Wisdom and Productivity: The Podcast of An Imperfect Educator

Dr. Moreno, the founding principal of Las Americas Newcomer School in Houston, TX, is an internationally and nationally recognized expert with over 30 years of experience in education. She assists administrators, teachers, and directors in enhancing their support for immigrant and refugee students. Her focus includes examining school-wide systems, accountability, leadership training, language acquisition, and the social-emotional aspects of learning for immigrant students.Dr. Moreno has traveled the world, visiting refugee camps in Uganda, schools in Kenya and Israel, and various countries in Central America, Cuba, and Tanzania, to understand the challenges faced by newly arrived students.She earned her Doctorate in Education from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, TX. Dr. Moreno is the recipient of the 2022 TIME Top 10 Innovative Teacher Award and the World Affairs Council - Houston Global Leaders of Influence. She is also a published author, speaker, national panelist, and mother of two.

Dr. Martínez (00:00) Hello from Wisdom and Productivity. I am here checking the features of Riverside.fm. Recently I switched from Streamyard to Riverside. Streamyard went from $25 to $45  From one day to the other and you know this podcasting thing for me is for fun so I that's prohibited for me so I am checking this new platform to see how it works to see if it's something that I would like to switch on and so I'm trying the features something funny that happened today I took my family through the drive-through of Starbucks and the person selling the coffee saw my tattoo and said, hey, is that from the 90s? My dad has one on his shoulder. And yeah, my tattoo, I guess, is from the 90s. So basically, he called me all to my face. I thought it was hilarious. But life is what you make of it. So. Let's see, this is my two minute recording of Riverside. Let's see how it works and where wisdom and productivity takes me to. Finally, I'm excited to share that on this week at some point, I'm gonna sit down in a two to three hour interview with Dr. Carlos Azcoitia. We're going to do like a biography of his professional life. And I hope that you tune in and learn from one of the luminaries of the great city of Chicago. So that's it for today. I hope that you have a wonderful weekend. This is Wisdom and Productivity. Peace and calm.

Preguntas para el episodio de La sabiduría y productividad del Dr. Baltazar Sánchez Serrano Bienvenido a la sabiduría y la productividad, el podcast del Dr. Efrain Martínez Soy un director escolar en búsqueda de la sabiduría y he encontrado que la productividad es una gran herramienta para llegar al éxito. ¿QUIÉN ERES? Por favor, comparta con nosotros su trayectoria profesional hasta este punto. Como en Regreso al Futuro, si pudieras volver atrás en el tiempo, ¿cuáles son una o dos cosas que te dirías a ti mismo cuando comenzaras tu viaje profesional? Leer libros (o escucharlos) es un privilegio: ¿podrías compartir con nosotros el libro de ficción que más aprecias y por qué? ...Y ¿qué tal 1 libro de no ficción que más aprecias y por qué? ¿Quién es (o quiénes son) tu(s) mayor(s) influencia(s)? ¡Tal vez haya más de uno! Ve a la ciudad cuando hables y/o alabes a aquellas personas que son importantes para ti (practiquemos #gratitud) ¿Cómo abordas el síndrome del impostor? Tener éxito en lo que haces debe incluir estar al tanto de tu #productividad y esto puede significar cosas diferentes para diferentes personas. ¿Qué puedes compartir con nosotros sobre tu propio sistema de productividad? ¿Qué has aprendido sobre tu propio sistema? ¿Qué recomendaciones tienes para los demás? En términos de productividad: ¿cómo te organizas para Hacer las cosas: correo electrónico, calendario y/o Cartas y mensajes a su personal y/o ¿Escribir un libro? Y/o Podcast y/o Ejercicio y/u otras actividades conscientes Otros intereses que has mostrado ..... Diré algo como: "Esta ha sido una gran conversación", y luego te preguntaré: "¿Hay algo más que te gustaría compartir con nuestros oyentes?" -- Esta será una gran oportunidad para mostrar aún más #aprecio por las personas que sientes que necesitan tu aprecio.

