School Stuff: Recent Episodes
Tim Taylor
An interview podcast discussing current issues facing small school districts. Host Tim Taylor, the director of the Small School District Association, is joined by leaders in the fields of education, legislation, and lobbying in order to highlight and spread awareness on all things "small schools."
In this interview, host Tim Taylor, Executive Director of the Small School Districts’ Association, is joined by Scott Jonard, Teaching and Learning Consultant at Trafera.
Learn more about Trafera here: https://www.trafera.com/meet-trafera/
In this interview, host Tim Taylor, Executive Director of the Small School Districts’ Association, is joined by Dr. Donya Ball, Superintendent of The Academies Charter Management Organization and Author of Adjusting the Sails: Weathering the Storm of Administrative Leadership.
In this interview, host Tim Taylor, Executive Director of the Small School Districts’ Association, is joined by Jayna Gaskell, Executive Director of Pivot Charter Schools. Listen in to hear how she went from pre-law to leading charter schools.
“All students can learn” — Jayna Gaskell
In this interview, host Tim Taylor, Executive Director of the Small School Districts' Association, is joined by Brett McFadden (yes, again), Deputy Superintendent of Monterey County.
Back by popular demand! Enjoy the latest episode with Brett.
In this interview, host Tim Taylor, Executive Director of the Small School Districts' Association, is joined by Greg Blake, Superintendent of Thermalito Union School District
In this interview, host Tim Taylor, Executive Director of the Small School Districts' Association, is joined by Liz Bystedt, Superintendent of Jamul-Dulzura Union Elementary School District.
In this interview, host Tim Taylor, Executive Director of the Small School Districts' Association, is joined by Jessica Riley Superintendent/Principal of San Lucas Union Elementary School District.
Start the 22-23 school year #SSDAstrong with our special series exploring how education leaders prepare for the new school year.
In this episode, Da Vinci School CEO/Superintendent, Dr. Matthew Wunder, and Da Vinci Institute Executive Director, Steve Wallis, highlight the importance of prioritizing specialized professional development.
Start the 22-23 school year #SSDAstrong with our 14-day special series exploring how education leaders prepare for the new school year.
In this episode, San Benito High School District Superintendent, Shawn Tennenbaum, shares lessons learned from his 22 years in the district.
Start the 22-23 school year #SSDAstrong with our 14-day special series exploring how education leaders prepare for the new school year.
In this episode, Capitol Advisors Legislative Advocate Christina Marcellus shares how Capitol Advisors helps school districts gear up for the new year. Tim Taylor asks three things she would do to make it easier for school leaders to run their districts if she could wave a magic wand.
Start the 22-23 school year #SSDAstrong with our 14-day special series exploring how education leaders prepare for the new school year.
In this episode, Hope Elementary School District Superintendent/Principal, Melanie Matta, shares how she leads as a team player by putting gloves on and watering the lawn. Listen in to hear more about how she leads staff and students to be their best.
Melanie shares many tips, including:
- Take some time off
- Regularly meet with like-minded leaders
- Write your staff personalized notes
- Learn your students' names
- Make the first day a party with music and a selfie station
Start the 22-23 school year #SSDAstrong with our 14-day special series exploring how education leaders prepare for the new school year.
In this episode, former ACSA Executive Director and current Superintendent of Newport-Mesa Unified School District, Dr. Wesley Smith, identifies what distinguishes a good leader from a great leader.
Topics covered in this episode include:
- How to help staff show up well every day
- Hiring new staff – who to look for and how to acclimate them to a transformational culture
- Good to great leaders – the importance of identifiable outcomes
Start the 22-23 school year #SSDAstrong with our 14-day special series exploring how education leaders prepare for the new school year.
In this episode, Chicago Park Elementary School District Superintendent, Katie Kohler, explains how she onboards new teachers, supports all of her teachers with homestyle warmth and earns student buy-in by allowing students to create the rules.
Start the 22-23 school year #SSDAstrong with our 14-day special series exploring how education leaders prepare for the new school year.
In this episode, Placerville Union School District Superintendent, Eric Bonniksen, explains how he builds a strong school culture and reduces anxiety at PUSD by making his district community feel like a family.
- Keep staff motivated by being available, supportive, and affirming.
- Make the office a place where people want to be.
- Crack jokes and laugh at yourself
Start the 22-23 school year #SSDAstrong with our 14-day special series exploring how education leaders prepare for the new school year.
