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Explore every episode of the podcast The Better Leaders Better Schools Podcast with Daniel Bauer

Dive into the complete episode list for The Better Leaders Better Schools Podcast with Daniel Bauer. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

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TitlePub. DateDuration
Beyond the Status Quo: Ruckus Makers Share Their Secrets to Extraordinary Leadership28 Aug 202400:36:57
   

 

Every principal deserves high quality coaching and mentorship.

 

  • Who is your coach or mentor?

  • What would you be able to accomplish with help figuring out how to accomplish your biggest goals?

 

At Ruckus Maker HQ we have two great options for you:

 

Option 1: Join the BRAND NEW Ruckus Maker Club. Learn more here

 

Option 2: Join The Ruckus Maker Mastermind™ our flagship program. Learn more here.

 

Show Highlights

 

  •  Essential tips for first-year principals,

    • Be aware of political landscape and power structures

    • Use a 'political heat map' to map relationships within staff

    • Make time for support staff and 12-month employees

    • And much more….

  • Ruckus Maker Club Benefits 

    • Provides focused social media alternative for professional growth

    • Encourages a proactive approach to leadership by breaking down larger objectives into manageable plans.

    • Clean, easy-to-navigate platform design

  • Continuous addition of exclusive tools and resources for leaders.

 

 

Get the episode transcript here!

 

SHOW SPONSORS:

 

Quest Food Management Services

 

Quest Food Management Services provides high-quality, scratch-made food in K-12 schools and universities across the country, prioritizing the health and wellness of students and elevating the cafeteria dining experience.  Quest offers a full-service approach to their school partners, bringing 40 years of expertise through every stage of program development and nurturing a true sense of community through interactive events such as student food committees. For more information about Quest Food Management Services, www.questfms.com

 

 

IXL

IXL is the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. Over 1 million teachers use IXL in their classrooms every day for one reason: They love it. Visit IXL.com to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.  

Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

 

Making the Invisible, Visible21 Aug 202400:32:44

 

 

Dr. Chara N. Willaford, founder of Be Your Best Yet Coaching and Consulting,  is an educational leader with 25+ years of experience. A National Mentor and Trainer, she specializes in turning around schools, empowering future and early-career principals. Dr. Chara's journey spans roles at state, district, national, and building levels, reflecting a deep commitment to shaping the future of education. Her holistic approach and commitment to continuous learning are embodied in the motto, 'The Best is Yet to Come.

 

Show Highlights

 

  • Powerful principal pipelines for sustainable leadership development.

  • Strategies to overcome imposter syndrome in educational leadership. 

  • Stop downselling yourself and putting a ceiling on what you can accomplish.

  • Making the invisible visible for aspiring leaders.

  • Importance of developing a CEO mentality for principals.

  • Work-life harmony for long term sustainment in the job.

  • Scheduling thinking time for strategic planning.

  • Guidelines for building collective excellence for your teams.

 

“When I think about working with leaders, the beauty of having this big bird's eye view at the state level, and I would even say at the national level, because I work with leaders at that place as well, is that the commonalities are the same. It doesn't matter if you're in one state or the next. If you're in a smaller district or a bigger district, the need for coaching, the need to have a community that you can lean upon is ever so present in leaders for today. The overall stress of ensuring that we have school communities that work for kids is something that transcends every leader.”

-Dr. Chara N. Willaford 

 

Get the episode transcript here!

 

Dr. Chara’s Resources & Contact Info:

 

Read my latest book!

Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.

 

Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!

Apply to the Mastermind

The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.

Apply to the mastermind today!

 

How We Serve Leaders

 

The School Leadership Scorecard™

Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard

 

Month-to-Month Principal Checklist

As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?

 

When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get

  • 12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do

  • Space to write your campus specific items.

  • Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work

Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.

 

Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™

The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset

 

The Positive Spotlight Tool™

Energy flows to where attention goes!

If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…

 

Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive

 

The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™

Are you ready to accomplish more?

With less effort and in less time?

When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.

 

Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals

SHOW SPONSORS:

 

 

Quest Food Management Services

 

Quest Food Management Services provides high-quality, scratch-made food in K-12 schools and universities across the country, prioritizing the health and wellness of students and elevating the cafeteria dining experience.  Quest offers a full-service approach to their school partners, bringing 40 years of expertise through every stage of program development and nurturing a true sense of community through interactive events such as student food committees. For more information about Quest Food Management Services, www.questfms.com

 

 

IXL

IXL is the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. Over 1 million teachers use IXL in their classrooms every day for one reason: They love it. Visit IXL.com to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.  

Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

 

Creating a Culture of Authenticity in Education10 Jul 202400:54:45

 

Charles Hartney is the Head of Upper School and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion coordinator at The Park School of Buffalo, a progressive, independent school serving students from PreK and Montessori through Grade 12. Outside of school, Charlie is a proud husband and father of two, an avid reader, and a lifelong Buffalo sports fan. #GoBills.

 

 

Show Highlights

 

  • Create intentional deposits with every member of your learning community. 

  • Charles' highlights his quest from transitioning from teacher to administrator within the same building. 

  • Significance of seeking help by involving others in decision-making processes.

  • Cultivate a celebratory culture without having to be the cheerleader type.

  • A culture team doesn’t exist without both faculty and student representatives.

  • Importance of curiosity, compassion, and community in education.

  • A framework that gives you the permission to be the kind of leader that you want to be. 

 

“I want people to remember that you don't have to be in a moment of crisis to seek help, to get unstuck or to think again about the work that you do. If anybody out there is like me and has been resistant to help in the past, or feels like they might be burdening other people by asking for help, or just feels like they should have all the answers, I would encourage you to find ways to get yourself unstuck, to seek out that help. Because once you have the support that you need, the work you're going to be able to do for your schools and for your faculty and for your families and for your students is going to be immeasurable. You can do incredible things.”

-Charles Hartney 

 

Get the episode transcript here!

 

Charles’ Resources & Contact Info:

 

 

Read my latest book!

Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.

 

Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!

Apply to the Mastermind

The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.

Apply to the mastermind today!

 

How We Serve Leaders

 

The School Leadership Scorecard™

Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard

 

Month-to-Month Principal Checklist

As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?

 

When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get

  • 12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do

  • Space to write your campus specific items.

  • Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work

Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.

 

Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™

The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset

 

The Positive Spotlight Tool™

Energy flows to where attention goes!

If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…

 

Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive

 

The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™

Are you ready to accomplish more?

With less effort and in less time?

When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.

 

Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals

SHOW SPONSORS:

 TEACHFX

How much student talk happened today?

When classrooms come alive with conversation, learning improves, students feel a sense of belonging, and teachers feel inspired. 

 

The TeachFX instructional coaching app gives teachers powerful insights into their student talk, student engagement, and classroom conversation. 

 

With TeachFX, teachers see how much student talk happened, the moments of students sharing their brilliance, and the questions that got students talking.Learn how to pilot TeachFX with your teachers. Visit: teachfx.com/betterleaders

 

Quest Food Management Services

 

Quest Food Management Services provides high-quality, scratch-made food in K-12 schools and universities across the country, prioritizing the health and wellness of students and elevating the cafeteria dining experience.  Quest offers a full-service approach to their school partners, bringing 40 years of expertise through every stage of program development and nurturing a true sense of community through interactive events such as student food committees. For more information about Quest Food Management Services, www.questfms.com

 

 

IXL

IXL is the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. Over 1 million teachers use IXL in their classrooms every day for one reason: They love it. Visit IXL.com to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.  

Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

 

 

Unleashing Creative Agency through Reflection and Experimentation03 Jul 202400:47:10

 

 

Leticia Britos Cavagnaro, Ph.D.,  is a scientist turned designer who has created and facilitated a wide range of learning experiences in design, creativity, and innovation at the Stanford d.school and beyond. Her creative methods include the use of emerging technologies to help people grow as self-directed, action-oriented, reflective, and responsible shapers of the future. She co-directs the University Innovation Fellows Program and is an adjunct professor at the Stanford School.

 

Leticia has a PhD in developmental biology from Stanford University and is a former member of the Research in Education & Design Lab.

 

 

Show Highlights

 

  • Tips to avoid traumatic teaching where students learn in spite of what we do and create assignments ensure agency.

  • Leveraging reflection is a Ruckus Maker super power to gain more depth.

  • Experiment 4: to focus on who you really are when you're out there in the world. 

  • Fixed identities get in the way of learning. Explore the multiple identities or elements of identities out there. 

  • Fascinating questions to elevate the answers as the thing that is valued. 

  • The value of reflecting forward and technology infused with teaching and learning connection.

  • 1st, 2nd, 3rd order consequences to the work you do.

 

 

“Best to start small and sneaky.  Ruckus Makers are change makers. It's hard. Instead of thinking when I have resources and when I have x, y, and z, I'll be able to do ABC, what do you have right now? How can you do something small? Actually, intentionally small, that is going to maximize your learning, allow you to learn something and challenge your assumptions. Going back full circle to the beginning of my story as a teacher, we have more levers to play and more control about things that we can experiment, that we think, just thinking about what is my sphere of influence and what can I do?”

-Leticia Britos Cavagnaro 

 

Get the episode transcript here!

 

Leticia’s Resources & Contact Info:

 

Read my latest book!

Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.

 

Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!

Apply to the Mastermind

The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.

Apply to the mastermind today!

 

How We Serve Leaders

 

The School Leadership Scorecard™

Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard

 

Month-to-Month Principal Checklist

As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?

 

When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get

  • 12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do

  • Space to write your campus specific items.

  • Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work

Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.

 

Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™

The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset

 

The Positive Spotlight Tool™

Energy flows to where attention goes!

If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…

 

Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive

 

The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™

Are you ready to accomplish more?

With less effort and in less time?

When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.

 

Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals

SHOW SPONSORS:

 TEACHFX

How much student talk happened today?

When classrooms come alive with conversation, learning improves, students feel a sense of belonging, and teachers feel inspired. 

 

The TeachFX instructional coaching app gives teachers powerful insights into their student talk, student engagement, and classroom conversation. 

 

With TeachFX, teachers see how much student talk happened, the moments of students sharing their brilliance, and the questions that got students talking.Learn how to pilot TeachFX with your teachers. Visit: teachfx.com/betterleaders

 

Quest Food Management Services

 

Quest Food Management Services provides high-quality, scratch-made food in K-12 schools and universities across the country, prioritizing the health and wellness of students and elevating the cafeteria dining experience.  Quest offers a full-service approach to their school partners, bringing 40 years of expertise through every stage of program development and nurturing a true sense of community through interactive events such as student food committees. For more information about Quest Food Management Services, www.questfms.com

 

 

IXL

IXL is the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. Over 1 million teachers use IXL in their classrooms every day for one reason: They love it. Visit IXL.com to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.  

Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

 

The Power of Awareness26 Jun 202400:37:08

 

 

 

Laura Di Franco is the CEO of Brave Healer Productions, an award-winning publisher for holistic health and wellness professionals. She spent 30 years in holistic physical therapy, has 14 years of training in the martial arts, and has authored 10 books. Her company has published over 60 Amazon bestselling books with a global community of over 1000 authors who are waking the world up to what’s possible for healing, one brave word at a time. 

 

Show Highlights

 

  • Your healing journey begins with living, healing and Taekwondo.  

  • Leverage the wisdom in your community through expert collaboration tips.

  • Get a daily nap with ‘Awareness Practice’ to pause quickly before burnout. 

  • Mindful body awareness is key to rejuvenation for your entire body. 

  • Top 3 ways to boost your holistic health.

  • Overcoming the practice of ‘not feeling’ and speaking with your body. 

  • Respond to life instead of react with Box Breathing and Sound Healing.

 

 

“People can shift, never at their expense. You're just not going to do any kind of good in the world if you don't start with yourself. I've got this favorite mantra. I love having enough time, energy, money, and resources to generously take care of myself and everyone I love and serve. I had to come first. And so when I have all those things and I'm feeling good and I'm taking care of myself, then the overflow is what I'm serving from. I never have to, like, tap into the reserves.”

-Laura Di Franco 

Get the episode transcript here!

 

Laura’s Resources & Contact Info:

 

Read my latest book!

Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.

 

Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!

Apply to the Mastermind

The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.

Apply to the mastermind today!

 

How We Serve Leaders

 

The School Leadership Scorecard™

Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard

 

Month-to-Month Principal Checklist

As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?

 

When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get

  • 12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do

  • Space to write your campus specific items.

  • Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work

Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.

 

Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™

The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset

 

The Positive Spotlight Tool™

Energy flows to where attention goes!

If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…

 

Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive

 

The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™

Are you ready to accomplish more?

With less effort and in less time?

When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.

 

Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals

SHOW SPONSORS:

 TEACHFX

How much student talk happened today?

When classrooms come alive with conversation, learning improves, students feel a sense of belonging, and teachers feel inspired. 

 

The TeachFX instructional coaching app gives teachers powerful insights into their student talk, student engagement, and classroom conversation. 

 

With TeachFX, teachers see how much student talk happened, the moments of students sharing their brilliance, and the questions that got students talking.Learn how to pilot TeachFX with your teachers. Visit: teachfx.com/betterleaders

 

Quest Food Management Services

 

Quest Food Management Services provides high-quality, scratch-made food in K-12 schools and universities across the country, prioritizing the health and wellness of students and elevating the cafeteria dining experience.  Quest offers a full-service approach to their school partners, bringing 40 years of expertise through every stage of program development and nurturing a true sense of community through interactive events such as student food committees. For more information about Quest Food Management Services, www.questfms.com

 

 

IXL

IXL is the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. Over 1 million teachers use IXL in their classrooms every day for one reason: They love it. Visit IXL.com to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.  

Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

 

A Teacher’s Tale of Burnout and Recovery19 Jun 202400:34:22

 

 

Danielle Nuhfer, a former teacher turned coach and author of "The Path of the Mindful Teacher," has dedicated over 20 years to supporting educators in navigating the challenges of the school system. As the founder of Teaching Well, she works with teachers and school leaders to prioritize well-being and transform schools into thriving learning communities.

 

 

Show Highlights

 

  • The crucial role of school administrators' support and mindfulness practices to avoid teacher burnout.

  • Practical applications of the TLC framework in teaching.

  • The TLC framework to help teachers with emotional regulation and self-awareness. 

  • Managing one's inner landscape to improve teaching outcomes.

  • Practical examples of how mindfulness changes interactions with students.

  • Ways to find well-being leaders among teachers.

  • Importance of emotional regulation and self-awareness for teachers.

  • "Teaching Well in Schools" professional development and wellness coaching to foster well-being among educators.

 

“The biggest thing is … you have the conversations, even if there's no evidence of change, you might not see it, but the words that you speak to the teachers and the doors that you open just through asking those simple questions, you might not see what happens on the other side, but they matter. I'm living proof of that. 20 years after the fact, I've remembered that conversation, and it has shaped the trajectory of where I'm at. I want all Ruckus Makers to know that.”

-Danielle Nuhfer 

 

Danielle’s Resources & Contact Info:

 

Read my latest book!

Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.

 

Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!

Apply to the Mastermind

The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.

 

Apply to the mastermind today!

 

How We Serve Leaders

 

The School Leadership Scorecard™

Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard

 

Month-to-Month Principal Checklist

As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?

 

When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get

  • 12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do

  • Space to write your campus specific items.

  • Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work

Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.

 

Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™

The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset

 

The Positive Spotlight Tool™

Energy flows to where attention goes!

If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…

 

Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive

 

The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™

Are you ready to accomplish more?

With less effort and in less time?

When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.

 

Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals

SHOW SPONSORS:

 

TEACHFX

How much student talk happened today?

When classrooms come alive with conversation, learning improves, students feel a sense of belonging, and teachers feel inspired. 

 

The TeachFX instructional coaching app gives teachers powerful insights into their student talk, student engagement, and classroom conversation. 

 

With TeachFX, teachers see how much student talk happened, the moments of students sharing their brilliance, and the questions that got students talking.Learn how to pilot TeachFX with your teachers. Visit: teachfx.com/betterleaders

 

Quest Food Management Services

 

Quest Food Management Services provides high-quality, scratch-made food in K-12 schools and universities across the country, prioritizing the health and wellness of students and elevating the cafeteria dining experience.  Quest offers a full-service approach to their school partners, bringing 40 years of expertise through every stage of program development and nurturing a true sense of community through interactive events such as student food committees. For more information about Quest Food Management Services, www.questfms.com

 

 

IXL

IXL is the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. Over 1 million teachers use IXL in their classrooms every day for one reason: They love it. Visit IXL.com to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.  

Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

 

Transformative Leadership - From Failure to Trust12 Jun 202400:47:33

 

 

Andy Rodford is the Principal of Venture Gained Consulting and works with school, camp, and business leaders to build capacity. He’s been involved in education for 30 years, holding senior roles at various independent schools, and is passionate about experiential learning. He has degrees in Science, Education, and leadership and loves wood carving, outdoor adventures, and helping others unearth potential.  

 

 

Show Highlights

 

  • Every interaction is an opportunity for managing trust and building relationships.

  • Overcoming the 'yeah, but' stage challenge of receiving hard feedback. 

  • Make a goal board  for effectively receiving and implementing feedback.

  • 211 degrees will change the state of your school.

  • Throw a ‘Failure Fest” to celebrate productive failure.

  • Consulting and counseling in leadership to avoid isolation.

  • Live out what's most important to your values with a ‘dump journal.’

 

 

“ There's nobody that's going to help you move ahead in your leadership and as a school leader than the people that you're working with. And if you try to pretend that you're something that you're not, when everybody is giving you feedback that you're not doing what they hoped that you would be doing, you're going to be ground into the halt over time because people will just start to disconnect. And that is part of the management of trust.” 

-Andy Rodford 

 

Get the episode transcript here!

 

Andy’s Resources & Contact Info:

 

 

Read my latest book!

Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.

 

Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!

Apply to the Mastermind

The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.

 

Apply to the mastermind today!

 

How We Serve Leaders

 

The School Leadership Scorecard™

Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard

 

Month-to-Month Principal Checklist

As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?

 

When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get

  • 12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do

  • Space to write your campus specific items.

  • Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work

Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.

 

Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™

The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset

 

The Positive Spotlight Tool™

Energy flows to where attention goes!