"A School Leader's Guide to Reclaiming Purpose" by Frederick C. Buskey, published in 2024, offers a practical roadmap for school leaders seeking to shift from a reactive, urgency-driven approach to a more strategic and purposeful leadership style. Drawing on over three decades of experience in K-12 and higher education, Buskey provides simple frameworks and actionable tools designed to help leaders make incremental improvements and focus on what truly matters: supporting and growing their staff. The book outlines six key stages for leaders to master: 1. Understanding the problem of being caught in urgent tasks. 2. Shifting perspective to recognize the importance of strategic action. 3. Powering down overwhelming to-do lists. 4. Powering up effective systems. 5. Leveraging time to foster staff development. 6. Becoming a strategic leader who prioritizes long-term goals over short-term fixes. Buskey emphasizes the transition from "urgent leadership," which is task-focused and symptom-driven, to "strategic leadership," which is people-focused and solution-oriented. This shift allows leaders to move away from constant crisis management and towards creating lasting progress and meaningful engagement within their schools. In addition to the theoretical framework, the book is filled with practical strategies and real-life examples, making it a valuable resource for any school leader looking to reclaim their purpose and drive impactful change in their educational environment. For more details, you can visit Frederick Buskey's website (https://www.frederickbuskey.com/) or find the book on platforms like Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CWRS2F6N?ref_=pe_93986420_774957520  — Questions for the show 1. Understanding the Problem: What inspired you to write "A School Leader's Guide to Reclaiming Purpose," and what key problem were you aiming to address with this book? 2. Leadership Journey: Can you share a bit about your personal journey in education and leadership, and how it influenced the ideas and frameworks presented in your book? 3. Urgency vs. Strategy: In the book, you talk about the difference between urgent and strategic leadership. Can you explain these concepts and why transitioning from one to the other is so important for school leaders? 4. Practical Steps: You provide six stages to move from urgent to strategic leadership. Can you briefly walk us through these stages and highlight which stage you find most challenging for leaders to master? 5. Common Pitfalls: What are some common pitfalls or obstacles that school leaders encounter when trying to shift from an urgency-driven approach to a strategic one? 6. Impact on Teachers: How does a leader's ability to move from urgent to strategic tasks impact the growth and development of their teachers? 7. Real-World Examples: Can you share a real-world example or case study from your experience where a school leader successfully reclaimed their purpose and the positive outcomes that followed? 8. Advice for New Leaders: What advice would you give to new or aspiring school leaders who are just beginning their journey and might feel overwhelmed by the urgent demands of their role? 9. Measuring Success: How can school leaders measure their progress in shifting from urgent to strategic leadership? Are there specific indicators or milestones they should look for? 10. Future of Leadership: Looking ahead, what do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities for school leaders in the next decade, and how can they prepare to meet them?

Dr. Matthew B. Courtney is an Educator, Researcher, & TEDx Speaker focused on evidence-based education and research use in schools.Learn more by taking his online course and use the code "leadership" for 25% off: https://www.classroom.matthewbcourtney.com/p/ebdm_with_ai

Dr. Christopher Graves is the principal at Jordan Community School in Chicago Public Schools. He is also the editor of Graves Data Insights Substack, which focuses in summarizing research on AI in Education.

Justin Brown is the Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Downingtown Area School District

Dr. Luis Correa is a passionate educator, husband, father. and the Superintendent of District 56 in Gurnee, IL.

Amanda Suckow is a queer and nonbinary musician, artist, and educator with over 20 years of experience. They support arts educators in Chicago Public Schools (CPS), the third-largest school district in the U.S., serving over 340,000 students across 600 schools. Specifically, Amanda designs, delivers, and evaluates professional learning for hundreds of arts teachers, using data-driven and learner-centered approaches.

Dr. Sonia Soltero is Professor and Chair of the Department of Leadership, Language, and Curriculum at DePaul University in Chicago. A former bilingual education teacher and dual language coordinator, Dr. Soltero teaches and publishes research on bilingual and dual language education.

Matthew Ebert is a human-centered leader with 20+ years of experience in education, primarily focused on school leadership in urban settings. He just presented as a TED Speaker on strategies to address the teacher shortage crisis:

Dr. Ignacio Lopez is the Deputy Provost at National Louis University and the author of "The EQ Way: How Emotionally Intelligent School Leaders Navigate Turbulent Times"

Dr. Brandi Kelly is the Superintendent of Mt. Olive CUSD #5 in Illinois and the host of the Lead with HOPE podcast.

