where the same authorities were involved, led Taylor to prioritize professional needs until it became untenable. The onset of the pandemic coincided with a high-conflict divorce from a narcissistic partner, extending over four years. Despite these personal challenges, Taylor remained a committed principal and a full-time single mom to a kindergartner in the school.This unique blend of professional and personal experiences has given Taylor a distinctive perspective, particularly in understanding the complexities that families and students face, especially those dealing with trauma or poverty. Having emerged on the other side of personal trauma, Taylor is now poised to channel her healing journey into helping others. With an eagerness to utilize her voice for a greater purpose, Taylor is exploring avenues to contribute meaningfully, driven by a sense that there is more she can do to make a positive impact. Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playwo

In this episode, we talk about self-identifying the challenges we face and asking for help when we need it. We also talk about Jethro's six-week coaching program which is incredibly powerful. Sam shares the 1-session experience that made her want to do the six weeks. If you want a free coaching session like that for yourself, schedule a time here.Why Sam was interested in Coaching with JethroIdentity tied up in a certain position in a school.Struggles: ability to relate to other people following a difficult day. Felt alone as a middle school principalDifficult days are especially challengingPeople don’t bring positives to you, they bring problems to you. Don’t have the same opportunities to get support and positive feedback from others. The negative stands out more than the positive. People asking “Are you ok?”People were willing to say, “Yes, let’s talk” but she also needed someone outside to sayThe advantage of having a neutral party. Spinning tires on a problem, look at the problem from a human side of it. The outcome was the same, but how she approached it was so much different. Teacher not meeting my expectations - needed to see this person as a human being who was also frustrated and annoyed. How can I help you? What do you need?The feedback I’m getting from those being led: more positive things to say, people noticing it. Appreciate how my demeanor has changed in the past few days.Internalized a lot of how people perceive me and my school. Just because I was an effective teacher doesn’t mean my way was the best way for this group at this school. How to be a transformative principal? Having a winning mentality that you’re going to win every day, regardless. Allow yourself to have a positive outlookAbout Samantha OppermanSamantha Opperman has 11 years of experience in education. She has served as an English teacher at the secondary and post-secondary level for nine years, an instructional coach at a middle school for one year, and is currently the building principal at Bradshaw Mountain Middle School in Dewey, Arizona.Opperman is originally from California and moved to Arizona in 2019. She is married to her husband, Daryl, and they have two sons, Luke (5) and Reed (2). Opperman is also in her first year of an educational doctorate program for Leadership and Innovation at Arizona State University. Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

In this episodes, Kelly interviews Jethro about his Coaching Practice. If you want a free coaching session like that for yourself, schedule a time here.The power of mental fitness - starts with self, judgment, and relationshipsjethrojones.com/coach 10 saboteurs and how they show up. Sage powers Mastermind coaching vs. Individual coachingSuccess Mindsets Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

In this episode, Jethro is joined by JC Pohl, of TeenTruth.net to discuss his new book Rising Above: A Story of Positive School Conflict ResolutionBackground is in film and Rising Above is told in a narrative formatMonica is modeling the behaviors she’s experiencingConflict is such a negative term. Relate at the human levelConnect, then collaborateGive people a voice in the plan, and let them stay in and move forwardBe curious, ask questionsWe have to go out of our way to make the face-to-face communications needed.Administrators do need to have PR and need to have marketing skillsMade to Stick by Chip and Dan HeathHow to partner with parents, rather than dictate to parentsNot every family is playing with a full deck when it comes to parent involvement - Invite parents into the school more. Scavenger hunt outside of DallasAbout JC PohlJC Pohl is an award-winning producer, nationally recognized speaker, and certified counselor who has reached more than 12 million people with his efforts to build school culture and empower student voices. He has produced groundbreaking programs such as TEEN TRUTH and RISING UP, and award-winning content for companies such as Warner Brothers, ESPN, and Disney. He is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and can be reached on Facebook and LinkedIn or directly at www.jcpohl.com.https://teentruth.net/schoolconflict for more info Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