If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…

 

Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive

 

The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™

Are you ready to accomplish more?

With less effort and in less time?

When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.

 

Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals

SHOW SPONSORS:

 

TEACHFX

How much student talk happened today?

When classrooms come alive with conversation, learning improves, students feel a sense of belonging, and teachers feel inspired. 

 

The TeachFX instructional coaching app gives teachers powerful insights into their student talk, student engagement, and classroom conversation. 

 

With TeachFX, teachers see how much student talk happened, the moments of students sharing their brilliance, and the questions that got students talking.Learn how to pilot TeachFX with your teachers. Visit: teachfx.com/betterleaders

 

Quest Food Management Services

 

Quest Food Management Services provides high-quality, scratch-made food in K-12 schools and universities across the country, prioritizing the health and wellness of students and elevating the cafeteria dining experience.  Quest offers a full-service approach to their school partners, bringing 40 years of expertise through every stage of program development and nurturing a true sense of community through interactive events such as student food committees. For more information about Quest Food Management Services, www.questfms.com

 

 

IXL

IXL is the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. Over 1 million teachers use IXL in their classrooms every day for one reason: They love it. Visit IXL.com to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.  

Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

 

 

Navigating Life with DBT and Mindfulness10 Jun 202400:34:30

 

 

Alexandra Mejia, who goes by Sasha, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in private practice specializing in working with complex trauma, dissociation, and personality disorders.  She aims to de-stigmatize trauma and personality disorders through her social media platforms and Clinical Residency Program and to spread the word on using DBT (dialectical behavioral therapy) to settings outside of therapy.

 

Show Highlights

 

  • ​​Coexistence of self-acceptance and change through Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) techniques. 

  • Walk  ‘the middle path’ to promote awareness through mindfulness practices.

  • Resolve conflicts by observing internal opposing forces. 

  • Create an inclusive educational environment emphasizing life skills education over traditional teaching methods.

  • Emphasizes applying mindfulness to daily activities and thoughts.

  • Distinguishing between reality and thoughts to enhance accountability.

  • 3 Guiding Principles that align coursework with student passions as key principles for schools.

  • Applying mindfulness skills to navigate various challenges effectively.

 

“In dialectics, we like to call it walking the middle path. And it's taking a look at the positives and the negatives at each side of the dialectic. Let's say one side of the dialectic, there is self acceptance. And who out there doesn't want to find an experience? Self acceptance. It's a wonderful thing. We think we are more confident. We are less likely to be down on ourselves and to talk down to ourselves. If we're self accepting, we're not going to struggle as much or be as anxious or be as depressed if we're accepting of ourselves.”

-Sasha Mejia

 

Get the episode transcript here!

 

Sasha’s Resources & Contact Info:

 

 

Read my latest book!

Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.

 

Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!

Apply to the Mastermind

The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.

 

Apply to the mastermind today!

 

How We Serve Leaders

 

The School Leadership Scorecard™

Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard

 

Month-to-Month Principal Checklist

As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?

 

When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get

  • 12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do

  • Space to write your campus specific items.

  • Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work

Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.

 

Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™

The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset

 

The Positive Spotlight Tool™

Energy flows to where attention goes!

If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…

 

Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive

 

The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™

Are you ready to accomplish more?

With less effort and in less time?

When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.

 

Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals

SHOW SPONSORS:

 

TEACHFX

How much student talk happened today?

When classrooms come alive with conversation, learning improves, students feel a sense of belonging, and teachers feel inspired. 

 

The TeachFX instructional coaching app gives teachers powerful insights into their student talk, student engagement, and classroom conversation. 

 

With TeachFX, teachers see how much student talk happened, the moments of students sharing their brilliance, and the questions that got students talking.Learn how to pilot TeachFX with your teachers. Visit: teachfx.com/betterleaders

 

Quest Food Management Services

 

Quest Food Management Services provides high-quality, scratch-made food in K-12 schools and universities across the country, prioritizing the health and wellness of students and elevating the cafeteria dining experience.  Quest offers a full-service approach to their school partners, bringing 40 years of expertise through every stage of program development and nurturing a true sense of community through interactive events such as student food committees. For more information about Quest Food Management Services, www.questfms.com

 

 

IXL

IXL is the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. Over 1 million teachers use IXL in their classrooms every day for one reason: They love it. Visit IXL.com to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.  

Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

 

 

The Power of Asking Questions - A Teacher's Tale07 Jun 202400:40:47

 

 

 

Robyn Hamasaki is the Managing Director of Leadership Development at the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). Leading a multidisciplinary team of Leading & Learning, Student Program Operations, Recognition & Engagement, and External Relations, she fosters the growth and engagement of school leaders, advisers, and students through impactful programs and services nationwide. Previously, she established the Principal Leadership Institute at Colorado's Department of Education. Her career has included roles as a principal, assistant principal, educator, and a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve.

 

Show Highlights

 

  • The power of asking questions in education

  • The impact of understanding individual student needs.

  • Tips to build trust with students can lead to better educational outcomes.
  • Importance of growing your network and taking an extra day to synthesize learnings.

  • Cultural shock and inclusion are keys to belonging in education.
  • How to maximize the experience at the United conference
  • Details about the conference strands and keynote speakers.

 

 

“The power and magic of feeling included, noticed, and a sense of belonging is paramount. And it's paramount in education, where every day, as a principal, as a teacher, you know, we need to see our kids, and we need to help them feel seen and that we need to help them realize that they matter 100%.”

-Robyn Hamasaki 

 

“Leadership matters. You matter. People look up to you. You are a role model. Everything you do, people are watching, kids are watching, babies are watching, and every student is someone's baby. And so what we do with students matters. And whether you're having a good day or a bad day, you matter. So keep up the good work, and we believe in you. You are doing an amazing, impossible job during turbulent, challenging times. And you are the unsung heroes of education and democracy.”

 -Robyn Hamasaki 

 

Get the episode transcript here!

 

Robyn’s Resources & Contact Info:

 

Read my latest book!

Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.

 

Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!

Apply to the Mastermind

The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.

 

Apply to the mastermind today!

 

How We Serve Leaders

 

The School Leadership Scorecard™

Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard

 

Month-to-Month Principal Checklist

As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?

 

When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get

  • 12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do

  • Space to write your campus specific items.

  • Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work

Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.

 

Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™

The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset

 

The Positive Spotlight Tool™

Energy flows to where attention goes!

If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…

 

Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive

 

The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™

Are you ready to accomplish more?

With less effort and in less time?

When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.

 

Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals

SHOW SPONSORS:

 

TEACHFX

How much student talk happened today?

When classrooms come alive with conversation, learning improves, students feel a sense of belonging, and teachers feel inspired. 

 

The TeachFX instructional coaching app gives teachers powerful insights into their student talk, student engagement, and classroom conversation. 

 

With TeachFX, teachers see how much student talk happened, the moments of students sharing their brilliance, and the questions that got students talking.Learn how to pilot TeachFX with your teachers. Visit: teachfx.com/betterleaders

 

Quest Food Management Services

 

Quest Food Management Services provides high-quality, scratch-made food in K-12 schools and universities across the country, prioritizing the health and wellness of students and elevating the cafeteria dining experience.  Quest offers a full-service approach to their school partners, bringing 40 years of expertise through every stage of program development and nurturing a true sense of community through interactive events such as student food committees. For more information about Quest Food Management Services, www.questfms.com

 

 

IXL

IXL is the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. Over 1 million teachers use IXL in their classrooms every day for one reason: They love it. Visit IXL.com to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.  

Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

 

 

"Breaking the Mold - Transforming Traditional School Systems"05 Jun 202400:39:41

 

 

 

Camp is Head of Teaching & Learning at NEIA. He oversees the development of systems to recruit, hire, support, and evaluate teachers and helps teachers develop and implement the curriculum. He's been a leader and a teacher at a variety of schools throughout his 29-year career: boarding, day, single-sex and college.  

 

Show Highlights

 

  • ‘Aim to teach what cannot be googled.’ 

  • NIA's unique mashed up of 5 different assessment systems for mastery learning. 

  • A needed mindset shift to let go of rigid structures and embrace innovative approaches.

  •  'X Days' for teaching and learning flexibility with integration across subjects and collaboration.

  • Transforming traditional school systems through the power of letting go.

  • Unlearning traditional methods among parents, students, and staff

  • Strategies for effectively communicating changes and supporting stakeholders through transitions and school policies.

  • Avoids siloed learning with ‘Spiraling Curriculum.’ 

  •  Targeted feedback with single panel rubric feedback feedback

 

 

“We have a mindset that we're going to be flexible. We're going to help you achieve the things you want to achieve or pursue the things you want to pursue. And for a lot of students, especially post Covid in this day and age of AI and everything else, that helping a student navigate an academic path that they have some ownership in is really liberating.”

-John Camp 

 

“My biggest thing for Ruckus Makers is to make sure you have the courage to change education. We're relying on you to be a Ruckus Maker. We're relying on you. We need you to do that. Otherwise the inertia of the system will steamroll and just keep going. And so, yes, as we've talked about, being a Ruckus Maker is not for everybody, and it's not easy. If you have that feeling inside at all about change, we're relying on you to do it. Get out there and do it. Act outside the box and get it done.”

-John Camp 

 

Get the episode transcript here!

 

John’s Resources & Contact Info:

 

Read my latest book!

Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.

 

Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!

Apply to the Mastermind

The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 

 

100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.

 

Apply to the mastermind today!

 

How We Serve Leaders

 

The School Leadership Scorecard™

Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard

 

Month-to-Month Principal Checklist

As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?

 

When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get

  • 12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do

  • Space to write your campus specific items.

  • Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work

Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.

 

Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™

The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset

 

The Positive Spotlight Tool™

Energy flows to where attention goes!

If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…

 

Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive

 

The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™

Are you ready to accomplish more?

With less effort and in less time?

When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.

 

Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals

SHOW SPONSORS:

 

TEACHFX

How much student talk happened today?

When classrooms come alive with conversation, learning improves, students feel a sense of belonging, and teachers feel inspired. 

 

The TeachFX instructional coaching app gives teachers powerful insights into their student talk, student engagement, and classroom conversation. 

 

With TeachFX, teachers see how much student talk happened, the moments of students sharing their brilliance, and the questions that got students talking.Learn how to pilot TeachFX with your teachers. Visit: teachfx.com/betterleaders

 

Quest Food Management Services

 

Quest Food Management Services provides high-quality, scratch-made food in K-12 schools and universities across the country, prioritizing the health and wellness of students and elevating the cafeteria dining experience.  Quest offers a full-service approach to their school partners, bringing 40 years of expertise through every stage of program development and nurturing a true sense of community through interactive events such as student food committees. For more information about Quest Food Management Services, www.questfms.com

 

 

IXL

IXL is the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. Over 1 million teachers use IXL in their classrooms every day for one reason: They love it. Visit IXL.com to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.  

Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

 

 

From Isolation to Innovation29 May 202400:38:46

 

Veronica Holyoke, has been working in education for 24 years. Originally from the East Coast she moved to Utah in 2012. She has held various leadership roles in the Jordan School District before becoming a school administrator 3 years ago. 

 

Veronica underwent a transformative journey through the Ruckus Maker Mastermind.  She initially faced challenges in school leadership and imposter syndrome but found renewed joy and confidence upon joining the program. Through activities like the hot seat, she received practical advice and support from educators globally, fostering a supportive community that helped her overcome obstacles in both professional and personal life. 

 

Veronica describes her new perspectives on leadership effectiveness. With aspirations for advanced research in educational practices and leading a lab school, she credits the mastermind for instilling confidence and clarity about her career path.  She sees herself  using her leadership capabilities to one day get a PhD in education to do the latest research to support the future of education. Her ultimate goal is to work collaboratively with school districts to research best practices, especially in terms of classroom management and behaviorism. 

 

In less than 90 days after joining the Ruckus Maker Mastermind, Veronica was named the assistant principal of the year for her district and since recording this podcast she was named the assistant principal of the year for the state of Utah.

 

 

Show Highlights

 

  • Thrive amidst external challenges for a "life-changing" experience and new perspectives on leadership effectiveness. 

  • Professional development opportunities with practical reflective practices and deep listening to enhance leadership skills.

  • Action-oriented approach with steps and support from the Mastermind

  •  The lack of a leadership roadmap strands leaders when facing difficult conversations.

  • Navigate ambiguity and the importance of adapting to challenges in leadership roles.

  • Defeating imposter syndrome and reconnecting with joy in work 

  • Tools for flipping mindsets from challenges to smooth with colleagues to create more value on campus.



“The structure of the sessions (Mastermind) is that we don't just moan and groan. We have an agenda. And the thing I love about it the most as a former instructional coach, is the way the questions are asked. I feel like I've never been a part of anything where better questions were asked, and it's actually helped me improve my own level of questioning when I'm in tough situations with people, kids, adults, whatever. The questioning is super fabulous. I knew right at the end that this was the place to be. I just didn't expect, necessarily, the deep dive into my own soul.”

-Veronica Holyoke

 

Get the episode transcript here!

 

Veronica’s Resources & Contact Info:
  • veronica.holyoke@jordandistrict.org

 

Read my latest book!

Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.

 

Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!

Apply to the Mastermind

The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 

 

100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.

 

Apply to the mastermind today!

 

How We Serve Leaders

 

The School Leadership Scorecard™

Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard

 

Month-to-Month Principal Checklist

As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?

 

When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get

  • 12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do

  • Space to write your campus specific items.

  • Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work

Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.

 

Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™

The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset

 

The Positive Spotlight Tool™

Energy flows to where attention goes!

If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…

 

Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive

 

The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™

Are you ready to accomplish more?

With less effort and in less time?

When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.

 

Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals

SHOW SPONSORS:

 

TEACHFX

How much student talk happened today?

When classrooms come alive with conversation, learning improves, students feel a sense of belonging, and teachers feel inspired. 

 

The TeachFX instructional coaching app gives teachers powerful insights into their student talk, student engagement, and classroom conversation. 

 

With TeachFX, teachers see how much student talk happened, the moments of students sharing their brilliance, and the questions that got students talking.Learn how to pilot TeachFX with your teachers. Visit: teachfx.com/betterleaders

 

Quest Food Management Services

 

Quest Food Management Services provides high-quality, scratch-made food in K-12 schools and universities across the country, prioritizing the health and wellness of students and elevating the cafeteria dining experience.  Quest offers a full-service approach to their school partners, bringing 40 years of expertise through every stage of program development and nurturing a true sense of community through interactive events such as student food committees. For more information about Quest Food Management Services, www.questfms.com

 

 

IXL

IXL is the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. Over 1 million teachers use IXL in their classrooms every day for one reason: They love it. Visit IXL.com to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.  

Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

 

 

Leadership Lessons from the Beekeeper22 May 202400:37:22

 

 

Michael Frino, Ph. D, Director Organizational Development at Boston Scientific | WSJ Bestselling Author | Performance Researcher. Over the last 25+ years he has worked with Fortune 500 companies in the areas of sales, sales training and leadership development. I am passionate about building high-performing teams and organizational cultures.

 

He enjoys publishing research on human performance, sales and the euphoric state of flow. His experience has also given him the opportunity to work closely and lead teams responsible for multimedia production, organizational DE&I strategies and marketing competency development. 

 

Katie Desiderio, Ph. D, Assistant Vice President, Corporate-Educational Partnerships | Tenured Professor of Management | Partner in Learning | WSJ Best Selling Author | Mama. Katie  counts her blessings starting with the people in her life, which guides her approach to work where her focus is on every organization's most important asset – you! Her personality and behavioral attributes emphasize collaboration and all things that keep human beings in focus, which fuels her intrapreneurial spirit.

 

As an athlete, she found flow in sports and later discovered flow at work to fuel her professional trajectory. After working for several years in corporate marketing, Katie chose a second career in higher education, where she celebrates the honor of being the first female chairperson of the Economics and Business Department at the sixth oldest institution in America and first to educate women.

As the mama of two extraordinary girls, she is committed to the development of rising leaders, namely in the spirit of leading from any seat. Along with her work as a tenured faculty member at Moravian University, Desiderio is Principal Partner in Learning of Proximal Development, LLC, an authorized DiSC partner, specializing in leadership development and the advancement of performance through learning.

Upon completion of her doctorate in Organizational Learning and Leadership, Katie has been co-authoring scholar-practitioner journal articles, conference proceedings, and now this book with her learning partner and friend. Join them on this journey to inspire how you will pollinate the world! 

 

Show Highlights

 

  • Unceremoniously squash the queen bee of your hive to put productivity front and center. 

  • Embracing messiness in leadership is essential for generating new ideas and encouraging diverse perspectives.

  • Learning and unlearning are vital components of value creation and collective progression when creating change.

  • Encouraging people to lead from any seat to create influencers around you to engage your entire community.

  • Maximize production in your “hive” with a hexagon shape collaboration.

  • Place yourself the center of someone's growth to create the honey in your bee hive. 

  • Get your FREE growth guides that encourage learning in the space of curiosity for deep level diversity.

 

“There's an opportunity here to think about change agents. As Ruckus Makers, we have to continually turn the lens to be able to self reflect, to think about value creation.”

-Katie Desiderio

 

“We can't let that serve as a blind spot for us to think about the impact on the collective whole. For all of us to be able to hit the pause button to say, ‘I probably could have done that better,’ or ‘how could I rephrase that or how could I look at this from a different lens to try to do it different or to bring someone else that might be more effective than I am in this space.’”  

-Katie Desiderio



“If you don't have a philosophy that you can share how you're going to lead the good, the bad, and ugly and share it, then the environment that you're creating may not be one that's vulnerable and authentic, and people will just see you as kind of a hierarchical leader. And that's not what we're trying to encourage. We're trying to convert, encouraging buyers where everybody can lead from every seat. It's okay to bring your best self to work, come as you are, choose the lens you want, but let's all work at this together.”

-Michael Frino

 

“When we think about being innovators and disruption and demonstrating a ruckus, you have to go through a process, and it has to be messy. It can't be so rigid. The best ideas come when the process is messy, and you have to allow yourself permission to do that. Some people are really uncomfortable in that space, but getting out of your comfort zone, whiteboarding, brainstorming, being messy, will bring to life brand new ideas, brand new concepts, and probably allow people who have really great ideas to speak up that may not otherwise be heard, be messy.”
-Michael Frino

 

Get a copy of the episode transcript here!

