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The Better Leaders Better Schools Podcast with Daniel Bauer

The BETTER LEADERS BETTER SCHOOLS podcast is in the TOP 0.5% most downloaded shows of over 2 million podcasts across the world. The BLBS show was created for RUCKUS MAKERS in education -- those out-of-the-box school leaders making change happen. Launched in 2015, this category-defining podcast in educational leadership has helped over 1 MILLION leaders LEVEL UP. Each week host DANIEL BAUER has a conversation with a leadership expert and invites you to listen in. Turn your commute, chores, or workout into professional development and then GO MAKE A RUCKUS! BLBS is the #1 downloaded podcast for school leaders.
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The Better Leaders Better Schools Podcast with Daniel Bauer
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Now displaying: Page 12
Nov 20, 2019

Welcome to the Better Leaders Better Schools podcast.  This is a weekly show for ruckus makers -- What is a ruckus maker?  A leader who has found freedom from the status quo. A leader looking to escape the old routine. A leader who never, ever gives up.

In today’s episode, our guest Robert Breyer is one of our ruckus makers who will share his story with you. He has served as a classroom teacher and administrator for the past fourteen years. He has some brilliant ideas about business and to execute his plans he has launched a podcast.

We hope you enjoy the podcast. All the highlights, resources, and next steps can be found below. Listen to the full episode here and learn more at betterleadersbetterschools.com

 

Key Talking Points

  • Introduction to Robert
  • Starting of Podcast business
  • Importance of building confidence
  • Leaving comfort zone
  • Making an emotional connection
  • AP to the principal transformation
  • Importance of learning
  • Take away from the conversation

 

Key Milestones of the Episodes

[05:32] Introduction to Robert Breyer

[07:16]  Starting of podcast

[13:28]  Aha moments

[18:36]  AP to Principal

[23:50]  Importance of building confidence

[26:08]  Gift for Ruckus Maker

[33:30]  Leaving comfort zone

[36:49]  First book of Daniel

[43:41]  Story for the Ruckus maker

[45:58]  Demand of the business

[47:55]  Take away from the conversation

 

Key Quotes

  1. “Isolation is the number one enemy of excellence and isolation is also a choice.”
  2. “Don't try to do everything for everybody.”
  3. “You don't have to do it alone.”
  4. “People will reveal what they need and why they need.”
  5. “People see themselves in the stories you tell.”
  6. “Leadership is service or if you're interested in business. That's just solving somebody's challenge.”
  7. “I'm looking at different ways to go to separate myself from others because there's a lot of people already doing this type of business. How do I make myself stand out?”

 

About Our Guest

Robert Breyer has served as a classroom teacher and administrator for the past 14 years. He was selected to the first Sandhills Leadership Academy class, which is a selective process to prepare a cadre of highly effective school leaders for high needs schools These experiences have shaped Robert into a reflective and effective school leader who sets the example for his peers, teachers, and students.

Robert is also the host of the Guiding Principals podcast.

 

Resources 

Story Driven

The Right Story

The Compelling Communicator

The Story Skills Workshop

Join the mastermind

Guiding Principals Podcast

 

 

Tip of the Week

Honoring Students:  Follow the universities and honor your students with Magna Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude and Cum Laude.  Get them ready for college. I've seen a school district do this and it was amazing because there are no questions asked about students weighted GPA’s and courses they took.  A student has to have a certain GPA and above to be at Magna, Summa and Cum Laude. It’s just a brilliant introduction to honoring deserving students and moving away from tradition.

 

Show Some Love

 

LEVEL UP 🚀

Website :: Twitter :: LinkedIn

 

SHOW SPONSORS

ORGANIZED BINDER

  • Organized Binder is an evidence-based RTI2 Tier 1 universal level solution
  • Focuses on improving executive functioning and noncognitive skills
  • Is in direct alignment with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework
  • Is an integral component for ensuring Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)

You can learn more and improve your student’s success at https://organizedbinder.com/

 

Copyright © 2019 Better Leaders Better Schools

Nov 19, 2019

Welcome to the Better Leaders Better Schools podcast.  This is a weekly show for ruckus makers -- What is a ruckus maker?  A leader who has found freedom from the status quo. A leader looking to escape the old routine. A leader who never, ever gives up.

In today’s episode, our guest Orly Friedman is one of our ruckus makers who will share her experience with you. She is the founder of a new K-8 school with a focus on developing a sense of urgency in all students.

We hope you enjoy the podcast. All the highlights, resources, and next steps can be found below. Listen to the full episode here and learn more at betterleadersbetterschools.com

 

Key Talking Points

  • Introduction to Orly Friedman
  • The story of Orly
  • Building of efficient system for teachers
  • Red bridge vs traditional schools
  • Importance of grades
  • Training of staff with OKRs
  • Top three priorities
  • Advice for Ruckus makers

 

Key Milestones of the Episodes

[00:14] Introduction of Orly Friedman

[04:14] Orly’s Story

[05:29] Making of school 

[12:20] Utilizing staff in different ways

[15:51] How do grades put a stop to learning?

[20:47] Orly’s learning

[23:25] Example of a student or teacher’s goal

[26:10] Training staff with OKRs

[27:42] Top three priorities for building and school

[29:59] Advice from Orly

 

Key Quotes

  1. “Once you are like the coach Mentor role the way that their day is scheduled is one-on-one meetings students.”
  2. “In traditional schools all of the structures and systems are really designed to reward compliance.”
  3. “We know what motivates the adults and the same thing is true for kids, so you can give students mastery, autonomy, purpose and meaningful relationship.  They are going to love coming to school and that’s true for students and teachers.”

 

About Our Guest

Orly Friedman is the founder of Red bridge, a new K-8 school marching in San Francisco in September 2020. The focus of the school is developing a sense of agency in all students previously or they spent five years teaching Elementary School in Washington DC. She moved to California to get her MBA at Stanford after which she joined the founding team of Khan Lab School and work there for 4 years as head of lower school.

 

Resources 

Twitter

Website

One World School House

Measure What Matters

Blog post on OKRs

 

Show Some Love

 

LEVEL UP 🚀

Website :: Twitter :: LinkedIn

 

SHOW SPONSORS

ORGANIZED BINDER

  • Organized Binder is an evidence-based RTI2 Tier 1 universal level solution
  • Focuses on improving executive functioning and noncognitive skills
  • Is in direct alignment with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework
  • Is an integral component for ensuring Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)

You can learn more and improve your student’s success at https://organizedbinder.com/

 

Copyright © 2019 Better Leaders Better Schools

Nov 13, 2019

Welcome to the Better Leaders Better Schools podcast.  This is a weekly show for ruckus makers -- What is a ruckus maker?  A leader who has found freedom from the status quo. A leader looking to escape the old routine. A leader who never, ever gives up.

What would you do if you walked into the doctor's office for what you thought was possibly kidney stones and instead the doctor looked at you in the eyes and said you have cancer. What would be your next step?

In today’s episode, our guest Aubrey Patterson is one of our ruckus makers who will share his with you. He’s a cancer survivor and wanted to do something in education and set up an example.

We hope you enjoy the podcast. All the highlights, resources, and next steps can be found below. Listen to the full episode here and learn more at betterleadersbetterschools.com

 

Key Talking Points

  •     Introduction to Aubrey
  •     The story of Aubrey
  •     How to face challenges in life
  •     Simplify, Amplify and Clarify
  •     About Management
  •     Things that build you up
  •     Top three priorities
  •     Advice to make a difference

 

Key Milestones of the Episodes

[03:55] Introduction to Aubrey Patterson

[05:34] Aubrey’s Story

[12:44] Concrete idea to face challenges in life

[13:56] The message

[19:28] Example to understand the message

[21:52] What things build you up

[27:16] Top three priorities

[28:58] Advice from Aubrey to Ruckus makers

 

Key Quotes

  1. “If you don't change direction, you might just end up where you're headed.”
  2. “I always want students to feel significant.  I want the families, parents and teachers-every adult in the building to feel significant.  Not just today, but always”
  3. “The best way to become a stronger leader is to try to build leadership in others.”
  4. “Amazing teachers grow our leaders”.
  5. “To make a difference trust your gut.”

 

About Our Guest

Aubrey has been a teacher, principal, and superintendent in a high performing school district in Western Canada.  

Aubrey co-created Nohea Leadership to help EDUleaders use of technology to capture great ideas, recapture time and build exceptionally open and positive learning cultures. Nohea’s easily adaptable systems use three distinct stages that fall in succession like dominoes: simplifi, clarifi and amplifi.

LinkedIn

 

Tip of the Week

Start with the end in mind. What is the result that you are watching for the end of the year? You want to win, you want those kids to win, you want that achievement score to go up, and you want those kids to master skills. So, always start with the end in mind. 

Show Some Love

 

LEVEL UP 🚀

Website :: Twitter :: LinkedIn

 

SHOW SPONSORS

ORGANIZED BINDER

  • Organized Binder is an evidence-based RTI2 Tier 1 universal level solution
  • Focuses on improving executive functioning and noncognitive skills
  • Is in direct alignment with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework
  • Is an integral component for ensuring Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)

You can learn more and improve your student’s success at https://organizedbinder.com/

 

Copyright © 2019 Better Leaders Better Schools

Nov 6, 2019

Welcome to the Better Leaders Better Schools podcast.  This is a weekly show for ruckus makers -- What is a ruckus maker?  A leader who has found freedom from the status quo. A leader looking to escape the old routine. A leader who never, ever gives up.

Do you have a dream of writing and publishing a book, but you do not go how to about it?  Everyone has a book inside them. The problem is how to transform it into reality.   

In today’s episode, our guest Caleb is one of our ruckus makers who thinks he has a book inside him. Danny coaches Caleb on how to find the book within and the process of how to write and publish his book.

We hope you enjoy the podcast. All the highlights, resources, and next steps can be found below. Listen to the full episode here and learn more at betterleadersbetterschools.com

 

Key Talking Points 

  • Introduction to Caleb
  • Finding the time to write
  • Brainstorming your book topic
  • Dealing with Imposter Syndrome
  • Developing your audience and identity
  • Finding a publisher and presenting your book
  • Understanding self-publishing
  • Caleb's next step

 

Key Milestones of the Episodes

[00:35] Introduction to Caleb Bonjour

[07:27] Committing and setting time aside for writing

[11:35] Brainstorming your book topic

[17:43] imposter syndrome and how to deal with it

[20:48] Developing your audience and identity

[25:11] Pitching a publisher

[28:20] Understanding self-publishing

[31:46] Caleb's next step

 

Key Quotes

  1. “You can't please everyone.”
  2. “Humans are imperfect beings, so we do make mistakes.”
  3. “Amazing educators take the opportunity to write a book and tell their story or shared some of their knowledge and wisdom.”
  4. “You need to write a bunch of garbage to get to the goal.”
  5. “Your job is to create the content.”
  6. “What sets successful people apart from others - even though we all have that inner critic - is that they act professionally...”
  7. “You get more creative control if you're self-publish.”