"Picture this: The book opens with an electrifying moment. It plunges us into the riveting experiences of school principals and superintendents. We're first introduced to Glenn, navigating the minefield of a tense board meeting where tough decisions loom large. Then, seamlessly, we transition to Danny's narrative, where he grapples with an ever-watchful supervisor scrutinizing his every step. How do these leaders confront such daunting realities? Enter this book, On Staying Calm in the Chaos, a beacon of guidance, equipping us with the tools to maintain composure amidst the storm." Daniel Bauer is a 3x BEST SELLING AUTHOR and host of the BETTER LEADERS BETTER SCHOOLS podcast. Glenn Robbins is an award-winning Superintendent and Principal of the Brigantine Public School District in Brigantine, New Jersey.

In our upcoming podcast episode, we dive deep into the groundbreaking book "Emotional Intelligence for School Leaders" by Dr. Janet Patti and Dr. Robin Stern. This profoundly insightful work argues for social-emotional learning (SEL) as a crucial skill set for K–12 school leaders and provides invaluable coaching on integrating emotional intelligence into leadership practices. Join us as we explore the key SEL skills outlined in the book, including mindfulness, self-management, relationship building, and conflict resolution. We'll discuss how each of these skills can be applied in a leadership context and provide practical strategies for implementation. Dr. Janet Patti, a former school leader, is CEO of Star Factor Coaching, a founding member of CASEL, and professor emeritus at the Hunter College School of Education. Dr. Robin Stern is the cofounder and senior advisor to the director at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, a licensed psychoanalyst with 30 years of experience, a podcaster, and the author of The Gaslight Effect. They are cocreators of the STAR Factor Coaching model, which helps educational leaders enhance their emotional intelligence skills.

A former corporate professional, Grace Stevens quit VP life to pursue her dream job as a public school teacher. After 20 years in the classroom, she now focuses full-time on helping educators have a more positive teaching experience. Grace combines her signature mantra, "Your energy teaches more than your lesson plans," with two decades of study in behavioral therapy, positive psychology to create science-based habits for overwhelmed educators. She is the author of the best-selling Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers and the One New Habit book series. https://www.gracestevens.com/

Cynthia Schaefer is a lifelong student of nature and a staunch advocate for sustainable living. Cynthia's profound commitment to community service and environmental sustainability is evident in her founding of The Caring Community. This nonprofit organization supports educators while also growing food for local food banks. As a skilled herbalist, Cynthia is fervently dedicated to educating others about the vitality of plants, the importance of biodiversity, and the roadmap to vibrant wellness. Her dedication to her craft is mirrored in her home life, where she thrives amidst her solar-powered home, surrounded by chickens, bees, over 20 fruit trees, and an array of edible and medicinal plants. As an author, speaker, and environmental advocate, Cynthia Schaefer continues to inspire and educate others on the path to vibrant wellness and sustainable living.

Andrea Bitner is a Keynote Speaker, Consultant, and an Educator with over 20 years of experience in Philadelphia, where she teaches K-12 English Language Learners. She is the Author of "Take Me Home”, a book about 11 former students who gave first hand account of what it is really like to become bilingual in America. https://www.andreabitnerbooks.com/

This is a story about how Emotional Intelligence, Stoic Philosophy, and Lincoln's leadership style can transform schools.

I'm thrilled to share a profoundly inspiring journey from the world of medicine to the realm of education. We're going to explore the transformative lessons from Atul Gawande's "The Checklist Manifesto" and how school principals can harness these principles to create a more productive, efficient, and ultimately, a more rewarding experience for our teachers and students.

In educational leadership, emotional intelligence is a guiding light, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s wisdom is a powerful beacon. Let's delve into 19 profound lessons that school principals and educational leaders can draw from Dr. King's iconic speeches: "I Have a Dream," "I've Been to the Mountaintop," and "What Is Your Life's Blueprint?" Through the lens of emotional intelligence, we explore how these lessons can help school leaders overcome obstacles and bring out the best in students, teachers, and the community.

