Podcasts about ixl

Lisa Woodruff is the founder of Organize 365 and author of multiple books, most recently Escaping Quicksand. Sarah always loves her ideas about planning and time, and in today's episode they chat overcoming overwhelm, but through the lens of planning. You can find more from Lisa at organize365.com in addition to @organize365 on Instagram.Resources Mentioned from Lisa: How I divide my year into thirds episode 143 https://organize365.com/podcast/my-three-new-years/The 10 filters I use to plan my week episode 704https://organize365.com/podcast/704-the-10-filters-i-use-to-plan-my-week/The 15-minute pivot from reactive to proactive planning https://organize365.com/pivot/Escaping Quicksandhttps://organize365.com/escapingquicksand/June Sponsors: IXL: Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at https://www.ixl.com/plans.Green Chef: Healthy and convenient meal kits and more! Visit greenchef.com/50bestlaid and use code 50bestlaid to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for 2 months.PrepDish: Make your menu planning so much easier! Try it free for 2 weeks by visiting prepdish.com/plans Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff Meade spent 20 years building companies. Then a friend asked him one question on a hike near Mount Fuji — what makes you happy? — and he couldn't answer it. That four-hour conversation led him to Paul Quinn College in Dallas, where he now serves as Chief Innovation Officer and runs a program with one non-negotiable rule: every student, regardless of major, must start and operate a real business before they graduate. No simulations. No worksheets. Real ventures, real customers, real failure. Every school says it wants future-ready students. Most are still teaching them how to pass tests. Jeff Meade decided that wasn't good enough — and built a venture-based learning model that turns a graduation requirement into the most practical education a student can get. If you're a school leader wondering whether entrepreneurship education belongs on your campus, this episode answers the question. ✅ What You'll Learn Why employers stopped wanting graduates who can pass tests — and what they're asking for instead How Paul Quinn structured a seed fund and advisor model so student ventures get real resources, not just pitch competitions Why this generation's biggest professional liability is their inability to talk to strangers — and what to do about it What a theoretical entrepreneurship curriculum gets wrong, and how venture-based learning fixes it How K–12 leaders can apply the same principles without a college-sized program

Are we really “overteaching” phonics, or should there be a hard stopping point where it's not taught past a certain grade?Are current stories trending on popular news outlets aligned with best practices for supporting dyslexic learners?Is the public becoming more educated on how we learn to read, write, and spell?I invited my colleague, Lori Josephson, an author, consultant, and former teacher to discuss these questions. In this episode, we discuss:✅ Common literacy “urban legends”, including “Dyslexia is seeing words backwards” and “look at the picture and guess the word”✅ Why phonics gets a bad wrap and where the Science of Reading is often misunderstood✅ Handwriting, keyboarding, and how they relate to neural connections✅Making instruction more effective by integrating language, print, spelling, and executive functioning instead of siloing.Lori Josephson is an Author, Dyslexia Specialist, and Educational Consultant who is a  Fellow of the Orton-Gillingham Academy, a retired Wilson Language Trainer, and holds a Master's Degree in Special Education-Learning Disabilities. She has had the privilege of teaching hundreds of struggling students how to make sense of print and text, as well as the honor of working with thousands of teachers training them how to teach and reach their students using methods based upon the complex brain processes involved in attaining literacy, the body of knowledge referred to as the Science of Reading. Her recently published book, “Calling All Neurons! How Reading and Spelling Happen”, explains how the human brain attains literacy in a fun, easy to understand manner where specialized neurons take the stage to provide this explanation. Lori serves as a Moderator of the wildly popular Facebook Group, Science of Reading-What I Should Have Learned in College, and is on the Advisory Council of The Northern Ohio Branch of The Dyslexia Association.You can connect with Lori in the following places:o Website: lorijosephson.com o LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-josephson/o X: @lorijosephson2o Facebook: Lori Josephsono Instagram: @calling_all_neuronso Medium: https://lorijosephson.medium.com/o Substack: @lorijosephson686067We mentioned the following resources in this episode:Lori's book, “Calling All Neurons! How Reading and Spelling Happen”: https://lorijosephson.com/calling-all-neurons-how-reading-and-spelling-happen/The Cost of Over-Teaching Phonics by “Liana Loewus”: http://bit.ly/4eIKJAQHas Technology “Broken” an Education System That was “Just Fine”? by Natalie Wexler: https://nataliewexler.substack.com/p/has-technology-broken-an-education“Don't Blame Technology” by Holly Korbeyhttps://hollykorbey.substack.com/p/dont-blame-technologyThe Digital Delusion: How Classroom Technology Harms our Kids' Learning-And How to Help Them Thrive Again: https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Delusion-Classroom-Technology-Learning/dp/B0G5622DQQIn this episode, I mentioned Language Therapy Advance Foundations, my program that gives speech pathologists a scalable framework for building language skills needed to thrive in school, social situations, and daily life. You can learn more about the program here: https://drkarenspeech.com/languagetherapyI also mentioned School of Clinical Leadership, my program that helps related service providers design scalable executive functioning interventions to ensure students get the scaffolding they need across the school day. You can learn more about the program here: https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/clinicalleadership Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL and Renaissance:Learn more about Renaissance:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We're proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you're a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We're also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

In this episode of The Principal's Handbook, we explore the challenges of being a people-pleasing principal and how the need for approval can impact leadership decisions. You'll learn how people-pleasing shows up through avoiding difficult conversations, watering down feedback, delaying decisions, and taking responsibility for other people's emotions. Through the TEA Cycle, we examine how thoughts about disappointing others create anxiety and lead to actions that weaken leadership effectiveness. The episode offers practical strategies for leading with clarity, confidence, and values instead of seeking approval. If you've ever worried about upsetting staff, parents, or teachers, this episode will help you lead with greater courage and authenticity.Get free resources at PrincipalFreebies.com. We're thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

