Podcasts about chanie wilschanski

Send us a textIn this episode of "Child Care Conversations," co-hosts Kate and Carrie chat with Chanie Wilschanski, CEO of Schools of Excellence. Chanie shares her expertise on managing childcare programs, especially during challenging times like the COVID pandemic. She introduces the "five gears" of childcare management: enrollment, staff retention, parent engagement, financial health, and program quality. Chanie emphasizes focusing on just two gears at a time to boost productivity and avoid burnout. The discussion also covers balancing responsibilities, effective leadership, and the importance of financial transparency. It's a treasure trove of insights for anyone in childcare management! Learn more at: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/media/Thanks for Listening

How can mentor relationships stabilize and strengthen the core of your organization and have an impact on your life? In this episode Chanie talks with Todd Herman, renowned leadership coach and author of "The Alter Ego Effect," and her mentor of 9 years. He shares personal stories and strategies that have helped him successfully mentor high achievers, Olympians, and entrepreneurs, offering valuable lessons that can be applied in educational settings.Key Topics:The Power of Questions: Discover how asking the right questions can transform coaching and leadership, and learn Todd Herman's categories of questions that can deepen understanding and communication.Mentorship vs. Coaching: Understand the distinct roles of mentors and coaches, and why it's an important to know the difference.Empathy and Adaptability: Learn how empathy and adaptability can enhance your leadership and create a supportive environment for both students and staff.Learn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/ Todd can be found here:https://toddherman.me/Linked In toddherman1Facebook @toddherman1Instagram @Todd_HermanX todd_herman His Books: The Alter Ego, My Super MeMore about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.

Picture this–you're walking through your school, juggling urgent emails, staff questions, and never-ending paperwork. The days blur together as you tackle one crisis after another. But what if there was a way to break free from this chaos?In this week's episode, Chanie addresses a critical challenge faced by school leaders: being trapped in the day-to-day operations. Chanie explains how creating a “Work Smarter” calendar can revolutionize your leadership approach, allowing you to move from reactive management to proactive, strategic leadership. With practical insights into time blocking, delegation, and the importance of regular review sessions, Chanie guides early education leaders, school teachers, and administrators through the steps to regain control of their time and focus on what truly matters–leading their schools to success. Key Topics Discussed: How being stuck in daily tasks prevents school leaders from focusing on strategic growth and long-term planning. How to design a calendar that includes time for personal wellness, team development, and high-level tasks, creating boundaries to ensure work-life balance. The key to delegating effectively and empowering your team to take ownership of tasks while freeing up your time for leadership activities. The mindset shift required to treat your calendar like a muscle–consistently exercising strategic time management to build a thriving school. So, are you ready to unveil the secrets to escaping the day-to-day grind and becoming the visionary leader your school needs? Learn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/ More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.

In the journey of life, we often encounter moments that challenge our resilience and redefine our understanding of joy. Join Chanie, as she courageously shares her deeply personal experience with pregnancy loss, revealing the unexpected lessons that emerged from her heartache and healing. In this week's episode of Schools of Excellence, Chanie opens up about her emotional journey following a pregnancy loss. From the initial joy of discovering her pregnancy to the profound heartache that followed, she explores how this experience reshaped her perspective on healing, resilience, and the importance of community support. Chanie emphasizes the significance of self-care and acknowledges the full range of emotions that accompany grief, Through heartfelt reflections, she highlights the importance of embracing vulnerability and finding ways to honor losses while navigating the complexities of personal and professional life. Key Topics Discussed:The distinction between being okay and getting over a loss. The importance of celebrating progress in the healing process. Personal stories of community and mentorship provide essential support. Ways couples can reconnect and support each other through shared experiences. Strategies for integrating gratitude and relaxation into daily life. Chanie's story serves as a powerful reminder that healing is a journey filled with ups and downs. By sharing our experiences, we can collectively navigate the complexities of grief and joy. Learn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/ More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.

What does it take to move from survival mode to true leadership?In this week's episode, Chanie interviews Mel Elridge, a director at an early education lab school, who shares her powerful transformation since joining the Schools of Excellence program in 2020. Together, they explore how Mel built stronger connections within her team, shifted her mindset from chaos to growth, and implemented practical systems that foster a healthier work-life balance. Key Topics Discussed: The vitality of cultivating social connection within school staff for creating a healthy, supportive environment. How leadership development rooted in mindset shifts and strong foundational values is essential for sustainable growth. Practical time management systems, like time-blocking, allow leaders to balance professional responsibilities and personal well-being. The importance of trusting the value of your program and investing in its growth and its effects on effective advocacy for school resources. Embracing difficult conversations as an opportunity for growth strengthens school leadership and relationships. Mel's journey offers valuable lessons for any early education leader seeking sustainable growth and a thriving school culture. We support ECE leaders like you to grow their enrollment, retain their staff, and create freedom! To learn more about how to work with us, apply here for a call!https://airtable.com/app35MKA8diZnD2WQ/shrse1exQfLyrXszSLearn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/ More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.

A parent is standing at your school's front desk, full of questions about how your program will fit their family's unique needs. Now, multiply that by dozens of families, each with different backgrounds, expectations, and concerns.How do you speak to all of them with each of their individual needs?In this episode, Chanie introduces her Parent Archetypes Framework, helping schools decode the unique needs of families—from first-time parents to multicultural families and grandparent guardians. By tailoring communication and marketing strategies to each family type, schools can boost enrollment and foster stronger, lasting relationships with parents. Chanie also shares actionable steps for training staff to interact more effectively with each parent archetype, ensuring smooth operations and engaged communities.Key Topics Discussed: Identifying and supporting first-time parents, multicultural families, and grandparent guardians.Crafting marketing strategies that resonate with each parent archetype.Training staff to improve parent engagement and satisfaction.This episode provides a wealth of knowledge for school leaders aiming to enhance their marketing and communication strategies by truly understanding the diverse needs of their school's parent community.Learn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/ More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.

What do you do when two of your most trusted teachers have unexpectedly handed in their resignations? This is the reality of staff turnover faced by many school leaders.In this episode of the Schools of Excellence podcast, Chanie delves into the multifaceted issue of staff retention within early education centers. Drawing on her extensive research and hands-on experience, Chanie introduces the "Retention Intelligence Framework" and guides school leaders on how to build a positive and sustainable culture that caters to the diverse needs of their staff, ultimately reducing turnover.Key Topics Discussed: The significance of using real data to drive retention decisions in schools, moving away from assumptions and gut feelings. The seven key reasons why staff leave early education centers.How demographic mapping can inform more effective and personalized retention strategies.How to utilize the six channels of intelligence for gathering data on staff retention to discover meaningful insights and improve staff retention. The five pillars necessary for creating a strong culture of retention, focusing on community, work-life harmony, accountability, contribution, and promotion. Ready to reduce staff turnover in your school? We support ECE leaders like you to grow their enrollment, retain their staff, and create freedom! To learn more about how to work with us, apply here for a call!https://airtable.com/app35MKA8diZnD2WQ/shrse1exQfLyrXszSLearn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/ More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.

Making decisions when leading in the school system can feel like a storm, and with the economic state of things, it can feel like the storm is only getting stronger.But… as you navigate the turbulent waters of school management, you may be surprised to find out that the right strategies can turn challenges into opportunities. In this episode of Schools of Excellence, Chanie breaks down critical strategies for early education leaders to optimize cash flow, manage enrollment challenges, and stand out in a competitive market. She shares actionable tips on aligning your calendar with profit-driven activities, leveraging underutilized spaces, and understanding your school's unique value proposition. Key Topics Discussed: How implementing strategies like increasing registration fees, accelerating accounts receivable, and renegotiating contracts boost cash flows. Strategically planning your calendar to focus on profit-driven events and lead generation in order to sustain enrollment growth. How to identify and repurpose underutilized areas in your school for additional revenue streams. The importance of making informed decisions based on hard data from parent surveys and market trends, rather than just anecdotal evidence. Tune in to learn how to navigate economic uncertainties while maximizing your school's profitability and strategic advance! Learn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/ More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.

I know you know that feeling of immense overwhelm when you look at the endless tasks on your school calendar. A pit in your stomach starts to form just by looking at everything you need to accomplish with such little time. But it doesn't always have to feel that way…In this episode, Chanie reveals the secrets to mastering calendar audits and making strategic decisions that align with your school's long-term goals. Through personal anecdotes and practical advice, Chanie illustrates how thoughtful decision-making can keep a school's operations aligned with its core priorities. By conducting regular audits, school leaders can identify blind spots, optimize their schedules, and stay focused on what truly matters. Key Discussion Points: The critical role of regular calendar audits in ensuring alignment with school goals and priorities. How to differentiate between anxious, hasty decisions and calm, strategic choices that drive long-term success. The impact of prioritization on your school's profitability, retention, and enrollment outcomes. Understanding and leveraging lead metrics to maintain accountability and focus within your school's operations. How the Schools of Excellence framework can help streamline your leadership practices, maximizing time and efficiency. Whether you're an anxious decision-maker or someone looking to fine-tune your scheduling practices, this episode offers invaluable insights into optimizing your time and resources!Learn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/ More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.