In the complex tapestry of life, where we navigate the realms of leadership and well-being, one principle stands out as a guiding star: "To make better decisions, envision multiple futures." This profound concept, rooted in Charles Du-hEg's enlightening book "Smarter Faster Better," serves as our compass, guiding school principals toward transformative leadership and a life rich in well-being and success.

Mark Anthony Gooden is the Christian Johnson Endeavor Professor in Education Leadership and Director of the Endeavor Antiracist & Restorative Leadership Initiative in the Department of Organization and Leadership at Teachers College, Columbia University. His research focuses on culturally responsive school leadership with specific interests in the principalship, anti-racist leadership, urban educational leadership, and legal issues in education. With Sharon Radd, Gretchen Givens Generett, and George Theoharis, Mark co-authored the book Five Practices for Equity-Focused School Leadership.

Join us for an inspiring and thought-provoking episode as we delve into the pages of "Pencils Down: Career Journeys of Educators Who Left the Profession, and What We Can Learn from the Crises in Education," authored by Michael Beyer, Ed.D. and Nallely Suárez Gass. In this masterpiece, our esteemed guests confront the pressing crisis that looms over the realm of education with a blend of profound reflection and captivating narratives.

Today we'll be discussing the lessons learned from the book "Win Every Argument" by Mehdi Hasan and how school leaders can apply its principles to support the improvement of their schools.

Dr. Frederick Buskey is the founder of Strategic Leadership Consulting where he helps assistant principals spend less time on fires and invest more time with teachers. He is also the host of The Assistant Principal Podcast dedicated to improve the life and leadership of APs everywhere.

Sara Loretta is a founder, workflow strategist, and the 10th Certified Notion Consultant in the US. When she's not teaching people about building digital workspaces for business globally, she shares advice on how to run freelance businesses more strategically via Youtube and Twitter. She has a fascinating life story of perseverance and success, and it is quite an honor to have her on the show sharing her wisdom and productivity.

Elevating Educational Leadership Through Dale Carnegie's Principles (Part 2) Today's podcast episode's title is Elevating Educational Leadership Through Dale Carnegie's Principles (Part 2), and we'll explore how principals can apply his principles in a school context.

Today, we're diving into an innovative approach to school leadership. We'll explore how school principals can adapt Chick-fil-A's renowned customer service philosophy to create a more engaging and supportive educational environment. So, if you're a school leader looking to enhance your leadership skills, you're in for a treat.

Today, we're diving deep into the profound impact that Dale Carnegie's "Six Ways to Make People Like You" can have on how school principals lead and support their teachers in their quest to reach their fullest potential.

Today's episode is titled The Principle of "Marginal Gains" and the Art of Achieving Daily 1% Improvements. I'm thrilled to have you with us today as we delve into a concept that can truly revolutionize the way you lead your schools and guide your teachers to greatness.

Today, we delve into the captivating leadership of Abraham Lincoln. We'll explore how his use of empathy, dealing with challenges, working with rivals, and learning from his mistakes can inspire school principals to create a positive learning environment that brings out the best in every student.

Sandy Cristobal is the assistant principal at Highland School and the Curriculum Coordinator at Downers Grove Grade School District 58

Nancy Gutierrez is a former teacher and principal now serving as the President and CEO of The Leadership Academy. This nonprofit has created a national model for teaching and inspiring leadership at every school system level. With Roberto Padilla, Nancy co-authored Stay and Prevail: Students of Color Don't Need to Leave Their Communities to Succeed. With a strong message of confidence, mainly directed at leaders of color, that the answer is in the room, it is quite an honor to have Nancy share her wisdom & productivity, and her book Stay and Prevail.

The Parable of the Mexican Fisherman and The 8 Forms of Wealth

Dr. Ana Gil García is a Venezuelan-American citizen, Professor Emerita, esteemed community leader, forerunning advocate for Latino educational leaders, five-time Fulbright US Scholar, and a published author that earned academic and administrative experiences from classroom teaching, Acting Superintendent, College Department Chair, and Associate Provost of Academic Affairs. Currently the Executive Director of Academic Effectiveness at St. Augustine College.

Dennis M. Williams Jr. is a high school principal in Horsham, Pa. He has spent 25 years in education, 17 of those as a building-level principal. At the age of 29, he became the first African American male to serve as a building principal in the history of his school district.

