SEEing to Lead: Recent Episodes
Christopher Jones
This podcast is about supporting, engaging, and empowering teachers. It assists you in becoming a better leader and creating a world class educational environment utilizing a teacher centric approach. Each conversation with both teachers and leaders will provide concrete, practical examples to help you, the leader or teacher, discover the difference between believing and knowing as these strategies are examined from various perspectives. It provides the resources to help you take action and elevate everyone’s level of achievement.
Johnathan has seven years of experience as a special education teacher at a therapeutic campus for students with emotional disturbance and four more years as an in-school suspension teacher at two middle schools. After discovering how in-school suspension programs are failing to meet the needs of our most at-risk students, Johnathan created a successful in-school suspension program to address the current disciplinary, academic, and restorative requirements of our student populations. After establishing successful ISS programs on two campuses, he made the decision to create a roadmap for others to follow in his latest book The Art of In-School Suspension. Johnathan now offers professional development and consulting services for schools looking to restructure their In School Suspension programs in an effort to more effectively impact staff and students.
Some Key Takeaways:
- In school suspension rooms are ineffective the way they are currently run.
- The first step to a successful in school suspension program is to figure out your physical and digital structure.
- All procedures and expectations need to be communicated and in place before the day even starts for students.
- In school suspension rooms must incorporate trauma informed or "trauma assumed" practices.
- It's important to remember the nurturing piece required when working with students.
Stay in Contact:
Twitter
Book
SEEing to Lead Extras!
Like the content, want to be a guest, or know someone who would? Reach out to me on Twitter at @DrCSJones
Have you taken the time to order and read my latest book!
Seeing to Lead is filled with practical resources and personal stories to help you support, engage, and empower those you lead no matter your position!
Jimmy Casas said, "If you are a leader who is looking to support, engage and empower your staff, then SEEing to Lead, by Dr. Chris Jones, is a book you will want to pick up and read. Dr. Jones reminds us that building capacity and helping others achieve personal success is the key to elevating your organization and leaving a lasting impact."
Get your copy here!Don't forget to leave a rating and review for others. I would appreciate it!
Subscribe to My Newsletter!
We are all busy, often unsupported, and struggle to stay engaged! Here is a weekly resource that has something to support, engage, and empower you. Not to mention it saves you time by getting to the point! Increase your focus and become a better leader; no matter your position. Check it out here!
Get in touch to schedule me for a workshop or presentation!
Don't forget to hit the subscribe button on this podcast and leave a rating so others can benefit!
We're so grateful to our sponsor AI Coach by Edthena.
AI Coach enables your teachers to go through coaching cycles based on their own needs. The virtual coach guides teachers to reflect on their teaching, set a goal, and create an action plan… all based on gathering classroom evidence. It gives support between PD days and other coaching cycles.
Get a free trial for your teachers here.
As a guest on Defacto Leaders by Karen Dudek-Brannan, I had a great conversation covering a wide range of topics relating to how leaders can better empower their staff, including:
✅What it means to be “teacher-centered”, and why being “student-centered” isn’t always the most effective way to run a school.
✅Are constraints a bad thing? Or can they lead to more creativity? How can school leaders guide their staff without micromanaging them?
✅Should school administrators ask for feedback during evaluations? What questions should they be asking to understand how they can empower staff.
Make sure you check out Karen's podcast as well. She has fantastic guests and content!
We're so grateful to our sponsor AI Coach by Edthena.
AI Coach enables your teachers to go through coaching cycles based on their own needs. The virtual coach guides teachers to reflect on their teaching, set a goal, and create an action plan… all based on gathering classroom evidence. It gives support between PD days and other coaching cycles.
Get a free trial for your teachers here.
Over 30 years of experience developing winning high-school basketball teams, including 428 career victories, sets the stage for the unique credibility and power of Coach Jim Johnson’s message.
Many speakers talk about leadership, but it’s rare to find a speaker who has, quite literally, led thousands.
In a moment later celebrated all over the world, Coach weighed risk with the potential for great opportunity for an autistic student-manager, Jason McElwain (JMac) catapulting Jim, the team, and JMac down a path of inspiration and hope. That one victory continues to reverberate into countless lives as audience after audience is touched by a wave of courage and tenacity and witnesses what true leadership can accomplish.
Key Takeaways:
- Being proactive is key to solving issues that will eventually arise down the line.
- Use a clarity of communication exercise.
- Include teachers randomly in leadership meetings.
- Use a questioning agenda.
- Play the "if you only knew me" game.
- It's incredibly important to emphasize not committing a "double error" if we are to grow.
- Life accumulates
- Make sure you have an intentional growth plan.
- You're either getting better or getting worse. There is no in between, which is why continuous improvement and self-development is crucial to successfully leadership.
- You need to focus on helping people figure out how to lead themselves so they in turn can become a servant leader.
Remember to Collaborate:Website
We're so grateful to our sponsor AI Coach by Edthena.
AI Coach enables your teachers to go through coaching cycles based on their own needs. The virtual coach guides teachers to reflect on their teaching, set a goal, and create an action plan… all based on gathering classroom evidence. It gives support between PD days and other coaching cycles.
Get a free trial for your teachers here.
Over 30 years of experience developing winning high-school basketball teams, including 428 career victories, sets the stage for the unique credibility and power of Coach Jim Johnson’s message.
Many speakers talk about leadership, but it’s rare to find a speaker who has, quite literally, led thousands.
In a moment later celebrated all over the world, Coach weighed risk with the potential for great opportunity for an autistic student-manager, Jason McElwain (JMac) catapulting Jim, the team, and JMac down a path of inspiration and hope. That one victory continues to reverberate into countless lives as audience after audience is touched by a wave of courage and tenacity and witnesses what true leadership can accomplish.
Key Takeaways:
- Search for people with a passion for and commitment to what they are doing, coupled with a "we over me" attitude.
- We often serve ourselves best by serving others.
- Vulnerability is one of the keys to building trust.
- Any team or organization has to have a mission that's bigger than just winning or making profit if they're going to be successful.
- It is essential to build programs that have systems that people want to be part of.
- You build good systems by creating consistency, vulnerability, clarity.
- Give people something that sets them apart to identify themselves as different and special.
Remember to Collaborate:Website
We're so grateful to our sponsor AI Coach by Edthena.
AI Coach enables your teachers to go through coaching cycles based on their own needs. The virtual coach guides teachers to reflect on their teaching, set a goal, and create an action plan… all based on gathering classroom evidence. It gives support between PD days and other coaching cycles.
Get a free trial for your teachers here.
Vicki Wilson is an educator, author, consultant, and professional development presenter who has served children and educators for over 30 years as a teacher and principal. She is passionate about education - especially about adult learning and the value/impact it has on student learning. Vicki's interests include educator learning, leadership, organizational change, progressive and innovative practices in education, and leveraging best practices at school to make an improvement so that all students get the best possible education. Vicki is especially proud of the journey she took as a 16-year principal where she lead a school through a closing and merger, instituted a strength-based approach to instructional rounds empowering teachers to learn and grow from each other's strengths, and eventually led her school to become a nationally recognized Model PLC School by Solution Tree. Under Vicki's leadership, Monroe became known as a student-centered school that values both student and adult collaborative learning.
In 2020, Vicki Published Lead With Instructional Rounds: Creating a Culture of Professional Learning, a Lead Like a Pirate Guidebook, with Dave Burgess Consulting. This book shares the journey of a difficult school merger and how it healed and grew into a healthy school culture using a unique school-centered approach to instructional rounds. In 2021, Vicki was part of a 100 author collaboration to write 100 No-Nonsense Things That All Teachers Should Stop Doing and 100 No-Nonsense Things That All Administrators Should Stop Doing, both published by Pushing Boundaries Consulting.
Currently Vicki trains and develops schools to implement her grassroots approach to instructional rounds with a strength-focused lens that empowers school staff to learn and grow from and with each other. She also works with Solution Tree as an associate to deliver professional development in Professional Learning Communities at Work, consults and leads professional learning with schools/districts through the transition and change process associated with school closings and mergers, and coaches/mentors school leaders.
Vicki enjoys connecting with a professional learning network (PLN) through Twitter, Twitter chats, blogs, and events.
Key Takeaways:
- Use your staff meetings to share positive wise practices from instructional rounds.
- You must make special time to validate the hosts of your instructional rounds so that it builds intrinsic value.
- Write validating notes to classroom teachers who host visits.
- There needs to be a structured way to share results of instruction around with the whole staff.
- The power of positive talk only is what makes grassroots change from instructional rounds successfully occur.
- Never force people to participate in instructional rounds, but always continue to positively invite.
- You must explicitly separate yourself from the role of evaluator during instructional rounds for them to be successful.
- Use body language and other physical queues to show that you are facilitating, not evaluating.
- Start instructional rounds slow with ideas. Like, "Give One, Get One" to plant seeds.
Remember to Collaborate:
Website
We're so grateful to our sponsor AI Coach by Edthena.
AI Coach enables your teachers to go through coaching cycles based on their own needs. The virtual coach guides teachers to reflect on their teaching, set a goal, and create an action plan… all based on gathering classroom evidence. It gives support between PD days and other coaching cycles.
Get a free trial for your teachers here.
Vicki Wilson is an educator, author, consultant, and professional development presenter who has served children and educators for over 30 years as a teacher and principal. She is passionate about education - especially about adult learning and the value/impact it has on student learning. Vicki's interests include educator learning, leadership, organizational change, progressive and innovative practices in education, and leveraging best practices at school to make an improvement so that all students get the best possible education. Vicki is especially proud of the journey she took as a 16-year principal where she lead a school through a closing and merger, instituted a strength-based approach to instructional rounds empowering teachers to learn and grow from each other's strengths, and eventually led her school to become a nationally recognized Model PLC School by Solution Tree. Under Vicki's leadership, Monroe became known as a student-centered school that values both student and adult collaborative learning.
In 2020, Vicki Published Lead With Instructional Rounds: Creating a Culture of Professional Learning, a Lead Like a Pirate Guidebook, with Dave Burgess Consulting. This book shares the journey of a difficult school merger and how it healed and grew into a healthy school culture using a unique school-centered approach to instructional rounds. In 2021, Vicki was part of a 100 author collaboration to write 100 No-Nonsense Things That All Teachers Should Stop Doing and 100 No-Nonsense Things That All Administrators Should Stop Doing, both published by Pushing Boundaries Consulting.
Currently Vicki trains and develops schools to implement her grassroots approach to instructional rounds with a strength-focused lens that empowers school staff to learn and grow from and with each other. She also works with Solution Tree as an associate to deliver professional development in Professional Learning Communities at Work, consults and leads professional learning with schools/districts through the transition and change process associated with school closings and mergers, and coaches/mentors school leaders.
Vicki enjoys connecting with a professional learning network (PLN) through Twitter, Twitter chats, blogs, and events.
Key Takeaways:
- Instructional rounds, when leveraged, create a common vocabulary and understanding among staff.
- We often have no idea all the positive things teachers are doing in their classrooms unless we are getting into classrooms on a consistent basis.
- Solid, successful systems take time to build and must start with culture.
- Start instructional rounds slow, but use the framework of 10 minutes in the class, 5 minutes dialog outside of the class, and then a complete dialogue, all based on what positives we're seeing how it positively impacted students. Make sure that all comments are positive.
- Don't always focus on deficits when you're trying to make improvements. Focus on strengths so they can be leveraged.
- Initiatives need to be grassroots if they're going to be successful.
Remember to Collaborate:
Website
We're so grateful to our sponsor AI Coach by Edthena.
AI Coach enables your teachers to go through coaching cycles based on their own needs. The virtual coach guides teachers to reflect on their teaching, set a goal, and create an action plan… all based on gathering classroom evidence. It gives support between PD days and other coaching cycles.
Get a free trial for your teachers here.
I had the opportunity to be on Monday Mornings With Dr. Nick. Nick Davies does a lot of qualitative research about leadership. We had a great conversation where I spoke about three things:
- Learning to prioritize.
- There is no such thing as a work-life balance.
- Move up with yourself first.
Enjoy! Don't forget to check out Monday Mornings With Dr. Nick!
We're so grateful to our sponsor AI Coach by Edthena.
AI Coach enables your teachers to go through coaching cycles based on their own needs. The virtual coach guides teachers to reflect on their teaching, set a goal, and create an action plan… all based on gathering classroom evidence. It gives support between PD days and other coaching cycles.
Get a free trial for your teachers here.
Tara Martin is an enthusiastic educator, national speaker, and author who thrives on change and refuses to settle for the status quo. She has served as a classroom teacher, an instructional coach for several years, and most recently, a district administrator.
As the founder of #BookSnaps, the latest reading comprehension strategy currently implemented in seventeen countries, she is always seeking unique ways to make learning fun, relevant, and meaningful.
Tara is the author of the inspirational book, Be REAL: Educate from the Heart and Cannonball In, a motivating children's book illustrated by Genesis Kohler. Tara firmly believes machines and artificial intelligence will never replicate an individual’s REAL identity–the unique strengths, talents, and life experiences of every human. Tara's passion for education and love of writing led her to a new role where she coaches and serves educational authors as the Director of Publishing for DBC, Inc.
Tara’s ambition is to lead a culture of innovative change, keep social-emotional learning at the heart of our work, and encourage others to Cannonball In and fulfill their true potential!
Key Takeaways:
R = Relatable
E = Exposing Vulnerability
A = Approachable
L = Continuously Learning
- Being real is the most important thing we can do, but one of the rarest things we find in people today. We are constantly surrounded by the world wanting us to be something other than we are or striving to show the world we fit in.
- We need to make sure we take all our experiences in life and continue to learn from them.
- Being relatable is about making other people feel as if they belong and that their situation is not unique to them in the broader sense.
- Leaders who are real actually value knowing about other people's experiences and having a deeper understanding of who others are as individuals.
- When we expose our vulnerability it sends a clear message to others and makes them comfortable in sharing theirs with us.
- It helps everyone belong.
- Our words matter more than we understand. Or we do understand and in an effort to deal with that pressure we brush it aside.
- Everyone should be treated as if they are a puzzle piece that belongs to part of the bigger picture.
- Cannon balling.
Stay in Touch:Website and Links to Connect! SEEing to Lead Extras!
Like the content, want to be a guest, or know someone who would? Reach out to me on Twitter at @DrCSJones
Have you taken the time to order and read my latest book!
Seeing to Lead is filled with practical resources and personal stories to help you support, engage, and empower those you lead no matter your position!
Jimmy Casas said, "If you are a leader who is looking to support, engage and empower your staff, then SEEing to Lead, by Dr. Chris Jones, is a book you will want to pick up and read. Dr. Jones reminds us that building capacity and helping others achieve personal success is the key to elevating your organization and leaving a lasting impact."
Get your copy here!Don't forget to leave a rating and review for others. I would appreciate it!
Subscribe to My Newsletter!
We are all busy, often unsupported, and struggle to stay engaged! Here is a weekly resource that has something to support, engage, and empower you. Not to mention it saves you time by getting to the point! Increase your focus and become a better leader; no matter your position. Check it out here!
Get in touch to schedule me for a workshop or presentation!
Don't forget to hit the subscribe button on this podcast and leave a rating so others can benefit!
We're so grateful to our sponsor AI Coach by Edthena.
AI Coach enables your teachers to go through coaching cycles based on their own needs. The virtual coach guides teachers to reflect on their teaching, set a goal, and create an action plan… all based on gathering classroom evidence. It gives support between PD days and other coaching cycles.
Get a free trial for your teachers here.
Carla Mayrink is the director and co-founder of The Community for Learning, an International School in the Dominican Republic. For the past 32 years she has worked as a secondary language arts teacher, an academic coach, and school director. She presents workshops on new initiatives in education including restorative practices, student-led learning, coaching, leadership skills, and professional development. Her work on inquiry based professional development has been highlighted in Edutopia. She has presented at AMLE 2020 the Virginia ASCD 2020 Annual Conference, the Equity and Anti bias Conference 2021, the FETC 2022, and others. Carla shares teaching strategies and innovations on her blog, the teaching experiment.
Key Takeaways:
- It's very important to continually experiment and learn new things.
- Give students the opportunity to have their voice heard, research ideas, and implement them. They want to make their experience better.
- Give students the opportunity to not only work cross curricular, but also across different ages so they build a larger network of friendships instead of just their own age.
- Engaged and empowered students attend school and work harder than when they are conforming to a rule.
- You need to continuously learn everyday of your life. If you're going to keep up with the pace the world is changing. To do that you need to know how to effectively self assess to see how you're doing.
- Student think tanks.
- Insert half days for professional development into every week. Remember that you must model the instruction that you are asking teachers to perform in the PD you are offering.
- What if we didn't grade our teachers, but instead coach them and have them reflect on their success or progress as we ask students to do the same. Leaders have to teach teachers how to properly reflect.
- Writing letters for discipline. It's a process, but effective for stopping and improving behaviors. Never make a student apologize if they don't want to.
- Fear is faster when dealing with difficult behaviors.
- We need to give up control if we are truly going to improve others to the point where they are the best that they can be.
Stay in Touch:Twitter
Blog
SEEing to Lead Extras!
Like the content, want to be a guest, or know someone who would? Reach out to me on Twitter at @DrCSJones
Have you taken the time to order and read my latest book!
Seeing to Lead is filled with practical resources and personal stories to help you support, engage, and empower those you lead no matter your position!
Jimmy Casas said, "If you are a leader who is looking to support, engage and empower your staff, then SEEing to Lead, by Dr. Chris Jones, is a book you will want to pick up and read. Dr. Jones reminds us that building capacity and helping others achieve personal success is the key to elevating your organization and leaving a lasting impact."
Get your copy here!Don't forget to leave a rating and review for others. I would appreciate it!
Subscribe to My Newsletter!
We are all busy, often unsupported, and struggle to stay engaged! Here is a weekly resource that has something to support, engage, and empower you. Not to mention it saves you time by getting to the point! Increase your focus and become a better leader; no matter your position. Check it out here!
Get in touch to schedule me for a workshop or presentation!
Don't forget to hit the subscribe button on this podcast and leave a rating so others can benefit!
We're so grateful to our sponsor AI Coach by Edthena.
AI Coach enables your teachers to go through coaching cycles based on their own needs. The virtual coach guides teachers to reflect on their teaching, set a goal, and create an action plan… all based on gathering classroom evidence. It gives support between PD days and other coaching cycles.
Get a free trial for your teachers here.
Dr. Nick Davies is an elementary associate principal for Vancouver Public Schools and an adjunct Faculty Member at Pacific University. He has a Ph.D. in Education and Leadership and wrote his dissertation on Curriculum Implementation. Nick has previously held roles as a high school associate principal/athletic director and was a high school math teacher and head track and field coach. He was a two-time state track and field coach of the year in Oregon. Nick also served as a reservist in the U.S. Coast Guard and currently serves on the Emerging Professionals Board at the Blanchet House, which supports people experiencing homelessness.
Key Takeaways:Leadership FRAMEwork.
F - Find Opportunities
R - Relationships
A - Align your values, goals, and passions
M - Master your craft
E - Execute and take action
- Everyone is in a different place and time and therefore we have to model our expectations as leaders. A great place to do this is in faculty meetings by being vulnerable and asking for feedback on what you are currently learning and working on to get better?
- The best way to build relationships is by adding value to other people's lives.
- Aligning your values, goals, and actions as an exercise is incredibly valuable.
- It's not about knowing all the answers, but instead knowing how to leverage people and positions to get to systems to get to the answers.
Stay in Touch:LinkedIn Email
SEEing to Lead Extras!
Like the content, want to be a guest, or know someone who would? Reach out to me on Twitter at @DrCSJones
Have you taken the time to order and read my latest book!
Seeing to Lead is filled with practical resources and personal stories to help you support, engage, and empower those you lead no matter your position!
Jimmy Casas said, "If you are a leader who is looking to support, engage and empower your staff, then SEEing to Lead, by Dr. Chris Jones, is a book you will want to pick up and read. Dr. Jones reminds us that building capacity and helping others achieve personal success is the key to elevating your organization and leaving a lasting impact."
Get your copy here!Don't forget to leave a rating and review for others. I would appreciate it!
Subscribe to My Newsletter!
We are all busy, often unsupported, and struggle to stay engaged! Here is a weekly resource that has something to support, engage, and empower you. Not to mention it saves you time by getting to the point! Increase your focus and become a better leader; no matter your position. Check it out here!
Get in touch to schedule me for a workshop or presentation!