Assistant Principal Podcast Content Episode OutlineMy 11 Morning AffirmationsTeaser:I've been looking forward to doing this podcast for a while. Now we're going to dig into my 11 morning affirmations and honestly and without exaggeration these affirmations have been huge in helping me to stay true to who I am to stay focused, and to be buoyant during a really challenging. In my life so let's digSponsor Spot 1:I'd like to thank Kaleidoscope Adventures for sponsoring today's show. Lots of companies can help you organize class trips, but Kaleidoscope helps you organize adventures – because isn't that what student trips should be? Kaleidscope is a full-service tour company offering a range of adventure opportunities and they excel at customizing trips based on your unique context, needs, and goals. Kaleidoscope offers exceptional travel experiences for students (and their group leaders). Thinking about student travel? Reach out to Kaleidoscope using the link in the show notes.Show IntroCelebrations:I'm just excited for this episode!Key Points Part 1My morning pages (since 2022)Beginnings: Inspiration from Tony Robbinshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUUdZc7GoXo and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwppoL2vLKM.OG Affirmations (Oct. 31, 2025):I am in control of my thoughts. I can handle anything today brings.I am worthy of love and successMy effort creates my futureI grow stronger every dayI live with purpose and passionToday, I choose to win. (elaborate)New year, new goals, affirmation changesI am in control of my thoughts. I can handle anything today brings.I am made to be outdoorsI thrive in my processesI am worthy of love and success I cultivate stillnessMy effort creates my future I am intentional with my recreationI grow stronger every day I prioritize health and familyI live with purpose and passion I inspire and upliftToday, I choose to win.Sponsor Spot 2:I want to thank IXL for sponsoring this podcast…Everyone talks about the power of data-driven instruction. But what does that actually look like? Look no further than IXL, the ultimate online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. IXL gives you meaningful insights that drive real progress, and research can prove it. Studies across 45 states show that schools who use IXL outperform other schools on state tests. Educators who use IXL love that they can easily see how their school is performing in real-time to make better instructional decisions. And IXL doesn't stop at just data. IXL also brings an entire ecosystem of resources for your teachers, with a complete curriculum, personalized learning plans, and so much more. It's no wonder that IXL is used in 95 of the top 100 school districts. Ready to join them? Visit http://ixl.com/assistant to get started.Key Points Part 2Hard, hard times yield three additions:I deserve to find joy in my workI have hope and faithI am AWESOME! *asteriskThe full lineup on June 17, 2026:I am in control of my thoughts. I can handle anything today brings.I am made to be outdoors.I thrive in my systems.I choose my recreation intentionally.I inspire and uplift.I prioritize health and family.I find joy in my work.I have hope and faith I am doing AWESOME! *asteriskToday, I choose to win.Summarizing (The big takeaway)Just try this. Begin with three or four, like:My attitude defines my altitudeI make intentional decisions about how I invest my timeI help teachers grow every dayToday, I choose to win!Special thanks to the amazing Ranford Almond for the great music on the show. Please support Ranford and the show by checking out his music!Ranford's homepage: https://ranfordalmond.comRanford's music on streaming services: https://streamlink.to/ranfordalmond-oldsoulInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ranfordalmond/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ranfordalmond/Sponsor Links:IXL: http://ixl.com/assistant Kaleidoscope Adventures: https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/the-assistant-principal-podcast-kaleidoscope-adventures/CloseLeadership is a journey and thank you for choosing to walk some of this magical path with me.You can find links to all sorts of stuff in the show notes, including my website https://www.frederickbuskey.com/I love hearing from you. If you have comments or questions, or are interested in having me speak at your school or conference, email me at frederick@frederickbuskey.com or connect with me on LinkedIn.If you are tired of spending time putting out fires and would rather invest time supporting and growing teachers, consider reading my book, A School Leader's Guide to Reclaiming Purpose. The book is available on Amazon. You can find links to it, as well as free book study materials on my website at https://www.frederickbuskey.com/reclaiming-purpose.html Please remember to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Remember the secret to good leadership:Be intentional in choosing how you will show up for othersBe fully presentAsk reflective questionsAnd then just listenDon't overcomplicate it, the value is in the listening.Have a great rest of the week!Cheers!Frederick's Links:Email: frederick@frederickbuskey.comWebsite: https://www.frederickbuskey.com/ LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/strategicleadershipconsulting Daily Email subscribe: https://adept-experimenter-3588.ck.page/fdf37cbf3a The Strategic Leader's Guide to Reclaiming Purpose:

Sarah tracked her time for over 2 weeks (something she has struggled with in the past). What were her conclusions? Did she find 10 hours of free time that she didn't know she had? Will she continue for 10 years like her good friend and podcast cohost Laura Vanderkam? Listen to find out, and you can also visit the detailed show notes at theshubox.com! Episode Sponsors: IXL: Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠. Green Chef: Healthy and convenient meal kits and more! Visit ⁠greenchef.com/50bestlaid⁠ and use code 50bestlaid to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for 2 months. PrepDish: Make your menu planning so much easier! Try it free for 2 weeks by visiting ⁠prepdish.com/plans Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meet April Knight, NAESP President & Principal at Avondale Elementary School in Columbus, OH. Mrs. Knight is just wrapping up her year as NAESP President, and she will join us LIVE today, Monday, 6/22/26, on the #ELB Podcast @ 4:15 EST. We'll discuss all she has learned through this experience--the places she has traveled and the wonderful leaders she's met as NAESP President.She has been a member of NAESP since 2003, has been a Zone Director, President & VP of the Columbus Administrators Association and more. Join us today for this great leadership podcast! This podcast is sponsored by IXL Personalized Learning. IXL is used by more than 1 million teachers each day. It is also the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K-12. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/ELBIXL

In this vault episode of Transformative Principal, Jethro Jones revisits an interview with Amy Fast, then assistant principal at McMinnville High School in Oregon, originally recorded for the Transformative Leadership Summit. Amy shares how a tragic college shooting in nearby Roseburg prompted her and her principal to proactively survey all 2,100+ students about their wellbeing, connectedness, hopefulness, and sense of significance — rather than simply reacting with more security measures. We're proud to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

This episode is a part of a special series of interviews conducted at the INCH360 Cybersecurity Conference in Spokane, Washington. Visit their website to learn more about INCH360 and their mission. Host Jethro D. Jones talks with Benjamin Ross of Torchlight about bringing enterprise-level IT and cybersecurity to small and medium businesses. Benjamin shares insights on the importance of human connection, long-term relationships, and community in the tech industry, emphasizing that technology should serve people and foster positive impact beyond just business outcomes. We're thrilled to be sponsored by IXL and Renaissance. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

  Get the book, Connecting Through Conversation: A Playbook for Talking with Students About The Guests Erika Bare is superintendent of South Umpqua School District in Oregon, and has more than 20 years in the profession as a teacher, principal and district leader. Tiffany Burns has served as a principal, instructional coach, and teacher in her more than 20 years in K-12 education, and is currently teaching pre-service teachers at the university level. They have worked together for more than a decade, and are the authors of Connecting Through Conversation: A Playbook for Talking with Students, and their new book A School Leader's Playbook for Tough Conversations. Episode Sponsor This episode of Principal Center Radio is sponsored by IXL, the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K-12. Discover the power of data-driven instruction in your school with IXL—it gives you everything you need to maximize learning, from a comprehensive curriculum to meaningful school-wide data. Visit IXL.com/center to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.   

A researcher, Edtech expert, and PhD candidate studying the intersection of AI, learning, and human experience, Kris brings a rare combination of academic rigor and real-world application to the question every principal is quietly asking: is all this technology actually helping? His work with Play Piper puts him at the front lines of how kids interact with screens — and what happens when that interaction goes wrong. Kris has been studying and speaking about screen usage in learning environments since 2013, long before most districts had a policy on the subject. AI policy still doesn't exist in most school districts in 2026. Meta and YouTube just lost a major court case over intentionally building products harmful to kids. And the principals who bought Edtech tools during COVID are still living with implementations they never had time to design properly. Kris returns to the RuckusCast to name the problem clearly: technology in schools is being treated as the experience instead of a tool within the experience — and that distinction is costing students more than anyone wants to admit.

In this episode of The Principal's Handbook Summer Reset Series, we explore the common patterns of the reactive principal and why so many school leaders feel stuck in a cycle of constant firefighting. Through the example of a reactive principal, you'll see how urgency, problem-solving, and interruptions can crowd out the leadership work that matters most. We also break down how thoughts influence emotions and actions through the TEA Cycle. Most importantly, you'll learn practical strategies to reset your leadership, protect your priorities, and become more proactive in your daily work.Get The 8 to 4 Principal Blueprint Here.  We're thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