 

Katie and Michael’s Resources & Contact Info:



Read my latest book!

Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.

 

Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!

Apply to the Mastermind

The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 

 

100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.

 

Apply to the mastermind today!

 

How We Serve Leaders

 

The School Leadership Scorecard™

Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard

 

Month-to-Month Principal Checklist

As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?

 

When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get

  • 12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do

  • Space to write your campus specific items.

  • Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work

Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.

 

Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™

The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset

 

The Positive Spotlight Tool™

Energy flows to where attention goes!

If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…

 

Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive

 

The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™

Are you ready to accomplish more?

With less effort and in less time?

When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.

 

Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals

SHOW SPONSORS:

 

TEACHFX

How much student talk happened today?

When classrooms come alive with conversation, learning improves, students feel a sense of belonging, and teachers feel inspired. 

 

The TeachFX instructional coaching app gives teachers powerful insights into their student talk, student engagement, and classroom conversation. 

 

With TeachFX, teachers see how much student talk happened, the moments of students sharing their brilliance, and the questions that got students talking.Learn how to pilot TeachFX with your teachers. Visit: teachfx.com/betterleaders

 

Quest Food Management Services

 

Quest Food Management Services provides high-quality, scratch-made food in K-12 schools and universities across the country, prioritizing the health and wellness of students and elevating the cafeteria dining experience.  Quest offers a full-service approach to their school partners, bringing 40 years of expertise through every stage of program development and nurturing a true sense of community through interactive events such as student food committees. For more information about Quest Food Management Services, www.questfms.com

 

 

IXL

IXL is the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. Over 1 million teachers use IXL in their classrooms every day for one reason: They love it. Visit IXL.com to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.  

Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

 

 

Rewarding the Positive19 Aug 202400:27:47
 

 

 

Adam Stolzer is the Burwell Jr./Sr. High School Principal located in Burwell, Ne. Adam is an educational leader who makes a ruckus with his mobile office, Longhorn Support Days, and helps facilitate bringing out students' passions. Adam takes great pride in leaving a daily legacy of being a model of support for students. 

 

Show Highlights

 

  • Strategies aimed at enhancing student engagement and behavior.

  • Improvement in absences with motivational reward days off.

  • Power of Purple and Passion in Education. 

  • Mobile office strategy to increase accessibility and communication.

  • Exposing students to diverse opportunities and hands-on learning.

  • Belief that tough conversations lead to growth and evolution.

 

“Unless we can have honest conversations with ourselves, with our staff, with our peers, colleagues, I don't think that evolution is there. And eventually, if you don't have tough conversations, you get stuck in a status quo because everybody's just comfortable. And if you want to grow, you want to learn something new, you have to get uncomfortable.”

-Adam Stolzer 

 

Get the episode transcript here!

 

Adam’s Resources & Contact Info:

 

Read my latest book!

Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.

 

Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!

Apply to the Mastermind

The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.

Apply to the mastermind today!

 

How We Serve Leaders

 

The School Leadership Scorecard™

Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard

 

Month-to-Month Principal Checklist

As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?

 

When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get

  • 12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do

  • Space to write your campus specific items.

  • Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work

Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.

 

Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™

The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset

 

The Positive Spotlight Tool™

Energy flows to where attention goes!

If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…

 

Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive

 

The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™

Are you ready to accomplish more?

With less effort and in less time?

When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.

 

Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals

SHOW SPONSORS:

 

 

Quest Food Management Services

 

Quest Food Management Services provides high-quality, scratch-made food in K-12 schools and universities across the country, prioritizing the health and wellness of students and elevating the cafeteria dining experience.  Quest offers a full-service approach to their school partners, bringing 40 years of expertise through every stage of program development and nurturing a true sense of community through interactive events such as student food committees. For more information about Quest Food Management Services, www.questfms.com

 

 

IXL

IXL is the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. Over 1 million teachers use IXL in their classrooms every day for one reason: They love it. Visit IXL.com to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.  

Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

 

Will I see you at the Spring Success Series20 May 202400:10:34

 

Show Highlights

 

Register for the 2024 Spring Success Series here: https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/2024-spring-success-series/

 

Read my latest book!

Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.

 

Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!

Apply to the Mastermind

The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 

 

100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.

 

Apply to the mastermind today!

 

How We Serve Leaders

 

The School Leadership Scorecard™

Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard

 

Month-to-Month Principal Checklist

As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?

 

When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get

  • 12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do

  • Space to write your campus specific items.

  • Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work

Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.

 

Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™

The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset

 

The Positive Spotlight Tool™

Energy flows to where attention goes!

If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…

 

Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive

 

The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™

Are you ready to accomplish more?

With less effort and in less time?

When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.

 

Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals

SHOW SPONSORS:

 

TEACHFX

How much student talk happened today?

When classrooms come alive with conversation, learning improves, students feel a sense of belonging, and teachers feel inspired. 

 

The TeachFX instructional coaching app gives teachers powerful insights into their student talk, student engagement, and classroom conversation. 

 

With TeachFX, teachers see how much student talk happened, the moments of students sharing their brilliance, and the questions that got students talking.Learn how to pilot TeachFX with your teachers. Visit: teachfx.com/betterleaders

 

Quest Food Management Services

 

Quest Food Management Services provides high-quality, scratch-made food in K-12 schools and universities across the country, prioritizing the health and wellness of students and elevating the cafeteria dining experience.  Quest offers a full-service approach to their school partners, bringing 40 years of expertise through every stage of program development and nurturing a true sense of community through interactive events such as student food committees. For more information about Quest Food Management Services, www.questfms.com

 

 

IXL

IXL is the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. Over 1 million teachers use IXL in their classrooms every day for one reason: They love it. Visit IXL.com to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.  

Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

 

 

The Leader's Algorithm - Transforming Education15 May 202400:46:29

Navigating the Path of Educational Leadership

 

Pablo Muñoz is the managing director of Muñoz & Company, an educational and leadership consulting organization. A first-generation high school graduate, Muñoz earned a bachelor’s in psychology from Yale University and a master’s in educational administration from Columbia University.

He has thirty years of experience as a teacher and administrator and was a

superintendent for sixteen years. Muñoz was named one of the George Lucas Educational Foundation’s Daring Dozen—a prestigious group working to reshape the future of education.

 

He is the son of Luz and Pablo Muñoz, both from Aguada, Puerto Rico, and the proud father of two daughters, Cecilia and Sadie.

 

 

Show Highlights

 

  • The Leader's Algorithm," is a simple equation you execute consistently with public accountability to transform your life, work,  and schools.

  •  Unique word association for interviews to assess candidates' understanding of the instructional core.

  • 8.5 × 11 paper holds a leader's true north to stay focused amid distractions and challenges.

  • Public education sits at the center of raw, brass, knuckle, bloodsport politics. Important actions you need to take as a leader. 

  • The three L's that provide students with learning experiences beyond the classroom.

  •  “Personal Theory of Action” is crucial for leaders to stay focused and accountable amidst the noise.

  • Getting ready to fail kindergarten reflects on the questions and conversations all leaders must have in their learning communities. 

 

 

“Improving the lives of children should be everyone's legacy in education.”

-Pablo Munoz 

 

“It's important for the Ruckus Makers to know why I wrote the book. And for me, it was one word, ‘help.’ I wanted to write a book to help aspiring, new, and current school administrators. My vision for the book was to share what I learned from my 30 year journey in public education, 16 years of that as Superintendent of schools… My hope is that aspiring current and new administrators, school administrators, will read the book, and then they will use the book to create a leadership framework and strategy to lead and manage their schools and their school districts.”

-Pablo Munoz 

 

Get the episode transcript here!

 

 

Pablo’s Resources & Contact Info:

 

 

 

Read my latest book!

Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.

 

Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!

Apply to the Mastermind

The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 

 

100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.

 

Apply to the mastermind today!

 

How We Serve Leaders

 

The School Leadership Scorecard™

Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard

 

Month-to-Month Principal Checklist

As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?

 

When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get

  • 12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do

  • Space to write your campus specific items.

  • Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work

Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.

 

Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™

The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset

 

The Positive Spotlight Tool™

Energy flows to where attention goes!

If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…

 

Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive

 

The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™

Are you ready to accomplish more?

With less effort and in less time?

When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.

 

Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals

SHOW SPONSORS:

 

TEACHFX

How much student talk happened today?

When classrooms come alive with conversation, learning improves, students feel a sense of belonging, and teachers feel inspired. 

 

The TeachFX instructional coaching app gives teachers powerful insights into their student talk, student engagement, and classroom conversation. 

 

With TeachFX, teachers see how much student talk happened, the moments of students sharing their brilliance, and the questions that got students talking.Learn how to pilot TeachFX with your teachers. Visit: teachfx.com/betterleaders

 

Quest Food Management Services

 

Quest Food Management Services provides high-quality, scratch-made food in K-12 schools and universities across the country, prioritizing the health and wellness of students and elevating the cafeteria dining experience.  Quest offers a full-service approach to their school partners, bringing 40 years of expertise through every stage of program development and nurturing a true sense of community through interactive events such as student food committees. For more information about Quest Food Management Services, www.questfms.com

 

 

IXL

IXL is the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. Over 1 million teachers use IXL in their classrooms every day for one reason: They love it. Visit IXL.com to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.  

Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

 

 

Leading A High Impact School14 May 202400:06:41

 

 

Show Highlights

 

 

 

 

Read my latest book!

Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.

 

Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!

Apply to the Mastermind

The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 

 

100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.

 

Apply to the mastermind today!

 

How We Serve Leaders

 

The School Leadership Scorecard™

Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard

 

Month-to-Month Principal Checklist

As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?

 

When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get

  • 12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do

  • Space to write your campus specific items.

  • Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work

Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.

 

Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™

The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset

 

The Positive Spotlight Tool™

Energy flows to where attention goes!

If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…

 

Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive

 

The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™

Are you ready to accomplish more?

With less effort and in less time?

When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.

 

Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals

SHOW SPONSORS:

 

TEACHFX

How much student talk happened today?

When classrooms come alive with conversation, learning improves, students feel a sense of belonging, and teachers feel inspired. 

 

The TeachFX instructional coaching app gives teachers powerful insights into their student talk, student engagement, and classroom conversation. 

 

With TeachFX, teachers see how much student talk happened, the moments of students sharing their brilliance, and the questions that got students talking.Learn how to pilot TeachFX with your teachers. Visit: teachfx.com/betterleaders

 

Quest Food Management Services

 

Quest Food Management Services provides high-quality, scratch-made food in K-12 schools and universities across the country, prioritizing the health and wellness of students and elevating the cafeteria dining experience.  Quest offers a full-service approach to their school partners, bringing 40 years of expertise through every stage of program development and nurturing a true sense of community through interactive events such as student food committees. For more information about Quest Food Management Services, www.questfms.com

 

 

IXL

IXL is the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. Over 1 million teachers use IXL in their classrooms every day for one reason: They love it. Visit IXL.com to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.  

Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

 

 

Navigating the Path of Educational Leadership08 May 202400:48:01

 

 

Bradley James Davies 

A Georgetown University Leadership Coaching Program graduate and ICF-certified coach with over two decades of corporate and nonprofit leadership experience, he works with clients to help them optimize their lives both at work and at home.

 

A strategic listening expert and dedicated leadership wellness practitioner, he speaks and facilitates workshops on “Next Level Listening: How to Be the Best Listener in the Room” and “Leadership Wellness 101: How to Lead Well Without Losing Your Way.”

 

Born and raised in Minnesota, when not exploring our inspiring planet, he calls Crested Butte, Colorado and Madrid, Spain home.

 

Show Highlights

 

 

  • Pulling weeds versus watering plants leadership strategy.

  • The one person on the planet who is most easily deceived.  What to avoid in leadership.

  • The recipe we've been given to be a transformational school leader is fundamentally unhealthy.

  • Maintaining your well being need not be as rare as a copy machine that never breaks down.

  • Build yourself a “Buddy Bench”  to maintain personal and professional effectiveness.

  • Ruckus Makers, straddle the space between what is and what could be. 

  • The biggest bang for your school improvement buck comes from walking out of the emergency room. 

 

 

“My body woke me up to what my head and heart wouldn't let me see. And that's particularly how I really resonate with Ruckus Makers. People who are trying to make tomorrow's school a reality today. People who are really challenging that status quo. I was that. So how do ruckus makers respond to adversity? We work harder. We love more, we give more than we give. And so I was really blinded to the low point I was getting to and my body woke me up.

 

 

“I was flourishing at work, I was floundering where it mattered most, at home and with my family and friends. And that's what I hope my book and my work now can help Ruckus Makers do, is to avoid the place where I got so they can continue to thrive in their work and have the impact that they're having.”

-Bradley James Davies

 

Get the episode transcript here!

 

Bradley’s Resources & Contact Info:

 

 

 

Read my latest book!

Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.

 

Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!

Apply to the Mastermind

The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 

 

100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.

 

Apply to the mastermind today!

 

How We Serve Leaders

 

The School Leadership Scorecard™

Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard

 

Month-to-Month Principal Checklist

As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?

 

When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get

  • 12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do

  • Space to write your campus specific items.

  • Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work

Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.

 

Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™

The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset

 

The Positive Spotlight Tool™

Energy flows to where attention goes!

If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…

 

Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive

 

The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™

Are you ready to accomplish more?

With less effort and in less time?

When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.

 

Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals

SHOW SPONSORS:

 

TEACHFX

How much student talk happened today?

When classrooms come alive with conversation, learning improves, students feel a sense of belonging, and teachers feel inspired. 

 

The TeachFX instructional coaching app gives teachers powerful insights into their student talk, student engagement, and classroom conversation. 

 

With TeachFX, teachers see how much student talk happened, the moments of students sharing their brilliance, and the questions that got students talking.Learn how to pilot TeachFX with your teachers. Visit: teachfx.com/betterleaders

 

Quest Food Management Services

 

Quest Food Management Services provides high-quality, scratch-made food in K-12 schools and universities across the country, prioritizing the health and wellness of students and elevating the cafeteria dining experience.  Quest offers a full-service approach to their school partners, bringing 40 years of expertise through every stage of program development and nurturing a true sense of community through interactive events such as student food committees. For more information about Quest Food Management Services, www.questfms.com

 

 

IXL

IXL is the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. Over 1 million teachers use IXL in their classrooms every day for one reason: They love it. Visit IXL.com to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.  

Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

 

 

Quest Food Management Services - Behind the Scenes01 May 202400:45:36

 

 

Nick Saccaro is the President of Quest Food Management Services, providing onsite food and hospitality services to K-12 schools and other organizations throughout the Midwest. A proven innovator and leader in the industry, Nick has 15+ years generating rapid, sustained growth and high-performing teams. Prior to his food service industry roles, Nick worked for Feeding America for nearly a decade.

 

Show Highlights

 

  • Leadership defining moment at a community garden.

  • Unique approach to recognizing staff members and building relationships

  • Leveraging food service to connect classroom learning with real-world experiences

  • Ways to let student voices shape educational experience.

  • Evolution of students' preferences towards customized and authentic food experiences.

  • Implementing the 15 commitments of conscious leadership

  • Tips to speak with empathy and without argumentation is key to valuing everyone at your school.

  •  Dignity is the key for leaders in learning communities. 

 

“A more almost perfect representation of what the dignity of work is supposed to mean to a person, even if it's not a job that the rest of society might find as glamorous or valuable. As a school leader or a building leader, there are so many people in these positions in your buildings. And while you may not be able to change the economics of what their lives look like, you may not be able to change the pay scales and the pay grades and the benefits and the pensions and all those kinds of things that those individuals have access to. You certainly can impact the way it feels for them to be at work.”

-​​Nick Saccaro

 

Get the episode transcript here!!

 

Episodes’s Resources & Contact Info:

 

 

Read my latest book!

Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.

 

Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!

Apply to the Mastermind

The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 

 

100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.

 

Apply to the mastermind today!

 

How We Serve Leaders

 

The School Leadership Scorecard™

Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard

 

Month-to-Month Principal Checklist

As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?

 

When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get

  • 12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do

  • Space to write your campus specific items.

  • Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work

Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.

 

Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™

The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset

 

The Positive Spotlight Tool™

Energy flows to where attention goes!

If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…

 

Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive

 

The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™

Are you ready to accomplish more?

With less effort and in less time?

When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.

 

Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals

SHOW SPONSORS:

 

TEACHFX

How much student talk happened today?

When classrooms come alive with conversation, learning improves, students feel a sense of belonging, and teachers feel inspired. 

 

The TeachFX instructional coaching app gives teachers powerful insights into their student talk, student engagement, and classroom conversation. 

 

With TeachFX, teachers see how much student talk happened, the moments of students sharing their brilliance, and the questions that got students talking.Learn how to pilot TeachFX with your teachers. Visit: teachfx.com/betterleaders

 

Quest Food Management Services

 

Quest Food Management Services provides high-quality, scratch-made food in K-12 schools and universities across the country, prioritizing the health and wellness of students and elevating the cafeteria dining experience.  Quest offers a full-service approach to their school partners, bringing 40 years of expertise through every stage of program development and nurturing a true sense of community through interactive events such as student food committees. For more information about Quest Food Management Services, www.questfms.com

 

 

IXL

IXL is the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. Over 1 million teachers use IXL in their classrooms every day for one reason: They love it. Visit IXL.com to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.  

Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

 

 

Redefining the Currents of School Leadership - Pathways to Innovation24 Apr 202400:45:17

 

 

Vince Bustamante, M.Ed., is a Calgary-based instructional coach, curriculum content developer, and author. Formerly focused on school improvement, Vince now specializes in working with teachers, leadership teams, schools, and school districts in implementing high impact strategies and systems. Vince is currently pursuing his Ed. Doctorate with a focus on the sustainable implementation of professional learning across school districts. Vince has co-authored two bestselling books with Corwin Press: Great Teaching by Design and The Assessment Playbook for Distance and Blended Learning. His most current title: Leader Ready: Four Pathways to Prepare Aspiring School Leaders is also available from Corwin Press.

 

Tim Cusack Ed.D. has over 30 years’ experience in K-12 education as a teacher, principal, and superintendent. He recently became Dean of Education at Concordia University of Edmonton, supporting teacher and school leader preparation programs. Tim has a doctorate from University of Portland with a focus on preparing aspiring school leaders. He also serves in the Royal Canadian Navy as a Naval Warfare Officer.