Don't forget to hit the subscribe button on this podcast and leave a rating so others can benefit!
We're so grateful to our sponsor AI Coach by Edthena.
AI Coach enables your teachers to go through coaching cycles based on their own needs. The virtual coach guides teachers to reflect on their teaching, set a goal, and create an action plan… all based on gathering classroom evidence. It gives support between PD days and other coaching cycles.
Get a free trial for your teachers here.
Rachel Archambault, M.A. CCC-SLP is speech-language pathologist who specializes in trauma-informed care (TIC). Rachel found TIC after experiencing a traumatic event at work on 2/14/18. She was looking for ways to help her students who had just undergone trauma as well as herself. She realized that not only would this help for those specific students, but that TIC could be applied to any setting, any population, and with any age group. As an SLP, she offers a unique perspective to how trauma informed care falls under her professional scope of practice as well as for other healthcare professionals and educators.
Key Takeaways:
- It takes a relationship t truly help heal someone.
- Even when they have the best intentions, leaders who make decisions unilaterally are not trusted or supported because of a lack of collaboration.
- Voice is easier to give an opportunity to than taking action on choice.
- Voice and choice build trust. Lack of either erode it due to negative thoughts.
- Active listening includes fostering the other person's ability to speak by not inserting your own story into theirs.
- Validating emotions is the easiest way to avoid causing harm. We should never say we understand.
- It’s important to ask the specific question of how can I make this a more safe environment for you.
- Language and actions make a large, often unseen difference in how much a person feels safe or as if they belong.
- You should always be asking "who am I harming with this decision".
- Don’t make your job career, or role your identity.
Stay in Touch:Website with all social media links SEEing to Lead Extras!
Like the content, want to be a guest, or know someone who would? Reach out to me on Twitter at @DrCSJones
Have you taken the time to order and read my latest book! Seeing to Lead is filled with practical resources and personal stories to help you support, engage, and empower those you lead no matter your position!
Jimmy Casas said, "If you are a leader who is looking to support, engage and empower your staff, then SEEing to Lead, by Dr. Chris Jones, is a book you will want to pick up and read. Dr. Jones reminds us that building capacity and helping others achieve personal success is the key to elevating your organization and leaving a lasting impact."
Get your copy here!Don't forget to leave a rating and review for others. I would appreciate it!
Subscribe to My Newsletter!
We are all busy, often unsupported, and struggle to stay engaged! Here is a weekly resource that has something to support, engage, and empower you. Not to mention it saves you time by getting to the point! Increase your focus and become a better leader; no matter your position. Check it out here!
Get in touch to schedule me for a workshop or presentation!
Don't forget to hit the subscribe button on this podcast and leave a rating so others can benefit!
We're so grateful to our sponsor AI Coach by Edthena.
AI Coach enables your teachers to go through coaching cycles based on their own needs. The virtual coach guides teachers to reflect on their teaching, set a goal, and create an action plan… all based on gathering classroom evidence. It gives support between PD days and other coaching cycles.
Get a free trial for your teachers here.
Rachel Archambault, M.A. CCC-SLP is speech-language pathologist who specializes in trauma-informed care (TIC). Rachel found TIC after experiencing a traumatic event at work on 2/14/18. She was looking for ways to help her students who had just undergone trauma as well as herself. She realized that not only would this help for those specific students, but that TIC could be applied to any setting, any population, and with any age group. As an SLP, she offers a unique perspective to how trauma informed care falls under her professional scope of practice as well as for other healthcare professionals and educators.
Key Takeaways:Trauma based practice should be something practiced before visible trauma occurs. It’s a mindset. The six pillars should be proactively practiced to reduce the impact of trauma when it occurs. It is much more effective when used to prepare rather than heal.
The 6 Pillars of Trauma Informed Practices
- Safety
- Trustworthiness & Transparency
- Peer Support & Mutual Self Help
- Collaboration & Mutuality
- Empowerment & Voice and Choice
- Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues
Safety needs to be an ongoing, two way communication between teachers, staff, and admin to make sure that the individual needs of people are met. If someone does not feel safe, they are unable to learn or work.
Transparency is what builds trust because it lends a feeling of control and minimizes the feeling that information is being withheld. The examples of unannounced fire drills and welcome back bands show us how to keep from triggering unknown past trauma.
We need to continuously balance the phrase "who would this harm if I acted in this way or didn’t share this information".
Turbulence on an airline example shows how some outside organizations handle trauma inducing events.
Traumatic experiences make peers rather than age, physician, or title.
Be wary of the pitfalls of labeling Big “T” trauma and Little “t” trauma
Stay in Touch:Website for all social links
SEEing to Lead Extras!
Like the content, want to be a guest, or know someone who would? Reach out to me on Twitter at @DrCSJones
Have you taken the time to order and read my latest book!Seeing to Lead is filled with practical resources and personal stories to help you support, engage, and empower those you lead no matter your position!
Jimmy Casas said, "If you are a leader who is looking to support, engage and empower your staff, then SEEing to Lead, by Dr. Chris Jones, is a book you will want to pick up and read. Dr. Jones reminds us that building capacity and helping others achieve personal success is the key to elevating your organization and leaving a lasting impact."
Get your copy here!Don't forget to leave a rating and review for others. I would appreciate it!
Subscribe to My Newsletter!We are all busy, often unsupported, and struggle to stay engaged! Here is a weekly resource that has something to support, engage, and empower you. Not to mention it saves you time by getting to the point! Increase your focus and become a better leader; no matter your position. Check it out here!
Get in touch to schedule me for a workshop or presentation!
Don't forget to hit the subscribe button on this podcast and leave a rating so others can benefit!
We're so grateful to our sponsor AI Coach by Edthena.
AI Coach enables your teachers to go through coaching cycles based on their own needs. The virtual coach guides teachers to reflect on their teaching, set a goal, and create an action plan… all based on gathering classroom evidence. It gives support between PD days and other coaching cycles.
Get a free trial for your teachers here.
Dr. Karen Dudek-Brannan is the founder of Dr. Karen, LLC, a company focused on empowering educators to support language, literacy, executive functioning, and cognitive wellness. She currently offers professional development focused on helping K-12 teams develop programs and services that support students in the areas of leadership, language, literacy, and executive functioning. Dr. Karen is a licensed SLP and has a doctorate in special education, a special education director license, and an assistive technology graduate certificate. She spent 14 years in the school systems before starting her online education company in 2015. She's currently the host of the De Facto Leaders podcast.
Key Takeaways:
- It is important to step out of your current situation to think about where you want to be 5 years down the road because it is natural to change.
- There are cracks in everything, but the cracks shine the light in.
- People can't take the first step towards progress if they can't see the staircase.
- Sometimes people don't move not because they are unwilling, but because it's an issue of clarity.
- The most difficult tasks or projects can be overcome when they are chunked, broken down, an explained in small sections.
- The "automatic skills" versus "learned strategies" discussion we have is very powerful and circles back to the idea of seeing the whole staircase.
- You can take the person out of teaching, but not the teacher out of the person.
- People need to know the systems and the processes to get those smaller wins.
Stay in Touch:
LinkedIn
Website
SEEing to Lead Extras!
Like the content, want to be a guest, or know someone who would? Reach out to me on Twitter at @DrCSJones
Have you taken the time to order and read my latest book!
Seeing to Lead is filled with practical resources and personal stories to help you support, engage, and empower those you lead no matter your position!
Jimmy Casas said, "If you are a leader who is looking to support, engage and empower your staff, then SEEing to Lead, by Dr. Chris Jones, is a book you will want to pick up and read. Dr. Jones reminds us that building capacity and helping others achieve personal success is the key to elevating your organization and leaving a lasting impact."
Get your copy here!Don't forget to leave a rating and review for others. I would appreciate it!
Subscribe to My Newsletter!We are all busy, often unsupported, and struggle to stay engaged! Here is a weekly resource that has something to support, engage, and empower you. Not to mention it saves you time by getting to the point! Increase your focus and become a better leader; no matter your position. Check it out here!
Get in touch to schedule me for a workshop or presentation!
Don't forget to hit the subscribe button on this podcast and leave a rating so others can benefit!
Laurie Guyon is the Coordinator of Model Schools at Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES). Her role focuses on professional learning around technology integration for over 31 school districts across five counties. Laurie is the Capital Region Director and a trainer for New York State Association for Computers and Technologies in Education (NYSCATE). Laurie is also the author of the book SMILE Learning: Leveraging the Power of Educational Technology.
Key Takeaways:
- Educational technology should be used as a tool to open up more doors if it's integrated into the classroom properly.
- We need to recognize and pay attention to those who are successfully implementing new ideas, just not in a loud manner.
- We need to inspire with guard rails to make sure people enjoy responsible, appropriate things.
- The smile framework lays out what technology integration looks like in practice.
- S = Shine
- It's about seeing where people may not be their best and buffing out those rough patches. This comes from a poem called "The Star Polisher"
- M = Motivate
- We need to motivate students in our classrooms by taking an approach that works for them rather than one that works for us.
- I = Inspire
- If we are going to inspire students we need to have them using both the technology they have at home and school. We need to how to use technology appropriately and the opportunities that lay in the career field potential.
- L = Learn
- Learning is very important in all subjects not because there's a specific use for it in the near future, but you never know when new knowledge will come into play to help you.
- E = Elephant
- It's not always about overcoming what we see as obstacles, but sometimes learning to live in harmony and adjusting to them.
- The elephants and bees story from Africa.
- The Canterbury Tales example.
- It's important for us to learn alongside our students with new technologies as they emerge.
Stay Connected:
SMILE Learning: Leveraging the Power of Educational Technology
SEEing to Lead Extras!
Like the content, want to be a guest, or know someone who would? Reach out to me on Twitter at @DrCSJones
Have you taken the time to order and read my latest book!
Seeing to Lead is filled with practical resources and personal stories to help you support, engage, and empower those you lead no matter your position!
Jimmy Casas said, "If you are a leader who is looking to support, engage and empower your staff, then SEEing to Lead, by Dr. Chris Jones, is a book you will want to pick up and read. Dr. Jones reminds us that building capacity and helping others achieve personal success is the key to elevating your organization and leaving a lasting impact."
Get your copy here! Don't forget to leave a rating and review for others. I would appreciate it!
Subscribe to My Newsletter!
We are all busy, often unsupported, and struggle to stay engaged! Here is a weekly resource that has something to support, engage, and empower you. Not to mention it saves you time by getting to the point! Increase your focus and become a better leader; no matter your position. Check it out here!
Get in touch to schedule me for a workshop or presentation!
Don't forget to hit the subscribe button on this podcast and leave a rating so others can benefit!
Allyson Apsey has been an educator for more than twenty-four years; a school leader for nineteen of those years. She is passionate about having a serendipity mindset, looking for the beautiful lessons that every experience holds. She tries to be transparent, vulnerable and supportive, and she doesn't ask questions unless she wants the answers.
Despite the fact that she never wanted to set foot in a school again after high school graduation, there is nowhere else she'd rather spend her days than in classrooms. In fact, she doesn’t even have a chair at her desk because she is moving around the school all day long. The challenges and delights of being a principal fill her days with joy. She enjoys nothing more than helping others be the very best they can be.
Recognizing the significant impact trauma has had on many of our students, staff and families, Allyson is a Certified Trauma Practitioner in Education. The supports that students affected by trauma need are beneficial to all students because they are grounded in a foundational core of strong, positive relationships based on trust.
Allyson is the author of a blog called Serendipity in Education (allysonapsey.com) has written five books: a middle grades chapter book called The Serendipity Journal, a picture book called The Princes of Serendip, and two professional learning books for educators called The Path to Serendipity and Through the Lens of Serendipity. Her most recent book, Leading the Whole Teacher, is an Amazon best-seller. She loves speaking to passionate groups as they work to be happy and effective people for the benefit of themselves and everyone around them.
She is married to Jim, that man she met at the Orbit Room dance club all those years ago, and she has two amazing sons with him, Lain and Tyson.
Key Takeaways:
- You do not have to deny there are hardships present to have a positive mindset that helps you move forward in a joyous manner filled with hope.
- Self awareness is about realizing the power that we have through our mindset to get what we need to make the changes around us for an improved situation.
- We are not responsible for what is. We are responsible for taking action based on what is.
- Teachers need to focus on taking care of the students because if they don't no one else will. Leaders need to focus on taking care of teachers because if they don't no one else will.
- The 6 pillars of Leading the Whole Teacher.
- Leaders need to make sure they're taking care of themselves.
Stay in Contact:
Leading the Whole Teacher
Website
SEEing to Lead Extras!
Like the content, want to be a guest, or know someone who would? Reach out to me on Twitter at @DrCSJones
Have you taken the time to order and read my latest book!
Seeing to Lead is filled with practical resources and personal stories to help you support, engage, and empower those you lead no matter your position!
Jimmy Casas said, "If you are a leader who is looking to support, engage and empower your staff, then SEEing to Lead, by Dr. Chris Jones, is a book you will want to pick up and read. Dr. Jones reminds us that building capacity and helping others achieve personal success is the key to elevating your organization and leaving a lasting impact."
Get your copy here! Don't forget to leave a rating and review for others. I would appreciate it!
Subscribe to My Newsletter!
We are all busy, often unsupported, and struggle to stay engaged! Here is a weekly resource that has something to support, engage, and empower you. Not to mention it saves you time by getting to the point! Increase your focus and become a better leader; no matter your position. Check it out here!
Get in touch to schedule me for a workshop or presentation!
Don't forget to hit the subscribe button on this podcast and leave a rating so others can benefit!
Victor Nixon is originally from South Carolina, but calls Texas home. He graduated with a BA in Psychology from The Citadel (Military College of South Carolina). He earned a M.Ed. in Educational Psychology from the University of Oklahoma. Victor also earned a MA in Counseling from Amberton University. He earned an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Liberty University. Vic has over 20 years of public school experience in Texas. He was a behavior adjustment teacher in the elementary level before becoming an administrator. He has experience as an Assistant Principal at both the elementary and secondary levels. He is currently an Assistant Principal of attendance for North Mesquite High School in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Vic is a veteran and was in the Army for six years earning the rank of Captain. Vic is happily married (for 33 years) to a second grade teacher and he has a daughter who teaches fourth grade writing. Vic also has a son who works in logistics. He is an avid football fan and follows the New England Patriots. He has presented and taught at the campus and state levels. His most recent presentation reviewed differentiated instruction. Vic also has an article published addressing successful school leader traits.
Key Takeaways:
- Have a word set up to keep students engaged and help them feel as If they belong.
- You can't give awards to everyone or else they lose their meaning.
- Stickers, pizza, and lollipops. Oftentimes adults don't try things because they are uncomfortable with them, not the students.
- Small extrinsic incentives are not about the award, but instead about the intrinsic feeling of being valued and admiration from the teacher.
- Leaders need to give specific feedback to students after observing a class to make them feel more of a sense of belonging or encouragement.
- You need to go out of our way to include student and teacher voice and choice.
- Leaders need to increase engagement by setting the example and ensuring there is follow through on what they are asking for.
- Make sure you are leading by listening and delegating.
Stay in Touch:
SEEing to Lead Extras!
Like the content, want to be a guest, or know someone who would? Reach out to me on Twitter at @DrCSJones
Have you taken the time to order and read my latest book!
Seeing to Lead is filled with practical resources and personal stories to help you support, engage, and empower those you lead no matter your position!
Jimmy Casas said, "If you are a leader who is looking to support, engage and empower your staff, then SEEing to Lead, by Dr. Chris Jones, is a book you will want to pick up and read. Dr. Jones reminds us that building capacity and helping others achieve personal success is the key to elevating your organization and leaving a lasting impact."
Get your copy here! Don't forget to leave a rating and review for others. I would appreciate it!
Subscribe to My Newsletter!
We are all busy, often unsupported, and struggle to stay engaged! Here is a weekly resource that has something to support, engage, and empower you. Not to mention it saves you time by getting to the point! Increase your focus and become a better leader; no matter your position. Check it out here!
Get in touch to schedule me for a workshop or presentation!
Don't forget to hit the subscribe button on this podcast and leave a rating so others can benefit!
Jethro Jones, is a national award-winning former school leader, podcaster, and author of the books How to be a Transformative Principal and SchoolX: How principals can design a transformative school experience for the people right in front of them! He is also founder of the BE Podcast Network, the best educational podcast network out there. Jethro currently consults school leaders on strategies to help them save time, lead more effectively, and overcome their own weaknesses. Jethro has worked as a principal at all K-12 levels, including a prison school, a district coach, distance learning team lead, and English teacher.
Key Takeaways:
- People don't always know when they're ready to move up so they need to find a way to discover their true ability and readiness
- Showing up in leadership means showing up as yourself but also allowing others to show up as themselves.
- We need to make sure we learn how to not only lead down, but also lead up and lead around.
- Self awareness is the bridge between showing up and leveling up.
- Hope is the bridge between leading up and showing up
- The bridge between leading up and leveling up is mindset.
- High hope in people has a greater impact towards positive outcomes than low hope has a negative on high hope.
- We often try to oversimplify things and make them too basic to arrive at a clear answer in education.
- Ryan Gottfredson's Four Mindsets
- Fixed versus growth
- Closed versus open
- Inward versus outward
- Prevention versus promotion
- We learn by taking academic risks. We have to test things to see if they works and adjust.
- Safety shouldn't be a goal, but instead a baseline.
Stay In Touch:
Leadership Inventory
Move Up Registration
BE Podcast Network
Jethro's Website
SEEing to Lead Extras!
Like the content, want to be a guest, or know someone who would? Reach out to me on Twitter at @DrCSJones
Have you taken the time to order and read my latest book!
Seeing to Lead is filled with practical resources and personal stories to help you support, engage, and empower those you lead no matter your position!
Jimmy Casas said, "If you are a leader who is looking to support, engage and empower your staff, then SEEing to Lead, by Dr. Chris Jones, is a book you will want to pick up and read. Dr. Jones reminds us that building capacity and helping others achieve personal success is the key to elevating your organization and leaving a lasting impact."
Get your copy here! Don't forget to leave a rating and review for others. I would appreciate it!
Subscribe to My Newsletter!
We are all busy, often unsupported, and struggle to stay engaged! Here is a weekly resource that has something to support, engage, and empower you. Not to mention it saves you time by getting to the point! Increase your focus and become a better leader; no matter your position. Check it out here!
Get in touch to schedule me for a workshop or presentation!
Don't forget to hit the subscribe button on this podcast and leave a rating so others can benefit!
As a chronically late student, Danny Bauer once told his Chemistry teacher a fib about saving an entire girl scout troop from a burning building to get out of a tardy.
Danny is not sure if it was the very made up story, the very real cookie he offered his teacher, or a combination of both that got him out of a detention that day …
That experience taught him it pays to develop your storytelling skills.
Danny has been telling stories since then, most recently on the Better Leaders Better Schools podcast, ranked in the TOP 0.5% of 3 million global podcasts, and via his latest book, Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader, co-published by Corwin and the National School Superintendents Association (AASA).
His mission is “to connect, grow, and mentor every school leader who wants to level up.”
Key Takeaways:
- Work with other people help you define your superpower because they typically offer perspectives about you that you don't have.
- Danny's live event is like none other.
- Recovery and recuperation is an essential part of being an effective leader.
- Danny's Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool
- Start small to make larger gains on what you are doing.
- What works for some doesn't for all because nobody can tell you exactly what you need to do to improve your personal situation
- Danny's eliminate your email tool
- To be successful, you need to be focused and clear on what impact you want to have on the world
- Danny's 3 rules for staying focused on what you want to do in life and being more productive.
- If it isn't a hell yes it's a hell no.
- It's the most important thing to honor health and relationships over everything else
- Only those who have a bias for action are able to make real change.
- We need to ask propelling questions if we are going to figure out the larger issues.
Stay in Contact and MORE!:
Live Denver Event!
SEEing to Lead Extras!
Like the content, want to be a guest, or know someone who would? Reach out to me on Twitter at @DrCSJones
Have you taken the time to order and read my latest book!
Seeing to Lead is filled with practical resources and personal stories to help you support, engage, and empower those you lead no matter your position!
Jimmy Casas said, "If you are a leader who is looking to support, engage and empower your staff, then SEEing to Lead, by Dr. Chris Jones, is a book you will want to pick up and read. Dr. Jones reminds us that building capacity and helping others achieve personal success is the key to elevating your organization and leaving a lasting impact."
Get your copy here! Don't forget to leave a rating and review for others. I would appreciate it!
Subscribe to My Newsletter!