Outline and Show NotesReframing Resistance with Becca SilverPower Quote: What's scary for us may not be scary for them.”Teaser: | I'm really excited for today's episode. You've heard me talk about reframing resistance as feedback by getting curious instead of judgmental. Today's guest helps us dive deep into what comes next. This is a packed episode and if you aren't driving you may want to have a notebook handy! | Sponsor Spot 1: I'd like to thank Kaleidoscope Adventures for sponsoring today's show. Lots of companies can help you organize class trips, but Kaleidoscope helps you organize adventures – because isn't that what student trips should be? Kaleidscope is a full-service tour company offering a range of adventure opportunities and they excel at customizing trips based on your unique context, needs, and goals. Kaleidoscope offers exceptional travel experiences for students (and their group leaders). Thinking about student travel? Reach out to Kaleidoscope at mykatrip.com Show IntroGuest Bio: | Becca Silver is a resistance specialist who helps school leaders and instructional coaches navigate the human side of change. With more than 20 years in education, she works alongside many of the researchers behind the academic mindset movement, including the scholars who first introduced growth mindset. Becca is the founder of The Whole Educator and host of the Coaching the Whole Educator podcast, where she shares honest conversations and practical strategies for leaders who are trying to move change forward without losing their people. Through her speaking, coaching, and training, she has supported thousands of educators in learning how to diagnose resistance, meet the human needs underneath it, and move beyond surface-level buy-in. Her new book, It Shouldn't Be This Hard: A Framework for Leading Through Resistance, is now available!Warmup questions:We always like to start with a celebration. What are you celebrating today?Is there a story that will help listeners understand why you are doing what you do?Questions/Topics/PromptsI think our frameworks compliment each other beautifully. I think mine is like a stop sign. M=V/E – stop judging and get curious. Your Catalyst Mindsets are the things that explain and can shape the equation. We don't have to agree on this, we can play with different viewpoints. Resistance=unmet needsShifting from solving their problem to empowering them to solve their problemsLet's dive into self-efficacy – maybe the closest thing to a magic bullet we have that nobody talks about (?)Maybe we explore a few examples. | Sponsor Spot 2: I want to thank IXL for sponsoring this podcast… Everyone talks about the power of data-driven instruction. But what does that actually look like? Look no further than IXL, the ultimate online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. IXL gives you meaningful insights that drive real progress, and research can prove it. Studies across 45 states show that schools who use IXL outperform other schools on state tests. Educators who use IXL love that they can easily see how their school is performing in real-time to make better instructional decisions.  And IXL doesn't stop at just data. IXL also brings an entire ecosystem of resources for your teachers, with a complete curriculum, personalized learning plans, and so much more. It's no wonder that IXL is used in 95 of the top 100 school districts. Ready to join them? Visit ixl.com/assistant to get started.Closing questions:What part of your own leadership are you still trying to get better at?If listeners could take just one thing away from today's podcast, what would it be?Before we go, is there anything else that you'd like to share with our listeners?Where can people learn more about you and your work…Summary/wrap upGet curiousShould to couldWhat's unsupported versus missingEfficacy (outcome clarity, attainability belief)Special thanks to the amazing Ranford Almond for the great music on the show. Please support Ranford and the show by checking out his music!Ranford's homepage: https://ranfordalmond.comRanford's music on streaming services: https://streamlink.to/ranfordalmond-oldsoulInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ranfordalmond/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ranfordalmond/Sponsor Links:IXL: http://ixl.com/assistant Kaleidoscope Adventures: https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/the-assistant-principal-podcast-kaleidoscope-adventures/CloseLeadership is a journey and thank you for choosing to walk some of this magical path with me.You can find links to all sorts of stuff in the show notes, including my website https://www.frederickbuskey.com/I love hearing from you. If you have comments or questions, or are interested in having me speak at your school or conference, email me at frederick@frederickbuskey.com or connect with me on LinkedIn.If you are tired of spending time putting out fires and would rather invest time supporting and growing teachers, consider reading my book, A School Leader's Guide to Reclaiming Purpose. The book is available on Amazon. You can find links to it, as well as free book study materials on my website at https://www.frederickbuskey.com/reclaiming-purpose.html Please remember to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Remember the secret to good leadership: Be intentional in choosing how you will show up for others Be fully present Ask reflective questions And then just listen Don't overcomplicate it, the value is in the listening. Have a great rest of the week!Cheers!Guest Links:Website: www.thewholeeducator.comPo...

Today's episode is a podcast with optional video! Sarah goes through a detailed midyear status report on her 2026 Planner Stack, sharing the analog notebooks and planners she uses regularly.Items mentioned: Midori Hibino 2026Hobonichi 5-Year JournalAshley Shelly Monthly (Amanda's Favorites Collab)Hobonichi WeeksHobonichi Cousin A5Hobonichi Day-Free A5 (monthly pages then plank)Want more video? Let Sarah know what you'd like to see visually in future episodes!Episode Sponsors: IXL: Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at https://www.ixl.com/plans.Green Chef: Healthy and convenient meal kits and more! Visit greenchef.com/50bestlaid and use code 50bestlaid to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for 2 months.PrepDish: Make your menu planning so much easier! Try it free for 2 weeks by visiting prepdish.com/plans Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode,  Rachael Thrash — educator, author, and Senior Director at Big Bad Boo Studios — joins Mike Caldwell to challenge the gap between student voice and student ownership. With 25+ years in education, Rachel argues that GPA-gated student councils and empty surveys exclude the students who need to be heard most. Through real examples of students solving real school problems, she shows what happens when kids are given genuine agency. She also walks through her new book Let the Learners Lead, a practical toolkit for educators ready to co-create school culture with students — not just for them We're proud to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

Meet Dr. Marcus Belin--Distinguished Principal of Hunley High School in Huntley, IL. Dr. Belin was the 2021 National Digital Principal of the Year and the 2025 Illinois Principal of the Year. Marcus serves on the NASSP Board and one day wants to be the Secretary of Education. Join us on the #ELB podcast LIVE, Saturday, June 13th, 2026, at 9 am EST, 8 am CT. He is a husband, father, podcaster, speaker, and more.You can learn more about Marcus and his journey here: https://www.drmarcusbelin.com/meet-dr... and his roles with IL Principals https://ilprincipals.org/presenter/85/ & NASSP https://www.nassp.org/about-nassp/sta... He is the President-elect for NASSP.This podcast is sponsored by IXL Personalized Learning. IXL is used by more than 1 million teachers each day. It is also the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K-12. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/ELBIXL

Eight years ago, Chad Weiden walked into one of South Carolina's most underperforming elementary schools — a campus so low-rated that the state took it over, failed to fix it, and handed it back to the district. He just turned it into a good school. The strategy for school turnaround he used wasn't a new curriculum, a fresh initiative, or a culture retreat. It was building beacons of excellence on every team and coaching teachers in real time, in the moment, while students were in the room. Weiden spent nearly three decades building and leading schools across Chicago and South Carolina, including turning around Meeting Street Burns Pre-K through second grade from "unsatisfactory" to "good" on the state report card — in one of the most underserved communities in the state. He's a principal who understands that every child can learn and that the system, not the child, is what needs fixing. Find him on LinkedIn to follow his work. School turnaround is one of the most searched and least understood challenges in school leadership. Most principals know they need to fix culture — what they don't know is which two or three instructional moves actually move the needle. This episode answers that question directly, from a principal who lived it in real time in a school the system had already given up on.