 

Show Highlights

 

 

  • "Leader Ready: Four Pathways to Prepare Aspiring School Leaders."

  • Challenge traditional leadership predictors to support younger educators and foster a culture of growth belonging.

  • Be the “dive master” your team needs to take risks and discover their voice.

  • "Hold the ladder steady” to help leverage the gifts of aspiring leaders.

  • Strategies for results over building a resume for leadership success.

  • How to create an environment for team members to flourish.

  •  3  categories on how you run a school and navigate the policies, procedures, etcetera.

  • Pathways for leadership development and impactful school culture.

 

“What really impressed me the most was I was with a leader who made it abundantly clear that my voice mattered, that my opinions were important in that learning dynamic. He didn't assume I knew something or presumed that he knew better in any way, shape, or form. But by really being authentic and getting to know who the aspiring leaders are in front of you, I think you can really take them to deeper levels of engagement and understanding.”

-Tim Cusack

 

“Listening is really important. Nonjudgmental listening. So if you're in senior leadership and you have some sort of rising star or shooting star or someone who's doing remarkable things, give them a platform to share what they're doing and just honestly listen to how that came about.

 

Something that a senior leader needs to recognize and say, what are you doing? And how can we help you continue to do that within our district? Because every district has someone that is doing remarkable things. Everyone, every district has some sort of Ruckus Maker that's doing something outside the box, whether it's in their classroom or in their school or in their role. Oftentimes the Ruckus Maker or the ruckus they are making is perceived as negative, when really it may just be a misunderstanding of what they're actually trying to do.I think honestly listening is really important.”

-Vince Bustamante 

 

Get the episode transcript here!

 

Episodes’s Resources & Contact Info:

 

 

 

 

Read my latest book!

Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.

 

Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!

Apply to the Mastermind

The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 

 

100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.

 

Apply to the mastermind today!

 

How We Serve Leaders

 

The School Leadership Scorecard™

Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard

 

Month-to-Month Principal Checklist

As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?

 

When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get

  • 12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do

  • Space to write your campus specific items.

  • Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work

Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.

 

Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™

The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset

 

The Positive Spotlight Tool™

Energy flows to where attention goes!

If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…

 

Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive

 

The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™

Are you ready to accomplish more?

With less effort and in less time?

When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.

 

Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals

SHOW SPONSORS:

 

TEACHFX

How much student talk happened today?

When classrooms come alive with conversation, learning improves, students feel a sense of belonging, and teachers feel inspired. 

 

The TeachFX instructional coaching app gives teachers powerful insights into their student talk, student engagement, and classroom conversation. 

 

With TeachFX, teachers see how much student talk happened, the moments of students sharing their brilliance, and the questions that got students talking.Learn how to pilot TeachFX with your teachers. Visit: teachfx.com/betterleaders

 

Quest Food Management Services

 

Quest Food Management Services provides high-quality, scratch-made food in K-12 schools and universities across the country, prioritizing the health and wellness of students and elevating the cafeteria dining experience.  Quest offers a full-service approach to their school partners, bringing 40 years of expertise through every stage of program development and nurturing a true sense of community through interactive events such as student food committees. For more information about Quest Food Management Services, www.questfms.com

 

 

IXL

IXL is the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. Over 1 million teachers use IXL in their classrooms every day for one reason: They love it. Visit IXL.com to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.  

Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

 

How Ruckus Makers Interview Teacher Candidates17 Apr 202400:52:58

 

 

Loren Brody is an elementary school principal in Northern Virginia. He is also a husband, father of two teenagers, amateur violinist, dedicated swimmer, new vegetarian cook and mindfulness devotee, and Washington Wizards and Nationals sports fan -- still holding onto his New York roots with allegiance to the New York Jets.

 

 

Show Highlights

 

  • Rebranding is a key focus to differentiate your school effectively to leave a lasting impression.

  • Turn interviews into a professional learning experience to tap into candidates' motivations and interests.

  • Tips to stand out in the hiring process and attract ideal candidates for your school.

  • Enhancing candidate engagement elevates the interview process.

  • Transforming interviews into professional learning experiences with 3 questions.

  • Outside of the box email pitch to help differentiate candidates and sell what is unique about your school.

  • A key adjustment that is essential for your schools survial.

 

 

“I'm really pumped about the changes we've made in the email pitch, for sure. I think it's just because the language is exciting. And the language means something real.”

-Loren Brody

 

“Most educators don't get into education to work with other adults. And that's sort of one of the dirty secrets about K- twelve education. Many educators are great with kids and terrible with adults.

-Danny Bauer

 

Get the episode transcript here!!

 

Loren’s Resources & Contact Info:

 

 

Read my latest book!

Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.

 

Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!

Apply to the Mastermind

The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 

 

100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.

 

Apply to the mastermind today!

 

How We Serve Leaders

 

The School Leadership Scorecard™

Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard

 

Month-to-Month Principal Checklist

As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?

 

When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get

  • 12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do

  • Space to write your campus specific items.

  • Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work

Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.

 

Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™

The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset

 

The Positive Spotlight Tool™

Energy flows to where attention goes!

If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…

 

Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive

 

The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™

Are you ready to accomplish more?

With less effort and in less time?

When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.

 

Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals

SHOW SPONSORS:

 

TEACHFX

How much student talk happened today?

When classrooms come alive with conversation, learning improves, students feel a sense of belonging, and teachers feel inspired. 

 

The TeachFX instructional coaching app gives teachers powerful insights into their student talk, student engagement, and classroom conversation. 

 

With TeachFX, teachers see how much student talk happened, the moments of students sharing their brilliance, and the questions that got students talking.Learn how to pilot TeachFX with your teachers. Visit: teachfx.com/betterleaders

 

Quest Food Management Services

 

Quest Food Management Services provides high-quality, scratch-made food in K-12 schools and universities across the country, prioritizing the health and wellness of students and elevating the cafeteria dining experience.  Quest offers a full-service approach to their school partners, bringing 40 years of expertise through every stage of program development and nurturing a true sense of community through interactive events such as student food committees. For more information about Quest Food Management Services, www.questfms.com

 

 

IXL

IXL is the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. Over 1 million teachers use IXL in their classrooms every day for one reason: They love it. Visit IXL.com to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.  

Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

 

I Used To Be Drowning As A School Leader10 Apr 202400:38:32

 

 

Kevin works at the American Cooperative School of Tunis and is the secondary school principal. This is his 23rd year in education. Kevin is originally from Philadelphia, PA USA and is a die-hard sports fan. He has been married for 22 years to his wife Pascale and has three children. Kevin loves learning. In his spare time he does 10 minute yoga and runs two miles everyday.

 

 

Show Highlights

 

  • A secret weapon that arms you to face global challenges in education.

  • A transformative experience to boost confidence in handling tough situations to make leadership easier.

  • Immersing yourself in the “human aspect” of school leadership.

  • Grow beyond comfort zones with the importance of intentional leadership and narrative control.

  • Tackle the challenges in front of you with support that fits your diverse leadership style and personality.

  • A turning point in your career to get to the rewards of school leadership.

  • Clear the hurdles in school leadership and foster a culture of celebrating successes in a Mastermind.

  •  The positive spotlight tool every leader needs to improve their leadership.

 

“I think we talked about it a little earlier. I love the combination of how the meetings work. I like being held accountable by a group of educational leaders, and from the book reads, they've been very good. All readers are leaders.You have to be reading. You have to stay current. And that's something that I really appreciate with the Mastermind.”

-Kevin Thomas

 

Get the episode transcript here!

 

Kevin’s Resources & Contact Info:

 

 

Read my latest book!

Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.

 

Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!

Apply to the Mastermind

The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 

 

100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.

 

Apply to the mastermind today!

 

How We Serve Leaders

 

The School Leadership Scorecard™

Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard

 

Month-to-Month Principal Checklist

As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?

 

When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get

  • 12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do

  • Space to write your campus specific items.

  • Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work

Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.

 

Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™

The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset

 

The Positive Spotlight Tool™

Energy flows to where attention goes!

If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…

 

Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive

 

The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™

Are you ready to accomplish more?

With less effort and in less time?

When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.

 

Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals

SHOW SPONSORS:

 

TEACHFX

How much student talk happened today?

When classrooms come alive with conversation, learning improves, students feel a sense of belonging, and teachers feel inspired. 

 

The TeachFX instructional coaching app gives teachers powerful insights into their student talk, student engagement, and classroom conversation. 

 

With TeachFX, teachers see how much student talk happened, the moments of students sharing their brilliance, and the questions that got students talking.Learn how to pilot TeachFX with your teachers. Visit: teachfx.com/betterleaders

 

Quest Food Management Services

 

Quest Food Management Services provides high-quality, scratch-made food in K-12 schools and universities across the country, prioritizing the health and wellness of students and elevating the cafeteria dining experience.  Quest offers a full-service approach to their school partners, bringing 40 years of expertise through every stage of program development and nurturing a true sense of community through interactive events such as student food committees. For more information about Quest Food Management Services, www.questfms.com

 

 

IXL

IXL is the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. Over 1 million teachers use IXL in their classrooms every day for one reason: They love it. Visit IXL.com to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.  

Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

 

Empowering Teachers and Their Students with Teach FX03 Apr 202400:36:41

 

 

Kristen Horton began her career in education at Navajo Mountain Community School as a teacher in a multi-age classroom. Dr. Horton has a commitment to supporting students and teachers through collective educator agency and relational capacity. Dr. Horton currently serves as principal of Continental Colony Elementary School and founder of

L.E.A.D.S. She understands support for teachers will sustain her “why” every day, to increase life chances for students.

 

Joseph Hyun started his educator journey at UCSD when he signed up to tutor local high school students and discovered his passion for teaching math and commitment to fighting for social justice. Today Joseph serves as the Head of Partner Success at TeachFX, where he supports teachers in increasing equitable opportunities for their students to participate and engage in learning.

 

 

Show Highlights

 

  • TeachFX brings significant shifts in leadership for professional learning and coaching.

  • Leadership strategies to support student learning and teacher growth.

  • Purpose-driven curricula to save time and address learning gaps. 

  • The most important principle when designing curriculum.

  • Tips to encourage diverse forms of dialogue that deepen understanding and promote active participation.

  • Avoid ineffective PD sessions that lack teacher agency by encouraging professional learning.

  • Support teachers in increasing equitable opportunities for student engagement and participation.

  • Transferring ownership to students, using these tools. 

 

 

 

“The scariest place to be in is the same place as last year, grow." 

-Dr Horton

 

Get the episode transcript here!

Dr Horton’s Resources & Contact Info:

 

 

 

Read my latest book!

Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.

 

Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!

Apply to the Mastermind

The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 

 

100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.

 

Apply to the mastermind today!

 

How We Serve Leaders

 

The School Leadership Scorecard™

Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard

 

Month-to-Month Principal Checklist

As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?

 

When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get

  • 12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do

  • Space to write your campus specific items.

  • Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work

Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.

 

Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™

The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset

 

The Positive Spotlight Tool™

Energy flows to where attention goes!

If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…

 

Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive

 

The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™

Are you ready to accomplish more?

With less effort and in less time?

When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.

 

Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals

SHOW SPONSORS:

 

TEACHFX

How much student talk happened today?

When classrooms come alive with conversation, learning improves, students feel a sense of belonging, and teachers feel inspired. 

 

The TeachFX instructional coaching app gives teachers powerful insights into their student talk, student engagement, and classroom conversation. 

 

With TeachFX, teachers see how much student talk happened, the moments of students sharing their brilliance, and the questions that got students talking.Learn how to pilot TeachFX with your teachers. Visit: teachfx.com/betterleaders

 

 

Quest Food Management Services

 

Quest Food Management Services provides high-quality, scratch-made food in K-12 schools and universities across the country, prioritizing the health and wellness of students and elevating the cafeteria dining experience.  Quest offers a full-service approach to their school partners, bringing 40 years of expertise through every stage of program development and nurturing a true sense of community through interactive events such as student food committees. For more information about Quest Food Management Services, www.questfms.com

 

 

IXL

IXL is the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. Over 1 million teachers use IXL in their classrooms every day for one reason: They love it. Visit IXL.com to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.  

Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

 

How I limit Surprises as a School Leader27 Mar 202400:36:24

 

 

David Moffa is the Principal at Holy Cross Preparatory Academy, a private school in Delran, NJ serving students in grades 9-12. David has taught at the high school level in both public and private schools, and his mission as a school leader is to build communities where teachers and students feel a deep sense of personal value and empowerment.

 

 

Show Highlights

 

  • Strategies to build trust within a school community.

  • Dave shares how the Mastermind is an investment in his growth as a leader, personal development, and leveraging the collective wisdom.

  • Systems-level thinking for creating an "automatic" school.

  • Elevate your leadership to the next level through delegation and systems-level thinking.

  • Principal Checklist to prioritization on what works and what needs improvement.

  • Tips to start a parent support group, crowdsourcing information on PTO operations and where to get valuable input.

  • Building a leadership playbook through continuous action and reflection.

 

 

“I would use a phrase from Bart Simpson. Work smarter, not harder, that's what it comes down to. Work smarter, not harder. Why spend 6 hours a night on your own trying to solve things when you can come to a group (Mastermind) of people for an hour, bounce ideas off people, learn from other people, grow personally, grow professionally, and all of a sudden, everybody's better off.” 

-Dave Moffa 

 

Get the episode transcript here!

 

Dave’s Resources & Contact Info:

 

 

Read my latest book!

Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.

 

Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!

Apply to the Mastermind

The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 

 

100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.

 

Apply to the mastermind today!

 

How We Serve Leaders

 

The School Leadership Scorecard™

Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard

 

Month-to-Month Principal Checklist

As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?

 

When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get

  • 12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do

  • Space to write your campus specific items.

  • Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work

Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.

 

Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™

The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset

 

The Positive Spotlight Tool™

Energy flows to where attention goes!

If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…

 

Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive

 

The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™

Are you ready to accomplish more?

With less effort and in less time?

When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.

 

Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals

SHOW SPONSORS:

 

TEACHFX

How much student talk happened today?

When classrooms come alive with conversation, learning improves, students feel a sense of belonging, and teachers feel inspired. 

 

The TeachFX instructional coaching app gives teachers powerful insights into their student talk, student engagement, and classroom conversation. 

 

With TeachFX, teachers see how much student talk happened, the moments of students sharing their brilliance, and the questions that got students talking.Learn how to pilot TeachFX with your teachers. Visit: teachfx.com/betterleaders

 

 

ORGANIZED BINDER

Why do students struggle? I'd argue that they lack access to quality instruction, but think about it. That's totally out of their control. What if there was something we could teach kids there was something within their control that would help them be successful in every class? It's not a magic pill or a figment of your imagination. 

 

When students internalize Executive Functioning Skills they succeed. 

Check out the new self-paced online course brought to you by OB that shows teachers how to equip their students with executive functioning skills. 

 

Learn more at organizedbinder.com/go

 

 

IXL

IXL is the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. Over 1 million teachers use IXL in their classrooms every day for one reason: They love it. Visit IXL.com to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.  

Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

 

Unlocking Creativity and Purpose14 Aug 202400:52:37

 

Kathy Kolbe is an acclaimed theorist, best-selling author and pioneer, Kathy Kolbe was the first to prove the existence of the conative mental faculty, which causes us to act, react and interact. She has spent over 40 years collecting and analyzing conative traits to help us be ourselves. She founded Kolbe Corp, was CEO for 30 Years, and is now its Chairman Emerita. Nicole Loucks is the Vice President of Youth and Education Programs and Director of Training at Kolbe Corp, Nicole has the privilege of working directly with business leaders, educators, and students alike to help them understand their innate strengths and how to utilize them in the ways they care about most. Nicole is passionate about educational advocacy and helping children.

 

Show Highlights

 

  • Take a powerful personal assessment tool to give purpose to your leadership. 

  • Schools don't meet the needs of students with diverse learning styles.

  • Most teachers lead with Fact Finder or Follow Through modes.

  • Building on strengths is crucial for better employee performance and relationships.

  • Conation vs cognition in schools.

  • Student Aptitude Quiz provides tips and tricks for using strengths productively.

  • Educators and parents play crucial roles in giving purpose to youth.

  • Communication possibilities for cognitive conflicts

 

“‘We're going to change everything.’  That's super stressful for a lot of people to hear in the education field. It's all about how to communicate and deliver work collaboratively together with those differences so that you are able to reach that purpose. I don't know any educator who's gone past the first year principal or teacher or assistant who's not there because their purpose is to help kids, but you have to understand their approaches to help. Bottom line, to educators, if your purpose is to help kids learn, I think the first thing they have to help is how they learn. They need to understand themselves and how they learn best. And by helping students learn how they learn and the joy of learning, then they become purposeful in their learning. And then the teacher feels I've accomplished a goal.”

-Kathy Kolbe

Get the episode transcript here!

 

Kathy Kolbe and Nicole Loucks’s Resources & Contact Info:

 

 

Read my latest book!

Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.

 

Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!

Apply to the Mastermind

The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.

Apply to the mastermind today!

 

How We Serve Leaders

 

The School Leadership Scorecard™

Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard

 

Month-to-Month Principal Checklist

As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?

 

When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get

  • 12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do

  • Space to write your campus specific items.

  • Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work

Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.

 

Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™

The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset

 

The Positive Spotlight Tool™

Energy flows to where attention goes!

If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…

 

Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive

 

The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™

Are you ready to accomplish more?

With less effort and in less time?

When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.

 

Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals

SHOW SPONSORS:

 TEACHFX

How much student talk happened today?

When classrooms come alive with conversation, learning improves, students feel a sense of belonging, and teachers feel inspired. 

 

The TeachFX instructional coaching app gives teachers powerful insights into their student talk, student engagement, and classroom conversation. 