We are all busy, often unsupported, and struggle to stay engaged! Here is a weekly resource that has something to support, engage, and empower you. Not to mention it saves you time by getting to the point! Increase your focus and become a better leader; no matter your position. Check it out here!
Get in touch to schedule me for a workshop or presentation!
Don't forget to hit the subscribe button on this podcast and leave a rating so others can benefit!
Jen Schwanke, Ed.D., is a longtime educator, teaching and leading at all levels. She is the author of three ASCD books, including the just-released, The Teacher's Principal: How School Leaders Can Support and Motivate Their Teachers. She has written and presented for multiple state and local education organizations, and has provided professional development to various districts in the areas of school climate, personnel, and instructional leadership. She is an instructor in educational administration at Miami University of Ohio. Dr. Schwanke currently serves as a Deputy Superintendent in Ohio.
Key Takeaways:
Effective leadership is at the center of a Venn Diagram between courage and responsiveness.
Leadership is something you get better at over time and through experience, but there is an innate component that some people have causing them to initially step forward.
Organizations require a variety of leadership styles if they are going to work well.
Leaders need to be open, honest, and clear about expectations so that people can be comfortable and the best version of themselves.
All leaders need to learn how to be good followers and aspiring leaders need to make sure they find someone to follow and learn from to be their most effective selves.
Stepping up into a leadership position is about finding where your skills and talents match a need.
People will not be interested in leading unless they find value in it. It's not about competence, but instead confidence.
We would never step into positions of greater responsibility and accountability if we waited until we were ready. You should step in before you're ready because the fact that you're wondering if you can means that you are. The only reason you pause is because you aren't sure of yourself and need a little boost of confidence.
Teaching viewed as a tree analogy when looking to support teachers.
We need to focus on what people bring as strength rather than their weaknesses so that we understand their value to the overall team.
Don't be a hammer looking for nails.
Stay in Touch
Website
SEEing to Lead Extras!
Like the content, want to be a guest, or know someone who would? Reach out to me on Twitter at @DrCSJones
Have you taken the time to order and read my latest book!
Seeing to Lead is filled with practical resources and personal stories to help you support, engage, and empower those you lead no matter your position!
Jimmy Casas said, "If you are a leader who is looking to support, engage and empower your staff, then SEEing to Lead, by Dr. Chris Jones, is a book you will want to pick up and read. Dr. Jones reminds us that building capacity and helping others achieve personal success is the key to elevating your organization and leaving a lasting impact."
Get your copy here! Don't forget to leave a rating and review for others. I would appreciate it!
Subscribe to My Newsletter!
We are all busy, often unsupported, and struggle to stay engaged! Here is a weekly resource that has something to support, engage, and empower you. Not to mention it saves you time by getting to the point! Increase your focus and become a better leader; no matter your position. Check it out here!
Get in touch to schedule me for a workshop or presentation!
Don't forget to hit the subscribe button on this podcast and leave a rating so others can benefit!
Crystal Frommert, M.Ed, has over 20 years’ experience as an educator in middle and high school. Crystal has taught math, computer science, and social justice in public, parochial, and international schools. Beyond teaching, she has served as an instructional coach, school board member, adjunct college instructor, technology coordinator, and assistant head of middle school. She has presented at local, national, and international educational conferences on topics ranging from social and emotional learning to technology integration. She currently teaches middle school math in Houston, where she lives with her husband, daughter, and fluffy dog.
Key Takeaways:
- Students spend most of their time from an early age with their families. The more we can Involve parents the better we can understand our students as individuals.
- Leaders need to know what style of communication works best for teachers by listening to teachers and being present and then helping by coaching.
- It's critical for leaders to show with their personality and their words that they are open for people to come to them without being judged.
- Leaders need to ask what it is you need from me?
- Email should be used to facilitate phone or face-to-face conversations.
- We should never be giving parenting advice because we do not know people's situations.
- Leaders need to model staying curious and being non judgmental by asking questions and digging deeper into what appears to be occurring.
- We need to communicate if we are going to offer each other grace and understanding.
- The ability to have difficult conversations needs to be taught in teacher preparation programs.
Stay in Touch:
About Me
SEEing to Lead Extras!
Like the content, want to be a guest, or know someone who would? Reach out to me on Twitter at @DrCSJones
Have you taken the time to order and read my latest book!
Seeing to Lead is filled with practical resources and personal stories to help you support, engage, and empower those you lead no matter your position!
Jimmy Casas said, "If you are a leader who is looking to support, engage and empower your staff, then SEEing to Lead, by Dr. Chris Jones, is a book you will want to pick up and read. Dr. Jones reminds us that building capacity and helping others achieve personal success is the key to elevating your organization and leaving a lasting impact."
Get your copy here! Don't forget to leave a rating and review for others. I would appreciate it!
Subscribe to My Newsletter!
We are all busy, often unsupported, and struggle to stay engaged! Here is a weekly resource that has something to support, engage, and empower you. Not to mention it saves you time by getting to the point! Increase your focus and become a better leader; no matter your position. Check it out here!
Get in touch to schedule me for a workshop or presentation!
Don't forget to hit the subscribe button on this podcast and leave a rating so others can benefit!
I share some of the insights from my book around how to better support those we serve. The second part of this double episode covers the areas of:
- Modeling Pathways
- Building a Bridge
- Giving Feedback on Progress
Thanks for taking the time to listen!
SEEing to Lead Extras!
Like the content, want to be a guest, or know someone who would? Reach out to me on Twitter at @DrCSJones
Have you taken the time to order and read my latest book!
Seeing to Lead is filled with practical resources and personal stories to help you support, engage, and empower those you lead no matter your position!
Jimmy Casas said, "If you are a leader who is looking to support, engage and empower your staff, then SEEing to Lead, by Dr. Chris Jones, is a book you will want to pick up and read. Dr. Jones reminds us that building capacity and helping others achieve personal success is the key to elevating your organization and leaving a lasting impact."
Get your copy here! Don't forget to leave a rating and review for others. I would appreciate it!
Subscribe to My Newsletter!
We are all busy, often unsupported, and struggle to stay engaged! Here is a weekly resource that has something to support, engage, and empower you. Not to mention it saves you time by getting to the point! Increase your focus and become a better leader; no matter your position. Check it out here!
Get in touch to schedule me for a workshop or presentation!
Don't forget to hit the subscribe button on this podcast and leave a rating so others can benefit!
I share some of the insights from my book around how to better support those we serve. The first part of this double episode covers the areas of:
- Strategies for Building Trust
- Coaching Instead of Mentoring
- Communication
Thanks for taking the time to listen!
SEEing to Lead Extras!
Like the content, want to be a guest, or know someone who would? Reach out to me on Twitter at @DrCSJones
Have you taken the time to order and read my latest book!
Seeing to Lead is filled with practical resources and personal stories to help you support, engage, and empower those you lead no matter your position!
Jimmy Casas said, "If you are a leader who is looking to support, engage and empower your staff, then SEEing to Lead, by Dr. Chris Jones, is a book you will want to pick up and read. Dr. Jones reminds us that building capacity and helping others achieve personal success is the key to elevating your organization and leaving a lasting impact."
Get your copy here! Don't forget to leave a rating and review for others. I would appreciate it!
Subscribe to My Newsletter!
We are all busy, often unsupported, and struggle to stay engaged! Here is a weekly resource that has something to support, engage, and empower you. Not to mention it saves you time by getting to the point! Increase your focus and become a better leader; no matter your position. Check it out here!
Get in touch to schedule me for a workshop or presentation!
Don't forget to hit the subscribe button on this podcast and leave a rating so others can benefit!
Lindsay Lyons is an educational justice coach who helps schools and districts co-create feminist, antiracist curricula that challenges, affirms, and inspires all students. A former NYC public school teacher, she holds a PhD in Leadership and Change, and is the founder of the blog and podcast, Time for Teachership. She believes the secret sauce of educational equity is student voice.
Key Takeaways:
- Inaction for just causes harmful.
- We need to go from being the sage on the stage to making content relevant to unlock students natural curiosity and passion for learning.
- Learning in schools needs to move away from just being performance based (grades).
- We want students to be able to take their learning outside of the classroom.
- If we want to move education towards understanding and meaningfulness, there needs to be a stronger and ongoing connection with parents.
- Teaching action through choices allows us to move forward without worrying about being perfect.
- Use Glaser's BASE model to facilitate conversations.
- Take your time with difficult topics to make sure you can speak to them properly.
Stay in Touch:
Bonus Material
Website
SEEing to Lead Extras!
Like the content, want to be a guest, or know someone who would? Reach out to me on Twitter at @DrCSJones
Have you taken the time to order and read my latest book!
Seeing to Lead is filled with practical resources and personal stories to help you support, engage, and empower those you lead no matter your position!
Jimmy Casas said, "If you are a leader who is looking to support, engage and empower your staff, then SEEing to Lead, by Dr. Chris Jones, is a book you will want to pick up and read. Dr. Jones reminds us that building capacity and helping others achieve personal success is the key to elevating your organization and leaving a lasting impact."
Get your copy here! Don't forget to leave a rating and review for others. I would appreciate it!
Subscribe to My Newsletter!
We are all busy, often unsupported, and struggle to stay engaged! Here is a weekly resource that has something to support, engage, and empower you. Not to mention it saves you time by getting to the point! Increase your focus and become a better leader; no matter your position. Check it out here!
Get in touch to schedule me for a workshop or presentation!
Don't forget to hit the subscribe button on this podcast and leave a rating so others can benefit!
Dr. Erik Youngman is an education leader who is passionate about topics such as homework, growth mindset, grading, and leadership. Published books he has written include, "The Magic of Growth Mindset," and "12 Characteristics of Deliberate Homework," as well as a chapter for, "100 No-Nonsense Things That All Teachers Should Stop Doing." Erik has also written numerous blogs about growth mindset and grading.
This is his twenty-second year in educational leadership. Erik is the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning for Libertyville District 70 in Libertyville, Illinois. Previous education experiences include being a principal in Libertyville as well as an assistant principal and teacher in Gurnee, Illinois.
Erik earned a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, Education Specialist Degree, and Master of Science in Education from Northern Illinois University and a Bachelor of Arts from Augustana College. You can learn more or contact Erik via his website ErikYoungman.com or via Twitter: @Erik_Youngman.
Key Takeaways:
- Having a growth mindset is about being able to control your own future.
- Embracing uncertainty is about figuring out how to ask questions and the why of what you're doing.
- Growth mindset is about embracing the process instead of relying on the outcome.
- We have to take risks to get the best answer.
- Chat GPT is going to make us rethink how we not only assign homework, but also assessments.
- Two very important questions we should be asking ourselves. How did what I learned today apply to life? How would I take this further if I had more time?
- We need to ask how we can help students use modern tools better instead of blocking them. We also need to be curious about how we can leverage the power of these tools.
Stay in Touch:
Website
12 Characteristics of Deliberate Homework...and more!
SEEing to Lead Extras!
Like the content, want to be a guest, or know someone who would? Reach out to me on Twitter at @DrCSJones
Have you taken the time to order and read my latest book!
Seeing to Lead is filled with practical resources and personal stories to help you support, engage, and empower those you lead no matter your position!
Jimmy Casas said, "If you are a leader who is looking to support, engage and empower your staff, then SEEing to Lead, by Dr. Chris Jones, is a book you will want to pick up and read. Dr. Jones reminds us that building capacity and helping others achieve personal success is the key to elevating your organization and leaving a lasting impact."
Get your copy here! Don't forget to leave a rating and review for others. I would appreciate it!
Subscribe to My Newsletter!
We are all busy, often unsupported, and struggle to stay engaged! Here is a weekly resource that has something to support, engage, and empower you. Not to mention it saves you time by getting to the point! Increase your focus and become a better leader; no matter your position. Check it out here!
Get in touch to schedule me for a workshop or presentation!
Don't forget to hit the subscribe button on this podcast and leave a rating so others can benefit!
As a Digital Learning Coach in Walpole, Massachusetts, Jed Stefanowicz provides job-embedded professional development and instructional coaching for academic technology. Through conferences, workshops, and coaching, Jed aims to engage and build staff/student digital learning capacity, keeping the focus on practice over product. As a 25 year elementary educator, speaker, blogger, and former Massachusetts Teach Plus Policy Fellow, Jed shares his passion for effective tech integration to transform teaching and learning, creating engaging and equitable digital learning environments and experiences that activate, innovate, and motivate digital learning. He is the author of Take AIM at Digital Learning: Activate, Innovate, Motivate and Impact to Influence. Check out his blog at stefanowiczclass@blogspot.com
Key Takeaways:
- We need to recreate the structures to teach rather than just expecting it to happen.
- Leaders are facing a blank slate as they work to stretch people past their comfort zone because people have been out of their comfort zone for the last two years.
- Learning something on YouTube is going to teach you how to do it, but not understand how to apply it.
- We need to find ways to create and support teacher agency.
- It's essential to be aware of circumstances, surroundings, and how to apply the requisite skills to excel in a situation.
- Moving people from motivation to commitment is the only way to make progress forward.
- Education at any level has to go beyond a transactional experience by starting with what people are passionate about.
- You can't be a coach and equipment manager at the same time.
- You have to respect where people are to engage them in growth.
- Leadership isn't about implementing an agenda, but instead finding what the goals of those you serve are and then helping them achieve them.
- Stick to the A,B,Cs = Always Build Capacity
- It's about process/project not product.
Stay in Touch:
Take AIM at Digital Learning: Activate, Innovate, Motivate
Impact to Influence
Blog
Have you taken the time to order and read my latest book!
Seeing to Lead is filled with practical resources and personal stories to help you support, engage, and empower those you lead no matter your position!
Jimmy Casas said, "If you are a leader who is looking to support, engage and empower your staff, then SEEing to Lead, by Dr. Chris Jones, is a book you will want to pick up and read. Dr. Jones reminds us that building capacity and helping others achieve personal success is the key to elevating your organization and leaving a lasting impact."
Get your copy here! Don't forget to leave a rating and review for others. I would appreciate it!
Subscribe to My Newsletter!
We are all busy, often unsupported, and struggle to stay engaged! Here is a weekly resource that has something to support, engage, and empower you. Not to mention it saves you time by getting to the point! Increase your focus and become a better leader; no matter your position. Check it out here!
Get in touch to schedule me for a workshop or presentation!
Don't forget to hit the subscribe button on this podcast and leave a rating so others can benefit!
Bryon Carpenter is an online and blended learning teacher in Abbotsford BC Canada. Bryon just entered his 15th year of teaching. Being your former research scientist, Bryon teaches chemistry and math online, and digital literacy and media design with students in his building two days a week. Bryon served as a helping teacher for technology in his district which really enhanced his game in leadership and digital tools. Bryon is the host of the FreshAirAtFive podcast. He is a husband and the proud dad of 3. Bryon has been an elder in his church community for a number of years and department head leader in his school. He’s creative and a problem solver. Bryon has been a leader since his high school youth group days. Bryon is a man of hobbies. He is a fly fisherman, outdoor enthusiast, enjoys food, and traveling locally. In case you couldn’t guess, Bryon is rarely bored.
Key Takeaways:
Be sure to share your journey with others.
We need to have a desire to be excellent at the outset. We need to strive for excellence instead of perfectionism.
Reflection needs to occur as close to the original event as possible for it to be as meaningful as possible.
The only way to improve is to know yourself.
Empathy is working to understand people where they are and helping them improve instead of sympathy, which is feeling sorry for them.
Remember to offer people grace.
We need to pay attention to and utilize the various levels of compliance.
Stay in Touch:
Twitter: @bryoncar and @freshairatfive
Website
YouTube
SEEing to Lead Extras!
Like the content, want to be a guest, or know someone who would? Reach out to me on Twitter at @DrCSJones
Have you taken the time to order and read my latest book!
Seeing to Lead is filled with practical resources and personal stories to help you support, engage, and empower those you lead no matter your position!
Jimmy Casas said, "If you are a leader who is looking to support, engage and empower your staff, then SEEing to Lead, by Dr. Chris Jones, is a book you will want to pick up and read. Dr. Jones reminds us that building capacity and helping others achieve personal success is the key to elevating your organization and leaving a lasting impact."
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We are all busy, often unsupported, and struggle to stay engaged! Here is a weekly resource that has something to support, engage, and empower you. Not to mention it saves you time by getting to the point! Increase your focus and become a better leader; no matter your position. Check it out here!
Get in touch to schedule me for a workshop or presentation!
Don't forget to hit the subscribe button on this podcast and leave a rating so others can benefit!
Bob Silveira is currently the principal of Joseph Case Junior High School. He has been there for 13 years and this caps off almost a 30 year career in education. He was named the 2014 Massachusetts Principal of the Year and I personally and this is one of the reasons I’m excited to talk to Bob today because he’s first of all a fantastic leader, but I’ve personally presented a couple of times with him at Ignite presentations at a state conference. One of the things I really need to mention about Bob is that he’s currently the Principal at Joseph Case Junior High School, which is the first ever nationally awarded junior high school for the Special Olympics. That just goes to show how Bob focuses on relationships, inclusion, and giving everyone a sense of belonging in his organization.
Key Takeaways:
- There's no better way to share what you love than to teach.
- It's important for us to create a memorable learning experience that students can bring outside of the classroom.
- We need to model the environment we ask our teachers to create.
- If people are engaged and having fun, they will attend to the important things.
- We say it, but we need to act on and understand that relationships are the most important thing in education.
- When you have good relationships and build trust, you can have honest conversations about how to improve.
- There is a difference for students between liking and respecting teachers.
- Meetings are secondary to what is going on in the classroom.
Stay in Touch:
SEEing to Lead Extras!
Like the content, want to be a guest, or know someone who would? Reach out to me on Twitter at @DrCSJones
Have you taken the time to order and read my latest book!
Seeing to Lead is filled with practical resources and personal stories to help you support, engage, and empower those you lead no matter your position!
Jimmy Casas said, "If you are a leader who is looking to support, engage and empower your staff, then SEEing to Lead, by Dr. Chris Jones, is a book you will want to pick up and read. Dr. Jones reminds us that building capacity and helping others achieve personal success is the key to elevating your organization and leaving a lasting impact."
Get your copy here! Don't forget to leave a rating and review for others. I would appreciate it!
Subscribe to My Newsletter!
We are all busy, often unsupported, and struggle to stay engaged! Here is a weekly resource that has something to support, engage, and empower you. Not to mention it saves you time by getting to the point! Increase your focus and become a better leader; no matter your position. Check it out here!
Get in touch to schedule me for a workshop or presentation!
Don't forget to hit the subscribe button on this podcast and leave a rating so others can benefit!
Rae Hughart is a Middle Level Math Educator in Illinois, creator of the Teach Further Model, Instructional Assistant Professor at Illinois State University, and the Director of Training & Development for the Teach Better Team.
Rae continues to facilitate rich discussions with educators around mastering personalized learning, providing targeted student-focused feedback, and the impact of incorporating purpose into student daily learning. Through building partnerships with local businesses, Rae continues to support educators in designing dynamic, impactful, effective, and connected content - showing the impact of teaching beyond the four walls of a classroom and altering a community into an authentic resource for developing leaders.
After being inducted into the Illinois State University Hall of Fame in 2017, Rae was awarded the 2018 First Place Henry Ford Teacher Innovator Award for her innovative educational impact through the Teach Further Model. Additionally, Rae serves on several Educational Boards including the Association of Illinois Middle Schools (AIMS).
Key Takeaways:
- You always need to immerse your students in the why of the content before actually teaching them a content.
- The teach forward model allows teachers to create themed internships for students.
- Leaders can help teachers transition to focusing on the why instead of content by helping them network, getting the community into the school, allowing teachers the time and space to turn their lessons around and put the purpose first and facilitating community contacts.
- There must be a clear connection between all the parts of the whole so that's systematic scalable routines are created.
- There are small specific strategies that can be employed for teachers to gain respect and all of the other things they deserve.
- Generic and organic conversations are excellent opportunities to create, explore, and cultivate new habits that improve us as people.
Stay in Touch:
Website
Remember:
Don't forget to subscribe to the show, rate it, and share with others! Stay in touch with Chris Jones on Twitter or check out his YouTube channel
Alex Isaacs is an 8th-grade math teacher at Red Bank Middle School with seven years of full-time teaching experience. He is passionate about providing engaging content for students and teachers and specializes in multiple edtech platforms/tools. He believes in forming strong connections with his diverse learners first to foster a caring classroom community where students feel safe to be themselves.