 

Key Resources 

1. James Woosley

2. Jennifer Harshman

 

About Our Guest

Caleb Bonjour is a fun loving educator that strives to be a lifelong learner. He has an amazing, supportive wife Amanda, a talkative and rambunctious five-year-old son Lincoln, and a 3 year old daughter McKinley. They also have three great dogs, Milo (an American Bulldog), Willow (a Cocker Spaniel), and Rosie (A Fox Red Labrador that is training to be a therapy dog for schools). Caleb loves being with his family, watching and playing sports, listening to many varieties of music, and learning more and more leadership and education on a daily basis.

Caleb strives to be the best educator he can be through studying best practices and constantly changing or adapting his practices to reach all students and staff. He has taught and coached with Pella Community Schools and Grundy Center Community Schools and is in his second administrative position as Principal of Cardinal Elementary in the Maquoketa Community School District.

 

Tip of the Week

Loosen up: Stop taking yourself too seriously. Humans are imperfect beings, so we do make mistakes. Sometimes we trip, we might spill our coffee on ourselves. You need to laugh at yourself and tell people those kind of stories.

Show Some Love

 

LEVEL UP 🚀

Website :: Twitter :: LinkedIn

 

SHOW SPONSORS

ORGANIZED BINDER

  • Organized Binder is an evidence-based RTI2 Tier 1 universal level solution
  • Focuses on improving executive functioning and noncognitive skills
  • Is in direct alignment with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework
  • Is an integral component for ensuring Least Restrictive Environments (LRE)

You can learn more and improve your student’s success at https://organizedbinder.com/

 

Copyright © 2019 Better Leaders Better Schools

Oct 30, 2019

Welcome to the Better Leaders Better Schools podcast.  This is a weekly show for ruckus makers -- What is a ruckus maker?  A leader who has found freedom from the status quo. A leader looking to escape the old routine. A leader who never, ever gives up.

Imagine a 10-year-old student is invited to your staff meeting, and he stands courageously in front of 60 to 80 adults. His task to present the data which he's researched and collected on staff implementation of a new aspect of a student-designed curriculum. The results are that only half the staff is implementing with fidelity, and the student challenges the team to level up their game.

You are probably wondering how you can give your students such a voice. Our guest today tells us how she has managed to empower the students' voice in her school.  Listen in, get inspired, and learn.

We hope you enjoy the podcast. All the highlights, resources, and next steps can be found below. Listen to the full episode here and learn more at betterleadersbetterschools.com

 

Key Talking Points 

  • The birth of student voice empowerment in Melissa's school
  • Challenges and setbacks when children are given so much voice
  • Negative and positive impacts of student voice empowerment
  • Implementing student voice empowerment
  • Melissa's dream school

  

Key Milestones of the Episodes

 [03:01]  Tip of the week.

 [04:52]  Melissa Clark's Introduction

 [08:08]  How Melissa started the student voice empowerment

 [13:25]  Challenges and setbacks when students are given so much voice

 [16:58]  Positive impacts from a student's voice

 [23:24]  Everything is about learning

 [28:57]  Melissa's top three priorities for her dream school

 

Key Quotes

  1. "The secret to improving our impact and to really make the change as leaders is to ask students what they need."
  2. "As teachers that we underestimate the power of a child."
  3.  "We discovered that the secret was to improve our impact as classroom teachers and to simply ask students what they need."
  4. "Student voice could go so much further than just making a difference in classroom practice. They're actually the untapped change agents within a school as well."

 

Key Resources 

 Pivot (online platform for student voice)

 

About Our Guest

Melissa Clarke is a Principal and coach who has worked in primary schools for the last 20 years. Melissa believes strongly in providing teachers with ‘permission’ to try innovative practice and believes through coaching and personalised professional learning staff will be empowered to be the best they can be while ensuring all teachers are on a journey of ongoing improvement. Her interests include high quality literacy teaching in the classroom, visible learning and the activation of student voice to empower learners. Melissa has taught all grades from K-6 and worked with students from a range of backgrounds and support needs.

 

Tip of the Week

Be the best at one thing: Be really darn good at one thing. Be an expert in that. Find what you're passionate about, be an expert in that and then hire others to be good at other things or empower your assistants to be good at the other things that you as a leader need to be active and an expert in at least one thing plus one to hire others.

 

Show Some Love

 

LEVEL UP 🚀

Website :: Twitter :: LinkedIn

 

SHOW SPONSORS

ORGANIZED BINDER

  • Organized Binder is an evidence-based RTI2 Tier 1 universal level solution
  • Focuses on improving executive functioning and noncognitive skills
  • Is in direct alignment with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework
  • Is an integral component for ensuring Least Restrictive Environments (LRE)

You can learn more and improve your student’s success at https://organizedbinder.com/

 

The Conrad Challenge

The Conrad Challenge unleashes the potential of students to solve the world’s most difficult problems.

Register until November 1, 2019 at The Conrad Challenge

 

Copyright © 2019 Better Leaders Better Schools

 

Oct 23, 2019

Welcome to the Better Leaders Better Schools podcast.  This is a weekly show for ruckus makers -- What is a ruckus maker?  A leader who has found freedom from the status quo. A leader looking to escape the old routine. A leader who never, ever gives up.

Did you know that you can borrow ideas from other industries and implement them in your schools? Some people have tried, and they have succeeded. 

One of those people is Maria Piccolo Mattoon, who happens to be our guest today.

She is the first person from the Learning Community to be interviewed on the show. Maria is a board member at Birla public school in Qatar.

We hope you enjoy the podcast. All the highlights, resources, and next steps can be found below. Listen to the full episode here and learn more at betterleadersbetterschools.com

 

Key Talking Points 

  • Maria’s introduction
  • Learning from other industries and implementing in schools
  • OODA Loop
  • How are promotions done at Birla School?
  • Retaining top talents
  • Happiness KPIs
  • Importance of partnership building with the local community
  • Maria’s dream school

  

Key Milestones of the Episodes

[03:50]  Tip of the Week

[06:07]  Maria’s introduction

[07:47]  Implementing ideas borrowed from other industries

[09:27]  OODA loop reflection technique

[10:31]  The department of capacity building

[12:07]  How are promotions done at Birla School?

[13:05]  Pitfalls to avoid when promoting from within

 [14:13] The secret to retaining top talent

[17:57]  Happiness KPIs

[21:17]  What is the most important thing when creating local partnerships?

[25:06]  Maria’s dream school

 

Key Quotes

  1. “The person with the fewest blind spots wins.”
  2. “You need to go to bed early, make yourself do it. You will be more productive during the day, and you will get more things done. At six o’clock, you should shut it off.”
  3. “From being in a variety of industries, you expose yourself to a variety of risk profiles.”
  4. “Our team is like a family.”
  5. “We invest in our people’s professional development and growth and advancement for all of them, all members of our team across all levels.”
  6. “We like to look at unusual places to see what insights can be gleaned from there as well.”
  7. “Our life is only limited by our own imagination, not the imagination of others.”
  8. “We have an amazing generation, and they can do really great things if they can imagine that act based on their own imagination and what they want for their own life.”
  9. ” Children are so different and so unique, and it’d be nice to cater to all of them. “

 

Key Resources 

  1. Zero to One by Peter Thiel
  2. OODA Loop
  3. Steve Francis Website

 

About Our Guest

Maria Pakalomattom is a Board member at Birla Public School, a private school with over 7500 students in Qatar. She has led various initiatives at the school covering the strategic, academic, operational and financial aspects. Maria has investments in ventures across sectors as an entrepreneur, but education is her favorite. Maria studied at Columbia University, where she focused on finance and entrepreneurship.

LinkedIn



Tip of the Week

Go to bed early.  Just like eating right and exercising, there is immense value in getting appropriate rest.  I make terrible decisions when I’m tired and i’m no fun to be around. I love Michael Hyatt’s post on the importance of rest.

 

Show Some Love

 

LEVEL UP 🚀

Website :: Twitter :: LinkedIn

 

SHOW SPONSORS

ORGANIZED BINDER

  • Organized Binder is an evidence-based RTI2 Tier 1 universal level solution
  • Focuses on improving executive functioning and noncognitive skills
  • Is in direct alignment with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework
  • Is an integral component for ensuring Least Restrictive Environments (LRE)

You can learn more and improve your student’s success at https://organizedbinder.com/

 

The Conrad Challenge

The Conrad Challenge unleashes the potential of students to solve the world’s most difficult problems.

Register until November 1, 2019 at The Conrad Challenge

 

Copyright © 2019 Better Leaders Better Schools

Oct 16, 2019

Welcome to the Better Leaders Better Schools podcast.  This is a weekly show for ruckus makers -- What is a ruckus maker?  A leader who has found freedom from the status quo. A leader looking to escape the old routine. A leader who never, ever gives up.

 

As a school head, you can't make ruckus sitting in your office with the four walls surrounding you and all the business of public education happening out in the school. Our guest today, Andy Lindsay tell us how he built himself a mobile office which ended up as a learning inspiration for an autistic student in the school.

 

We hope you enjoy the podcast. All the highlights, resources, and next steps can be found below. Listen to the full episode here and learn more at betterleadersbetterschools.com

 

Key Talking Points 

  1.     What is a mobile office?
  2.     The development and advancement of Andy’s mobile office
  3.     The unintended consequences of the mobile office
  4.     Andy’s communication system between him and the teachers
  5.     What is the French fries challenge

 

Key Milestones of the Episodes

[03:50]  Andy’s introduction

[05:25]  What’s a mobile office?

[06:08]  Development and advancement of Andy’s mobile office

[09:44]  The unintended consequences of the mobile office

[13:11]  The communication system

[17:01]  The French fries challenge

[22:33]  Danny’s ideal stuff profile

[29:06]  Danny’s top three priorities for his dream school

 

Key Quotes

  1. “Isolation is the number one enemy of excellence and it is also a choice.”
  2. “Sometimes we exist in a vacuum of natural talent and that will only get us so far.”
  3. “Effective school leaders need to connect with others that can help them accelerate their growth and pass their knowledge on to as well.”
  4. “You're the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”
  5. “You can't make ruckus sitting in your office with the four walls surrounding you and all the business of public education happening out in the school.”
  6. “There are so many neat opportunities out there that are not in textbooks, but they're real.”
  7. “Helpful teachers have to be helpful by nature.”
  8. “Passion will lead you to success more than a desire for money.”
  9. “I can inspire their passion, but they've got to have it in the corner to begin with.”
  10. “We cannot be inflexible in any way. Flexibility has to be part of our part of everyday life for us.”