If you're an SLP who's wondering how you can effectively address complex skills relating to both language and executive functioning in the school systems… The primary challenge is that BOTH language and executive functioning are incredibly complicated. Even just focusing on one or the other can be overwhelming. Layer on the challenges with the way related service providers are expected to provide interventions in the schools, and it seems impossible. Unfortunately, that challenge has resulted in debates on whether executive functioning is more important than language and vice versa, which isn't useful. You don't have to decide which is more important. They both are. We need to find a way to address them both. I help clinicians do that with a concept I call “cycling”. What I do is teach clinicians a set of core treatment techniques that fit within a set of foundational areas that support language and executive functioning.That's why in this episode, I share how to target both language and executive functioning in direct intervention with enough depth that you get results. In this episode, I reveal:✅ When it's appropriate to think of language intervention in terms of working up a hierarchy of skills, and when it doesn't.✅ Why using treatment cycles is more effective than trying to pin down a “scope and sequence” for language and cognitive intervention.✅ How to use intervention cycles to build a language therapy system, and eventually move on to layering in more robust executive functioning support. ✅ Why layering other service delivery models outside of direct intervention is essential for generalization, and how to make sure support is happening outside your sessions. Additional resources mentioned in this episode:Free Training: Three Shifts to Turning Your Clinical Expertise Into a Scalable Language Therapy System Link here: https://drkarenspeech.com/languageWhy language therapy works better in cycles than in a linear sequence Link here: https://drkarenspeech.com/why-language-therapy-works-better-in-cycles-than-in-a-linear-sequence/You think you need a language therapy hierarchy. That's why your system never feels stable. Link here: https://drkarenspeech.com/you-think-you-need-a-language-therapy-hierarchy-thats-why-your-system-never-feels-stable/How to target both language and executive functioning in therapy with enough depth to get resultsLink here: https://drkarenspeech.com/how-to-target-both-language-and-executive-functioning-in-therapy-with-enough-depth-to-get-results/In this episode, I mentioned Language Therapy Advance Foundations, my program that gives speech pathologists a scalable framework for building language skills needed to thrive in school, social situations, and daily life. You can learn more about the program here: https://drkarenspeech.com/languagetherapyI also mentioned School of Clinical Leadership, my program that helps related service providers design scalable executive functioning interventions to ensure students get the scaffolding they need across the school day. You can learn more about the program here: https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/clinicalleadership Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL and Renaissance:Learn more about Renaissance:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We're proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you're a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We're also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

In this episode of The Principal's Handbook, we continue the Principal Reset Series by exploring the mindset patterns of the High-Achieving Principal. While ambition and drive can be powerful leadership strengths, they can also lead to constant comparison, moving the finish line, and never feeling like enough has been accomplished. You'll learn how achievement can become tied to your identity, why that creates pressure and burnout, and how to use the TEA Cycle to uncover the thoughts driving these patterns. This episode will help you slow down, recognize the progress you've already made, and focus on leading the right work consistently rather than chasing the next initiative. We're thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

Outline and Show NotesUrgency and Efficacy with Taylor CrosbySponsor Spot 1:I'd like to thank Kaleidoscope Adventures for sponsoring today's show. Lots of companies can help you organize class trips, but Kaleidoscope helps you organize adventures – because isn't that what student trips should be? Kaleidscope is a full-service tour company offering a range of adventure opportunities and they excel at customizing trips based on your unique context, needs, and goals. Kaleidoscope offers exceptional travel experiences for students (and their group leaders). Thinking about student travel? Reach out to Kaleidoscope using the link in the show notes.Show IntroGuest Bio:A true product of Greenwood, South Carolina,Taylor Crosby has dedicated her career to the community that raised her. A graduate of Greenwood High School (Class of 2006), she went on to build an academic foundation at Lander University, earning a Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education (2010) and a Master's in Lower Elementary Montessori (2013).Driven by a commitment to educational excellence, she reached a career milestone in 2018 by earning her Educational Specialist degree from Clemson University. Today, she combines her deep local roots with leadership expertise to impact the next generation of learners. Outside of being Principal at Pinecrest, she is embracing life in Hodges, SC. Whether she's out on the land with her husband of 14 years, Tripp riding the Polaris Ranger with their two boys, Clayton and Nickles, or cheering at a local ballgame, she finds her greatest joy in the simple traditions of South Carolina living.  Warmup questions:We always like to start with a celebration. What are you celebrating today?Is there a story that will help listeners understand why you are doing what you do?Questions/Topics/PromptsDescribing what I see from the outside: Urgency, relentless focus on teaching and learning, clear and honest conversations, high expectations, no excuses. What am I missing?Share how you create a sense of urgency…Every administrator wants to “get into classrooms” but few achieve it to the degree you do. What are you doing differently that lets you get into classrooms?I know there is a directness in your conversations that many leaders, myself included, are hesitant to embrace. How do you manage other people's emotions when having very candid conversations? Sponsor Spot 2:I want to thank IXL for sponsoring this podcast…Everyone talks about the power of data-driven instruction. But what does that actually look like? Look no further than IXL, the ultimate online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. IXL gives you meaningful insights that drive real progress, and research can prove it. Studies across 45 states show that schools who use IXL outperform other schools on state tests. Educators who use IXL love that they can easily see how their school is performing in real-time to make better instructional decisions. And IXL doesn't stop at just data. IXL also brings an entire ecosystem of resources for your teachers, with a complete curriculum, personalized learning plans, and so much more. It's no wonder that IXL is used in 95 of the top 100 school districts. Ready to join them? Visit ixl.com/assistant to get started.Closing questions:What part of your own leadership are you still trying to get better at?If listeners could take just one thing away from today's podcast, what would it be?Before we go, is there anything else that you'd like to share with our listeners?Where can people learn more about you and your work…Summary/wrap upSpecial thanks to the amazing Ranford Almond for the great music on the show. Please support Ranford and the show by checking out his music!Ranford's homepage: https://ranfordalmond.comRanford's music on streaming services: https://streamlink.to/ranfordalmond-oldsoulInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ranfordalmond/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ranfordalmond/Sponsor Links:IXL: http://ixl.com/assistant Kaleidoscope Adventures: https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/the-assistant-principal-podcast-kaleidoscope-adventures/CloseLeadership is a journey and thank you for choosing to walk some of this magical path with me.You can find links to all sorts of stuff in the show notes, including my website https://www.frederickbuskey.com/I love hearing from you. If you have comments or questions, or are interested in having me speak at your school or conference, email me at frederick@frederickbuskey.com or connect with me on LinkedIn.If you are tired of spending time putting out fires and would rather invest time supporting and growing teachers, consider reading my book, A School Leader's Guide to Reclaiming Purpose. The book is available on Amazon. You can find links to it, as well as free book study materials on my website at https://www.frederickbuskey.com/reclaiming-purpose.html Please remember to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Remember the secret to good leadership:Be intentional in choosing how you will show up for othersBe fully presentAsk reflective questionsAnd then just listenDon't overcomplicate it, the value is in the listening.Have a great rest of the week!Cheers!Guest Links:Frederick's Links:Email: frederick@frederickbuskey.comWebsite: https://www.frederickbuskey.com/ LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/strategicleadershipconsulting Daily Email subscribe: https://adept-experimenter-3588.ck.page/fdf37cbf3a The Strategic Leader's Guide to Reclaiming Purpose: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CWRS2F6N?ref_=pe_93986420_774957520

In today's episode, Sarah answers listener questions! Topics included are:- A wonderful planner peace submission from a recent retiree looking to keep meaning and structure in her life- A listener looking for help with "small task overwhelm" and a million open tabs- Routine tracking ideas- Family calendar source of truth + tools/ideas for getting a partner on board Sponsors: IXL: Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. PrepDish: Make your menu planning so much easier! Try it free for 2 weeks by visiting ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Green Chef: Healthy and convenient meal kits and more! Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50bestlaid⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50bestlaid to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for 2 months. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Caldwell sits down with Scott Bess, President of the Indiana Charter Innovation Center and a member of the Indiana State Board of Education, for a wide-ranging conversation about what's broken in K-12 education — and what's actually being done to fix it. Scott shares his winding path from classroom teacher to CIO at Goodwill Industries to education innovator, including the founding of the Excel Centers: a now-nationwide network of 60+ charter schools helping adults without diplomas earn credentials and transform their economic trajectories. Scott argues passionately for blowing up discrete subject areas, seat-time requirements, and the Carnegie Unit, while making the case for micro schools as a scalable, flexible alternative to traditional schooling. He also shares an exciting — and underutilized — vision for AI in education: not as a tutor for students, but as an operating system that maximizes teacher impact by matching kids to instruction exactly when they need it. The episode wraps with a look at Indiana's systematic approach to education reform — streamlining standards, redesigning the diploma, and aligning the legislature, governor's office, and state board around a shared agenda — as a model for what's possible when the right people are in lockstep. We're proud to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

A decade into the Better Leaders Better Schools Ruckuscast, Danny Bauer has coached and interviewed hundreds of school leaders — and the patterns are clear. Dan Watt, elementary principal in British Columbia and Ruckus Maker, flips the microphone and puts Danny in the guest chair. What follows isn't nostalgia. It's the unfiltered architecture of a school leadership development ecosystem that actually works — and what it means for how you lead your campus. The Ruckuscast turns 10 this year. That's 10 years of watching which principals grow and which ones stall, which leadership beliefs hold up and which ones collapse under pressure. This episode is the debrief.