Key Takeaways:
- We need to remember and take what we didn’t like as students and do better for our students.
- All students need to know they have a place where they know they are cared for and heard.
- Administrators need to “keep it real” for those they lead.
- Specific recognition and appreciation helps teachers stay motivated.
- There are times that encouragement works much better than exerting control when offering new tools or initiatives.
- EdTech needs to follow three rules and be something well received by both teachers and staff if it is to take hold.
- Not too difficult
- A platform that offers professional development
- Something that gives resources teachers can immediately use
- EdTech tools can help personalize learning and communication with the diverse families and students we find in our classrooms and schools.
- Leaders need to build time into schedules, offer ongoing learning and exploration of tools, and provide certifications to incentivize participation if they want teachers and students to effectively implement new tools.
- We need to focus on creating caring classroom communities.
Stay in Touch:
Twitter: @mr_isaacs_math
Wakelet: https://t.co/d8Id3aDvvC
Dr. Carla Leejay is a native of Shreveport, Louisiana. She is a two-time graduate of Capella University where she obtained her Doctor of Education degree with the emphasis of Educational Leadership and Management in March of 2016 as well as an MBA. In addition, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from Dillard University (HBCU), a Master’s degree in Journalism from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington. She currently works at UNT in Denton, TX as an Adjunct Professor in the Educational Psychology Department and is a Curriculum and Instruction Director for a local charter district Dr. Leejay also works as a Real Estate Agent for eXp Realty, LLC. Carla is a member of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Incorporated as well as the Order of the Eastern Star. She serves as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, Girls Scouts of Texas, and a Deputy Voter’s Registrar for Denton County. Dr. Leejay is the author of Creating a Training Manual for Technology Integration in the Secondary Classroom. She has also authored, Unicorns, Affirmations, and Writing Coloring Book for ages 4-10. Lastly, Carla is the CEO of two businesses: Above All Publishing, LLC as well as Keys in Hand Realty Group, LLC. Dr. Leejay is a woman of many talents. She currently resides in Lewisville, TX with her two daughters, Chloe and Janiah.
Key Takeaways:
Connections are everything. Making sure you are in the right circles with people will open the doors of opportunity for you.
It's important to mentor students and let them know someone is in their corner supporting them.
You work as hard as the person you work for works for you.
We need to focus on the idea that culture matters more now than ever.
You can feel the climate of any building as soon as you walk in.
Leaders have to guide the self care piece.
We need to remember what it was like to be a teacher.
Educators are there to entertain and teach students by making it fun.
We need to stop being fearful of using and integrating new technology into our curriculum.
Bo Ryan is principal of the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts Middle School in Hartford, CT. Ryan also served as a Principal for Woodside Intermediate School in Cromwell, CT. He is passionate about building and sustaining professional learning communities; and led both schools to Model PLC status. Ryan has been an educator for 27 years with a background as a teacher, coach, director, adjunct professor, and administrator. His first job was as a graduate assistant football coach for Syracuse University where he was a full time football coach and graduate student. He was a part of 2 bowl victories and 1 Big East Championship with the team. His teaching career began at JC Clark Elementary in the city of Hartford. In the school, Ryan created various before school and after school programs for students in the neighborhood. His daily morning gym program was open for all students an hour before school and served hundreds of students on a daily basis. Also at JC Clark, he started a basketball team in the school to help the students most at-need. The season was from October to May. Ryan also coached football, basketball, and served as director of the National Youth Sports Program at the local college during the summer. In addition, Ryan taught a graduate class at St. Joseph’s College for 4 years on using PLCs as the system for creating interventions.
Ryan is a board member for the Connecticut Association of Schools Student Services Team. As a teacher, he was named both educator and teacher of the year. As a director, he led his camp, NYSP, to national recognition. As a coach, he coached and supported athletes at both the collegiate and high school levels. At Woodside Intermediate School, they also were named a model SRBI and PBIS sight and welcomed visitors from all over. The school also served as a Professional Development School with Central Connecticut State University with college students, staff, and interns in the building at all times. A partnership was also created with Wesleyan University athletic department as athletes visited the school during recess and other times to support students. During his time at Woodside, Ryan presented on Professional Learning Communities to educators in CT and Massachusetts, presented on reading instruction to the CT Reading Association, and presented on RTI or SRBI in CT. Ryan helped open at brand new school in Hartford in a renovated factory. During his time, the school was selected a model professional learning community just 4 years after it opened. They were also selected a Solution Tree Success Story and featured on their website. As an educator, Ryan believes in relationship building with students and connecting with the community, as evident in 25 years of home visits. Ryan is currently a Solution Tree associate and certified PLC, RTI, and priority school presenter. He has presented across the United States on creating and sustaining PLCs in schools with the focus on the team.
Bo earned undergraduate degrees from Western Connecticut State University, a master’s degree from Syracuse University, and his sixth-year degree from Southern Connecticut State University.
Key Takeaways:
- If you want to create a culture of collaboration you have to be creative in finding time to support it.
- You have to create templates for teachers to use if you are to maximize the time and coach them up.
- If you are to track the success of kids you need to break learning up into periods of time that provide data.
- Good instruction starts with collaborative teams.
- One of his chapters lines out the whole system for improved teaching and learning.
- You need to create systems when you don't have certified personnel that are needed.
- Tight loose leadership allows teachers to place the students where they're needed in a way that teachers can reach them.
- Reading is essential for students to improve academically.
- Make sure you hire people that have a high commitment to students and being good teammates regardless of years of experience. CREC calls them Associate Instructors.
- It’s hard to create interventions when you aren’t teaching skills for success and focusing on grades.
- Everything needs to be based on mastery of the standard.
- Its’ critical to constantly be a learner, believe in your teachers, and continually improve.
Stay Connected:
Book: Brilliance in the Building
Bo Ryan is principal of the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts Middle School in Hartford, CT. Ryan also served as a Principal for Woodside Intermediate School in Cromwell, CT. He is passionate about building and sustaining professional learning communities; and led both schools to Model PLC status. Ryan has been an educator for 27 years with a background as a teacher, coach, director, adjunct professor, and administrator. His first job was as a graduate assistant football coach for Syracuse University where he was a full time football coach and graduate student. He was a part of 2 bowl victories and 1 Big East Championship with the team. His teaching career began at JC Clark Elementary in the city of Hartford. In the school, Ryan created various before school and after school programs for students in the neighborhood. His daily morning gym program was open for all students an hour before school and served hundreds of students on a daily basis. Also at JC Clark, he started a basketball team in the school to help the students most at-need. The season was from October to May. Ryan also coached football, basketball, and served as director of the National Youth Sports Program at the local college during the summer. In addition, Ryan taught a graduate class at St. Joseph’s College for 4 years on using PLCs as the system for creating interventions.
Ryan is a board member for the Connecticut Association of Schools Student Services Team. As a teacher, he was named both educator and teacher of the year. As a director, he led his camp, NYSP, to national recognition. As a coach, he coached and supported athletes at both the collegiate and high school levels. At Woodside Intermediate School, they also were named a model SRBI and PBIS sight and welcomed visitors from all over. The school also served as a Professional Development School with Central Connecticut State University with college students, staff, and interns in the building at all times. A partnership was also created with Wesleyan University athletic department as athletes visited the school during recess and other times to support students. During his time at Woodside, Ryan presented on Professional Learning Communities to educators in CT and Massachusetts, presented on reading instruction to the CT Reading Association, and presented on RTI or SRBI in CT. Ryan helped open at brand new school in Hartford in a renovated factory. During his time, the school was selected a model professional learning community just 4 years after it opened. They were also selected a Solution Tree Success Story and featured on their website. As an educator, Ryan believes in relationship building with students and connecting with the community, as evident in 25 years of home visits. Ryan is currently a Solution Tree associate and certified PLC, RTI, and priority school presenter. He has presented across the United States on creating and sustaining PLCs in schools with the focus on the team.
Bo earned undergraduate degrees from Western Connecticut State University, a master’s degree from Syracuse University, and his sixth-year degree from Southern Connecticut State University.
Key Takeaways:
- It's important to recognize where we have benefited and give back.
- Educators have to realize that the student experience isn't always the same as their own personal experience when they were in school.
- We improve ourselves and make the culture better by realizing and utilizing the importance of teams.
- Team meetings have to be guided by a process and coached by a leader first if they are going to be effective.
- Tight loose leadership is key if you are to have effective PLCs in your building.
- It's important to focus on solutions rather than continue to highlight problems.
- Implement systems that change mindsets.
- PLC work has to be research based.
Stay Connected:
Book: Brilliance in the Building
Dr. Jones, host of the SEEing to Lead podcast and author of SEEing to Lead, was a guest on the This is Leadership podcast.
Join us as we discsuss all things leadership and go over my recent book, SEEing to Lead. Here are three ways you can increase your impact and continue to improve as a leader!
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Rick Butterworth is a co-founder & leads engineering and operations at Wakelet. He studied aviation technology at Salford University, obtained his private pilot’s license, and worked as an airport consultant, before joining Wakelet. His interests include UX, product, coding, and Web3.
Tisha Poncio, M.S. Learning Technologies/Instructional Design, has served in education for the last 21 years. She has led students in the classroom teaching English, Web Design, Graphic Design, Business Computers, Programming, and Broadcast Journalism and coached educators and administrators as a digital learning specialist for 12 years. She is a Google Certified Trainer and was named a finalist in 2018 for Instructional Technology Specialist of the Year in Texas. She has presented at numerous educational technology conferences across the nation and in her home state of Texas speaking about student leadership, student autonomy, digital citizenship for all ages, and meaningful technology integration. She currently serves as Wakelet's Digital Learning Specialist.
Key Takeaways:
- Wakelet works for hiring because it works as a CV as well. You can organize candidates into a Wakelet collection.
- Ideas for use continue to come as you play with the tool.
- Wakelet can be used for note taking on books for future use or creating your own story.
- It is a great tool for self reflection and goal setting to show growth.
- The best way to empower teachers for this or any other tool is by modeling it's use first.
- Wakelet can be used for districts so that it includes analytics.
- Wakelet can be a tool to empower students to use technology for good. They are already curating. Let them use Wakelet to do it in a positive way that benefits their education.
- We now need to listen to students and let them lead the way to advance in technology.
- Why do we only bring schools together to compete instead of learn? We are all learning the same thing, we should be learning it together.
- Embrace the evolution of your path.
- We have to be careful to not be too quick to put our opinion into situations without fully understanding them.
- If we are going to keep learning we should never be afraid to admit when we change our philosophies.
Stay in Touch:
Rick:
https://twitter.com/r1ck11 https://wakelet.com/@rick https://www.tiktok.com/@rick.wakelet Tisha: https://wakelet.com/@tishaponcio
https://twitter.com/TxTechChick
https://instagram.com/tishaponcio
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tishaponcio/
https://www.tiktok.com/@tishaponcio
Rick Butterworth is a co-founder & leads engineering and operations at Wakelet. He studied aviation technology at Salford University, obtained his private pilot’s license, and worked as an airport consultant, before joining Wakelet. His interests include UX, product, coding, and Web3.
Tisha Poncio, M.S. Learning Technologies/Instructional Design, has served in education for the last 21 years. She has led students in the classroom teaching English, Web Design, Graphic Design, Business Computers, Programming, and Broadcast Journalism and coached educators and administrators as a digital learning specialist for 12 years. She is a Google Certified Trainer and was named a finalist in 2018 for Instructional Technology Specialist of the Year in Texas. She has presented at numerous educational technology conferences across the nation and in her home state of Texas speaking about student leadership, student autonomy, digital citizenship for all ages, and meaningful technology integration. She currently serves as Wakelet's Digital Learning Specialist.
Key Takeaways:
- Weekly open to up a new wave of engagement and empowerment in the classroom among both teachers and students.
- The ease of wakelet's use helps people address how students learn best and empower them to be autonomous.
- Wakelet is much more than just a curation tool. It's an edtech party boss. It makes time more efficient, has templates, and helps you create a flow with links from various resources experienced.
- Wakelet creates a system of information for its users in a simple and convenient manner. It becomes a hub for all information.
- Wakelet helps differentiate levels of support for teachers by creating an efficient system that is easy to use. It is about less clicks and a design that acts as a benefit rather than an add on to the already overwhelming amount of responsibility.
- There are templates and a ton of resources and ideas on youtube.
- Wakelet helps change pedagogy because it opens new ways to create and document progress.
- It helps students become leaders of their own education.
- If you’re not making someone’s life better than you’re wasting your time.
Stay in Touch:
Rick:
https://twitter.com/r1ck11 https://wakelet.com/@rick https://www.tiktok.com/@rick.wakelet Tisha: https://wakelet.com/@tishaponcio
https://twitter.com/TxTechChick
https://instagram.com/tishaponcio
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tishaponcio/
https://www.tiktok.com/@tishaponcio
Sarah Regan
Key Takeaways:
Confidence comes from opportunity.
Personalizing instruction makes all the difference when supporting students.
Connecting material to a student in an authentic way creates better understanding.
Eyes on is more about attention than respect in the classroom.
Empowerment comes from recognizing the small successes students have.
There needs to be more fun brought into the high school experience.
The focus needs to be on understanding more than memorization.
Hard work should be expected but rewarded once it's complete.
Attending extracurricular activities helps teachers see students in a new light as well as students seeing teachers in a new light and builds stronger relationships.
Matthew Woods has served in various roles within K-12 education. His professional experience includes being a high school social studies teacher, middle and high school assistant principal, middle school principal, and director of student support services. In addition to his K-12 work, Matthew has also served as an adjunct professor and field instructor at the collegiate level for student-teachers. Aside from this work, Matthew hosts a K-12 podcast, Leading Out the Woods, and is the author of the children’s book series, I Wanna Be… , starring his one year old son imagining different occupations he would like to grow up to be. Matthew is currently working on his leadership book, The Sandbox Mentality: Empowering Leadership. For more information regarding Matthew’s professional and educational experience, please visit his LinkedIn page.
Key Takeaways:
- You need to take advantage of every opportunity you can to give back to the community that gave to you.
- Sometimes we have to just step back to realize how blessed we are.
- Critical thinking is essential if people are to continuously improve.
- Create spaces that are safe for people to think critically or practice skills.
- Effective leaders don't ask people what to do, but instead provide them strategies on how to do it.
- You have to be proactive instead of reactive. If you are constantly reacting you are going to fail. Put out the match before it becomes a forest fire.
- Empowerment is about getting people comfortable to push the boundaries on their current situation.
- Sometimes when people tell you to take a step back they're saving you from falling down.
- The 4 principles of the sandbox mentality.
- Autonomy and empowerment must align with core beliefs.
Stay In Touch:
Website
Victor "Coach" Hicks is the founder of the Coding with Culture brand. He has six years experience teaching Computer Science and Technology and over 20 years experience teaching and coaching in his hometown of Chicago, Illinois and current residence, Atlanta, Georgia!
Victor is passionate about closing the digital divide among students of color, more specifically, Black Students. He enjoys using his talents to provide culturally relevant computer science experiences for students in grades K-12 along with professional development and consultation services for K-12 educators.
Victor is a proud product of two HBCUs: Fisk University and Clark Atlanta University. His experiences at these illustrious institutions inspired him to make it a priority to include the cultural relevance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities in his pedagogy across grade levels and content areas.
Key Takeaways:
- We have to listen to all voices when looking to better serve students and teachers.
- Connect with and meet teachers where they are when engaging them in the process of culturally relevant instruction.
- Having a clear, authentic intent is the only way to make a positive impact
- You have to be vulnerable and show your human side when working with students.
- We are still struggling to break the industrial age model of school even after the pandemic.
- The educational system has to change in fundamental ways if it is to improve.
- We are trying to study and enact diversity equity and inclusion in a system that refuses to recognize diversity at any level.
- There are too many educators at upper level positions making big decisions about education when they don't know about the field.
- Creativity comes from the process not the product.
Stay In Touch:
Website
Key Takeaways:
- It's important for schools to focus on the little things to get students engaged.
- It's really about teachers having fun in order to engage students and bring them in.
- It's important to be clear about expectations and organized.
- Engaged teaching is visible through not just cold calling students, but relating those questions to real life events.
- Present complex concepts simply so that students can pick them up and understand them.
- Present material as if it's something they want to learn.
- Pressure on students appears to be more a societal and parental issue than schools.
- Don't make who you are about the grades that you get.
Brian Aspinall is a former classroom teacher, current educational speaker, and university instructor at York University in Ontario. He's from Ontario but leads workshops and other EdTech-related courses for educators all around North America.
Key Takeaways:
- People need to get their stories out about how to change education.
- We need to get out of our silos if we are to grow and and take opportunities to improve ourselves.
- Educators need to get on social media, specifically Twitter.
- We have made time a constant instead of education and learning.
- Learning has to be about pursuing your passions.
- Far too often in education we focus on weaknesses. When students get out of school they will be focusing on their strengths.
- Going gradeless changes the verbiage from "what did I get" to "can I try this"?
- Why are we always preparing students for more school instead of life?
- The only strategy guaranteed to fail is not trying something new. If we fail to change how we educate students we are failing society.
- Fear is the common thread holding us back at all levels.
- Leave your ego at the door.
Stay in Touch:
Twitter: @mraspinall
Website: http://www.mraspinall.com/
John J. Whalen is a leading Restorative Practices pioneer in both theory and application. He has trained thousands of teachers, staff, and students throughout the United States. He is an innovator in professional development and training. John has spoken at numerous national education conferences including ASCD Empower, ASCD Leadership Conference, the ESEA Conference, National Association of Community and Restorative Justice Conference, the Music City SEL Conference, and the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals Conference.
John is the author of the book Classroom Circles: A Toolkit for Building Relationships and Strengthening School Communities.
John currently brings his experience to his role as a principal at the Tioughnioga Riverside Academy, a 4th-8th grade building in Upstate New York. He spent 15 years in the classroom teaching both 2nd grade and 6th grade mathematics. He also spent over three years as a district Restorative Practices Coordinator leading implementation in over ten primary and secondary schools.
John resides in Conklin, NY, with his wife and two daughters. He enjoys hiking, skiing, and camping. He is a graduate of SUNY (the beer) Geneseo and Binghamton University.
Key Takeaways:
- Great relationships take come from taking the time to get to know each other.
- Schools need to change a lot because of all the new digital media.
- It's important to engage students rather than entertain them.
- When creating solutions we have to look for effective rather than efficient answers.
- Let students spin the ruler.
- To be successful restorative practices must be focused on the community and culture building side.
Stay in Touch:
Twitter: @johnjwhalen
Website: edtomorrow.com
Book: Classroom Circles
John J. Whalen is a leading Restorative Practices pioneer in both theory and application. He has trained thousands of teachers, staff, and students throughout the United States. He is an innovator in professional development and training. John has spoken at numerous national education conferences including ASCD Empower, ASCD Leadership Conference, the ESEA Conference, National Association of Community and Restorative Justice Conference, the Music City SEL Conference, and the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals Conference.
John is the author of the book Classroom Circles: A Toolkit for Building Relationships and Strengthening School Communities.
John currently brings his experience to his role as a principal at the Tioughnioga Riverside Academy, a 4th-8th grade building in Upstate New York. He spent 15 years in the classroom teaching both 2nd grade and 6th grade mathematics. He also spent over three years as a district Restorative Practices Coordinator leading implementation in over ten primary and secondary schools.
John resides in Conklin, NY, with his wife and two daughters. He enjoys hiking, skiing, and camping. He is a graduate of SUNY (the beer) Geneseo and Binghamton University.
Key Takeaways:
- Circles are important in the process of bringing everyone together by building relationships, and creating a positive culture.
- Amazing things can happen in your building when faculty work from a lens of respect.
- Schools with positive cultures where staff feel as if they belong do not experience the shortages seen around the nation.
- Consistency is key when building circles into your schedule.
- Check out the 1st 5 email for quick ways to connect, interact, and check in with students or staff.
- Greeting students at the door results in a 20% boost in engagement and a 10% decrease in behavioral issues.
Stay in Touch:
Twitter: @johnjwhalen
Website: edtomorrow.com
Book: Classroom Circles
Key Takeaways:
- The biggest part in STEM education is finding the balance between hands on and book work in classes.
- It's important to create and deliver hands on activities that don't just feel like chores, but as if they're important to the student.
- Learning becomes engaging when it is not about checking off a list for curriculum, but instead discovering new, meaningful material.
- Student voice is key to engaging and empowering students.
- Make sure you empower students by showing them tangible ways how their voice made an impact.