Struggling with school enrollment can feel like navigating a maze of challenges and stress, leaving you wondering if there's a clear path to attracting and retaining families.Join Chanie Wilschanski as she cuts through the confusion and reveals actionable strategies to transform your enrollment process, turning it from a daunting task into a streamlined, effective approach. Chanie goes over three key tactics that can drive immediate results and set the stage for long-term success. These tactics are also tailored to help create meaningful connections and attract new families for enrollment. Key Discussion Points:The effectiveness of tailoring incentives to the unique preferences of each family to significantly enhance referral programs.How to leverage face-to-face interactions by visiting local establishments like gyms, spas, and apartment buildings.Observing and listening effectively to community conversations can help school leaders refine their marketing strategies to address real concerns and attract new families. Tune in to learn how practical strategies can enhance your school's visibility and drive enrollment success!Learn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/ More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.

In the demanding world of early education, balancing professional challenges and personal life can feel overwhelming.So, how did Stacy Smith, founder of Big Timber Daycare, transform her childcare center into a thriving example of integrated leadership and personal fulfillment?Join Chanie Wilschanski as she and Stacy delve into the transformative effects of values-based leadership on both professional and personal realms. Stacy opens up about her journey in reshaping her approach to leading a childcare center, balancing business demands with personal life, and integrating effective strategies for sustainable success. Listeners will gain actionable insights on leading with integrity, managing challenges, and aligning personal values with professional goals.Key Discussion Points: How leading with core values can shape both professional success and personal fulfillment.Strategies for integrating effective business practices with maintaining personal wellness.Insights into the specific hurdles faced in running a childcare center and how to address them.Practical advice for ensuring personal values and career objectives are in harmony.Tune in to discover actionable strategies for aligning your leadership approach with core values, balancing business and personal well-being, and overcoming the unique challenges of early education.Learn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/ More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.

When I lived in New York, I spent a lot of time inside during the winter because I didn't want to freeze my face.But here in Florida, it's the exact opposite.I find myself indoors all summer because I don't want to melt.My older kids are away at camp, and Mayer's and my work schedules both have a little bit more flexibility.We've started a family tradition of using the summer to assess our household.Is there maintenance we need to do on the house?Do we want to cancel some streaming subscriptions?How will we give back to our community in the next 12 months?It will always inconvenience someone for us to pause and go through our household assessments. Maybe we'll be without a washer for a few days as a new one gets put in, or maybe we'll take the morning off work to guide a handyman through the house.But summer is the least inconvenient time to go through these upgrades and tweaks.Schools follow a similar pattern.Even if you run summer programs, there are usually fewer people in the building this time of year.Families go on vacation. Teachers might take off time to travel. Kids are at Disney World or at their grandparents' house out of state.Plus, you're in the perfect position to reflect on what went well last school year, and what didn't.That makes right now the ideal moment to enhance your school leadership through audits, assessments, and evaluations.In this week's podcast episode, I discuss the types of school audits that might be right for you and why summer is the perfect time to take on this project.Join me for a conversation about:Qualities of summertime that make it ideal for reflection and strategic planningTypes of audits you may wish to consider for your school this summerAstute questions to ask yourself as you evaluate what's working and what's notA shortcut to prevent you from reinventing the wheel when it comes to school auditsLearn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/ Going through school audits can feel super overwhelming. If you apply for our Owner's HQ and Director's Inner Circle membership programs, you'll learn the next best steps to keep you strategic and calm. As a member, you'll gain access to tools, resources, coaching, and community to help you build a school of excellence.If your audit finds a big hole in your processes or a massive opportunity to shift your systems, I'd love to support your next steps. During a Schools of Excellence Leadership Day Intensive, you'll get a full day of on-demand, in-school training with me, plus various accountability check-ins, to help you and your team work through obstacles and build a stronger, healthier center that values self-care. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/leadership/More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and...

One of my clients is a school owner who hired a new director to lead a brand-new location.In the beginning, the director was doing a great job.But then she started to fall short… including on tasks that were not all that complicated.The owner was concerned the director was acting helpless, especially when it came to her regular duties.She said to me, “Chanie, I don't know what to do. What do I tell her? How do I train her?”If she wanted to invest in this director, I suggested she take her out to breakfast. Spend some time getting to know her, human to human.So they went out to breakfast.It wasn't a one-on-one meeting. It wasn't a performance review. It was not an interrogation.It was a chance for them to build a relationship outside the context of work, over coffee and a relaxing meal.It went so well, they decided to keep it up every month for the next six months.As the owner got to know her director better, and the more she came to understand who she was as a person, the owner became more empathetic.And that empathy caused something surprising to happen:The more empathetic the owner became towards her director, the less afraid she was to hold her accountable.Knowing what's going on with someone can actually make it easier to hold them accountable because you're better able to express both expectations and empathy. Candor and kindness.Before they knew it, the director had extricated herself from her helplessness, and she was back to being a high-performing professional.In this week's podcast episode, I'm discussing ways you, as an ECE leader, can guide your staff out of those sneaky feelings of helplessness, while boosting morale and creating a healthier school.Join me for a conversation about:The six main reasons your teammates could fall into a state of helplessnessWhy certain factors lead to feelings of helplessnessHow you can take proactive steps to prevent your staff from feeling helplessWays to coach your staff out of a state of helplessness while keeping morale highLearn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/ If you are feeling overwhelmed and helpless as a school leader, I encourage you to apply for our Owner's HQ and Director's Inner Circle membership programs. Inside, you'll gain access to tools, resources, coaching, and community that will help you build a school of excellence.Is there a helplessness epidemic at your school? It's time to shift the culture. During a Schools of Excellence Leadership Day Intensive, you'll get a full day of on-demand, in-school training with me, plus various accountability check-ins, to help you and your team work through obstacles and build a stronger, healthier center that values self-care. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/leadership/More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that

I remember when I got my first W2 job when I was 19.I was so proud and excited.I was working hard, showing up every day, and doing my best.But when I got that first paycheck, my heart sank.I thought, “There's something wrong. This is not the amount that was in my contract.”I went to my boss and gently let her know about the mistake.Little did I know there was no mistake.She showed me the other side of the paycheck, with taxes, benefits, and withholdings.It was Greek to me. I had no idea how the working world operated.When I look back at that memory, I cringe.And I honestly hope you cringe at your past self, too.Because if you're cringing by looking back, that means you've grown a whole lot in the intervening years.Just remember, some of your employees are new to the ECE field—or are new to working in general, just like I was at 19.You've hired a teacher for whom you have high expectations.And they want to meet those expectations. But before they can master classroom management and parent communication and curriculum planning…They need to know the basics.Where's the bathroom? How do they clock in? Where are the supplies?In this week's podcast episode, I invite you to temper your expectations while maintaining your high standards.I want to encourage you to define and then tolerate “good enough” for long enough, so you can build a school of excellence.Join me for a conversation about:Why setting realistic expectations fosters an environment of growthHow to determine what “good enough” means for each employee Ideas for supporting teachers in achieving good enough without sacrificing high standardsWhy growing through the learning curve cultivates better employee performance in the long runLearn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/ If perfectionism is your middle name, and you're open to a loving reality check that ultimately benefits your teachers, your center, and you, I encourage you to apply for our Owner's HQ and Director's Inner Circle membership programs. As a member, you'll gain access to tools, resources, coaching, and community that will help you as you work toward building a school of excellence. Are you adjusting how you onboard new staff at your school and you are craving support as you adjust your expectations? Allow me to help. During a Schools of Excellence Leadership Day Intensive, you'll get a full day of on-demand, in-school training with me, plus various accountability check-ins, to help you and your team work through obstacles and build a stronger, healthier center that values self-care. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/leadership/More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical...

Big decisions are tough.I was speaking with one of my clients who was considering letting a director go.There was a clear mismatch of values between the director and the school.Everything the owner had tried to get the director on track had failed.And yet if she fired the director, the owner would have to expand her workload. She would get stuck doing all the director's tasks, even though she was already tired. Plus, she would have to go through the exhausting process of hiring a replacement.It all sounded like too much.While she knew there was a discrepancy in values, she was considering continuing to put up with it.I invited her to journal about the situation.On the left side of her page, I asked her to write “What do my fear and my ego say?”On the right side of her page, I asked her to write, “What does my higher self say?”She spent some time expressing her thoughts on paper.It gave her the clarity she needed: it was vital that she let the director go.After journaling, she had so much more clarity, assurance, poise, and ease around the decision and the challenging conversation to follow.Journaling is one of the great strategies I use for managing the challenging—and often conflicting—emotions that come up when we have to make big decisions.In this week's podcast episode, I discuss additional methods of navigating complex emotions while we're in the decision-making process.Join me for a conversation about:How mindfulness can impact your ability to make wise decisionsA calendaring strategy that encourages decision breakthroughsWhy speedy decision-making doesn't correlate to intelligence or wisdomWays to assess when you need to make the decisionLearn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/ Decision-making is a key leadership skill that isn't as intuitive as it sounds. For continuous coaching and support, I encourage you to apply for our Owner's HQ and Director's Inner Circle membership programs. As a member, you'll gain access to tools, resources, coaching, and community that will help you as you work toward building a school of excellence.Are you facing a big decision right now? Are you looking for support as you make a significant shift? During a Schools of Excellence Leadership Day Intensive, you'll get a full day of on-demand, in-school training with me, plus various accountability check-ins, to help you and your team build a stronger, healthier center. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/leadership/More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.Mentioned in this episode:School Leadership ToolkitSchool Leadership...

