Today’s episode is packed full of amazing information, ideas, and inspiration. We are going to conclude today’s show with a simple technique for putting everything in the show into practice. It is simple, and you can become competent in the technique with almost no practice, and it will take you less than five minutes a day. The result will be profound. Please, walk with me through this episode and you can step out the other side refreshed, renewed, and ready.
Sponsor Spot 1:If you or your teachers have been thinking about planning a student trip, but don’t really know where to start, Kaleidoscope Adventures has you covered!
Kaleidoscope Adventures has been planning exceptional educational travel for more than 30 years. They understand the unique needs of student groups and will handle all the details from start to finish – so you can enjoy the experience! If you still need some help getting the ball rolling, check out their great e-resources including The Ultimate Guide to Planning Student Travel, The Ultimate How-To Guide for International High School Travel, AND The Ultimate Financial Guide for Your Student Trip.
These are all FREE and packed with helpful tips and advice like how to get your parents on board, funding your trip, picking chaperones, and more.
Connect with Kaleidoscope Adventures at mykatrip.com for your free copy or to talk with a pro planner.
Kaleidoscope Adventures is travel beyond expectations!
Sponsor Spot 2:I want to thank IXL for sponsoring this podcast…
Everyone talks about the power of data-driven instruction. But what does that actually look like? Look no further than IXL, the ultimate online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. IXL gives you meaningful insights that drive real progress, and research can prove it. Studies across 45 states show that schools who use IXL outperform other schools on state tests. Educators who use IXL love that they can easily see how their school is performing in real-time to make better instructional decisions.
And IXL doesn’t stop at just data. IXL also brings an entire ecosystem of resources for your teachers, with a complete curriculum, personalized learning plans, and so much more. It’s no wonder that IXL is used in 95 of the top 100 school districts. Ready to join them? Visit http://ixl.com/assistant to get started.
Notable Quotes
Angela Maiers:
“Every person has a sign on them saying, “do I matter to you?” This is not a hollow question… this is encoded in our DNA.”
“The drive to matter affects everything from the moment we were born.”
“We don’t have to guess anymore, these practices make the biggest difference with people.”
“Mattering is the sense that you have significant to others… We need others around us to know we matter.”
“We asked 500,000 thousand kids one question: what would make you run to school on your worst day? The results came back – they wanted to know someone was excited about their existence.”
“Three behaviors: Noticing, naming, and meaning”
“Your presence is what it takes to make a mattering moment, 2-20 seconds.”
“When you go through the world feeling invisible, it changes your state.”
“Connection before content.”
“How you greet people and how you leave people are the two most important parts”
2-5-2 (2-20 seconds, how you greet and how you leave):
· 2: Pause, smile, look at them, (quadruple bonus points for slipping in their name)
· 5: Five people a day to acknowledge
· 2: Wow moments: 2 seconds to share something that made you smile
“Every single day I pick 3-5 people and I share something I noticed about them.”
Frederick:
“The purpose gets distorted… people matter and we need to start there,”
“Asking the second question, ‘no, really, how are you’ signals to you that I care.”
Angela Maiers Links:
Email: angelamaiers@gmail.com
Website: https://angelamaiers.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelamaiers/
Free Resources: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u205KzVYNdkYnLrtqD-GrvUV7-mTyQQr/view
Special thanks to the amazing Ranford Almond for the great music on the show. Please support Ranford and the show by checking out his music!
Sponsor Links:
Kaleidoscope Adventures: https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/the-assistant-principal-podcast-kaleidoscope-adventures/
Close
Frederick’s Links:
Email: frederick@frederickbuskey.com
Website: https://www.frederickbuskey.com/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/strategicleadershipconsulting
Daily Email subscribe: https://adept-experimenter-3588.ck.page/fdf37cbf3a
The Strategic Leader’s ...
SWOT! No, it’s not mosquito season – thankfully that is passing as we head into the amazing season of fall in the mountains of Western North Carolina (WNC). SWOT is an acronym that stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. It is a simple strategic planning tool. You might be thinking, “we did our strategic planning in July” but my friends, a lot has changed since July. The great plans you began the year with may not be working out, and as we move towards the end of October, it is a great time to pause and reassess. Today I’m going to walk you through the SWOT process. In the second half of the show, I’ll take you through a related process that focuses more on your leadership, rather than the organization. Together, these tools can help you adjust course and/or refocus in a short period of time.
Sponsor Spot 1:If you or your teachers have been thinking about planning a student trip, but don’t really know where to start, Kaleidoscope Adventures has you covered!
Kaleidoscope Adventures has been planning exceptional educational travel for more than 30 years. They understand the unique needs of student groups and will handle all the details from start to finish – so you can enjoy the experience! If you still need some help getting the ball rolling, check out their great e-resources including The Ultimate Guide to Planning Student Travel, The Ultimate How-To Guide for International High School Travel, AND The Ultimate Financial Guide for Your Student Trip.
These are all FREE and packed with helpful tips and advice like how to get your parents on board, funding your trip, picking chaperones, and more.
Connect with Kaleidoscope Adventures at mykatrip.com for your free copy or to talk with a pro planner.
Kaleidoscope Adventures is travel beyond expectations!
Show Intro
Celebrations:
Key Points Part 1
Sponsor Spot 2:I want to thank IXL for sponsoring this podcast…
Everyone talks about the power of data-driven instruction. But what does that actually look like? Look no further than IXL, the ultimate online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. IXL gives you meaningful insights that drive real progress, and research can prove it. Studies across 45 states show that schools who use IXL outperform other schools on state tests. Educators who use IXL love that they can easily see how their school is performing in real-time to make better instructional decisions.