- Mutual respect is one of the most important things needed in schools.
- Clubs and Athletics make schools what they are because school is about more than just academics, but where you make your friends and build relationships.
- It's OK to stand out because there are other people who are waiting for you to take the lead.
Dr. Darrin Peppard is a leadership coach, consultant, and speaker focused on organizational culture and climate, and coaching emerging leaders. Darrin is the best-selling author of Road to Awesome: Empower, Lead, Change the Game, and is the host of the Leaning into Leadership podcast. Darrin was named the 2015 National Educator of the Year and was the 2016 Wyoming Secondary School Principal of the Year. In 2019, Darrin was inducted into the Jostens Renaissance Educator Hall of Fame. As a ‘recovering high school principal’, Darrin shares strategies and lessons learned from 26 years in public education to help leaders gain clarity, find joy in their work, and walk in their purpose.
Key Takeaways:
- Being a Principal is the best, but toughest job you can ever have.
- School culture is the single most important thing we do in our schools.
- Every child and adult should have the opportunity to be seen, heard, and loved every single day in our schools.
- Culture is saying this is how we do things here and saying this is not how we do things here.
- We need to focus on highlighting what people are doing right rather than what people are doing wrong.
- Culture begins and is strengthened by giving opportunities for ownership.
- Make sure you schedule "balcony time" to take a step back and look where you are.
- Walk your school hallways with an objective eye concerning what you see.
Stay in Touch:
Twitter: @DarrinMPeppard
Website: linktr.ee/darrinmpeppard
Amy Matthews-Perez is Texas-born & raised. She is currently in her 30th year of serving public education in Texas where Amy has served as a General Ed. Teacher, an SLP, a Diagnostician, a SPED Specialist and a Director of Special Education. Amy has also worked in the private sector as an Education Coordinator at a JJAEP and in both home health & nursing home settings as an SLP. She currently serves as a Director of Special Programs which includes SPED, 504, Dyslexia, MTSS and being the Liaison for students/families experiencing Foster Care and Homelessness.
Her passions are communication, laughter, inspiring & empowering others. As a learner, she considers herself an "Experience Expert." Life is short but our influence is never ending, so she seeks joy and creates smiles through learning, sharing, and highlighting the best in other people.
Key Takeaways:
Life is short, but our influences never ending.
There is a need to consistently model the positivity of any progress or event.
Use the 2 filters of, everyone has positive intent and what can I learn from this.
It's important to know your people, but even more important to act on the knowledge that you have.
Empower others to bring positivity to your culture by being transparent in your process of supporting and engaging others.
Try throwing out bad suggestions to get better suggestions from those who may not normally contribute.
You need to forget about your ego if you are to find the most success as a leader.
It's critical that you not only communicate your priorities, but why they are your priorities.
Setting goals and priorities is messy because they have to all mesh with each other.
Practice makes progress.
Stay in Touch:
Kari Pitstick is a 7th grade English Language Arts and math teacher in Illinois. She also coaches track and field. She is the Director of Digital Content for the Teach Better Team. She graduated from Illinois State University in 2015 with a bachelor’s in Middle Level Education, and American College of Education in 2018 with a master’s in Curriculum & Instruction.
Kari has known she wanted to teach at the middle level since she was in middle school herself. One of her main missions is to provide a safe and friendly environment for students to explore their passions as learners and as people.
Kari is an avid reader, spending most of her free time reading and writing, and she hopes to share that passion with all those around her - students and adults, alike!
Key Takeaways:
Making mistakes and learning from them is critical to the learning process and lowering anxiety.
Modeling and being present in the classroom is key for leaders.
It's not just about being visible, it's about being active in what's going on around you.
Start the year off right by getting to know those you lead as people.
It's never too late to go back and build relationships.
Leaders need to make time for the specific thing you want those you lead to embrace.
Hold Ed Camp style staff meetings.
The best way to become comfortable in your own skin is to know the why behind everything that you do.
Stay in Touch:
Website
Joël began his career as a science and chemistry teacher in 1997 and for the past 15 years has served as a principal, guiding improvement initiatives, and providing instructional leadership to staff and students in elementary, middle, and high schools.
From 2014 to 2018 he coached French Ontario principals as an Instructional Leader with the CFORP. He supported the development of leadership skills of principals and accompanied school board educational teams on the issue of teaching and learning in the era of global competencies.
Joël is currently Principal / School Efficacy Leader in his school board (at Conseil scolaire public du Nord-Est (CSPNE),) as well as a Provincial Leadership Coach within his professional principals association (at the Association des directions et directionsassistantes des écoles franco-ontariennes.) He is the founder of Inspire Leadership Coaching , and the host of Inspire Leadership Podcast as well as the podcast This Is Leadership .
Key Takeaways:
- Everyone can be a leader so it's important to make sure you are adding value to those who step forward.
- Look for and develop opportunities to help others improve their leadership skills.
- Create masterminds for administrators and teachers. This will help create collective efficacy.
- One on one meetings are difficult to schedule but incredibly valuable for individual development.
- Collective efficacy is three times more likely to have a positive impact on student learning than any other factor according to John Hattie's research.
- Successful leadership development results in leaders developing others into leaders.
- Leadership development is working when leaders are improving in the process of improvement.
- Effective learning cycles are key to the improvement and development of leaders.
Stay in Touch:
Website
Dr. Cindi Burnett is the director of possibilities for creativity and education. Like her creativity Focus curriculum for students and teachers, Cindy embraces the creative Life Style that she teaches. You will often find her trying on new ideas, exploring resources to stretch your thinking, and being an advocate for playfulness and humor. Although she loves to research and write about creativity, Cindy is a firm believer in field service. She has 20 years of teaching experience as an academic at the International Center for Studies in Creativity at SUNY Buffalo State where she instructed classes in creative thinking and creative problem-solving.
Cindy is the co-editor of the big questions in creativity book series and co-author of the books weaving creativity into every strand of your curriculum, 20 lessons for weaving creativity into your curriculum, and my sandwich is a spaceship: creative thinking for parents and young children
Some of her projects include: working with Educators to bring creative thinking into the classroom, connecting communities of creative thinkers via social media, and designing and running a massive open online course on everyday creativity. She's the recipient of the president's medal for excellence in teaching in 2018 by SUNY Buffalo State, was Buffalo business first, women of influence 2018 for her work in creativity, and was featured in The New York Times article titled “creativity becomes an academic discipline.”
Cindy has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theater, a master of science in creativity and change leadership, and a doctorate of Education in curriculum, teaching, and learning, all of which she uses to help ignite creativity and education around the world. In her spare time, she can be found singing and dancing with her two children, propagating plants, and trying to find the world's best slice of pizza.
Key Takeaways:
Don't ask what you want to do with your life, instead ask what do you want to learn about.
The science of creativity is just as important as the art of creativity because it helps teach others the strategies to become more creative.
Creativity is the generation of novel and appropriate ideas.
Leaders can help educators infuse more creativity into their classroom by reframing what creativity actually is.
Educators by definition are creative because they are problem solvers.
Creativity cannot be treated as an add on it must be infused into the curriculum.
Creativity isn't always about the feel good emotion of success because because there is ambiguity in the process.
Give people a mistake quotient when trying to get them to take risks or be vulnerable with their creativity.
Use creativity boards.
Use teacher superhero capes.
Stay in Touch:
Director of Possibilities: http://CreativityandEducation.com
Fueling Creativity in Education podcast: http://fuelingcreativity.podbean.com
Alex T. Valencic is an educator, former small business owner, Boy Scout leader, volunteer drug prevention specialist, and geek of all things. Alex has worked as a substitute teacher, fourth grade teacher, and curriculum coordinator Since July 2021, he has been serving as the Professional Learning Coordinator in Freeport, Illinois, organizing summer institutes, new teacher academies, and supporting ongoing professional learning for all staff through a variety of differentiated learning pathways.
Key Takeaways:
- Professional development needs to change from one size fits none to one size fits all.
- Opportunities to educate others are all around us every day.
- Professional learning needs to be all encompassing because education is about so much more than just a teacher in the classroom.
- The branch and growth model and method for individualized professional learning.
- Leaders need to be in classrooms as often as possible on a consistent basis.
- Find a way to get out of your office and be among your teachers and students as much as possible
Stay in Touch:
Website
Joshua Yeager is a servant leader who strives to be compassionate and loyal while holding a high level of integrity. With fifteen years of dedicated service in the areas of business, education, and leadership, he feels that now is the time to collaboratively be a catalyst of change by providing a high level of quality leadership that increases principal and teacher capacity. Joshua has held many leadership roles in K-12 schools such as teacher, coach, literacy coordinator, assistant principal, special projects, principal, and director of schools. He is currently a PhD candidate in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in Leadership, at the American College of Education in Indianapolis, Indiana. Joshua has a continued commitment to ensuring that all students and teachers are competitive at the highest level in a global society. Currently, he resides in Hattiesburg and has one daughter who's a freshman in high school.
Key Takeaways:
- Teachers will perform to the level that they believe they can perform at if supported.
- You have to become uncomfortable if you are going to continue to grow to your greatest potential.
- Professional development needs to be teacher centric, engaging, and relevant.
- Whole school improvement becomes second nature when teachers are being coached.
- Regular ceremonies to champion teachers and students is essential to building a successful culture.
- Don’t use existing policies as an excuse not to change. They were meant to be adjusted.
- Being visible all day every day is a key to leadership.
- Leadership isn’t about the leader, but instead those they lead. Practicing humility is essential.
Stay in Touch:
Website
Brian Martin is the host of the Teaching Champions Podcast, but much more than that. He is a Teacher/Student, Speaker/Listener, and Failer/Achiever. Brian’s continuous positive messaging about mindset, learning, gratitude, and how to improve education through twitter is truly inspiring. Brain is consistently lifting educators up. Personally, I found him through that very platform and after reading through his feed knew he would have a ton to offer the listeners of this podcast.
Key Takeaways:
- We need to make a point of both observing and absorbing the good in life.
- Clear messaging and explicit modeling of expectations is how you create a positive atmosphere and culture.
- Make recognizing gratitude a daily practice.
- If you're not making mistakes you're not trying.
- We need to create an environment where risk taking is supported and encouraged.
- It's critical that administrators are more consistently in the classroom to support teachers.
Stay in Touch:
Twitter: @bmartinreal
Teaching Champions Podcast
Shelli Ann currently works as a Librarian/Media Specialist for both a primary and elementary school in Texas. She began her library career working in a public library and moved to teaching for two years at a private school before returning to college to become a school librarian where she has been for the past 6 years. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, writing poetry, photography & spending time outdoors. Key Takeaways: * School libraries should be hubs for school activity. They should be facilitators of information. Not just the information, but how to access a world of information * Make sure you include librarians whenever you are making plans for professional development or the improvement of the library. * Libraries have the ability to tie what is being taught in the classroom with the broader world. * Libraries are evolving at a faster pace than the perception of the purpose libraries serve. * It's important to tie your library and all it has to offer with other events that occur in the building.
Stay in Touch: Twitter: @ann177345 Website: Unspoken Thoughts
Henry J. Turner is an award-winning high school principal, author, and nationally renowned speaker. He is most proud of the collaborative community he works within to empower students to fight hate and bigotry in their school. Pointing to his unwavering commitment to equity and a student-centered culture, Henry was named 2020 K12 Principal of the Year by K–12 Dive. Henry is the author of the newly released book, Change the Narrative: How to Foster an Antiracist Culture in Your School, published by DBC inc. As a national speaker, he shares his experience as an innovative instructional leader, passionate advocate, and committed antiracist educator with educators and organizational leaders. Henry works with educators, leaders, and communities on how to create a culture that commits to diversity, equity, and inclusion empowers students’ voices and addresses economic and racial disparities. He has a biweekly newsletter, “Lessons on Social Justice Leadership” that can be found at HenryJTurner.com. Key Takeaways: * It's important to let students know that the school they are in is their school. * It's about helping students to explore who they are and the world around them and then think about the legacy they will leave so they are truly change makers. * Schools are the center of communities so it's our job to share our value system. * School is the place where students will interact with people who are different than themselves and need to learn from that experience. * It's our not our job to teach students what to think, but instead how to think. It all starts by teaching respect. * It's critical that schools have a value statement that includes equity and standing up for others who are different or marginalized. * Not talking about or hiding incidents against marginalized groups further marginalize them. * In order to make progress we have to sometimes admit that we were part of the problem.
Stay in Touch: @turnerhj HenryJTurner.com
Matthew Rhoads, Ed.D. is an expert and innovator in educational technology and instructional strategy integration within online, blended, and traditional in-person classroom settings. As a practicing technology leader, trainer, integrationist, and coach in Adult Education, K-12, and Higher Education, he develops EdTech tool integrations with research-based instructional strategies to drive instruction. He also has expertise in instructing teachers and educational leaders on how to utilize data to make data-driven decisions to drive instruction as well as has developed a data literacy curriculum for K-20 educators. Dr. Rhoads publications focus on integrating instructional strategies with EdTech tools to amplify student learning within in-person, online, and blended learning classrooms. His latest books include Instruction Without Boundaries: Enhance Your Teaching Strategies with Technology Tools in Any Setting, Amplify Learning: A Global Collaborative - Amplifying Instructional Design, and Navigating the Toggled Term: A Guide for K-12 Classroom and School Leaders. He also has his podcast, Navigating Education - The Podcast, which discusses all topics related to education and instruction. For more information on Dr. Rhoads and his work, visit his website at www.matthewrhoads.com.
Key Takeaways:
- Technology integration is about building strategies and tools that are effective in multiple situations.
- Technology integration is about building capacity for change to our curriculum in the future.
- You must be focused on research based strategies for instruction prior to inserting technology to deliver that instruction.
- Learning needs to be available to students at any time on multiple platforms
- Clear simple messaging and focused support on a few strategies is the best way to support teachers with new technology integration.
- Creating a platform and environment for teachers to share what they're doing is key to building engagement and empowering.
- The priorities need to be teacher agency and instructional coaching to build capacity.
Stay in Touch:
@MattRhoads1990
Navigating Education - The Podcast
Dr. Rhoads' website
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Ryan Scott was kind enough to have me as a guest on his Big Ed Idea podcast! We had a great conversation about supporting, engaging, and empowering those you lead!
Dr. Dan Kreiness was kind enough to have me as a guest on his Leader of Learning podcast! We had a great conversation about supporting, engaging, and empowering those you lead!
Dr. Brandon Beck is an educator, speaker, coach, and author of "Unlocking Unlimited Potential: Understanding the Infinite Power Within to Guide Any Student Toward Success." He is also the host of the "Unlocking Unlimited Potential Stories Show," a live show and podcast where he interviews inspiring people sharing their inspiring stories. Brandon is a National Board Certified teacher and also holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership.
He is also a college professor, consultant, Results Coach, an editor and reviewer for AASA Journal of Scholarship & Practice, a regular keynote speaker at state, regional, and national conferences. Brandon is also a professional soccer coach and instructor for the United States Soccer Federation.
Key Takeaways:
- Educators who work with the students often know those students real well or better than anyone else.
- When innovating or coming up with new ideas the mindset of "if there's a will there's a way" is essential.
- We need to acknowledge the teachers who continue to be positive in the face of negativity.
- We need to put weight on conversations instead of the numbers generated by evaluations.
- You become embraced by your community when you clearly embrace them.
- Student centered and service based learning has the biggest ripple effect through society.
Stay in Touch:
Twitter: @BrandonBeckEDU
Website: https://brandonbeckedu.com/
Book: Unlocking Unlimited Potential
Peaches the Poodle
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Krista Leh is the Founder / Lead Professional Learning Designer & Facilitator at Resonance Educational Consulting where she is passionate about Helping educators create sustainable, scalable SEL systems. She was an ASCD Emerging leader in 2012 and has definitely fulfilled that title. She currently co-hosts the SEL in EDU podcast that is sponsored by PA ASCD.
Key Takeaways:
- One of the biggest misconceptions about SEL is that it's all about relationships.
- There are 5 central competencies to SEL.
- There are interpersonal and intra personal competencies.
- SEL is comprised of who you are and what you do everyday.
- The 3 main factors needed to create a sustainable SEL system are cultural, structural, and behavioral.
- You can see, feel, and hear when people feel as if they authentically accepted and honored for who they are as a person.
- We can't always clearly see what is happening when we are in the middle of an event.
- Leaders need to realize their responsibility to stand for those they serve.
Stay in Touch:
Twitter:@Resonance_Ed
Web: https://www.resonanceed.com/
SELinEDU Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2gEh999Scirvr9ZWbKGuup?si=f3c70801895943db
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Kecia McDonald currently serves as a Complex Area Resource Teacher for English Learners in Kailua Kona, West Hawai'i. She is certified K-12 in Health and has been a Teen Health teacher, a Curriculum Coordinator, Test Coordinator, Title I Coordinator and substitute teacher. She is a 2020-2022 Hawai'i State Teacher Fellow and a 2022 NEA Foundation Global Learning Fellow. Kecia is the public school proud mother of two young men and a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer. She loves to travel and has moved 26 times. You can find her on Twitter @mcdonald_kecia or follow her travels on IG @what_hi_see
Key Takeaways:
- You will be a better teacher and administrator when you realize and enact education being about relationships and interacting with other human beings.
- Nobody will innovate or take risks until a community that is safe has been built.
- Teaching is professional yet at the same time deeply personal. It's a holistic profession.
- Building relationships creates a community. Building report creates an institution. We all want to work in communities.
- The light bulb moment is the click moment when it comes to building relationships.
- It's important that you pause and take time to let people know that you see, hear, and know them.
- Leaders need to model relationship building for their teachers.
- It's important to help teachers start improving by focusing on their strengths and building from there.
- Schools should be joyful places of learning.
Stay In Touch:
Twitter @mcdonald_kecia
IG @what_hi_see
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Daphne McMenemy is an educator, author and speaker. Her first book, Gracie, is based on her personal experiences in the classroom. Gracie is a young girl whose learning is brought to life when her teacher introduces her to coding and a new way of thinking. As a child and young adult, Daphne was focused on becoming an educator with purpose, to improve the lives of her students and make an impact on their educational journey. As an educator for the past 17 years, she has created opportunity for children in her classroom to explore learning in innovative ways. Using STEM to engage children as young as kindergarten age in discovering learning through coding, she develops numeracy, literacy and computational thinking skills through creative exploration. Her experience in the classroom has proven to support even the most hesitant learners in building confidence in their abilities and engaging in the learning process. Daphne is committed to building relationships, meeting students where they are, appreciating each individual, and finding opportunity to engage and motivate students in creative, innovative ways. Her newest venture allows her an extensive creative outlet as Managing Director of Code Breaker Inc.
Key Takeaways:
- We have to adjust our expectations if we are going to empower students and teachers.
- Empowerment comes from letting go of control, building trust, and creating responsibility.
- Students will become leaders if given the opportunity.
- Empower others by saying we have a problem, how are we going to fix it. Then let them take responsibility.
- It’s important to lead by example and then support people to reach your expectation.
- We need to meet those we lead where they are at the current moment.
- Everyone has a right to be in an environment that treats them as a leader and then meets them where they are instead of meeting the current leaders where they are.
Stay in Touch:
Twitter: @McMenemyTweets
daphnemcmenemy.com
codebreakeredu.com
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Jaime Donally is a passionate technology enthusiast. She began her career as a math teacher and later moved into Instructional Technology. Her desire to build relationships has brought about opportunities to collaborate with students and educators around the world. She provides staff development and training on immersive technology as an edtech consultant. Her latest adventures include the launch of Global Maker Day and the #ARVRinEDU community, events and presentations. She works as an author and speaker to provide practical use of augmented and virtual reality in the classroom.
Key Takeaways:
- Ongoing training and continuous support is essential for any type of technology integration.
- Adoption of any new technology has to start with the end goal in mind.
- Immersive Tech can be extremely helpful for students with learning disabilities.
- Immersive Tech opens up opportunities that aren't bound by location, restricted by budgets, or limited because of your mobility.
- If innovations are too disruptive they won't thrive.
- Stay away from buying technology that only serves one use.
- The key is to empower your students to show you what is possible with new technology.
Stay Connected:
Twitter: @JaimeDonally
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
As a Digital Learning Coach in Walpole, Massachusetts, Jed Stefanowicz provides job-embedded professional development and instructional coaching for academic technology. Through conferences, workshops, and coaching, Jed aims to engage and build staff/student digital learning capacity, keeping the focus on practice over product. As a 25 year elementary educator, speaker, blogger, and current Massachusetts Teach Plus Policy Fellow, Jed shares his passion for effective tech integration to transform teaching and learning, creating engaging and equitable digital learning environments and experiences that activate, innovate, and motivate digital learning. He is the Author of Take AIM at Digital Learning: Activate, Innovate, Motivate.
