The Principal's Office Podcast: Recent Episodes
Leaders Building Leaders
Dr. Tom Miller understands the unique set of challenges facing both aspiring and experienced charter school leaders today. Tom has spent more than two decades at the forefront in school leadership. First as an exceptional children’s teacher who worked his way into a middle school principal position. When he wrote his dissertation on the Characteristics of Effective Charter Schools, he was recruited by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to be a statewide consultant. Through his certification through the John Maxwell Team, he started his own business facilitating elite-level leadership development and executive coaching to school and business leaders seeking to navigate a course from success to significance. Tom lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, he is the father of two and the lucky husband of one beautiful wife, Jennifer.
In this final book study episode, we discuss the keys to healthy and effective governance and how a high performing school leader engages families. Grab your copy of the book and supplemental resources at: www.tenindictors.com
Cash is the oxygen that drives the overall programming, however, understanding what drives vitality and programming. Our team talks through the best practices when it comes to charter school finances, operation and capacity based on the book, The Ten Indicators of High Performing Charter Schools. go to: www.tenindicators.com to learn more about the book.
This podcast episode covers 20 questions asked to your mentor in the areas of:- Time management- Creating Buy In- Finishing the 4th Quarter Strong- Goal Setting - Vision Casting- School CultureLinks Mentioned:15 Minute Miracle: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/Time-Management-ToolSchool Evaluation: www.tenindicators.com (book and assessment button)Principal Quarterly: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/SchoolLeaderChecklists
This session we review and provide resources of the three indicators that will create the most change in your school:1. Staff supervision and development2. A behavior based hiring process that works3. Defining the culture you desire to see and have throughout the school communityGet the book and take the assessment: www.tenindicators.com
Today's session, special guest and high performing principal Ted Duncan and I discussed:1. Why it’s critical to have established and written down academic goals2.The importance of an agreed upon and clearly defined education plan3. How to oversee this plan and discuss data that mattersBuy the book at www.tenindicators.comLearn more at Ted at brevardacademy.org and The Duncan Dispatch at https://www.linkedin.com/in/theduncandispatch/#academics#highperformance#charterschools#instructionalleadership
Sustained Mission and VisionJoin the study and buy the book www.tenindicators.com#highperformance#charterschools#leadership
All failed charter schools can be traced back to the actions or non-actions of the governing board. With so much at stake, student learning, millions of dollars in public funds, and safety of all humans on the campus, what I have found is that when it comes to effective governance practices it has very little to do with the challenges of governance as it does with the behavior of the people on the board. Listen to this short overview of Indicator 10 and then grab yourself a copy of the book at www.tenindicators.com#governance#charterschools
Every day, schools have hundreds, maybe thousands of individuals running through your school. Each one follows schedules, systems, and procedures that they have learned. If you have toured as many schools as I have, it becomes very clear when a school is disorganized. Listen to this episode and gain clear strategies and processes for ensuring operations is not impacting your academics. Go to tenindicators.com to get your copy of the book.#systems#policy
I am sure you have visited other schools but have you ever taken the time to be a guest in your own school? Have you ever arrived on campus through the car line when the families do? Ever look for a parking space during the middle of the day? Ever entered the building through the mindset and perspective of a first-time parent or job applicant? This Indicator is ALL about your care for the facility. #facility#operations#clean
Cash is the oxygen that drives your school’s ultimate success. Without it, operations are challenging, ineffective and stressful. There is a solution. Listen to this episode to get a clear strategy to ensure your charter school will always be operating in the black. Get a copy of the book and take your High Performance Assessment at tenindicators.com
Charter schools would not exist if it was not for parent engagement and stakeholder partnerships. Indicator 6, Parent and Stakeholder Partnerships, will provide you with key systems and strategies to engage all levels of stakeholders to partner up and support around the school. Take your free 10 Indicators assessment at tenindicators.com#charterschools #engagement #parents
Indicator 5 is a Healthy School Culture Conducive for Learning. There's one thing that great schools all have in common, and that's they have great organizational culture, a very healthy culture. Culture is everything because culture eats vision for breakfast and strategy for lunch. This episode unpacks the substandards and shares impact around creating a culture of high performance. Once completed, go tenindicators.com and take your assessment and buy a book for the whole team!#culture #charterschools
Indicator 4, A Sustained High-Quality Administrative, Teaching, and Support Staff, will be the most challenging but most important indicator of all. It is all about people development because leadership expert John Maxwell, said, “The single biggest way to impact an organization is to focus on leadership development. There is almost no limit to the potential of an organization that recruits good people, raises them up as leaders, and continually develops them.” This podcast episode will share the substandards of this indicator while providing you better practices strategies in growing the capacity of your team. Go to tenindicators.com to take your assessment and receive your copy of the book.
Indicator 3, Focusing on the Quality of Student Work through a Data-Driven Culture, truly answers the organizational health question, how will we succeed? This indicator is focusing on the quality of student work as demonstrated through a data-driven culture. Lauren and I unpack the substandards while providing better strategies. When you are finished listening, go to tenindicators.com to take your assessment and get your book.
Indicator 2, The Quality Work of the School, can be best summarized with the great quote, a goal without a plan is just a wish. In this podcast episode Lauren and I unpack the importance of setting and writing down goals and having a clear strategy and written down plan to accomplish them. When you are finished listening, go to tenindicators.com to take your assessment and purchase your book. #goals #charterschool
A Clear and Sustained Mission and Vision is the first and possibly most important of the 10 Indicators of High Performing Charter Schools. It’s mainly because with clarity and sustainability, school leaders can lead with consistency. Consistency in their decision-making and focus. Focus on what is getting the best results year after year. Learn the three key substandards of this indicator, then take the assessment to see how your school ranks at tenindicators.comPurchase your book at tenindicators.com#mission#vision#clarity#charterschools
Charter school enrollment is on the rise across the country. So are charter school closings…That’s why every charter school leader, board member and charter school proponent should read my new book, the first of its kind, 10 Indicators of High Performing Charter Schools. It’s based on 20+ years of application and best practices research. Hear the origin story behind this birth of this book. #charterschools #highperformance
Download the workbook and resources here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1c6eJ0gztAPJt6iMU2Jed8s-53tbdf4mY?usp=drive_link
You might not be able to start over, but you can start right now and begin creating a strong ending, by living out your legacy by intentionally living these two leadership laws every minute of the day!Maxwell Leadership Certified coaches, Jo Ann Hallway and Jennifer Killen joined be on this deep conversation on living your legacy THROUGH the people you serve. After this session, I've realized it's no longer a goal to lead the best school or company IN the world. It's about being the best school and company FOR the world.What about you? How would your obituary read? When you read it, will you be happy with the world’s assessment of your life? If you’re like me (and most people I would guess), there are some changes that you’d like to make. Listen to this session and write your legacy statement and begin living it tomorrow!#legacy#leadership
Every leader is either a lifter or a limiter of people. If you limit people, you limit not only them but yourself. But if you lift them up, then there is no telling how far they- or you - can go.In this episode, fellow school leader and Maxwell Certified Coach Ted Duncan and I discuss two critical Laws of Leadership from John Maxwell's 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. The Law of Empowerment and The Law of the Picture.
Do you know what your priorities are? Are you aware of what factor truly determines whether or not you will be successful today? In this podcast episode we discuss two key leadership laws and their impact they are having on your school. Special guest, educator and leadership coach Brett Clark joins us as we discuss the Law of the Big Mo and Law of Priorities. Learn more about Brett at Brett-Clarke.com
People must first buy into the leaders before they will buy into the mission and vision. In this episode, special guest and Maxwell Leadership Coach Jo Ann Hall and I, discuss two of Maxwell's 21 Laws and their impact in education.Learn more about JoAnn: https://www.johncmaxwellgroup.com/joannhall/Join our Leader's Journey Study: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/offers/r22XtQtE/checkoutJo Ann Hall has been the Dean of Economic and Workforce Development at Moraine Park Technical College since 2002. Her team works with business and industry to assess their needs and provide talent management solutions that maximize individual and organizational performance. In addition, she oversees the college’s prison education, dislocated individuals and community program offerings. Jo Ann has prior manufacturing experience in production, order operations, continuous improvement, and production and inventory control. Jo Ann received her MBA in Global Management from the University of Phoenix and holds a B.B.A. in Production/Operations Management from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She holds certifications from the Human Capital Institute in Strategic Workforce Planning and Human Capital Strategist. In addition, she is a certified Stewart Leadership assessment coach, a certified Franklin Covey trainer, a DISC certified behavioral consultant, and a John Maxwell certified speaker/trainer.
As a school leader you are always telescopic on the future, and microscopic on the now. Here are nine questions as a school leader I am asking myself and my team to ensure we are working towards better overall results.Links to resources:Principal Checklist: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/school-improvement-checklist#leadership #school
Struggling through growth can be hard. But there are three key actions you can take to move from struggles to success. I'll share these three through a lesson leadership expert John Maxwell taught me. #growthmindset #awareness #leadership
I'll share the true purpose to goal setting and a framework I have used for the last six years to achieve a life I never dreamed possible. Seeking a personal growth program that works? Join our Empowerment Mentoring Community https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/offers/FVg7NPrD
If you Google Secret to Success you will get millions of articles about the secrets to success. There is no secret...there is a formula however and I'll share it with you in a multiple part series. #success #growth #mindset #goals
Spring is for recruiting...and your top people are shopping for who is going to feed their hunger for growth and opportunity. I share three key elements to creating an environment where people want to work forever!#growth #growthmindset #culture #charterschools #recruitment #hiringtalent Links mentioned:E-Book on 10 Indicators of High Performing Charter Schools: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/10IndicatorsTeacher Feedback Tools: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/teacher-evaluationsQuarterly Principal Checklist: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/school-improvement-checklistEmpowerment Tools: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/communication-tools
This episode focuses on how to plan your day so you are focused on the right work and being more productive and less active!I'll share my thoughts on award winning book, Eat that Frog, and provide the strategies to prioritize your day and execute at the highest level.