In this episode of The Principal's Handbook, we dive into the mindset patterns and leadership habits that lead to principal burnout. I walk through the story of a burned-out assistant principal and break down the hidden patterns that keep school leaders overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, and constantly reacting. You'll learn how thoughts create emotions and actions through the TEA Cycle, and how shifting your mindset can help you lead more sustainably. We also talk about boundaries, perfectionism, urgency, and over-responsibility—and why burnout doesn't go away on its own. If you've been feeling exhausted, disconnected, or like leadership is becoming unsustainable, this episode will help you start identifying the root causes and resetting the way you lead.Get the Burnout Toolkit HERE. Get the free Confidence Scorecard HERE to discover your current confidence level as a school leader. We're thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

Meet the awesome Sam Demma, the top-selling author & keynote speaker. Sam speaks around the globe to students, educators, and more--sharing his message of hope, kindness, empathy--through powerful stories, backpacks, and tacos! Excited to meet him on the #ELB podcast--Today, Monday, June 1st @ 4:10 PM EST. We'll talk leadership, engaging others--and carrying his positive message to many!This podcast is sponsored by IXL Personalized Learning. IXL is used by more than 1 million teachers each day. It is also the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K-12. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/ELBIXLLearn more about Sam here: @sam_demma on most platforms. www.samdemma.comshop.samdemma.com

Outline and Show NotesLeadership with Dr. Brian MartinTeaser:My guest on today show is a vice principal at an international school in Columbia, but almost everything that we talk about today is relevant to leadership in general and to school leader ship in particular.  This is a really fun discussion. We begin with a focus on teacher retention but also cover a wide range of topics, and I think there will be many gold nuggets that you'll have from this episode.Sponsor Spot 1:I'd like to thank Kaleidoscope Adventures for sponsoring today's show. Lots of companies can help you organize class trips, but Kaleidoscope helps you organize adventures – because isn't that what student trips should be? Kaleidscope is a full-service tour company offering a range of adventure opportunities and they excel at customizing trips based on your unique context, needs, and goals. Kaleidoscope offers exceptional travel experiences for students (and their group leaders). Thinking about student travel? Reach out to Kaleidoscope using the link in the show notes.Show IntroGuest Bio:Brian Martin, PhD, is a Vice Principal and Academic Coordinator at Colegio Panamericano in Colombia. A former mathematics teacher and department head, Brian recently completed his doctorate in Educational Leadership, focusing on teacher retention. He is especially interested in how trust, autonomy, and everyday leadership behaviors shape school culture and influence whether teachers stay or leave.Warmup questions:We always like to start with a celebration. What are you celebrating today?Is there a story that will help listeners understand why you are doing what you do?Questions/Topics/PromptsWhy teachers leave and what VPs can realistically influencePush factors and pull factorsThe tension between compliance and trustHow presence and visibility shape school culture (regarding retention)What I'm still figuring out honestly in year one/Sponsor Spot 2:I want to thank IXL for sponsoring this podcast…Everyone talks about the power of data-driven instruction. But what does that actually look like? Look no further than IXL, the ultimate online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. IXL gives you meaningful insights that drive real progress, and research can prove it. Studies across 45 states show that schools who use IXL outperform other schools on state tests. Educators who use IXL love that they can easily see how their school is performing in real-time to make better instructional decisions. And IXL doesn't stop at just data. IXL also brings an entire ecosystem of resources for your teachers, with a complete curriculum, personalized learning plans, and so much more. It's no wonder that IXL is used in 95 of the top 100 school districts. Ready to join them? Visit ixl.com/assistant to get started.Closing questions:What part of your own leadership are you still trying to get better at?If listeners could take just one thing away from today's podcast, what would it be?Before we go, is there anything else that you'd like to share with our listeners?Where can people learn more about you and your work…Summary/wrap upLeadership is still teaching (build the relationship, support [manage], grow)Be a hero – protect teacher time“I would not take criticism from someone I wouldn't take advice from”4 Patterns of Observation10:1 positive:critical (Claude.ai said 5:1)Lean into human connectionSpecial thanks to the amazing Ranford Almond for the great music on the show. Please support Ranford and the show by checking out his music!Ranford's homepage: https://ranfordalmond.comRanford's music on streaming services: https://streamlink.to/ranfordalmond-oldsoulInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ranfordalmond/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ranfordalmond/Sponsor Links:IXL: http://ixl.com/assistant Kaleidoscope Adventures: https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/the-assistant-principal-podcast-kaleidoscope-adventures/CloseLeadership is a journey and thank you for choosing to walk some of this magical path with me.You can find links to all sorts of stuff in the show notes, including my website https://www.frederickbuskey.com/I love hearing from you. If you have comments or questions, or are interested in having me speak at your school or conference, email me at frederick@frederickbuskey.com or connect with me on LinkedIn.If you are tired of spending time putting out fires and would rather invest time supporting and growing teachers, consider reading my book, A School Leader's Guide to Reclaiming Purpose. The book is available on Amazon. You can find links to it, as well as free book study materials on my website at https://www.frederickbuskey.com/reclaiming-purpose.html Please remember to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Remember the secret to good leadership:Be intentional in choosing how you will show up for othersBe fully presentAsk reflective questionsAnd then just listenDon't overcomplicate it, the value is in the listening.Have a great rest of the week!Cheers!Guest Links:Frederick's Links:Email: frederick@frederickbuskey.comWebsite: https://www.frederickbuskey.com/ LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/strategicleadershipconsulting Daily Email subscribe: https://adept-experimenter-3588.ck.page/fdf37cbf3a The Strategic Leader's Guide to Reclaiming Purpose: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CWRS2F6N?ref_=pe_93986420_774957520

In today's episode, Sarah reviews two planners for listeners looking for some fresh start energy this summer!First is the Taja: https://www.tajaacademic.com/product/fitness-workout-journal-for-women-men-a55-5-x-8-5-workout-log-book-planner-for-tracking-progress-and-achieving-your-wellness-goals-lavenderc-blue/ or https://amzn.to/4nRysfV (Amazon affiliate link)This A5 sized undated planner has a ton of features and space for up to 20 weeks of fitness tracking - for under $10!Then comes a review of the Dailee 2026-27 Mom Planner (though it could be for anyone in charge of family logistics). This planner is $55 and has over 500 pages (!) of content, from cleaning checklists to packing lists and more.https://the-dailee.com/products/2026-2027-mom-plannerSend Sarah ideas for what to review next, and visit the show notes page at theshubox.com to view photos + enter the giveaway! Sponsors: IXL: Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠. PrepDish: Make your menu planning so much easier! Try it free for 2 weeks by visiting ⁠⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠ Green Chef: Healthy and convenient meal kits and more! Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50bestlaid⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50bestlaid to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for 2 months. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about the Collaborative Behaviors Conference Visit Continua Consulting's website About the Guests: Courtney and Chris Daikos Chris and Courtney Daikos are the co-founders of Continua Consulting Group, where they provide MTSS implementation support to schools and districts including collaborative behaviors and strategies for leadership. Chris, a veteran of the US Army Rangers, is an experienced educational & psychological consultant, school administrator, special education teacher and school psychologist. Courtney is an experienced educational leader and classroom teacher. She has led urban schools and school districts as a principal and director at both the elementary and secondary levels, serving communities with significant linguistic and cultural diversity.  Episode Sponsor This episode of Principal Center Radio is sponsored by IXL, the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K-12. Discover the power of data-driven instruction in your school with IXL—it gives you everything you need to maximize learning, from a comprehensive curriculum to meaningful school-wide data. Visit IXL.com/center to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.   