Key Takeaways:
- It's important to take an empathic approach if you are to support all teachers.
- Building diverse teams is essential to successfully innovating in your school.
- Learning is the intersection of 3 things and that is what creates activation: meaningful, measurable, and memorable.
- It's important to prioritize experiences, showcase moments, and highlight events to memorialize student learning.
- The new four Cs are compassion, connection, culture, and climate. These build motivation and student agency.
- Drop the D when talking about shared and distributed leadership. Those should not be destinations but instead processes. For example share the leadership, distribute the leadership
- If kids don't care that's not their problem, it's the teacher's problem. If teachers don't care, that's not the teacher's problem that's the leader's problem.
Get In Touch:
Twitter: @Stefanowicz135
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Stephanie Howell is the CEO of Gold EDU, a founder of Global GEG, and the EdTech Lead for Pickerington Local Schools. She is key to the embedding and implementation of EdTech tools across her schools and organizations. She has a masters in Curriculum and Instruction.
Key Takeaways:
- You have to teach using your own style and not the person's next door.
- We have to take time to get to know people and what drives them if we are to support them.
- "Gripe Jams" are super important for solving problems and building relationships.
- It is key to have multiple mentors
- Teachers can help students take ownership of their learning by creating small communities.
- You have to build relationships with teachers by being involved and speaking positivity in their life.
- Find a way to combat imposter syndrome.
Get in Touch:
@MrsHowell24
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JaVonda Tucker is currently an assistant principal with Dinwiddie County Public Schools. Prior to becoming an assistant principal, JaVonda was a special education teacher at the school where she currently works. Along with holding a master’s degree in education administration, she also holds a master’s degree in criminal justice. JaVonda is also the proud mother of a 12 year old son.
Key Takeaways:
- S.E.L. Needs to look different for all people
- You cannot effectively implement social emotional learning for students and staff without knowing them as individuals
- You need to know and understand yourself before being able to know and understand what others need
- Try turning the tables with teachers as a way to pull them from their present state of mind
- Journaling is a great way to practice reflection
- Be visible to know your students and staff
- Don’t be afraid to tell your story. There is always someone that needs to hear it.
- Do not lead from your office.
- Listen to lead better.
Contact:
Twitter: @JaVondaTucker
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
An educator with over twenty years of experience, Debbie Tannenbaum works each and every day to “transform” learning using technology. During her time in education, she has served both as a classroom teacher in various grades and as an elementary technology coach. Outside of the classroom, Debbie promotes using technology tools to amplify student learning in her work as an educational technology consultant, author, blogger and speaker. You can connect with Debbie at TannenbaumTech.com.
Key Takeaways:
- TRANSFORM as an acronym for how to evolve into a better educator and leader.
- You have to overcome the uncertainty of being connected if you want to improve.
- Start simple with activities such as "tweet and eat" when introducing new tools strategies for technology.
- Pay attention to the difference between having time and allowing time.
- Make sure you are modeling the expectations that you are setting forth.
- We can't engage others unless we ourselves are engaged first.
- Getting people to offer their voice is all about culture and relationships.
- Show teachers they can do things by modeling and get them connected for other models.
Connect:
Twitter: @TannenbaumTech
Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tannenbaumtech/
LinkedIn: @TannenbaumTech
Website: https://www.tannenbaumtech.com/
Book:
TRANSFORM: Techy Notes to Make Learning Sticky
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Dominic is a proud principal, educator, innovator, husband and father. He is an expert in educational leadership, school culture and climate. Dominic is passionate about social- emotional learning and feels that every child deserves to have fun, feel excited to learn and is happy to go to school.
Key Takeaways:
- Work life balance is essential, but more of a negotiation.
- One of the powers of being a Principal is the ability to have more of an impact on teachers and make your own schedule to do just that.
- Learn and lead with S.W.A.G.
- S + W + A = J!
- Being authentic and sticking to who you are as a school is key when sharing your story on social media.
- Being a principal is just being a teacher on a bigger scale.
- Everyone falls into the 40, 40, and 40 rule.
- Make sure to take an "it's OK" perspective to be effective from day-to-day.
Contact:
Twitter: @DominicArmano
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Melissa Dean is a classroom educator with over 20 years of teaching, coaching and mentoring experience, having taught all the way from K to Grade 12. She is passionate about assessment and evaluation, and education reform, particularly in the area of mathematics. When she is not teaching, she can be found running, writing, drinking coffee or working part-time at a local bakery specializing in sourdough bread. She is known for her infectious laugh and ridiculous jokes. Most recently, she is an author who’s recent release, Unravel School, brings to life the idea of leveling up and disrupting the experience of learning.
Key Takeaways:
- Now is the time to dream big in education.
- We sometimes need to be pushed to a higher level of success because we are stuck in the starting blocks.
- Trust and respect is key for assisting in career decisions.
- We need to keep our ears open for progress by truly listening.
- Don't lose sight of the human side of education.
- Education should be open spaced, collaborative areas where students are supported as needed at the level they need.
- We need to think about how what we do impacts who we are.
- Remember to always presume positive intentions.
- Listen to understand instead of waiting to respond.
Get in Touch:
Twitter: @Dean_of_Math
Book: Unravel School: Reimagine Classrooms, Reinvent Assessment, & Revive Learning
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Jennifer Quattrucci is the proud principal of Greystone elementary School in North Providence Rhode Island. She is also the proud wife of an educator and mom of two amazing children ages 16 and 12. Jennifer is an active blogger and author of the book Educate the Heart, which is full of resources for screen free activities for students.
Key Takeaways:
- The decision making process needs to be collaborative coupled with reflection.
- Listening is the most important tool for leaders.
- Principals need to continue teaching classes if they are to relate to their teachers.
- Social emotional learning needs to be embedded in everyday actions to be effective.
- We need to look towards preparing students for the future instead of strictly tests.
- Professional development needs to be embedded in the daily schedule instead of a once in awhile approach.
Contact:
Educate the Heart
Personal Email: jenquattrucci@gmail.com
Work Email: jennifer.quattrucci@npsd.k12.ri.us
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Lainie Rowell is an educator, international consultant, podcaster, and TEDx speaker. She is the lead author of Evolving Learner and a contributing author of Because of a Teacher. Her latest book, Evolving with Gratitude, will be released in mid-2022. An experienced teacher and district leader, her areas of focus include learner-driven design, community building, online/blended learning, and professional learning. Lainie’s work has been highlighted in many publications, including Edutopia, OC Family Magazine, and PBS News Hour. Since 2014, Lainie has been a consultant for the Orange County Department of Education's Institute for Leadership Development.
Key Takeaways:
- Gratitude helps us cope with stress, regulate emotions, physiological health, and energizes learning.
- Gratitude becomes contagious.
- You need to model everything you want to see.
- Sticky note compliments as a strategy.
- The Cycle of Inquiry is not meant to be linear.
- The word “priority” was never supposed to be plural.
- Use the “It would be cool if…” prompt by Dr. Novak.
- Teacher learning needs to be ongoing and job embedded.
- Look to implement a community of inquiry cycle in your school.
- Make sure you avoid the “comparison hangover”.
Contact:
Twitter: @LainieRowell
Email: lainierowell@gmail.com
Website: www.lainierowell.com
Publications:
Evolving Learner
Because of a Teacher
Podcast - Lemonade Learning
TEDx - Learn Like a Kid
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Emily Barnes is a mom of two little girls, Elliott (3) and Scottie (2), and is married to her best friend who is an electrical engineer with Caterpillar. Emily recently moved from Central Illinois, where she served as an Assistant Principal in a K-5 building and Student Services Coordinator in a district of 4,500 students, to Sumner County, Tennessee where she currently serves as an Instructional Coach, but will be transitioning into the role of Assistant Principal for a brand new middle school on a new K-12 campus, called Liberty Creek, in the fall of 2022. Emily is one of the few people who can literally say that she is living her dream and is thankful and blessed every day to get to do what she does and to love the people she loves.
Key Takeaways:
- Shout out to Matthew X Joseph and the power of connections.
- Shout out to George M Ferro for the concept of betting on oneself.
- Relationships and connections are critical to people's success.
- Schools can have a fun atmosphere and high expectations at the same time.
- Modeling and psychological safety allows authenticity to take center stage.
- Taking ownership of mistakes you make allows for growth.
- Leaders need to model grace and accountability.
- Use objective information and specific questioning to increase self awareness.
Contact:
Twitter: @mrs_eebarnes
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Jon shares, speaks and leads educational professional learning for educators internationally. Jon has been named a County Teacher of the Year, 2019 Top 100 Educational Influencer, an NBSA 20 to Watch Educator, an Apple Distinguished Educator, and Google Certified Innovator. Jon is the co-author of The Eduprotocol Field Guide, and The Eduprotocol Field Guide Book 2 (both Amazon #1 best-sellers) and contributor to the Eduprotocols Math Edition (another #1 Amazon best-seller!).
Jon recently wrote the conclusion for the #1 Best Seller 100 STOP Series first edition.
100 No-Nonsense Things that ALL Teachers Should Stop Doing
Jon created the CUE Rock Star series (Rock Star Teacher, Admin, and Specialty events) and as the former Chief Academic Officer and Executive Director of CUE, led and designed highly effective professional learning for over 60,000 educators over the last 6 years. Jon has over 17 years in the classroom, as well as site admin and County Assistant Superintendent experience.
Key Takeaways:
- It's important to see schools from different lenses. Make sure to notice different perspectives and use that.
- Focus on "I get to" instead of" I have to".
- Adopt a "pain is mandatory, misery is optional" mindset.
- Leaders are responsible for "lighting up the room".
- Clarity is key to staff support and engagement.
- Is there's a huge honesty issue between teachers and administrators when it comes to evaluations.
- It's important to advertise that your school is keeping pace with the modern changes and requirements of education.
- Empathy should be a key outcome for our students so that in the least we are raising good human beings.
- Be the crazy friend serving doppio espresso instead of Café Americano. Try that new restaurant.
- Make sure we are educating and building relationships with the big picture in mind
Contact:
Twitter: @jcorippo
Email: jcorippo@gmail.com
TikTock: @jcorippo
Facebook: Empoweredventure
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Mandy Froehlich is an educator former instructional coach and Director of Innovation and Technology who passionately encourages educators to create innovative change in their classrooms. Her interest lies in reinvigorating and re-engaging teachers back into their profession as well as what's needed to support teachers in their pursuit of innovative and divergent thinking and teaching. Mandy consults internationally with school districts and post-secondary institutions in the effective use of technology to support teaching mental health for educators and how to create organizational change. Froehlich's work as a graduate instructor allows her to positively impact the next generation of instructional leaders. Her books on mental health awareness and educational engagement can be found on her website, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Edumatch publishing.
Key Takeaways:
- Happiness is a human right.
- Build engagement through trust, support, and understanding what teachers need.
- Conversations containing emotion must always be done in person.
- Leaders must be explicit in determining how best to support teachers.
- Use the thinking protocol 1, 2, 4, and All.
- Organic conversations often yield the best results. Make sure you use different strategies outside of the norm to have conversations.
- The busier we are, the less time we have to be creative and innovative.
- Innovation is a teacher driven system that needs a positive culture and climate that takes teacher’s needs into consideration.
- We need to get out of the deficit thinking trap.
- Schools should be about the feeling or emotion you get when you walk into the building.
- Successful education requires the leveling out of the inhumane practices (testing, data, etc.) with the relationship building and human aspects.
- People have to feel as if you know them as a human if there is to be trust.
Contact:
Website: https://www.mandyfroehlich.com/
Books
- The Fire Within: Lessons from defeat that have inspired a passion for learning
- Divergent EDU: Challenging assumptions and limitations to create a culture of innovation
- The Educator's Matchbook: A weekly guide to reigniting your love of teaching, building resilience, and fighting burnout and disengagement
- Reignite the Flames: Finding our passion and purpose for learning among the embers
Twitter: @froehlichm
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Andy is a former educator and current Community Manager for Swivl. He lives in the Fort Worth, Texas area with his wife and four children.
Andy was a Social Studies teacher and coach from 1999 until 2014, when he became a technology coach and district administrator. Andy recently started a new career at Swivl where he connects with educators and like-minded individuals as part of transforming the educational community.
Key Takeaways:
- Swivel has multiple tools that make conversations easier for students by creating safe spaces.
- It's important to make space sometimes before responding. It offers the opportunity to de-escalate and feel an increased level of comfort, which creates better conversation.
- Space offers a variety of entry points for people in a conversation.
- We have to be careful not to over rely on technology. Think the $100 solution for a $1 problem.
- It's more about the attitude towards doing things differently than the ability to actually do them.
- Flexibility is going to be the key factor in successful education moving forward.
- We need to narrow our scope of tools, keep them flexible, and focus on fewer items rather than more to build our ability to provide for all students.
Contact:
andy4edu@gmail.com
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Dr. Monica Burns is a Curriculum and EdTech Consultant, Apple Distinguished Educator and Founder of ClassTechTips.com. As a classroom teacher in New York City, Monica used digital tools to create an engaging, differentiated learning experience to meet the unique needs of her students. Monica started her blog ClassTechTips.com in 2012 to help make EdTech easier for fellow educators, and launched the Easy EdTech Podcast and her membership site the Easy EdTech Club to support educators who want to simplify and streamline technology integration.
Since starting ClassTechTips.com, Monica has led workshops and webinars, and provided keynote presentations to teachers, instructional coaches, administrators and tech-enthusiasts at numerous national and international conferences including SXSWedu, ISTE, FETC and EduTECH. Monica is the author of EdTech Essentials: The Top 10 Technology Strategies for All Learning Environments (ASCD, 2021), Tasks Before Apps: Designing Rigorous Learning in a Tech-Rich Classroom (ASCD, 2017) two quick reference guides for ASCD on Distance Learning Essentials and Classroom Technology Tips, as well as several other publications.
Key Takeaways:
- The framing of technology may change, but when not it comes to essentials.
- Technology should be used to curate, assess, and create.
- Use open ended tools when introducing tech to build rich discussions and create anchors for teachers.
- Slim tools down and create an efficient technology tool belt.
- We make time for we value.
- The Disney movie experience.
- Simplicity is key.
- We need to purposely embed digital citizenship and citizenship and media literacy into our everyday teaching.
Contact:
Twitter: @ClassTechTips
Email: hello@classtechtips.com
Website: https://classtechtips.com
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Tamara Letter is a passionate educator from Mechanicsville, Virginia with 25 years of experience as an elementary teacher, differentiation specialist, technology integrator, and instructional coach. She received the R.E.B. Award for Teaching Excellence and is the author of A Passion for Kindness: Making the World a Better Place to Lead, Love, and Learn. She is also a mom of three and strives each day to make the world a better place.
Key Takeaways:
- We are biologically made for acts of kindness.
- Kindness has to be cultivated like any other habit.
- Be purposeful about making people know they are valued.
- Kindness Journals (things you see, get, and give) are fantastic for realizing and reflecting the role of kindness in our lives.
- Kindness helps us go from good to great to fantastic.
- It isn’t about toxic positivity or negativity. It’s about the act of being toxic.
- The "four walls and a door" strategy.
- Students and teachers must feel safe to expand their boundaries.
Contact:
Book Information: http://bit.ly/DBCkindness
Email: celebratekindness@gmail.com
Website: www.tamaraletter.com
Twitter: @tamaraletter
Instagram: @tamaraletter
TikTok: @tamaraletter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/passionforkindness/
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Dr. Maribeth Edmunds is an experienced principal and central office director with a demonstrated record of excellence in public schools. She is dedicated to high academic achievement for all students in environments that encourage, respect and nurture every child, in every class on every day. Dr. Edmunds’ career spans over 40 years, having taught secondary English and Reading for 20. After earning degrees in English Education, Reading and Administration, Dr. Edmunds successfully defended her dissertation to earn a doctorate in Educational Leadership, Management and Policy from Seton Hall University.
Dr. Edmunds is skilled in curriculum development, assessment, and coaching. As a former principal and director of professional development, she mentored aspiring administrators and novice teachers. She is highly experienced in supervision of instruction, strategic planning and talent management. Dr. Edmunds is a published author of numerous articles an blogs, with a recent publication in a book entitled Things I Wish I Knew ….. Dr. Edmunds is the creator and host of #EdmundsOut video series on social media platforms. You can view her videos where she shares her musings in order to inform and entertain.
Lastly, Dr. Edmunds volunteers on behalf of children and adults with autism. She serves on the Board of Trustees of Eden Autism Services, chairing their Committee on Aging and Medical Needs. You can follow her on Twitter @DrMBEdmunds where she connects with educators from around the world.
Key Takeaways:
- Understanding others and their differences is a key aspect of building community.
- Spend time working to build a relationship with your teachers.
- Create and utilize small acts that build value.
- Give yourself grace so you can keep showing up through mistakes.
- Capitalize on forced changes by utilizing the tools we have been given based on what teachers need and what makes sense.
- It's incredibly important to think about the way we know work and school.
- Help people find their purpose in work because people deserve to be heard.
Connect:
Twitter: @DrMBEdmunds
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Cameron is an experienced teacher with the past 11 years as a STEM Coordinator and Digital Learning Coach. His main focus is on educational technology and implementing digital learning in the classroom. In Cameron's role as a Digital Learning Coach and STEM Leader, he works with staff and students to provide opportunities to transform their learning experience with a range of different tools. He has a strong belief and mindset in life long learning with a Masters Degrees in Sports Business and Digital Learning. Cameron's also a Team Leader with #aussieED, Level 2 Google Certified Educator, Microsoft Innovative Educator, and can be connected with on Twitter.
Key Takeaways:
- Virtual learning has to be individualized.
- Decide what your goals are first. Then select the tool that helps you achieve that.
- Adapting to technology requires explicit teaching.
- Build relationships by listening to needs.
- Good instructional strategies work for teachers as much as they do for students.
- Building trust takes authenticity.
- Social media is key for sharing and learning.
- Safety is key for taking risks.
Connect:
camross12@gmail.com
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Santos Gonzalez has spent the last 25 years working as a teacher and administrator at several schools in South San Diego. For Santos, education was a pathway out of poverty. She grew up understanding that education held the promise of opportunity and choices. She has spent her entire career making sure that her work delivers on that promise for every child she serves. She is now serving as a Leadership Coach with the L.A.E.P organization providing, coaching and professional learning opportunities to district, site, and teacher leaders at no cost to participants. Her work focuses on equity and meeting the needs of the whole child.
Key Takeaways:
- Achievement gap verse opportunity gap.
- Equity is only achieved by serving the whole child.
- Culturally responsive practices and social emotional learning contain instructional strategies to close the opportunity gap.
- Teachers are affected by trauma much like students.
- Leaders need to practice vulnerability to be authentic.
- Hire instructional coaches to do the work you can't get to.
- Leadership is never about you. It's not personal, it's about getting the job done the best way possible with the best person possible.
- Build capacity by having a compelling vision
Contact:
Email: gonzalez@laep.org
Coaching Website: gonzalez@laep.org/21csla
LinkedIn: Santos Gonzalez-Verardo
Facebook: Santos Gonzalez-Verardo
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Join me as I am a guest on William Parker's podcast Principal Matters. Make sure you subscribe and follow him wherever you listen!
Jay Billy is the proud principal of Ben Franklin Elementary School in Lawrence Township Public Schools in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. Jay has been in educational administration since 1996. He was awarded the 2016 Exemplary Elementary Educator award from the State of New Jersey, Department of Education. As a PIRATE leader, Jay is passionate about school culture, continuous learning, innovation in school and supporting the whole child. He has presented at numerous conferences around the state and the country on subjects such as building positive school culture, becoming a PIRATE leader, using social media, classroom management, student engagement and equity. Jay is the author of the book, “Lead With Culture: What Really Matters In Our Schools” published by Dave Burgess Consulting.
Key Takeaways:
- Clearly communicate your expectations
- The importance of personal conversations.
- Model the behavior that you want.
- Give permission for people to be passionate.
- Ask authentic questions in your hiring process.
- Honor and encourage diversity of thought in your staff.
- Make sure to continue learning and sharing.
- Making connections is key to being the best leader possible.
- Be vocal about the purpose of whatever you are doing.