And IXL doesn’t stop at just data. IXL also brings an entire ecosystem of resources for your teachers, with a complete curriculum, personalized learning plans, and so much more. It’s no wonder that IXL is used in 95 of the top 100 school districts. Ready to join them? Visit http://ixl.com/assistant to get started.
Key Points Part 2
Summarizing (The big takeaway)
Special thanks to the amazing Ranford Almond for the great music on the show. Please support Ranford and the show by checking out his music!
Sponsor Links:
Kaleidoscope Adventures: https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/the-assistant-principal-podcast-kaleidoscope-adventures/
Close
Frederick’s Links:
Email: frederick@frederickbuskey.com
Website: https://www.frederickbuskey.com/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/strategicleadershipconsulting
Daily Email subscribe: https://adept-experimenter-3588.ck.page/fdf37cbf3a
The Strategic Leader’s Guide to Reclaiming Purpose: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CWRS2F6N?ref_=pe_93986420_774957520
Teaser:
First, a bit of context to today’s show: This year, Darrin Peppard (Leaning Into Leadership podcast) and I are partnering with the North Carolina Middle Level Educators Association to provide leadership development for a group of middle school principals, APs, and deans. We kicked off this Leadership Excellence Network in August and September with two 90-minute virtual sessions in which we focused on clarity of purpose and clarity of priorities. We will meet face-to-face in mid-November and in preparation for that meeting, Darrin and I are doing coaching calls to help leaders develop a goal to focus their efforts on. Today’s guest was gracious enough to have our coaching session recorded as a podcast episode as well and I think you are going to love this episode. Before we being…
Sponsor Spot 1:I’d like to thank Kaleidoscope Adventures for sponsoring today’s show. Lots of companies can help you organize class trips, but Kaleidoscope helps you organize adventures – because isn’t that what student trips should be? Kaleidscope is a full-service tour company offering a range of adventure opportunities and they excel at customizing trips based on your unique context, needs, and goals. Kaleidoscope offers exceptional travel experiences for students (and their group leaders). Thinking about student travel? Reach out to Kaleidoscope using the link in the show notes.
Show Intro
Guest Bio:
Amber Coburn is the Middle School Dean of Students at Eno River Academy, a K-12 Charter School in Hillsborough, North Carolina. A lifelong champion of middle school and all its quirks, she has spent the past 14 years helping students grow academically, socially, and emotionally. In her current role, she is honored to expand her impact on teaching, learning, and school culture at Eno River Academy Middle School!
Warmup questions:
Questions/Topics/Prompts
Sponsor Spot 2:I want to thank IXL for sponsoring this podcast…
Everyone talks about the power of data-driven instruction. But what does that actually look like? Look no further than IXL, the ultimate online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. IXL gives you meaningful insights that drive real progress, and research can prove it. Studies across 45 states show that schools who use IXL outperform other schools on state tests. Educators who use IXL love that they can easily see how their school is performing in real-time to make better instructional decisions.
And IXL doesn’t stop at just data. IXL also brings an entire ecosystem of resources for your teachers, with a complete curriculum, personalized learning plans, and so much more. It’s no wonder that IXL is used in 95 of the top 100 school districts. Ready to join them? Visit ixl.com/assistant to get started.
Closing questions:
Summary/wrap up
We covered a lot of ground, but here are the three things I hope you take away from the episode:
Special thanks to the amazing Ranford Almond for the great music on the show. Please support Ranford and the show by checking out his music!
Sponsor Links:
Kaleidoscope Adventures: https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/the-assistant-principal-podcast-kaleidoscope-adventures/
Close
Guest Links:
Frederick’s Links:
Email: frederick@frederickbuskey.com
Website: https://www.frederickbuskey.com/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/strategicleadershipconsulting
Daily Email subscribe: https://adept-experimenter-3588.ck.page/fdf37cbf3a
Let’s begin by looking backwards. On Sept. 16, Mara and I released an episode on three things you should be doing now to care for yourself. Mara took the lead on that one as we dove into designing your morning, clarifying your identity and mission, and building a sustainable habit of creating you time. As an aside, I’m still enamored with the idea of creating a “third space” in which you can be yourself, without trying to be something for everyone else, and a shoutout to listener and daily email reader Penny Connor for that concept.
Last week I did an episode on transitioning from work to home in ways that will make it easier to leave school at school. The three key components were investing time in reflection before walking out of school, listening to personal things (like music or audio books) on your commute home, and having specific practices when you walk in the door to home that signal your body to shift into home mode.
I acknowledged then that many of you do have duties that require you to work from home and that we would dive into that today, but before we go there…
Sponsor Spot 1:I’d like to thank Kaleidoscope Adventures for sponsoring today’s show. Lots of companies can help you organize class trips, but Kaleidoscope helps you organize adventures – because isn’t that what student trips should be? Kaleidscope is a full-service tour company offering a range of adventure opportunities and they excel at customizing trips based on your unique context, needs, and goals.
And if you still need some help getting the ball rolling, check out their great e-resources including The Ultimate Guide to Planning Student Travel, The Ultimate How-To Guide for International High School Travel, AND The Ultimate Financial Guide for Your Student Trip.