In this episode of Transformative Principle, Jethro Jones sits down with Jonathan Wennstrom, principal of Rosedale Elementary in Livonia, Michigan, to discuss the power of school-wide weekly meetings. Jonathan shares how he launched "Celebrate Monday" assemblies — 20-minute, student-centered gatherings held every Monday morning to kick off the week with positivity and purpose. Inspired by ideas from fellow educators Sean Gallardo and Jessica Bartha, Jonathan walks through how these assemblies work, what they include (pledges, literacy shares, themed videos, and calls to action), and how they've transformed school culture by reducing behavior referrals and building community. He also shares practical advice on logistics, staff buy-in, parent communication, and planning themes aligned with character education — all while emphasizing that the assemblies are just the spark, and the real magic happens in the classroom. We're proud to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

She helps principals stop surviving their schools and start leading them. Michelle Sloan is an educator, author, and leadership coach who spent seven years building a school from the ground up — which gave her something rare: "firsthand proof that mission-driven leadership isn't a feel-good concept, it's a survival strategy." Her book The Purpose Driven Principal is the framework she wishes she'd had in year one. School leadership burnout is not a willpower problem. It's a systems problem. A principal walks in energized, writes down what matters, and by 6pm hasn't touched a single item on the list. This episode is about diagnosing that drift — and building the structure to stop it from swallowing another year.

In this conversation, I sat down with Kim Jenkins from Empowering Speech Services (https://www.empoweringspeechservices.com/meet-kim)  to talk about how she's used the frameworks from Language Therapy Advance Foundations (https://drkarenspeech.com/languagetherapy/)  along with the gestalt language processing stages, for reluctant readers, and AAC users. We also talk about how important it is for clinicians to think flexibly with how they apply frameworks in therapy so they can pull from multiple sources to come up with their own personal protocols that work for their caseload. We also chat about other topics such as what “alter ego” we want to emulate when we're going through a challenge, social media strategies and mindset, our dogs, and how to draw parallels between language therapy, clinical practice, fitness, tips for learning how to do pull-ups, and other areas of life. Kim Jenkins is a neurodiversity-affirming speech therapist who is passionate about helping neurodivergent children and their families flourish.  Empowering Speech Services was built on the idea that authentic and meaningful communication can be achieved by focusing on a child's strengths, meeting their sensory needs, following their lead, and empowering family members in the process. Serving the Milton and Alpharetta areas of Georgia, she takes the time to truly get to know her clients, their joys, interests, unique strengths, and individual challenges. In this conversation, we discuss:✅ How Kim uses semantic features and syntactic study with AAC users✅ Using the “Essential 5” framework from Language Therapy Advance Foundations with students who use a lot of scripting and gestalts✅ Engaging a reluctant reader literacy and vocabulary work✅ Parallels between life, language therapy, fitness, and social media marketingLearn more about Kim's private practice on her website here: https://www.empoweringspeechservices.com/Visit her on TikTok here: https://www.tiktok.com/@empoweringspeechservices@UCSeGnUyaf6NBHJFBuoUFUTA Visit her on Instagram @empoweringspeechservicesConnect with her on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-jenkins-a0288796/Check out her TeachersPayTeachers store here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/empowering-speech-servicesI mentioned the following previous De Facto Leaders Podcast interviews:EP 205: Using the Essential 5 to Build Vocabulary and Syntax in Secondary School (with Amy Baugh) here: https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/ep-205-using-the-essential-5-to-build-vocabulary-and-syntax-in-secondary-school-with-amy-baugh/EP 140: Creating an Intentional Career and Life with Alter Egos (with Meg Niman) here: https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/ep-140-creating-an-intentional-career-and-life-with-alter-egos-with-meg-niman/EP 154: Therapy Session Structure, Narrative Language, and Commentary on Gestalt Language Processing here: https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/ep-154-therapy-session-structure-narrative-language-and-commentary-on-gestalt-language-processing/Also mentioned in this episode:”Stories that Stick” by Kindra Hall here: https://www.storiesthatstick.com/Sarah Brashears from Social Mogules: @socialmogulsIn this episode, I mentioned Language Therapy Advance Foundations, my program that gives speech pathologists a scalable framework for building language skills needed to thrive in school, social situations, and daily life. You can learn more about the program here: https://drkarenspeech.com/languagetherapy Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL and Renaissance:Learn more about Renaissance:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We're proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you're a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We're also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

In this episode of The Principal's Handbook, we explore the five key practices that build confident, effective school leadership. You'll learn how shifting your identity, leading without needing approval, and focusing on what truly matters can transform how you show up each day. We also dive into the importance of managing your thoughts and staying committed to growth, even when leadership feels challenging. If you've been second-guessing yourself or feeling overwhelmed, this episode will give you a clear framework to lead with more confidence and clarity. Find out your confidence score with the FREE Confidence Scorecard for Principals.Get The Confident Principal Reset: A 14 Day Action Plan for PrincipalsGet free resources at principalfreebies.com.  We're thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

Meet Dr. Jess Quinter, the Principal at Park Forest Elementary in PA. Jess is a PA native, has been a Principal for 16 years, 26 years in education and serves on the Board of Directors for Zone 2 for NAESP. Join us LIVE today, Tuesday, 5/26/26 at 5pm EST for the #ELB podcast--we'll talk leadership, learning being in the moment, and leading with heart and intention. #SurviveThrive This podcast is sponsored by IXL Personalized Learning. IXL is used by more than 1 million teachers each day. It is also the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K-12. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/ELBIXL