Contact:
Twitter: @jaybilly2
Email: jbilly455@gmail.com
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Christopher Dodge is the Lead Learner of the Orange Elementary Schools, a PreK-6 school district in central/western Massachusetts. Christopher has served the community of Orange for 7 years. In that time, the schools have worked to create collaborative structures and systems that bring stakeholder voice into school level decision making, as well as strategies that promote student success and achievement. Orange Elementary utilizes these systems to promote a vision of serving the whole child, ensuring that students social emotional and academic needs are being met. Aside from his role as principal, Christopher serves on DESE's Principal/Teacher Advisory Cabinet. He is passionate about supporting and mentoring leaders and educators, serving as a consultant with Seaside Educational Consultants and as an adjunct instructor at Assumption University in Worcester, MA.
Key Takeaways:
- You have to consider unintended consequences when modeling behaviors.
- Get accountability partners to keep you on track.
- Sometimes all teachers are looking for is permission.
- Block your time off in your schedule for better productivity.
- Create systems that lead people to do their best work instead of managing people to fit the systems you have.
- Make sure you lean towards yes whenever teachers bring you a suggestion.
- Don't waste time focusing on what could go wrong instead of focusing on what is great.
Contact:
Twitter: @PrincipalDodge1
Instagram: @PrincipalDodge1
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Christopher Dodge is the Lead Learner of the Orange Elementary Schools, a PreK-6 school district in central/western Massachusetts. Christopher has served the community of Orange for 7 years. In that time, the schools have worked to create collaborative structures and systems that bring stakeholder voice into school level decision making, as well as strategies that promote student success and achievement. Orange Elementary utilizes these systems to promote a vision of serving the whole child, ensuring that students social emotional and academic needs are being met. Aside from his role as principal, Christopher serves on DESE's Principal/Teacher Advisory Cabinet. He is passionate about supporting and mentoring leaders and educators, serving as a consultant with Seaside Educational Consultants and as an adjunct instructor at Assumption University in Worcester, MA.
Key Takeaways:
- Realize you don't have to do things the same way you have seen them done.
- Be who you really are instead of who you are expected to be.
- Focus on learning instead of the game.
- Support teachers in pursuing their passions.
- Teachers need permission to experiment.
- Passion projects as goals for evaluation.
- Create an environment for risk taking by by changing the structure instead of the expectations.
- It's important to remember we can't do anything without partnering with parents.
- Principles need to shield teachers from being overworked by prioritizing what is valued in education.
Contact:
Twitter: @PrincipalDodge1
Instagram: @PrincipalDodge1
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
As a current middle school principal Demetrius is committed to creating a climate and school culture that is welcoming and inclusive for all students and staff members and sees strong relationships as the key to helping students and staff thrive. Demetrius is constantly developing his knowledge and skills through connections and reflection. Demetrius is a graduate of the United States Military, West Point, New York. After graduation he served 5-years as a field artillery officer in the Army completing two tours in the Middle East. He lives in Northern California with his wife, Valu, his West Point classmate, and 4 children.
Key Takeaways:
- Living in your community in which you lead is a way to increase authenticity and build relationships.
- If you can lead, you can lead.
- It's important to realize that you don't always see the big picture picture and yet you still have to move forward even if it isn't your idea.
- The people you lead take on your attitude whenever a new initiative is being implemented.
- It's critically important to have 1 on 1 conversations with staff as you move forward with your vision.
- Share student feedback with staff for impact and credibility.
- Hire people who have the skills in the areas in which you need to improve.
- Fight for the people you want to achieve the vision you have.
- You can't improve your situation if you don't try something different than what you've always done.
- You can't be a good leader unless you know how to be a good follower.
- You can only ask good questions if you are truly listening.
- There's no point in having an open door if you aren't receptive to what people are saying.
Reach Out and Connect:
Twitter: @Demetrius_Ball
The Engage Podcast: https://anchor.fm/engagepodcast1
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Craig's been married for 25 years to an educator and is a father of three beautiful girls. He has been in Bergenfield, NJ for 25 years with the last 10 as Principal of Jefferson Elementary School. Craig is a former Physical Education teacher, Supervisor of Art, Music, and PE, Director of the Alternative High School as well. He feels he has been blessed with the privilege to work with the children of Bergenfield and thoroughly enjoys each day in this profession.
Key Takeaways:
- It's important to model incremental improvement.
- Create a process for getting better in areas that you need improvement by reflecting.
- Have small conversations with teachers each day.
- Dialog needs to be personal before practice or process before it leads to outcomes.
- Being vulnerable allows you to connect with people and learn.
- Everything must be centered on your personal philosophy if you are to help teachers to the greatest extent.
- Look for, cultivate, and capture the "it" factor. You can teach the other stuff.
- Things don't get brought to our attention unless they're important to the person bringing them to us.
- Use your spirit use your freedom use your style. Own it.
Contact:
Twitter - @crvogt68
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Craig Shapiro is a teacher of K-12 HPE/Coach for 33 years. He is also a speaker and upcoming author.
Key Takeaways:
- Simple steps for transformation are not just a classroom thing, but a life thing.
- The daily steps you take are super important for how you perform overall.
- Anyone can reflect, but that doesn't make it easy.
- It's important to get to know people, but more important to help them get better.
- Many things we do are simple, but people just do not think about it.
- Learn about and make use of habit stacking.
- What you do consistently creates the desire to do the same in others.
- We get what we model and expect.
- Leaders must have empathy and be authentic.
- Pay attention to where your ducks are swimming.
- Make sure people understand the vision and their role in it.
- Focus on the good instead of the small amount of negatives.
- Ask yourself if people say hi to you without being prompted.
Get in Touch:
@Shapiro_WTHS
@Positively_Well
CMSdreambig.com
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Georgina is a visionary education leader, an inspiring writer, podcaster, and keynote speaker, and is keen to impact creative innovation across Europe, Middle East & Africa, where she has been fostering change in education for over a decade. She empowers learners, educators, and school leaders with the 21st century skills, creative strategies, tools, and the confidence they need to be successful members of a global community, to thrive in tomorrow's competitive job market.
Key Takeaways:
- It's incredibly important to get feedback from your community, teachers, and students when judging levels of comfort
- Take time to celebrate peoples' strengths vertically across the district instead of just by subject or grade level
- The mind shift that needs to occur is how teachers can teach students to take care of their own learning
- Create structures that last beyond you to build trust and safety
- Build peoples' capacity to innovate
Get in Touch:
@TechyLeaderEDU
@CodeBreaker Leadership Team
@redefineED (IG)
www.redefineeducation.com
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Georgina is a visionary education leader, an inspiring writer, podcaster, and keynote speaker, and is keen to impact creative innovation across Europe, Middle East & Africa, where she has been fostering change in education for over a decade. She empowers learners, educators, and school leaders with the 21st century skills, creative strategies, tools, and the confidence they need to be successful members of a global community, to thrive in tomorrow's competitive job market.
Key Takeaways:
- Create a staff Facebook page to help with onboarding new teachers
- Create staff Buddy systems
- Create a mentor system that that creates deeper relationships than the current required mentor system
- Support teachers from being overwhelmed by following the 3 steps of buddy system, resource bank, and human interaction
- Make sure you follow a tested and successful coaching framework whenever you are engaging and empowering teachers
- Educators want to make their leaders happy. They just need to know they're supported in return
- If teachers could do better they would. So it's up to the leaders to find out what's holding them back and take care of it
- Leaders need to provide space for educators to take risks and then accept them for where they are
- Stick to the appropriate pace that is acceptable by the community and the school when instituting change
- Give teachers agency when it comes to which digital tools they want to use to increase their students agency
- Huge paradigm shift about teachers being told to teach rather than facilitate.
Get in Touch:
@TechyLeaderEDU
@CodeBreaker Leadership Team
@redefineED (IG)
www.redefineeducation.com
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Hi! My name is Kerry Flood and I am a special education teacher in the math department at Whitman Hanson. I am also the assistant coach for the girls varsity soccer team and can't wait for our season opener! When I am not working, I thoroughly enjoy spending my free time with my one year old daughter who is my inspiration.
Key Takeaways:
- Take items that are large and intimidating and break them down into separate sections or tasks so people can realize it might not be as bad as originally peers
- Clear a transparent communication is most important
- Don't care about people just one time
- Is provide teachers time during the day to get commitments outside of school
- Clearly communicate opportunities to get involved through personal conversations
- Let newer teachers know that things are gonna be OK even though they're incredibly hard at that moment in time
- Leaders need to hear everybody before narrowing down the information to the best decision
Get in Touch:
Twitter: @whkerryflood
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Dagan currently works as the K-8 Capstone Coordinator at Hawai’i Preparatory Academy in Waimea on Hawai’i Island with additional experience in music, digital media, and mathematics instruction. A strong believer in developing student agency and supporting skills for a “future curriculum”, he is an advocate for using design, futures, and music thinking to support productive collaboration among educators. Dagan is also a musician who loves writing, recording, and performing at farmer’s markets and coffee shops throughout Hawai’i Island.
Key Takeaways:
- Leadership is a skill
- We need to model leadership for our students
- Leadership is not about a title so anybody can become a leader if given the opportunity
- Get to know your teachers for who they really are. Be intentional about getting to know people on a personal level
- It's important to give people safe spaces to express themselves as openly as possible
- You need to create the conditions for people to feel as if they can take risks and speak up
- We need to have and model a curious mindset
- Flatter models of the leadership structure need to make their way into education
- Work on keeping your own personal creativity alive
- Non conformity is often a valuable resource
- Plinko is a bad model for leadership
Get in Touch:
Twitter @daganbernstein
Instagram @dagan.blog
website at http://dagan.blog
Music www.daganmusic.com or look him up on Spotify.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Larry's path into education wasn’t typical. Upon graduating from Ithaca College, he spent 10 years in radio/television news before travelling across the country playing piano/singing at retirement communities- eventually arriving back in his hometown of Framingham, Massachusetts. There, while substitute teaching, he became passionate about education and earned his Masters in Elementary Education from Lesley University.
Key Takeaways:
- Make sure you are intentional about building relationships
- Use specific, personalized questions to get great feedback from teachers
- Small actionable adjustments make all the different when building relationships and culture
- Use UDL for staff, not just students
- Focus on listening more than writing when taking notes in a meeting
- Make sure you take time to stop and see what everybody at the ground level thinks. Pay special attention to the needs of your stakeholders
- Self talk is an incredibly important part of your mindset
- Always assume positive intentions
- The process of authentically listening is difficult and takes practice
- Listening and reflection are both two way skills. We subconsciously listen to ourselves talk while listening to what people are saying and then we have to reflect on what we're saying while we reflect on how we listened to them
Get in Touch:
Twitter: @WolpeMr
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Craig Martin is an award-winning teacher and principal, and frequent speaker on leadership, diversity, equity, inclusion, social-emotional learning, culturally responsive pedagogy & practice, and culturally responsive teaching.
He serves as the Executive Director of Bridge Boston Charter School in Boston’s Roxbury neighborhood.
Craig was named the 2018 National Distinguished Principal by the National Association of Elementary School Principals and 2018 Elementary Principal of the Year by the Massachusetts School Administrators Association. In 2009, Boston Public Schools awarded Craig the Educator of the Year award.
He earned his Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from Dillard University in his native New Orleans, Louisiana, and his Master of Education from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Key Takeaways:
- It's important to live in your cause
- Create bold spaces so people can be their authentic selves
- Identities matter
- Adults often need the same things our students do to create a positive working environment
- Highlight the common connection around educating children that you share with your teachers
- Make sure the connections between the why of your staff and leaders is very clear
- Having tough conversations is about vantage point and the history that everybody brings with them to the situation
- People need to be developed so that they can move beyond their current status, location, and situation
- Be aware that dissent often comes from a feeling of vulnerability around a person's proficiency in a certain skill
- Tolerance says I'm aware of your existence and keeps you in the same ecosystem. Acceptance says I may not agree with everything but you are, but I accept you for your whole self, your added value, and I am curious to learn.
Get in Touch:
@CraigCMartin12
https://linktr.ee/craigcmartin
"Just type Craig C Martin and Boston into Google and I'll show up"
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Jostens Renaissance Hall of Fame member - Dr. Frank Rudnesky is the author of Fired Up Leadership and 50 Great Things Leaders Do: Let’s Get Fired Up along with numerous articles published in the areas of leadership and technology influence. He draws on his experience as an accomplished teacher, award-winning middle school principal, and transformational leader to deliver his captivating keynotes and presentations to hundreds of audiences. As you listen to Dr. R.’s style of storytelling and his unconventional journey in life, it will get you “Fired Up” to pursue your passion and empower others to find their passion. His engagement, enthusiasm, and positive energy are contagious.
Key Takeaways:
- Cliques start at birth and end at death
- Ask before assuming when people behave in a certain way
- Find common ground to talk with somebody about
- You have to lead with yes
- Use a personal mission statement to guide your work
- Be that person you want around you
- Keep taking calculated and creative risks
Get in Touch:
@DrFrankRud
Fired Up Leadership
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Jostens Renaissance Hall of Fame member - Dr. Frank Rudnesky is the author of Fired Up Leadership and 50 Great Things Leaders Do: Let’s Get Fired Up along with numerous articles published in the areas of leadership and technology influence. He draws on his experience as an accomplished teacher, award-winning middle school principal, and transformational leader to deliver his captivating keynotes and presentations to hundreds of audiences. As you listen to Dr. R.’s style of storytelling and his unconventional journey in life, it will get you “Fired Up” to pursue your passion and empower others to find their passion. His engagement, enthusiasm, and positive energy are contagious.
Key Takeaways:
- Concepts that are priceless work with any age
- Passion is required for educators
- When you disrupt for the good, your success is unlimited
- Don't focus on who you are, but who you can become
- Positivity can be catchy, but so can negativity
- People will talk about you at the dinner table either way either way. So you can give them something to talk about or they will find something to talk about
- Leaders are a conduit to others so that they can become leaders
- Hang around people who make you feel important by recognizing who you are and what you do
Get in Touch:
@DrFrankRud
Fired Up Leadership
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Now in his seventh year as Principal of Uxbridge High School, Michael Rubin has successfully led Uxbridge High School’s designation as a Commonwealth of Massachusetts Innovation Pathway school, one of the first four schools in the state to earn this distinction. He currently serves on the PLTW Networking Conference Planning Committee, is chair of the Blackstone Valley Ed Hub Board of Advisors, UHS has also been recognized as a member of the National Consortium of Secondary STEM Schools and the CAPS Network, and Mr. Rubin has presented on the state and national level regarding UHS’ commitment to authentic learning and building partnerships with local industry. Mike was also the 2020 Massachusetts School Administrator's Association (MSAA) High School Principal of the Year. Key Takeaways
Provide people the latitude to make mistakes. Make sure the juice is worth the squeeze with new initiatives. One bad decision or action can ruin a lot of good decisions and actions. Front load information every opportunity for any initiatives Make the non-discussibles discussible. Make people believe in themselves. "Complacency is the hobgoblin of small minds" -Emerson
Contact Uhsprincipal.blogspot.com @UxbHSPrincipal featured in AMLE middle school career exploration handbook www.uxbridgeschools.com Contributed to The Teacher's Guide to Self-Care (book by Melanie Pellowski)
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Now in his seventh year as Principal of Uxbridge High School, Michael Rubin has successfully led Uxbridge High School’s designation as a Commonwealth of Massachusetts Innovation Pathway school, one of the first four schools in the state to earn this distinction. He currently serves on the PLTW Networking Conference Planning Committee, is chair of the Blackstone Valley Ed Hub Board of Advisors, UHS has also been recognized as a member of the National Consortium of Secondary STEM Schools and the CAPS Network, and Mr. Rubin has presented on the state and national level regarding UHS’ commitment to authentic learning and building partnerships with local industry. Mike was also the 2020 Massachusetts School Administrator's Association (MSAA) High School Principal of the Year.
Key Takeaways
- Welcome the idea that every day brings new opportunity.
- It's important to help all people in the school system.
- Progression never happens in a straight line.
- Engaged teachers by adjusting their perception to that of support rather than endangerment.
- Ask and then highlight what teachers really believe in concerning education.
- Continuous support is key to teacher buy-in and success.
Contact
Uhsprincipal.blogspot.com
@UxbHSPrincipal
featured in AMLE middle school career exploration handbook
www.uxbridgeschools.com
Contributed to The Teacher's Guide to Self-Care (book by Melanie Pellowski)
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Liz Garden is the principal of the Dr. Leroy E Mayo Elementary School in Holden, MA. She has been an administrator for fourteen years and taught at various levels for eleven years. She blogs regularly for her staff at www.musingstomotivate.blogspot.com. Liz has presented on various topics locally and nationally. She served on the Scholastic Principal Advisory Board. She is an editorial advisor for NAESP's Principal Magazine and was selected to serve on NAESP's National Coronavirus Task Force. Liz is also the Vice President for the Massachusetts School Administrator's Association. When she is not molding future minds as an instructional leader, Liz is dealing with her reading addiction, keeping Amazon in business, listening to her musician husband sing, and chasing around her wild kids!
Key Takeaways:
- Lead by example in all situations.
- Liz Garden's 8 steps to successful change.
- A roadmap on how to support, engage, and empower teachers.
- The importance of visiting other schools when looking to change programming.
- Do not shy away from hard conversations.
- Have open, authentic conversations to help facilitate change.
- Become part of your school community by building authentic personal relationships.
- Be creative to encourage students to learn.
Connect:
Twitter @PrincipaGarden,
Blog - www.musingstomotivate.blogspot.com
Voxer @PrincipalGarden
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Brandon Perry is entering his tenth year of education. He recently graduated with his Master in Education from Clemson University with a specialization in Instructional Coaching. Brandon’s main area of experience has been directed in the classroom where he has taught 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students in a variety of subjects. He’s also been highly involved in making this impact through athletics. Specifically, through boys’ lacrosse. Brandon has also coached tennis, soccer, and golf.
Key Takeaways:
- Relationships are a two way street, but not the way you think.
- Building trust with parents is essential for success.
- Trust and relationships cannot be forced, but have to be built organically.
- Create support systems to help teachers no matter their years of service.
- It's important for leaders to connect and collaborate with teachers on a regular basis.
- Leaders must be consistently present in classrooms to make a difference.
- Leaders need to practice differentiated leadership to be successful.
- The difference between climate and culture in a building is relationships.
How to Connect:
Twitter Handle: @blperry3
Website: https://blueskiesllc21.wixsite.com/website/blog
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Sandra Donaghue is a passionate educator in her 27th year - entering her 17th year as a elementary school leader. Sandr is an instructor for the Principal Qualifications Course for Ontario, Executive member of my local Principal & Vice-Principal's Association, Elementary Councilor on the Provincial Association, and Codebreaker Ambassador
Key Takeaways
- Passionate educators are always in a position to be a mentor
- Celebrate others by recognizing the good that they do.
- The supportive of the educator people are rather than the content they are teaching.
- Make sure you feed forward to keep building people up
- Frame conversations for improvement might explaining what cannot be discussed and what can
- Every opportunity is an opportunity to be genuine and authentic to whom you are as a person
- Make certain that your interest in staff members is genuine and not being used as a tool
Connect
Twitter - @sandra_donaghue
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Matthew Bowerman has served in education and the arts for over twenty five years. He is the recipient of EMMY and CINE Film Awards for his educational short film, “BusSTOP,” addressing the bullying crisis in the United States. Matthew is invested in the work of love-leading students and their families in his current role as a School Administrator in Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland. He is currently working on his upcoming book, HeartLeader, released through CodeBreaker Inc.
Key Takeaways:
- Make sure that people feel valued and that they have worth to is worth to build better relationships.
- Is work to build long lasting relationships builds on trust respect and love.
- We are really not doing enough to take care of teachers and their wellness.
- The recent pandemics of covid and racism have brought this to light more than ever.
- We must have honest conversations with people if we are to authentically support them.
- We never know what's going on in their lives.
- You have to let people know from the start what your core values are and where you're headed in leading the school area
- Remember to ask 6 questions before ever uttering one declarative statement when working with people. Listening is key.
- Everyone needs people in their life that they know we'll be there for them whether professionally or personally to help if they need it.
- We are all human and incredibly fallible
- Never run away from the fire because you'll miss the opportunity to be forged by it.
- PLNs must be about the network.
- Make sure your opportunity is a network work or vice versa make sure your network is a community because if you lead with your heart and put yourself out there things will happen for you.