In this episode, Keyes Union Elementary School District Superintendent, Dr.Helio Brasil, lays out a plan for building a familial bond between you, your district office, and school staff with a retreat focused on setting the tone for the year ahead.
- Meet with your stakeholders to reflect on what can be better in the new year
- Take “me time” to focus
- Set the tone for the year with a staff retreat. Have your staff set one personal goal and one professional goal. Then have them explain the tools they believe they will need to achieve their goals.
Start the 22-23 school year #SSDAstrong with our 14-day special series exploring how education leaders prepare for the new school year.
In our third episode, Cold Spring Elementary School District Superintendent, Dr. Amy Alzina, shares how she leads her staff and students to be their best year after year.
This episode was recorded with visual examples. Click here to view the video recording to follow along with Dr. Alzina.
Links from Dr. Alzina:
- Know Your Why on YouTube
- Classroom Teachers
- TK Brochure
- Summer Reading Program
Start the 22-23 school year #SSDAstrong with our 14-day special series exploring how education leaders prepare for the new school year.
In our second episode, the Deputy Superintendent for the Monterey County Office of Education shares nuggets of wisdom from his versatile career.
Start the 22-23 school year #SSDAstrong with our 14-day special series exploring how education leaders prepare for the new school year.
In this episode, Sundale Union Elementary School District Superintendent Terri Rufert and Principal Cindy Gist share their big three.
- Have a theme to focus on this school year
- Remember your "why"
- Focus on relationships
Books mentioned during this episode:
- Relentless: Changing Lives by Disrupting the Education Norm - Hamish Brewer
- Kids Deserve It! Pushing Boundaries and Challenging Conventional Thinking - Todd Nesloney
In this interview, host Tim Taylor, Executive Director of the Small School Districts' Association, is joined by Katie Kohler, Superintendent/Principal of Chicago Park Elementary School District.
In this interview, host Tim Taylor, Executive Director of the Small School Districts' Association, is joined by Alma Lopez, Livingston Middle School Counselor and 2022 School Counselor of the Year!
In this interview, host Tim Taylor, Executive Director of the Small School Districts' Association, is joined by Dr. Kathi Gibson. Gibson shares her expertise as she reflects on her career as an educator. “Have a vision, and be driven by the mission and vision.”
In this interview, host Tim Taylor, Director of the Small School Districts' Association, is joined by Dr. Julie Boesch. Tune in to hear about Boesch's unique path to becoming an honored education leader as a first-generation college graduate and a mother of four boys.
In this interview, host Tim Taylor, director of the Small School Districts' Association, is joined by Dr. Justin Cunningham. Tune in to hear about Cunningham's career as an education leader, his favorite book, and his tips on learning to live your optimal life.
In this interview, host Tim Taylor, director of the Small School District Association, is joined by Sabrina Kenney. Kenney is a vocal coach and recent graduate from Chapman University, where she earned a B.A. in Integrated Educational Studies with an emphasis in performing arts.
In this interview, host Tim Taylor, director of the Small School District Association, is joined by Jan Mathews, a Science Teacher at Sycamore Middle School. Mathews was awarded the RSC's Celia B. Godsil Grants in Place Fellows program and helped Sycamore Middle School beautify its campus with an inviting outdoor space.
“Everything you do leaves a mark. Everything you do is your legacy. So know that and make it something great.” - Jan Mathews
New episodes air every other Tuesday!
In this interview, host Tim Taylor, director of the Small School District Association of California, is joined by Maggie Peacock-Butler, a speech-language pathology assistant and secretary-treasurer of the Potter Valley Education Support Professionals Association. She reflects on being named Paula J. Monroe CTA Education Support Professional of the Year at the California Teachers Association State Council meeting in April.
Enjoy and stay tuned for more interviews coming soon!
In this interview, host Tim Taylor, director of the Small School District Association of California, is joined by Dr. Helio Brasil to talk about all things small schools. Dr. Brasil is the leader of the Keyes Union school district and is gracious enough to share his expertise on a variety of subjects what it's like to be a first-generation college graduate, growing up in Portugal and how his background shaped his passion for education.
Enjoy and stay tuned for more interviews coming soon!
In this interview, host Tim Taylor, director of the Small School District Association of California, is joined by Dr. Don Brann to talk about all things small schools. Dr. Brann is a Founding Father of SSDA, as well as a Founder and President of Da Vinci Schools in El Segundo. He sits down with Tim to discuss his 52 years in education, hopes for future generations of leaders, and his pride in Da Vinci Schools.