Assistant Principal Podcast Content Episode OutlineShow title and release date: If I Had One Day With You 5/26/26Teaser:The genesis for today's episode came while I was hiking in the woods. I began thinking about what I would do working with someone if I only had one day. This “thought exercise” helped me think about the practices I teach that are most impactful, the ones that are simplest, and the ones that can make an immediate improvement in life and leadership. As I began putting the day together in my head, I realized I already have a one-day training that is very close to what I would do if I had you for a day, so I've made some changes to that training and borrowed some of the resources to come up with a one-day training for you. What I mean by that is that every activity I will take you through has a handout that goes with it. My hope is that you will be inspired by this podcast and one of two things will happen: you will grab the One Day guide and work through it on your own or, even better, with your team, or you'll invite me to come do this training for you (and your team). Honestly, I would love to come to your school or district and train your leaders, but I know not everyone has the financial or time resources to do that, so I'd rather give the self-guided training away for free so anyone can access it. You can get all the supporting materials by visiting the special page on my website, https://www.frederickbuskey.com/oneday. Note that I will ask you to complete a three-question form when you download the handout. Whether you reach out to me or facilitate this yourself, I hope you take advantage of the way I've put this together. Sponsor Spot 1:Travel can positively impact students in a big way - but if your first thought is, “who is going to plan all of this?”, don't worry because that's where Kaleidoscope Adventures comes in.The KA team has been planning student group travel for more than 30 years! They handle the logistics from start to finish, so you can focus on your job in the classroom.Whenever you're ready to plan a trip, Kaleidoscope Adventures can't wait to help your group travel beyond expectations. Visit mykatrip.com today.Show IntroCelebrations:I'm recording this in early May, which is a pretty stressful time in most schools. So, I want to model celebrating the small wins. A couple weeks ago I lead a PLC in a small district in which we use Charlotte Danielson's Frameworks model of teaching to spur discussions about teaching's most important domains and elements. Watching busy school administrators have time to actually talk about teaching and learning was awesome! It's so important to examine teaching intellectually and yet something many of us seldom take time to do.Key Points Part 1When I went to design this day, I began with my one-day book study kickoff workshop. I've made a few tweaks, but most of the day still mirrors the content of my book, which I will refer to as we go through the activities. If you are going to do this day for yourself or your team, you should get a few copies of the book (link). Also, as I take you through the day, I will describe not only what we do but why we are doing it and how to facilitate it. Many of the activities are designed to be group activities, and multiple groups makes for a richer training so the ideal number of people to do this with is 15-25, which give you 3-5 groups or 3-5 people each.So, imagine you walk into the room and I'm there to greet you. Let's begin working…Sponsor Spot 2:I want to thank IXL for sponsoring this podcast…Everyone talks about the power of data-driven instruction. But what does that actually look like? Look no further than IXL, the ultimate online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. IXL gives you meaningful insights that drive real progress, and research can prove it. Studies across 45 states show that schools who use IXL outperform other schools on state tests. Educators who use IXL love that they can easily see how their school is performing in real-time to make better instructional decisions. And IXL doesn't stop at just data. IXL also brings an entire ecosystem of resources for your teachers, with a complete curriculum, personalized learning plans, and so much more. It's no wonder that IXL is used in 95 of the top 100 school districts. Ready to join them? Visit http://ixl.com/assistant to get started.Key Points Part 2Summarizing (The big takeaway)Special thanks to the amazing Ranford Almond for the great music on the show. Please support Ranford and the show by checking out his music!Ranford's homepage: https://ranfordalmond.comRanford's music on streaming services: https://streamlink.to/ranfordalmond-oldsoulInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ranfordalmond/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ranfordalmond/Sponsor Links:IXL: http://ixl.com/assistant Kaleidoscope Adventures: https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/the-assistant-principal-podcast-kaleidoscope-adventures/CloseLeadership is a journey and thank you for choosing to walk some of this magical path with me.You can find links to all sorts of stuff in the show notes, including my website https://www.frederickbuskey.com/I love hearing from you. If you have comments or questions, or are interested in having me speak at your school or conference, email me at frederick@frederickbuskey.com or connect with me on LinkedIn.If you are tired of spending time putting out fires and would rather invest time supporting and growing teachers, consider reading my book, A School Leader's Guide to Reclaiming Purpose. The book is available on Amazon. You can find links to it, as well as free book study materials on my website at https://www.frederickbuskey.com/reclaiming-purpose.html Please remember to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Remember the secret to good leadership:Be intentional in choosing how you will show up for othersBe fully presentAsk reflective questionsAnd then just listenDon't overcomplicate it, the value is in the listening.Have a great rest of the week!Cheers!Frederick's Links:Email: frederick@frederickbuskey.comWebsite: https://www.frederickbuskey.com/ 

In today's episode, Sarah shares step-by-step how she thinks through planning her summer (including her real-life plans and goals for this summer!). You can use this episode as your own summer planning guide by pausing it and answering the question for yourself!Looking for more episodes like this?Plan the Week Together: https://theshubox.com/2026/03/ep-294-lets-plan-the-week-together.htmlEmpty Your Inbox With Me: https://theshubox.com/2025/11/ep-278-empty-your-inbox-with-me-and-hemlock-oak-daily-weekly-monthly-planner-review.html Sponsors: IXL: Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠. PrepDish: Make your menu planning so much easier! Try it free for 2 weeks by visiting ⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠ Green Chef: Healthy and convenient meal kits and more! Visit ⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50bestlaid⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50bestlaid to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for 2 months. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Caldwell sits down with Bill Knous, Senior Director of Quality and Growth at the Colorado League of Charter Schools and co-founder of Gran Via, a micro school in the Denver area. Bill shares his winding path into education — from a history degree and living abroad in Australia and Spain, to teaching multilingual learners in Denver and Philly, to leading classrooms and schools in Colombia. He and his wife co-founded Gran Via in 2020, growing it from six students to 30 while navigating a patchwork of micro-school funding in Colorado. Bill makes a passionate case for scrapping seat-time requirements as the primary accountability metric, arguing the system is designed for adult compliance rather than student motivation. He also reflects on what gives him hope — a rising generation of learners who experienced the pandemic and are pushing back on the one-size-fits-all model. The episode closes with Bill's take on transformative leadership: the ability to influence and motivate a diverse group of people around a singular mission. We're proud to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

A professor at San Diego's High Tech High Graduate School of Education and co-author of PLC+: Better Decisions and Greater Impact by Design, Nancy Frey has spent decades studying how teachers actually collaborate — and why most of it doesn't work. Her research-backed PLC+ framework is the difference between a Wednesday morning ritual and a genuine engine of collective efficacy. She teaches full-time at a high school that runs every student through a real-world internship program, so her frameworks aren't theoretical — they're road-tested. Find her work at hightechhigh.org. Professional learning communities were supposed to fix teacher isolation. Instead, most schools turned them into a weekly meeting where teachers explain why students failed. If your PLCs feel like compliance theater, this episode of the Ruckuscast is the reset you need — Nancy Frey breaks down the PLC+ model and the exact questions that shift a team from admiring problems to solving them.

Meet the super amazing Jim Stroker from NJ- a lifelong teacher and coach. Jim is an incredible speaker and presenter- and a life coach. He and his family have an incredible story together. We'll discuss his family's journey, his TED Talk, his book, his 36-year teaching career, and more...LIVE on the #ELB podcast, Wednesday, May 20 at 4:15 ESTJim's TED Talk is awesome. You can watch it here:    • Amor Fati: E+R=O | James Stroker | TEDxFie...  Check out Jim's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Huddle-Up-Fami...Learn more about Jim and his speaking from his website https://coachstroker.com/This podcast is sponsored by IXL Personalized Learning. IXL is used by more than 1 million teachers each day. It is also the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K-12. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/ELBIXL

In this episode of The Principal's Handbook, we're talking about how to finish the school year strong when everyone is tired, including you. The end of the year can bring exhaustion, increased behaviors, emotional staff dynamics, and constant decision fatigue, making it easy for leaders to slip into survival mode. This episode explores why this season feels so heavy for school leaders and how to stay grounded, intentional, and emotionally steady even when your energy is low. You'll walk away with practical mindset shifts and leadership strategies to help you protect your energy, support your staff, and lead your building with clarity through the final weeks of school.  We're thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

In today's episode, Sarah shares some follow up listener comments to the prior discussion about the intersection between spending (or saving!) and planning, and then she delves into a (somewhat raw!) discussion of her feelings around AI, starting with a historical example -- her 2010s thoughts on the emerging iPhone!Feel free to share your thoughts on technology (sarah hart unger at gmail, or leave a comment in the show notes!).Blog mentioned in the first section: https://optimisticmusings.com Sponsors: IXL: Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠⁠. PrepDish: Make your menu planning so much easier! Try it free for 2 weeks by visiting ⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠⁠ Green Chef: Healthy and convenient meal kits and more! Visit ⁠⁠greenchef.com/50bestlaid⁠⁠ and use code 50bestlaid to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for 2 months. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  Get the book The Art and Science of Teacher Coaching Visit Nancy and Doug's website, FisherandFrey.com About the Guest Nancy Frey, PhD is a professor in educational leadership at San Diego State University and a teacher leader at Health Sciences High and Middle College. She is the author of dozens of books, including The Courage to Learn, The Art and Science of Coaching, How Scaffolding Works, and The Illustrated Guide to Visible Learning.    This episode of Principal Center Radio is sponsored by IXL, the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K-12. Discover the power of data-driven instruction in your school with IXL—it gives you everything you need to maximize learning, from a comprehensive curriculum to meaningful school-wide data. Visit IXL.com/center to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.   