Connect:
Twitter - @MJBowerman
www.matthewjbowerman.com
Instagram - mrmjbowerman
YouTube: Matthew J Bowerman
Upcoming book from Codebreaker Inc: Heartleader
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Daphne McMenemy is an educator, author and speaker. Her first book, Gracie, is based on her personal experiences in the classroom. Gracie is a young girl whose learning is brought to life when her teacher introduces her to coding and a new way of thinking. As a child and young adult, Daphne was focused on becoming an educator with purpose, to improve the lives of her students and make an impact on their educational journey. As an educator for the past 15 years, she has created opportunity for children in her classroom to explore learning in innovative ways. Using STEM to engage children as young as kindergarten age in discovering learning through coding, she develops numeracy, literacy and computational thinking skills through creative exploration. Her experience in the classroom has proven to support even the most hesitant learners in building confidence in their abilities and engaging in the learning process. Daphne is committed to building relationships, meeting students where they are, appreciating each individual, and finding opportunity to engage and motivate students in creative, innovative ways. Her newest venture allows her an extensive creative outlet as Managing Director of Code Breaker Inc.
Key Takeaways:
- Be that teacher for every student
- Reflect on other people's perspectives
- It's important to create spaces where people feel safe to have an opinion different than yours
- Students are not students to their parents. They are their most prized possession who they love with all their heart
- Be cautious of existing power structures when looking to support
- Validation of those who you lead is key if you are to be successful
- Make sure you pay attention to people's proven track record whether it's good or bad
- Pushing people out of their comfort zone requires you to leave your comfort zone
- You have to listen to what's not being said to truly understand what a person means
Connect:
Twitter - @McMenemyTweets
Books:
Gracie
What Happens When I Learn to Code
Grace: The Maker
Web:
www.daphnemcmenemy.com
www.DiscoverGracie.com
www.codebreakeredu.com
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Jethro Jones, 2017 NASSP Digital Principal of the Year, is a former principal and host of Transformative Principal and co-founder of The Center for Cyberethics, independent, non-partisan educational institute dedicated to the study and promotion of cyberethics. Jethro is the author of the book, SchoolX: How principals can design a transformative school experience for students, teachers, parents – and themselves! Jethro currently consults schools and districts on redesign efforts that don't seem like another program. Jethro has worked as a principal at all K-12 levels, including a prison school, a district coach, distance learning team lead, and English teacher.
Key Takeaways:
- Student driven learning is key
- Teachers should attempt to fulfill the role of being a compass among us
- Ask and then emphasize why teachers got into teaching
- Only teachers care about standards not kids
- Use content as your playground when teaching
- Support student driven learning
- Help teachers with the work it takes is work it takes to connect different subjects because it's harder for them then students
- Gaining knowledge is not selfish if you share it
- Accepting an event as trauma makes you a victim
Connect:
@jethrojones - everywhere
YouTube.com/mrjoneseng.
Jethrojones.com
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Kathy Iwaniki is a grade three teacher in East Granby, CT. I have taught grades 2, 3, 4 and 6 in my 33 year career. I am the granddaughter, daughter, mother and sister of educators.
Takeaways
- Getting connected online is important
- Relationships are key
- If you want to have SEL provide time for it
- Make sure you listen to and trust your teachers
- Provide authentic, individualized PD
- Hire good people, give them what they need, and get out of their way
Contact
@kathyiwanicki (twitter)
@mrsiwanicki (instagram)
Iwanicki Adventures In Teaching blog
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Dr. Matthew X. Joseph is currently the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment in Leicester Public Schools. He has been a school and district leader in many capacities in public education over his 27 years in the field including Director of Digital Learning and Innovation, elementary school principal, classroom teacher, and district professional development specialist.
Takeaways
- Focus on closing your gaps
- Balanced leadership is key
- Be ok with people doing things their way
- Create priority lists and stick with them
- Learning happens during fun times instead of sticking to standards
- You must promote and support independence of teachers in their classrooms
- Find what people are good at and highlight it
- Don't put limits on yourself
Contact
Twitter: @MatthewXJoseph
Mxjspeaker.com
New Book: Power Of Connections
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Dr. Matthew X. Joseph is currently the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment in Leicester Public Schools. He has been a school and district leader in many capacities in public education over his 27 years in the field including Director of Digital Learning and Innovation, elementary school principal, classroom teacher, and district professional development specialist.
Takeaways
- Be a role model for others
- Do something different to benefit students
- Leave a legacy
- Give teachers safety as a support for increased engagement
- Identify the finish line, not the race
- Celebrate attempts to succeed
- People get burnt out when they work away from their passion
- Slow down to listen to your teachers
- Make yourself more human to be relatable
- Show your own failures to create a culture of risk taking
- Don't practice "Facebook Leadership"
- Succeed and fail as yourself
- When you empower people you create a culture
Contact
Twitter: @MatthewXJoseph
Mxjspeaker.com
New Book: Power Of Connections
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Mandi Tolen is a high school math teacher, a technology leader, a Google Certified Innovator, a blogger, and the author of Make Math Not Suck, a guide for teachers to create fun and memorable math experiences for students. She loves to learn and share her knowledge with others. Mandi has a passion for changing how we teach to create thinkers and learners.
Key Takeaways
- Reiterate solutions to problems until you find success
- Put plans in place for when you are 1st attempt fails
- Practice accountability with grace
- Reflection has to be personal to be effective
Contact
Twitter @MandiTolenEDU
Instagram @MandiTolen
TikTok @MandiTolen
YouTube: mtolen13@gmail.com
Facebook Group: Make Math Not Suck
blog: infinitelyteaching.com.
blog: makemathnotsuck.com.
Book-Make Math Not Suck available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Amber Harper is an educator, author, speaker, podcaster, and Teacher Burnout Coach. She’s the founder of www.burnedinteacher.com, author of Hacking Teacher Burnout and is dedicated to empowering burned-out teachers to believe that they deserve and can achieve a happier and more fulfilled career and life with her 8-step BURNED-IN process.
Key Takeaways
- Burned in teacher process
- Fighting burnout is a process instead of a one time activity
- Use voice memos
- Self talk becomes repetitive and repetition becomes action
- Accept the best you can do as the best you can do
- Do a lot of listening and asking
- Make sure you let people know you see them and value them
- Be conscience of when your feelings of burnout began
- You need to do the tough work of self care
Contact
Book: www.hackingteacherburnout.com
Website: www.burnedinteacher.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/burnedinteacher
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/burnedinteacher
Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/burnedinteacher
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/burnedinteacher/
Podcast: www.burnedinteacher.com/blog
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Brian McCann recently began his 17th year as principal of Joseph Case High School in Swansea, Mass., from which he graduated in 1980. Brian has a bachelor’s degree from Boston College in English and Speech-Theatre, a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and a CAGS from Fitchburg State College in Educational Leadership and Management. He began teaching at his alma mater in 1989, taught English and Journalism for 11 years, and transitioned to high school administration in 2000. Brian chairs the Massachusetts Schools Administrator’s Association’s (MSAA) High School Committee and represents this group on the MSAA Board of Directors. He is the current chair of the state’s high school volleyball committee and is a past-president of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association’s Board of Directors. Brian McCann was Massachusetts’ 2011 High School Principal of the Year and is currently one of NASSP’s 2018 National Digital Principals of the Year.
Key Takeaways
- Leaders have the opportunity every day to change a child's life
- Build relationships instead of curriculum for the #1st3days
- All School Pep Rally at the end of the first week of school focused on clubs rather than sports
- Get and use teacher and student feedback
- You need a strong summer reading program
- Interdisciplinary day
- Let people know you fail and how you overcome it
- Take chances on what is right, not what is safe.
- Reflection recalibrates your why - schedule it
- Sleep is the custodian of the mind
Contact
Twitter: @casehighprinc
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Dr. Price completed her doctorate in School Psychology at William James College in August of 2015, following a year-long clinical internship at Walden Behavioral Care (a residential eating disorders clinic).
For the past 20 years, Dr. Price has worked as a school psychologist at Whitman-Hanson Regional High School, in Whitman, MA. In her role, Dr. Price is involved in a number of activities, including: assessment, counseling, consultation, supervision of school psychology interns, and mentoring of staff. She is also a Crisis Team and Student/Teacher Assistance Team member. She travels around the country, presenting to associations and school districts on positive psychology, eating disorders, and self-injurious behaviors.
Dr. Price has been involved in leadership at both the state and national level, and is currently the NASP President 2020-2021.
Key Takeaways
- Keep a running list of small winds.
- You are capable of more than you think
- Negative emotions are Velcro and positive ones are Teflon
- Have a wins folder
- Everyone needs to get a mentor
- Don't forget how to empathize with new teachers
- Everyone has a history that they are bringing to the current situation
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Nyree Clark is a Curriculum Program Specialist in EdTechPreK-6 for the Colton Joint Unified School District. She is a founding member of #EquityInActionCA and appointed to the Instructional Coaches Advisory Board for Future Ready Schools Organization. She is very passionate about amplifying the voices of the unheard through culturally responsive teaching pedagogy.
Main Takeaways:
- Adults have the same needs as students
- Title one schools should be teaching and have the same material and expectations as their affluent neighbors
- Sarah Hammond's 3 levels of Culturally Responsive Teaching
- Don't focus on race focus on culture
- Create deeper relations with students
- Get uncomfortable with teachers not for teachers
- The most boring thing that can happen to you is to get 30 of the same thing back for an assignment
- Whoever is doing the work is doing all the learning
- Technology just amplifies what you already do. If you are focusing on student centered this in amplifies it. If your instruction is not good it amplifies it.
- Creating a parent workshop series
- It's not a nice thing to do. It's the right thing to do
Resources:
https://wakelet.com/wake/vs1BbnA5yeAOJhpBwirGp
#CRTedu
#MakeEquityAVerb
Contact:
Twitter: @MsNyreeClark
website: nyreeclark.com
Instagram: nyree_edu
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Jessica Giuliano started her career in education as a paraprofessional for an at risk student. She received my teaching certification from the University of Saint Joseph’s and a Masters in Education at the University of New Haven. She also received her 6th year Administrative Certification (092) in Administrative Leadership at UCONN. Jessica taught 5th grade for one year in Cromwell, CT before making the move to CREC where she is a Grade 6 English Language Arts teacher at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts Middle Magnet School, as well as the Grade 6 Team Leader. During my time at CREC Jessica has run the Summer Academy and Saturday Academy programs, planned and presented district and building based professional development, is a member of her school’s leadership team, and a member of the district wide Professional Development and Teacher Evaluation Committee.
Main Takeaways:
- Focus on why students are acting the way they are
- The importance of a staff equity team
- Kids get excited about the teacher not the content
- Staff book studies are very important.
- Listening to teachers authentically is key
- Celebrate the differences in teachers
- Build staff equity teams
- Follow the golden rule
- Everybody is a human being
Connect:
Twitter: @GiulianoELA6 (professional twitter account); @Arts6S (Team twitter account)
Instagram: @arts6squad (team instagram account)
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Sarah Delorm is a 6th grade language arts teacher at CREC’s Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts Middle School in Hartford, Connecticut, where I have worked for the past 9 years. I earned my Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies from the University of New England. I received my Master’s of Education with a concentration in Teaching and Learning from Post University. I received a Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education with a concentration in English from Central Connecticut State University.
Main Takeaways
- Little moments shape your path
- Allow teachers to come to you in a non-evaluative manner
- Develop time for collaboration among teachers
- Be in classrooms
- Structure your PLCs
Connect:
@MissC_4thGrade
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Kate White is a third grade teacher in year twelve. I served as a parent, volunteer, paraprofessional, Title I reading teacher, and third grade teacher. For family reasons I abandoned my path to teaching while an undergrad. I finished college but never taught until nearly 20 years later, after raising children. On this path I gained the perspective I needed to be the teacher I am. Without it, I'd likely have become wrapped up in delivering curriculum instead of helping kids grow.
Key Takeaways:
Use PLCs to help you thrive
Make sure to facilitate communication
Extend your net for both support and influence
Listen with your eyes and heart
Facilitate effective communication
Don't be afraid to share with others
Look at and support strengths
Bring your energy and share
Focus on plans to expand the positive
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Nicole L Semas-Schneeweis is a proud mother of two boys. She and her husband have been together for close to twenty years, and they are committed to raising young men who work for social justice and recognize their social responsibility. Nicole, whose friends and family call her Nikki, was a special education teacher for close to twenty years and is a now trying to impact positive change in the role of a special education administrator in a local community. In 2018, Nikki received her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy, writing a dissertation that examined race, class and gender in education. Specifically, she argued for the use of stories and empathy to frame difficult conversations about identity in an effort to dismantle dominant narratives and re-imagine a more equitable society.
Key Takeaways:
- education is a gift
- empathy is critical
- always follow through
- explain your decisions
- build trust through talking together about literature
- use love languages to connect
- empower teachers to make decisions
- respond instead of reacting
- find your people
Book Mentioned:
Dare to Lead
Raise Your Game
Contact Nicole:
Twitter: @DrSemas
LinkedIn: Nicole Semas-Schneeweis, PhD
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Bonnie Nieves is a high school Biology teacher with a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Leadership and is a member of the MassCUE board of directors. She is passionate about creating immersive and authentic experiences that fuel curiosity and creating student-centered, culturally responsive learning spaces that promote equity and inclusion. Her upcoming book focuses on practical classroom strategies to help teachers move toward student-centered teaching.
Key Takeaways
- Approach things from an abundance mindset
- Learning is about potential
- Create inter disciplinary clusters
- Give time to reflect
- Authenticity is key
- Listen past a people's words
- Ask probing questions
- Don't give too many opportunities and burnout teachers
Contact Bonnie
Twitter: @biologygoddess
Clubhouse: @biologygoddess
Instagram: @beawesomeonpurpose
Website: https://educateonpurpose.com
"Be Awesome On Purpose" from EduMatch books
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Rayna is a 5th grade teacher in Mansfield, MA and MassCUE President who believes in the power of student voice. She has been presenting at conferences on best pedagogical practices since 2010 and is a Google Certified Educators. Rayna is the co-found of EdCamp SE Mass, as she loves to inspire educators to challenges themselves!
Key Takeaways
- PD from within
- Sustained engagements is key
- Give everyone a voice
- Use social Justice circles as a framework
- News or follow the innovators compass
- Create secret agents
- Have conversations before making assumptions
- Play board games at staff meetings
- Get comfortable with being uncomfortable
Fantastic Graphic!
Get in Touch
Blog
positivesignthursday work
https://wakelet.com/@RaynaFreedman
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Daniel Bauer helps out-of-the-box school leaders make change happen in education. He does this through his category-defining podcasts, book, and leadership community, “The Mastermind.” Learn more at betterleadersbetterschools.com
Key Takeaways
- Impostor syndrome in the silence
- The ABC's of professional development
- Make sure you address negative behaviors
- Seek to understand stories people tell themselves
- Take action on making people's passion a reality
- Serve others
- Use a pre mortem so that the best ideas are heard
Bonus!
Youtube/blog post - Book Giveaway!
https://youtu.be/5QSg6waVewE
Get in Touch
YouTube
https://betterleadersbetterschools.com
Better Leaders Better School Podcast
School Leadership Series Podcast
Better Leaders Better Schools Roadmap (Book)
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Bobbie French is an educational leader, presenter, blogger and podcaster from Massachusetts.
Bobbie French’s career in education has spanned over 25 years. She has served as an elementary guidance counselor, elementary classroom teacher, special education coordinator, early childhood coordinator, Title I Director, and principal.
Bobbie is a lifelong learner and believes in the power of being a connected educator. She is passionate about focusing on the whole child and creating an environment where all students have a sense of belonging. She appreciates and recognizes the hard work of teachers, and is committed to supporting others to be their best for kids every day. Her passion and enthusiasm for creating a positive and engaging school culture is contagious.
Bobbie is also an avid photographer and loves to tell her school's story.
Key Takeaways:
- Build a culture of saying yes
- Accepting people's best when you empower
- Work yourself out of a job
- Don't make people wait for permission
- Use Voxer to reflect
- Be connected - get on twitter
- Join the "gift economy"
- Create content to share value
Resources:
The Busy Principal Podcast
Lead, Learn, Hope
Bobbie's Website
Books Mentioned:
The Listening Leader
The Gift Economy
To Get in Touch:
@bobbiefrench (on all socials)
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Deborah or Deb Caruso the 6-12 Mathematics Curriculum Chair for the Whitman-Hanson Regional School District. Her responsibilities include teaching, evaluation and review/upkeep of the curriculum used at the middle/high school levels. However, the aspect of her position that she enjoys most and finds the most rewarding is coaching/mentoring teachers. Deb holds a BS in Mathematics from Bridgewater State, an M.Ed in Secondary Mathematics Education from Cambridge College and a CAGS in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Mathematics from New England College.
Key Takeaways:
- Be authentic
- Take the time to get to know people
- New teachers need to be led
- If you see someone doing something good tell them
- Put feeling into evaluations
- Use the coloring book page theory
- Connect to people's individuality
- Protect teachers time by assigning value
- Self care begins with setting clear boundaries
To get in touch with Deb:
Email: Deborah.Caruso@whrsd.org
Nili is currently a technology teacher and digital learning coach for Natick Public Schools in MA. Nili is passionate about bringing unconventional learning to students and colleagues, empowering them to bring their strengths and passions to school every day. After an eleven year adventure in the classroom, Nili’s technology integration role at the elementary level for the next three years pushed her to see the importance of a thriving culture and led her to write “Lead beyond Your Title: Creating Change in School from Any Role.” Nili continues to grow as a teacher and coach after taking the leap to middle school and as a MassCUE Committee Member and Champion, BrainPOP Certified Educator, and enthusiastic presenter, she is committed to sharing her passions beyond the school community and is always excited to connect with other educators.
Key takeaways:
- All about feedback in the second half
- Ask what your doing well
- Don't let your passion dim
- Lead with your heart
Resources:
- Lead beyond Your Title: Creating Change in School from Any Role
- https://takeittotheclassroom.wordpress.com/
Get in Touch with Nili:
Twitter: @nbartley6
Nili is currently a technology teacher and digital learning coach for Natick Public Schools in MA. Nili is passionate about bringing unconventional learning to students and colleagues, empowering them to bring their strengths and passions to school every day. After an eleven year adventure in the classroom, Nili’s technology integration role at the elementary level for the next three years pushed her to see the importance of a thriving culture and led her to write “Lead beyond Your Title: Creating Change in School from Any Role.” Nili continues to grow as a teacher and coach after taking the leap to middle school and as a MassCUE Committee Member and Champion, BrainPOP Certified Educator, and enthusiastic presenter, she is committed to sharing her passions beyond the school community and is always excited to connect with other educators.
Key Takeaways:
- Empowerment goes both ways
- Everyone has a story to share
- Point out the value in others
- Passion is contagious
- Don't be a passion pusher
- Connect with people before doing anything else
- Be visible
- Ask what do you wish your principal knew
- Know your people
- Reach out and encourage others to step forward
If you want to know more:
- Lead beyond Your Title: Creating Change in School from Any Role
- https://takeittotheclassroom.wordpress.com/
If you want to get in touch with Nili:
- @nbartley6
Anna Channing has been a Massachusetts educator for nine years. She is currently a fourth grade general education teacher at Dexter Park in Orange, MA who is passionate about social emotional learning and mental health in schools.
Some important takeaways:
- Give teachers the chance to collaborate
- Have confidence in teachers; ability to go "off book"
- Engage through interest
- Confident teachers still need support
- Ask for help before things get too bad
- Examine and lean into your core values to build trust
- Look to who you admire for inspiration
- Develop leadership skills in others
If you want to get in touch with Anna to hear more:
Twitter - @MissC_4thGrade
Launching in April!
Do you struggle with supporting, engaging, and empowering your staff and want to motivate them to higher levels of success with a process of continuous improvement?
This podcast assists you in becoming a better leader and reaching all your students by taking a teacher centered approach. Led by Chris Jones, each conversation with both teachers and leaders will provide concrete, practical examples to help you, the leader or teacher, discover the difference between believing and knowing as these strategies are examined from various perspectives.
This podcast is one aspect of Chris Jones’ just cause of creating a better educational experience for all involved by being purposeful, acting with integrity and building character. It provides the resources to help you take action and elevate everyone’s level of achievement.
Be sure to subscribe to the podcast. It’s your place for resources on effectively Supporting, Engaging, and Empowering your staff!
Need to reach out with ideas, suggestions, or possible guests?
Email: drchrissj@gmail.com
Twitter: @DrCSJones
Blog: dcsjones.blog