 

With TeachFX, teachers see how much student talk happened, the moments of students sharing their brilliance, and the questions that got students talking.Learn how to pilot TeachFX with your teachers. Visit: teachfx.com/betterleaders

 

Quest Food Management Services

 

Quest Food Management Services provides high-quality, scratch-made food in K-12 schools and universities across the country, prioritizing the health and wellness of students and elevating the cafeteria dining experience.  Quest offers a full-service approach to their school partners, bringing 40 years of expertise through every stage of program development and nurturing a true sense of community through interactive events such as student food committees. For more information about Quest Food Management Services, www.questfms.com

 

 

IXL

IXL is the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. Over 1 million teachers use IXL in their classrooms every day for one reason: They love it. Visit IXL.com to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.  

Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

 

Transforming Classroom Dynamics with Executive Functions21 Mar 202400:41:33

 



Mitch became a gifted teacher because he was a mediocre student. Despite taking seven years to graduate college, he navigated the classroom with discomfort. This unique perspective fueled Mitch's teaching approach. Recognizing the importance of laying a foundation for learning, he created Organized Binder. This research-backed strategy empowers teachers to impart executive functioning skills efficiently, preserving valuable instructional time. By establishing a predictable routine, Organized Binder fosters safer learning spaces, shaping Mitch's journey from a struggling student to an innovative educator.

 

 

Show Highlights

 

  • Navigate the two challenges with teaching executive functions.

  • “Studentness” will provide the skills and habits to be successful regardless of content and skills. 

  • 6 executive functioning skills that framework for the book, Executive Functions for Every Classroom.

  •  “The zone of genius” is embedded in what people are already doing.

  • A golden opportunity critical for learning with retrieval practice tips. 

  • Never let your teachers start the day this way or plan key concepts. 

 

“Your curriculum, the stuff you're teaching.Have fun, let it be engaging, get passionate about it. Never mess with the routine. A consistent, predictable routine, because predictable learning environments are safer and we can't underestimate for some students how unpredictable their lived experience is outside of class.”

-Mitch Weathers 

 

Get the episode transcript here!

 

Mitch’s Resources & Contact Info:

 

 

 

Read my latest book!

Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.

 

Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!

Apply to the Mastermind

The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 

 

100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.

 

Apply to the mastermind today!

 

How We Serve Leaders

 

The School Leadership Scorecard™

Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard

 

Month-to-Month Principal Checklist

As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?

 

When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get

  • 12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do

  • Space to write your campus specific items.

  • Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work

Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.

 

Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™

The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset

 

The Positive Spotlight Tool™

Energy flows to where attention goes!

If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…

 

Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive

 

The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™

Are you ready to accomplish more?

With less effort and in less time?

When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.

 

Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals

SHOW SPONSORS:

 

TEACHFX

How much student talk happened today?

When classrooms come alive with conversation, learning improves, students feel a sense of belonging, and teachers feel inspired. 

 

The TeachFX instructional coaching app gives teachers powerful insights into their student talk, student engagement, and classroom conversation. 

 

With TeachFX, teachers see how much student talk happened, the moments of students sharing their brilliance, and the questions that got students talking.Learn how to pilot TeachFX with your teachers. Visit: teachfx.com/betterleaders

 

 

ORGANIZED BINDER

Why do students struggle? I'd argue that they lack access to quality instruction, but think about it. That's totally out of their control. What if there was something we could teach kids there was something within their control that would help them be successful in every class? It's not a magic pill or a figment of your imagination. 

 

When students internalize Executive Functioning Skills they succeed. 

Check out the new self-paced online course brought to you by OB that shows teachers how to equip their students with executive functioning skills. 

 

Learn more at organizedbinder.com/go

 

 

IXL

IXL is the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. Over 1 million teachers use IXL in their classrooms every day for one reason: They love it. Visit IXL.com to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.  

Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

 

Saving A School From Closing20 Mar 202400:27:44

 

 

David Moffa is the Principal at Holy Cross Preparatory Academy, a private school in Delran, NJ serving students in grades 9-12. David has taught at the high school level in both public and private schools, and his mission as a school leader is to build communities where teachers and students feel a deep sense of personal value and empowerment.

 

 

Show Highlights

 

  • Proactive leadership in school management 

  • The value of community engagement in achieving educational excellence.

  • Spread Positivity and tap into why it matters with a free tool betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive.

  • Building Communities in Schools  where teachers and students feel valued and empowered.

  • The challenges of figuring out funding, growing enrollment, and organizational structure for the school.

  • Tailor Programs to Meet Enrollment current educational trends.

  • Create a career and life prep school with community involvement

 

 

“The idea of a college prep school, what we've learned is I'm glad that our need isn't Holy Cross College Prep Academy. What we're learning is we're not focused on college. It can't be just college prep, has to be career and life prep. We're still a preparatory academy, but preparing you for everything.”

-Dave Moffa 

 

Get the episode transcript here!

 

Dave’s Resources & Contact Info:

 

 

Read my latest book!

Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.

 

Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!

Apply to the Mastermind

The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 

 

100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.

 

Apply to the mastermind today!

 

How We Serve Leaders

 

The School Leadership Scorecard™

Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard

 

Month-to-Month Principal Checklist

As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?

 

When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get

  • 12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do

  • Space to write your campus specific items.

  • Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work

Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.

 

Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™

The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset

 

The Positive Spotlight Tool™

Energy flows to where attention goes!

If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…

 

Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive

 

The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™

Are you ready to accomplish more?

With less effort and in less time?

When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.

 

Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals

SHOW SPONSORS:

 

TEACHFX

How much student talk happened today?

When classrooms come alive with conversation, learning improves, students feel a sense of belonging, and teachers feel inspired. 

 

The TeachFX instructional coaching app gives teachers powerful insights into their student talk, student engagement, and classroom conversation. 

 

With TeachFX, teachers see how much student talk happened, the moments of students sharing their brilliance, and the questions that got students talking.Learn how to pilot TeachFX with your teachers. Visit: teachfx.com/betterleaders

 

 

ORGANIZED BINDER

Why do students struggle? I'd argue that they lack access to quality instruction, but think about it. That's totally out of their control. What if there was something we could teach kids there was something within their control that would help them be successful in every class? It's not a magic pill or a figment of your imagination. 

 

When students internalize Executive Functioning Skills they succeed. 

Check out the new self-paced online course brought to you by OB that shows teachers how to equip their students with executive functioning skills. 

 

Learn more at organizedbinder.com/go

 

 

IXL

IXL is the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. Over 1 million teachers use IXL in their classrooms every day for one reason: They love it. Visit IXL.com to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.  

Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

 

3 Stories and Your Last 24hrs15 Mar 202400:14:22

 

 

 

Show Highlights & Resources

 

  • Opportunity for educational disruptors to create a lasting influence.

  • Key cultural values to be addressed at the summit, exemplified by gaping void's culture tiles.

  • Broadening school success metrics beyond academic scores.

  • This summer you're invited to attend the ONLY event in education available to Ruckus Makers.

  • Join us in Nashville this July 12-14 for The Sustainable School Leadership Summit.

  • Learn more here: https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/school-leadership-summit/

  • Jump Start Passes are available until March 15 (50% off ticket price).

 

Get the episode transcript here!

 

Read my latest book!

Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.

 

Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!



Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

 

5 Benefits You will Experience In Nashville14 Mar 202400:07:01

5 Benefits You Will Experience In Nashville

 

 

Show Highlights & Resources

 

  • Danny highlights five benefits that attendees can expect from the Sustainable School Leadership Summit.

  • This summer you're invited to attend the ONLY event in education available to Ruckus Makers.

  • Join us in Nashville this July 12-14 for The Sustainable School Leadership Summit.

  • Learn more here: https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/school-leadership-summit/

  • Jump Start Passes are available until March 15 (50% off ticket price).

 

Get the episode transcript here!

Read my latest book!

Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.

 

Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!



Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

 

Lead With Two Rules13 Mar 202400:37:42

 

Nurturing Trust and Building Connections In Education

 


With over two decades of experience as an educator in various school settings, I have cultivated a profound philosophy of education known as Two Rules. This philosophy serves as a foundation for fostering building-wide support for the social-emotional learning and mental health needs of students. Through the years, I witnessed the transformative impact of prioritizing these essential aspects of education, contributing to a positive and nurturing school environment.

 

 Since my retirement from formal education, my commitment to educational advancement has not wavered. I have found a meaningful role as a mentor and coach with the Illinois Principals Association, where I guide and support aspiring and early-career educators. This role allows me to share my wealth of experience and insights, contributing to the growth and development of the next generation of educational leaders.

 

 

Show Highlights

 

  • Leadership in education focusing collaboration and feeling safe. 

  • Early life incidents influence stress, empathy and resilience. 

  • Tips to help students reflect on emotional regulation and the difference between responding and reacting.

  • Importance of every student having at least one caring adult.

  • Guiding questions to encourage students in problem-solving solutions.

  • 12 Resiliency Resources in Brenda's book.

  • Choose edges on a continuum to guide leadership decisions.

 

 

“I think it would be, together we can be the solution. Home, school and community. I think together we can be the solution.”

-Brenda Yoho

“Clarity. How we communicate and how we are clear with what our message is and what we're trying to do. Everybody is valuable to what we're doing, and we're placing value on everything that we're saying. We have so much power in the words that we use, and I think that we forget that as educators.” 

-Brenda Yoho

 

 

Get the episode transcript here!

 

Brenda’s Resources & Contact Info:

 

 

Read my latest book!

Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.

 

Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!

Apply to the Mastermind

The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 

 

100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.

 

Apply to the mastermind today!

 

How We Serve Leaders

 

The School Leadership Scorecard™

Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard

 

Month-to-Month Principal Checklist

As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?

 

When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get

  • 12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do

  • Space to write your campus specific items.

  • Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work

Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.

 

Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™

The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset

 

The Positive Spotlight Tool™

Energy flows to where attention goes!

If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…

 

Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive

 

The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™

Are you ready to accomplish more?

With less effort and in less time?

When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.

 

Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals

SHOW SPONSORS:

 

TEACHFX

How much student talk happened today?

When classrooms come alive with conversation, learning improves, students feel a sense of belonging, and teachers feel inspired. 

 

The TeachFX instructional coaching app gives teachers powerful insights into their student talk, student engagement, and classroom conversation. 

 

With TeachFX, teachers see how much student talk happened, the moments of students sharing their brilliance, and the questions that got students talking.Learn how to pilot TeachFX with your teachers. Visit: teachfx.com/betterleaders

 

 

ORGANIZED BINDER

Why do students struggle? I'd argue that they lack access to quality instruction, but think about it. That's totally out of their control. What if there was something we could teach kids there was something within their control that would help them be successful in every class? It's not a magic pill or a figment of your imagination. 

 

When students internalize Executive Functioning Skills they succeed. 

Check out the new self-paced online course brought to you by OB that shows teachers how to equip their students with executive functioning skills. 

 

Learn more at organizedbinder.com/go

 

 

IXL

IXL is the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. Over 1 million teachers use IXL in their classrooms every day for one reason: They love it. Visit IXL.com to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.  

Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

 

Attracting Top Talent / Scorecard12 Mar 202400:09:07

Attracting Top Talent / Scorecard 

 

 

Show Highlights & Resources

 

  • School leadership scorecard with seven categories to assess effectiveness.

  • A tool to set your school apart when competing for teachers with other similar schools.

  • Set "now" and "next" goals for improvement.

  • This summer you're invited to attend the ONLY event in education available to Ruckus Makers.

  • Join us in Nashville this July 12-14 for The Sustainable School Leadership Summit.

  • Learn more here: https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/school-leadership-summit/

  • Jump Start Passes are available until March 15 (50% off ticket price).

Get the episode transcript here!



Read my latest book!

Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.

 

Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!



Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

 

Play-It-Safe-Principal or Ruckus Maker11 Mar 202400:07:25

 

 Show Highlights & Resources

 

  • Play it safe principals fear, risks and potential failure.

  • Embrace the unknown, pivot, and adapt

  • This summer you're invited to attend the ONLY event in education available to Ruckus Makers.

  • Join us in Nashville this July 12-14 for The Sustainable School Leadership Summit.

  • Learn more here: https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/school-leadership-summit/

  • Jump Start Passes are available until March 15 (50% off ticket price).

Get the episode transcript here!! Read my latest book!

Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.

 

Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!



Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

 

 

10 Steps to Sustainable School Leadership10 Mar 202400:16:13

 

 

 

Show Highlights & Resources

 

  • This summer you're invited to attend the ONLY event in education available to Ruckus Makers …

  • Teach about the friction versus flow continuum in school leadership.

  • Discuss the concept of ruckus makers investing in runways for sustainability.

  • Encourage firing oneself to build team capacity and open new opportunities.

  •  

  • Join us in Nashville this July 12-14 for The Sustainable School Leadership Summit.

  • Learn more here: https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/school-leadership-summit/

  • Jump Start Passes are available until March 15 (50% off ticket price).

Get the episode transcript here!! Read my latest book!

Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.

 

Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!



Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

 

 

Challenges of Creating a Thriving School09 Mar 202400:18:19

 

Show Highlights & Resources

 

  • This summer you're invited to attend the ONLY event in education available to Ruckus Makers …

  • Avoid a square peg in a round hole feeling in education.

  • Emphasis on sustainability in school leadership

  • Delve into the question of what education is for and the need for innovative shifts in the educational system.

  • Join us in Nashville this July 12-14 for The Sustainable School Leadership Summit.

  • Learn more here: https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/school-leadership-summit/

  • Jump Start Passes are available until March 15 (50% off ticket price).

 

 

 

Read my latest book!

Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.

 

Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!

Apply to the Mastermind

The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 

 

100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.

 

Apply to the mastermind today!




 

Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

Bonus: 5 Reason To Come To The Sustainable School Leadership Summit

 

How d'Skills is preparing students for the future (and you can too).12 Aug 202400:46:26

 

 

 

Hannah’s story began in a blue pickup truck at age 12. Sparked by this intro to business by her dad, she went to college early, graduating with her bachelors at 18.

 

Now, Hannah is the Chief Rebel at d’Skills - a hub where students turbo-charge their passions with AI, then convert them into paid, real-world projects. Chris Lochhead calls her "one of the most important voices in education today" and a school administrator called her "offensive to some."



Show Highlights

 

  • avoid obsolete education and turbocharge student passion with AI The Skills.

  • Unique differentiation for students to build income and professional networks at school. 

  • Challenge negative perceptions surrounding AI with these top tools.

  • Expedition AI is an innovative educational approach critical for an AI-driven future. 

  • Internships for students without needing extra staff or an IT specialist. 

  •  AI is going to touch every single career.  Are your students future ready?

  • 71% of the employers are not hiring people who don't have AI skills. Get d’Skills to develop AI literacy for your students. 

 

 

 

 

 

“I'd want a Ruckus Maker to remember that students are capable of so much more than any system curriculum any of us could possibly imagine. And if we can find that one part of them to unlock, if we can be that person who helps unlock that potential, then we've done our job. That's our job as educators, as mentors, and as people who inspire kids, is to unlock that one bit of potential. And once they can do that and turbocharge that with AI, they're gonna be unstoppable.”

-Hannah Grady Williams 

 

 

 Join Expedition AI for Schools here!!

 

 

Get the episode transcript here!

 

Hannah’s Resources & Contact Info:

 

Read my latest book!

Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.

 

Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!

Apply to the Mastermind

The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.

Apply to the mastermind today!

 

How We Serve Leaders

 

The School Leadership Scorecard™

Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard

 

Month-to-Month Principal Checklist

As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?

 

When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get

  • 12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do

  • Space to write your campus specific items.

  • Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work

Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.

 

Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™

The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset

 

The Positive Spotlight Tool™

Energy flows to where attention goes!

If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…

 

Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive

 

The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™

Are you ready to accomplish more?

With less effort and in less time?

When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.

 

Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals

SHOW SPONSORS:

 

 

Quest Food Management Services

 

Quest Food Management Services provides high-quality, scratch-made food in K-12 schools and universities across the country, prioritizing the health and wellness of students and elevating the cafeteria dining experience.  Quest offers a full-service approach to their school partners, bringing 40 years of expertise through every stage of program development and nurturing a true sense of community through interactive events such as student food committees. For more information about Quest Food Management Services, www.questfms.com

 

 

IXL

IXL is the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. Over 1 million teachers use IXL in their classrooms every day for one reason: They love it. Visit IXL.com to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.  

Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

 

Building Bridges The Power of Family Engagement07 Aug 202400:41:08

 

 

Ari Gerzon-Kessler is author of On The Same Team: Bringing Educators & Underrepresented Families Together, which won the Independent Publishers Book Awards 2024 IPPY Gold Medal for outstanding education book. He is a speaker, trainer, and coach working with schools and districts committed to forging stronger school-family partnerships. Ari also leads the Family Partnerships department for the Boulder Valley School District (CO). 

 

Ari has been an educator since 2000, having served as a principal and bilingual teacher. His leadership efforts to strengthen partnerships with underrepresented families and dismantle unjust practices was featured in Education Week in 2015. Ari regularly presents at national and international conferences on Families and Educators Together (FET) teams and other innovative family partnership best practices. He received his bachelor’s in African American Studies from Wesleyan University and a master’s in instruction and curriculum from the University of Colorado.

 

 

 

Show Highlights

 

  • Shifts that translate into higher learning with family access opportunities. 

  • Centering family voices in educational decision-making to improve student learning.

  • 3 minute activities to skip challenges due to time constraints on initiatives.

  • Challenge the status quo in the ways that we engage with families.

  • Same Team Bringing Educators and Underrepresented Families together, to redesign education.

  • Small pockets of time that expose staff to best practices that increase choice.

  • Supportive spaces that increase value because leaders don't provide guidance. 

 

 

 

“And the heart of the FET( Family and Educators Together) teams is creating the kind of space where everyone feels like their voice is deeply valued and that we're co-creating transformational change so that we're designing a school for everyone, not just based on what's worked in the past. It's composed of educators and the school leader. And that's a pivotal piece.”

-Ari Gerzon-Kessler

 

Get the episode transcript here!!

 

Ari’s Resources & Contact Info:

 

 

Read my latest book!

Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.

 

Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!

Apply to the Mastermind

The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.

Apply to the mastermind today!

 

How We Serve Leaders

 

The School Leadership Scorecard™

Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard

 

Month-to-Month Principal Checklist

As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?

 

When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get

  • 12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do

  • Space to write your campus specific items.

  • Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work

Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.

 

Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™

The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset

 

The Positive Spotlight Tool™

Energy flows to where attention goes!

If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…

 

Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive

 

The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™

Are you ready to accomplish more?