These are all FREE and packed with helpful tips and advice like how to get your parents on board, funding your trip, picking chaperones, and more.
Connect with Kaleidoscope Adventures at mykatrip.com for your free copy or to talk with a pro planner.
Show Intro
Celebrations:
Fall: Leaves, great sleeping temperatures, and football
Key Points Part 1
The most significant barrier to turning off is when work intrudes into your home. This can happen for three primary reasons:
Let’s look at some general habits for when you MUST work from home and then address each of the other circumstances.
Going back to one of the questions I asked you last week: what happens if you are unavailable for six weeks? The school will keep functioning, even though some of the “critical” things you always did may not get done. Maybe they weren’t so critical after all?
Sponsor Spot 2:I want to thank IXL for sponsoring this podcast…
Everyone talks about the power of data-driven instruction. But what does that actually look like? Look no further than IXL, the ultimate online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. IXL gives you meaningful insights that drive real progress, and research can prove it. Studies across 45 states show that schools who use IXL outperform other schools on state tests. Educators who use IXL love that they can easily see how their school is performing in real-time to make better instructional decisions.
And IXL doesn’t stop at just data. IXL also brings an entire ecosystem of resources for your teachers, with a complete curriculum, personalized learning plans, and so much more. It’s no wonder that IXL is used in 95 of the top 100 school districts. Ready to join them? Visit http://ixl.com/assistant to get started.
Key Points Part 2
Three special situations:
Emergencies
Your work is your life (eg addiction counselor in recovery, family of educators, a close family member is undocumented)
You view yourself as a martyr
Summarizing (The big takeaway)
Special thanks to my amazing son-in-law Ranford Almond for the...
Teaser:
I’ve been having a lot of conversations with APs and other leaders recently and one of the common themes is how overwhelming the work is right now and how hard it can be to invest in self-care. Mara and I discussed some self-care strategies a couple weeks ago in episode 271. One thing we did not talk about is how to unplug from the day so your time away form work is… well, time away from work. We are going to get technical and discuss specific strategies and habits you can adopt to increase the likelihood that you can leave your work behind. There are a couple caveats to this: For many of you, there are job responsibilities you have in the evening (subs and buses) – and we will look at how to work from home in the healthiest way possible next week. The other caveat is these techniques are helpful but they are not a panacea. We’ll touch a bit more on that as we dive into the show.
Sponsor Spot 1:I’d like to thank Kaleidoscope Adventures for sponsoring today’s show. If you or your teachers have been thinking about planning a student trip, but don’t really know where to start, Kaleidoscope Adventures has you covered!
Kaleidoscope Adventures has been planning exceptional educational travel for more than 30 years. They understand the unique needs of student groups and will handle all the details from start to finish – so you can enjoy the experience! If you still need some help getting the ball rolling, check out their great e-resources including The Ultimate Guide to Planning Student Travel, The Ultimate How-To Guide for International High School Travel, AND The Ultimate Financial Guide for Your Student Trip.
These are all FREE and packed with helpful tips and advice like how to get your parents on board, funding your trip, picking chaperones, and more.
Connect with Kaleidoscope Adventures at mykatrip.com for your free copy or to talk with a pro planner.
Kaleidoscope Adventures is travel beyond expectations!
Show Intro
Celebrations:
Mara is getting married! (wish her well at mara@frederickbuskey.com or marabuskeyllc@gmail.com)
Key Points Part 1
Sponsor Spot 2:I want to thank IXL for sponsoring this podcast…
Everyone talks about the power of data-driven instruction. But what does that actually look like? Look no further than IXL, the ultimate online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. IXL gives you meaningful insights that drive real progress, and research can prove it. Studies across 45 states show that schools who use IXL outperform other schools on state tests. Educators who use IXL love that they can easily see how their school is performing in real-time to make better instructional decisions.
And IXL doesn’t stop at just data. IXL also brings an entire ecosystem of resources for your teachers, with a complete curriculum, personalized learning plans, and so much more. It’s no wonder that IXL is used in 95 of the top 100 school districts. Ready to join them? Visit http://ixl.com/assistant to get started.
Key Points Part 2
Begin with these three reflective questions:
A leading cause of fatigue and burnout is the inability to leave your work at work. If you want to be successful - as a leader and a person/family member/friend - you must figure out how to leave your work behind. Yes, this is easier said than done (speaking from experience) but we can develop some practices to help.
Key components:
Concluding the work day
Transitioning to home
Entering Home Mode
Summarizing (The big takeaway)
We’ll look at working from home next week.
Try this: turnoff this podcast now and reflect. What is ONE thing you could do to strengthen your transition home?
Special thanks to the amazing Ranford Almond for the great music on the show. Please support Ranford and the show by checking out his music!
Quote: “What is one step better than nothing?”
Teaser:
No special intro, let’s just get into it!
Sponsor Spot 1:I’d like to thank Kaleidoscope Adventures for sponsoring today’s show. Lots of companies can help you organize class trips, but Kaleidoscope helps you organize adventures – because isn’t that what student trips should be? Kaleidscope is a full-service tour company offering a range of adventure opportunities and they excel at customizing trips based on your unique context, needs, and goals. Kaleidoscope offers exceptional travel experiences for students (and their group leaders). Thinking about student travel? Reach out to Kaleidoscope using the link in the show notes.
Show Intro
Key Points
Mara Buskey contact info:
Email: marabuskeyllc@gmail.com
Homepage: https://marabuskey.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mara-buskey-98321218b/
Sponsor Spot 2:I want to thank IXL for sponsoring this podcast…
Everyone talks about the power of data-driven instruction. But what does that actually look like? Look no further than IXL, the ultimate online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. IXL gives you meaningful insights that drive real progress, and research can prove it. Studies across 45 states show that schools who use IXL outperform other schools on state tests. Educators who use IXL love that they can easily see how their school is performing in real-time to make better instructional decisions.
And IXL doesn’t stop at just data. IXL also brings an entire ecosystem of resources for your teachers, with a complete curriculum, personalized learning plans, and so much more. It’s no wonder that IXL is used in 95 of the top 100 school districts. Ready to join them? Visit http://ixl.com/assistant to get started.
Special thanks to the amazing Ranford Almond for the great music on the show. Please support Ranford and the show by checking out his music!
Sponsor Links:
Kaleidoscope Adventures: https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/the-assistant-principal-podcast-kaleidoscope-adventures/
Close
Frederick’s Links:
Email: frederick@frederickbuskey.com
Website: https://www.frederickbuskey.com/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/strategicleadershipconsulting
Daily Email subscribe: https://adept-experimenter-3588.ck.page/fdf37cbf3a
The Strategic Leader’s Guide to Reclaiming Purpose: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CWRS2F6N?ref_=pe_93986420_774957520
Quote: “You are worthy of investing time in yourself!”
Teaser:
No special intro, let’s just get into it!
Sponsor Spot 1:I’d like to thank Kaleidoscope Adventures for sponsoring today’s show. Lots of companies can help you organize class trips, but Kaleidoscope helps you organize adventures – because isn’t that what student trips should be? Kaleidscope is a full-service tour company offering a range of adventure opportunities and they excel at customizing trips based on your unique context, needs, and goals. Kaleidoscope offers exceptional travel experiences for students (and their group leaders). Thinking about student travel? Reach out to Kaleidoscope using the link in the show notes.
Show Intro
Key Points
The Artisits way: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/349644/the-artists-way-by-julia-cameron/
Mara Buskey contact info:
Email: marabuskeyllc@gmail.com
Homepage: https://marabuskey.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mara-buskey-98321218b/
Sponsor Spot 2:I want to thank IXL for sponsoring this podcast…
Everyone talks about the power of data-driven instruction. But what does that actually look like? Look no further than IXL, the ultimate online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. IXL gives you meaningful insights that drive real progress, and research can prove it. Studies across 45 states show that schools who use IXL outperform other schools on state tests. Educators who use IXL love that they can easily see how their school is performing in real-time to make better instructional decisions.
And IXL doesn’t stop at just data. IXL also brings an entire ecosystem of resources for your teachers, with a complete curriculum, personalized learning plans, and so much more. It’s no wonder that IXL is used in 95 of the top 100 school districts. Ready to join them? Visit http://ixl.com/assistant to get started.
Special thanks to the amazing Ranford Almond for the great music on the show. Please support Ranford and the show by checking out his music!
Sponsor Links:
Kaleidoscope Adventures: https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/the-assistant-principal-podcast-kaleidoscope-adventures/
Close
Frederick’s Links:
Email: frederick@frederickbuskey.com
Website: https://www.frederickbuskey.com/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/strategicleadershipconsulting
Daily Email subscribe: https://adept-experimenter-3588.ck.page/fdf37cbf3a
The Strategic Leader’s Guide to Reclaiming Purpose: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CWRS2F6N?ref_=pe_93986420_774957520
Teaser:
The title for this episode is The Key Ingredient in New Teacher Support. We don’t actually use that language anywhere in the episode and I only decided on the title after we were finished recording. Instead of making you wait in suspense, I’m going to share the key ingredient right now – it’s you. You are the key ingredient to the success of your beginning teachers. You don’t control what the mentor teacher does, you don’t control what the district does, the only thing you control is what you do. And when the top reason teachers say they leave the profession is because of a “lack of support” they are talking about you. I recognize this is not a popular view, not because people necessarily disagree, but instead because we have some mistaken (my opinion) notions of who is responsible for supporting beginning teachers. I hope by the end of the show, Cathy and I will have convinced you that you are the key ingredient in your BTs’ recipe of success.
Sponsor Spot 1:I’d like to thank Kaleidoscope Adventures for sponsoring today’s show. Lots of companies can help you organize class trips, but Kaleidoscope helps you organize adventures – because isn’t that what student trips should be? Kaleidscope is a full-service tour company offering a range of adventure opportunities and they excel at customizing trips based on your unique context, needs, and goals. Kaleidoscope offers exceptional travel experiences for students (and their group leaders). Thinking about student travel? Reach out to Kaleidoscope using the link in the show notes.
Show Intro
Guest Bio:
Cathy Lacey is a Curriculum Resource Teacher and professional learning leader in South Carolina. A Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert, Fellow, Certified Coach, and South Carolina ASCD Emerging Leader, she creates practical, teacher-driven professional learning rooted in evidence-based strategies. She’s a national presenter and founder of Blazers, LLC, where she supports educators through coaching, training, and microlearning. Cathy was a guest back on episode 257 in June of this year.
Warmup questions:
Questions/Topics/Prompts
Sponsor Spot 2:I want to thank IXL for sponsoring this podcast…
Everyone talks about the power of data-driven instruction. But what does that actually look like? Look no further than IXL, the ultimate online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. IXL gives you meaningful insights that drive real progress, and research can prove it. Studies across 45 states show that schools who use IXL outperform other schools on state tests. Educators who use IXL love that they can easily see how their school is performing in real-time to make better instructional decisions.
And IXL doesn’t stop at just data. IXL also brings an entire ecosystem of resources for your teachers, with a complete curriculum, personalized learning plans, and so much more. It’s no wonder that IXL is used in 95 of the top 100 school districts. Ready to join them? Visit ixl.com/assistant to get started.
Closing questions:
Summary/wrap up
Special thanks to the amazing Ranford Almond for the great music on the show. Please support Ranford and the show by checking out his music!
Sponsor Links:
Kaleidoscope Adventures: https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/the-assistant-principal-podcast-kaleidoscope-adventures/
Close
Cathy’s Links:
Frederick’s Links:
Description:
The number one thing is relationships – we’ve all heard that. It’s almost a meme. I think “the power of relationships” as an idea exists as two extremes where we tend to over emphasize and at the same time fail to appreciate the full power of relationships. I’m not sure I’m communicating what I mean, but I think it will become clearer in my discussion with today’s wonderful guest.
Sponsor Spot 1:I’d like to thank Kaleidoscope Adventures for sponsoring today’s show. Lots of companies can help you organize class trips, but Kaleidoscope helps you organize adventures – because isn’t that what student trips should be? Kaleidscope is a full-service tour company offering a range of adventure opportunities and they excel at customizing trips based on your unique context, needs, and goals. Kaleidoscope offers exceptional travel experiences for students (and their group leaders). Thinking about student travel? Reach out to Kaleidoscope using the link in the show notes.
Show Intro
Guest Bio:
Dr. Don Parker is a transformational keynote speaker and professional development provider who specializes in social emotional learning and supporting teachers to build trusting relationships. He is a former principal and served at Posen School in Posen, IL and before that, he was the principal of Lincoln Avenue School, a K-8 school in Dolton, IL, wherehe improved the culture, implemented a resilience program for underprivileged youth.Dr. Parker has presented throughout the United States at distinguished educational conferences and has trained and inspired thousands of educators.
Dr. Parker is also a TedX speaker and is considered one of the top authorities on school discipline and an expert on helping teachers to build trusting relationships with students. He is also the author of two Best Selling books –“Building Bridges: Engaging StudentsAt-Risk Through the Power of Relationships” and “Be the Driving Force: Leading YourSchool on the Road to Equity”
I will add, after interviewing Don, I have found him to be a remarkably authentic and caring person.
Warmup questions:
Questions/Topics/Prompts
Sponsor Spot 2:I want to thank IXL for sponsoring this podcast…
Everyone talks about the power of data-driven instruction. But what does that actually look like? Look no further than IXL, the ultimate online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. IXL gives you meaningful insights that drive real progress, and research can prove it. Studies across 45 states show that schools who use IXL outperform other schools on state tests. Educators who use IXL love that they can easily see how their school is performing in real-time to make better instructional decisions.
And IXL doesn’t stop at just data. IXL also brings an entire ecosystem of resources for your teachers, with a complete curriculum, personalized learning plans, and so much more. It’s no wonder that IXL is used in 95 of the top 100 school districts. Ready to join them? Visit http://ixl.com/assistant to get started.
Closing questions:
Summary/wrap up
Thank you to our sponsors!
Guest links:
Frederick’s Links:
Email: frederick@frederickbuskey.com
Website: https://www.frederickbuskey.com/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/strategicleadershipconsulting
Daily Email subscribe: https://adept-experimenter-3588.ck.page/fdf37cbf3a
The Strategic Leader’s Guide to Reclaiming Purpose: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CWRS2F6N?ref_=pe_93986420_774957520
***Link to FREE Conversation Planning Guide***
Show Title: This is Going to be Difficult with Erika Bare and Tiffany Burns
Power Quote: “Remember the stated issue is often not the real issue.”
Description:
Today’s show is fun, interesting, and full of useful tips. I love how we discuss big concepts and then get into the nitty-gritty. If you’ve ever dreaded having a difficult conversation, today’s episode is for you. There are so many thing worth reflecting on in here, I encourage you to pause the episode and take time to think about how some of the key ideas apply to specific scenarios in your life. And, stay tuned to the end of the episode for a special tool available only to podcast listeners!
Sponsor Spot 1:Before we get started, I’d like to thank Kaleidoscope Adventures for sponsoring today’s show. Lots of companies can help you organize class trips, but Kaleidoscope helps you organize adventures – because isn’t that what student trips should be? Kaleidscope is a full-service tour company offering a range of adventure opportunities and they excel at customizing trips based on your unique context, needs, and goals. Kaleidoscope offers exceptional travel experiences for students (and their group leaders). Thinking about student travel? Reach out to Kaleidoscope using the link in the show notes.
Guest Bio:
Erika Bare has been an educator for over 20 years, currently serving as the Superintendent in the South Umpqua School District in Oregon. A special education teacher by training, she is passionate about supporting all students through individual supports to reach their limitless potential. Tiffany Burns loves working with kids. In her two decades in education, she taught elementary, middle, and high school students. Tiffany has been an administrator since 2012 and an elementary school principal for the past nine years. This year, she is on a professional sabbatical, teaching university pre-service teachers, while also connecting with educators across the nation, helping to grow the Connected Communicator Movement. Together they wrote Connecting Through Conversation: A Playbook for Talking with Students.
Warmup questions:
Questions/Topics/Prompts
Closing questions:
Sponsorship:
I want to thank IXL for sponsoring this podcast…
Everyone talks about the power of data-driven instruction. But what does that actually look like? Look no further than IXL, the ultimate online learning and teaching platform for K to 12.
IXL gives you meaningful insights that drive real progress, and research can prove it. Studies across 45 states show that schools who use IXL outperform other schools on state tests. Educators who use IXL love that they can easily see how their school is performing in real-time to make better instructional decisions.
And IXL doesn’t stop at just data. IXL also brings an entire ecosystem of resources for your teachers, with a complete curriculum, personalized learning plans, and so much more.
It’s no wonder that IXL is used in 95 of the top 100 school districts. Ready to join them? Visit http://ixl.com/assistant to get started.
Summary
Close
Guest links:
www.connectingthroughconversation.com
Online course discount: ctcpodcast
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090370647418&mibextid=LQQJ4d
Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/connectingthroughconversation/
Linked In Erika Bare http://linkedin.com/in/erika-bare-6a72a6215
Linkedin Tiffany Burns http://linkedin.com/in/tiffany-burns-90a50a274
Twitter https://twitter.com/CTCPlaybook.com
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@CTCPlaybook
Frederick’s Links:
Email: frederick@frederickbuskey.com
Website: https://www.frederickbuskey.com/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/strategicleadershipconsulting
Daily Email subscribe: https://adept-experimenter-3588.ck.page/fdf37cbf3a
The Strategic Leader’s Guide to Reclaiming Purpose: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CWRS2F6N?ref_=pe_93986420_774957520
If there is a theme running through the late summer podcast episodes, it’s this: listen to your teachers. Everything becomes easier when we listen. Today, two former beginning teachers of the year help us elaborate on the why and how of listening.
Sponsor Spot 1:I’d like to thank Kaleidoscope Adventures for sponsoring today’s show. Lots of companies can help you organize class trips, but Kaleidoscope helps you organize adventures – because isn’t that what student trips should be? Kaleidscope is a full-service tour company offering a range of adventure opportunities and they excel at customizing trips based on your unique context, needs, and goals. Kaleidoscope offers exceptional travel experiences for students (and their group leaders). Thinking about student travel? Reach out to Kaleidoscope using the link in the show notes.
Show Intro
Guest Bio:
Natalia Mejia is the NCCAT 2023 Empower NC Beginning Teacher of the Year. She entered education to increase teacher diversity and holds degrees from UNC Charlotte, including a Masters in Latin American Studies. Having studied abroad in South Africa and Germany, she teaches multilingual students with a global philosophy rooted in Ubuntu ("I am, because we are") and the Mayan expression In Lak'ech ("You are my other me"). Natalia has co-authored two book chapters about her South African research and co-founded the nonprofits 49ers for Puerto Rico and Knit-Together Prana.
Xavier Adams is the NCCAT 2022 Prudential NC Beginning Teacher of the Year. Known as Mr. Xavier to his students, he teaches World History, Honors African American Studies, Honors Latin American Studies, and AP African American Studies at Orange High School in Hillsborough, NC. He also leads the school's teacher-equity team, student-equity team, and Minority Achievers Program.
His pedagogical approach centers on using historical understanding to create a better world today. Xavier has co-presented with students at venues including the National Governors Association and North Carolina's General Assembly, and helped students publish op-eds. He holds two master's degrees from Duke University, and is quickly becoming a notable author on multiple education topics.
Warmup questions:
Questions/Topics/Prompts
Prequel: The three questions:
Part 1
Part 2
Sponsor Spot 3:I want to thank IXL for sponsoring this podcast…
Everyone talks about the power of data-driven instruction. But what does that actually look like? Look no further than IXL, the ultimate online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. IXL gives you meaningful insights that drive real progress, and research can prove it. Studies across 45 states show that schools who use IXL outperform other schools on state tests. Educators who use IXL love that they can easily see how their school is performing in real-time to make better instructional decisions.
And IXL doesn’t stop at just data. IXL also brings an entire ecosystem of resources for your teachers, with a complete curriculum, personalized learning plans, and so much more. It’s no wonder that IXL is used in 95 of the top 100 school districts. Ready to join them? Visit ixl.com/assistant to get started.
Closing questions:
Sponsor Spot 4:Before we wrap, I’d like to thank Kaleidoscope Adventures for sponsoring today’s show. Lots of companies can help you organize class trips, but Kaleidoscope helps you organize adventures – because isn’t that what student trips should be? Kaleidscope is a full-service tour company offering a range of adventure opportunities and they excel at customizing trips based on your unique context, needs, and goals. Kaleidoscope offers exceptional travel experiences for students (and their group leaders). Thinking about student travel? Reach out to Kaleidoscope using the link in the show notes.
Summary/wrap up
Thank you to our sponsors!
Description:
Before recording this episode, I was very uncertain about how it would come out. Identifying strategies for doing professional development on the cheap had the potential to be disjointed and unactionable. Thankfully, I love how this discussion came out. There are some coherent themes running through the show, and doing great PD with few resources isn’t actually that difficult. But before we dig in…
Sponsor Spot 1: Are you ready to plan your next school trip? Kaleidoscope Adventures has been planning exceptional student travel for more than 30 years. They know which destinations, activities, and attractions are perfect for your students! Contact the experts at Kaleidoscope by clicking the link in the show – and then let them work their magic! They’ll handle all the details from start to finish so all you have to do is enjoy the experience! Kaleidoscope Adventures….. travel beyond expectations! Link is in the show notes!
Show Intro
Guest Bio:
Michele Mattoon has served as executive director of the National School Reform Faculty (NSRF) since 2010, working with schools and educators nationally and internationally to implement Critical Friends trainings and collaborative learning initiatives. A national facilitator for over 25 years and CFG coach since 1996, she has developed numerous protocols and co-edited "Protocols for All" and recent CFG training handbooks.
Before joining NSRF, Michele taught for over 20 years and served as elementary coordinator at Harmony School. She received the Hoosier Educator Award (2000) and Dorothy Johnson Award for Excellence in Education (2001). Michele also owns Coltrain Group, providing Facilitative Leadership training to businesses and organizations.
Warmup questions:
Questions/Topics/Prompts
Sponsor Spot 2:I want to thank IXL for sponsoring this podcast…
Everyone talks about the power of data-driven instruction. But what does that actually look like? Look no further than IXL, the ultimate online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. IXL gives you meaningful insights that drive real progress, and research can prove it. Studies across 45 states show that schools who use IXL outperform other schools on state tests. Educators who use IXL love that they can easily see how their school is performing in real-time to make better instructional decisions.
And IXL doesn’t stop at just data. IXL also brings an entire ecosystem of resources for your teachers, with a complete curriculum, personalized learning plans, and so much more. It’s no wonder that IXL is used in 95 of the top 100 school districts. Ready to join them? Visit ixl.com/assistant to get started.
Closing questions:
Summary/wrap up
Sponsor Spot 5:
Thank you to our sponsors!
Michele’s links:
Facebook >
facebook.com/NationalSchoolReformFaculty
Threads (new) > (logs in with FB)
Instagram >
@NSRFharmony
https://instagram.com/nsrfharmony
LinkedIN >
Frederick’s Links:
Email: frederick@frederickbuskey.com
Website: https://www.frederickbuskey.com/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/strategicleadershipconsulting
Daily Email subscribe: https://adept-experimenter-3588.ck.page/fdf37cbf3a
The Strategic Leader’s Guide to Reclaiming Purpose: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CWRS2F6N?ref_=pe_93986420_774957520
Power Quote: I noticed… and I wonder…
Description:
Welcome to the third and final part of my interview with Elena Aguilar. Today we dive into how we can reconnect people with their sense of power – building teacher self-efficacy through reflective questions. Decades of research identifies teacher self-efficacy – the belief that what teachers do has an impact on student learning – as the bedrock for good teaching. Recent research suggest a large part of the leader’s impact on student growth (which is second only to the teacher’s impact) is a result of the leader’s ability to build teacher self-efficacy. So, today’s episode offers some essential information and techniques to unlocking teachers’ potential and fulfilling your leadership purpose.
Show Intro
Sponsor Spot 1:Being an assistant principal means that safety is a quadrant 1 activity – in your building and beyond its walls. So, when it’s time for the school trip, choosing the right planning partner is absolutely critical!
Kaleidoscope Adventures has been planning travel beyond expectations since 1993. The Kaleidoscope team of experts has a robust understanding of what it takes to travel with students – including safety, liability, and parent concerns.
When you travel with Kaleidoscope Adventures, you can trust that your students are in good hands.
If you want to learn more about Kaleidoscope Adventures, check the link in the show notes Kaleidoscope Adventures…. travel beyond expectations!
Guest Bio:
Elena Aguilar is a writer, leader, teacher, coach and podcaster. She is the author of eight highly acclaimed books including: The Art of Coaching, The Art of Coaching Teams, The PD Book: 7 Habits that Transform Professional Development, and the newly released Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching. She has also been a frequent contributor to Edutopia, ASCD’s Educational Leadership, and EdWeek Teacher.
Elena is the founder and CEO of Bright Morning Consulting, an organization committed tohelping individuals and organizations create the conditions for transformation. She has taught tens of thousands of folks how to have conversations that build a more just and equitable world. Elena can be heard demonstrating these conversations on The Bright Morning Podcast.
Elena was a guest on episodes 204 and 205, June 2024, and in Parts 1 and 2 of this series, episodes 260 and 261.
Questions/Topics/Prompts
Sponsor Spot 2:I want to thank IXL for sponsoring this podcast…
Everyone talks about the power of data-driven instruction. But what does that actually look like? Look no further than IXL, the ultimate online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. IXL gives you meaningful insights that drive real progress, and research can prove it. Studies across 45 states show that schools who use IXL outperform other schools on state tests. Educators who use IXL love that they can easily see how their school is performing in real-time to make better instructional decisions.
And IXL doesn’t stop at just data. IXL also brings an entire ecosystem of resources for your teachers, with a complete curriculum, personalized learning plans, and so much more. It’s no wonder that IXL is used in 95 of the top 100 school districts. Ready to join them? Visit ixl.com/assistant to get started.
Closing questions:
Summary/wrap up
Thank you to our sponsors!