During my second year of teaching, I was only 20 years old.Our school had teachers do home visits before the school year started, so the child could get to know their teacher before entering the classroom.I remember one home visit distinctly because the child's mom came on so strong.“How old are you? Do you have a college degree? Are you in a relationship? Have you ever provided childcare before?”She interrogated me.I remember thinking, “This woman's going to eat me alive!”The insecurity I felt is really common for new teachers. They don't know how to be a leader yet, and they're too green to conduct themselves with discretion and grace.On the other hand, veteran teachers have a lot more self-assurance because of their years of experience.In this week's podcast episode, I'm talking about the difference between new and veteran teachers when it comes to leadership and decision-making. Join me for a conversation about:The pros and cons of both types of teachers when it comes to curriculum planningTypes of classroom management guidance you can offer veteran and new teachersInherent advantages veteran teachers have when it comes to parent communicationGuidance you can provide new teachers when it comes to crises and professional boundariesLearn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/ Nurturing your staff is an ongoing endeavor, and there's no one-size-fits-all solution. For continuous coaching and support, I encourage you to apply for our Owner's HQ and Director's Inner Circle membership programs. As a member, you'll gain access to tools, resources, coaching, and community that will help you as you work toward building a school of excellence.As you discern how to best guide and show appreciation for both veteran and new staff, you may be looking for personalized ideas and guidance. During a Schools of Excellence Leadership Day Intensive, you'll get a full day of on-demand, in-school training with me, plus various accountability check-ins, to help you and your team build a stronger, healthier center. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/leadership/More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.Mentioned in this episode:School Leadership ToolkitSchool Leadership Toolkit: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/toolkit/School Leadership ToolkitSchool Leadership ToolkitSchool Leadership Toolkit: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/toolkit/

Learn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/ Get access to the Classroom Management Blueprint here: https://discovered.thrivecart.com/the-classroom-management-blueprint/More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.Mentioned in this episode:School Leadership ToolkitSchool Leadership Toolkit: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/toolkit/School Leadership ToolkitSchool Leadership ToolkitSchool Leadership Toolkit: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/toolkit/

Recently, I was reading an article in the Journal of Human Resources that highlighted a difference in the teaching practices between veteran teachers and new teachers. Veteran teachers demonstrate confidence and expertise in the classroom. They're experienced, and they love to be recognized for what they've brought to your school.New teachers are more likely to experiment and innovate, especially when it comes to integrating technology into the class. They're searching for mentorship and validation.Both are so valuable for any school. One is silver and the other gold.This week, I'm kicking off a new three-part series in the podcast about the differences between veteran and new staff in ECE schools. Our focus in the first episode is how the two groups manage parent and child engagement.Join me for a conversation about:Key indicators regarding whether someone is a veteran or a new staff memberHow you, as a leader, can support both veteran and new staff at your school as they interact with parents and childrenPros and cons to both groups' approaches and what they can learn from each otherWhy one-size-fits-all approaches aren't going to work for your staffHow you can break down your biases and create a supportive environment for all staffLearn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/ Want to boost your leadership skills so you can be a better mentor for the veteran and new staff under your care? I encourage you to apply for our Owner's HQ and Director's Inner Circle membership programs. As a member, you'll gain access to tools, resources, coaching, and community that will help you build and grow a thriving school of excellence. If you're seeking ways to better support all the staff at your center, regardless of how long they've worked with you, I'd love to help you. During a Schools of Excellence Leadership Day Intensive, you'll get a full day of on-demand, in-school training with me, plus various accountability check-ins, to help you and your team work through obstacles and build a stronger, healthier center. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/leadership/More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.Mentioned in this episode:School Leadership ToolkitSchool Leadership Toolkit: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/toolkit/School Leadership ToolkitSchool Leadership Toolkit: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/toolkit/School Leadership Toolkit

In 2019, Kathy owned three ECE centers near Richmond, Virginia. She felt a lot of empathy for the dedicated women who worked in her school. They always were the kind of people who would always give, give, give without receiving in return. They were burning the midnight oil and without inner peace. That meant burnout was on the horizon.Kathy knew she couldn't guide them as a leader just yet, because she was exactly the same.She was running herself ragged wearing all the hats in her school.When she reached her breaking point, she realized that work can always come and go, but family and her own health can't. She needed to prioritize her well-being.This caused a culture shift at her school. “If I'm going to make time for my family and myself, I need to give my staff time for their family and themselves too,” she said.Today, she owns five centers. Despite the expansion, she's gained more balance, self-care, and boundaries than ever, allowing her, her colleagues, and her school to thrive.In this week's podcast episode, I speak with Kathy about her leadership journey over the last three decades, and how she has completely transformed herself and her school.Join us for a conversation about:What Kathy wishes she'd known thirty years ago when she entered the fieldHow she improved time management and productivity with systems and technologyWhy compassion and community are integral to Kathy's leadership growthHow she's thinking about the future as she and her husband build their legacyHow she got the most out of her coaching experience with Schools of ExcellenceLearn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/ If Kathy's story resonates with you and you suspect you'd go farther with a like-minded community and laser-focused personal mentoring, I encourage you to apply for our Owner's HQ and Director's Inner Circle membership programs. As a member, you'll gain access to tools, resources, coaching, and community that will help you as you work toward building a school of excellence.If you and your leadership team are wearing all the hats, and you know you need to shuffle your company culture, allow me to help. During a Schools of Excellence Leadership Day Intensive, you'll get a full day of on-demand, in-school training with me, plus various accountability check-ins, to help you and your team work through obstacles and build a stronger, healthier center that values self-care. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/leadership/More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.Mentioned in this episode:School...

Recently, I was speaking with an owner who was opening a second location.Despite this being an exciting time for her school, she was drowning in shame.“Chanie, I keep starting and stopping, starting and stopping,” she told me.I asked her what she meant.She told me she felt ashamed that she couldn't be consistent with her decisions. “I keep creating policies, implementing them, then getting pushback, and changing the policy again. I feel like I'm always backing out of my commitments.”First of all, there's wisdom in flexibility, and sometimes updating a policy is the right step.But in this owner's case, she needed to build her self-trust so she could banish the shame.And she was taking the perfect next step by exposing her difficult emotions in a conversation with me.Shame thrives in the dark, but it withers in the light.When you share your shame with a trusted mentor or community, it doesn't seem so insurmountable anymore. This is what it means to win in the dark when it comes to shame.Join me in the podcast this week for a conversation about:Why shame and anger are common emotions for school leadersWhat promotes the growth of shame and anger, and conversely, what loosens their gripWhat your anger is telling you and to what extent you should listenHow to win in the dark by finding constructive ways to proceed around your angerReal-life examples of how school leaders have overcome shame and anger, and managed to cultivate community and collaborationLearn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/ Don't let shame thrive in the dark. Shine a light on it by joining a genuinely supportive community. You'll loosen shame's grip on your heart as you learning it's safe to be vulnerable with like-minded school leaders who truly get it. Please apply for our Owner's HQ and Director's Inner Circle membership programs, where you'll gain access to tools, resources, coaching, and community that will help you as you work toward building a school of excellence. If you want the guidance of a caring, experienced mentor as you navigate challenging emotions, I welcome you to work with Schools of Excellence through a Leadership Day Intensive. You'll get a full day of on-demand, in-school training and discussions with me, plus various accountability check-ins, to help you and your team build a stronger, healthier center. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/leadership/More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.Mentioned in this episode:School Leadership ToolkitSchool Leadership Toolkit:...