Her career started in Philadelphia public schools in the 90s, full of idealism and a master's in counseling psychology. A decade later, she was coaching executives in global corporations. Now Sage Hobbs coaches school principals and superintendents on the skill that drives everything else — the ability to have conversations that actually matter. She is the author of Naked Communication: Courageously Create the Relationships You Really Want and the host of the Principal Pep Talks podcast. School leadership research points to strategy, curriculum, data, and policy as the levers that move outcomes. Sage Hobbs will tell you those are all downstream of something simpler: the conversations principals are avoiding. If you've ever softened a message that needed to land hard, or left a difficult conversation for "another time" that never came, this episode is the diagnosis.

In this episode, host Jethro interviews Robert Dillon, author and director of Bright Bytes, about the transformative power of learning spaces. Robert argues that reimagining physical classroom environments is one of the few true "big levers" of disruption in education — alongside grades and schedules. The conversation covers practical, low-cost strategies for redesigning spaces, including removing clutter, adding writable surfaces, varying seating arrangements, and leveraging hallways. Robert emphasizes designing with students rather than for them, using a phased purchasing approach (30/40/30), and embracing iteration over perfection. The episode also touches on the cultural shifts that come when spaces signal something different — making learning feel like a place where process matters more than product, and where hard work can actually be fun. Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We're proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you're a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We're also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

This episode is a part of a special series of interviews conducted at the INCH360 Cybersecurity Conference in Spokane, Washington. Visit their website to learn more about INCH360 and their mission. Host Jethro D. Jones interviews Andy Jones, Director of Technology Services at ESD 101, about supporting school districts with IT and cybersecurity. Andy shares how his team makes cybersecurity solutions affordable for schools, the importance of digital safety education, and the evolving role of AI in education. The conversation highlights practical strategies for protecting schools and families, and the need to balance technology with human expertise. We're thrilled to be sponsored by IXL and Renaissance. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

A Chicano educator from Los Angeles has spent nearly 20 years building the infrastructure that schools won't — the kind that catches students before they fall through the cracks. Hector Flores is the CEO of the Latino Film Institute, home to the Youth Cinema Project, a filmmaking mentorship program now operating in 21 California school districts across 61 classrooms. YCP brings professional filmmakers into English classes to guide students from concept to screen over a full school year. The results — in test scores, reclassification rates, graduation, and lives redirected — are impossible to ignore. Find ALIFI at latinofilm.org. Arts integration in schools has been underfunded, undervalued, and cut first for decades. This episode is the case against that pattern — told through data, two schools that are outperforming their affluent neighbors, and a story about a kid living in a motel who just won Best High School Actor.

Clinicians who are confidently delivering language and literacy interventions haven't found the perfect "therapy curriculum". They've learned how to build their own using three practices.In this episode, I share what those practices are, plus additional information on a free training I released that explains these concepts further. I cover:✅ The concept of "clinical containers", and how you can use them to design your language therapy system, informed by my doctoral research and experience working in the schools for 10+ years.✅ How to fill those linguistic containers over time using "asset stacking", so you're strategically adding layers of complexity one at a time.✅ How to structure your planning so it fits into a realistic schedule, so each block of "plan" time you get moves you towards building your complete language therapy system. In this episode, I mentioned Language Therapy Advance Foundations, my program that gives speech pathologists a scalable framework for building language skills needed to thrive in school, social situations, and daily life. You can learn more about the program here: https://drkarenspeech.com/languagetherapyI also mentioned my free training called “Three Practices to Turn Your Clinical Expertise Into a Scalable Language Therapy System”. You can register for the training here: https://drkarenspeech.com/language Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL and Renaissance:Learn more about Renaissance:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We're proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you're a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We're also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

In this episode of The Principal's Handbook, we explore the idea of The Elementary Edge — the difference between reactive leadership and intentional leadership in elementary schools. Elementary principals face unique emotional demands, constant decision-making, and the pressure of leading through overwhelm while still supporting staff, students, and families. This episode breaks down four practical shifts that help leaders stay grounded, focused, and proactive instead of constantly reacting to the loudest problem in the building. If you want to finish the school year strong and step into next year with more clarity and confidence, this episode will help you start making that shift now.Join The Elementary Edge Group Coaching Program Learn more about today's sponsors, Renaissance, Playworks and IXL:Learn more about Renaissance: As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We're proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you're a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We're also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

In today's episode, Sarah provides a few life updates and then shares a wonderful planning tip from a listener.Then, topics discussed include:- Does planning help to save money?- How do you avoid rewriting daily lists when things don't get done?- What are some analog ways to track workouts?- Ideas for using monthly spreads of paper planners if you don't feel the need for an extra calendar- New pen in town: The Pilot Juice+Link to task management ep mentioned:https://theshubox.com/2026/02/blp-ep-288-your-guide-to-airtight-task-management.html Sponsors: IXL: Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠. PrepDish: Make your menu planning so much easier! Try it free for 2 weeks by visiting ⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠ Green Chef: Healthy and convenient meal kits and more! Visit ⁠greenchef.com/50bestlaid⁠ and use code 50bestlaid to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for 2 months. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The man who co-created category design — the strategic framework behind companies like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Drift — has a blunt message for principals: your recruiting ads are announcing that nobody wants to work at your school. Christopher Lochhead is co-author of Play Bigger, Niche Down, and Category Pirates, the wildly popular business newsletter read by some of the sharpest operators in tech and venture. His latest book, Creator Capitalist, makes the case that the creator economy isn't a trend — it's the future of every career, including the ones you're trying to build on your campus. Most principals spend their careers trying to fix a reputation problem they don't realize they have. This conversation with Christopher Lochhead lands like a two-by-four: your school's reputation is built entirely by what people say when you're not in the room, and most of the signals you're sending are saying the opposite of what you intend. The connection between category design, teacher recruitment, AI in education, and what it means to do school different turns out to be a single through-line — and it starts with the courage to be different.

Today, author and Sarah's good friend Laura Vanderkam joins Sarah on the show to talk about ways -- planning and planning-adjacent! -- that we can manage our time so that it feels expansive and worthwhile. Sarah and Laura chat tracking (time + otherwise), tackling big project little by little, the challenge of "golden hours", and much more.Find Laura's book, Big Time: A Simple Path to Time Abundance, out this week wherever books are sold. Sponsors:IXL: Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at https://www.ixl.com/plans.PrepDish: Make your menu planning so much easier! Try it free for 2 weeks by visiting prepdish.com/plansGreen Chef: Healthy and convenient meal kits and more! Visit greenchef.com/50bestlaid and use code 50bestlaid to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for 2 months. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices