Podcasts about school leadership

You've been told that social skills interventions are ableist.But you've also been told that we need to prepare students for real-world expectations. You have teachers and administrators coming to you with concerns about behavior, participation, and social interaction, and you're expected to address it.Then you're told to make your intervention more “functional.” To collaborate more. To focus on generalization.And somehow, all of that responsibility gets funneled into a 20-minute social skills group.What are you supposed to do when you know that a short, isolated session isn't going to result in meaningful carryover?The issue isn't that social skills intervention is a bad idea. The problem is we're using the wrong model to support them. When we think of "social skills intervention" as beginning and ending within a siloed therapy session, we'll continue to see poor skill transfer.A therapy session with students is ONE layer. We can keep that layer, but we need to add more layers to it to bridge the gap.In this video, I walk through how to shift from relying on one intervention bucket (a.k.a. the isolated social skills group) to building a service delivery model that frames social skills as "executive functioning for human interactions".This episode was created based on a video I previously published on YouTube. You can view the original video here: https://youtu.be/vdpzfG5l6woIn this episode, I 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

In this episode of JOY over Happiness, Dr. Jon Eckert talks with Tracey Beal, founder of School Connect, about what happens when schools stop trying to do everything alone and communities step in to help. Drawing on more than two decades of connecting schools with churches, businesses, nonprofits, and volunteers, Tracey shares how building a "village" around students can strengthen not only schools, but entire communities.From supporting teacher retention and literacy to creating meaningful partnerships that meet the unique needs of each school, this conversation explores how educators don't just need more resources. They need more people. Tracey reminds us that while education continues to evolve, one thing won't change: every student needs caring adults who show up, believe in them, and walk alongside them.Mentioned:Who Not How: The Formula to Achieve Bigger Goals Through Accelerating Teamwork by Dan SullivanSchool Connect: https://schoolconnectaz.org/Connect with us:Center for School Leadership at Baylor UniversityLinkedInBaylor MA in School Leadership

For the fifth episode of this series, our topic is Asking Just the Right Questions as an Instructional Coach. This episode focuses on the second phase of Thrive Model for Sustainable Instructional Coaching: Consistency. To make sure you're getting all phases of the Thrive Model, please listen to the previous episodes. This series is an opportunity for you to reflect on your current practice as well as look ahead and consider opportunities for growth. You'll notice, as you listen, that we're following the Thrive Model for Sustainable Instructional Coaching: with episodes on clarity, consistency, and community, so you can refresh your practice on all three elements. Download our free companion guide & workbook that aligns with this series at edurolearning.com/refresh *If you're interested in learning more about Eduro Learning's Thrive Coaching Certificate program, click here.  And to join the waitlist for our 2026-27 cohort, click here. Let's Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Articles from Kim 3 Innovative Instructional Coaching Models (Edutopia) How Instructional Coaches Can Balance Confidentiality and Accountability (Edutopia) When We Invest in Coaches, We Invest in Teachers (The Learning Professional, Learning Forward) Books & Chapters from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter) All of Kim's articles can be found here  

If you've ever wondered what to actually do during small group time in math, this episode will give you a clear and practical way to support students without lowering expectations.We built a simple Math Coherence Compass to help district and school leaders make aligned decisions around math—without adding another initiative. Get your free copy and training here https://makemathmoments.com/coherence-compass/Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/ Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem-based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units Yvette's Summer Task List.Many school systems want better mathematics outcomes, but few struggle because of a lack of effort. More often, the challenge is figuring out how to create meaningful change at scale—without overwhelming teachers, coaches, and leaders along the way.After a year of working alongside a large multi-level school system, several important lessons emerged. Sustainable improvement requires more than strong professional development sessions or clear messaging. It requires intentional systems for support, clear priorities, strategic use of coaching resources, and a realistic understanding of how change spreads through an organization. The work isn't about reaching everyone with the same level of support. It's about creating coherence through Tier 1 structures while strategically investing Tier 2 support where it can create the greatest long-term impact. Perhaps most importantly, it means designing for the reality that people constantly move through the system—what works today must continue working even as staff, leaders, and teams change over time. In this episode, you'll explore:Why professional learning should be designed through Tier 1 and Tier 2 support structuresHow to identify high-leverage groups for intensive coaching and supportThe importance of "facilitating the facilitators" in large systemsWhy clarity around the "why" matters more than who sets the goalHow coaching, PLCs, and instructional leadership can create scalable changeThe role of bright spots, leverage points, and compounding growthWhy every improvement plan must account for the "Ferris wheel" reality of staff movementIf you're responsible for leading mathematics improvement in a school, district, or system, this episode will help you think more strategically about where to focus your energy, how to scale your impact, and how to build change that lasts beyond any one individual or initiative.Show Notes PageLove the show? Text us your big takeaway!Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you'll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.Take the assessmentAre you wondering how to create K-12 math lesson plans that leave students so engaged they don't want to stop exploring your math curriculum when the bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.

A new school year is the perfect opportunity for fresh starts and renewed focus.   In this episode, I share insights on embracing new beginnings in school leadership and introduce The Empowered Principal Academy, my newest program designed to equip leaders with the tools, mindset, and strategies to thrive in their roles.   Find the full episode show notes and transcript here: https://angelakellycoaching.com/445         Keep up with me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/akellycoaching/

The topic of episode 4 is the Top 5 Elements for an Effective Instructional Coaching Conversation. This episode focuses on the second phase of Thrive Model for Sustainable Instructional Coaching: Consistency. To learn about all three phases of the Thrive Model, please listen to the previous episodes. This series is an opportunity for you to reflect on your current practice as well as look ahead and consider opportunities for growth. You'll notice, as you listen, that we're following the Thrive Model for Sustainable Instructional Coaching: with episodes on clarity, consistency, and community, so you can refresh your practice on all three elements. Download our free companion guide & workbook that aligns with this series at edurolearning.com/refresh *If you're interested in learning more about Eduro Learning's Thrive Coaching Certificate program, click here.  And to join the waitlist for our 2026-27 cohort, click here. Let's Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Articles from Kim 3 Innovative Instructional Coaching Models (Edutopia) How Instructional Coaches Can Balance Confidentiality and Accountability (Edutopia) When We Invest in Coaches, We Invest in Teachers (The Learning Professional, Learning Forward) Books & Chapters from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter) All of Kim's articles can be found here  

Send us Fan MailBurnout doesn't happen overnight. More often, it's the result of countless small stressors that slowly drain our energy, passion, and purpose.In this episode, Dr. Mel sits down with former educator, keynote speaker, and positive psychology advocate Phil Januszewski to explore practical ways educators and school leaders can flourish—even during the most demanding seasons.Phil shares how tiny, intentional habits can create lasting change, why assuming positive intent transforms workplace relationships, and how building simple systems can reduce stress while increasing joy.If you've ever felt overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, or like you're constantly pouring into everyone else while running on empty, this conversation is for you.In This Episode You'll Learn:Why educator burnout often happens through "death by paper cuts"How positive psychology can help educators thrive instead of simply surviveThe importance of building personal recharge moments into your workdayHow simple systems reduce mental overloadHow leaders can support both themselves and their teams through intentional habitsAnd More!Connect with Phil JanuszewskiWebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeLinkedInTikTokX (Twitter)Positive Growth Clothing StoreJoin the Positive Growth Lounge Email ListAbout PhilPhil Januszewski is a nationally recognized keynote speaker, former chemistry and physics teacher, and positive psychology advocate. After spending 20 years in education, he now helps educators and public health professionals flourish personally so they can create greater impact professionally—without burnout, boredom, or cynicism.His upcoming book, Too Damn Happy: Flourishing in a Tired and Uninspired World, explores practical mindset shifts and intentional habits that help people build sustainable joy and resilience.

“Accommodation” is a loaded word. On one hand, we want to provide reasonable accommodations in K-12 so kids can access their education.But determining what is “reasonable” accommodation or modification can be messy.Both parents and educators can unintentionally “overaccommodate” in the moment without realizing it, which over time can impede a child's ability to work through daily challenges and solve problems on their own. This can be in the context of adding too many “cookie-cutter” accommodations on a 504 Plan or IEP, or it can be unofficial accommodations in the way we interact with kids. My colleagues who work on college campuses are seeing the impact of this “overhelping” in K-12. And it's not just kids with neurodevelopmental disorders. It's the neurotypical kids too. That's why I invited my colleague, Jill Fahy, back to De Facto Leaders to talk about the state of college readiness, the upstream impacts of what's happening in K-12 on success both during and after college. Jill Fahy, Professor in the Department of Communication Disorders & Sciences, serves as the Director of STEP, a transitional education program for EIU students with autism. STEP programming supports the development of executive functions, social communication, self-appraisal, and self-regulatory skills to facilitate students' management of their academic and university living demands. Ms. Fahy specializes in the assessment of executive dysfunction, particularly as it is associated with concomitant disorders of language, cognition, or social/pragmatics. She is a widely-known lecturer in the area of executive functions, speaking nationally and internationally on aspects of evaluation and treatment of executive dysfunction, and the role of language in executive functions. Ms. Fahy is co-author of The Source for Development of Executive Functions, 2nd edition, and various articles on self-talk and executive functions.  Ms. Fahy teaches graduate courses in Aphasia/Right Hemisphere Dysfunction,  Cognitive-Communication and Executive Function Disorders, and Medical Grand Rounds. She previously taught undergraduate courses in Neurology and Advanced Clinical Practicum and Diagnostics. Prior to teaching at EIU, Ms. Fahy worked for several years as a medical SLP providing services for patients with acquired neurological deficits resulting from stroke and TBI, including those in acute care, inpatient and day rehabilitation, and home health. In this conversation, we discuss:✅ The difference between accommodations and modifications, what “overhelping” looks like, and why it impedes development of important metacognitive skills.✅ The state of college student mental health, and how it relates to the opportunities students have to practice self-regulation and experiencing failure.✅ Skills many college students are lacking, including managing due dates, extended writing assignments, study skills, working through conflict, and managing their daily life.✅ How and when to start fading supports, and how to recognize if you've been “overaccommodating” for a studentYou can connect with Jill at jkfahy@eiu.edu or on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-fahy-250478b/Learn more about the Students with Autism Transitional Education Program (STEP) Program at Eastern Illinois University here: https://www.eiu.edu/step/Be sure to listen to my first interview with Jill on De Facto Leaders here: Executive Functioning for College Students: Beyond Checklists and Planners (with Jill Fahy)Link here: https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/ep-122-executive-functioning-for-college-students-beyond-checklists-and-planners-with-jill-fahy/You can also listen to my commentary on her first interview in this episode: Balancing Language, Academic Content Areas, and Executive Functioning (featuring Jill Fahy)Link here: https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/ep-232-balancing-language-academic-content-areas-and-executive-functioning-featuring-jill-fahy/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

In this episode of The Principal's Handbook Summer Reset Series, we explore the mindset and habits of the perfectionist principal. You'll learn how perfectionism shows up in school leadership through overthinking decisions, constantly revising work, fear of mistakes, and spending too much time trying to get everything just right. Using the TEA Cycle, we examine how perfectionistic thoughts create stress, anxiety, and delays that impact both leadership effectiveness and personal well-being. This episode offers practical strategies to help you let go of impossible standards, focus on what matters most, and take action with confidence. If you've ever felt like your work is never truly finished, this episode will help you reset your approach and lead more effectively.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

In this episode of JOY over Happiness, Dr. Jon Eckert talks with Jen Pollock Michel, author of the upcoming A Rule for the Rest of Us, about how small, intentional practices can help us find joy in the ordinary rhythms of life. Jen shares why a "rule of life" isn't about perfection or productivity, but about creating habits that keep us rooted in what matters most.From navigating grief and embracing life's limits to resisting the constant pull of novelty and self-optimization, this conversation explores how joy is often found in faithfulness rather than excitement.Mentioned:A Rule for the Rest of Us by Jen Pollock MichelThe Rule of St. BenedictPracticing the Way by John Mark ComerUnreasonable Hospitality by Will GuidaraThe Good Life by Robert Waldinger and Marc SchulzThe Upswing by Robert Putnam and Shaylyn Romney GarrettUnfettered Hope: A Call to Faithful Living in an Affluent Society by Marva J. DawnRenovation of the Heart by Dallas WillardThe Happiness Crisis by Jon EckertConnect with us:Center for School Leadership at Baylor UniversityLinkedInBaylor MA in School Leadership

The topic of our third episode is 3 Ways to Find Clarity in Your Instructional Coaching Role featuring one of our amazing The Coach Mentors, Diana Beabout. This episode focuses on the first phase of Thrive Model for Sustainable Instructional Coaching: Clarity  For more about the series, and to get some background on the Thrive Model, please listen to the previous episodes. This series is an opportunity for you to reflect on your current practice as well as look ahead and consider opportunities for growth. You'll notice, as you listen, that we're following the Thrive Model for Sustainable Instructional Coaching: with episodes on clarity, consistency, and community, so you can refresh your practice on all three elements. Download our free companion guide & workbook that aligns with this series at edurolearning.com/refresh *If you're interested in learning more about Eduro Learning's Thrive Coaching Certificate program, click here.  And to join the waitlist for our 2026-27 cohort, click here. Let's Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Articles from Kim 3 Innovative Instructional Coaching Models (Edutopia) How Instructional Coaches Can Balance Confidentiality and Accountability (Edutopia) When We Invest in Coaches, We Invest in Teachers (The Learning Professional, Learning Forward) Books & Chapters from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter) All of Kim's articles can be found here

The Rebbe encourages the principal not to be discouraged by challenges in running the girls' school, emphasizing that obstacles are natural but can be overcome with firm resolve. He offers practical advice on educational methods and maintaining Chabad customs while respecting students' backgrounds. https://www.torahrecordings.com/rebbe/igroskodesh/012/007/4201

What does effective school leadership look like in a rapidly changing world?In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Darrin Peppard sits down with Debra Wilson, President of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), for a thoughtful conversation about leadership, organizational alignment, AI, demographic shifts, and the future of education.Drawing on more than two decades of experience supporting school leaders, Debra shares why today's educational challenges require leaders to move beyond the traditional "hero leader" model and embrace the power of strong leadership teams.Together, Darrin and Debra explore how schools can adapt to changing family expectations, navigate increasing complexity, and create meaningful educational experiences that prepare students for an uncertain future.In This EpisodeDebra's journey from attorney to education leaderThe evolution of school leadership over the past 25 yearsWhy leadership teams have become more important than everThe role of alignment in successful schools and organizationsHow demographic shifts are impacting educationWhat leaders should be considering about AI and the future of learningThe importance of creating meaningful educational experiencesWhy today's students need schools to think differentlyA powerful leadership lesson about seeking perspective and supportHow leaders can build systems that create long-term successKey Takeaway"Nobody leads by themselves."As schools become increasingly complex, leaders who build aligned teams, seek diverse perspectives, and focus on creating intentional experiences for students and families will be best positioned to thrive.About Debra WilsonDebra P. Wilson serves as President of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). Prior to becoming president in 2023, she served as President of the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) and spent nearly two decades at NAIS as General Counsel, leading advocacy efforts, supporting schools through crises, and advancing best practices in governance and leadership.Connect with Debra WilsonLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/debrapwilson/National Association of Independent Schools:https://www.nais.org/NAIS LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/nais/New View EDU Podcast:https://www.nais.org/resource-center/nais-podcasts/new-view-eduConnect with Darrin PeppardWebsite:https://roadtoawesome.netLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrinmpeppardLearn more about coaching, consulting, keynote speaking, and leadership development opportunities through Road to Awesome.Sponsor Spotlight:This episode is sponsored by HeyTutor.HeyTutor partners with schools and districts nationwide to provide evidence-based high-dosage tutoring support in Math and ELA while helping schools remain intentional about staff capacity and student support systems.Learn more here: HeyTutor.com

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

Leadership is full of challenges and competing priorities. It's easy to fall into "all or none" thinking, believing that if one thing goes wrong, the entire day or outcome is a failure.     In this episode, I talk about the concept of the Land of And, a mindset of abundance that allows leaders to hold multiple truths at once, embrace complexity, and approach problems with both clarity and flexibility. I share practical examples from school leadership to illustrate how you can experience joy and success while navigating difficult situations, addressing challenges, and making high-stakes decisions.                                    Find the full episode show notes and transcript here: https://angelakellycoaching.com/443         Keep up with me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/akellycoaching/

This episode focuses on the first phase of Thrive Model for Sustainable Instructional Coaching: Clarity. This is the second episode in the Refresh Your Coaching Practice series. The previous episode introduces the Thrive Model - if you haven't listened to that one yet, go back and listen so you have the framework for the entire series. This series is an opportunity for you to reflect on your current practice as well as look ahead and consider opportunities for growth. You'll notice, as you listen, that we're following the Thrive Model for Sustainable Instructional Coaching: with episodes on clarity, consistency, and community, so you can refresh your practice on all three elements. Download our free companion guide & workbook that aligns with this series at edurolearning.com/refresh *If you're interested in learning more about Eduro Learning's Thrive Coaching Certificate program, click here.  And to join the waitlist for our 2026-27 cohort, click here. Let's Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Articles from Kim 3 Innovative Instructional Coaching Models (Edutopia) How Instructional Coaches Can Balance Confidentiality and Accountability (Edutopia) When We Invest in Coaches, We Invest in Teachers (The Learning Professional, Learning Forward) Books & Chapters from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter) All of Kim's articles can be found here

Send us Fan MailDo you ever reach the end of the week feeling exhausted, yet unsure if you actually moved the most important work forward?In this episode, Dr. Mel explores one of the most overlooked leadership habits of effective school leaders: intentionally planning the week before it begins. This isn't another time-management conversation. It's a leadership conversation.You'll discover why some principals seem to make consistent progress despite the constant interruptions that come with the job, while others spend their days reacting to whatever comes next. Through reflection questions and practical insights, you'll be challenged to think differently about how your calendar, priorities, and leadership impact are connected.In this episode, you'll learn:• Why your calendar may be revealing more than you think• The connection between planning and leadership effectiveness• Why strong leaders create space before they need it• How intentional planning helps leaders focus on what matters most• A simple reflection exercise to help you prepare for the week aheadWhether you're a new principal, aspiring administrator, or experienced school leader looking to lead with greater purpose, this episode will help you evaluate how you're spending your most valuable resource—your time.

In this episode of JOY over Happiness, Dr. Jon Eckert talks with Dr. Lindsay Whorton, President of the Holdsworth Center and author of A New School Leadership Architecture, about why the future of school leadership depends less on superheroes and more on sustainable systems. Drawing on her work with districts across Texas, Lindsay shares how schools can rethink leadership roles to better support teachers, develop future leaders, and create conditions where both educators and students can flourish.From building cultures of ownership instead of buy-in to creating leadership structures that distribute responsibility rather than concentrate it, this conversation explores how schools can meet growing challenges without burning out the people doing the work.Mentioned:A New School Leadership Architecture: A Four-Level Framework for Reimagining Roles by Lindsay WhortonMiddlemarch by George EliotInside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better by David EpsteinConnect with us:Center for School Leadership at Baylor UniversityLinkedInBaylor MA in School Leadership

Our topic for episode 1 is Growing a Thriving Coaching Culture: Introducing the Thrive Model for Sustainable Instructional Coaching. This episode shares an overview of the Thrive Model for Sustainable Instructional Coaching that will set the stage for all other episodes in this series. Kim developed the Thrive Model after a decade of working with coaches and school leaders around the world. It brings together all of her own experience as an instructional coach, as well as the experiences of her clients, and all the expert guests she's interviewed on this podcast.  We use this model to structure all of our courses for coaches, and in particular The Coach Certificate and Mentorship Program. You'll get an overview of the model in this series, and how the three elements of Clarity, Consistency and Community can be used to develop and refine your individual coaching practice and your coaching program in your school. This series is an opportunity for you to reflect on your current practice as well as look ahead and consider opportunities for growth. You'll notice, as you listen, that we're following the Thrive Model for Sustainable Instructional Coaching: with episodes on clarity, consistency, and community, so you can refresh your practice on all three elements. Download our free companion guide & workbook that aligns with this series at edurolearning.com/refresh *If you're interested in learning more about Eduro Learning's Thrive Coaching Certificate program, click here.  And to join the waitlist for our 2026-27 cohort, click here. Let's Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Articles from Kim 3 Innovative Instructional Coaching Models (Edutopia) How Instructional Coaches Can Balance Confidentiality and Accountability (Edutopia) When We Invest in Coaches, We Invest in Teachers (The Learning Professional, Learning Forward) Books & Chapters from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter) All of Kim's articles can be found here

If you've ever wondered what to actually do during small group time in math, this episode will give you a clear and practical way to support students without lowering expectations.We built a simple Math Coherence Compass to help district and school leaders make aligned decisions around math—without adding another initiative. Get your free copy and training here https://makemathmoments.com/coherence-compass/Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/ Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem-based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units Description:Many school systems measure success in math education by one thing: math test scores. But what if waiting for scores to improve is actually slowing down meaningful change?Math test scores are often treated as proof that math professional development, initiatives, or instructional changes are working. But the reality is, they're lagging indicators—they tell us what already happened, not what's happening right now. When math leaders focus only on math test scores and outcomes, they risk missing the daily classroom experiences that actually produce those outcomes. Sustainable improvement doesn't come from chasing math test scores. It comes from redesigning the systems, structures, and instructional experiences that shape student learning every day.In this episode, you'll explore:Why math test scores are lagging indicators in math improvementThe difference between activity and actual impactWhat math leaders should measure instead of waiting for outcomesHow classroom experiences shape long-term achievementWhy systems—not individuals—drive resultsWhat it means to “change the change” in math educationIf you're feeling pressure to prove improvement through math test scores alone, this episode will help you rethink what meaningful progress actually looks like—and how to build systems that create lasting change.Show Notes PageLove the show? Text us your big takeaway!Empower Your Students (and Teachers) Using A Professional Learning PlanThat Sparks Engagement, Fuels Deep Learning, and Ignites Action! Book a time to chat with our team to see how we can help you achieve your math goals! https://makemathmoments.com/plan/Are you wondering how to create K-12 math lesson plans that leave students so engaged they don't want to stop exploring your math curriculum when the bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.

Send us Fan MailWhat if one of the biggest missing pieces in teacher retention is how we support mentor teachers?In this episode, Becca talks with John Pascarella, professor of clinical education at USC and Chief Academic Officer of the USC Race and Equity Center, about why mentor teachers are often asked to support new teachers without the training, role clarity, compensation, or coaching they actually need.They unpack why being a great teacher does not automatically make someone a great mentor, how mentoring adults requires a different skill set, and why schools need to stop treating mentorship like informal volunteer work.This conversation is for instructional coaches, school leaders, district leaders, and teacher leaders who want to strengthen new teacher support, improve teacher retention, and build more effective mentoring systems in schools.John's Info:Faculty profile  |  CCTE Policy Brief (free download, includes my brief on mentor teachers)  |  Learning Policy Institute (Stanford University)Buy "The Resistance Solution" here!Let's Stay Connected!Website  |  Instagram |  Twitter |  Linkedin |  Facebook |  Contact Us

The I Love CVille Show headlines: Disastrous Hollymead Child Predator Meeting AlbCo School Leadership Unprepared/Defensive W/ Parents Parents Should Lawyer Up & Pursue Legal Action Now First Reports: 2024; Police Investigation: Jan, 2026 Top 10 Most Underdeveloped CVille City Parcels What Parcels Are We Missing From This Top 10 List? Top 10 Parcels That'll Face Most Backlash Upon Development Will Tent Town Under Freebridge Be Cleared In 2026 Read Viewer & Listener Comments Live On-Air The I Love CVille Show airs live Monday – Friday from 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm on The I Love CVille Network. Watch and listen to The I Love CVille Show on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, iTunes, Apple Podcast, YouTube, Spotify, Fountain, Amazon Music, Audible, Rumble and iLoveCVille.com.

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

Welcome to Eduro Learning's "Refresh Your Coaching Practice Series" This is a special podcast series designed to support you in refreshing your coaching practice. It's called (you guessed it), Refresh Your Coaching Practice. This series is an opportunity for you to reflect on your current practice as well as look ahead and consider opportunities for growth. You'll notice, as you listen, that we're following the Thrive Model for Sustainable Instructional Coaching: with episodes on clarity, consistency, and community, so you can refresh your practice on all three elements. Download our free companion guide & workbook that aligns with this series at edurolearning.com/refresh *If you're interested in learning more about Eduro Learning's Thrive Coaching Certificate program, click here.  And to join the waitlist for our 2026-27 cohort, click here. Let's Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Articles from Kim 3 Innovative Instructional Coaching Models (Edutopia) How Instructional Coaches Can Balance Confidentiality and Accountability (Edutopia) When We Invest in Coaches, We Invest in Teachers (The Learning Professional, Learning Forward) Books & Chapters from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter) All of Kim's articles can be found here

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Coaching the Whole Educator, Becca Silver talks with Principal Kafele about what happens when high expectations meet resistance in schools and how leaders can respond without slipping into compliance-driven leadership.Together, they explore how school leaders can create a true culture of high expectations, not by demanding instant transformation, but by helping educators experience steady, measurable growth. Principal Kafele shares why leaders must connect expectations to a larger purpose, build authentic relationships with staff, and understand what is beneath the pushback before deciding how to respond.This conversation digs into the difference between teacher resistance, overwhelm, and low expectations, and why leaders cannot diagnose those differences without ongoing trust, coaching, and collaboration. Becca and Principal Kafele also discuss the role of leadership identity, including how the way leaders see themselves shapes how they respond to hesitation, pushback, and resistance.Listeners will walk away with practical insight into how to: Hold high expectations without leading through compliance  Recognize growth as progress, not perfection  Build a school culture where expectations become normal behavior  Respond to resistance with curiosity instead of judgment  Strengthen leadership identity during difficult conversations  Support educators through change while maintaining clear standards This episode is especially valuable for principals, assistant principals, instructional coaches, district leaders, and school leadership teams who are navigating resistance to change, supporting adult learning, and working to build cultures of growth, accountability, and meaningful progress.[BOOK] Grab There Resistance Solution: Why Educator Resist and What They Need Instead HERE! Let's Stay Connected!Website  |  Instagram |  Twitter |  Linkedin |  Facebook |  Contact Us

Send us Fan MailIn this first episode of the Principal in Action series, Dr. Mel Vandevort explores why effective leadership isn't about working harder, staying later, or carrying more responsibility. It's about building systems that make success repeatable.You'll learn how systems help school leaders:✅ Reduce decision fatigue✅ Create consistency and trust✅ Protect leadership priorities✅ Build capacity within teams✅ Prevent burnout and increase sustainabilityIf you've ever ended the day wondering where your time went, this episode will help you identify why reactive leadership happens and how simple systems can help you lead with greater clarity, confidence, and purpose.Reflection QuestionsWhat decisions am I making repeatedly that could be systematized?Where am I relying on memory instead of a process?What leadership priority deserves a system?What in my school depends too heavily on me?"For God is not a God of disorder but of peace." — 1 Corinthians 14:33Strong leadership systems create order, clarity, and consistency so leaders can focus on serving people and advancing their mission.Power SurgeI don't have to do everything to lead effectively. I choose to build systems that create consistency, protect my priorities, and strengthen my impact. Today, I will lead with intention, not reaction.Support the showDownload Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase!Download Fetch app using this link, submit a receipt and we'll both score bonus points.Calling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more.I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources.I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant.Join here: Empowered Educator CommunityBook: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance SuccessGrab a complimentary Power Surgeemail: melinda@empowereducator.com

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 JOY over Happiness, Dr. Jon Eckert has a conversation with Bryan Goodwin, Deputy Executive Director, McREL Institute at Region 13, about what joyful learning actually looks like in classrooms. Bryan explores why joy isn't the absence of struggle but often found in the process of learning, growing, and overcoming challenges.From the power of curiosity and collaborative inquiry to the value of storytelling, boredom, and meaningful questions, Bryan shares how educators can create conditions where students and teachers experience genuine engagement.This conversation is a reminder that joyful learning isn't about making everything easy. It's about creating opportunities for people to discover, persevere, and find meaning in the work of becoming better.Mentioned:The Happiness Crisis by Jon EckertThe Meaning of Your Life by Arthur BrooksThe Flourishing Factor by Chris Egan TeachingReaching Kids Who Don't Fit Inside the Box by Pete HallCharlie Hustle by Keith O'BrienNever Work Harder Than Your Students by Robyn JacksonConnect with us:Center for School Leadership at Baylor UniversityLinkedInBaylor MA in School Leadership

In this final #coachbetter episode for Season 7, Kim talks about the challenge of feeling like you're constantly in day-to-day mode, without being able to be intentional about planning for what's coming up next. As educators we are busy and now AI is pushing us in a variety of ways to try to do even more, often with less resources. It can feel impossible to keep up. And that often leads us to think that we have to do more, even faster. But that is not the case - it is pausing for reflection. Kim relates this to the power of coaching and how it forces us to slow and take time to process our thinking. Find the show notes for this episode here. Let's Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Articles from Kim 3 Innovative Instructional Coaching Models (Edutopia) How Instructional Coaches Can Balance Confidentiality and Accountability (Edutopia) When We Invest in Coaches, We Invest in Teachers (The Learning Professional, Learning Forward) Books & Chapters from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter)

Artificial intelligence is no longer a future issue for schools. It is already shaping how educators plan, teach, lead, and prepare students for the workforce. In this episode of The Rural Voice, Dr. Christopher Silver and Dr. Bill Chapman are joined by Dr. Beth Rabbitt, Co-Chief Executive Officer of FullScale, for a timely conversation about AI, rural education, and the future of learning. Dr. Rabbitt explains why rural schools may be positioned not as late adopters, but as potential leaders in thoughtful AI implementation. Drawing from FullScale's national work with rural districts, she discusses how AI can expand access, build operational capacity, support teachers, and help students develop the adaptability needed for a rapidly changing economy. She also addresses the practical concerns educators are facing, including student data privacy, FERPA, AI misuse, teacher readiness, and the limits of generative AI. The conversation offers concrete guidance for school leaders, including the use of red-light, yellow-light, and green-light protocols for classroom AI use, the importance of district-level policy, and the value of allowing teachers to safely tinker with new tools before using them with students. Dr. Rabbitt also encourages educators to approach AI not as an expert replacement, but as a “helpful, coachable, smart, but young intern” that still requires human judgment, oversight, and ethical decision-making. This episode is especially relevant for rural educators, school administrators, district leaders, and anyone thinking about how schools can prepare students for an uncertain future while protecting the human relationships, creativity, and local wisdom that remain central to education.

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 #coachbetter episode Kim and Diana talk about ways that you can spot patterns and trends in your coaching data for the year. Kim was recently talking to our current members of the Coach and we talked about how important it is to just start collecting data and building in a practice of reflection - even if you are worried that you won't have "enough" data. The data you collect right now can become your baseline data to refer back to in future years. Even if you're not sure what data to collect, or what to do with the results, waiting until you feel ready just delays your progress. When you start now, you get the opportunity to: collect that baseline data, learn what kinds of questions you want to ask, and  better understand how to analyze and unpack the data you find Find the show notes for this episode here.  Let's Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Articles from Kim 3 Innovative Instructional Coaching Models (Edutopia) How Instructional Coaches Can Balance Confidentiality and Accountability (Edutopia) When We Invest in Coaches, We Invest in Teachers (The Learning Professional, Learning Forward) Books & Chapters from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter)

Conflict is unavoidable in school leadership, but how leaders respond to it can shape the culture and effectiveness of an entire district.In this episode of the OSBA Forum, host Mark Bobo talks with Sara Clark and Kristi Robbins about the challenges school boards and district leaders face regarding conflict, communication and governance. The conversation explores: Why conflict is increasing in some districts.  Leadership transitions and board dynamics.  Communication breakdowns and difficult conversations.  Emotional intelligence in governance.  Community expectations and political pressures.  Strategies for strengthening trust and professionalism. The OSBA Forum features conversations on the issues impacting Ohio's public schools and the leaders who serve them.00:00 Introduction 00:22 Conflict Isn't Always Negative 00:47 Meet Sara Clark and Kristi Robbins 01:19 Why Conflict Is Increasing in School Districts 01:43 New Board Members and Leadership Transitions 02:06 Roles, Communication and Difficult Conversations 02:40 Budget Challenges and Community Pressure 03:05 Political Polarization and Board Dynamics 03:38 Emotional Intelligence During Conflict 04:25 Early Warning Signs of Governance Problems 05:12 Building Trust Within Leadership Teams 06:04 Productive Communication Strategies 07:01 Managing Public Pressure and Expectations 08:10 Advice for Board Members Facing Conflict 09:02 Final Thoughts on Leadership and GovernanceFor more resources, training and advocacy updates from the Ohio School Boards Association, visit ohioschoolboards.org.

In this episode of JOY over Happiness, Dr. Jon Eckert talks with Rev. Dr. David Kim, CEO and co-founder of Goldenwood, about AI and vocation. David's passion is to help people and organizations see the unseen realities that give rise to the world we create.David shares why the future will belong not just to efficiency, but to people who can cultivate curiosity, connection, and creativity in a rapidly changing world.Mentioned:Every Good Endeavor by Tim Keller and Katherine Leary AlsdorfUnreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara“The Tune of Things” by Christian WimanConnect with us:Center for School Leadership at Baylor UniversityLinkedInBaylor MA in School Leadership

In #coachbetter episode Kim talks with Iain Henderson, Director of The Bridge at Wellington College. This is a peek into a conversation they had for Iain's podcast that we're excited to share with you here.  Iain and Kim have been having ongoing conversations about how coaching is implemented differently in different school settings and this conversation highlights a number of key topics that have come up many times, including: the importance of agency in the coaching process embracing a coach-like approach in any interaction  what we hope are the goals or outcomes from the coaching process how we design coaching relationships and avoid "coaching-by-stealth" the impact of different types of coaching models - like: what happens when we mandate coaching, and the repercussions of aligning coaching with evaluation coaching in the age of AI This conversation explores the deep power of coaching as adult development to support the flourishing of all educators in our schools. If you are interested in why coaching is so powerful - and some very important constraints to the coaching process that can make or break your program - this episode is for you! Find the show notes for this episode here. Let's Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Articles from Kim 3 Innovative Instructional Coaching Models (Edutopia) How Instructional Coaches Can Balance Confidentiality and Accountability (Edutopia) When We Invest in Coaches, We Invest in Teachers (The Learning Professional, Learning Forward) Books & Chapters from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter)

Improving math instruction and student achievement is something every school and system wants. But despite that desire, real, lasting change often feels out of reach. Not because educators don't care—but because the work required to get there is harder than expected.It's easy to want the outcome: stronger math programs, more confident teachers, improved student results. But those outcomes depend on a set of consistent, intentional inputs—time, focus, and sustained effort. And that's where many systems struggle. The reality is, meaningful improvement isn't about finding a quick fix. It's about committing to the long-term work, even when progress feels slow and the process is challenging. Like any complex skill, the results only come when the required effort is sustained over time.In this episode, you'll explore:Why improving math instruction requires more than good intentionsThe difference between wanting results and committing to the workWhat “inputs vs outputs” really means in educationWhy sustainable improvement takes time and consistencyHow systems can think more intentionally about long-term changeWhat it means to “choose your hard” in math improvementIf you're working to improve math instruction in your classroom, school, or system, this episode will challenge you to think differently about the commitment required—and help you decide what path forward you're ready to take.We built a simple Math Coherence Compass to help district and school leaders make aligned decisions around math—without adding another initiative. Get your free copy and training here https://makemathmoments.com/compass/Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/ Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem-based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units Show Notes PageLove the show? Text us your big takeaway!Are you wondering how to create K-12 math lesson plans that leave students so engaged they don't want to stop exploring your math curriculum when the bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.

A Milestone Built on Consistency and Community Episode 500 of Principal Matters is more than a milestone; it's a reflection of years of consistency, curiosity, and commitment to elevating school leadership. What began as a blog in 2013 and evolved into a podcast in 2015 has grown into a global conversation among educators. With over 700 pieces of content produced, the show has become a trusted space where leaders learn from one another, share experiences, and grow together. For this special episode, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke invited a panel of respected leaders and longtime listeners to reflect on lessons learned, meaningful moments, and the future of education leadership. The panel includes: Dr. Don Parker, Josh Tovar, Donna Hayward, Frederick Buskey, Brent Kline, Dr. Nick Davies, and Dr. Tracie Swilley. Will Parker – Founder, Principal Matters LLC https://williamdparker.com Jen Schwanke – Author, Speaker, Co-Host https://jenschwanke.com Dr. Don Parker – Speaker, Author, PD Consultant https://drdonparker.com Josh Tovar – Principal, Memorial Pathway Academy (Garland, TX)Memorial Pathway Academy https://www.garlandisdschools.net/memorial Donna Hayward – Principal, Haddam-Killingworth High School (CT)Haddam-Killingworth High School https://hkhs.rsd17.org Frederick Buskey – Host, Assistant Principal Podcasthttps://www.frederickbuskey.com/appodcast.html Brent Kline – Principal, Palo Alto High SchoolPalo Alto High School https://www.paly.net Dr. Nick Davies – Principal, Woodland Middle Schoolhttps://www.drnickdavies.com/ Dr. Tracie Swilley – Assistant Superintendent, Fairfield County School District (SC)Fairfield County School District https://www.fairfield1.org https://educate-her.com The Power of Ongoing Conversation A consistent theme across the episode is the idea that Principal Matters is not just a podcast; it's an ongoing conversation among trusted colleagues. Our friends described the show as: A “circle of trusted friends” A space where leadership challenges feel shared, not isolated A bridge connecting leaders across different contexts and regions Rather than one standout episode, they emphasized the cumulative impact of hearing diverse voices over time. Whether discussing rural leadership, student voice, or restorative practices, the conversations feel timeless and relevant. Leadership Through Relationships Another major takeaway is the relational nature of leadership. Guests highlighted how the show models: Authentic dialogue Curiosity-driven questioning Respect for diverse perspectives Dr. Don Parker reflected on how meaningful it is when leaders feel seen and valued in conversation, while others noted the importance of creating environments where people feel safe to share openly. The podcast itself mirrors what effective leadership looks like in schools: listening deeply, building trust, and learning collaboratively. Timeless Lessons for School Leaders Across the discussion, several key leadership principles emerged: 1. Leadership is Human Work The most impactful leaders connect with people—not just systems or outcomes. 2. Growth Requires Community No leader succeeds in isolation. Networks, mentorship, and ongoing dialogue are essential. 3. Student Voice Matters Including students in decision-making leads to stronger, more meaningful school practices. 4. Reflection Drives Improvement Whether through podcasts, conversations, or coaching, reflection helps leaders refine their practice. Behind the Scenes: Crafting the Conversation Jen Schwanke offered insight into the preparation behind each episode: Researching guests and their work Developing thoughtful, curiosity-driven questions Allowing conversations to evolve naturally Meanwhile, the production process—editing, publishing, and distribution—relies on a dedicated team, including our editor, Emily Parker-Eaton, and our theme music by Samuel Parker, highlighting that the podcast is truly a collaborative effort. Parting Words: Wisdom from the Panel The episode concludes with powerful reflections from each guest, including: Remember your “why” Seek support—you don't have to do this alone Slow down and focus on people, not just tasks Embrace the impact you have on lives every day Stay committed to growth and connection Each message reinforces a shared belief: leadership is challenging, but deeply meaningful work. Thank you Listen to the entire episode for even more takeaways! Episode 500 wouldn't be possible without you, the listener, so thank you! This show is a celebration of perseverance, relationships, and shared purpose. More than anything, it reminds us that leadership is not about having all the answers; it's about asking better questions, building stronger connections, and continuing the conversation. And as the panel suggested, this isn't the end. It's just the beginning of the next 500 conversations. Until the next episode, thank you for listening, and thank you for doing what matters! The post PMP500: Celebrating 500 Conversations in School Leadership appeared first on Principal Matters.

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, Dr. Todd Cutler, Superintendent of Lake Tahoe Unified School District, discusses what it truly means to build schools that transform communities. He shares his belief that education shapes the future of entire communities, not just individual students, and reflects on his journey through three superintendencies to find what matters most in school leadership. Dr. Cutler highlights the district's innovative career tech education programs, dual enrollment partnerships with Lake Tahoe Community College, and a recently passed bond focused on creating flexible, engaging learning environments. He also opens up about the importance of high expectations paired with genuine care, the power of student voice in shaping classroom design, and why celebrating wins is something education doesn't do nearly enough. About Dr. Todd Cutler: Dr. Todd Cutler became the Superintendent of Lake Tahoe Unified School District on July 1, 2020. He came to South Lake Tahoe from Winters Joint Unified School District where he served for five years as the Superintendent.  Dr. Cutler grew up on the southeast shore of Lake Tahoe and attended Zephyr Cove Elementary School, Kingsbury Middle School and is a graduate of George Whittell High School.  After high school graduation he attended New Mexico State University where he was an Academic All-American Football player. He received his B.S. degree in Secondary Education from NMSU. Todd went on to earn his Masters in Education Administration from the University of Phoenix, and lastly earned his Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Cutler began his career in education teaching and coaching at both the middle school and high school levels in Gardnerville, Nevada.  He began his school administration career in 1998 and has served in an array of positions.  He has been a Dean of Students, Assistant Principal, Principal, School Improvement Analyst, Administrative Coach, Deputy Superintendent, and Superintendent. Along with Winters, Dr. Cutler has served as Superintendent of the Lassen Union High School District and Johnstonville Elementary School District in Susanville, CA.  Along with Dr. Cutler's educational and professional experience, he has demonstrated a commitment to be involved with the communities he has lived and worked.  Examples include serving as the Mayor of Fernley, Nevada and volunteering as a site director for Inner City Games in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was a member of Rotary and a member of the Rocklin Education Excellence Foundation. Todd has a philosophy of collaborative leadership.  He understands the importance of engaging all stakeholders in the education process.  He is committed to doing what is best for students and has a proven track record of improved student achievement under his service. Learn More About Kay-Twelve: Website: https://kay-twelve.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kay-twelve-com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kay_twelve/   Episode 329 of the Better Learning Podcast Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a national leader for educational furniture. Learn more about creating better learning environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com.   For more information on our partners: Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) - https://www.a4le.org/ Education Leaders' Organization - https://www.ed-leaders.org/ Second Class Foundation - https://secondclassfoundation.org/ EDmarket - https://www.edmarket.org/ Catapult @ Penn GSE - https://catapult.gse.upenn.edu/ Want to be a Guest Speaker? Request on our website

What happens when the success you worked so hard to build starts to feel like survival? In this episode, Chanie Wilschanski joins radio host Nachum Segal on JM in the AM to talk about her new book, This Can't Be Normal. They cover the invisible weight of school leadership, why burnout is a rhythm problem not a workload problem, and what it actually looks like to lead a school sustainably, without running yourself into the ground. If you've ever wondered why leading well still feels so hard, this conversation is for you.This Can't Be Normal: What to Do When Success Starts to Feel Like Survival by Chanie Wilschanski — available on Amazon, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, and wherever books are sold: https://thiscantbenormal.comListen to JM in the AM with Nachum Segal: https://www.nachumsegal.com/

Improving student achievement in mathematics is a goal shared by schools, districts, and systems everywhere. Yet despite years of effort, many classrooms still aren't seeing the shifts in instruction or outcomes that we're aiming for. If the goal is clear, why does progress feel so inconsistent?The challenge isn't a lack of effort. Teachers are working hard, and schools are investing time into professional learning and new initiatives. But even with well-established teaching practices and research-backed strategies, something isn't sticking. In many cases, the issue lies not in the practices themselves, but in the systems designed to support them. Without clarity, alignment, and the right focus, it becomes difficult to create meaningful and lasting change in math instruction.In this episode, you'll explore:Why math achievement hasn't improved despite years of effortThe three key barriers preventing instructional changeHow a lack of clarity and coherence impacts teacher practiceWhy measuring the wrong things leads to stalled progressWhat it means to focus narrowly for greater impactWhy building teachers' math understanding—not just pedagogy—is essentialIf you're trying to improve math instruction in your classroom, school, or system, this episode will help you rethink your approach and focus on the changes that truly move the needle.We built a simple Math Coherence Compass to help district and school leaders make aligned decisions around math—without adding another initiative. Get your free copy and training here https://makemathmoments.com/compass/Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/ Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem-based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units Show Notes PageLove the show? Text us your big takeaway! Are you wondering how to create K-12 math lesson plans that leave students so engaged they don't want to stop exploring your math curriculum when the bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.

What does it really take to lead bold organizational change — and make it stick?On this episode of More Great Seats 4 Kids, Mike Lesczinski, Director of Strategy and Communications at the SUNY Charter Schools Institute, sits down with Tresha Ward, Chief Executive Officer of Brooklyn Prospect Charter Schools, for a conversation about leadership, equity, talent, and school transformation.Since stepping into the CEO role in 2021, Tresha has led a major effort to redesign systems and structures to create equity for both students and staff. She shares how Brooklyn Prospect rethought staffing models, strengthened leadership development, improved compensation practices, rebuilt culture, and dramatically increased employee retention while reducing disparities by race and role.This is a practical discussion about making difficult decisions, navigating resistance, staying grounded in values, and building an organization where excellence, diversity, and belonging can thrive together.Support the show

Recess is often thought of as an “extra” activity in the school day. Sometimes it's even taken away from students as a punishment. But some schools think about recess as an integral part of the school day, where students get the opportunity to connect, practice important social and problem-solving skills they'll need for life.Others are taking it a step further and using it as a tool to help students feel more connected to their school experience, and to decrease chronic absenteeism and establish a school culture where kids feel like they belong at school. That's why I was so excited to connect with Elizabeth Cushing from Playworks.Elizabeth Cushing is CEO of Playworks, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to using the power of play to bring out the best in every child. Elizabeth joined Playworks in 2004 and was named President and COO in 2011 and CEO in 2020. She leads Playworks' Executive Team and is responsible for the organization's strategy, operations and fiscal health. During her tenure Elizabeth has played a lead role in designing Playworks' national scaling strategy including engaging national investors. Alongside founder, Jill Vialet, Elizabeth led the organization through a sustained period of growth from a San Francisco Bay Area-focus to a national organization with 14 teams across the country. As a result of strategic expansion, Playworks shares its unique brand of play and physical activity with 1,000 elementary schools reaching more than 1M children annually. For more than 30 years Elizabeth has served in leadership roles in nonprofit organizations focused on youth development, children's advocacy and women's issues. Elizabeth is a product of Oregon public schools, Stanford University and the Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs.In this conversation, we discuss:✅ Simple ways educators can set expectations and rules to create structure and a sense of safety around recess✅ How to use play as a reset and a preventative measure, instead of something that's taken away from kids as a punishment✅ How training kids as peer coaches can help decrease disruptive behaviors and help kids discover their own leadership potentialYou can learn more about Playworks on their website at: https://www.playworks.org/Resources mentioned in this interview include:Comprehensive Game Guide that Outlines Games Across Grade Levels: https://www.playworks.org/indiana/game-guide/The sister website for Playworks with tools for assessing the health of your school's recess: https://www.recesslab.org/In this conversation, I 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 JOY over Happiness, Dr. Jon Eckert talks with Darren Spyksma about what it really means to humanize education in a world that keeps pushing toward efficiency and shortcuts.Darren shares how the real work in schools isn't fixing kids, it's helping adults grow in how they show up for them. From turning conflict into an opportunity for deeper relationships to helping teachers and parents stay present instead of outsourcing responsibility to technology, this conversation is a grounded look at what “humazing” education actually looks like. It's a reminder that the best learning still happens through real relationships, honest conversations, and choosing to do the slower, harder work of being human together.Mentioned:10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People by David Yeager The Anxious Generation by Jonathan HaidtJOMO: Joy of Missing OutConnect with us:Center for School Leadership at Baylor UniversityLinkedInBaylor MA in School Leadership

Educational leadership shapes classrooms, schools, and communities. Jon Eckert, director of Baylor's Center for School Leadership, shares how Baylor is supporting educators at every level—locally, nationally, and around the world, living out its mission within that discipline. Eckert shares how the Center has grown into a global network connecting leaders, research, and practical tools, all with a focus on helping educators—and students—flourish. From navigating change and technology to fostering wellness, engagement, and joy, the conversation highlights Baylor's commitment to serving those on the front lines of education.

What does it really mean to lead a school rather than simply manage one? In this powerful conversation, Joshua Stamper sits down with Principal Baruti Kafele to explore the deeper work of school leadership, instructional coaching, student engagement, and school culture. Kafele shares lessons from his journey as an educator, assistant principal, principal, author, and speaker, offering a compelling reminder that leadership is not about maintaining the status quo — it's about intentionally moving people forward. Throughout the episode, Kafele unpacks the difference between management and leadership, the importance of honest self-assessment, and why instructional leadership must remain at the center of a school leader's work. He also explains the idea of “closing the attitude gap” and how leaders can influence the mindset, motivation, and potential of both students and staff. This conversation is filled with practical wisdom for principals, assistant principals, instructional leaders, and anyone who wants to grow in their capacity to lead with purpose. Kafele also shares the books and frameworks that have shaped his work, making this episode especially valuable for leaders looking for direction, reflection, and a fresh lens on school improvement. About Baruti Kafele A highly-regarded urban educator in New Jersey for over twenty years, Principal Baruti Kafele distinguished himself as a master teacher and a transformational school leader. As an elementary school teacher in East Orange, NJ, he was selected as the East Orange School District and Essex County Public Schools Teacher of the Year and New Jersey State Teacher of the Year finalist. As a middle and high school principal, Principal Kafele led the turnaround of four different New Jersey urban schools, including The Mighty; Newark Tech, which went from a low-performing school in need of improvement to national recognition, which included U.S. News and World Report Magazine recognizing it three times as one of America #39;s best high schools. Principal Kafele is the author of fourteen books including his most recent release, What Is My Value Instructionally to the Teachers I Supervise? and he's a highly sought-after speaker with over 3000 keynotes and seminars delivered over his 40 years of public speaking. Follow Baruti Kafele Website: https://principalkafele.com/ Social Media Twitter:@PrincipalKafeleFacebook:Principal KafeleFacebook: AP & New Principals AcademyInstagram:Principal KafeleLinkedIn:Principal Kafele Books What Is My Value INSTRUCTIONALLY to the Teachers I Supervise? (New)The Assistant Principal IDENTITYThe Assistant Principal 50The Aspiring Principal 50The Principal 50Is My School a Better School BECAUSE I Lead It?The Equity & Social Justice Education 50The Teacher 50Closing the Attitude GapMotivating Black Males to Achieve in School and in LifeYouTube ChannelsAP & New Principals Academy (one of YouTube's top channels for principal & AP leadership)Principal Kafele SpeaksMessage to Your Son / YouthPrincipal Kafele Throwbacks https://www.amazon.com/What-Value-Instructionally-Teachers-Supervise/dp/1416633456?crid=8EDF3U23E9Q7&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.9wl3V2aIJKdsXNaOo4r-SDUVSGwY4HBUZ_1MPIZJj_We70m971YextnsZto5_qygHxdmtHUrUnmP0SFEYDll_g.6K2WCii6jIQ9tfCZFyHbXJ_04QUx0SkIVOashlRNr0k&dib_tag=se&keywords=What+Is+My+Value+INSTRUCTIONALLY+to+the+Teachers+I+Supervise%3F&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1777826022&s=books&sprefix=what+is+my+value+instructionally+to+the+teachers+i+supervise+%2Cstripbooks%2C187&sr=1-1&linkCode=ll2&tag=aspirewebsite-20&linkId=0aaefed846987a3df4445f1316548961&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl https://www.amazon.com/Assistant-Principal-Meaningful-Leadership-Professional-ebook/dp/B08V21DBWT?&linkCode=ll2&tag=aspirewebsite-20&linkId=a49f2bda1edbb0d50b3ab97eeaeea473&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl https://www.amazon.com/My-School-Better-BECAUSE-Lead-ebook/dp/B08V1Z7FRF?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=iV2gC&content-id=amzn1.sym.aec507cb-142c-4f68-9ae5-803b8e7b33f1&pf_rd_p=aec507cb-142c-4f68-9ae5-803b8e7b33f1&pf_rd_r=138-6790116-8125430&pd_rd_wg=feblV&pd_rd_r=921a4fe6-380e-426b-87d7-21ddf731d452&linkCode=ll2&tag=aspirewebsite-20&linkId=ab7d6cc665aa380e698fb047f3a1c5dd&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl https://www.amazon.com/Principal-Leadership-Questions-Schoolwide-Excellence-ebook/dp/B07WZH6P84?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=iV2gC&content-id=amzn1.sym.aec507cb-142c-4f68-9ae5-803b8e7b33f1&pf_rd_p=aec507cb-142c-4f68-9ae5-803b8e7b33f1&pf_rd_r=138-6790116-8125430&pd_rd_wg=feblV&pd_rd_r=921a4fe6-380e-426b-87d7-21ddf731d452&linkCode=ll2&tag=aspirewebsite-20&linkId=dce2a4b8404b6bc0dc6b037e99c95594&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl — #1 New Release, "The Language of Behavior" is NOW Available! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DVT32KQ1?&linkCode=ll1&tag=aspirewebsite-20&linkId=d18e5a44a6582a22d15ee23193af7bb8&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl The Language of Behavior is an essential guide for school leaders committed to transforming their school culture and addressing student behavior through a more compassionate, effective approach. Drawing on their extensive experience in education, Charle Peck and Joshua Stamper challenge outdated disciplinary practices and offer a clear, trauma-informed framework that empowers educators to interpret student behavior as a form of communication. Through three core tenets—Consider the Environment, Explore the Root Causes of Behavior, and Respond with Intentionality—this book equips leaders with actionable strategies to foster positive behavior, build stronger relationships, and cultivate a more supportive school climate. Packed with real-world case studies, evidence-based practices, and insights into the lasting effects of childhood trauma, The Language of Behavior provides school leaders with the tools to create lasting, meaningful change. It offers a roadmap to reduce behavior issues, re-engage students and staff, and establish a culture of accountability and empathy. This book is not just a reference—it's a call to lead with vision and transform how we approach discipline, ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive. Bulk Orders: https://www.connectedd.org/bulk-orders — Need a Presenter for a conference or school PD? Contact Brad Waid to book Joshua Stamper for your next event on Improving Student Behavior, Impacting School Mental Health, or Creating healthy habits. -- Follow the Host, Joshua Stamper: Contact:https://joshstamper.com/contact/Twitter:www.twitter.com/Joshua__StamperInstagram:www.instagram.com/joshua__stamperLinkedin:www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-stamperFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/AspirePodcastSubscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/aspire-the-leadership-development-podcast/id1384210762?mt=2 Aspire to Lead Won the FireBird Award! I'm happy to announce that my book, “Aspire to Lead”, won the 2022 Leadership Book Award from Speak Up Talk Radio! It is a great honor to get this kind of recognition and I really appreciate all your support! The book is available for purchase on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1953852386/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1953852386&linkCode=as2&tag=aspirewebsite-20&linkId=0d9c336e3db6ab16cbb08421ef3e4175 Review the Podcast I want to give a huge shout out to those who have taken the time to provide a review on Apple, Spotify or any other podcast platform. It truly means the world to me that you would take the 30- 90 seconds to share how the podcast has positively impacted you or why other educators should check out the show. This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase through these links, The Aspire Podcast gets a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. Teach Better Podcast Network This podcast is a part of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Explore the Teach Better Podcast Network—your hub for insightful conversations covering diverse education topics. Our podcasts empower educators, fostering progressive, student-focused...

In schools today, it can feel like there's always something new being introduced. A new initiative, a new priority, a new expectation. And for many teachers, especially in math classrooms, it raises a familiar question: why this, and why now? After years of seeing initiatives come and go, it's easy to feel skeptical about whether the next one will actually make a lasting impact.But what if the issue isn't the initiative itself—but the number of initiatives being introduced at once? When time, energy, and resources stay the same (or even decrease), every new priority competes for attention. And over time, that leads to what's known as initiative fatigue. Without clear communication, shared decision-making, and visible evidence of impact, it becomes harder for teachers to invest in new work. The challenge isn't just choosing the right initiative—it's knowing what to prioritize, what to let go of, and how to create the conditions for meaningful change.In this episode, you'll explore:What initiative fatigue is and why it happens in schoolsHow competing priorities impact teachers' time and energyWhy transparency and teacher involvement matter in decision-making in mathematicsHow to determine when it's the right time to move on from a math initiativeThe importance of identifying clear success indicators in mathematicsWhat teachers and math leaders can do to better manage competing demandsIf you're feeling overwhelmed by constant change—or trying to lead improvement without overloading your team—this episode will help you think more strategically about priorities, capacity, and sustainable progress.Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/ Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem-based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units Love the show? Text us your big takeaway!Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you'll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.Take the assessmentAre you wondering how to create K-12 math lesson plans that leave students so engaged they don't want to stop exploring your math curriculum when the bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.

Most schools say they “collaborate.” They hold team meetings. They talk about students. They review data.But without clear infrastructure, those meetings become updates instead of decision-making engines, and multi-tiered systems of support become an extra burden for educators. In this episode, I interview Kurtis Hewson from Jigsaw Learning to break down their Collaborative Response Team meeting format and explain why effective collaboration requires structure and not just good intentions. From who is in the room to how documents are used before, during, and after the meeting, they share the operational backbone that makes collaboration actually move student outcomes.Kurtis Hewson is an award-winning former administrator and teacher, as well as post-secondary teaching faculty. He is the co-founder of Jigsaw Learning and co-author of Collaborative Response: Three Foundational Components That Transform How We Respond to the Needs of Learners (Corwin, 2022). Kurtis works with districts and schools nationally and internationally to establish Collaborative Response frameworks and interacts with thousands of educators each year.If you care about MTSS, intervention systems, or building-level leadership, this episode will shift how you think about team meetings and collaboration. In this interview, we discuss: ✅ Why the Collaborative Team Meeting framework helps educators move from between “talking about students” to making strategic, forward progress that changes school-wide practice✅ How structured documents before, during, and after meetings create clarity and accountability and psychological safety✅ How to capture action items in real time and encourage innovative thinking✅ Why the Collaborative Team Meeting requires specific roles, and how these roles  determine whether a meeting moves forward or feels like busyworkIf you're leading multi-tiered supports in K–12 education or trying to strengthen how your teams collaborate, this episode offers practical insight into building the infrastructure that makes collaboration sustainable, focused, and impactful.You can learn more about the Collaborative Response Framework free resources here: https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/freeRead about the Overview of Collaborative Response here: https://bit.ly/CR-overview Read the Introductory Chapter of the text Collaborative Response – https://bit.ly/CR-introGet the Collaborative Team Meeting Starter Kit here: https://www.jigsawlearningonline.com/ctm-starter-kit-podcastLearn about the Layers of Collaborative Teams Here: https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/publications/blog-posts/scaffolding-our-collaborative-response-purposeful-layering-tLearn the Five Considerations to Transform Your Team Meetings here:  https://www.jigsawlearningonline.com/five-planning-considerations-to-transform-your-team-meetingsIn 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 the School of Clinical Leadership, my program that helps related service providers design an executive functioning implementation plan for their school teams. 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

What is education actually for? Is it mainly about helping students get into college and launch a career, or is it about forming the kind of person who can flourish in faith, wisdom, and vocation? In this episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies Owens is joined by Ali Ghaffari, Executive Director of the St. John Henry Newman Institute and founder of Divine Mercy Academy, for a rich conversation about leadership, renewal, and the true purpose of education. Ali shares his remarkable journey from a difficult childhood to flying F-18s in the Navy, teaching leadership at the Naval Academy, embracing the Catholic faith, and helping lead renewal in Catholic education. Along the way, he reflects on how mentors, failure, and God's providence shaped his life and calling. Together, Davies and Ali explore the growing renewal movement in Catholic schools, the leadership challenges many schools face, and why education must aim higher than test scores and college admissions. They discuss the need for schools to form students in wisdom, virtue, and vocation, while also encouraging parents to raise their expectations and stay actively engaged in their children's education.