Spring Richardson Perry is a career transition coach and an organizational effectiveness professional. With an unyielding passion for helping individuals and businesses thrive she possesses a unique blend of expertise that empowers clients to navigate critical transitions and optimize their organizational performance.

Amy J. Heineke, PhD, is Professor of Multilingual Teaching & Learning in the School of Education at Loyola University Chicago. Her research focuses on teacher education for culturally and linguistically diverse classrooms, with strands focused on pre-service and in-service teachers' preparation for emergent bilinguals and language policy work in practice to support students' learning and language development.

In this thought-provoking episode, we embark on a captivating journey through the untold chapters of Lyndon B. Johnson's life, beyond the realms of his presidency. Inspired by Doris Kearns Goodwin's illuminating book Leadership In Turbulent Times, we delve into the extraordinary story of Johnson's tenure as a school principal. Set in a time marred by segregation and societal divisions, we witness Johnson's unwavering commitment to Mexican American students at Welhausen School in Cotulla, Texas. Through his remarkable leadership and unyielding belief in the transformative power of education, Johnson defied expectations, bridged divides, and kindled hope in the hearts of marginalized youth.

How can school principals care for themselves to live a fructiferous life while serving others well? We can learn several lessons from Maslow's heart attack, his Hierarchy of Needs, and the Maslow vs. Bloom dilemma. The episode concludes with Robin Sharma's 4 Interior Empires as a framework for better self-care.

Dana Goodier is a veteran teacher and current middle school administrator with over 18 years of experience teaching World Languages and English. Building off of her own growth as a teacher, she is dedicated to providing schools with techniques to minimize off-task behavior and to increase time on task.

Alma Solis is the Principal at Steger Primary Center in School District 194 in South Chicago Heights, IL

Lessons from “Build Leadership Momentum: How to Create the Perfect Principal Entry Plan” by Daniel Bauer As a principal transitioning into a new position, I searched for the literature on entry plans. I learned about “Build Leadership Momentum: How to Create the Perfect Principal Entry Plan” by Daniel Bauer.” The book walks us through developing an effective 90-day entry plan for a year of excitement, energy, and momentum.  Danny Bauer is a principal development and retention expert, the best-selling author of Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader and the Better Leaders Better Schools Roadmap, and the host of two of the world's most downloaded podcasts. Danny was a guest here at Wisdom & Productivity on September 16, 2021. Danny, how are you feeling? Please share with us the origin story of the book. Can you explain what an entry plan is and how it can help school principals achieve their goals? Why 90 days? Why is the plan never done? You challenge us to imagine what we want to see on the 91st day; tell us more. You encourage principals to eat a healthy meal every day, which can be taboo in many districts. Can you tell us more?  You say the top performers know how to recuperate and rest; can you share about the Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool? You use the example of practicing the 85% rule on Olympic runner Carl Lewis. Can you share with us how principals can emulate the 85% rule as a tool to take care of themselves? You mention the importance of the powerful approach to defining your values. I was particularly impressed with the purple cow idea from Seth Godin; can you tell us more about it? Why principals should stay away from having an open-door policy? How can principals communicate this in a way conducive to positive outcomes? You share a blueprint on a “Get-to-Know-You Survey that I will surely steal for my new school. Can you share with the show's listeners and viewers what this is about (purpose and expected outcomes)? The great idea is to use the results to follow up with teachers/staff on the 1:1 meetings. What should these meetings look like? How long should they be? The idea of writing the top 10 key concerns on index cards: tell us more. Why is showing that you care for the teachers/staff important?  Why is it essential to be redundant in your communication?  What is initiative fatigue and how to overcome it (example of “whac-a-mole”)? Can you share with us the four steps for Instructional Leadership? What are your recommendations for a principal who wants to do a “get-to-know-you survey for students? You suggest that principals drop in notes offering encouragement and positive feedback. Can you share some advice on when those positive notes ultimately have to provide feedback conducive to change? (the ones that ask people to change, especially considering evaluations) How can principals empower their teams? Why is it essential to measure intangibles gains? Can you share your thoughts on being present as a conduit to develop relationships better? Can you share your thoughts on practicing mindfulness? How can the principal do this during the school day? What is the difference between belonging and othering? Can you share the example in the book (example on page 47)? What are some celebrations we can have throughout the year? Should principals schedule email time during the school year? How to communicate this to staff in a way conducive to positive outcomes? Why is it important to delegate? Can you share about the resources and tools in the book?

Lessons from "Entry Planning for Equity-Focused Leaders:" with Adam Parrott-Sheffer As a principal transitioning into a new position, I searched for the literature on entry plans and discovered "Entry Planning for Equity-Focused Leaders: Empowering Schools and Communities." In this practitioner-focused and action-oriented work, Jennifer Perry Cheatham, Rodney Thomas, and Adam Parrott-Sheffer consolidate their extensive experience centering equity in leadership. They affirm that the entry of a new leader, or the pivot of an established one, affords an unparalleled opportunity to garner the insight, trust, and commitment to establish a basis for positive, equitable transformation within a system. Today I have the distinguished honor of interviewing Adam Parrott-Sheffer, one of the co-authors. He was interviewed on Wisdom & Productivity when the show had just started and I am thankful he's back for a second time.  Adam is a former nonprofit and school district senior leader.  His areas of expertise include: leadership entry, team development, board management, and program evaluation/impact.  —QUESTIONS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF A PRINCIPAL Adam, how are you feeling? Please share with us the origin story of the book. Can you explain what an entry plan is and how it can help school principals achieve their goals? Why is equity such an important consideration for school principals, and how can an entry plan help them promote equity within their schools? Entry plan phases Reflect Listen and Learn Plan to Act Why is it important to develop a leadership story? Can you describe what empathy interviews look like? How to input this information and how to disaggregate this qualitative data in a way that makes sense? Can you tell us about the importance of political mapping? How can principals decide who to talk to? Are there some people one must avoid? Are the most important questions: What do you like about ______? What do you want to see better or improve? How can one engage non dominant voices? The book talks about superintendents getting a team and even hiring consultants; how can principals adapt this advice? Quote: “A leader must connect values and strategy through EMOTIONS to generate collective action.” How can principals share findings? James Baldwin quote: “not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” An example of a CORRESPONDING STRENGHTS-BASED LANGUAGE: “the highest form of school love is the belief that each student is capable of excellence and deserving of deep learning and critical feedback” How to persuade the teachers or administrators who want to put blame on things that we cannot control? What is your advice on creating report of findings  Without offending people Sensemaking process And making time for healing The three authors expressed they did everything they were supposed to do but didn't center the importance of healing, self-care, and care for others – perhaps THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT SHIFT Wondering if this will delay the expected progress districts have for principals — what advice do you have importance of self care as act of resistance Cheatham mentioned that she worked 14 hour days and this took a toll in the family The advice of not emailing people at night as it can trigger negative emotions Should principals schedule email time? Adam expresses his gratefulness on the last pages for those that supported him and mentions joyful learning; can we end the show by you telling us on how we can make learning (and teaching) joyful again?

In this episode, I explore the adverse effects of social media, specifically Twitter, on our attention span, mental health, and overall well-being. Drawing on research by Carl Newport on digital minimalism, I discussed and explained the benefits of leaving social media, including a clearer mind, more personal time, greater privacy, and more quality time. This episode serves as a reminder to be mindful of our social media use and to prioritize activities that truly bring us joy and fulfillment.

Kim Marshall was sixth-grade teacher, central office curriculum director, and elementary principal in the Boston Public Schools for 32 years. Since 2002, Kim has provided one-on-one coaching for principals. In addition, Kim consults, speaks, and teaches courses for school leaders, with a special focus on teacher supervision and evaluation, time management, the effective use of student assessments, and curriculum unit design. Kim also writes The Marshall Memo, a weekly summary of helpful articles for principals, teachers, superintendents, and other educators He is the author of a number of articles and books, including Rethinking Teacher Supervision and Evaluation.

Chicago-based Beth Napleton is an executive leadership coach, consultant and the owner and founder of Beth Napleton Consulting. She offers senior leaders in education and at mission-driven organizations a clear path to excellence through individual, executive and group coaching experiences.

Dr. Elizabeth Alvarez (@EAlvarezD91) is the Superintendent at Forest Park District 91 and President of IALAS