Today's guest, Budd Dingwall, is a two time principal of a National Blue Ribbon school, valued member of the school leadership community, mentor and friend to so many. Today Budd shares letters he's received over his 50 years in education. These letters helped him formulate his Ten Principles for Principals. If you'd like a copy, email budd.dingwall@gmail.com
Rules without relationships equals resistance. Here are eight key strategies you can utilize as a leader to build momentum and overcome resistance from your team or organization. Go to https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/all-programs and use the coupon code Holiday50 to save 50% on all programs
Since the pandemic the usage of legal and illegal substances has risen to significant proportions with over one third of people reporting they have increased their daily usage over the last two years.
As a recovering addict, I felt compelled to share a little of my story while inviting a fellow brother to share his. Our hope, that we can help one person overcome their battle with addiction.
Links shared: Buy the book:https://buddyc.org/ Email Buddy: buddycauthor@gmail.com Find a meeting: https://www.aa.org/find-aa https://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/locations https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
Learn the story of LIFT Ireland, a project with a goal to transform the country of Ireland through peer-learning roundtable discussions based on VALUES.
Learn the here to there story directly from co-founder Joanne Hession and take advantage of the special opportunity to learn the roundtable process!
Lift Ireland: https://liftireland.ie/
values #transformation #leadership #growth
Fill out this for to be eligible to participate in the RoundTable Training: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/Lift-Training
As part of our High Performing School Leader Series Superintendent Shannon Stein of Lake Norman Charter Superintendent was our keynote speaker during "Legends Night" and added incredible value to our charter leaders that came to learn how they can create greater impact on their community.
Shannon laid out for us how she has led Lake Norman Charter School from a good school to a great school. Here were my takeaways: 1. Set Your Guiding Principles 2. Focus on Mission and Vision First 3. Build a Strong Board 4. Recruit and Develop Your Team 5. Hire great people and get out of their way 6. Set your strategic goals 7. Review and communicate your data often 8. Solve problems as close to the problem as possible 9. Check your ego and never be afraid of feedback as a leader
Thank you Shannon for making a difference tonight. Learn more about Lake Norman Charter here: https://www.lncharter.org/
Our latest Principal's Office Podcast guest Jennifer Killen leads one of the most successful public charter schools in all of North Carolina. But it always was not this way.
Hear Jennifer's HERE TO THERE story as she shares the strategies she implemented (personally and professionally) to grow from from substitute teacher to Executive Director overseeing more than $50,000,000 in assets, leading over 200 adults who are impacting the lives of over 1,900 students daily!
Through strategic planning and a focus on developing talented people, Jennifer and her team have navigated an underperforming K-12 college prep school to one of the highest performing and most sought place to work in Gaston County, Piedmont Community Charter School.
Learn how she recruited and developed a leadership team that is second to none and ensures that Piedmont is an environment for personal and professional growth. Jennifer goes on to share how she utilized her finance background to ensure every dollar went towards educating students, developing adults and growing Piedmont!
Jennifer has been a peer, colleague, mentor and friend of mine since 2013.
I know you will gain great insight and ideas from this interview. Be sure to subscribe so you will get updated on when each episode drops!
Other links from the interview. Piedmont Community Charter School: https://pccharter.org/
Download the e-Book on high performing charter schools: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/10Indicators
As a leader your job is to solve problems, but how do you know you are solving the right problem? Learn the three levels of problems and the strategies to ensure high level thinking creates better understanding, positive outcomes and better relationships.
Apply to join our Inner Circle: https://lbleaders.mykajabi.com/school-principal-mastermind
Vanessa Baker is the Executive Director at Socrates Academy, a high performing charter school in Matthews, North Carolina. Vanessa shares with us how she develops the leaders around her while creating a healthy and viable learning environment serving over 900 students in their expanding public charter school. https://www.socratesacademy.us/
leadershipdevelopment #charterschools #highperformance #recruitment #teacherdevelopment
Start a schoolwide GRATITUDE JOURNAL!!!! Just thinking thoughts of gratitude makes you measurably happier, regardless of whether or not you act on them. Watch this video and take this easy step to build relationships, confidence and team unity!
Go to: https://www.schoolleadershipmaderealsimple.com/
Having a personal growth plan is the one daily strategy that will ensure you will live your best life while leading your team and organization to new heights.
In this lesson I share what I have learned and applied from my nine years being mentored and equipped by transformational expert John Maxwell.
Links Mentioned: Live2Lead:https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/john-maxwell-live2lead-Raleigh InnerCircle: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/school-principal-mastermind
HUGE OPPORTUNITY HERE…DON’T MISS IT
With all these teachers that left the profession out there now in ”regular jobs” not serving their purpose seems more like an opportunity to bring talent back to your school. Here are 5 things I would start doing now to get way ahead of hiring season.
Download e-Book:https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/10Indicators
Hear from one of the TOP principals in North Carolina Geoff Gorski as he shares what makes Envision Science Academy so successful and how he has grown through his professional career from teacher assistant to high performing principal. Geoff also shares how he maintains balance and harmony under difficult working conditions.
Law of Environment Blog: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/blog/have-you-found-the-right-environment-to-grow-personally-and-professionally-law-of-environment
Envision Science Academy: https://www.esaeagles.com/ *Check out their outdoor projects and new garden
Big Sky Picture: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10102254268440176&type=3
Download 10 Indicators e-Book: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/10Indicators
Try this accountability strategy and watch your team soar to new heights!
Download my book: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/10Indicators
Check out our programs: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/all-programs
It's been almost ten years but we have a book to share with you.
The Ten Indicators of High Performing Charter Schools is a step by step guide to designing the highest performing public school in your community.
Gain clarity on what are the Indicators of High Performance and how the management team, teachers and board can work together.
Get proven methods and strategies with a step by step process on how to implement new initiatives and empower your team.
Download your FREE copy: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/10Indicators
I believe that rules without relationships equals resistance. Implement these two relationship building strategies during your inservice days to ensure your strategic plans and initiatives thrive this year!
Download our Mission, Vision and Values Kit: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/write-a-mission-statement
Download my new book, The Ten Indicators of High Performing Charter Schools: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/10Indicators
I just returned from three weeks in the South of France. It's the longest vacation I've ever taken without working. My entire family got to go.
I’ve got an exciting update I couldn’t wait to share with you.
In fact, it could deliver several benefits, including living a more empowered life, having more time to do what you love, spending your time with who you love. It might mean making more money or being happier in your work.
It's something I realized when I was reading Atomic Habits, a book by James Clear. Maybe you have read it.
He said, "We will never rise to the level of our goals. We will fall to the level of our systems."
I am going to unpack this statement and share a few strategies I learned from this book so you can take this information and build a stronger foundation and systems to achieve any goal you set moving forward.
Be sure to grab the additional resources in the download (15 Minute Miracle). https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/Time-Management-Tool
When you are finished, be sure to write down what will you Apply? Change and Teach?
Here is a link to the workbook: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/offers/2V6eLFgc/checkout?
$19.99 through June 30.
Equity has been a top priority in schools in recent years and events across the country has generated greater awareness on the need to create equitable environments to set all up for success. In this session, we will explore The Five C's to Construct an Equitable Classroom, Campus, and Community, what inclusive leadership looks like, and how to make a commitment for long-term goals and results.
Kayren is a Barrier Breaker who has spent the last decade working to make a difference in education. She is founder of MK Results, LLC, DEI Consultant, and author of The Road to Equity. For more information, visit www.theroadtoequity.com
It's a leader's responsibility to design a working environment that leads to a culture of high performance. Leadership coach and diversity and inclusion expert Linda Jordan and I recently got talking about how the leader can design and create this culture. Here is part of that discussion.
Go to: https://lindajordon.leadingthebest.com/ to join Linda's next mastermind.
I had the privilege of taking some Q and A from some incredible school leaders to be as they finish their Masters program. In this episode you'll hear me talk about what are critical actions that a school leader but take daily, how do you build trust and a culture of high performance. Enjoy the session as I learned a lot from this group of future leaders!
Having clarity on why people choose your school is a critical data point that ensures you focus your time, energy and resources on the right thing. Learn three strategies to better understand the individuals who walk into your building every day and create alignment so everyone is rowing the boat together.
School Climate Surveyhttps://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/school-climate-survey
Want to be a more effective leader? The key is in developing your self-awareness with Daniel Bauer
Daniel shared a three strategy framework called the ABCs of powerful professional development™. A stands for authenticity and a component of that is self-awareness. You will dive into that aspect of the framework.
Link to slides: https://www.betterleadersbetterschools.com/eq Buy Danny's Books on his web page Amazon! Search Daniel Bauer https://www.betterleadersbetterschools.com/shop/
About Daniel: Daniel Bauer is an unorthodox Ruckus Maker who has mentored thousands of school leaders through his Better Leaders Better Schools blog, books, podcasts, and powerful coaching experiences. Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader is a book that reimagines what professional development for school administrators looks like in order to meet the needs of all school leaders who currently feel isolated and overwhelmed.
In this session we discuss the blindspots to appreciation, how to appreciate in remote settings, the challenges leaders face and our action steps.
Download notes: https://lbleaders.mykajabi.com/podcast Take the 10 Indicators Assessment: https://lbleaders.mykajabi.com/10-indicator-assessment
Take a listen to our latest discussion of the book 5 Languages of Appreciation in the WorkPlace. This week we talked the impact of tangible gifts on your budget and workplace as well as the how to begin identifying the languages of your team.
Take our 10 Indicators of High Performing Schools Assessment (Results in less than 10 minutes)
Click herehttps://1wzm6gvb4py.typeform.com/to/hgXWt3wi
Download the show notes: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/podcast
This session talks about the first three appreciation languages: Words of affirmation QualityTime Acts of Service
Download the show notes: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/podcast
We tackle the keys to workplace appreciation as a leader and the barriers leaders need to overcome.
Joy Warner is the founder and Executive Director of one of the highest performing charter schools in North Carolina. Community School of Davidson serves over 1,500 students, K-12, with a waitlist of over 5,000. How does Joy lead this school? Based on the Basic School philosophy, Joy utilizes the most important action in leadership to impact a community...relationships.
Go to https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/podcast to download the show notes.
Over the last two years I have had to lead five different schools navigate through crisis and challenge. I recently reflected on the keys to my actions to becoming a successful school leader and shared them with you.
Email me at tom@LBLeaders.com to grab any resources I mentioned.
A common message I have heard recently from principals is that they are exhausted. I believe that being exhausted because of your work is a sign that you are working outside of your strength zone. Learn four key strategies to eliminating the exhaustion from the work!
Links to our December specials: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/december-specials
If you want to change and grow, then you must know yourself and accept who you are before you can start building a better future? Learn four key strategies to becoming more aware.
Download our Year in Reviewhttps://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/year-in-review
KATE EBERLE WALKER is the CEO of PresenceLearning, the leading provider of online special education services for K-12 schools. In this role, she leads a majority female employee population whose mission is not only to serve students with learning needs, but to provide a flexible career path for more than 1,500 special education clinicians, many of whom are working mothers. Kate took on her first CEO role at age 39, at The Princeton Review. She offers straight, tell-it-like-it-is advice to her fellow managers and is an approachable and relatable mentor to younger women, whom she regularly supports and advises on career decisions. She is the author of the new book The Good Boss: Nine Ways Every Manager Can Support Women at Work that outlines 9 simple rules for managers to follow to provide a better work environment for women. She will be sharing some of those rules today, along with some insights from her 20+ years in the education industry.
Links mentioned in this episode to follow Kate or grab her latest book:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/eberlewalker?lang=en
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceoauthormom/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eberlewalker/
Website: https://kateeberlewalker.com/
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Boss-Every-Manager-Support/dp/195066581X
As a leader, you always be keeping your eyes on the big picture, ready to lead through any change or crisis. This podcast will provide you some easy to follow steps and strategies to prepare yourself, and your team.
Learn critical points every leader and every organization should work towards when it comes to a healthy leadership transition.
Like what you hear? Go to schoolleadershipmaderealsimple.com and go deeper with your leadership development.
I'll share my thoughts on the two most powerful words that are impacting the results of so many leaders and organizations. Learn an easy process to overcome these two words and close the gap on your success!
Download the workbook: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tlNxLcQNBvHktAA2ssFA-Hjtv69mSd_E/view?usp=sharing
Get access to the program: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/offers/o5FM4Hqs/checkout
Each time we encounter a painful experience, we get to know ourselves a little better. Pain can stop us in our tracks. Or it can cause us to make decisions we would like to put off, deal with issues we would rather not face, and make changes that make us feel uncomfortable.
Here is a quick three step strategy to overcome pain and feel less guilty.
Link to 15 Minute Miracle: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/Time-Management-Tool
Leadership coach and trainer Rich Arriaga shares his 5 Steps of Delegation that he learned from over 25 years of Emergency Medicine and 911 clinical experience, 15 years corporate experience and have held major leadership roles in several Fortune 500 companies.
Go to Rich's web page to receive 1 on 1 or team coaching: https://richarriaga.com/about
Chapters 7 and 8 fromDeveloping the Leaders Around You:
Link to study guide: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/DTLAY Link to DISC Profile: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/disc Link to Live2Lead: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/live2lead-John%20Maxwell-Running%20Strong
Learn how to take advantage of adversity. Six Steps to Leading Your Team Through Difficult Times Three ways to prepare yourself for adversity
Links Mentioned:
Live2Lead:https://lbleaders.mykajabi.com/live2lead2021-raleigh Youth Leadership:https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/youth-leadership-programs
Questions email Tom@LBLeaders.com
It is time for a nationwide movement to create happier schools. Studies report troubling levels of unhappiness and stress among school leaders, faculty/staff and students. Kathleen will talk about how small, positive changes, along with a consistent school-wide commitment to happiness, can lead to greater creativity, retention and test scores as well as healthier communities that everyone deserves.
Learn More: https://www.youngmediationassociates.com/ Email for the PPT:kathleen@youngmediationassociates.com
Learn the five key steps to equipping your team and how to develop your top leaders!
Grab the workbook and resources:https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/DTLAY
Come to Live2Lead:https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/live2lead2021-raleigh
There is a shortage in the workforce and every day your top employees are asking themselves, is there where I want to continue to work. I share three things you can begin doing tomorrow to improve your organization's health, raise employee appreciation and engagement.
Links mentioned:
How to Prioritize:https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/How-to-prioritize-time
Live2Lead: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/live2lead2021-raleigh
North Carolina Charter School Principal of the Year Steve Pond shares how his team utilizes tiered, differentiated, and workshop-based learning experiences to lead teachers and students to high levels of thinking and performance.
Download the 10 Performance Indicators: email Tom@LBLeaders.com
Attend Live2Lead: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/live2lead-raleigh
During this session I share why spending time recruiting, hiring and developing leaders is how the head of the organization should spend 80% of their working day!
Join us at Live2Lead on October 8th: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/live2lead-raleigh
Get our best hiring questions, process resources here:https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/hire-the-right-people-archive
As a leader your success is determined by the people around you! So, you need to know how to coach them up or coach them out. This podcast will teach you how!
Here are some links you'll need to take the next step: VRUOL Model:https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/communication-tools
Join us for Live2Lead:https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/live2lead2021-raleigh
In this session we cover why leaders should do the work of developing leaders and the challenges around it.
Download the study guide and join the live sessions by clicking here: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/DTLAY
Everyone gets the same 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Wouldn’t it be great if we could all be more productive and have time for more important things?
Especially during this pandemic?
If you work long hours or struggle with time management, which one is most true for you?
A. I do not prioritize what I work on and therefore push most tasks to its deadline.
B. I work on too many things at once and feel overwhelmed and stressed.
C. I have a hard time delegating or trusting others to complete the task as well as me and so I end up doing everything.
D. Some parts of my work are outside of my strength zone and therefore take me longer to complete.
E. Everything I do has to be perfectly done and so I choose to work long hours.
Which of these best describes you?
This Podcast I’ll be sharing a framework to overcome any of these five time management issues.
Workbook: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/How-to-prioritize-time
Show notes links: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/Time-Management-Tool
BookStudy:https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/DTLAY
Learn five key changes in your behaviors that will accelerate your opportunity to get promoted.
Sign up for our upcoming book study and learn to Develop the Leaders Around You: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/DTLAY
In this episode, legal expert Lisa Gordon Stella answers your questions around Covid-19 and best practices in employee laws and student safety.
Get the show notes and resources by emailing tom@LBLeaders.com subject line, Expert Training.
During this session we finalize our book study and take a deep dive into our next value...listening!
Gain access to the study guide and resources here: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/changeyourworld
School leaders across the globe are working to re-enter their schools with full staff and students body. If they are not working to take these five steps, I think September is going to stink!
Learn more about the Inner Circle collaborative school leadership group here:https://lbleaders.mykajabi.com/school-principal-mastermind
During this session our community talks about measuring what matters and how we can utilize data to transform!
We also participated in our first roundtable discussion around the value HOPE!
Gain the CYW material here: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/changeyourworld
In this session we discuss John Maxwell's latest book, Change Your World Chapter 5 and 6.
If you want to gain access to the study guide and other materials go to https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/changeyourworld
In this session our School Leadership Community discuss the next two chapters and how we are applying what we are learning.
If you want access to the study guide and materials go to: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/changeyourworld
It's true that as leaders we need to take a break from the work, but we never want to lose sight of the goals!
The only guarantee of a better tomorrow is intentionally growing today!
Learn key aspect from two of John Maxwell's Laws of Growth.
Here is the link to the free strategic planning workshop: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/strategic-planning-webinar
Want to learn how to change your community? school? or world?
We review the first two chapters of John Maxwell's latest best-selling book.
If you want access to the study guide and resources: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/changeyourworld
I share five steps I would take over the next 9o days to overcome teacher burnout.
Want to learn more about leading values based roundtables?
Join our upcoming book study and Change Your World: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/changeyourworld
I spent time answering your leadership questions on trust, accountability, and cultivating a positive culture.
Resources I mentioned: Frame Your Feedback: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/dealing-with-difficult-people-webinar
Building Trust Mini-Course :https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/build-trust-mini-course
I believe as a leader you must build an organization that you will want to work at forever, but give information away as though you are leaving tomorrow! Learn a 5 step process for multiplying your leadership and empowering everyone on the team.
Download the resources: Empowerment Worksheet Frame Your Feedback Click here: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/communication-tools
During this episode I answer the question, what makes the most effective leaders so effective?
Here is a link to the Timeline of Awareness I mentioned: https://youtu.be/jnS9hmHEzN4
I read this great post from Russell Brunson (Click Funnels) and it got me thinking...am I relying on tactics or strategy?
Every empty seat in your school is between a $6,000 and $18,000 revenue loss in your school... Not having 100% enrollment is a symptom of larger problems the school may be facing.
Our team has spent the last ten years studying the symptoms and identifying the problems when it comes to student enrollment.
Grab Your Workbook: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/offers/2V6eLFgc/checkout
An expectation is defined as believing that something is going to happen or believing that something should be a certain way. However, any expectation not communicated is merely a thought. Listen to seven key steps to setting clear expectations that will create a healthy and high performing organization:
Get our Daily Expectations and School Improvement Checklist Here: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/school-improvement-checklist
Grab the show notes, study guide and dozens of school improvement resources here: www.leaders-building-leaders.com/great-principals
In this lesson I share one of the key traits to becoming an effective leader is discipline.
Three keys: 1. Lead yourself 2. Talent is not enough 3. Challenge Excuses 4. Remove rewards until the job is done 5. Stay focused on results
Other lessons/resource mentioned: - How to prioritize: www.leaders-building-leaders.com/how-to-prioritize - DISC Profile: www.leaders-building-leaders.com/offers/a…checkout
Join the Empowered Executives Inner Circle: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/school-principal-mastermind
Grab the show notes, study guide and dozens of school improvement resources here: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/great-principals
Being a great follower is the key to being a great leader...learn why.
If you want to access our Principal Leadership Academy shared in the podcast, go here: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/blueprint4success
Don't forget to share, subscribe and like the Principal Office Podcast!
In this episode we discuss the difference between empowering people and delegating tasks. If you would like access to the show notes, study guide and other resources of this study, click this link: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/great-principals
Download the show notes, study guide and gain access to the resources here: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/great-principals
In this episode we talked about how to move from people pleasing to people leading, focusing on the behaviors of staff and how principals need to ensure their teachers are loyal to the students...not the principal.
Be sure to download the show notes by going to:https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/great-principals
Download the show notes and tons of resources!
https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/great-principals
During this session we discussed the how great leaders impact the school's climate through building capacity in people, setting high expectations while holding people to the highest image!
Grab the study guide and notes here: www.leaders-building-leaders.com/great-principals
In this episode I share what it means when someone says "The New Normal" or "Crazy Year"....and strategies to improve your mindset and the mindset of your team.
To Join our Empowerment Mentoring Community: http://bit.ly/Empowermentmentoring
During this session we discussed the goal for when we do look at great and why people will always make the difference when it comes to school improvement.
We shared our best hiring and people development strategies.
Grab the study guide and notes here: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/great-principals
In the session, A Principal’s Guide to Classroom Walkthroughs and Observations, we will share the first two key steps to effective observations & feedback, The What and The How. When you apply these steps to your walkthroughs, your school outcomes will soar in a positive direction.
Download the studynotes: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/principal-walkthrough
Get the Study Guide and Notes Here: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/forms/595385
Get the study guide and communication scripts here: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/forms/640113
Grab the show notes and study guide: https://lbleaders.mykajabi.com/no-fail-communication-book-study
Grab the show notes and study guide: https://lbleaders.mykajabi.com/no-fail-communication-book-study
Grab the show notes and study guide: https://lbleaders.mykajabi.com/no-fail-communication-book-study
During this session, we discuss the last of four mastermind session around Mark Miller's book, Win Every Day. We focus our attention on setting the goal, communication a strategy and pursuing mastery of the daily activities that bring about the best results!
Over the next month LBL will be taking school leaders through a discussion of Mark Miller's Win Every Day. This session we focused our time around strategies of execution and what it means to excel!
Student failure and teacher resignations are impacting school culture across the globe. I believe that the problems need to be solved as close to the action as possible. If you desire to raise employee engagement, start by asking more questions and directing less. I discuss how school leaders can use questions to raise the engagement for everyone!
Learn how to limit your stress from Michele Burkhard (GrowBy1)
This fast-paced experience will introduce you to stress in a way you’ve never heard before! I’ll explain where stress comes from, what the results are, and why in the world that matters to you and your students. We’ll talk about how stress affects personalities and wreaks havoc on our relationships and what to do about it. I’ll share tons of tips that you can try in any environment (yes, even Zoom) to help you and your students limit your stress.
Learn more from Michelle at https://growby1.com/
Change is going happen, whether you like it or not. The question is, are you preparing for it through a growth model?
Learn the four phases of personal growth during this Podcast.
Learn the key difference between Gratitude and thanksgiving.
Join our Empowerment mentoring community by going here:https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/empowermentmentoring
Be sure to download the accompanying workbook. https://www.dropbox.com/s/zmon8nazfulswzd/EMP_Gratitude.pdf?dl=0
When you withhold your recognition of another person's contribution to the team's success, you are not just treating people unfairly, but you are depriving people of the emotional payoff that comes with success.
And they resent you for it.
Learn a four step process to improving your recognition skills!
Shannon Stein (Superintendent) and Sarah Levy (Communications) at Lake Norman Charter School share their experiences in building a robust communication plan for their school that has helped them in times of crisis!
The most important list that you can begin writing is a STOP doing list. Not just STOP doing certain activities, but STOP certain behaviors that are diminishing the success of your team.
In this episode I share three reflection questions that every leader should be ending their day with.
Nothing is more important to the success of a charter school board meeting than the process in which the agenda is developed. In this episode I share an easy way to ensure your meetings are productive and focused on the right things.
Gather more resources here. https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/blog/effective-board-agenda
When communicating with difficult people you want to stick to the facts and move forward. Here is an easy process I learned from Simon Sinek that I wanted to share with you.
Learn from three charter school teachers leaders of great impact and significance.
They will share tips and strategies to engage students, balance your life and raise student achievement.
Employment Law 101: Shawn Straub, MA, SPHR, SHRM-SPC, Principal Partner and Co-Founder of ALT HR Partners, will share valuable information on the employment laws you need to know as a business leader and manager. The program is designed to provide a basic understanding of key employment laws that can impact you and your business.(FLSA, ADA, Protected Classes, ADEA)
Visit: http://www.althrpartners.com/ shawn@althrpartners.com
In this podcast you will learn two key principles and three easy to implement strategies to identify how you should be utilizing your time as a leader.
As part of our Empowered Educators Community, learn directly from teachers who they are thriving in leading themselves and their students through the challenging times of COVI-19.
Learn from rural charter school principals who are leading their schools successfully in a COVID-19 environment.
Reduce stress and reach students and your peers in a digital learning space. Walk away with strategies on how to lead entertaining and impactful lessons and trainings in a digital learning environment.
Download the resources: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/communication-tools
Four charter school principals share what they have learned since opening their schools just a few weeks ago. Learn key strategies and learnings!
Our Panel Shares how you can reduce your stress, talk out challenges, get proven solutions, save time and energy as you prepare to open the 2020 school year.
The SLC welcomes the Director of The NC Office of Charter Schools to the call to clarify how public charter schools can best open their schools under pandemic in the fall.
Leaders in education discuss the keys to establishing the best first day of school ever!
Discussion Points: - Strategic Leadership - Communicating with Parents - Organizational Health - Strong Academics through a hybrid model and much more!
Learn one key leadership principle an EC teacher and Director must have on order to develop a successful program.
Listen to this guest appearance with on David Patterson’s Guiding Heroes simulcast.
David asked me questions on John Maxwell's Law of Modeling.
If you like what I shared, be sure to drop a comment below or share this podcast with a colleague.
Today, we discussed legislative updates that impact charter schools' operations and budgets, COVID-19 liability, the potential of an air ventilation scientist joining the conversation, HB 1071, budgeting for a school nurse through PRC 163, and a checklist for the Return to School Plan. Here are links to the LBL COVID-19 Resource Document: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/blog/charter-school-leader-community-update
School leaders discussed the latest return to school information received from the State.
Clarence Henderson, Civil Rights Leader and School Choice Advocate discussed the current racial unrest, peaceful protest, and how school choice and charter schools, and educators in general can contribute to a better society.
Your success will be directly in proportion to the capacity of your team and your ability to lead them! I share the foundations of how to create significant change within yourself and your team.
Download the workbook: https://www.dropbox.com/s/z5c0yp8wyml22ma/Transformational_Leadership_Keynote_Workbook_v1.0.pdf?dl=0
Our team takes you through three key steps you should be taking right now as a school leader to ensure the best first day of school ever!
Ed will provide you an overview on Social Emotional Learning, the relationship between SEL & Achievement and how to use SEL as a critical component to moving forward in this uncharted territory.
Plus, we will share everything we can from our experts in the field to best prepare for your best first day of school ever!!!