Learn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/ More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.Mentioned in this episode:Strategic Summer WorkshopTo learn more and sign up here: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/summerStrategic Summer WorkshopStrategic Summer WorkshopTo learn more and sign up here: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/summerStrategic Summer Workshop

My client, Jaycee, was doing something truly amazing. She'd worked hard and put in extra hours to build a culture of teacher collaboration.As a result, there was unity within the staff, and children's learning and engagement soared.She was really pleased with the outcome.…But no one else seemed to notice.She brought the question to the Schools of Excellence community for owners and directors. She kept reassuring us, “I am happy! This is exactly what I wanted.” And then she'd add, “I just wish other people knew.”However, the experience of sharing her unseen efforts and the endurance it required to lead with impact (but without acknowledgment), was enough.She discovered she didn't need accolades from teachers or parents because she had a safe community and because the end result was intrinsically rewarding.I want to go deeper into the topic of winning in the dark—the phenomenon of discreetly or invisibly achieving success and overcoming challenges.This week, I'm unveiling the first episode of a three-part series on the Schools of Excellence Podcast about winning in the dark.In this week's podcast episode, I'm beginning the discussion with an exploration of the concepts of enoughness and worthiness.It's common to hinge your self-worth on what praise and acknowledgment you receive. If you achieve your goal, but no one notices, are you still satisfied? Do you try to fill the void by going on to the next project before you take a few weeks or months to appreciate what you've accomplished?If this sounds like you, you may have an opportunity to build up your sense of enoughness and worthiness.Join me in the podcast this week for a conversation about:How to discern whether you are struggling with enoughnessCommon external pressures that can impact how worthy you feelWhy winning in the dark is especially challenging in the age of social mediaThe gap between intellectually and emotionally knowing you're enoughStrategies for how to become unshakeable in your self-trustLearn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/ Spoiler alert: One of the key strategies for building self-trust and worthiness is to join a supportive community. By sharing your wins with like-minded school leaders who truly get it, you'll find the quiet recognition you crave. I encourage you to apply for our Owner's HQ and Director's Inner Circle membership programs. As a member, you'll gain access to tools, resources, coaching, and community that will help you as you work toward building a school of excellence.Having an engaged and insightful mentor is a great way to guide you through the quiet obstacles that eventually lead to winning in the darkness. Work through your current biggest challenge with a Schools of Excellence Leadership Day Intensive. You'll get a full day of on-demand, in-school training with me, plus various accountability check-ins, to help you and your team build a stronger, healthier center. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/leadership/More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of

I'm one of the few people who actually enjoys public speaking.Walking onto a stage excites me, and I gain a lot of energy from interacting with a crowd.But I know I'm an outlier.Most people panic when they're asked to give a thought-provoking response in front of the whole staff with no advanced warning.You can avoid this reaction in your staff meetings while creating a more thoughtful gathering. My suggestion is to prepare a handful of teachers ahead to be called on—and let them know the question early.This is one of the tips I provide in my latest podcast episode about leading a productive, curated final staff meeting of the school year.Join me for a conversation about how to:Discern what needs to be discussed in a meeting versus in an emailEmpower your team to learn from their frustrations and embrace innovationNavigate challenges without relying on auto-pilot and “the way we've always done it”Collaborate to bring future aspirations into reality as the next year gets underwayCo-create tangible reminders of positive memories from the school yearLearn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/ As you reflect on the 2023-2024 school year, you may wish you'd had more like-minded community or personalized support. If so, I encourage you to start the next year on the right foot by applying now for the Schools of Excellence Director's Inner Circle or Owner's HQ membership program. Inside, you'll receive ongoing tools, coaching, and an engaged community that will help you work toward building a school of excellence.Every school is unique, which is why I also offer an option for short-term super-individualized support for you and your school. During your Leadership Day Intensive, you'll get a full day of on-demand, in-school training with me, plus various accountability check-ins, to help you and your center thrive. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/leadership/ More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.Mentioned in this episode:Strategic Summer WorkshopTo learn more and sign up here: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/summerStrategic Summer WorkshopStrategic Summer WorkshopTo learn more and sign up here: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/summerStrategic Summer Workshop

In January, the internet was full of cute memes about going back to the gym, eating salads, and recommitting to your health.At the end of the calendar year, school leaders often take a look at fiscal performance and next year's goals.But right now, as the school year comes to a close, we tend to focus on the next thing. Our brains are already in summer mode. We are entering a new season for our lives and our schools.But what if, before jumping head-first into what's next, we took a moment to breathe?What if we paused for self-reflection?The quality of your life is determined, in large part, by the quality of the questions you ask yourself.This week on the podcast, I want to invite you to self-reflect with some thought-provoking questions you won't hear anywhere else.Join me for a conversation about:Significance: What gives your work significance? Is that changing as you grow as a leader? Is there anything you need to let go of?Impact: What is the effect of your leadership, decisions, and actions on your school and its stakeholders?Relationships: How well do you understand the needs of your team members and the families at your school? How well do you meet those needs?Vision: At your current breakneck pace, will your 70th birthday be the first time you have a chance to think about the legacy you're creating through your work?Personal Growth: How are you being intentional about growing as a leader? After all, the world keeps changing, and so do we.Learn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/ Ready to define your own metrics of success within a supportive environment of like-minded school leaders? Apply for the Schools of Excellence Director's Inner Circle or Owner's HQ membership program. Inside, you'll receive tools, coaching, and an engaged community that will help you build a school of excellence.With individualized coaching, you can learn even more ways to evaluate success. For personalized support for you and your school, let's work together in a Leadership Day Intensive. You'll get a full day of on-demand, in-school training with me, plus various accountability check-ins, to help you and your center thrive. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/leadership/More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.Mentioned in this episode:Strategic Summer WorkshopTo learn more and sign up here: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/summerStrategic Summer WorkshopStrategic Summer WorkshopTo...

In 2020, everyone's world turned upside-down Sioux Falls school owner Cayla Rush knew there was too much on her plate as the pandemic began, but she didn't see an alternative. She felt it was her responsibility to make countless decisions that could impact the health and well-being of her staff, herself, and the families she served.“My self-trust was shaken,” she told me. “Before 2020, I felt like I could trust myself to make decisions. But then that went out the window.”That's when we met. Instead of allowing herself to remain stuck, Cayla joined the Schools of Excellence Owner's HQ. I've had the privilege of watching her grow into a transformed leader over the years.Today, she is confident, resilient, and discerning.She's hired a great leadership team, pursues big dreams, and has learned how to coach her colleagues.She even got a beautiful tattoo of the word “Breathe” to remind her of a big takeaway from the Schools of Excellence community. When she takes a deep breath and sits in the silence and discomfort, she hears her inner voice.In this week's podcast episode, I sit down for a conversation with Cayla about her leadership journey.Join us to learn more about:Quick wins Cayla achieved when she first joined the communityHow she turned her impostor syndrome into a deep sense of belongingThe impact of personalized coaching on her school's growth and her personal growth as a leaderSteps she has taken to reject hustle culture in favor of resilience and wisdomLearn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/ If you want to overcome self-doubt, impostor syndrome, and hustle culture within a supportive environment, apply for the Schools of Excellence Director's Inner Circle or Owner's HQ membership program. Inside, you'll receive tools, coaching, and a like-minded community of school leaders to help build a school of excellence.If Cayla's story sounds like your autobiography, I invite you to work with me through a Leadership Day Intensive. You'll get a full day of on-demand, highly personalized, in-school training with me, plus various accountability check-ins, to help you and your center thrive. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/leadership/More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.

Have you seen Forbes' 30 Under 30 and 40 Under 40 lists?They feature the brightest, shiniest, hardest-working entrepreneurs. These individuals embody hustle, grind, and achievement.It would be exciting to get on one of those lists, right?Let's step back for a moment.When you're 40 years old, or even 50, 60, 70, or 80, your school will still be there. You have your whole life to be an owner or director. As I like to say, “I'm playing the decades game.”So who says you have to hit a certain level of success before a particular age?Running your school may not be a finite opportunity, but being present for your current season of life is.If you're raising young kids, caring for an aging parent, planning a wedding, or anything else that's important to you, you will only be in this season of life for so long.Once the door on your current season of life closes, it will never open again. Treasure the season of life you're in.Meanwhile, the school will still be there. It's a constant in your life.Now, don't misunderstand me; I'm not saying you shouldn't have big ambitions. In fact, this is an extremely common misconception among school leaders. They think that schools with a slower pace will achieve less. So they eat lunch at their desks, burn the midnight oil, and run themselves to exhaustion in order to meet their goals.What they don't realize is that rest, calm, and peace give you the breathing room you need to take stock, make intentional decisions, and take more meaningful actions.Simply put, you can accomplish more, at a more sustainable pace, when you do less.Last week on the Schools of Excellence Podcast, I talked about what causes a culture of urgency in schools.In this week's episode, I'm discussing how you can create calm and banish the urgency once and for all.Join me for a conversation about:Why calmness is the key to meaningful progressVital characteristics leaders need to adopt a culture of calmTechniques you can implement in your school to cultivate well-beingMindset shifts you can begin to embody today that will make a differenceHow a culture of calm opens you up to incredible opportunitiesLearn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/ Creating the calm in your school won't happen overnight. If you could use support, book a Leadership Day Intensive. You'll get a full day of on-demand, in-school training with me, plus various accountability check-ins, to help you and your center thrive during your transformation. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/leadership/If you're looking for ongoing, personalized support as you shift your school's culture, apply for the Schools of Excellence Director's Inner Circle or Owner's HQ membership program. Inside, you'll receive tools, coaching, resources, and access to a thriving community that will help you work towards building a school of excellence. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/leadership/More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher

Learn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/ More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.Mentioned in this episode:School Leadership ToolkitSchool Leadership Toolkit: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/toolkit/School Leadership Toolkit

Summer is coming, faster than we could have anticipated. Have you figured out what you and your family are doing for the break?“What are your summer plans?” It sounds like a simple question—one you'll probably get asked a bunch over the coming weeks—but the reality is anything but easy.If you're feeling panic or irritation at having to make yet another decision about summer break (or even what's for dinner), that's because there is a whole world of invisible labor that goes into every single choice. My friend, you are experiencing some very real decision fatigue.In this week's podcast episode, I'm discussing the mountains of invisible labor that go into decision-making, so you can better protect your energy for the decisions that really matter.Join me for a conversation about:Five steps of decision-making you may not realize you're already experiencingThree types of invisible, draining labor that go into making choicesWhy decision fatigue, emotional factors, and information overload compound the difficulty of choicesConcrete ways you can reduce your mental load and make decisions more judiciouslyLearn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/ A common frustration I see in school leaders is overwhelm when they are making multiple large decisions at once. For instance, they might be onboarding a lot of new parents while also changing software or switching curriculum. If this sounds like you, let's talk during a Leadership Day Intensive. You'll get a full day of on-demand, in-school training with me, plus various accountability check-ins, to help you and your center thrive during this busy time. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/leadership/If you're feeling completely overwhelmed by decisions and wish you could have regular heart-to-hearts with like-minded school leaders about the challenges inherent in your work, apply for the Schools of Excellence Director's Inner Circle or Owner's HQ membership program. Inside, you'll receive tools, coaching, resources, and access to a thriving community that will help you work towards building a school of excellence. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.Mentioned in this episode:School Leadership ToolkitSchool Leadership Toolkit: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/toolkit/School Leadership Toolkit

Learn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/ More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.