In today’s episode, we discuss the topic of conflict. Rob and Seth describe how it keeps principals up at night, but can be harnessed for good when we address conflict instead of avoiding it or getting angry about it.About Dr. Robert FeirsenDr. Robert Feirsen is currently associate professor and coordinator of the Educational Leadership Program at Manhattanville College. Previously, he was assistant professor and chair of the Education Department at New York Institute of Technology. A former SAANYS member, Dr. Feirsen enjoyed a distinguished career in P-12 schools. As a school building leader in Westchester and Nassau Counties, he served as an elementary school principal, a middle school assistant principal, and a middle school principal. At the central office level, he served as an assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, deputy superintendent, and superintendent of schools. Dr. Feirsen taught at the elementary, middle, and high school levels as a social studies and special education teacher in schools in New York City before moving into supervisory roles. Dr. Feirsen holds an Ed.D. from Fordham University.Dr. Feirsen’s research interests include addressing organizational conflict, the school principal-school counselor relationship, principal and teacher retention, the relationship between psychological ownership and professional learning, college readiness, and the applications of design thinking. His research and other articles have been published in a number of academic journals, as well as Educational Leadership and Education Week. Dr. Feirsen has led workshops at such venues as ASCD, the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE), and the American Educational Research Association (AERA). With Seth Weitzman, he has presented at national and statewide conferences including ASCD, the New York State Council of School Superintendents (NYSCOSS), and the New York Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (NYACTE). Seth Weitzman, he is also the co-author of From Conflict to Collaboration: A School Leader’s Guide to Unleashing Conflict’s Problem-Solving Power and How to Get the Teaching Job You Want.About Dr. Seth WeitzmanDr. Seth Weitzman sat in a middle school principal’s chair for 27 years in Nassau and Westchester counties. Leadership positions included co-president of the Mamaroneck administrators’ union, president of the Nassau County, and later, the Westchester County Middle School Principals’ Association, and a New York State Middle Level Liaison (a working group of principals representing every county and BOCES in New York State meeting with NYSED officials). Together with Dr. Robert Feirsen, he is co-author of two books: How to Get the Teaching Job You Want and From Conflict to Collaboration: A School Leader’s Guide to Unleashing Conflict’s Problem Solving Power. He is either author or co-author of a number of articles published in national education journals including Educational Leadership and American Middle Level Education Magazine.Drs. Feirsen and Weitzman have presented in numerous professional association conferences at the county, state and local levels (e.g. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, American Association of School Personnel Administrators, New York State Middle School Association, New York State Association of Teacher Educators) and graduate-level classes (Teachers College, Bank Street College of Education). He is currently a Senior Instructor in the Mercy College Educational Leadership Department. His 40-year education career began teaching elementary school and middle school in Connecticut and New York City. He holds an EdD from Teachers College, Columbia University.The best way for listeners to reach out to Seth Weitzman and Robert Feirsen: [email protected]@[email protected] Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools fou

Maxwell Roach is the founder of JonAyves Learning Club. He’s toured the world as a musician sharing stages with artists such as Beyoncé and the Rolling Stones, directed operations for a multi-million dollar tech company, created and sold health products into grocery stores, and was the CEO of a child care organization with over 250 children across 4 centres.In today’s episode, we discuss the role of tutoring, the negative connotation it can carry with students and families, and how it can fit the current need of addressing post pandemic learning across the world. His experiences with his own children learning to master the Rubik's cube and Abacus help illustrate the power of harnessing technology and welcoming those outside of the classroom to help achieve the mission of all students learning at high levels.Max can be reached by going to jonayveslearningclub.com Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

Dr. John Schembari is an Improvement Coach through which he supports teachers and school leaders by performing on site evaluations, identifying data informed trends, reviewing curriculum/assessment materials, creating improvement plans, coaching individuals one-on-one, developing and delivering group training to educators, and implementing evidence-based instructional strategies that improve teaching practices and increase student learning. JOHN SCHEMBARI Senior Education Executive In today’s episode, we discuss everything curriculum. John shares his answer when teachers say “I’m just going to hurry up and teach all of the curriculum” and “I’m done with the curriculum work”. Instead of teaching the curriculum, John explains how we should be focused on student learning, and he describes the importance of curriculum review cycles. We also explore the role textbooks play and what teachers need if they are going to be tasked with developing their own curriculum and assessments. Best way for listeners to reach out to John Schembari:908-442-6636 [email protected] Schembari | LinkedIn Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.