This past week our special guest speaker today was Breauna Wall, Director of 13 virtual schools across the state of California. As the Director of the Exceptional Children program, Breauna and her team oversee more than 2,000 students through a remote learning platform. Building effective relationships, communication and organization strategies are critical. Learn from Breauna by watching the video or listen to the podcast below.
Breauna's power-point and highlights: - Don't lead by assumptions - Schedule time to do everything - Scheduling and Calendaring tools - Building Connections with Families - Parents as learning coaches - How to build your team.
How to be the best EC Director you can and SO MUCH MORE!
She wanted me to share that Unique Learning Systems: are offering a free differentiated summer unit and lots more!
Charter leaders and vendors collaborate to ensure they have the best return to school committee planning!
The first charter school I visited a decade ago when I began this journey was a small, experiential learning K-8 school perched at the base of a mountain, had beautiful gardens and an entire city park as the playground for their children.
It never crossed my mind that initial five hour car ride would be painting the picture for my future as a charter school researcher, consultant and coach to hundred of leaders!
This podcast takes you through the story as I share what I have learned about the most effective school and their leaders over the last decade.
Go to: https://lbleaders.mykajabi.com/5-characteristics-of-an-effective-school for more resources and information on how you can embed these resources in your charter school planning.
I believe the principal's job is the most difficult and interrupted job on the planet every day there's a fire needed to put out a problem that needs solving a teacher who needs your help and a parent that doesn't feel heard. As a charter school principal, you are the CEO of a multi-million dollar enterprise.
We believe these 5 key responsibilities that you are required to do should drive your daily schedule!
Everyone communicates, but few connect. I'll teach two of the ten practices and principles of effective communication.
Grab your workbook here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/se1asjm8mta2vy1/ECFC%20Fill-In%20The%20Blank%20Form%20%28w_DISC%29%20.pdf?dl=0
Take advantage of the DISC Profile offer here: https://lbleaders.mykajabi.com/store
Jennifer Wagner from EdChoice shares key strategies and tools on how to best brand and tell your charter school's story.
Procrastination is the number one killer of accomplishment, so what causes it? Lack of clarity? Lack of skill? Lack of motivation? Learn more about how to plan your day so you have the time to focus on the most important items!
Our results are not a reflection of our potential or an indication of what we are capable of achieving-they are just the unemotional, unattached manifestation of all that we say we know, yet don’t really know! They are the child of our best thinking from yesterday!
Good news, there is a formula for growth!
Listen and learn how you can live a more empowered life!
Director of EC Student and Related Services for K-12, Tara Richardson) was our guest today!
Learn the only four types of meetings you need, how to prepare for them, lead them and execute after them! You are going to need lots of paper to take notes on!
Watch and listen to this teaching prepared JUST FOR YOU and your team.
Email Tom@LBLeaders.com to get your checklist.
We kicked off our Empowered Teacher Community with a discussion on how do you move your goals into reality?
Move from good intentions, to intentional action?
The focus of this call was to begin creating your "Return to School Committee"
We heard from charter school experts in the field of finance, legal, insurance and technology to best support your school to MOVE forward with their planning.
Listen to our School Leadership Community call where charter leaders had the opportunity to share their concerns with local legislators.
Key discussion topics: - Funding for schools - Licensure - Testing - School calendar flexibility - Equity and access for all
Here was the order of speakers - Rhonda Dillingham, NCAPCS - Rep. Craig Horne - Rep. Aston Clemmons - Joy Warner, Community School of Davidson - Joe Caraher, Cornerstone Academy - Teresa Harrison, Tillery Charter - Andrew Moceri, Pine Lake Prep - Alex Quigley, Healthy Start Academy - Kelly Painter, Bradford Prep
Here were the key topics: School Updates (Law of Scoreboard) Webinars You Should Think about Attending 611 and 619 Grant Updates (Archive last three years) Communication: Keep it simple Today Matters
Access the Google Drive with powerpoints here:https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/blog/ec-team-collaborative
Dr. Tom Miller facilitates a training for members of the Teacher Leader Academy. Listen to over 20 years of evaluative experience and learn the 5 key characteristics that the most effective charter schools implement at the highest of levels. Sustaining their success for decades!
Here are the Five I share Clear and sustained mission and vision Student focused instructional planning Multiple levels of parent engagement "Real-time" site based decisions Strategic Personnel Decisions
Download the handout https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/5-characteristics-of-an-effective-school
One of the most important pieces of advice we give to school leaders is to create clarity around their organization’s strategy and direction.
We encourage them to use that clarity to keep them focused and to avoid distraction, and the best school leaders do this well.
In the midst of this current crisis, we want to send a loud and clear message to leaders: know and communicate your priorities!
We know you are short on time so Katy and I recorded a discussion we had around priorities in hopes it helps you move forward!
We also packaged a FREE GIFT for you and your team to align and accelerate your execution.
Click below to get a copy of our COVID-19 Priority Checklist: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/school-priority-list
If you want to grab a seat at our table: Click here https://go.oncehub.com/LBLeaderscoaching
Charter Leaders from across NC learn and share! Here is an outline: - Five High School Principals share their thoughts on education plan and end of the year ceremonies. - Rhonda Dillingham gave strategies for enrollment - Acadia NorthStar on grading: GPA, CARES ACT Funding - Lisa Gordon Stella: Minimizing risk, and misconceptions about "layoff pay" - Steve Joyner Consulting: Internet Safety, digital platforms and video conference safety, purchasing items, projecting computer loss and damages, student created account protection - Katy Ridnouer: Creating predictability and student safety - Tom Miller...what is your call to action? Moving from good intentions to results with short and long term planning
EC Directors and Teachers share their best practices when it comes to serving students during COVID-19.
Learn about low and no tech options. Hear what other schools are doing to build flexible service programs. Learn to build your Scoreboard to success!
Charter school leaders share and learn during the COVID-19 remote learning model.
Experts weigh in on: Build is as we go, Tom Miller 5 minutes 154 Funding, Cory Draughn, 15 minutes CARES ACT, Legal and HR Update, Lisa Gordon Stella, 10 minutes State Emergency Leave, Acadia North Star 10 minutes Education Plan Updates, 10 minutes Grading and Legislation, Rhonda Dillingham, 10 Minutes Call to Action (Self Care!) Tom Miller
Three EC Directors from different schools share how their schools are serving students with disabilities. We also learned about the extended opportunities for Federal Position reporting and how the April 1 Headcount will be counted.
Key Topics Discussed on this call: - Unemployment Laws/Hourly Staff - Education Plan and Oversight - Serving Students with Disabilities -Powerschool (Attendance Guidelines) - Funding Resolutions - Teacher Development Opportunities
School leaders discuss John Maxwell's leadership lesson on the final 8 practices and principles of leading through adversity.
- Develop a positive life stance,
- Feed your faith, starve your fears,
- Realize that motions influence emotions
- Today Matters,
- Reflect instead of React to adversity 9.Adversity brings you closer to people
- Always look to the big picture
- Adversity makes people stronger
A group of school leaders discussed the first three Leading Through Adversity principles:
- Everything worthwhile is uphill,
- There is always an answer,
- Allow adversity discover who you really are,
John Maxwell is leading a three day leadership summit focused on how to lead in times of crisis. Our community is watching John live and then coming together to discuss what we learned and our next steps.
Join our group here and gain access to John's sessions:https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/Leadership%20Summit
NC Charter Leaders Discuss: Human Resources Serving Students with Disabilities Education Plan Updates Extended Calendar Testing Preparing for long closing
I take school leaders through John Maxwell's PLAN AHEAD model to best think through how to thrive through this opportunity!
School leaders discuss their plans to serve their students here in NC.
Here is the Google Doc Link with the resources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Tej3KudryvHz417KnvjhpKrxtKDTVHXr5_HrReSRFuM/edit?usp=sharing
Business and charter school leaders discussed what they are doing to best prepare for their schools and community in this time of confusion and uncertainty.
Listen to the archive so you can get caught up and best prepare.
You can gain access to the Google Document resources here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Tej3KudryvHz417KnvjhpKrxtKDTVHXr5_HrReSRFuM/edit?usp=sharing
We look to host at least one call per week to help you all stay Informed Connected, Guided, and United.
Special thank you to Rhonda Dillingham from the NC Association for Public Charter Schools, Lisa Gordon Stella, Acadia North Star, Steve Joyner Consulting and The Insurance People of NC for being our business leader experts.
Most people struggle with empowerment, but what I learned from a group of principals about what they worry about when they go to empower really concerned me.
Check out two key strategies to effectively empower your team overcome any fears or worries you may have!
This edition of the Principal's Office Podcast will take you through my story of how I got here and the changes I needed to make if I aimed to be the difference-maker in the leadership development of others that I aimed to be.
We have difficult communications every day. The difference in whether they are difficult or not relies on one thing. Take a listen and begin growing your communication skills today!
I came across this teaching by John Maxwell on Dr. King and I wanted to share my reflections with you on how to create a positive change in your organization, community home – the Dr. King way.
Building an Effective and Cohesive Team might be the most important strategy to ensuring the organization or team you lead is successful. This lesson, No Trust, No Unity, No Progress is the first step of seven a leader must take to Build an Effective and Cohesive Team.
Download a copy of the accompanying Worksheet and notes: chttps://www.dropbox.com/s/qbnvyewowdyppxq/Trust%20Lesson%20Worksheet.pdf?dl=0
Learn more about the program:https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/Build-a-team
Use promo code Trust for a limited time and save big on our Seven Step program.
If you cannot lead yourself, you cannot lead anyone. This lesson will share with you the WHY, HOW and key leadership principles you need for self-leadership.
The ability to influence is the most important skill as leader you can learn. In fact, without the ability to influence, you will never be able to lead a team or an organization to its highest potential. This keynote will take you through some myths when it comes to leadership and unlock a secret code that is guaranteed to change your view of transformational leadership.
If you'd like to receive a daily dose of inspiration and resources from out team in your inbox, you can sign up here: https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/forms/219384
Go to https://www.leaders-building-leaders.com/learn-to-coach-leaders to learn more about our Coaching Skills program.
Teaching partner Katy Ridnouer and I share our thoughts and our ACT's from our most successful leadership event ever. Hang in until the end to receive special gifts and bonus offers!
Go to www.LBLeaders.com to receive our daily free leadership messages and best content.
Listen to this track to have a better understanding of how to build your school's capacity through effective teacher meetings.
Law of Explosive Growth: Leadership is all about the advancement of others. Not that you have invested in your leadership, it is time to share what you learned. Learn about one of John Maxwell’s key leadership laws and grow the team, family or community that you serve.
Dr. Mary Majors, principal at Anderson Creek Academy will give us an overview of what we will see during our September visit.
The Four Essential Meetings: Having the ability to lead actionable, purposeful meetings might be one of the top three skills a leader needs to have. This lesson will teach you what I learned from expert Patrick Lencioni on how to effectively design and lead meetings that bring results to the organization you lead.
Five Fixes When the Fruit is Rotten: If you are getting bad results, you have to learn where to find the root cause of the problem. This lesson will teach you five key steps to begin receiving better results in your leadership.
Action Blockers to Eliminate: We all experience those days in which we think nothing is working. It’s easy to get sucked into a negative vortex and
Be the Difference Maker: What is it mean to be a agent for change? To really make the difference in the lives of others? Listen to this lesson and then begin your journey!
Building Leadership Capacity: Your ability to lead yourself, and the ability of your team to execute will be the keys to your overall success. Too many leaders get bogged down in the work. In order to be successful you must take the time to build the capacity of the people closest to you. Learn how to begin building your team today for a brighter tomorrow.
I Messed Up: My reflections from the John Maxwell Conference where I realized three key areas in which I messed up in my leadership. Learn what I learned and gain a new perspective on how to effectively lead.
Extra 100k?: Every school leader wants more money, but if it was presented to you, would you know how to communicate how it would change your school’s success? Learn how in this lesson.
No one will ever follow you if you cannot lead yourself. This lesson will teach you how to understand the levels of leadership and provide you actionable steps to grow your leadership.
Hiring Best Practices: The only way to improve your school is to improve the people who are in it. In this lesson you will learn how the best school leaders ensure they hire the best and brightest human beings to be the difference maker at their school.
If you want your board to perform, they have to be equipped and clear at why they are there and how they are going to impact the school in a positive way. If they are not clear, you and I know they will definitely impact the culture. This teaching will provide you clear steps in creating and board is engaged and thrives in time of need.
Cruel Summer: Summer time should be for relaxing at the beach and having fun with friends, not bogged down in your office. Learn how the most effective school leaders have the summer they experienced as kids...with adult responsibilities!
Leadership is influence, not a title, not a position. During this lesson I will share the number one secret I learned in 20 years of teacher leadership.
The Law of the Scoreboard says "The Team Can Make Adjustments when it knows where it stands."
This call shares the 5 Statements John Maxwell states that are critical to ensuring your organization understands where it is in its growth.
Download the worksheet here:https://drive.google.com/open?id=128RemsW08u67dw_sQt4a1ZeOVE7A3cujjpn6x_LNK-w
In this RTO Support Call, Leaders Building Leaders welcomes Sarah Crain McCracken and Robin Millette from Acadia Northstar to talk about the Common Pitfalls for Charter School Finances. Listen and learn what you can do to benefit from their expertise!
This session will teach you an easy 7 step process that I utilize for all of my school and business improvement plans. This process will not only teach you how to strategically plan for the future, it will build incredible capacity in your overall organization.
Law of the Lid: You are the lid on your success. No matter what you are trying to achieve, lose weight, increase your wealth, get that promotion, your personality, your communication, your character, your production is always determined by one thing: YOU! This lesson will teach you about the Law of the Lid and action steps to grow your overall ability to achieve.
Every March and August over 3,000 new coaches, speakers and trainers become certified in the Maxwell Method of Leadership. My teammate Katy Ridnouer and I just returned and wanted to spend an hour sharing what we learned from not only John, but guest speakers Carly Fiorina and Dr. Robert Cialdini.
Leading Through Change: In times of change it is alright to be uncertain, but is not alright to be unclear about the vision. This teaching will provide you a series of key strategies to ensure stakeholders and teams are along for the journey and have hope in you.
Learning From Failure: We all have failed. However, not everyone has the ability to learn from their failures and produce significant outcomes. This lesson will help you change your mindset
No Clarity, No Progress: Being stuck stinks. This lesson will teach you steps creating clarity in any aspect of your life so you can see the next steps and live the life you were put on this earth to live.
To go fast, go alone. To go far, build a team. This lesson will provide you with key strategies to ensure you hire the most effective, like minded and value based teammates.
Seasons of Leadership: There is a reason why the most effective school leaders have completed their hiring and program tweaking six to twelve months in advance. This teaching will teach you how to prepare on the front end so you are not spending each fall playing catch up and repairing on the back end.
This podcast will teach leaders three critical strategies and provide specific action steps on how to lead difficult adults.
Go to: http://bit.ly/LBL-Store to learn more.
Teacher Meetings: What is it that teachers are supposed to be doing during their meeting? Do you know? More importantly, do they know? This lesson will provide you the key practices and principles of effective teacher leadership meetings.
Everyone Communicates, Few Connect: Learn about a leadership landmine that I stepped on early in my career and the three practices and principles that my mentor taught me in order to connect better with people. You follow these principles, and people will follow you.
Celebrating an organization’s success is a critical component of effective oversight. High impact boards identify and communicate the specific evidences they will accept to demonstrate the organization’s progress on the school’s goals. This session will teach boards how to effectively identify and communicate the acceptable evidences demonstrating the school’s progress towards its goals.
Why Good Intentions are Not Enough: This lesson was part of our Intentional Living Series discusses the difference between Good Intentions and Intentional Living. What our actions do not always match our talk and strategies to overcome.
The mission statement is more than words on paper, it is why you exist.This video will provide you examples of effective mission statements and 7 questions you and your team should use to evaluate your mission.
If you are not preparing, you will be repairing! This lesson will assist any charter school leader in the development of their board meeting agenda to ensure a stronger end of year finish.
The answers to these three questions were critical to my success as a principal and education consultant. This less is past of my Blue Print4 Charter Success Program, learn more at:https://leaders-building-leaders.com/blueprint-4-success/
Media Inquiries: When the opportunity comes it is too late to prepare. This lesson will ensure you and your team are always prepared and nail that 30 second sound byte when the mic is on you.
“When you take on something bigger than yourself, the universe helps you.” Dr. Joanne Woodard
This episode hit me right in the heart! If you listen through to the endwhen I read the poem posted in the hallway of the school, written by its namesake in 1948, you will see why. For this episode of The Principal’s Office Podcast, I had the chance to visit with Dr. Joanne Woodard, of Sallie B. Howard School in Wilson, North Carolina. This episode is a little different, whereas sometimes we've gone to schools and learn specifically, tactically how schools are doing amazing things that they're doing, in this case I talk to Dr. Woodard about the origin story of the school, and learn the answer the question: Who is Sallie B Howard? Well, what I learned surprised me and inspired me, and I think it will do the same for you. Please enjoy this fun episode of The Principal’s Office Podcast!
At Leaders Building Leaders, our mission is to be the difference-maker in the leadership development of individuals and organizations. If you like to learn more about what we do, please visit our website at LBLeaders.com.
2:20 Do you come from a family of educators?
7:15 Did you practice psychology before entering the education world?
9:05 What can you tell us about the school’s namesake, Ms. Sallie B. Howard?
13:10 What were the founding values of the school that Ms. Howard taught you?
27:38 What did you learn about working with kids from the summer program with Sallie B. Howard?
39:00 Let me tell you about Sallie B. going to Iraq!
49:00 How does the quote over the door represent
“The adults in the building are my students - that’s who I’m teaching” - Cheryl Turner
Today I have the distinct pleasure of bringing you our latest podcast with Ms Cheryl Turner from Sugar Creek Charter School in Charlotte, North Carolina. Sugar Creek is one of the one of the most impressive organizations that we've worked with because, as we fancy ourselves leadership organization, one thing that Ms. Turner is going to share with us is how she views herself as the developer of the leaders around her. Sugar Creek is a K-12 Charter School graduating its first-ever senior class in 2018. We're going to talk about what it took to get to this point and and we're going to learn a little bit about the history that is made Ms. Cheryl Turner the leader that she is for her community, including the teachers and the families she has served over the last 20 years. If you would like to learn more about what we do at Leaders Building Leaders, please visit our website at LBLeaders.com.
3:05 What is the charter school world like in Charlotte? 4:20 Why makes Sugar Creek Charter School stick out compared to the other schools around? 6:30 Did you work in traditional public schools before arriving in the Charter School world? 8:30 How did you arrive at the current grade span? 13:15 What do you do to empower leaders among your students? 17:00 How did the clear picture of the progression of a student’s education at Sugar Creek develop over time? 20:05 How do approach leading adults? 24:30 What successes or failures do you point to that lead you to your leadership style? 30:40 What would you want charter school leaders to know about having a good relationship with their board? 39:40 What books do you point to that helped shape your education or leadership philosophy? 41:55 Is there anyone that you would call a mentor in your career in education? 45:00 What advice would you give to yourself as a first year principal?
Today’s guest on The Principal’s Office Podcast is Joe Caraher, Director of Cornerstone Charter Academy: A TeamCFA School. Joe has helped lead Cornerstone to a new building in Greensboro, NC, where they house over 1000 students in kindergarten through 11th grade, and they approach their first class of graduating seniors in 2018-19. Joe’s common sense leadership style reflects the success of the school onto the great teachers and leaders that work around him, and his thirst knowledge and growth has helped Cornerstone become one of the best schools of choice in central NC. During our conversation, Joe and I discussed what it takes to compete with other great schools nearby, how he identifies and categorizes teaching candidates, and what books he turns to for leadership ideas. I know you will want to share this quick does of very real, very honest reflection on school leadership with other people in your professional network. Please enjoy this time with Joe Caraher
3:05 Why do parents send their students to Cornerstone rather than their regular districted school?
5:02 What about your academic program sets you apart from other schools?
6:40 How do you compete with the traditional public schools not only in academics, but also with extra curriculars?
12:10 What is your process to identify quality teachers that fit the mission of your school?
16:10 What are your key strategies to help all teachers grow?
22:00 How did you make the move from teaching to leadership?
24:33 Is there someone that you would call your mentor for your professional journey in education?
25:40 What books would you recommend that you reference as the philosophical base of your leadership style?
28:10 What has changed in your approach to school leadership in the past year or two?
30:00 What is the key to charter school leader longevity?
32:20 What advice would you give to yourself at the beginning of your career and school leadership?
“Every day as schools there is a battle going on between the plan... and everything else.” -Alex Quigley
For this episode of The Principal’s Office Podcast we sat down with Alex Quigley to talk about leadership at the school, state, and family level. Alex is currently the Executive Director of Healthy Start Academy in Durham, NC, as well as the Chair of North Carolina’s Charter School Advisory Board. During our conversation, Alex digs into how he gauges progress while turning around a school, how he approaches the long middle months of the school year, and how a ship at sea is his go-to metaphor for school leadership. Make sure you listen to Alex’s answer at 29:00 when he talks about what he wants everyone to know about the Charter School Advisory Board. As a call to action, I recommend you evaluate who is on your “Batphone,” and reach out to them today.
Please enjoy, and visit us at www.leaders-building-leaders.com for more about us!
2:35 How is Alex the dad different from Alex the school leader?
5:10 What draws you to work in schools that are surrounded by underperforming schools?
7:40 How are charter schools making an impact in Durham?
8:50 Does the School report card grade represent what a parent gets when they decide to go to a charter school?
13:11 What do you look for as indicators of progress in a failing school that is turning around?
16:55 How do you make sure teachers know that they are winning the day?
20:10 What is your message like to achieve consistency during the tough stretch between February and March?
24:10 What does it take for a teacher to have the gritty mindset in a teacher to keep moving forward?
29:00 As the chair of the NC Charter School Advisory Board, what do you wish that people knew about the CSAB?
36:56 What is your go-to book on leadership?
46:10 Is there anyone that you would call a mentor, and what did they teach you?
Welcome Lori Roy, principal of Cape Fear Center for Inquiry in Wilmington, NC., to the Principal's Office. This school is over a decade old and serves K-8th grade with an inquiry-based learning platform. Lori and her team do a tremendous job defining their version of inquiry, and how they have built their program to support this mindset in the teachers and students. During this podcast, Lori and her team discuss their culture with regard to hiring, testing, teacher evaluation, and much more. Enjoy!
Notes: 3:16 What resources do you lean on for project based learning? 7:50 How do you organize parent support and volunteers? 10:35 How do you find the exact person to work in this school environment? 13:20 How do you know that this school is successful? 18:00 The Responsive Classroom 19:40 Testing philosophy 30:00 What do other schools miss the mark on and what do you do well with inquiry based learning? 36:20 What do you use to evaluate teachers? 38:45 What is the difference between project based learning and inquiry based learning?
Our guest today, Meghan Agresto, founder of the Water's Edge Village School, is no stranger to the perennial charter school puzzle of limited resources. The school is located in Corolla, NC, the last town north on the Outer Banks, and with only 32 students this year, they have still found a way to stay true to their mission and provide a valuable school of choice for their community. Meghan by day is the keeper of the Currituck Beach Light House, and is also the board chair for the small school where they have to tap all available resources to make their vision a reality. During our conversation, we discussed the tricks and tactics that they have learned to make a special school happen in such a special place. Please enjoy!
3:15 The origin story of Water’s Edge Village School 9:00 The total time in transit for Corolla residents for their district school 12:30 How long was the process to organize and bring a charter school to your community? 16:15 How did you find a facility for this school? 23:30 Getting an exemption for having so few students, and how can you be financially viable? 29:30 What do you say to schools with more students that say its too hard to make it work with so few students? 32:10 What makes your school environment unique? 39:45 Projects that bridge the grad- span of the school 47:05 Advice for leaders that just got approved for a charter school
We talk a lot about mentoring and mentors in our work with leadership development, and it is something special to meet one of your mentor’s mentors! This podcast features Joy Warner, who has long been someone that my friend and mentor Tom Miller has referred to as the best school leader he has ever seen. Joy is the founder and executive director, and also high school principal, at Community School of Davidson, a K-12 public charter school north of Charlotte, NC. Joy and her team have built one of the most cohesive models that I have seen in charter schools. Much like Buffy Fowler a few episodes back, Joy has focused and refocused constantly over the past decade to ensure that their school’s values permeate their decision making. As you listen, see if you can count how many mission and values based intentional decisions have led to this school’s success as one of the model public charter schools in all of North Carolina. The format for this episode is a little different than those in the past. Rather than having a one-on-one conversation, we actually recorded this at one of our Regional Charter School Consortium meetings, which Joy and her team graciously hosted, so you will hear many voices asking the questions, and also hear some responses from other members of the administration. Buckle up, this is a good one. Enjoy and thanks for listening!
2:50 Intro to Joy Warner and the history of CSD 9:50 How do you navigate the freedoms given to high school students here? 14:50 What are your non-negotiables for working at this school? 19:15 How do you approach staff to buy into the big mission and vision? 29:01 What is the attendance for your annual all staff retreat? 30:41 How do you give all 200 employees feedback? 33:01 Why does everyone think it’s so hard to do high school? 38:15 Would your model work anywhere, and what would you need to adjust if it was in another location? 41:09 The Teacher Leadership Program
Link to Freshtake: http://www.csdspartans.org/about_us/our_annual_teacher_conference Link to Regional Consortium: http://leaders-building-leaders.com/regional-charter-school-consortium-2017-2018/
This week we get back into the Principal's Office with Dr. Charles Fuller at Envision Science Academy in Wake Forest, NC, which is just outside Raleigh. Envision is a K-8 school and I spent most of January and February with Dr. Fuller, who was a long time teacher and principal in Franklin county, NC He joined the charter school world and Envision two years ago, when Envision was coming off a rocky first year. Over the last two years, Dr. Fuller has helped the school realize its mission as a STEAM school, incorporating the arts into STEM, and expand by doubling its enrollment. Finally, he just led the charge to move the school mid year from two temporary facilities into its permanent home which was quite an undertaking to say the least. During our conversation, he talked about the process of leading through change, and also gives tips on what to prioritize as your school grows. I learned an awful lot from this school and this school leader and I know you will too. So please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Charles Fuller.
Notes: 3:00 What drives you to keep learning and growing? 8:12 How is Envision Science Academy unique? 10:00 How do you incorporate STEAM into your schedule? 15:15 What about your STEAM focus draws families to Envision Science Academy? 18:35 What is important to you as a leader when leading through big changes? 25:00 Advice for principals that are moving facilities 28:00 Comparing charter and traditional schools 30:15 When I was on my soapbox railing against charter schools 32:15 How the lack of a central office affects charter schools 36:50 What is the next big initiative at Envision? Where are you going from here? 40:35 What advice would you give yourself as a beginning principal?
Today we bring you a conversation with Mark Bailey from Maureen Joy Charter School in Durham, NC. Mark talks at great length about the challenge of building and rebuilding school culture, his specific strategies in his first year at the school. Whether you are in your first year or your twentieth year, I think you will find Mark's thoughts to be innovative, yet applicable whether you are building from the ashes, or growing from success to significance. Enjoy and happy holidays from Leaders Building Leaders!
For more information on our services, please visit www.leaders-building-leaders.com.
Notes: 2:40 What do your school's mission mean to you? 4:02 What does someone think or feel as soon as they walk into this school? 5:20 Holding paramount that academics are the biggest part of the culture 6:35 How have you tried to build trust with the school community that you just entered? 8:40 Why is busing so a non-negotiable here? 11:00 Making a personal connect with teachers 16:40 Fitting new staff members into the school culture on short notice 18:50 What is your favorite interview question? 21:45 How do you know when a teacher is ready to step up to the leadership team? 23:40 Mark's mentor, and what he learned from them
For this month’s episode, we hosted Dr. Les Stein, who came to see us at our new office in Knightdale, North Carolina to talk all things leadership. Dr. Stein is a retired colonel in the Marine Corps, and has been the school leader at charter and private schools in Raleigh, Durham, and Burlington, NC. Dr. Stein has taught at Meredith College and Northeastern University in Boston. He is also an author of an amazing book Education Disrupted, which is available on Amazon, in which he discusses the school transformation process, one that he saw through in two failing schools with great results. Together we talked about school leadership and military leadership, what it takes to turn around failing schools, and what Dr. Stein likes to focus on when building a staff and a culture in a school. Dr. Stein is a wealth of knowledge, and we are pleased to bring to you on the principal's office podcast, our conversation with Dr. Les Stein.
2:22 What can you tell us about leading a school in comparison to leading in the military? 6:20 Do you think that school report card grade accurately indicates school quality? 8:36 The warning signs of school failure 13:35 What role does the school’s leader have in the failure or recovery of schools? 18:00 The failure of many principals today 21:05 Why is it so hard to find and retain quality leaders? 25:50 What qualities do you seek in your team when rebuilding a school? 29:40 What role do the kids have in school turnaround? 36:11 The best advice Dr. Stein gave Tom 5 years ago 41:55 How would you recommend that any educator would use your book? 48:15 How would you define success in a school? 53:22 What has changed in what you have learned about education leadership? 58:05 How do leaders make sure that they sustain leadership after you leave? 1:04:05 Thoughts on tolerance of personal agendas 1:09:50 Advice on launching your new school year
If you like what you hear, please learn more about what we do at Leaders Building Leaders, where we aim to be the difference maker in the leadership development of individuals and organizations. We work across the charter school landscape in North Carolina and beyond to support the governance, academics, operations, and leadership of schools that want to grow. Learn more at www.leaders-buidling-leaders.com
For this episode we recorded at Francine Delaney New School for Children, with School leader Buffy Fowler. She welcomed me onto their campus to talk about what makes their public charter school unique. And let me tell you, their approach is unique. During our conversation, Buffy tells us exactly how they ensure diversity among the student body through the state’s only dual lottery, why all of their buildings are round, and how to focus and refocus on your mission.
As a public charter school going into their 20th school year, Francine Delaney New School for Children could have grown their enrollment and their size, but at every step of the way, Buffy explains, the school has decided to remain small and minimize their footprint, to blend in with their community, and to value the school family they have built, understanding that their small size is an asset to their mission. Not to mention that they stayed debt free the whole way.
After two decades of serving the community, the school is starting to see the children of their founding students enroll, which I can only imagine, has got to be an among the most amazing thrills a group of educator can experience. I want to encourage you to really think about all of the ways this school has run every decision through their mission and considered their values, because they have achieved a very special learning environment by being very intentional and having a clear vision for a sustainable future. So, please enjoy this conversation with Buffy Fowler.
If you like what you hear, please learn more about what we do at Leaders Building Leaders, where we aim to be the difference maker in the leadership development of individuals and organizations. We work across the charter school landscape in North Carolina to support the governance, academics, operations, and leadership of schools that want to grow. Learn more at Leaders-building-leaders.com
Notes: 3:07 Francine Delaney New School for Children Demographics 4:55 Dual Lottery Process 6:10 Advice for other weighted lotteries 10:05 The social justice statement 12:35 When families enroll that don’t buy the mission 17:30 How does your mission translate to your academics? 21:47 Why they choose not to grow their enrollment 25:00 How do circular buildings match your theme? 29:40 Tracking their impact on graduates past 8th grade 31:35 Why do families choose Francine Delaney over their district school? 33:09 Connecting social-emotional growth with academic growth 35:27 Culture shock for kids who lottery in at a later grade 38:40 What is most important at the beginning of a new year? 43:05 Products of a collective mission 44:25 An innovative school nutrition program 49:45 What have you had to sacrifice to stay out of debt? 51:20 Advice for a newly opening school from a 20 year old school
This month, we have the opportunity to learn from a dynamic leader, Dr. Mark Tracy. Mark is currently the executive director of Kestrel Heights School, a K-12 public charter school of 1000 students in Durham, North Carolina. Before entering the charter world, Mark spent time working in traditional schools and in higher ed, so he brings a unique perspective to his current mission, which is to reform a troubled 15 year old charter school. As you will hear mark say, his viewpoints on what is successful in education, how to develop and evaluate based on focused results, and on your number one responsibility as an educator no matter what your position - these are highly applicable to the public charter school world that we live in, by in reality, they apply to every school everywhere.
Enjoy! And please send feedback to geoff@leaders-building-leaders.com or visit us at www.leaders-building-leaders.com.
Notes:
2:30 What do you get from watching the Charter School Advisory Board 6:00 Career path 8:50 How has your early teaching impacted your current view on school leadership? 11:30 What was your best year in schools? 14:30 Why switch to charter schools? 16:40 What surprised you about charter schools? 20:58 Building your administrative team 24:05 How do you serve the needs of kids from Kindergarten all the way through 12th grade? 29:00 What keeps you going and keeps you sharp? 31:25 What advice would you give to yourself as a first year principal? 34:10 How do you approach a “reform” school? 41:10 Is it harder to open a school or to rewire a school? 44:06 What will success look like for Kestrel in 5 years? 48:00 Favorite interview questions 50:00 How to connect with Dr. Tracy
The Principal's Office Podcast- a podcast dedicated to teaching and accelerating the principals of school leadership.
Today we have arrived at Henderson Collegiate, in Henderson North Carolina and have been welcomed into the school by Executive Director and Co-founder of the school, Mr. Eric Sanchez. Eric also serves on North Carolina’s Charter School Advisory Board, where a group of school leaders and appointees make recommendations to the State Board of Education on the fate of new public charter school applicants as well as existing schools that have been referred for financial, academic, or compliance issues.
This school, Henderson Collegiate, embodies what public charter schools are all about. They started in a trailer on the other side of town with one grade 6 years ago, and grew into a brand new beautiful facility where they are today. As they grew in size, they also grew in ambition, as the have expanded to nearly 600 student in 6 grades, and will continue to grow until 2019 when they will have a full k-12 experience for their families. What also grew through time was their laser like focus on providing support to teachers, and uncompromising expectations for students.
During this conversation, Eric walks us through their system that continues to improve every year, which is, I just have to say, mind blowing. The attention to detail, understanding of a unified vision, and refinement of their practices, have produced a unique and special opportunity for their students and families, and it is for that opportunity, that the charter school movement was born.
Thank you for listening and enjoy.
Please send any feedback to geoff@leaders-building-leaders.com
Notes: 3:11 - Why Henderson, NC? 4:31 - Why so much teacher observation and feedback? 6:31 - How often are teachers observed and receive feedback? 10:00 - The paradox of school leadership 11:35 - What do you attribute your performance separation from the other schools in NC? 16:25 - Recruitment process 19:20 - Favorite interview question 20:12 - What three things do new teachers need to master first? 22:40 - Do you ever scare teachers away with your model of involvement? 24:43 - Who is your mentor? 27:05 - What are your go-to leadership and educational philosophy books? 29:50 - Who do you trust to tell you when you are wrong? 32:20 - What have you changed your mind about in education in the past year? 35:10 - Advice for yourself as a first year principal 37:30 - How do you plan in order to avoid using substitute teachers? 42:40 - Operational and financial planning 47:20 - Organizational values of thinking and planning skills 51:40 - What stories will these walls tell in 10 years?
Books: The Talent Code - Daniel Coyle Leverage Leadership - Paul Bambrick-Santoyo Leadership and Self-Deception - Arbinger Institute Teach Like A Champion - Doug Lemov The Advantage - Patrick Lencioni
The Principal's Office Podcast- a podcast dedicated to teaching and accelerating the principals of school leadership.
In this episode we visit Wake Forrest Charter Academy in Wake Forest, North Carolina. This school is only in their second year of operation and serve almost 600 students in kindergarten through 6th grade. Zack Perfitt, the founding principal, has welcomed us into his office to talk about his leadership style. How did his build his team? And what is the most important personality trait he looks for in his team members? How did he open the school over its full capacity? How does he keep himself from feeling overwhelmed by the job in front of him?
And if you have never met Zack, he is an inspiring leader. He is the kind of leader who knows everyone in his school and talks to everyone the same way - from the Deans to his first graders, and from his teachers to the parents - everyone gets open honest accountable talk about their role in educating every child in the school. And he also welcomes - and expects feedback right back from everyone.
Thank you for listening and enjoy.
Please send any feedback to geoff@leaders-building-leaders.com
Notes:
2:04 “Can I give you some feedback?” 6:50 Zack’s journey as an educator 9:55 Who was your mentor? 11:10 Resources that cross from business into education 13:30 Engaging Families 15:20 How do you define a successful school? 18:15 How did you open your school over capacity? 21:35 How did starting a school with a management organization help you? 24:40 Who do you trust to tell you when you’re wrong? 29:35 How would you as a teacher feel about you as a principal? 32:30 Feeling the impact of your responsibility as a principal? 35:28 Strategies to make your workload manageable 37:14 Fighting burnout 38:59 Changing your mind in education 41:30 Advice to himself as a first year principal