With less effort and in less time?

When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.

 

Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals

SHOW SPONSORS:

 TEACHFX

How much student talk happened today?

When classrooms come alive with conversation, learning improves, students feel a sense of belonging, and teachers feel inspired. 

 

The TeachFX instructional coaching app gives teachers powerful insights into their student talk, student engagement, and classroom conversation. 

 

With TeachFX, teachers see how much student talk happened, the moments of students sharing their brilliance, and the questions that got students talking.Learn how to pilot TeachFX with your teachers. Visit: teachfx.com/betterleaders

 

Quest Food Management Services

 

Quest Food Management Services provides high-quality, scratch-made food in K-12 schools and universities across the country, prioritizing the health and wellness of students and elevating the cafeteria dining experience.  Quest offers a full-service approach to their school partners, bringing 40 years of expertise through every stage of program development and nurturing a true sense of community through interactive events such as student food committees. For more information about Quest Food Management Services, www.questfms.com

 

 

IXL

IXL is the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. Over 1 million teachers use IXL in their classrooms every day for one reason: They love it. Visit IXL.com to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.  

Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

 

Where is the Teacher? 12 Shifts for a Student Centered Classroom31 Jul 202400:46:32

Where is the Teacher? 12 Shifts for a Student Centered Classroom

 

Kyle Wagner, the founder of Transform Educational Consulting Limited, has always had a bold mission since he became an educator 15+ years ago: Create transformational learning experiences that connect students' interests and passions to issues that matter in the real world. This bold mission has literally taken him around the world. From the design of living museums, model governments, and engaging project-based experiences as a Humanities Teacher in world renowned High Tech High in San Diego; to co-founding student-led programs and schools as a Program Director in China; Kyle has remained true to that mission, and vowed to share it with others. 

 

His book, The Power of Simple, outlines the simple shifts classrooms and schools can make to allow for these experiences, and the conditions required to ensure they have lasting impact. Kyle currently resides in Hong Kong, where through workshops, coaching, courses and bespoke training, he has now empowered over 1,000 forward thinking educators worldwide to create more socially, globally, and emotionally aware citizens through project-based learning. 

 

 

 

Show Highlights

 

  • 12 shifts for student-centered environments.

  • The difference between engagement and empowerment in education.

  • The next step you need to take is to Implementation of inquiry-based learning. 

  • Importance of making small changes in the physical classroom setup.

  • Formulate a big question to create an inquiry framework designed by students. 

  • Unpack the 3 key factors for motivation.

  • Create magic with a mindset shift to scaffold learning for students with their own interests.

  • Classroom transformations through peer-to-peer teaching.

 

“With inquiry, it's like when you take your dog off the leash for the first time and you haven't trained them to be off the leash, they're going to run off. But if you've gone through that process of like, ‘Okay you're going to walk beside me first.’ We're going to make sure that when the traffic comes, you're not going to freak out, then you slowly give them more opportunities where they can really formulate their own inquiries. They know what kind of interests are, they know how to ask deeper questions. And that's something that the teacher can support as a facilitator moving from that front of the classroom role.”

-Kyle Wagner 

 

Get the episode transcript here!

 

Kyle’s Resources & Contact Info:

 

 

Read my latest book!

Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.

 

Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!

Apply to the Mastermind

The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.

Apply to the mastermind today!

 

How We Serve Leaders

 

The School Leadership Scorecard™

Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard

 

Month-to-Month Principal Checklist

As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?

 

When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get

  • 12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do

  • Space to write your campus specific items.

  • Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work

Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.

 

Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™

The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset

 

The Positive Spotlight Tool™

Energy flows to where attention goes!

If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…

 

Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive

 

The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™

Are you ready to accomplish more?

With less effort and in less time?

When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.

 

Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals

SHOW SPONSORS:

 TEACHFX

How much student talk happened today?

When classrooms come alive with conversation, learning improves, students feel a sense of belonging, and teachers feel inspired. 

 

The TeachFX instructional coaching app gives teachers powerful insights into their student talk, student engagement, and classroom conversation. 

 

With TeachFX, teachers see how much student talk happened, the moments of students sharing their brilliance, and the questions that got students talking.Learn how to pilot TeachFX with your teachers. Visit: teachfx.com/betterleaders

 

Quest Food Management Services

 

Quest Food Management Services provides high-quality, scratch-made food in K-12 schools and universities across the country, prioritizing the health and wellness of students and elevating the cafeteria dining experience.  Quest offers a full-service approach to their school partners, bringing 40 years of expertise through every stage of program development and nurturing a true sense of community through interactive events such as student food committees. For more information about Quest Food Management Services, www.questfms.com

 

 

IXL

IXL is the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. Over 1 million teachers use IXL in their classrooms every day for one reason: They love it. Visit IXL.com to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.  

Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

 

Creating Phone-Free Learning Environments24 Jul 202400:37:03

 

 

Graham Dugoni is the founder and CEO of Yondr. Founded in 2014, Yondr is the pioneer of “phone-free spaces.” The company helps educators, artists, and organizations around the world create distraction-free environments where focus and creativity can flourish in the absence of technology.

 

Show Highlights

 

  • Phone-free spaces and its benefits for students and teachers.

  • Reduction in behavioral issues and increased student engagement.

  • Steps to implement phone-free policies in schools, starting with leadership commitment.

  • Clear communication of the benefits and policy details to all stakeholders.

  • Addressing student resistance and creative attempts to bypass new policies.

  • Importance of clear consequences and consistent enforcement.

  • Positive changes in school culture and student interactions.

  • Support from Yonder in policy implementation and community engagement.

 

“I started the company in 2014 with young people in mind. And ir started from the point of view that smartphones and social media were radically new and there were going to be a lot of unintended consequences, basically, especially for young people. And I thought that it was my generation's responsibility to give them a sense and the experience of what life is like for at least 8 hours a day without that, so they could get perspective on them.

-Graham Dugoni i

 

“It always starts with leadership, with someone who says,'I see this problem and how phones and social media are affecting my students and the way they're developing and their focus in the classroom and the way it affects my teachers and their ability to get to feel effective in their environment.' What we do is we come and say, 'Okay, here's how the honor product works. Here's how our program works.' But the most important thing is for you to get the commitment of your community. And that's what we always start with. We start with helping principals or superintendents to get that commitment from their community. That's the community, parents, that's very important, but also teachers and administrators in the school.”

-Graham Dugoni i

 

 

Get the episode transcript here!

 

Graham’s Resources & Contact Info:

 

Read my latest book!

Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.

 

Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!

Apply to the Mastermind

The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.

Apply to the mastermind today!

 

How We Serve Leaders

 

The School Leadership Scorecard™

Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard

 

Month-to-Month Principal Checklist

As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?

 

When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get

  • 12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do

  • Space to write your campus specific items.

  • Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work

Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.

 

Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™

The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset

 

The Positive Spotlight Tool™

Energy flows to where attention goes!

If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…

 

Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive

 

The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™

Are you ready to accomplish more?

With less effort and in less time?

When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.

 

Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals

SHOW SPONSORS:

 TEACHFX

How much student talk happened today?

When classrooms come alive with conversation, learning improves, students feel a sense of belonging, and teachers feel inspired. 

 

The TeachFX instructional coaching app gives teachers powerful insights into their student talk, student engagement, and classroom conversation. 

 

With TeachFX, teachers see how much student talk happened, the moments of students sharing their brilliance, and the questions that got students talking.Learn how to pilot TeachFX with your teachers. Visit: teachfx.com/betterleaders

 

Quest Food Management Services

 

Quest Food Management Services provides high-quality, scratch-made food in K-12 schools and universities across the country, prioritizing the health and wellness of students and elevating the cafeteria dining experience.  Quest offers a full-service approach to their school partners, bringing 40 years of expertise through every stage of program development and nurturing a true sense of community through interactive events such as student food committees. For more information about Quest Food Management Services, www.questfms.com

 

 

IXL

IXL is the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. Over 1 million teachers use IXL in their classrooms every day for one reason: They love it. Visit IXL.com to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.  

Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

 

Introduction to the Ruckus Maker Club17 Jul 202400:32:35

 

Show Highlights

 

  • A Ruckus Maker Club for innovative school leaders who want to do school differently with shared ideas and support. 

  • Ruckus Maker Club features and benefits

    • Access to tools and free content

    • Coaching calls

    • Innovation labs

    • Accountability space.

    • Discussions on challenges in educational leadership

    • Tech support and event recordings.

  • Inventive solutions on challenges working within resistant systems.

  • Practical, actionable strategies for innovation provided by the club.

  • The value between the Ruckus Maker Club and free online content.

  • Download the Ruckus Maker eight-step goal setting tool.

 

“Imagine a space where innovative educational leaders from around the world come together. It's a place where you can find support, share ideas, and learn from others who are successfully shaking things up in their schools. I created the Ruckus Maker club because I believe that together we can do school differently and create the future of education. The Ruckus Maker Club is designed for those of you who refuse to accept the status quo.”

-Danny Bauer

 

Get the episode transcript here!

 

Show’s Resources & Contact Info:

 

 

Read my latest book!

Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.

 

Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!

Apply to the Mastermind

The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.

Apply to the mastermind today!

 

How We Serve Leaders

 

The School Leadership Scorecard™

Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard

 

Month-to-Month Principal Checklist

As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?

 

When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get

  • 12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do

  • Space to write your campus specific items.

  • Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work

Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.

 

Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™

The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset

 

The Positive Spotlight Tool™

Energy flows to where attention goes!

If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…

 

Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive

 

The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™

Are you ready to accomplish more?

With less effort and in less time?

When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.

 

Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals

SHOW SPONSORS:

 TEACHFX

How much student talk happened today?

When classrooms come alive with conversation, learning improves, students feel a sense of belonging, and teachers feel inspired. 

 

The TeachFX instructional coaching app gives teachers powerful insights into their student talk, student engagement, and classroom conversation. 

 

With TeachFX, teachers see how much student talk happened, the moments of students sharing their brilliance, and the questions that got students talking.Learn how to pilot TeachFX with your teachers. Visit: teachfx.com/betterleaders

 

Quest Food Management Services

 

Quest Food Management Services provides high-quality, scratch-made food in K-12 schools and universities across the country, prioritizing the health and wellness of students and elevating the cafeteria dining experience.  Quest offers a full-service approach to their school partners, bringing 40 years of expertise through every stage of program development and nurturing a true sense of community through interactive events such as student food committees. For more information about Quest Food Management Services, www.questfms.com

 

 

IXL

IXL is the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. Over 1 million teachers use IXL in their classrooms every day for one reason: They love it. Visit IXL.com to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.  

Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

 

Lindsay Cravens: Lindsay landed the principal job after reading Build Leadership Momentum12 Jul 202400:32:34

 

Lindsay Cravens is currently in transition from being the High School Principal at Stockton (KS) for the past 3 years to my new position of High School Principal at Republic County (Belleville, KS). This fall will be her final semester working towards my EdS in District Administration from Fort Hays State University.

 

Show Highlights

 

  • Impact of 'Build Leadership Momentum' on her interview process and confidence.

  • Dynamic book insights, strategies and leadership philosophy. 

  • Importance of being calm and prepared as a leader.

  • Keys to building relationships and enjoying the job. 

  • Importance of admitting mistakes and learning from them.

  • Value of mentorship and continuous learning.

  • Community support, including help from the FFA group.

  • Tips to provide for all students and create a supportive environment.

 

“The book gave me a lot of good talking points and planning points to go from not only in the interview, but to feel more prepared. And then I'm going to use some of those pieces going into the next school year as well. So now I will be the high school principal in Belleville.”

-Lindsay Cravens

 

Get the episode transcript here!

Lindsay’s Resources & Contact Info:

 

 

 

Read my latest book!

Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.

 

Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!

Apply to the Mastermind

The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.

Apply to the mastermind today!

 

How We Serve Leaders

 

The School Leadership Scorecard™

Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard

 

Month-to-Month Principal Checklist

As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?

 

When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get

  • 12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do

  • Space to write your campus specific items.

  • Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work

Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.

 

Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™

The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset

 

The Positive Spotlight Tool™

Energy flows to where attention goes!

If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…

 

Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive

 

The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™

Are you ready to accomplish more?

With less effort and in less time?

When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.

 

Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at

https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals

SHOW SPONSORS:

 TEACHFX

How much student talk happened today?

When classrooms come alive with conversation, learning improves, students feel a sense of belonging, and teachers feel inspired. 

 

The TeachFX instructional coaching app gives teachers powerful insights into their student talk, student engagement, and classroom conversation. 

 

With TeachFX, teachers see how much student talk happened, the moments of students sharing their brilliance, and the questions that got students talking.Learn how to pilot TeachFX with your teachers. Visit: teachfx.com/betterleaders

 

Quest Food Management Services

 

Quest Food Management Services provides high-quality, scratch-made food in K-12 schools and universities across the country, prioritizing the health and wellness of students and elevating the cafeteria dining experience.  Quest offers a full-service approach to their school partners, bringing 40 years of expertise through every stage of program development and nurturing a true sense of community through interactive events such as student food committees. For more information about Quest Food Management Services, www.questfms.com

 

 

IXL

IXL is the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. Over 1 million teachers use IXL in their classrooms every day for one reason: They love it. Visit IXL.com to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.  

Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

 

Igniting Change - Harnessing the Power of Shared Beliefs for Educational Excellence04 Sep 202400:48:17
 

 

Every principal deserves high quality coaching and mentorship.

 

  • Who is your coach or mentor?

  • What would you be able to accomplish with help figuring out how to accomplish your biggest goals?

 

At Ruckus Maker HQ we have two great options for you:

 

Option 1: Join the BRAND NEW Ruckus Maker Club. Learn more here

 

Option 2: Join The Ruckus Maker Mastermind™ our flagship program. Learn more here.

 

Show Highlights

 

  • Boosting Leadership Effectiveness in a Post-Pandemic World.

  • Aligning professional development with collective beliefs relevant for all.

  • Delivering effective, equitable support for every student. 

  • Balancing staff readiness and innovation with potential risks.

  • Strategic resource allocation: Maximizing human capital.

  • Empowering top teachers to impact students who need it the most.

  • Aligning practices with beliefs (individual vs. collective).

  • Achieving clarity in advancing organizational and staff goals.



SHOW SPONSORS:

 

Quest Food Management Services

 

Quest Food Management Services provides high-quality, scratch-made food in K-12 schools and universities across the country, prioritizing the health and wellness of students and elevating the cafeteria dining experience.  Quest offers a full-service approach to their school partners, bringing 40 years of expertise through every stage of program development and nurturing a true sense of community through interactive events such as student food committees. For more information about Quest Food Management Services, www.questfms.com

 

 

IXL

IXL is the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. Over 1 million teachers use IXL in their classrooms every day for one reason: They love it. Visit IXL.com to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.  

Copyright © 2024 Twelve Practices LLC

 

 

 

How This Principal United Two Enemy High Schools01 Oct 202500:33:28
🎯 The Ruckus Report

Quick take: What happens when two rival schools — with decades of “us vs. them” history — are forced to become one? Derek Cantrell didn’t just merge Alleghany and Covington into a single high school. He built a “Better Together” culture while weaving in AI tools that are reshaping instruction and leadership. This episode is a blueprint for rethinking school culture in the age of disruption.

🤝 Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker

Derek Cantrell is the principal of Alleghany High School, where he led the merger of two rival schools into one unified community through a “Better Together” culture. Alongside culture-building, he integrates AI-driven tools like custom chatbots and Julius AI to streamline leadership tasks and improve instruction. Derek is redefining school leadership by honoring tradition while embracing innovation.

🔨 Breaking Down the Old Rules

In this episode, Derek Cantrell challenges traditional education paradigms:

🧠 Key Insight #1: Culture eats consolidation for breakfast.
  • What’s broken: Forced mergers often leave communities divided, with morale and identity lost.
  • The shift: Derek built a roadmap of intentional relationship-building — open houses, student forums, teacher mingles, and community events like cornhole nights and bonfires.
  • Impact: Instead of resentment, Alleghany High became a place where rival traditions fused into a proud new identity.
🧠 Key Insight #2: Data disaggregation doesn’t have to take weeks.
  • What’s broken: Teachers drowning in endless spreadsheets and meetings just to analyze test scores.
  • The shift: Julius AI and custom chatbots cut through the noise, turning state test data into actionable two-page reports per strand.
  • Impact: Teachers save time, get clarity, and can focus on engaging instruction — not manual number-crunching.
🧠 Key Insight #3: AI can make learning more relevant — and fun.
  • What’s broken: Lesson plans that feel stuck in the past, disconnected from students’ real-world experiences.
  • The shift: Teachers plug lessons into Derek’s bots to generate hooks, engagement strategies, and real-world applications.
  • Impact: Students see math, science, and core subjects through a lens that matters to them, boosting both interest and outcomes.
Quotable Ruckus

"Culture doesn’t happen by accident. Lead it, shape it, and live it every day."                   – Derek Cantrell

📌 Your Do School Different Challenge

Ready to implement these ideas? Start here:

  • Tomorrow: Ask students and staff one simple question: What excites you, and what concerns you? Use the answers to guide your next decision.
  • This Month: Build a small win — repaint lockers, host a community night, or launch a mini-podcast — and celebrate it loudly.
  • This Semester: Experiment with AI tools (like Julius or a custom GPT) to cut down on data drudgery and make lessons more engaging.
Connect & Continue

🎯 Get the full episode transcript here

🔗 Follow Derek Cantrell:

📣 Ruckus Makers Don’t Just Listen — They Act

If education ain’t a bit disruptive, then what are your students really learning?

This show isn’t about doing school better.

It’s about Doing School Different — and joining a growing movement of bold, creative school leaders who reject legacy models and reimagine what’s possible.

🧠 Here are four ways we can help you on your Do School Different journey:
  • 📬 Subscribe to the Free Newsletter

    Tools, mindset shifts, and strategies that actually work — delivered 3x/week.

    ruckusmakers.news

  • 🗞 Read Ruckus Makers on Substack

    Premium leadership insights, AI prompts & GPTs, early access to new books.

    ruckusmakers.media

  • 💥 Join the Ruckus Maker Club

    Private network + workshops, AI Prompt Library, and more.

    ruckusmakers.club

🎙 Today’s RUCKUS cast in Partnership With:

ODP Business Solutions® 

Looking to create the kind of campus experience students never forget? ODP Business Solutions® transforms ordinary spaces into extraordinary learning environments.

Visit odpbusiness.com/education and let's Do School Different.

IXL

Over 1 million teachers rely on IXL because it is empowering, it helps them make better decisions with reliable data, and it adapts instruction based on student performance.

Get started today at ixl.com/leaders 

PLAY PIPER

Kids love gaming and computers, but are disengaged from Math and Science at school. Play Piper changes that with hands-on STEM kits and a coding curriculum. Learn more at playpiper.com

Twelve Practices LLC © 2025 | If Education Ain’t a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?

 

Student Turns Classroom Idea Into $40,000 Business (Principal Reveals How) with Jeremy Quals24 Sep 202500:52:51

Quick take:

What happens when a leader ditches ego, prioritizes relationships, and treats students like real-world innovators? Jeremy Quals proves you can turn around struggling schools and create one of the most exciting entrepreneurial programs in the country.

🤝 Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker

Dr. Jeremy Qualls is the Executive Director of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center (EIC) and College, Career, and Technical Education (CCTE) with Williamson County Schools. A former coach, principal, and district athletic director, he now leads some of the most innovative programs in Tennessee, blending entrepreneurship, career readiness, and creative learning opportunities that make school worth showing up for.

🔨 Breaking Down the Old Rules

In this episode, Jeremy challenges traditional education paradigms:

🧠 Key Insight #1: Leadership isn’t about ego — it’s about relationships.
  • What’s broken: Leaders who default to punishment and blame.
  • The shift: Building trust first, simplifying discipline to “Be responsible, be respectful, be ready.”
  • Impact: Transformed a school with 1,000+ discipline referrals into one with just 52 — and skyrocketed student growth.
🧠 Key Insight #2: Students need relevance, not busywork.
  • What’s broken: 42 definitions on a worksheet and other meaningless tasks.
  • The shift: Replace rote work with entrepreneurial problem-solving, empathy-driven projects, and micro-internships.
  • Impact: Students who once checked out now show up excited, engaged, and prepared for life beyond school.
🧠 Key Insight #3: Create spaces worth showing up for.
  • What’s broken: Schools that look the same as the 1950s— rows, lectures, and compliance.
  • The shift: Entrepreneurial labs with open design, mentorship networks, and student-led startups.
  • Impact: The Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center grew from 70 students to 280 with a 500+ waitlist — and is producing teen founders winning national competitions.
Quotable Ruckus

“Fail forward and fail often.” – Jeremy Quals

📌 Your Do School Different Challenge

Ready to implement these ideas? Start here:

  • Tomorrow: Swap one rote assignment for a real-world problem or entrepreneurial- style task.
  • This Month: Map student relationships — find the “safety valves” so every kid has a trusted adult.
  • This Semester: Audit your schoolwork and culture. Cut the irrelevant busywork, build in creative challenges, and create spaces students want to be in.
🔗 Connect & Continue

🎯 Get the full episode transcript: [Link]

🔗 Follow Dr. Jeremy Qualls: https://wcssportsconference.com/

📣 Ruckus Makers Don’t Just Listen — They Act

If education ain’t a bit disruptive, then what are your students really learning?

This show isn’t about “doing school better.”

It’s about Doing School Different — and joining a growing movement of bold, creative school leaders who reject legacy models and reimagine what’s possible.

🧠 Here are four ways we can help you on your Do School Different journey:
  • 📬 Subscribe to the Free Newsletter

    Tools, mindset shifts, and strategies that actually work — delivered 3x/week.

    ruckusmakers.news

  • 🗞 Read Ruckus Makers on Substack

    Premium leadership insights, AI prompts & GPTs, early access to new books.

    ruckusmakers.media

  • 💥 Join the Ruckus Maker Club

    Private network + workshops, AI Prompt Library, and more.

    ruckusmakers.club

  • 🧨 Apply to the Mastermind

    Weekly coaching + peer mentorship using the Ruckus Maker Flywheel.

    betterleadersbetterschools.com/mastermind-application

🎙 Today’s RUCKUS cast in Partnership With:
  • IXL

Over 1 million teachers rely on IXL because it is empowering, it helps them make better decisions with reliable data, and it adapts instruction based on student performance.

🔍 Get started today at ixl.com/leaders.

  • ODP

For over 30 years, ODP Business Solutions® has helped schools transform from whiteboards to smartboards. Why? Because when you get the right tools, everyone wins.

🔍 Visit odpbusiness.com/education to revolutionize your school's learning spaces

 

How School Leaders Can Reclaim Their Time and Lead on Their Own Terms04 Aug 202500:09:50

Most principals feel like they're doing everything right — but something still feels wrong. That’s not a personal failure. It’s proof you’re playing someone else’s game. In this episode, Danny Bauer invites school leaders to stop following broken rules and start authoring their own.

Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨

Key Insight #1
What’s broken: School leaders can’t name the rules of the game they’re playing.
The shift: Define success on your own terms — and write your own rules.
Impact: Clarity, confidence, and control over what truly matters.

Key Insight #2
What’s broken: Leaders fill their calendars with others' priorities.
The shift: Use intentional scheduling to create space for high-value work.
Impact: More energy, focus, and results that actually move the needle.

Key Insight #3
What’s broken: Traditional PD ignores the emotional, practical, and systemic traps leaders face.
The shift: Join a community-led, mentor-supported journey to reclaim your leadership.
Impact: Massive mindset shifts and sustainable campus-wide results — all in just 8 weeks.

Quotable Ruckus

“If you can’t name the rules of the leadership game you're playing, you're playing someone else’s.” – Danny Bauer

Your Do School Different Challenge

Tomorrow: Ask yourself: What rules am I currently playing by that I didn’t write?
This Week: Join Play Your Game and take back control of your leadership — from the inside out.

Send an email to danny@betterleadersbetterschools.com

SUBJECT: PLAY YOUR GAME 1

BODY: “I’m in!”

Once I get that email, I will share the entire program details. If you decide this program is a great fit for you, you’ll then register.

Play Your Game 1 begins August 14.
Rob Barnett on Transforming Classroom Chaos into Mastery-Based Learning30 Jul 202500:50:04
  The Ruckus Report

Quick take: When 21 kids are on your roster but only 3 show up on time, you don't quit — you reinvent how learning works. Rob Barnett's journey from near-burnout to building a model that reaches 100,000+ educators proves that ditching whole-class instruction might be the best thing you can do for student achievement.

Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker

Rob Barnett is co-founder of the Modern Classrooms Project, which has empowered over 100,000 educators across 180+ countries to meet every learner's needs. A former public school math teacher who nearly quit during his first year, Rob transformed his frustration with traditional whole-class instruction into a revolutionary approach that made him fall in love with teaching again. Author of "Meet Every Learner's Needs: Redesigning Instruction so All Learners Can Succeed," Rob developed the free InstaleEson AI tool that helps teachers create blended, self-paced, mastery-based lessons in minutes. He believes every day, in every classroom, every learner should be appropriately challenged and supported.

Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨

In this episode, Rob Barnett challenges traditional education paradigms:

Key Insight #1: One-Size-Fits-All Teaching Sets Everyone Up to Fail

  • What's broken: Standing at the board delivering the same lesson to students with vastly different needs, attendance patterns, and readiness levels
  • The shift: Record simple instructional videos (even using basic tools like Skype) and spend class time working one-on-one and in small groups with students
  • Impact: Teachers can finally meet diverse learner needs while building authentic relationships — the foundation of real learning

Key Insight #2: Mastery Must Come Before Moving On

  • What's broken: Rushing students through content because "we've got to get through the curriculum," leaving gaps in understanding that compound over time
  • The shift: Require true understanding of lesson one before advancing to lesson two, giving students the time they need to achieve real mastery
  • Impact: Students build confidence and self-esteem when they experience genuine understanding, creating a virtuous cycle of success

Key Insight #3: Good Learning Is Loud and Collaborative

  • What's broken: Controlling every moment from the front of the room, mistaking silence and compliance for engagement and learning
  • The shift: Create a "college library" environment where students work at different paces, collaborate in groups, and engage in meaningful discussions
  • Impact: The best classroom management strategy becomes keeping every student appropriately challenged and supported — misbehavior disappears when kids can succeed
Quotable Ruckus

"I became a teacher because I wanted to work closely with young people. I wanted to get to know them, I wanted to teach them things so they actually understood and help them develop their own self confidence and self esteem." – Rob Barnett

Your Do School Different Challenge

Ready to implement these ideas? Start here:

Tomorrow: Have one teacher try the InstaleEson AI tool to create a single blended lesson — start small, experiment with one topic

This Month: Visit learn.modernclassrooms.org and explore the free training resources to understand the full framework for self-paced, mastery-based instruction

This Semester: Pilot the Modern Classroom approach in 2-3 classrooms, focusing on recording simple instructional videos and shifting class time to individual and small-group work

Connect & Continue
  1. 🎯 Get the full episode transcript: [Link] 🔗 Follow Rob Barnett: Linkedin 🏫 Modern Classrooms Project: Modern Classroom 📱 Follow on Instagram: Instagram
📌 Ruckus Makers Don't Just Listen — They Act

If education ain't a bit disruptive, then what are your students really learning?

This show isn't about doing school better.

It's about Doing School Different — and joining a growing movement of bold, creative school leaders who reject legacy models and reimagine what's possible.

🧠 Here are four ways we can help you on your Do School Different journey

📬 Subscribe to the Free Newsletter — An opportunity to Do School Different 3x a week. Tools, mindset shifts, and strategies that actually work: ruckusmakers.news

🗞️ Read Ruckus Makers — Exclusive content on Substack. Premium leadership insights, AI prompts and custom gpts, new books before the bookshelf. ruckusmakers.media

💥 Join The Ruckus Maker Club — Our private network + workshops, The Automatic School tools, AI Prompt Library, and more: https://ruckusmakers.club/join

🧨 Apply to the Mastermind — Weekly coaching, peer mentorship, and our proven leadership system (The Ruckus Maker Flywheel) to help you transform your campus: Apply Now

Every tool, community, and coaching program we offer is built to help visionary school leaders play the new game — one where leadership is creative, tech-enabled, and unapologetically student-centered.

🎙️ The podcast is your starting point. The movement is just getting started.

Today's RUCKUScast in Partnership with:

ODP Business Solutions Looking to create the kind of campus experience students never forget? ODP Business Solutions transforms ordinary spaces into extraordinary learning environments. 🔍 Learn more: ODPbusiness.com/education

The Ruckus Maker Mastermind Traditional professional development is broken. Instead of top-down lectures, get weekly coaching and peer mentorship that helps you solve your number one challenge every single week. 🔍 Learn more: here

IXL If you could differentiate instruction in 20 minutes or less, would you do it for all your students? Over 1 million teachers use IXL because it empowers them to use effective data-informed instruction. 🔍 Learn more: ixl.com/leaders

Twelve Practices LLC © 2025 | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?

Breaking Barriers: Giving Yourself Permission to Lead23 Jul 202500:44:11

 

The Ruckus Report

Quick take: Most school leaders are waiting for someone else's permission to create the change they know their students need. Will Parker destroys that myth and reveals the #1 barrier standing between you and transformational leadership — yourself.

Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker

William D. Parker is the founder of Principal Matters, LLC—an educator, author, speaker, and executive coach who leverages his expertise in school culture, leadership, and communication to equip educators with strategies for motivating students, inspiring teachers, and reaching communities. He is also the host of Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast, with more than 1.5 million downloads to date. Will supports schools around the world through professional development and leadership coaching. He frequently presents at K–12 events, education conferences, leadership team training, and graduate classes on effective practices, organizational management, and improved school communication. An Oklahoma educator since 1993, Will was named South Intermediate High School Teacher of the Year for Broken Arrow Public Schools in 1998. He became an assistant principal in 2004 and was named Oklahoma Assistant Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary Principals in 2012. As a principal of a Title I school, he helped lead initiatives in collaboration, remediation, and mentoring that significantly improved student achievement. For six years, Will served as executive director of the Oklahoma Association of Secondary School Principals and the Oklahoma Middle Level Education Association. Find out more about his leadership academies, masterminds, executive coaching, books, and keynote presentations at williamdparker.com. Will's new book: Whose Permission Are You Waiting For? And other books: Pause. Breath. Flourish., Messaging Matters., and Principal Matters.

Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨

In this episode, William D. Parker challenges traditional education paradigms:

Key Insight #1: Stop Creating Imaginary Rules That Don't Exist

  • What's broken: Leaders inventing barriers and constraints that exist only in their own minds, like the college student who created rules for a ropes course challenge that didn't exist
  • The shift: Question every "rule" you think is stopping you and ask which barriers are real versus imaginary
  • Impact: When you eliminate self-imposed limitations, you unlock possibilities you never knew existed and can tackle challenges with creative solutions

Key Insight #2: Survival Mode Kills Vision and Growth

  • What's broken: Leaders getting trapped in day-to-day survival thinking instead of setting goals and dreaming about the future
  • The shift: Build regular reflection cycles asking: What milestones have I hit? What challenges did I overcome? What successes did I experience? What do I want to experience next?
  • Impact: Clarity gives you permission to take action — when you know where you want to go, you can start moving toward it

Key Insight #3: Binary Thinking Limits Your Options

  • What's broken: Approaching decisions as either/or choices instead of exploring multiple pathways and creative alternatives
  • The shift: Always create A, B, and C options (good, better, best) whether you're handling student discipline, master scheduling, or hiring decisions
  • Impact: Options create ownership and empower others while opening doors to solutions you never considered

Quotable Ruckus

"When you are considering the thing you really want to accomplish, the improvements that you really want to see, the kind of growth that you really want to experience... whose permission are you waiting for? Because a lot of times the person's permission they're waiting for is their own." – William D. Parker

Your Do School Different Challenge

Ready to implement these ideas? Start here:

Tomorrow: Make a list of the barriers you think are stopping you from creating the change you want to see — circle the ones that might be imaginary

This Month: Schedule weekly reflection time using Will's questions: What challenges did I overcome? What successes did I experience? What lessons did I learn? What do I want to experience next?

This Semester: For your next major decision, create three pathway options (A, B, C) instead of thinking in binary terms — then involve your team in choosing the best path forward

Connect & Continue

🎯 Get the full episode transcript: here
🔗 Follow William D. Parker: Linkedin

📚 Get Will's new book: Whose Permission Are You Waiting For?

And Other books:

📌 Ruckus Makers Don't Just Listen — They Act

If education ain't a bit disruptive, then what are your students really learning?

This show isn't about doing school better.
It's about Doing School Different — and joining a growing movement of bold, creative school leaders who reject legacy models and reimagine what's possible.

🧠 Here are four ways we can help you on your Do School Different journey

📬 Subscribe to the Free Newsletter — An opportunity to Do School Different 3x a week. Tools, mindset shifts, and strategies that actually work:  here

🗞️ Read Ruckus Makers — Exclusive content on Substack. Premium leadership insights, AI prompts and custom gpts, new books before the bookshelf.  here

💥 Join The Ruckus Maker Club — Our private network + workshops, The Automatic School tools, AI Prompt Library, and more: The Ruckus Maker

🧨 Apply to the Mastermind — Weekly coaching, peer mentorship, and our proven leadership system (The Ruckus Maker Flywheel) to help you transform your campus: Apply Now

Every tool, community, and coaching program we offer is built to help visionary school leaders play the new game — one where leadership is creative, tech-enabled, and unapologetically student-centered.

🎙️ The podcast is your starting point. The movement is just getting started.

Today's RUCKUScast in Partnership with:

IXL Meet your students where they are and take them where they need to go. Join over 1 million teachers who trust IXL to drive data-informed excellence in their classrooms. 🔍 Learn more: here

Expressability K12 Your inbox isn't a task manager. Your mind isn't for storing mundane processes. It's time to break free. With Expressability K12, Ruckus Makers can prioritize student success by offloading time-sucking tasks. 🔍 Learn more: here

ODP Business Solutions "Our STEAM program is too complicated" = Code for "We're doing it wrong." Stop letting fear kill innovation. Some leaders are transforming STEAM with a three-part framework that's not what you think. 🔍 Get the playbook: here

Twelve Practices LLC © 2025 | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?

 
Reject the Premise Part 316 Jul 202500:47:26
  Jethro Jones on Breaking the Robot Principal Playbook

The Ruckus Report

Quick take: Most school leaders are trained to lead like emotionless robots. But students aren't spreadsheets and staff don't need a boss with a checklist — they need a human being. Time to reject the premise that logic alone should run our schools.

Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker

Jethro Jones, 2017 NASSP Digital Principal of the Year, is a former principal from Fairbanks, Alaska, and the host of Transformative Principal, where he interviews leaders from around the world who are reimagining K-12 education. He's the founder of the Transformative Leadership Summit and author of SchoolX: How principals can design a transformative school experience for students, teachers, parents – and themselves!

Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨

In this episode, Jethro Jones challenges traditional education paradigms:

Key Insight #1: Emotions Are Your Leadership Superpower

  • What's broken: The robot principal mentality that emotions should be locked out of work
  • The shift: Embrace emotional intelligence as the very thing that makes leadership work — connection
  • Impact: Leaders build authentic relationships instead of being terminators hunting for data points

Key Insight #2: From Sage on Stage to Compass Among Us

  • What's broken: Teachers controlling every learning moment as the "sage on the stage"
  • The shift: Become a "compass among us" — pointing to true north while students navigate their own path
  • Impact: Students take ownership of learning while teachers focus on what computers can't do: the human connection

Key Insight #3: Discipline Matrices Are BS

  • What's broken: One-size-fits-all discipline charts that treat every situation identically
  • The shift: Use the smallest possible intervention that changes behavior — sometimes just a look
  • Impact: Fewer office referrals, more authentic relationships, and students who actually learn from mistakes
Quotable Ruckus

"If AI can crushed everything else, what's left is our emotions and our spirituality and the metaphysical stuff that makes us different than computers." – Jethro Jones

Your Do School Different Challenge

Ready to implement these ideas? Start here:

  • Tomorrow: Check in with someone by asking "How are you?" instead of "How did your students do on that assessment?"
  • This Month: Replace one discipline matrix consequence with a restorative conversation
  • This Semester: Audit your teaching staff — how many are still stuck in "sage on the stage" mode?
Connect & Continue

🎯 Get the full episode transcript: [Link] 🔗 Follow Jethro Jones: LinkedIn | Twitter/X 💪 Join the Ruckus Maker Movement: ruckusmakers.club/join

Do you Subscribe to the Ruckus Maker Newsletter?