 

 Key Resources 

  1. School Leadership Reimagined Podcast- Robyn Jackson
  2. School Leadership Series with Daniel Bauer

 

About Our Guest

Andy Lindsey has worked in public education for 22 years as a teacher, coach, tech leader, mentor association leader and Dean of Students. For the past five years, Andy has served as an assistant principal, he has won statewide awards in Michigan as a first year teacher, social studies teacher and as an assistant principal. His secret sauce is passion for learning, leadership and kids.

LinkedIn

 

Tip of the Week

Network! Sometimes we exist in a vacuum of natural talent and that will only get us so far. So effective school leaders need to connect with others that can help them accelerate their growth and pass their knowledge on to as well.

 

Show Some Love

 

LEVEL UP 🚀

Website :: Twitter :: LinkedIn

 

SHOW SPONSORS

ORGANIZED BINDER

  • Organized Binder is an evidence-based RTI2 Tier 1 universal level solution
  • Focuses on improving executive functioning and noncognitive skills
  • Is in direct alignment with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework
  • Is an integral component for ensuring Least Restrictive Environments (LRE)

You can learn more and improve your student’s success at https://organizedbinder.com/

 

The Conrad Challenge

The Conrad Challenge unleashes the potential of students to solve the world’s most difficult problems.

Register until November 1, 2019 at The Conrad Challenge

 

Copyright © 2019 Better Leaders Better Schools

Oct 14, 2019

Welcome to the Better Leaders Better Schools podcast.  This is a weekly show for ruckus makers -- What is a ruckus maker?  A leader who has found freedom from the status quo. A leader looking to escape the old routine. A leader who never, ever gives up.

 

Why is career advancement for women more difficult than it is for men? What can women do to fight the bias at workplaces?

 

People put you into buckets based on who they perceive you to be. Women have had it all rough. Their ambitions and competence get questioned all the time. For instance, how can she deliver at work yet she has a baby to nurture? How can she be so ambitious?

 

Our guests today are here to help us understand how we can fight bias at workplaces. According to our guests, it all begins with demonstrating confidence, even when you are not confident.

 

Women are very often perceived as too weak, too sweet, too nice to be effective. If they’re very effective, then they’re considered to be unpleasant and unlikeable.

 

We hope you enjoy the podcast. All the highlights, resources, and next steps can be found below. Listen to the full episode here and learn more at betterleadersbetterschools.com

  

Key Talking Points 

  • How to deal with stereotyping that comes from transitioning from a smaller firm to a larger firm
  • Where do we begin the journey of being comfortable to talk about our accomplishments?
  • How can we enroll men in the bias conversation, and how can we get them to invest in the needed change?
  • Goldilocks dilemma

 

Key Milestones of the Episodes

 [03:22]  Transitioning from a smaller firm to a larger firm. How to deal with the stereotyping

 [06:26]  Talking about our accomplishments

 [07:42]  How can we engage men in the conversation against bias?

 [11:10]  Goldilocks dilemma

 

Key Quotes

  1.   “The way we present ourselves gives other people an idea of who we are.”
  2.   “The balance between communal and agentic behaviors is dependent on the ability to manage the impressions that you create that other people have of you.”

 

 Key Resources 

  1. Website
  2. Twitter
  3. It's Not You It's the Workplace: Women's Conflict at Work and the Bias that Built It by Andrea S. Kramer and Alton  B. Harris

 

About Our Guest

Andie Kramer and Al Harris are married practicing lawyers. They have been mentoring women and speaking and writing about gender communication for more than 30 years. Andie and Al offer women unique, balanced, and highly practical advice they can use to prevent gender biases from slowing or derailing their careers.  

 

Join the BLBS Mastermind 

What kind of leader makes a good mastermind member?  Danny asks members that he already serves and this it what they said about their peers: 

 

Mastermind members are supportive, wise and not afraid to kick your butt! ~Eileen, Deputy Head of Schools in China

 

Courageous, risk takers and learners are how I describe my mastermind peers. ~Chris, VP in Canada

 

Mastermind members are generous, driven and are never satisfied with the status quo. ~Melody, Principal in Kentucky

 

If that sounds like you or people you want to surround yourself with apply today at https://www.betterleadersbetterschools.com/mastermind/

 

**Our 5th mastermind cohort is launching and is hands down the best professional development a leader can engage in.  Join Today!**

 

Tip of the Week

Be Consistent:  Consistency leads to trust.  Make sure you are doing what you say you are going to do each day.  Follow through and be consistent with your teachers. Your authentic leadership depends on it.   People love a leader who they trust.

 

Show Some Love

 

LEVEL UP 🚀

Website :: Twitter :: LinkedIn

 

SHOW SPONSORS

ORGANIZED BINDER

  • Organized Binder is an evidence-based RTI2 Tier 1 universal level solution
  • Focuses on improving executive functioning and noncognitive skills
  • Is in direct alignment with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework
  • Is an integral component for ensuring Least Restrictive Environments (LRE)

You can learn more and improve your student’s success at https://organizedbinder.com/

 

The Conrad Challenge

The Conrad Challenge unleashes the potential of students to solve the world’s most difficult problems.

Register until November 1, 2019 at The Conrad Challenge

 

Copyright © 2019 Better Leaders Better Schools

Oct 9, 2019

Welcome to the Better Leaders Better Schools podcast.  This is a weekly show for ruckus makers -- What is a ruckus maker?  A leader who has found freedom from the status quo. A leader looking to escape the old routine. A leader who never, ever gives up.

What is Courage? How can you lead with Courage?

Today we are honored to have Amanda Valenzuela on the show. Amanda will tell us what it takes to lead with Courage. According to our guest, Courage is asking that pesky question that you don’t want to ask at the end of the admin meeting because you know, it needs to be asked. How often do you hold back on something just because you think it doesn’t matter, but deep inside, you know you need to ask?

Amanda takes us through how she leads with Courage.

We hope you enjoy the podcast. All the highlights, resources, and next steps can be found below. Listen to the full episode here and learn more at betterleadersbetterschools.com

 

Key Talking Points 

  • Amanda’s introduction
  • Courage
  • Leading with Courage
  • How to find a voice

  

Key Milestones of the Episodes

[01:22]  Amanda’s introduction

[09:14]  What is Courage?

[10:57]  Leading with Courage

[19:09]  Finding your voice

[28:51]  Amanda’s top 3 priorities

 

Key Quotes

  1. “When you’re on your path, the universe will conspire to help you.”
  2. “If you are going to find your voice and you’re going to be willing to share your voice, you have to like yourself, and you have to believe that other people like you and or that what you have to say matters or no one’s going to listen to you.”
  3. “As a woman, there’s no reason I can’t do anything that anyone else does.”
  4. “You just can’t be worried about being popular all the time.”
  5. “If you’re going to hold back, then there’s no way that your team can trust you.”
  6. “Courage is asking that pesky question that you don’t want to ask at the end of the admin meeting because you know, it needs to be asked.”

 

Key Resources 

  1. Dare to Lead- Brenae Brown’s

  2. The Conrad Challenge

 

About Our Guest

Amanda Valenzuela, native of Southern California, is the Upper School Coordinator and the Languages Department Head. She completed her undergraduate studies at California State University, Fullerton in Spanish Linguistics and Literature, and her graduate studies at UCLA, where she earned a Masters in Spanish and Ph.D. Candidacy in Hispanic Languages and Literatures. As a school leader, she credits the NAIS Diversity Leadership Institute (DLI) for building her capacity to support equitable and inclusive educational practices at ESLA. During the 2019-2020 school year, Amanda is teaching Global Citizenship Through the Lens of Recent Spanish Cinema and AP Spanish Language and Culture. Amanda is also a 2019-2020 Leadership and Design Fellow (L+D) and a contributor to California World Language Project (CWLP) & the California Global Education Project. Amanda loves surfing, hiking, motorcycles, and storytelling.

LinkedIn

Tip of the Week

Build a team:  As you develop relationships within the organization take note of everyone’s strengths.  Build your team on complimentary pieces. In fact, build the team to bolster your weaknesses as a leader.  Do you have a school improvement team, a leadership team, or a data team? Effective school leaders build teams that can support their efforts.

 

Show Some Love

 

LEVEL UP 🚀

Website :: Twitter :: LinkedIn

 

SHOW SPONSORS

ORGANIZED BINDER

  • Organized Binder is an evidence-based RTI2 Tier 1 universal level solution
  • Focuses on improving executive functioning and noncognitive skills
  • Is in direct alignment with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework
  • Is an integral component for ensuring Least Restrictive Environments (LRE)

You can learn more and improve your student’s success at https://organizedbinder.com/

 

The Conrad Challenge

The Conrad Challenge unleashes the potential of students to solve the world’s most difficult problems.

Register until November 1, 2019 at The Conrad Challenge

 

Copyright © 2019 Better Leaders Better Schools

Oct 2, 2019

Welcome to the Better Leaders Better Schools podcast.  This is a weekly show for ruckus makers -- What is a ruckus maker?  A leader who has found freedom from the status quo. A leader looking to escape the old routine. A leader who never, ever gives up.

Do you know students can advise you in ways that you cannot imagine?  Dr. Marcus Campbell tells us how his students helped him come up with the dress code for the school.  Additionally, Dr. Campbell tells us how his school changed the status quo and got more students to the AP classes regardless of their race.

We hope you enjoy the podcast. All the highlights, resources, and next steps can be found below. Listen to the full episode here and learn more at betterleadersbetterschools.com

  

Key Talking Points 

  • How Marcus implemented dressing code in his school
  • Race vs. Gender
  • Breaking the status quo of the AP classes
  • Being a better decision maker

 

Key Milestones of the Episodes

[05:10]  The history of dress codes

[06:15]  Adopting the Oregon chapter

[10:59]  What shift happened to the dress code?

[17:02]  Access and equity to AP classes

[24:47]  How Marcus makes decisions

[27:41]  Self-care

 

Key Quotes

  1. “There's nothing worse than being inconsistent.”
  2. “If you say you're going to do something, follow through.”
  3. “Authentic leadership is a leader’s ability to lead with their mind their heart and their feet.”
  4. “If learning is our focus, let's focus on the learning and leave the dressing.”
  5. “Do what you have to do when you have to do it regardless of how you feel.”

 

Key Resources 

Frederick Douglas by Dr. David Blight 

 

About Our Guest

Dr. Campbell earned his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership at National College of Education, National Louis University in the fall of 2015.

Marcus Campbell also serves as the Assistant Superintendent/Principal at ETHS since 2013. In this role, he serves as the educational leader and chief administrator of all school operations at Evanston Township High School and is responsible for implementing and managing the policies, regulations, and procedures of the Board of Education to ensure that all students are educated and supported in a safe, equitable, culturally relevant and student-centered learning environment.

Twitter

 

Join the BLBS Mastermind 

What kind of leader makes a good mastermind member?  Danny asks members that he already serves and this it what they said about their peers: 

Mastermind members are supportive, wise and not afraid to kick your butt! ~Eileen, Deputy Head of Schools in China

Courageous, risk takers and learners are how I describe my mastermind peers. ~Chris, VP in Canada

Mastermind members are generous, driven and are never satisfied with the status quo. ~Melody, Principal in Kentucky

 

If that sounds like you or people you want to surround yourself with apply today at https://www.betterleadersbetterschools.com/mastermind/

**Our 5th mastermind cohort is launching and is hands down the best professional development a leader can engage in.  Join Today!**

 

Tip of the Week

Be Consistent:  Consistency leads to trust.  Make sure you are doing what you say you are going to do each day.  Follow through and be consistent with your teachers. Your authentic leadership depends on it.   People love a leader who they trust.

Show Some Love

 

LEVEL UP 🚀

Website :: Twitter :: LinkedIn

 

SHOW SPONSORS

ORGANIZED BINDER

  • Organized Binder is an evidence-based RTI2 Tier 1 universal level solution
  • Focuses on improving executive functioning and noncognitive skills
  • Is in direct alignment with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework
  • Is an integral component for ensuring Least Restrictive Environments (LRE)

You can learn more and improve your student’s success at https://organizedbinder.com/

 

The Conrad Challenge

The Conrad Challenge unleashes the potential of students to solve the world’s most difficult problems.

Register until November 1, 2019 at The Conrad Challenge

Copyright © 2019 Better Leaders Better Schools

Sep 25, 2019

Welcome to the Better Leaders Better Schools podcast.  This is a weekly show for ruckus makers -- What is a ruckus maker?  A leader who has found freedom from the status quo. A leader looking to escape the old routine. A leader who never, ever gives up.

How can you attack the white supremacy culture?  Why is it that we are so afraid to talk about race? Why is it so difficult for us to kick start the conversation?

White supremacy has affected our schools but we are shy to talk about it.  Our Ruckus maker today takes us through the white supremacy issue in our schools and its remedy.

Joe Truss is a fourth year principal of Visitation Valley Middle School in San Francisco. He is working to bring PBL to the hood and empower students to rise above the odds. In addition, Joe Truss is a leadership coach helping educators to engineer for equity. He focuses on long-term planning, racial equity in the transformation of adult culture.

We hope you enjoy the podcast. All the highlights, resources, and next steps can be found below. Listen to the full episode here and learn more at betterleadersbetterschools.com 

 

Key Talking Points 

  • The journey to end white supremacy culture
  • White supremacy in our organizations and schools
  • The illusion of objectivity

 

Key Milestones of the Episodes

 [07:06] Joe’s introduction

 [08:56] Joe’s catalyst to pursue white supremacy

 [11:20] First attempt to fighting racism

 [12:03] How to get back after defeat

 [17:54] Implementing change and learning

 [20:20] Is school an exercise of power hoarding?

 [25:51] The great release and a sneak peek into the future.

  

Key Quotes

  1. “Vulnerability leads to authenticity and trust.”
  2. “We fight for equity because it's so important.”
  3. “School is an exercise of power hoarding.”
  4. “People can drive their own learning once they want to.”
  5. “Decolonize your mind.”

 

Key Resources 

Culturally Responsive Leadership

Culturally Responsive Leadership 1

 

About Our Guest

Joe Truss is a 4th year Principal of Visitacion Valley Middle School, in San Francisco. He is working to bring PBL to the hood and empower students to rise above the odds. In addition, Joe Truss is a Leadership Coach helping educators to engineer for equity. He focuses on long term planning racial equity and the transformation of adult culture. 

Twitter

 

Tip of the Week

Being Vulnerable: Let those you lead know that you are human.  Let them know that you are passionate about everything you are working on. Being vulnerable leads to authenticity and trust.  Trust is so important and with trust you can accomplish almost anything. Listen to the podcast for an excellent vulnerability activity you can do with your teachers and teachers can do with students.  Being vulnerable is an excellent characteristic of a strong leader.

 

Join the BLBS Mastermind 

What kind of leader makes a good mastermind member?  Danny asks members that he already serves and this it what they said about their peers: 

Mastermind members are supportive, wise and not afraid to kick your butt! ~Eileen, Deputy Head of Schools in China

Courageous, risk takers and learners are how I describe my mastermind peers. ~Chris, VP in Canada

Mastermind members are generous, driven and are never satisfied with the status quo. ~Melody, Principal in Kentucky

If that sounds like you or people you want to surround yourself with apply today at https://www.betterleadersbetterschools.com/mastermind/

 

**Our 5th mastermind cohort is launching and is hands down the best professional development a leader can engage in.  Join Today!**

 

Show Some Love

 

LEVEL UP 🚀

Website :: Twitter :: LinkedIn

 

SHOW SPONSORS

ORGANIZED BINDER

  • Organized Binder is an evidence-based RTI2 Tier 1 universal level solution
  • Focuses on improving executive functioning and noncognitive skills
  • Is in direct alignment with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework
  • Is an integral component for ensuring Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)

You can learn more and improve your student’s success at https://organizedbinder.com/

 

Teach FX

  • Empowers teachers with feedback on student engagement
  • A fitbit for teachers that measures student engagement
  • Research shows that the more students speak in class, the more they learn, and the better they perform on standardized tests.
  • Use your phone or laptop to analyze your class, and the app’s artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm tracks your talk ratio automatically, with no extra work from you or an instructional coach. 
  • The idea is to give teachers a useful barometer of student engagement you can check every day!
  • You can learn more and improve your student’s success at https://teachfx.com/

 

The Conrad Challenge

The Conrad Challenge unleashes the potential of students to solve the world’s most difficult problems.

Register until November 1, 2019 at The Conrad Challenge

Copyright © 2019 Better Leaders Better Schools

Sep 18, 2019

Welcome to the Better Leaders Better Schools podcast.  This is a weekly show for ruckus makers -- What is a ruckus maker?  A leader who has found freedom from the status quo. A leader looking to escape the old routine. A leader who never, ever gives up.

We all know there a times when we have to “tell like it is” in a conversation. Yet, there is no roadmap to having these conversations. How you do give clear feedback without sounding rude or inconsiderate? How do we create environments where staff can move from “being nice” to telling us the truth when it matters?

These are the questions (and more) that Joseph and TJ cover in this episode

We hope you enjoy the podcast. All the highlights, resources, and next steps can be found below. Listen to the full episode here and learn more at betterleadersbetterschools.com

 

Key Talking Points 

  • The need for authentic feedback and criticism
  • Why candor is more about being specific vs just being honest
  • Why clear expectations should be the foundation of every relationship you build
  • How to give conversation with candor and clear expectations
  • Ensuring accountability within yourself
  • Creating an environment where candid conversations can really happen

  

Key Milestones of the Episodes

[7:20] How do we break out a culture of trying to be nice all the time

[9:00] What are some common misperceptions people have about having candid conversations?

[17:35] What should we do if our best practices and strategies aren’t working?

[24:22] Being candid with yourself

[26:50] How to encourage candid conversations with staff

[29:17] How do we empower teachers to be more candid leaders?

 

Key Quotes

“Very often when we talk about candor,it’s associated with being rude..”

“Unfortunately, we often miss the mark in order to help people...because we sugarcoat things.”

“The relationship is far better when we have a firm ground on which to start it.”

“With precision, you can go faster.”

 

Key Resources 

Candid and Compassionate Feedback by Joseph Jones & Dr. TJ Vari

Nuance: Why Some Leaders Succeed and Others Fail by Michael Fullen

 

About Our Guests

Both of our guests are school administrators and educators.

Dr. Joseph Jones is the Director of Assessment and Accountability in the New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District. Dr. T.J. Vari is the Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools and District Operations in the Appoquinimink School District. Dr. Jones and Dr. Vari are co-authors of the new book: Candid and Compassionate Feedback: Transforming Everyday Practice in Schools.

Dr. TJ Vari LinkedIn

Dr. Joseph Jones LinkedIn

 

Tip of the Week

The Angry Parent: Always direct the angry parent back to the teacher.  The parent should always go to the teacher first as they are in the trenches and may have information the parent needs to possibly solve the issue at hand,  This is an important step as 99% of the time the issue will be handled at the teacher level and empowers the teacher and adds respect and trust.

 

Show Some Love

LEVEL UP 🚀

Website :: Twitter :: LinkedIn

 

SHOW SPONSORS

ORGANIZED BINDER

  • Organized Binder is an evidence-based RTI2 Tier 1 universal level solution
  • Focuses on improving executive functioning and noncognitive skills
  • Is in direct alignment with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework
  • Is an integral component for ensuring Least Restrictive Environments (LRE)

You can learn more and improve your student’s success at https://organizedbinder.com/

 

Teach FX

  • Empowers teachers with feedback on student engagement
  • A fitbit for teachers that measures student engagement
  • Research shows that the more students speak in class, the more they learn, and the better they perform on standardized tests.
  • Use your phone or laptop to analyze your class, and the app’s artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm tracks your talk ratio automatically, with no extra work from you or an instructional coach. 
  • The idea is to give teachers a useful barometer of student engagement you can check every day!

You can learn more and improve your student’s success at https://teachfx.com/

 

Copyright © 2019 Better Leaders Better Schools

Sep 16, 2019

Welcome to the Better Leaders Better Schools podcast.  This is a weekly show for ruckus makers -- What is a ruckus maker?  A leader who has found freedom from the status quo. A leader looking to escape the old routine. A leader who never, ever gives up.

Where are you comfortable as a leader and where do you need to take the leap?

Our guest today is a perfect example of what it means to step out of a comfort zone.

Kristie Letter is an English teacher who decided to take a shift from teaching English to teaching innovation and design thinking. Such a great shift! Also, she is a creative writer with a book of short stories coming out this month.

Listen in and I hope you will enjoy the episode.

We hope you enjoy the podcast. All the highlights, resources, and next steps can be found below. Listen to the full episode here and learn more at betterleadersbetterschools.com

 

Key Talking Points 

  • Kristie’s introduction
  • Kristie’s career shift journey
  • The Conrad challenge
  • Embracing failure
  • Failure resume

 

Key Milestones of the Episodes

[03:00]  Kristie’s introduction

[04:01]  Kristie’s shift from teaching English to teaching innovation and creative design

[09:30]  The Conrad challenge

[11:52]  Embracing failure

[12:42]  How can we benefit from collaboration?

[13:37]  The failure resume

[19:41]  Stepping out of the comfort zone

[23:30]  Kristie’s dream school

 

Key Quotes

  1. “Every elite performer is incredibly self-aware.”
  2. “Failure is a powerful teacher and a prerequisite for innovation and success.”
  3. “By reflecting on your failures, learning from them and moving past them, you will level up.”
  4. “Recognize your nervousness and see that as an opportunity.”
  5. “We have to embrace this kind of failure because otherwise they, they can't keep ideating after the first idea fails if they don't have a staunch response to failure.”
  6. “Failure needs to be something that we teach and it needs to be something that we require.”

 

Key Resources 

Fire in the Hole by Kristie Betts Letter

Conrad Challenge Website

 

About Our Guest

Kristie Letter is a teacher at a public charter in Lafayette, Colorado. Kristie is interested in how students and schools are afraid to fail. Her students won multiple awards in the Conrad Challenge. She is also a creative writer with a book of short stories coming out in late September called Fire in the Hole

Conrad Challenge Twitter: @ConradChallenge

Kristie Letter Twitter: @kristieletter

 

Show Some Love

 

LEVEL UP 🚀

Website :: Twitter :: LinkedIn

 

SHOW SPONSOR

The Conrad Challenge

The Conrad Challenge unleashes the potential of students to solve the world’s most difficult problems.

Register until November 1, 2019 at The Conrad Challenge

 

Copyright © 2019 Better Leaders Better Schools

Sep 11, 2019

Welcome to the Better Leaders Better Schools podcast.  This is a weekly show for ruckus makers -- What is a ruckus maker?  A leader who has found freedom from the status quo. A leader looking to escape the old routine. A leader who never, ever gives up.

Emotions are something we carry around with us 24/7, yet we only let them out for a few hours at home.

Why?

Why do we limit our emotions to such a small part of our day when they can have such a big impact on our life?

Christie Mann, author, leadership coach, and spiritual psychologist explores these questions through her own story as a 13-year old with a father in jail and mistaken belief that suppressing emotions was the best way forward.

We hope you enjoy the podcast. All the highlights, resources, and next steps can be found below. Listen to the full episode here and learn more at betterleadersbetterschools.com

 

Key Talking Points 

  • Christie’s origin story of emotional recovery
  • Why Christie feels children and adults need to have emotional wellness
  • How to get started with expressing your emotions in a healthy way
  • The power of transforming challenges into your life into lessons and gifts
  • The “Cape On!” message Christie has for children and adults
  • Different ways that adults can (accidentally) teach kids to suppress emotions
  • Including emotional wellness in the curriculum for stronger kids and adults

 

 

Key Milestones of the Episodes

[7:00] Christie’s origin story

[9:10] Addressing emotional intelligence in children & adults

[11:40] How would you start learning how to work with your emotions, instead of suppressing them?

[16:07] How do you reframe challenges as gifts?

[20:23] What is the bigger “Why” behind your mission?

[24:05] The bad things we say as adults that emotionally harm our children

 

Key Quotes

“Part of the story was ‘I can’t feel emotions because there’s no time for it and there’s no space to be sad.”

“There is...much more demand for people to bring their full self to work.”

“I like to think about how much energy we put into suppressing our emotions.”

“I had to train myself how to allow emotions to come up in a healthy and responsible way because I’ve suppressed them for so long….”

“When we tell children in our world not to have the emotion...that is actually shutting down the emotion.”

 

Key Resources 

Adventures of Little Sass by Christie Mann

Christie Mann’s website

The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday

 

About Our Guest

Christie Mann has made it her mission to fulfill her purpose of being a leader who develops leaders. Christie is a best-selling author, spiritual psychologist, leadership coach, speaker and Kundalini Yoga & Meditation teacher who designs and facilitates transformational content that make our world a healthier place to be. A proud member of CTI’s Faculty and Organizational Coaching teams and the creator of The Adventures of Lil’ Sass, a series of emotional wellness books for young people. 

Join the Adventure here: www.lilsass.com 

@adventuresoflilsass 

Website

Twitter

 

Tip of the Week

Don’t change anything as a first year principal: As a first year principal you need to take the time to develop relationships.  Know your people and observe what is what and how everything meshes together. Change is difficult and is much easier when trust has been built with your employees.  Be an active listener and focus on building strong relationships with your staff prior to making any changes. 

 

Show Some Love

 

LEVEL UP 🚀

Website :: Twitter :: LinkedIn

 

SHOW SPONSORS

ORGANIZED BINDER

  • Organized Binder is an evidence-based RTI2 Tier 1 universal level solution
  • Focuses on improving executive functioning and noncognitive skills
  • Is in direct alignment with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework
  • Is an integral component for ensuring Least Restrictive Environments (LRE)

You can learn more and improve your student’s success at https://organizedbinder.com/

 

Teach FX

  • Empowers teachers with feedback on student engagement
  • A fitbit for teachers that measures student engagement
  • Research shows that the more students speak in class, the more they learn, and the better they perform on standardized tests.
  • Use your phone or laptop to analyze your class, and the app’s artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm tracks your talk ratio automatically, with no extra work from you or an instructional coach. 
  • The idea is to give teachers a useful barometer of student engagement you can check every day!

You can learn more and improve your student’s success at https://teachfx.com/

 

Copyright © 2019 Better Leaders Better Schools

Sep 4, 2019

Welcome to the Better Leaders Better Schools podcast.  This is a weekly show for ruckus makers -- What is a ruckus maker?  A leader who has found freedom from the status quo. A leader looking to escape the old routine. A leader who never, ever gives up.

If education is about the future, why do we spend more time checking boxes versus innovating?

Why do we highlight innovative educational programs only to repeat the same things we do every year in school?

These are the questions Dr. Elizabeth Micci tackles in this episode of Better Leaders, Better School. Dr. Micci shares with us her practices (like getting up at 5:45 to hike) and her experiences that led her to reflect and make a dramatic change to help create authentic and fun learning experiences for her students.

We hope you enjoy the podcast. All the highlights, resources, and next steps can be found below. Listen to the full episode here and learn more at betterleadersbetterschools.com

 

Key Talking Points 

  • Why she gets up at 5:45 to hike with others
  • Her graduate experience at Harvard and research on making powerful school change
  • How to create unique and real-world experiences, even on a small “this is all we have from the county” budget
  • The importance and practice of reflection

 

Key Milestones of the Episodes

[6:00] So...you get up before 5:45 ...to hike?

[7:33] What are some tips on improving your willpower to get up early and exercise?

[11:14] Dr. Micci’s experience and research at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education

[14:00] How did your experiences at the graduate school impact you?

[19:00] What are some examples of school projects that used unique, real-world experiences?

[25:25] How would you respond to critics of your real-world experience approach?

 

Key Quotes

  1. “Getting up and getting that workout in before the day start adds a level of energy to out day that we didn’t have before.”
  2. “Content, in the real world, is always integrated.”
  3.  “We always say things in education like ‘Design with the end in mind’, but if you look at how operate, this infrequently happens.”
  4. “It’s about asking yourself ‘What are you really trying to do, teach this student that’s right in front of you or check a box.”
  5. “...look at the broader world as your classroom.”

 

Key Resources 

This is Marketing by Seth Godin

A Beautiful Constraint

Immunity to Change

Don’t forget to catch more episodes and resources at the Better Leaders Better Schools website.

 

About Our Guest

Beginning her career in education with Teach For America, Elizabeth taught secondary English before going on to co-found and administrate a college preparatory academy in Houston, TX. She returned to graduate school for her Doctor of Education Leadership degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, joining The Harbour School in 2017 as a researcher and member of the high school humanities faculty. Elizabeth was named High School Principal at THS in July 2018.

 

Dr. Elizabeth Micci’s Contact Info

Twitter

LinkedIn

 

Tip of the Week

Do No Be a Workaholic: Make sure you are balancing your life and no spending all of your time a school.  Leaders need downtime and time to reflect. Take that time whenever you can. Don’t stay at school late at night in your office.  Go home, find a new routine to help balance your personal and professional life. Model this for your teachers as well. They cannot be workaholics either!

Show Some Love

 

LEVEL UP 🚀

Website :: Twitter :: LinkedIn

 

SHOW SPONSORS

ORGANIZED BINDER

  • Organized Binder is an evidence-based RTI2 Tier 1 universal level solution
  • Focuses on improving executive functioning and noncognitive skills
  • Is in direct alignment with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework
  • Is an integral component for ensuring Least Restrictive Environments (LRE)

You can learn more and improve your student’s success at https://organizedbinder.com/

 

Teach FX

  • Empowers teachers with feedback on student engagement
  • A fitbit for teachers that measures student engagement
  • Research shows that the more students speak in class, the more they learn, and the better they perform on standardized tests.
  • Use your phone or laptop to analyze your class, and the app’s artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm tracks your talk ratio automatically, with no extra work from you or an instructional coach. 
  • The idea is to give teachers a useful barometer of student engagement you can check every day!

You can learn more and improve your student’s success at https://teachfx.com/

 

Copyright © 2019 Better Leaders Better Schools

Aug 28, 2019

Welcome to the Better Leaders Better Schools podcast.  This is a weekly show for ruckus makers -- What is a ruckus maker?  A leader who has found freedom from the status quo. A leader looking to escape the old routine. A leader who never, ever gives up.

For some teachers and administrators, discipline is something that is to be dealt with.” If a child acts up in class, write them up or send them to principal.

But for Nathan a child “acting up” isn’t something to just be dealt with. It’s a student reacting to something.

That “something” is what Nathan believes we need to figure out and support. He shows us how to uncover that “something” and use it to build relationships that create better students and better leaders.

We hope you enjoy the podcast. All the highlights, resources, and next steps can be found below. Listen to the full episode here and learn more at betterleadersbetterschools.com

 

Key Talking Points 

  •     The story of Luka, a powerful lesson in restorative conversations
  •     Understanding what restorative conversations look like
  •     Dealing with criticisms about restorative conversations
  •     The Big “Why”- Why it’s important to support emotionally intelligent students

 

Key Milestones of the Episodes

[3:15]The powerful story of Luka

[7:33] What are some tips on improving your willpower to get up early and exercise?

[10:00] Doing restorative conversations: Why are open-ended conversations important?

[12:07} Doing reflective conversations: How does a restorative conversation look like?

[19:25] How would you deal with critics and skeptics of the “restorative conversation” method?

[22:44] BehaviorFlip

 

Key Quotes

  1. “The best thing to do is to build a relationship with as many people as possible.”
  2. “When you’re having a restorative conversation, the main component is you want to seek to understand.”
  3. “I’ve always said that no matter what I do, that’s the population [I choose to work with]: underserved, underprivileged, at-risk….”
  4. “Any support that we can put in place...is really going to make the world a better place.”
  5. “Seek to understand every behavior in the school.”

 

Key Resources 

Hacking School Discipline: 9 Ways to Create a Culture of Empathy and Responsibility Using Restorative Justice (Hack Learning Series) Paperback

BehaviorFlip

Hacking School Discipline: 9 Ways to Create a Culture of Empathy and Responsibility Using Restorative Justice by Nathan Maynard

https://twitter.com/NmaynardEdu

https://twitter.com/BehaviorFlip

 

About Our Guest

Nathan is a co-author of Hacking School Discipline: 9 Ways to Create a Culture of Empathy and Responsibility Using Restorative Justice. He also is the Co-Founder and acting CEO of BehaviorFlip. He is passionate about addressing the school-to-prison pipeline crisis and closing the achievement gap through implementing trauma-informed behavioral practices. 

 

Contact Info

Twitter

LinkedIn 

 

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ORGANIZED BINDER

  • Organized Binder is an evidence-based RTI2 Tier 1 universal level solution
  • Focuses on improving executive functioning and noncognitive skills
  • Is in direct alignment with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework
  • Is an integral component for ensuring Least Restrictive Environments (LRE)

You can learn more and improve your student’s success at https://organizedbinder.com/

 

Teach FX

  • Empowers teachers with feedback on student engagement
  • A fitbit for teachers that measures student engagement
  • Research shows that the more students speak in class, the more they learn, and the better they perform on standardized tests.
  • Use your phone or laptop to analyze your class, and the app’s artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm tracks your talk ratio automatically, with no extra work from you or an instructional coach. 
  • The idea is to give teachers a useful barometer of student engagement you can check every day!

You can learn more and improve your student’s success at https://teachfx.com/

 

Copyright © 2019 Better Leaders Better Schools

Aug 21, 2019

Welcome to the Better Leaders Better Schools podcast.  This is a weekly show for ruckus makers -- What is a ruckus maker?  A leader who has found freedom from the status quo. A leader looking to escape the old routine. A leader who never, ever gives up.

What makes a great presentation?

How can two presenters give the same presentation and yet only gets the audience’s attention?

These are questions Dr. Horvath explores with us in this episode. Dr. Horvath, a researcher and educator, breaks down the science behind great presentations and how you can improve your next “ I-have-to-give-a-presentation-for-my job-or school” experience with basic tips that you can apply in less time than it takes to create a PowerPoint theme.

We hope you enjoy the podcast. All the highlights, resources, and next steps can be found below. Listen to the full episode here and learn more at betterleadersbetterschools.com

  

Key Talking Points 

  •     Why stories are the best thing you can focus on in a presentation
  •     The 2 basic powerful storylines any presenter can use to improve their skills
  •     Obstacles to telling stories (and how to overcome them) to make better presentations
  •     1-minute hacks you can use to improve your PowerPoint today

 

Key Milestones of the Episodes

[5:30] Why do stories impact us? 

[9:01] How do you start storytelling? 

[13:00] Using anchors in your story to grab your audience’s attention

[14:00} Simulation: Why you should stories with your audience, not at them 

[15:24] Synchrony: What happens when brains think the same story 

[18:00] Obstacles to good story-telling 

[20:00] How to deal with the pressure to stop obsessing over the test 

[24:10] How do you improve your PowerPoint skills?

 

Key Quotes

  1. “There is no such thing as a standalone fact in the brain.”
  2. “Stories are how we think.”
  3. “Your audience can’t read and listen.”
  4. “Right now...we tend to elevate science above all else.”
  5. “Prep everything before you PowerPoint.”
  6. “Ditch the words. Add images.”

 

Key Resources 

Stop Talking, Start Influencing: 12 Insights From Brain Science to Make Your Message Stick

Imeglobal Courses

 

Other resources

TedTalk

 

CV: https://d2saw6je89goi1.cloudfront.net/uploads/digital_asset/file/384940/Jared_Cooney_Horvath-CV.pdf

 

Don’t forget to catch more episodes and resources at the Better Leaders Better Schools website.

Read the Better Leaders Better Schools Roadmap

 

About Our Guest

Jared Cooney Horvath is a cognitive neuroscientist with expertise in human learning, memory, and brain stimulation. He earned his Master's degree from Harvard University and his Doctorate from the University of Melbourne. In 2018, Dr. Horvath co-founded LME Global to bring his pioneering brain and behavioral research to teachers, organizations and professionals looking to boost their performance and gain a competitive edge. To inquire about booking Dr. Horvath for a speaking engagement, or to view his online courses and training material, visit www.lmeglobal.net

Twitter

LinkedIn

jared.cooney.horvath@gmail.com

jared.horvath@unimelb.edu.au

 

Show Some Love

 

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Website :: Twitter :: LinkedIn

 

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ORGANIZED BINDER

  • Organized Binder is an evidence-based RTI2 Tier 1 universal level solution
  • Focuses on improving executive functioning and noncognitive skills
  • Is in direct alignment with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework
  • Is an integral component for ensuring Least Restrictive Environments (LRE)

You can learn more and improve your student’s success at https://organizedbinder.com/

 

Teach FX

  • Empowers teachers with feedback on student engagement
  • A fitbit for teachers that measures student engagement
  • Research shows that the more students speak in class, the more they learn, and the better they perform on standardized tests.
  • Use your phone or laptop to analyze your class, and the app’s artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm tracks your talk ratio automatically, with no extra work from you or an instructional coach. 
  • The idea is to give teachers a useful barometer of student engagement you can check every day!

You can learn more and improve your student’s success at https://teachfx.com/

 

Copyright © 2019 Better Leaders Better Schools

Aug 14, 2019

Welcome to the Better Leaders Better Schools podcast.  This is a weekly show for ruckus makers -- What is a ruckus maker?  A leader who has found freedom from the status quo. A leader looking to escape the old routine. A leader who never, ever gives up.

Testing, testing, testing…

It’s one of the things students (and teachers) hate and school policy makers seem to love...but is there a way outside “teaching to the test”? Is there a way to create and test learning experiences that aren’t multiple choice or essay.

Dr. Jones believes it is possible to learn without “teaching the test”. She shares a unique experience that gave her the courage to stop obsessing over the test and push the boundaries without fear of criticism.

We hope you enjoy the podcast. All the highlights, resources, and next steps can be found below. Listen to the full episode here and learn more at betterleadersbetterschools.com

 

Key Talking Points 

  • The unique learning experience that almost escaped the End-of-Course test
  • Dealing with overwhelm as a busy teacher, administrator, or business owner
  • Finding the inspiration behind the chaos
  • Dealing with criticism
  • Creating successful change in a world filled with lots of paperwork policies, and delays

 

Key Milestones of the Episodes

[3:45] How did you get to that point where you stop obsessing over the pressure to “teach the test”?

[9:00] Dealing with overwhelm

[15:00] Creating authentic learning experiences and what to do when you hit gridlock

[20:00] How to deal with the pressure to stop obsessing over the test

[24:10] Dealing with jealousy from your peers

[27:15] How did you make successful change with reluctant school leaders and teachers?

 

Key Quotes

  1. “Let your heart and creativity guide your teaching.”
  2. “What we do is amazing. To be an educator is an art ...Don't forget!”
  3. Paperwork is just there as a boundary pieces.”

 

Key Resources 

A Recipe for Success Using SAS University Edition: How to Plan Your First Analytics Project

The Dot Consulting

The Dottie Rose Foundation

Don’t forget to catch more episodes and resources at the Better Leaders Better Schools website.

 

Other resources

Stop Motion App (IOS & Android)

SAS

Read the Better Leaders Better Schools Roadmap

 

About Our Guest

Dr. Sharon Jones, EdD is a former Career & Technical Education teacher turned CEO and founder of thedot.consulting and founder of The Dottie Rose Foundation, author, Senior Technical Trainer at Central Piedmont Community College and podcaster for Lady Tech Charmers.

Twitter

LinkedIn

 

Show Some Love

 

LEVEL UP 🚀

Website :: Twitter :: LinkedIn

 

SHOW SPONSORS

ORGANIZED BINDER

  • Organized Binder is an evidence-based RTI2 Tier 1 universal level solution
  • Focuses on improving executive functioning and noncognitive skills
  • Is in direct alignment with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework
  • Is an integral component for ensuring Least Restrictive Environments (LRE)

You can learn more and improve your student’s success at https://organizedbinder.com/

 

Teach FX

  • Empowers teachers with feedback on student engagement
  • A fitbit for teachers that measures student engagement
  • Research shows that the more students speak in class, the more they learn, and the better they perform on standardized tests.
  • Use your phone or laptop to analyze your class, and the app’s artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm tracks your talk ratio automatically, with no extra work from you or an instructional coach. 
  • The idea is to give teachers a useful barometer of student engagement you can check every day!

You can learn more and improve your student’s success at https://teachfx.com/

 

Copyright © 2019 Better Leaders Better Schools

Aug 7, 2019

Welcome to the Better Leaders Better Schools podcast.  This is a weekly show for ruckus makers -- What is a ruckus maker?  A leader who has found freedom from the status quo. A leader looking to escape the old routine. A leader who never, ever gives up.

Most of us associate writing in a journal with a school assignment or something to do when you get the time. But a journal can be a lot more.

A journal can be a practical tool to help you be a better leader.

In this talk, Aaron Morris shares why a journal can be a powerful tool to help you reinvent, reflect, and redirect your professional life so you can be a better leader ...especially when your life changes in ways that you didn’t expect

We hope you enjoy the podcast. All the highlights, resources, and next steps can be found below. Listen to the full episode here and learn more at betterleadersbetterschools.com

 

Key Talking Points 

  •     Being a leader after you get promoted instead of your coworkers
  •     How to reinvent yourself when an opportunity opens
  •     Giving yourself permission to be authentic as a leader
  •     Using a journal to gain more clarity about your life
  •     “Journal hacks” - How to use your journal for smarter reflection & insight
  •     Being comfortable with yourself
  •     The cost and value of “entering the arena” as a leader

 

 Key Milestones of the Episodes

[5:40] How did you reinvent yourself?

[12:50] How do you even start reinventing yourself?

[14:35] Journal Hack: Using a journal to be a mind dump & detachment tool for clarity

[15:47] Additional ways to detach

[17:03] More journal hacks: Focusing on the mundane, making the “shift”, and more

[25:50] Being authentic & courageous as a leader

 

Key Quotes

The one thing that has really been an AHA is continuously reflection on who I am..”

 I keep asking myself, “Do I really want to be the person that didn’t leap?”

“Courageous is contagious…”

“Reflection is the key..”

 

Key Resources 

Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts

Don’t forget to catch more episodes and resources at the Better Leaders Better Schools website.

 

About Our Guest

Aaron Morris is a former math teacher (despite having an English degree), who made a transition to a new school after being moved up to assistant principal. When he is not leading,, connecting, or reflecting, he is working on going back to Disney or with his family.

 

Show Some Love

 

LEVEL UP 🚀

Website :: Twitter :: LinkedIn

 

SHOW SPONSORS

ORGANIZED BINDER

  • Organized Binder is an evidence-based RTI2 Tier 1 universal level solution
  • Focuses on improving executive functioning and noncognitive skills
  • Is in direct alignment with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework
  • Is an integral component for ensuring Least Restrictive Environments (LRE)

You can learn more and improve your student’s success at https://organizedbinder.com/

 

Teach FX

  • Empowers teachers with feedback on student engagement
  • A fitbit for teachers that measures student engagement
  • Research shows that the more students speak in class, the more they learn, and the better they perform on standardized tests.
  • Use your phone or laptop to analyze your class, and the app’s artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm tracks your talk ratio automatically, with no extra work from you or an instructional coach. 
  • The idea is to give teachers a useful barometer of student engagement you can check every day!

You can learn more and improve your student’s success at https://teachfx.com/

Copyright © 2019 Better Leaders Better Schools

Jul 31, 2019

Welcome to the Better Leaders Better Schools podcast.  This is a weekly show for ruckus makers -- What is a ruckus maker?  A leader who has found freedom from the status quo. A leader looking to escape the old routine. A leader who never, ever gives up.

In this episode, Danny is going to do two things.   One, he’s going to share a handful of quotes that have really pushed his thinking in the past few months. This is a gift to you as it will push your thinking as well.  Two, Danny shares where BLBS is going over the next quarter and then talks briefly about goals and systems. 

We hope you enjoy the podcast. All the highlights, resources, and next steps can be found below. Listen to the full episode here and learn more at betterleadersbetterschools.com

 

Key Talking Points 

  • Do you have clearly established goals and a system to get you there, how would you rate yourself?
  • Danny unpacks his goals and you’ll learn some goal setting advice and the system that turns vision into reality.
  • Powerful quotes that will help you level up your leadership.
  • The concept that originated in 16th century Japan. It’s called ichi-go, ichi-ee.
  • OKRS and what they are.

 

Key Quotes

1.)  “Am I going to find my place in the world or make my place in the world?”

This quote comes from a great book called Niche Down by Christopher Lochhead. Christopher was a guest on BLBS Episode 168: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-legendary-by-being-different/id1036167679?i=1000422486207

 

2.)  The next quote comes from a book called Reboot by Jerry Colonna. Jerry has his own podcast. He is a former financial guy and now coaches tech startup executives. 

Jerry says, “The toughest part of being a leader -- is meeting the world as it is and not as we wish it to be.”

 

3.)  One of Danny’s favorite books is The Art of Possibility. He often talks about Rule #6 (which is a mastermind core value) and the practice of giving everyone an A.

“Here’s the quote: “It’s all invented anyway, so we might as well invent a story or framework of meaning that enhances our quality of life and the life of those around us.”

 

Key Resources 

Niche Down by Christopher Lochhead

Reboot by Jerry Colonna

The Art of Possibility by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander  

This is Marketing by Seth Godin

Measure what matters by John Doerr 

Read the Better Leaders Better Schools Roadmap by Daniel Bauer

Don’t forget to catch more episodes and resources at the Better Leaders Better Schools website.

 

How You Can Help

Link Mastermind: https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mastermind

Link to Go! Community: https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/go

 

Tip of the Week

Reflection: Take time to reflect on the previous school year and include the pros and cons in your current thought process as you are starting your new year.  Reflection is vital to every leaders growth. There are many ways to reflect. Try writing it down in a journal, audio tape your reflection each week, consider blogging and vlogging.  You will be glad you did.

 

Show Some Love

 

LEVEL UP 🚀

Website :: Twitter :: LinkedIn

 

SHOW SPONSORS

ORGANIZED BINDER

  • Organized Binder is an evidence-based RTI2 Tier 1 universal level solution
  • Focuses on improving executive functioning and noncognitive skills
  • Is in direct alignment with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework
  • Is an integral component for ensuring Least Restrictive Environments (LRE)

You can learn more and improve your student’s success at https://organizedbinder.com/

 

Teach FX

  • Empowers teachers with feedback on student engagement
  • A fitbit for teachers that measures student engagement
  • Research shows that the more students speak in class, the more they learn, and the better they perform on standardized tests.
  • Use your phone or laptop to analyze your class, and the app’s artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm tracks your talk ratio automatically, with no extra work from you or an instructional coach. 
  • The idea is to give teachers a useful barometer of student engagement you can check every day!

You can learn more and improve your student’s success at https://teachfx.com/

 

Copyright © 2019 Better Leaders Better Schools

Jul 24, 2019

Welcome to the Better Leaders Better Schools podcast.  This is a weekly show for ruckus makers -- What is a ruckus maker?  A leader who has found freedom from the status quo. A leader looking to escape the old routine. A leader who never, ever gives up.

A lot of school leaders feel frustrated with the red tape and bureaucracy while doing their jobs as educators.

In this episode, we talk with a man who might be able to offer a solution...without leaving your “this is stressing me out” job.

Dr. Spodek, a TED speaker and holder of 5 Ivy League degrees, offers advice on how to take initiative in the workplace so you can feel better and make a stronger impact as an educator.

We hope you enjoy the podcast. All the highlights, resources, and next steps can be found below. Listen to the full episode here and learn more at betterleadersbetterschools.com

 

Key Talking Points 

  • Rafael’s story of finding meaning as a burnt-out educator
  • The small mental pivot that increases collaboration and support in the workplace
  • The huge barriers that keep most people from taking initiative
  • Why everyone has the power to create more meaning in the workplace
  • The importance of “speaking their language” when talking with management
  • The difference between judgement and advice
  • Joana’s story of achieving something amazing by following a simple script

 

Key Milestones of the Episodes

[5:40] Feeling stuck and story of Rafael

[7:50] Helping Rafael through the gridlock

[11:38] Why it’s more important to have the right skills than “know the right people”

[16:52] How does Dr. Spodek’s ideas about initiative apply to school leaders

[20:21] Creating change you believe in with management

[25:00] One practical exercise listeners can make to be a stronger leader

[29:00] The story of Joanne

 

Key Quotes

It’s a real big deal to jump ship.”

“There’s opportunities all over the place.”

“Taking initiative doesn’t have to mean ‘entrepreneurship’.”

“What gets media attention tends to be the more high-tech stuff.”

“Having a perfect idea keeps some people from starting but motivates other people to go…”...

“...something like 5 or 10% of people are naturally going to come up through their natural life to have an idea, what about the other 90-95%”

“It’s easier to succeed at something you don’t like when people are paying you for it...but it doesn’t necessarily create meaning.”

“Most people are working below their potential, not in terms of output..but in terms of alignment.”

“...when the teacher gives you an assignment to read a book that you always wanted to read anyway, it doesn’t feel like work”

 

Key Resources 

Initiative: A Proven Method to Bring Your Passions to Life (and Work)

Leadership Step by Step: Become the Person Others Follow

Don’t forget to catch more episodes and resources at the Better Leaders Better Schools website.

 

Other resources

The Power of Project Learning: Why new schools are choosing an old model to bring students into the 21st century.

Read the Better Leaders Better Schools Roadmap

 

About Our Guest

Dr. Joshua Spodek is a leadership consultant, blogger podcaster, TEDx speaker, professor at NYU, and author of the books “Initiative: A Proven Method to Bring Your Passions to Life (and Work)” and “ Leadership Step by Step: Become the Person Others Follow”.

Dr. Josh Spodek Contact Info

Twitter

Website

 

Tip of the Week

Joining a Mastermind: Just like networking, sometimes you need to invest financially in your own development.  We do this through continued education and now it is common to do this with masterminds. By meeting regularly with equally driven leaders, individuals can accelerate their leadership development and crush their personal and professional goals.  By the way, we organize education masterminds, but seats are limited.

 

Show Some Love

 

LEVEL UP 🚀

Website :: Twitter :: LinkedIn

 

SHOW SPONSORS

ORGANIZED BINDER

  • Organized Binder is an evidence-based RTI2 Tier 1 universal level solution
  • Focuses on improving executive functioning and noncognitive skills
  • Is in direct alignment with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework
  • Is an integral component for ensuring Least Restrictive Environments (LRE)

You can learn more and improve your student’s success at https://organizedbinder.com/

 

Teach FX

  • Empowers teachers with feedback on student engagement
  • A fitbit for teachers that measures student engagement
  • Research shows that the more students speak in class, the more they learn, and the better they perform on standardized tests.
  • Use your phone or laptop to analyze your class, and the app’s artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm tracks your talk ratio automatically, with no extra work from you or an instructional coach. 
  • The idea is to give teachers a useful barometer of student engagement you can check every day!

You can learn more and improve your student’s success at https://teachfx.com/

 

Copyright © 2019 Better Leaders Better Schools

Jul 17, 2019

Welcome to the Better Leaders Better Schools podcast.  This is a weekly show for ruckus makers -- What is a ruckus maker?  A leader who has found freedom from the status quo. A leader looking to escape the old routine. A leader who never, ever gives up.

How do you create a school-wide change that impacts the students, teachers, staff and community….without fundraising?  Be proactive like Adam Drummond.

Adam Drummond created an innovative school-wide “economy” where students applied for jobs, were paid a “salary” and couly buy items and experiences.

In this episode of Better Leaders Better Schools, Dr. Drummond shares the mindset behind this innovative economy and his lessons on transforming the entire culture of school for the positive.

We hope you enjoy the podcast. All the highlights, resources, and next steps can be found below. Listen to the full episode here and learn more at betterleadersbetterschools.com

 

Key Talking Points 

  • Creating your own school-wide economy
  • Practical leadership lessons from“The Instructional Change Agent”you can do in less than 5 minutes
  • What is student-centered decision-making?
  • What does “perspective on impact” mean?

 

Key Milestones of the Episodes

[5:00] The school-wide economy experiment

[7:50] What unexpected good things happened during your experiment?

[9:00] Partnerships with the community and local businesses-How did you get buy-in from the community for your experiment?

[17:30] What is student-centered decision-making and what does it look like?

[20:21] Creating change you believe in with management

[25:00] One practical exercise listeners can make to be a stronger leader

[29:00] The story of Joanne

 

Key Quotes

We wanted kids to do the right thing because it was the right thing to do. Others needed some of that extrinsic motivation.”

“It really starts with building out relationships.”

“It’s [The education industry] really become this competitive landscape.”

“I think the power of success happens within the opportunities we create for kids.”

 

Key Resources 

The Instructional Change Agent: 48 Ways to Be the Leader Your School Needs

Don’t forget to catch more episodes and resources at the Better Leaders Better Schools website.

Read the Better Leaders Better Schools Roadmap

 

Other resources

Find you local Chamber of Commerce

Meetup

Toastmasters International

 

About Our Guest

Adam Drummond, EdD is the director of Professional Learning for the International Center for Leadership in Education (ICLE), a keynote speaker, and author with leadership experience at levels of education.

Twitter

LinkedIn

Blog

 

Tip of the Week

Holding Office Hours: Hold office hours one day a week for an hour before school starts. This gives the staff uninterrupted time to meet with you and discuss important issues without having to worry about a class starting or getting home to feed the kids.

Show Some Love

 

LEVEL UP 🚀

Website :: Twitter :: LinkedIn

 

SHOW SPONSORS

ORGANIZED BINDER

  • Organized Binder is an evidence-based RTI2 Tier 1 universal level solution
  • Focuses on improving executive functioning and noncognitive skills
  • Is in direct alignment with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework
  • Is an integral component for ensuring Least Restrictive Environments (LRE)

You can learn more and improve your student’s success at https://organizedbinder.com/

 

Teach FX

  • Empowers teachers with feedback on student engagement
  • A fitbit for teachers that measures student engagement
  • Research shows that the more students speak in class, the more they learn, and the better they perform on standardized tests.
  • Use your phone or laptop to analyze your class, and the app’s artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm tracks your talk ratio automatically, with no extra work from you or an instructional coach. 
  • The idea is to give teachers a useful barometer of student engagement you can check every day!

You can learn more and improve your student’s success at https://teachfx.com/

 

Copyright © 2019 Better Leaders Better Schools

Jul 10, 2019

Welcome to the Better Leaders Better Schools podcast.  This is a weekly show for ruckus makers -- What is a ruckus maker?  A leader who has found freedom from the status quo. A leader looking to escape the old routine. A leader who never, ever gives up.

In this episode, Danny speaks with repeat guest, Mike Roberts who offers some words of wisdom about persistence, pursuing excellence, and leveraging success as a school leader. Mike shares his experiences running marathons, teaching 8th grade English, and presenting leadership lessons to other teachers.

We hope you enjoy the podcast. All the highlights, resources, and next steps can be found below. Listen to the full episode here and learn more at betterleadersbetterschools.com

 

Key Talking Points 

  • How Mike went from a weekend warrior to a marathon runner...starting with his failed first race
  • Why chasing micro-goals is a strategy for success
  • Why you don’t need to be great at everything, just 1% better to achieve more success in your life
  • Understanding the foundations in the student/teacher and teacher/principal relationship
  • Battling competition envy and reframing success to help you get 1% better
  • Ways to make your life as a teacher 1% better
  • Why we shouldn’t run away from failure…
  • The power of moving toward 1% better as a school and as an industry

 

Key Milestones of the Episodes

[4:28] Mike’s transformation from a man who couldn’t run one mile into an ultra marathoner

[9:41] Why Mike didn’t quit

[12:37] Getting 1% better

[18:15] Dealing with Comparison Envy

[26:47] You learn the most from difficult things

 

Key Quotes

Giving up is the easiest thing to do.”

I want you to look at me as a person who teaches and I’m going to look at you as a person who is a student ``

“As educators, the more consistent we can be with who we are...the better off it is for our school community.”

“I don’t think next year is going to be easier than next year. I expect it to be tougher...but you build up those skills...along the way from the challenges.”

 

Key Resources 

Chasing Greatness: 26.2 Ways Teaching is Like Running a Marathon

Don’t forget to catch more episodes and resources at the Better Leaders Better Schools website.

 

Other resources

Strava

Billionaire CEO Sara Blakely Says These 7 Words Are the Best Career Advice She Ever Got

 

Read the Better Leaders Better Schools Roadmap

 

Tip of the Week

Eat Well & Exercise: If you want to optimize your performance mentally and physically you will prioritize eating well and you’ll start or continue exercising.  Exercise is a great stress relief and some of your best ideas will be generated while outside of the office or while lifting or running. Make Eating well and exercising a part of your daily schedule.

 

Show Some Love

 

LEVEL UP 🚀

Website :: Twitter :: LinkedIn

 

SHOW SPONSORS

ORGANIZED BINDER

  • Organized Binder is an evidence-based RTI2 Tier 1 universal level solution
  • Focuses on improving executive functioning and noncognitive skills
  • Is in direct alignment with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework
  • Is an integral component for ensuring Least Restrictive Environments (LRE)

You can learn more and improve your student’s success at https://organizedbinder.com/

 

Teach FX

  • Empowers teachers with feedback on student engagement
  • A fitbit for teachers that measures student engagement
  • Research shows that the more students speak in class, the more they learn, and the better they perform on standardized tests.
  • Use your phone or laptop to analyze your class, and the app’s artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm tracks your talk ratio automatically, with no extra work from you or an instructional coach. 
  • The idea is to give teachers a useful barometer of student engagement you can check every day!

You can learn more and improve your student’s success at https://teachfx.com/

 

Copyright © 2019 Better Leaders Better Schools

Jul 8, 2019

Welcome to the Better Leaders Better Schools podcast.  This is a weekly show for ruckus makers -- What is a ruckus maker?  A leader who has found freedom from the status quo. A leader looking to escape the old routine. A leader who never, ever gives up.

In this episode, Danny talks with his colleague, expert coach and new Better Leaders Better School Mastermind cohort leader Dr. Kelly Crane. Dr. Crane shares her experience moving up the career ladder from assistant principal to district administrator while raising children, going through a divorce and working on her specialist and doctorate degrees. Along the way, Dr. Crane shares the insights she learned about school leadership, decision making, and networking.

 

Key Talking Points  

  •     Climbing the school corporate ladder
  •     Balancing school leadership and family life
  •     Networking Tips
  •     Creating your “vivid vision”
  •     Networking within the Better Leaders Better Schools mastermind

 

Key Milestones

[3:20] The unexpected way that Dr. Crane became a principal

[5:26] How did Dr. Crane balance her really busy life as a school administrator, Mom, Volleyball coach, District sub coordinator, and being a student herself

[7:34] Climbing the corporate ladder

[8:20] Networking Tips

[13:40] Creating your “vivid vision”

[15:29] Joining the Better Leaders Better Schools mastermind

[20:48] Leadership Guilt

 

Key Quotes

I have a choice every day and that was to get up and make it the best day or not. I choose to make it the best!”

 

“Always believe that something awesome is about to happen”

 

Key Resources

Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be

Girl, Stop Apologizing

 

We hope you enjoy the podcast. All the highlights, resources, and next steps can be found below. Listen to the full episode here and learn more at betterleadersbetterschools.com

 

Contact Information for Dr. Crane

LinkedIn

Email

Twitter

 

Other resources

Read the Better Leaders Better Schools Roadmap

 

Show Some Love

 

LEVEL UP 🚀

Website :: Twitter :: LinkedIn

 

SHOW SPONSORS:

ORGANIZED BINDER

  • Organized Binder is an evidence-based RTI2 Tier 1 universal level solution
  • Focuses on improving executive functioning and noncognitive skills
  • Is in direct alignment with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework
  • Is an integral component for ensuring Least Restrictive Environments (LRE)

You can learn more and improve your student’s success at https://organizedbinder.com/

 

Teach FX

  • Empowers teachers with feedback on student engagement
  • A fitbit for teachers that measures student engagement
  • Research shows that the more students speak in class, the more they learn, and the better they perform on standardized tests.
  • Use your phone or laptop to analyze your class, and the app’s artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm tracks your talk ratio automatically, with no extra work from you or an instructional coach. 
  • The idea is to give teachers a useful barometer of student engagement you can check every day!

You can learn more and improve your student’s success at https://teachfx.com/

 

Copyright © 2019 Better Leaders Better Schools

Jul 3, 2019

Welcome to the Better Leaders Better Schools podcast.  This is a weekly show for ruckus makers -- What is a ruckus maker?  A leader who has found freedom from the status quo. A leader looking to escape the old routine. A leader who never, ever gives up.

In this episode, Danny speaks with Chanie Wilschanski, early childhood strategist and school leadership coach (a return guest!) about owning and leveraging the ripple effect as a school leader. Chanie shares how everything a leader does, from the way they answer emails to the way they deal with interruptions, sets the tone for the entire school. She provides practical tips and strategies designed to help you make the most of your impact as a high-performing leader.

 

Key Talking Points  

  •     The key to making successful change as a school leader
  •     Why shifting responsibility to yourself as a leader will change your school
  •     Understanding how a higher-performing mindset works and how to develop one yourself
  •     Prepping your mindset for the challenging environment you are facing
  •     Picking the right routines to create the right environment
  •     Handling interruptions and emergencies
  •     Finding time and energy to focus on the most important task of the moment

 

Key Milestones of the Episodes

[6:48] Understanding the “School of Excellence” concept

[9:00] The importance of environments in shifting your perspective

[10:54] Getting into a high-performance mindset

[18:22] Habits and routines of a high-performing leader

[28:14] Dealing with the constant interruptions

[38:00] Favorite book

 

Key Quotes

The answer to that question is ‘What do I need to do so that this happens?”

“The school culture and whatever you want to have in your school is an effect of the leader’s daily behaviors, routines, and habits.”

“We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.” (Jim Rohn)

“Everytime you walk into a school building, it is a performance.”

“What adjective do you want to show up as?”

“As a school leader, we have to look at the game film.”

“The average director (in a study of early childhood educators) spends four hours a day fielding interruptions.”

“A teacher’s emergency is not yours.”

“The school leader who is always available isn’t listening.”

 

Key Resources

Atomic Habits

 

We hope you enjoy the podcast. All the highlights, resources, and next steps can be found below. Listen to the full episode here and learn more at betterleadersbetterschools.com

 

Other resources

Read the Better Leaders Better Schools Roadmap

 

Tip of the Week

Dr. Kelly Crane, expert coach at BLBS shares a tip about an app called Scanner Pro.  Scanner Pro is the best app for quickly scanning and saving a digital version of a paper document. Scan any papers, ranging from a receipt to multi-page documents. Scanner Pro will automatically detect borders, correcting distortion and geometry. Share, email, fax and upload your perfect scans. Use OCR to convert any scan into a text.  It is a free app-go to your app store or https://readdle.com/scannerpro.

 

Show Some Love

 

LEVEL UP 🚀

Website :: Twitter :: LinkedIn

 

SHOW SPONSORS:

ORGANIZED BINDER

  • Organized Binder is an evidence-based RTI2 Tier 1 universal level solution
  • Focuses on improving executive functioning and noncognitive skills
  • Is in direct alignment with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework
  • Is an integral component for ensuring Least Restrictive Environments (LRE)

You can learn more and improve your student’s success at https://organizedbinder.com/

 

Teach FX

  • Empowers teachers with feedback on student engagement
  • A fitbit for teachers that measures student engagement
  • Research shows that the more students speak in class, the more they learn, and the better they perform on standardized tests.
  • Use your phone or laptop to analyze your class, and the app’s artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm tracks your talk ratio automatically, with no extra work from you or an instructional coach. 
  • The idea is to give teachers a useful barometer of student engagement you can check every day!

You can learn more and improve your student’s success at https://teachfx.com/

 

Copyright © 2019 Better Leaders Better Schools

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