When my business was new, I was in the practice of waking up at 5:00am to work on some big, exciting projects. I would reply to emails and write content while my house was asleep, so I could get some focused work time in.But when I had my fourth child, Yossi, I suddenly could no longer set an alarm for 5:00am and expect to be productive—because I was also waking up at 12:00am, at 2:00am, at 4:00am, and at 6:00am to care for my baby.I often talk about respecting the season of life you're in, and pre-Yossi and post-Yossi's birth were two different seasons of my life. It was important for me to adjust my expectations and priorities accordingly, without getting stuck in guilt, shame, or regret.In this episode of The Schools of Excellence podcast, I am doing something a little different. Instead of sharing my stories and thoughts, I'm giving you space for reflection and questions about your own life. I ask questions like:If you are in a season of grief and loss, who is in your support system?If you are a school leader who is also raising young kids, how are you defining and evaluating the quality of time versus the quantity of time you spend with each of your children?For leaders navigating a health challenge, do your career goals align with your health challenges, and does it make sense to realign them?When leaders are caretaking loved ones, such as aging parents, are there time-wasting activities that could be minimized to make time for essential responsibilities?Learn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: http://Chanie.me/jointhedic More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.Mentioned in this episode:School Leadership ToolkitSchool Leadership Toolkit: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/toolkit/School Leadership Toolkit

“We were only closed for two weeks when the pandemic started, but I swear it felt like we were closed for four months.”This is what Paige Kepner, Glen Allen, VA center owner, told me during a recent conversation.I find this is such a common experience for school leaders when they're in the midst of a crisis. The sheer amount of pressure, communication, decision-making, and information-gathering that happened in March, 2020 (and beyond), was overwhelming for school leaders. Not to mention the amount of energy they had to give to protecting their own families.Paige had a five-year-old, a seven-month-old, and an empty center. She lost 60-70% of their enrollment in just a few days.It was so stressful, she was literally having nightmares about drowning.That's when we met. She joined the Schools of Excellence Owner's HQ in 2020 for coaching support, and we started with bite-sized actions to help rebuild her center and her confidence.One of the lessons that really stuck with her was the analogy of the lobster, which gets uncomfortable as it grows into its shell. The bigger it becomes, the more miserable it is, until finally the old shell molts and it emerges with a fresh, new shell.In the same way, we have to sit with discomfort as we are stretched by the unique challenges that come with school leadership. But if we can persevere, we can come out on the other end transformed.In this week's podcast episode, hear directly from Paige about her experience of going from drowning to soaring. Join us for a conversation about:- Why Paige chose to invest in her team during a surprising time- Her system for storing valuable information for future challenges- How she has shifted her mindset around school culture and become a stronger leader- The value of like-minded community for PaigeLearn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: http://Chanie.me/jointhedic More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.Mentioned in this episode:School Leadership ToolkitSchool Leadership Toolkit: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/toolkit/School Leadership Toolkit

A director I was coaching a few weeks ago told me about a repeat problem that kept coming up in her center. She was constantly being interrupted by teachers coming to her office asking for help with little things. She was glad to support them, but it was getting to a point where she couldn't focus on her own tasks.Her own behavior—going out of her office to give them what they asked for, every single time—was enabling their behavior and dependency, instead of empowering them to be resourceful.We want to be encouraging leaders with all the answers, but there's a paradox here. We have to balance this urge to provide on-demand support with the necessity of giving our teams the environment to develop autonomy, independence, and individual growth.This week, join me for a conversation about:Why support is related to people pleasing and anxietyHow the paradox of support shows up in education, such as the push-and-pull between dependency and empowermentThree practical ways you can balance support with autonomyJournaling questions to investigate how you can navigate the paradox of support​Want a written summary of this episode?Grab it here: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/paradoxLearn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/ When certain aspects of our center spiral out of our control, we can either attempt to wrestle control back, or we can cultivate long-term stability and resilience. As you sit with the discomfort of the paradox of control, I would be honored to support you. During a Schools of Excellence Leadership Day Intensive, you'll get a full day of on-demand, in-school training and coaching with me, plus various accountability check-ins, to help you and your team work through the paradoxes of leadership. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/leadership/If you're looking for the ongoing guidance, camaraderie, and support of a community of like-minded leaders as you grow as a leader, apply for our Owner's HQ and Director's Inner Circle membership programs. As a member, you'll gain access to tools, resources, coaching, and community that will help you build a school of excellence. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.Mentioned in this episode:School Leadership ToolkitSchool Leadership Toolkit: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/toolkit/School Leadership Toolkit

Recently, I was speaking with a school owner who was selling a location. She had truly done her due diligence in her preparations for this moment, crossing every T and dotting every I. The only thing left to do was to inform her team.Feeling anxiety about the conversation, she came to me for coaching and guidance. Many coaches might give general advice about drinking water, going on a walk, or meditating. But she wasn't coming to me for help shaking off her nerves. She was looking for something deeper.So I asked her, “Do you believe that, because you checked every box, you can control the narrative, and your team should handle the news gracefully?”Yes, that was exactly what she was feeling.Then I told her she must accept the discomfort of the fact that she could not, in reality, control her team's response to the news.This is the paradox of control. We want control, but what we actually need is trust.Join me on the podcast for a conversation about:How the paradox of control manifests inside ECE centers, including your ownDrawing a distinction between control and influence, and why it matters for leadersHow to cultivate resilience and humanity by confronting the paradox of controlQuestions for deep reflection to help you become a stronger, wiser leader​Want a written summary of this episode?Grab it here: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/paradoxLearn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/ When certain aspects of our center spiral out of our control, we can either attempt to wrestle control back, or we can cultivate long-term stability and resilience. As you sit with the discomfort of the paradox of control, I would be honored to support you. During a Schools of Excellence Leadership Day Intensive, you'll get a full day of on-demand, in-school training and coaching with me, plus various accountability check-ins, to help you and your team work through the paradoxes of leadership. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/leadership/If you're looking for the ongoing guidance, camaraderie, and support of a community of like-minded leaders as you grow as a leader, apply for our Owner's HQ and Director's Inner Circle membership programs. As a member, you'll gain access to tools, resources, coaching, and community that will help you build a school of excellence. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.Mentioned in this episode:School Leadership ToolkitSchool Leadership Toolkit: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/toolkit/School Leadership...

Recently, I was on a coaching call with two ECE center owners.The first owner had just purchased her second location. This was a huge milestone for her, and she expected to feel accomplished. And yet, she was struggling to step into a double identity as both an owner and the director of the second site, until it could get fully staffed.The second owner had just sold her second location. She reflected back on when she had first purchased it, and at the time, she wondered if she was enough. Now that she sold it, she wondered the same thing.Success is a paradox. There's tension between achieving your aims and recognizing the path is not straightforward. Every time a school leader achieves certain goals—higher enrollment, new locations, greater profitability, more brand equity—these milestones come with their own challenges.Join me for the third episode in my podcast series about the paradoxes of school leadership, where we explore:How success leads to impostor syndrome and new hurdlesWhy leaders paradoxically protect themselves from successTangible ways success creates unique challenges for centersHow to redefine your definition of success as you progress in your leadershipActionable steps you can take to prepare for the pros and cons of successWant a written summary of this episode?Grab it here: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/paradoxLearn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/ When certain aspects of our center spiral out of our control, we can either attempt to wrestle control back, or we can cultivate long-term stability and resilience. As you sit with the discomfort of the paradox of control, I would be honored to support you. During a Schools of Excellence Leadership Day Intensive, you'll get a full day of on-demand, in-school training and coaching with me, plus various accountability check-ins, to help you and your team work through the paradoxes of leadership. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/leadership/P.P.S. If you're looking for the ongoing guidance, camaraderie, and support of a community of like-minded leaders as you grow as a leader, apply for our Owner's HQ and Director's Inner Circle membership programs. As a member, you'll gain access to tools, resources, coaching, and community that will help you build a school of excellence. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.Mentioned in this episode:Join Chanie for a LIVE 90-minute workshop on Thursday, February 29th at 11:30am EST! Register here: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/priorityresetPriority...