Do School Different 3x a Week.

✉ Join for FREE: ruckusmakers.news/subscribe

📌 Ruckus Makers Don't Just Listen — They Act

If education ain't a bit disruptive, then what are your students really learning?

This show isn't about doing school better.

It's about Doing School Different — and joining a growing movement of bold, creative school leaders who reject legacy models and reimagine what's possible.

🧠 Here are four ways we can help you on your Do School Different journey

📬 Subscribe to the Free Newsletter — An opportunity to Do School Different 3x a week. Tools, mindset shifts, and strategies that actually work: ruckusmakers.news

🗞️ Read Ruckus Makers — Exclusive content on Substack. Premium leadership insights, AI prompts and custom gpts, new books before the bookshelf. ruckusmakers.media

💥 Join The Ruckus Maker Club — Our private network + workshops, The Automatic School tools, AI Prompt Library, and more: ruckusmakers.club

🧨 Apply to the Mastermind — Weekly coaching, peer mentorship, and our proven leadership system (The Ruckus Maker Flywheel) to help you transform your campus: Apply Now

Every tool, community, and coaching program we offer is built to help visionary school leaders play the new game — one where leadership is creative, tech-enabled, and unapologetically student-centered.

🎙️ The podcast is your starting point. The movement is just getting started.

Today's RUCKUScast in Partnership with:

IXL Meet your students where they are and take them where they need to go. Join over 1 million teachers who trust IXL to drive data-informed excellence in their classrooms. 🔍 Learn more: ixl.com/leaders

Expressability K12 Your inbox isn't a task manager. Your mind isn't for storing mundane processes. It's time to break free. With Expressability K12, Ruckus Makers can prioritize student success by offloading time-sucking tasks. 🔍 Learn more: expressability.com/ruckus

ODP Business Solutions "Our STEAM program is too complicated" = Code for "We're doing it wrong." Stop letting fear kill innovation. Some leaders are transforming STEAM with a three-part framework that's not what you think. 🔍 Get the playbook: here

Twelve Practices LLC © 2025 | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?

Sam Feeney on Closing the Compliance Gap09 Jul 202500:50:20
The Ruckus Report

Quick take: The biggest legal risk most districts face isn't a headline-grabbing lawsuit — it's the hidden gap between the accommodations they promise and the ones students actually receive. Sam Feeney built a tool that collapses this compliance gap to 10 seconds and a single click.

Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker

Sam Feeney has been an educator for twenty-five years as an English teacher, counselor, administrator, and consultant. He created Accommodate in response to his professional observations and his personal experience as a father. Sam and the team at Accommodate provide classroom supports for students with all kinds of learning needs so every teacher can maintain instructional integrity.

In his spare time, Sam enjoys reading and collaborating with others to build something new. Sam, his wife, and his five children live in suburban Denver, where they enjoy sports and the outdoors. And—no—he doesn't ski.

Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨

In this episode, Sam Feeney challenges traditional education paradigms:

Key Insight #1: Need Equals Permission

  • What's broken: Waiting for perfect credentials or expertise before tackling problems you see
  • The shift: Recognition of a need is your permission to solve it — start with passion, build expertise along the way
  • Impact: Innovation happens when educators stop waiting for someone else to fix what's broken

Key Insight #2: Hidden Non-Compliance Is Everywhere

  • What's broken: Beautifully written IEPs, 504s, and ELL plans that vanish under the weight of crowded classrooms and overworked teachers
  • The shift: Technology that transforms any lesson into student-specific accommodations at the push of a button
  • Impact: Students get the support they're legally entitled to, teachers avoid guilt and burnout, districts avoid million-dollar settlements

Key Insight #3: Time Is the Ultimate Gift

  • What's broken: Teachers spending hours trying to accommodate across three different areas of expertise (special ed, ELL, gifted)
  • The shift: 10-second accommodations that give teachers back their most precious resource
  • Impact: Instructional integrity becomes sustainable, not just aspirational
Quotable Ruckus

"Need equals permission. If you see a need, that's your permission to go tackle it." – Sam Feeney

Your Do School Different Challenge

Ready to implement these ideas? Start here:

  • Tomorrow: Audit one accommodation plan — is it actually happening in the classroom, or just living on paper?
  • This Month: Calculate the true cost of hidden non-compliance on your campus (teacher burnout, potential lawsuits, student outcomes)
  • This Semester: Invest in tools that give your teachers back time while ensuring every student gets what they're legally entitled to
Connect & Continue

🎯 Get the full episode transcript: [Link] 🔗 Follow Sam Feeney: LinkedIn 🌐 Learn more about Accommodate: accommodate.live

📌 Ruckus Makers Don't Just Listen — They Act

If education ain't a bit disruptive, then what are your students really learning?

This show isn't about doing school better.

It's about Doing School Different — and joining a growing movement of bold, creative school leaders who reject legacy models and reimagine what's possible.

🧠 Here are four ways we can help you on your Do School Different journey

📬 Subscribe to the Free Newsletter — An opportunity to Do School Different 3x a week. Tools, mindset shifts, and strategies that actually work: ruckusmakers.news

🗞️ Read Ruckus Makers — Exclusive content on Substack. Premium leadership insights, AI prompts and custom gpts, new books before the bookshelf. ruckusmakers.media

💥 Join The Ruckus Maker Club — Our private network + workshops, The Automatic School tools, AI Prompt Library, and more: ruckusmakers.club

🧨 Apply to the Mastermind — Weekly coaching, peer mentorship, and our proven leadership system (The Ruckus Maker Flywheel) to help you transform your campus: Apply Now

Every tool, community, and coaching program we offer is built to help visionary school leaders play the new game — one where leadership is creative, tech-enabled, and unapologetically student-centered.

🎙️ The podcast is your starting point. The movement is just getting started.

Today's RUCKUScast in Partnership with:

IXL Meet your students where they are and take them where they need to go. Join over 1 million teachers who trust IXL to drive data-informed excellence in their classrooms. 🔍 Learn more: ixl.com/leaders

Expressability K12 Your inbox isn't a task manager. Your mind isn't for storing mundane processes. It's time to break free. With Expressability K12, Ruckus Makers can prioritize student success by offloading time-sucking tasks. 🔍 Learn more: k12ability.com

ODP Business Solutions Stop letting compliance paperwork kill innovation. Some leaders are transforming special education support with technology that turns accommodation promises into reality. 🔍 Learn more: odpbusiness.com/education

Twelve Practices LLC © 2025 | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?

Rethinking School Leadership: From Problem-Solver to Capacity-Builder02 Jul 202500:49:41
 

Mitch Weathers on Breaking the Bottleneck Leadership Trap

The Ruckus Report

Quick take: Most principals think they're the chief problem solver—but that mindset is actually what's breaking their schools. When you're the go-to for every fire, you're not leading, you're enabling dependence.

Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker

Mitch became a gifted teacher because he was a mediocre student. Mitch rarely felt comfortable in the classroom. In fact, it took him 7 years to graduate from college. Choosing to become a teacher, Mitch was fortunate enough to experience school as if it was happening all around him. He was unsure how to jump into his learning with confidence. There is a loneliness to experiencing your education as a passive object as opposed to an active subject.

From the moment he entered the classroom, Mitch relied on his personal experiences as a learner. He recognized that what we teach—the content or curriculum—is secondary. We must first lay the foundation for learning before we can get to teaching. Mitch designed Organized Binder to empower teachers with a simple but research-backed strategy to teach students executive functioning skills while protecting the time needed for content instruction. The secret is found in establishing a predictable learning routine that serves to foster safer learning spaces. When students get practice with executive functions by virtue, we set them up for success.

Learn more in his recent book Executive Functions for Every Classroom:

Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨

In this episode, Mitch Weathers challenges traditional education paradigms:

Key Insight #1: The Problem-Solver Trap

  • What's broken: Principals positioning themselves as the chief problem solver for every issue, fire, complaint, and question
  • The shift: Moving from being the bottleneck to building capacity in your staff so the school runs without you in every room
  • Impact: Sustainable leadership that doesn't burn out the principal and creates independent, empowered teams

Key Insight #2: Preparing Students for Unknown Jobs

  • What's broken: Teaching rigid, content-heavy curricula when we don't even know what jobs will exist in 10 years
  • The shift: Focusing on transferable knowledge, transferable skills, and executive functioning competencies that adapt across any future role
  • Impact: Students equipped with the dexterity to thrive in an evolving job market where AI skills and human connection become differentiators

Key Insight #3: The Boundaries Crisis in Education

  • What's broken: An unhealthy culture that treats being "completely out of balance" as a badge of honor—first one in, last one out mentality
  • The shift: Deliberate boundary setting that prioritizes sustainability and recognizes that self-care isn't district care
  • Impact: Educators who can sustain their passion long-term without sacrificing family, health, or effectiveness
Quotable Ruckus

"When you're the go-to for every issue, every fire, every complaint, every question you're not leading, you're enabling dependence." – Mitch Weathers

Your Do School Different Challenge

Ready to implement these ideas? Start here:

Tomorrow: Identify one problem you consistently solve for your staff. Instead of solving it, ask them what they think the solution should be.

This Month: Audit your daily schedule. What percentage of your time is spent firefighting vs. capacity building? Set a goal to flip that ratio.

This Semester: Implement one systematic change that reduces dependency on you as the decision-maker. Create protocols that empower others to act without your approval.

Connect & Continue

🎯 Get the full episode transcript: [Link] 🔗 Follow Mitch Weathers: LinkedIn 📖 Get his book: Executive Functions for Every Classroom: https://bit.ly/42pCMbq

📌 Ruckus Makers Don't Just Listen — They Act

If education ain't a bit disruptive, then what are your students really learning?

This show isn't about doing school better.

It's about Doing School Different — and joining a growing movement of bold, creative school leaders who reject legacy models and reimagine what's possible.

🧠 Here are four ways we can help you on your Do School Different journey

📬 Subscribe to the Free Newsletter — An opportunity to Do School Different 3x a week. Tools, mindset shifts, and strategies that actually work: ruckusmakers.news

🗞️ Read Ruckus Makers — Exclusive content on Substack. Premium leadership insights, AI prompts and custom GPTs, new books before the bookshelf: ruckusmakers.media

💥 Join The Ruckus Maker Club — Our private network + workshops, The Automatic School tools, AI Prompt Library, and more: https://ruckusmakers.club/join

🧨 Apply to the Mastermind — Weekly coaching, peer mentorship, and our proven leadership system (The Ruckus Maker Flywheel) to help you transform your campus: Apply Now

Every tool, community, and coaching program we offer is built to help visionary school leaders play the new game — one where leadership is creative, tech-enabled, and unapologetically student-centered.

🎙️ The podcast is your starting point. The movement is just getting started.

Today's RUCKUScast in Partnership with:

IXL

Meet your students where they are and take them where they need to go. Join over 1 million teachers who trust IXL to drive data-informed excellence in their classrooms. 🔍 Learn more: ixl.com/leaders

Expressability K12

Your inbox isn't a task manager. Your mind isn't for storing mundane processes. It's time to break free. With Expressability K12, Ruckus Makers can prioritize student success by offloading time-sucking tasks.

🔍 Learn more: expressability.com/ruckus

ODP Business Solutions

"Our STEAM program is too complicated" = Code for "We're doing it wrong." Stop letting fear kill innovation. Some leaders are transforming STEAM with a three-part framework that’s not what you think.

🔍 Get the playbook: here

Twelve Practices LLC © 2025 | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?

Veronica Holyoke on Breaking the Myth of Solitary Leadership25 Jun 202500:27:43

 

The Ruckus Report

Quick take: The "lone wolf" leader is a toxic myth that's burning out school administrators and failing students. Veronica Holyoke proves that transformational leadership happens in community, not isolation — and one hour a week can change everything.

Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker

Veronica Holyoke is a 25-year education veteran and Utah's 2024 Assistant Principal of the Year. A former 5th grade teacher with master's degrees in Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Leadership, she's spent her fourth year as an elementary Assistant Principal in Jordan School District. Beyond her accolades, Veronica has navigated supporting her husband through serious disability while excelling in her leadership role — proving that community support transforms both professional and personal resilience.

Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨

In this episode, Veronica Holyoke challenges traditional education paradigms:

Key Insight #1: Imposter Syndrome Isn't Permanent

  • What's broken: Leaders believing they must have all the answers and can't show vulnerability or uncertainty

  • The shift: Embrace community support where every voice matters, regardless of title or experience level

  • Impact: Confidence grows, authentic leadership emerges, and the toxic cycle of isolation breaks

Key Insight #2: Weekly Support Beats Yearly Burnout

  • What's broken: The expectation that school leaders should figure everything out alone while pouring into everyone else

  • The shift: Prioritize one hour per week for consistent community support and professional growth

  • Impact: Leaders go to bed happier every Tuesday, face challenges with renewed energy, and sustain their passion for the work

Key Insight #3: Personal Growth Drives Professional Excellence

  • What's broken: Separating personal wellness from professional performance, leading to unsustainable leadership practices

  • The shift: Invest in whole-person support that addresses both home and work challenges

  • Impact: When leaders are cared for, they can better care for staff and students — creating award-winning school cultures

Quotable Ruckus

"I could only take care of my staff and students because I was being taken care of because of the mastermind group." – Veronica Holyoke

Your Do School Different Challenge

Ready to implement these ideas? Start here:

  1. Tomorrow: Make a list of things you do weekly to "fill your bucket" — where does community support rank?

  2. This Month: Find one hour per week to connect with other leaders outside your system for growth and support

  3. This Semester: Build or join a community where you can be 100% authentic about your challenges and victories

Connect & Continue

  • 🎯 Get the full episode transcript:here

  • 🔗 Follow Veronica Holyoke: veronica.holyoke@jordandistrict.org

  • 💪 Join the Ruckus Maker Movement: https://ruckusmakers.club/join

Do you Subscribe to the Ruckus Maker Newsletter?

Do School Different 3x a Week. ✉ Join for FREE: here

Today's RUCKUScast in Partnership with:

IXL Meet your students where they are and take them where they need to go. Join over 1 million teachers who trust IXL to drive data-informed excellence in their classrooms. 🔍 Learn more: here

Expressability K12 Your inbox isn't a task manager. Your mind isn't for storing mundane processes. It's time to break free. With Expressability K12, Ruckus Makers can prioritize student success by offloading time-sucking tasks. 🔍 Learn more: here

ODP Business Solutions "Our STEAM program is too complicated" = Code for "We're doing it wrong." Stop letting fear kill innovation. Some leaders are transforming STEAM with a three-part framework that's not what you think. 🔍 Get the playbook:here

Twelve Practices LLC © 2025 | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?

Punching the Shark: Why Teacher Retention Beats Recruitment Every Time18 Jun 202500:41:43

 

The Ruckus Report Quick take: Most districts are dumping water into leaky buckets while wondering why they can't fill them. Nate Eklund shows us why we've been solving the wrong problem — and how "punching the shark" creates the workplace conditions that make educators want to stay.

Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Nate Eklund is the founder and CEO of Vital Network, a national organization focused on improving educator retention and well-being through workplace improvements. A former classroom teacher and author of How Was Your Day at School? Improving Dialogue about Teacher Job Satisfaction, Nate brings deep experience and research-backed insight to the conversation on creating sustainable, joyful workplaces for educators everywhere.

Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨 In this episode, Nate Eklund challenges traditional education paradigms:

Key Insight #1: We Don't Have a Recruitment Problem — We Have a Retention Problem

  • What's broken: Districts frantically recruiting new teachers while ignoring why good ones leave

  • The shift: Focus on the "leaky bucket" — in Minnesota, there are more licensed teachers NOT teaching than teaching (enough to fill the Vikings stadium)

  • Impact: When you fix workplace conditions instead of just hiring more people, you solve the math problem at its source

Key Insight #2: Burnout Isn't a Personal Failing — It's Environmental

  • What's broken: Treating burnout as individual weakness ("eat more kale, get more sleep")

  • The shift: Recognize burnout as systemic depletion that no amount of self-care can overcome — you can't "kale your way out of your fifth reading curriculum in two years"

  • Impact: Leaders stop blaming teachers and start designing better workplace conditions that prevent burnout

Key Insight #3: There Are Two Versions of Every Educator

  • What's broken: Accepting that some educators are just "difficult" or "burned out"

  • The shift: Understanding that everyone has a "fired up" version and a "deflated" version — external factors determine which one shows up

  • Impact: Instead of writing people off, leaders create conditions where the best version of every educator can thrive

Quotable Ruckus "You can dump a lot of water into it and invest a lot of energy getting the water into the bucket, but if the bucket's leaking, you've got a fundamental math problem." – Nate Eklund

Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here:

  1. Tomorrow: Ask yourself: "What external factors are keeping my best educators from showing up as their best selves?"

  2. This Month: Survey your staff about workplace conditions — not just morale, but actual day-to-day systems and decision-making processes

  3. This Semester: Implement one "Punch the Shark" moment — tackle an uncomfortable workplace issue head-on with your team

Connect & Continue

Do you Subscribe to the Ruckus Maker Newsletter? Do School Different 3x a Week. Join for FREE here:here

Today's RUCKUScast in Partnership with: IXL Meet your students where they are and take them where they need to go. Join over 1 million teachers who trust IXL to drive data-informed excellence in their classrooms. 🔍 Learn more:here

Expressability Your inbox isn't a task manager. Your mind isn't for storing mundane processes. It's time to break free. With Expressability, Ruckus Makers can prioritize student success by offloading time-sucking tasks. 🔍 Learn more:here

ODP Business Solutions Stop letting compliance kill innovation. Some leaders are transforming their campuses with flexible solutions that actually work for modern learning environments. 🔍 Learn more:here

Twelve Practices LLC © 2025 | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?

© My Podcast Data