When's the last time you went to a huge buffet? While it seems like a treat to eat anything you want, you can't eat it all—and that means you have to choose. The number of decisions you have to make in the buffet line is totally overwhelming.In the same way, too many choices can feel paralyzing when it comes to our centers—for leadership, teachers, parents, and children.Will the kids play with blocks or go outside? Which parent-teacher communication system will we use? Which professional development option should we pick? Which curriculum will we choose? Which payroll system is best?Stop. Breathe.The truth is, there is no right answer. There is no perfect choice. This is the paradox of choice that confronts us as school leaders.This week, I invite you to explore the paradox of choice on the podcast, as we discuss:How to frame choices in terms of your valuesWhich frameworks can guide your decision-making processesThe inevitable grief and regret that can follow making a choiceLow-stakes ways to build resilience for high-stakes decisions​Want a written summary of this episode?Grab it here: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/paradoxLearn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/ I can give you frameworks galore, but that can't beat the individualized, laser-focused coaching support I offer during a Schools of Excellence Leadership Day Intensive. During the Intensive, you'll receive a full day of on-demand, in-school training with me, plus various accountability check-ins, to help you and your team make choices, while building a healthier, stronger center. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/leadership/For owners and directors who are looking for ongoing support in navigating the many choices that come along with school leadership, I invite you to apply to the Owner's HQ and Director's Inner Circle membership programs. As a member, you'll receive access to tools, resources, coaching, and community to support your efforts to build a school of excellence. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.Mentioned in this episode:Join Chanie for a LIVE 90-minute workshop on Thursday, February 29th at 11:30am EST! Register here: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/priorityresetPriority Reset WorkshopJoin Chanie for a LIVE 90-minute workshop on Thursday, February 29th at 11:30am EST! Register here: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/priorityresetPriority Reset Workshop

Learn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: http://Chanie.me/jointhedic More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.Mentioned in this episode:Subscribe to the 2024 ECE ForecastSubscribe to the 2024 ECE Forecast https://schoolsofexcellence.com/20242024 ECE ForecastSubscribe to the 2024 ECE Forecast Subscribe to the 2024 ECE Forecast https://schoolsofexcellence.com/20242024 ECE Forecast

In 2022, Catherine Doberstein had just started listening to my podcast. In an episode, I mentioned the live, in-person Summit of Excellence that was coming up, and she decided to attend.She told me, “I had been looking for a community of young business owners to be surrounded by, but I didn't realize there was a whole group of early childcare leaders who wanted a higher level of education for children. I knew this is where I needed to be.”Joining the Schools of Excellence Owner's HQ membership program created some significant changes in Catherine's school, the Little Scholars Academy of Kannapolis, NC. In this conversation, Catherine and I discuss:How she shifted from doing everything in her school (owner, director, and teacher) to becoming a confident leaderCatherine's journey from grinding for five days a week at her school, to only working two days per week, giving her more time with her familyStrategies Catherine put in place to create accountability within her teamHow she identified and communicated company values, which now inform all of her business decisionsHow she navigates challenges differently now than she did two years ago​Learn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/ Some challenges are easier to overcome with an outside perspective and focused, collaborative time. When you work with Schools of Excellence during a Leadership Day Intensive, you'll receive a full day of on-demand, in-school training with me, plus accountability check-ins, to help you and your team work through growing pains, and build a stronger, healthier center. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/leadership/If you, like Catherine, are seeking a community of like-minded childcare leaders, apply for our Owner's HQ and Director's Inner Circle membership programs. As a member, you'll gain access to tools, resources, coaching, and—best of all—community that will help you build a school of excellence. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.Mentioned in this episode:Subscribe to the 2024 ECE ForecastSubscribe to the 2024 ECE Forecast https://schoolsofexcellence.com/20242024 ECE ForecastSubscribe to the 2024 ECE Forecast Subscribe to the 2024 ECE Forecast https://schoolsofexcellence.com/20242024 ECE Forecast

Back in 2017, I had the immense pleasure of interviewing author and speaker Simon Sinek about how to be an effective leader. It's a topic that many people talk about but few can agree on.During the interview, I asked Simon to define what it means to be a leader. Rather than give me a simple statement, he chose to tell a story that I'll never forget.During his stay at the Four Seasons hotel in Las Vegas, Simon met a charming and enthusiastic barista named Noah. Noah's energy was so infectious that Simon felt compelled to ask him whether he liked his job.Noah's response was, "No—I love my job."He went on to explain that at the Four Seasons, his supervisors didn't make an appearance just to tell him what to do or to try to catch him making mistakes—like his other job at another well-known Las Vegas hotel (and reminiscent of many people's experience at work).Instead, his managers checked in with him frequently to ask how he was doing and what they could do to make his job easier. This not only made Noah enjoy his work more, but it also gave him the support he needed to do his job better.Powerful stuff, right?Simon's point in telling this story was to demonstrate what true leadership looks like, which is to take care of people.Because when you look out for the needs of your team, you don't need to micromanage, discipline, or fix problems. Your compassion and guidance alone give them the tools they need to be successful.In this week's podcast episode, I'm re-sharing my interview with Simon Sinek because it's a powerful conversation about leadership that I want to make sure you all hear.Join us for a conversation about:How to create an environment like Noah's at the Four SeasonsWhat it means to be a leaderWhich questions to ask yourself to uncover your whyHow you can be a student of leadershipAnd so much more!​Learn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/P.S. This episode dives into the true essence of leadership and touches on so many core concepts that we talk about with our members. If you like what you hear and want more opportunities to receive guidance and support that can transform your leadership, I encourage you to apply for our Owner's HQ and Director's Inner Circle membership programs. As a member, you'll gain access to tools, resources, coaching, and community that will help you as you work toward building a school of excellence.P.P.S. Inspired by what you've heard in this episode and want to help take your team's leadership to the next level? Inquire about a Leadership Day Intensive for your center. You'll get a full day of on-demand, in-school training with me, plus various accountability check-ins to help you and your team work through existing obstacles and build a stronger, healthier center. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/leadershipMore about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who...

Communication is about more than just your words.Years ago, when I was still working as a teacher, I was preparing for parent–teacher conferences with my mentor, Dana Levy. She was guiding me through a role-play exercise to help me feel more confident in my communication with parents.When I got to the part of the interaction where I was supposed to express some concerns about the child, Dana stopped me and asked me to step in front of the mirror before starting again.As I spoke in front of the mirror, I immediately noticed what Dana had observed: As soon as I reached the difficult part of the conversation, my entire body tensed up.It was like I became an open book, unintentionally revealing my negative emotions through my facial expressions and body language—something that would be sure to make the parents anxious.And chances are, this happens to some teachers at your center too.Preparing for parent–teacher conferences is about more than tips or templates—although these resources can be helpful.It requires practice and a holistic understanding of the parents' perspective so you can communicate both effectively and empathetically.In this week's podcast episode, I'm sharing a recording of a training session I conducted for leaders within our Director's Inner Circle membership program about how to prepare for parent–teacher conferences.Join me for a conversation about:How to conduct yourself during a parent-teacher conferenceWhat the parent perspective looks likeLanguage to avoid when talking about a childHow to structure the conference from beginning to endLearn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/This episode is a recording from a previous training session with our members. If you like what you hear and want more opportunities to receive guidance and support that can transform your leadership, I encourage you to apply for our Owner's HQ and Director's Inner Circle membership programs. As a member, you'll gain access to tools, resources, coaching, and community that will help you as you work toward building a school of excellence.Managing parent-teacher relationships is a common challenge for leaders. If this is something your team struggles with, I encourage you to inquire about a Leadership Day Intensive. You'll get a full day of on-demand, in-school training with me, plus various accountability check-ins to help you and your team work through existing obstacles and build a stronger, healthier center. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/leadershipMore about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.Mentioned in this episode:Subscribe to the 2024 ECE ForecastSubscribe to the 2024 ECE Forecast https://schoolsofexcellence.com/20242024 ECE ForecastSubscribe to the 2024 ECE Forecast...

When my husband Mayer and I moved to Florida, we had a pool for the first time ever. But as New Yorkers, we had no idea how to take care of it. So when we were told we didn't have to do much to maintain it, we took those words at face value.Over time, different parts of the pool started to break down, and we had no choice but to call a maintenance company to evaluate the situation.When they finally came to take a look, we were shocked at what they told us: We had to drain and reline the entire pool. A costly mistake.The thing is, it didn't have to be that way. Had we kept up with the proper maintenance all along, we wouldn't have had to pay for such a costly repair.We only had ourselves to blame.Sound familiar?Maintenance neglect is a common and costly problem for early childcare centers—something you really cannot afford in today's economic climate.It's crucial you find ways to address money leaks and close investment gaps so your center can thrive regardless of the state of the economy.This week's podcast episode is the final of a four-part series that breaks down the 2024 forecast for early childhood education. To close out our discussion, I'm talking about how you can navigate finances as you move into 2024 and beyond.Join me for a conversation about:Why owners are finding themselves in a financial crisisThe two major areas you need to address to increase your profit marginsHow to avoid scarcity-based decision-makingHow to make charitable giving a core part of your financial strategy​​Learn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: http://Chanie.me/jointhedic If you enjoy this episode and are looking for a space to continue exploring the next era of school leadership, consider applying for our Owner's HQ and Director's Inner Circle membership programs. As a member, you'll gain access to tools, resources, coaching, and community that will help you as you work toward building a school of excellence.Or, help your leadership team prepare for today's modern challenges with a Leadership Day Intensive. You'll get a full day of on-demand, in-school training with me, plus various accountability check-ins, to help you and your team work through obstacles and build a stronger, healthier center. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/leadership/More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.Mentioned in this episode:School Leadership ToolkitSchool Leadership Toolkit: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/toolkit/School Leadership Toolkit

When I was a new parent, I thought I could give my kids more by simply loving them more.Spoiler alert: I was mistaken.Don't get me wrong—my heart was in the right place. Like so many before me, I wanted to give my kids a life even better than the one I had experienced.But with time and maturity, I came to realize you can't give what you don't have.You can't pour into your kids if you don't first pour into yourself.The same can be said for your teachers at school.Since the pandemic, children have experienced significant delays in cognitive and behavioral development, and our collective solution has been to seek strategies and resources to address these growing concerns.But let me ask you this: How can teachers create the sort of safe and supportive environment that children need to grow and thrive if they can't create that for themselves?You can't give what you don't have, remember?Before we can look for solutions, we need to shift the focus to helping teachers regulate their own emotions so that they're better equipped to give children what they need.This week's podcast episode is the third in a four-part series that breaks down the 2024 forecast for early childhood education. It centers on how to cultivate healthy teacher–child relationships so your students and school can thrive.Join me for a conversation about:Why child relationships are such an important topic in 2024What experts have to say about child development in today's worldThe skills teachers need to cultivate healthy relationships with their studentsPractical strategies for how to make self-regulation a focal point this year​​Learn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: http://Chanie.me/jointhedic If you enjoy this episode and are looking for a space to continue exploring the next era of school leadership, consider applying for our Owner's HQ and Director's Inner Circle membership programs. As a member, you'll gain access to tools, resources, coaching, and community that will help you as you work toward building a school of excellence.Or, help your leadership team prepare for today's modern challenges with a Leadership Day Intensive. You'll get a full day of on-demand, in-school training with me, plus various accountability check-ins, to help you and your team work through obstacles and build a stronger, healthier center. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/leadership/More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.Mentioned in this episode:School Leadership ToolkitSchool Leadership Toolkit: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/toolkit/School Leadership Toolkit

Has someone ever told you to calm down?It's one of the most aggravating statements ever.Recently, I was having a conversation with my husband, Mayer, and things were getting a little heated. Before things got out of hand, I wanted to regulate myself so I could operate from a more level mindset. Instead of giving me the space to work through my emotions, Mayer decided it would be helpful in that moment to say "Calm down. It's not a big deal."When in the history of the world has it ever been helpful to tell someone to calm down?So I responded snarkily, "Okay, get taller. Just grow 5 more inches. It's not a big deal."Predictably, Mayer was confused. Of course, he couldn't do what I was asking.But here's the thing—neither could I!In the same way that Mayer couldn't grow 5 inches in a matter of seconds, I couldn't regulate myself at that very moment. Emotional regulation is a process that takes time.Why am I telling you this?Because the next time you see your staff on the receiving end of an upset parent's rampage, I want you to think twice before you tell them not to take it personally.The parenting landscape has changed drastically over the last several years, and your teachers deserve more than being told to calm down when dealing with the modern challenges of parent partnerships.They need you to step up and create an environment where they feel supported and empowered to foster meaningful relationships with parents in this new climate.This week's podcast episode is the second in a four-part series that breaks down the 2024 forecast for early childhood education. It centers on the shifting landscape of parent partnerships and what to consider as we move into the new year.Join me for a conversation about:How parent partnerships have evolved, especially since the pandemicThe impact of modern relationships on mental healthHow the shifting landscape is impacting teachers and turnoverThe key areas you should focus on as a leader in 2024Learn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: http://Chanie.me/jointhedic If you enjoy this episode and are looking for a space to continue exploring the next era of school leadership, consider applying for our Owner's HQ and Director's Inner Circle membership programs. As a member, you'll gain access to tools, resources, coaching, and community that will help you as you work toward building a school of excellence.Or, help your leadership team prepare for today's modern challenges with a Leadership Day Intensive. You'll get a full day of on-demand, in-school training with me, plus various accountability check-ins, to help you and your team work through obstacles and build a stronger, healthier center. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/leadership/More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and...

Are you living by your values?While you think that question over, let me tell you a story.In our family, generosity is a core value, and one of the ways in which we embody that value is by hosting members of the community in our home.So when the High Holiday was approaching this past year, our initial intention was to host two or three out of the four meals that take place over the holiday, just as we normally would.But when I realized that the Schools of Excellence Legacy Mastermind happened to fall on the same weekend as the start of the High Holiday, I had to take a step back and re-evaluate.Sure, I could stick to the original plan and spend the weekend hosting meals—that would be in alignment with my values, right?But values don't exist in a vacuum.If I were to neglect my commitments as a business owner in order to uphold my family's value of generosity, I wouldn't really be living by my values, would I?So instead, Mayer and I chose to host just one meal so I could balance my role as both a business owner and member of our community. It wasn't an easy decision, but it was the right one.When it comes to true leadership—especially in this day and age—solutions aren't black and white. Instead, leadership requires that you make hard choices and reserve enough energy to embody all of your values.Now we come back to you. Are you living by your values? Are you prepared to be a leader in today's world?In this week's podcast episode, I'll help you answer this question by exploring what it takes to be a leader in 2024 and beyond. It's the first in a four-part series that breaks down the 2024 forecast for early childhood education. Join me for a conversation about:The four critical areas shaping the next era of early childhood educationWhy traditional leadership strategies are no longer workingWhat it means to be a leader in today's worldHow we should approach modern leadershipLearn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: http://Chanie.me/jointhedic If you enjoy this episode and are looking for a space to continue exploring the next era of school leadership, consider applying for our Owner's HQ and Director's Inner Circle membership programs. As a member, you'll gain access to tools, resources, coaching, and community that will help you as you work toward building a school of excellence.Or, help your leadership team prepare for today's modern challenges with a Leadership Day Intensive. You'll get a full day of on-demand, in-school training with me, plus various accountability check-ins, to help you and your team work through obstacles and build a stronger, healthier center. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/leadership/More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every...

School leadership can be a lonely journey. When you're at the top of the org chart, it's your responsibility to support your team—meaning there's no one to catch you when it's you who has fallen down.That's the harsh reality that Mandy Moore came face-to-face with when she became the owner of her center, Steadfast Academy in Texas, a few years ago.Transitioning from director to owner was a difficult change. She had gone from having at least some semblance of support to suddenly having none at all.When COVID-19 hit just a few months later, Mandy's already unstable life was turned completely upside down, with no one to turn to in her time of need.It was at that point that Mandy came to a critical realization: If she was going to have any chance of surviving—let alone thriving—as an owner, she would need to find a support system.Fortunately, she found exactly what she was looking for in the Schools of Excellence Owner's HQ membership program, and it changed the trajectory of her leadership journey.In this week's podcast episode, I'm sitting down with owner Mandy Moore to talk about her experience in Owner's HQ and how finding community among other leaders helped her settle into her new role.Join us for a conversation about:The state of Mandy's center before joining Owner's HQHer experience as an owner after COVID-19 hitWhat she learned being part of a community of other owners How her leadership transformation has impacted her personal life​Learn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: http://Chanie.me/jointhedic Your leadership team can also struggle to find support and community, which can greatly impact their ability to lead from the center's values. You can help them work through this and other challenges with a Schools of Excellence Leadership Day Intensive. You'll get a full day of on-demand, in-school training with me, plus various accountability check-ins, to help you and your team work through obstacles and build a stronger, healthier center.If Mandy's story resonates with you and you, too, crave the guidance and support of a community of like-minded leaders, I encourage you to apply for our Owner's HQ and Director's Inner Circle membership programs. As a member, you'll gain access to tools, resources, coaching, and community that will help you as you work toward building a school of excellence.More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.

Last year, after speaking at a conference, I was contacted by, Sophie Kerr, the owner of Little Foxes Nursery School in Wiltshire, England, an early childcare center that believes in the power of strong role models in children's learning and development.She had heard me speak about B.R.I.D.G.E., the 6 key meta skills you need as a childcare center leader, and it immediately resonated with her.Although she had a strong team of directors, they were struggling in some crucial areas, like managing their calendars and having difficult conversations with staff, that were impacting the overall culture of the school.So, when she reached out to inquire more about leadership training for her team—Catherine, Amy, and Jen—I invited them to apply for our Director's Inner Circle membership program.I knew it was the perfect place for them to not only develop their leadership meta-skills, but get support from other directors who were experiencing the same struggles and working toward the same goals.But what I didn't expect was just how incredible it would be to watch each of their journeys unfold, side by side.The extent to which the program transformed their leadership in such distinctive and personal ways was powerful to see.That's why in this week's podcast episode, I'm sitting down with the Little Foxes team to hear their stories about how being in the Director's Inner Circle membership program has uniquely transformed their leadership and school cultures.Join us for a conversation about:Their leadership styles before joining the programTheir experience implementing the gratitude matrix, one-on-ones, and moreThe impact of their leadership on parents and familiesHow they've grown thanks to the program's resources, coaching, and communityLearn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: http://Chanie.me/jointhedic If you want to experience a leadership transformation like that of the Little Foxes team, I encourage you to apply for our Owner's HQ and Director's Inner Circle membership programs. As a member, you'll gain access to tools, resources, coaching, and community that will help you as you work toward building a school of excellence.P.P.S. Or, if you're looking for a more team-centered experience to elevate your circle of leaders, you could be a good fit for our Leadership Day Intensive. You'll get a full day of on-demand, in-school training with me, plus various accountability check-ins, to help you and your team transform your center's leadership and build a stronger, healthier culture. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/leadership More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.

When you write out a to-do list—whether for your team, your family, or yourself—does it give an accurate representation of everything that goes into completing each task?Take laundry, for example. When I put "do the laundry" on my to-do list, I would be kidding myself if I thought it was a one-step process.There's sorting, washing, drying, ironing, folding, putting the clothes away… and even that isn't an exhaustive list depending on the circumstances. Rather than an easy box to check, something like laundry can easily take an entire morning—or day.It's a perfect example of invisible labor—all the tasks that need to get done that nobody sees……at least, nobody but you.As a school leader, invisible labor is your middle name. Your brain is wired to consider the details, and you can't help but get bogged down in all the particulars of whatever task is at hand.So, when your team reports to you, thinking the best thing to do is to relay ALL the information possible, you get overwhelmed by things you don't need to worry about.You feel responsible for things you don't need to be responsible for.And the result is that you waste precious time and energy on things that won't help your center move forward.To ensure you're operating at optimal levels and focusing on the things that matter most, it's critical for you to educate your team on how to report to you.In this week's podcast episode, I'm talking about how to train your team to report effectively so you can keep your mind—and your schedule—clear for tasks that bring you closer to your goals.Join me for a conversation about:Why it's important to educate your team on proper reportingFinancial debt vs. time debtHow to discern what's truly important to knowAction steps to educate your teamLearn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: http://Chanie.me/jointhedic More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.

When my husband Mayer and I still lived in NYC, he held a position at a college that was highly demanding (to put it lightly).As part of his role, he was required to work 7 days a week, with very limited PTO. And when he did have time off, he fell ill—just like clockwork.That wasn't a coincidence.When we work ourselves to the bone without allowing ourselves proper time to rest and recover, we become more vulnerable to illness. Think of your well-being like a battery—if you don't plug it in to charge, eventually it's going to run out of power.As a school leader, I'm sure you know this better than anyone. After all, professionals in the field of education are especially prone to burnout.But what you may not realize is that recharging your battery is about more than taking a yearly vacation.Because if you only give yourself time away once or twice a year, that break ends up being spent in a desperate attempt to recover from burnout… …rather than experiencing genuine moments of aliveness and connection with the people you love.To move beyond survival mode and make the most of your time off for fun and travel, you need to plan for regular rest and recovery throughout the year.That way, you won't be running on a near-empty tank while trying to enjoy all life has to offer. In this week's podcast episode, I'm discussing how to plan strategically for rest and travel as a school leader.Join me for a conversation about:Why it's crucial to strategically plan for rest and travelThe different kinds of rest you need to feel fully rechargedHow I manage my own recovery and travel throughout the yearHow you can plan for rest and travel in 2024Learn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: http://Chanie.me/jointhedic More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.

No matter the industry, leaders are often afraid to be honest about why they're firing someone. They think that by sugar-coating the truth or dancing around the issue, they're protecting the person's feelings.But the reality is that being dishonest doesn't help anyone but you. Rather than protect them, you actually protect yourself from uncomfortable feelings. In reality, the best thing you can do for everyone involved is to communicate with transparency and kindness—no matter the context.Back in 2011, when I was working as a camp director in NYC, I had to fire a teacher after a very unfortunate incident.It was a sensitive time for the Jewish community in that area because a child had been tragically abducted while walking home from day camp. Understandably, everyone in the city was on especially high alert.So, when a teacher at my camp left a child alone in the bathroom and walked to a park two blocks away, I had no choice but to terminate her immediately.I found the child in the bathroom while doing my rounds, walked them to the park where the teacher was, and fired her on the spot.Now, in this particular situation, there wasn't much of a conversation, because I needed to act swiftly. But that didn't mean that I was unkind—or that I avoided addressing the reason she was being fired.I simply told her that her error in judgment was unacceptable—and let her go. As a leader, you're going to have to fire team members. In fact, never letting go of employees is a sign that you're not cultivating a values-led culture. Because there will always be individuals on your team who simply aren't the right fit.But at the end of the day, the reason you're letting them go doesn't matter. In every case, you owe it to them, to your team, and to yourself to navigate the conversation with poise and respect.In this week's podcast episode, the final installment of a three-part series on firing, I provide tips on how to navigate termination communication in a way that preserves your center's reputation and maintains the trust of remaining team members.Join me for a conversation about:What a termination conversation is really aboutWhy handling a termination conversation well is so importantHow to prepare for and conduct the conversation How to navigate the aftermath of firing a team memberLearn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: http://Chanie.me/jointhedic More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.

Many years ago (when my kids were a lot smaller), my husband Mayer and I took a trip to Niagara Falls. As usual, I had organized everything in advance, including reserving adjoining rooms for our family.Because our kids were so young at the time, it was really important that we had that adjoining room. So, I made sure to call the hotel—both the day before and the day of the trip—to confirm that the rooms were available for us as planned.But lo and behold, on the night we arrived at the hotel, the staff member on duty told us that there were no adjoining rooms left because we had arrived too late at night.Mayer and I were livid. I had called to reserve in advance specifically because I knew we would be arriving late and wanted to make sure we got the rooms we needed. Yet here we were, standing at the check-in desk, luggage in hand, being told that it was our fault we didn't get adjoining rooms.Why? Because the hotel staff refused to take responsibility for their mistake.Does any of this sound familiar?Throughout your career, I'm sure you've seen plenty of instances where team members didn't take accountability, shifted the blame, or reacted poorly to feedback.And sure, even the best of us have some missteps along the way.But when a team member's failure to take personal responsibility becomes a pattern of behavior, it's a signal that it's probably time to say goodbye.In this week's podcast episode, the second in my three-part series on firing, I dig deeper into personal responsibility and the other key reasons for deciding to let go of a team member.Join me for a conversation about:The core evidence that should determine whether you fire someoneWhy documentation is essential throughout the decision-making processHow to evaluate performance, coachability, mindset, and moreHow personality fit should factor into your decisionLearn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: http://Chanie.me/jointhedic More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.

No one enjoys having to fire an employee. In most cases it's uncomfortable and unpleasant to have to let someone go, especially if they didn't do anything "wrong."But hanging on to a team member who's not the right fit for your center's vision and values can have some serious consequences… maybe more than you realize.In the case of Janine, a Schools of Excellence Owner's HQ member, her reluctance to fire a toxic team member impacted her health and wellbeing. Janine was an owner who had what I like to call a "toxic genius" on her team. This team member was smart, reliable, great with kids and parents—everything you could want in an employee—but she also had a habit of stirring up gossip and putting others down.Janine was torn about what to do. On the one hand, she knew the team member was negatively impacting her center.But on the other, she had just opened up a fourth location and barely had the capacity to deal with her usual responsibilities—let alone go through the process of firing someone.But instead of delegating the responsibility to her team member, a director, Janine insisted that she had to be the one to do it.So, month after month passed by, and Janine continued to sit with the same dilemma. It wasn't just her mind, though, that suffered from her inaction. She developed high blood pressure and couldn't sleep more than 3 hours a night.After an entire year of worsening health problems, I finally asked Janine: "When is enough, enough? When will you realize what you're losing by not letting this person go?"If reading this reminds you of someone on your team, I want to ask you the same question: When is enough, enough? How long will you wait in the name of avoiding discomfort before you take action for the sake of yourself and your team?So, what happened with Janine when she finally faced the truth?She took accountability, let go of the toxic genius, and for the first time in a long time, she slept straight through the night.In this week's podcast episode, the first in a three-part series on firing, I explore the true cost of hanging on to team members when it's time to let go.Join me for a conversation about:The top 3 reasons we fire employees (HINT: It's not just about performance)The impact of keeping someone who needs to leaveWhy we have to prioritize ourselves and our team's wellbeingAction steps to take if you're struggling with letting someone goLearn more and apply for the Director's Inner Circle & Owner's HQ: http://Chanie.me/jointhedic More about the show:If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life. Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.