Elena’s links:
Elena’s new book: Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching
Specials for listeners: Pre-Order Bonuses
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elena_aguilar_writer/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elena-aguilar/
Book Shop: https://bookshop.org/lists/books-by-elena-aguilar/
Bright Morning: https://www.brightmorningteam.com/
The Bright Morning Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bright-morning-podcast-with-elena-aguilar/id1517537206
Newsletter: https://www.brightmorningteam.com/resources/newsletter
Frederick’s Links:
Email: frederick@frederickbuskey.com
Website: https://www.frederickbuskey.com/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/strategicleadershipconsulting
Daily Email subscribe: https://adept-experimenter-3588.ck.page/fdf37cbf3a
The Strategic Leader’s Guide to Reclaiming Purpose: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CWRS2F6N?ref_=pe_93986420_774957520
Power Quote: Behind every action is a belief
Description:
Today we dive into part 2 of my interview with Elena Aguilar. Part 1 was a must listen and we released in back on July 1 (260). A link to that episode and my two previous episodes from 2024 are in the show notes.
In part 1 we talked about listening and I hope you’ve been able to exercise your listening muscle over the past couple weeks, and that you followed Elena’s advice to dig into your own story and beliefs around leadership and teaching.
Today we’ll talk about purpose – both the school’s and the teachers’, and how to support and grow teachers even in such a stressful and chaotic time. I love this episode because it contains a call to dig deeply into ourselves as leaders and give some very practical advice on how to help teachers. And, as with part 1, I include Elena’s closing words of wisdom – a call for us to slow down. It is so critical I wanted you to hear it again.
Show Intro
Sponsor Spot 1:Being an assistant principal means that safety is a quadrant 1 activity – in your building and beyond its walls. So, when it’s time for the school trip, choosing the right planning partner is absolutely critical!
Kaleidoscope Adventures has been planning travel beyond expectations since 1993. The Kaleidoscope team of experts has a robust understanding of what it takes to travel with students – including safety, liability, and parent concerns.
When you travel with Kaleidoscope Adventures, you can trust that your students are in good hands.
If you want to learn more about Kaleidoscope Adventures, check the link in the show notes Kaleidoscope Adventures…. travel beyond expectations!
Guest Bio:
Elena Aguilar is a writer, leader, teacher, coach and podcaster. She is the author of eight highly acclaimed books including: The Art of Coaching, The Art of Coaching Teams, The PD Book: 7 Habits that Transform Professional Development, and the newly released Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching. She has also been a frequent contributor to Edutopia, ASCD’s Educational Leadership, and EdWeek Teacher.
Elena is the founder and CEO of Bright Morning Consulting, an organization committed tohelping individuals and organizations create the conditions for transformation. She has taught tens of thousands of folks how to have conversations that build a more just and equitable world. Elena can be heard demonstrating these conversations on The Bright Morning Podcast.
Elena was a guest on episodes 204 and 205, June 2024, and in Part 1 of this series, episode 260.
Questions/Topics/Prompts
Sponsor Spot 3:I want to thank IXL for sponsoring this podcast…
Everyone talks about the power of data-driven instruction. But what does that actually look like? Look no further than IXL, the ultimate online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. IXL gives you meaningful insights that drive real progress, and research can prove it. Studies across 45 states show that schools who use IXL outperform other schools on state tests. Educators who use IXL love that they can easily see how their school is performing in real-time to make better instructional decisions.
And IXL doesn’t stop at just data. IXL also brings an entire ecosystem of resources for your teachers, with a complete curriculum, personalized learning plans, and so much more. It’s no wonder that IXL is used in 95 of the top 100 school districts. Ready to join them? Visit ixl.com/assistant to get started.
Closing questions:
Summary/wrap up
Sponsor Spot 5:
Thank you to our sponsors!
Elena’s links:
Elena’s new book: Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching
Specials for listeners: Pre-Order Bonuses
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elena_aguilar_writer/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elena-aguilar/
Book Shop: https://bookshop.org/lists/books-by-elena-aguilar/
Bright Morning: https://www.brightmorningteam.com/
The Bright Morning Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bright-morning-podcast-with-elena-aguilar/id1517537206
Newsletter: https://www.brightmorningteam.com/resources/newsletter
Frederick’s Links:
Email: frederick@frederickbuskey.com
Website: https://www.frederickbuskey.com/
I’ve been connecting with many new and nearly new APs recently and my conversations inspired me to put together a diverse panel of assistant principals to have a conversation specifically for those of you just beginning your administrator journey. And of course, there are some great tips here for experienced leaders as well.
Sponsor Spot 1:I’d like to thank Kaleidoscope Adventures for sponsoring today’s show. Being an assistant principal means that safety is a quadrant 1 activity – in your building and beyond its walls. So, when it’s time for the school trip, choosing the right planning partner is absolutely critical!
Kaleidoscope Adventures has been planning travel beyond expectations since 1993. The Kaleidoscope team of experts has a robust understanding of what it takes to travel with students – including safety, liability, and parent concerns.
When you travel with Kaleidoscope Adventures, you can trust that your students are in good hands.
If you want to learn more about Kaleidoscope Adventures, check the link in the show notes Kaleidoscope Adventures…. travel beyond expectations!
Show Intro
Guest Bios:
Trish Thomas is a dedicated educator with 22 years of experience, including 21 as a 4th-grade teacher and 9 as a head teacher. Trish recently completed her first year as an assistant principal at a career magnet high school in Pennsylvania. Proud wife of 21 years and mom to two sons—one in high school, the other starting at Temple University this fall.
Dez Caldwell is an award-winning Massachusetts educator who's held every role from paraprofessional to principal with leadership experience ranging from Pre-K to grade 12. He's co-host of the After School with the Admin podcast. He describes himself as an ordinary guy who wants to help others do extraordinary things.
Marco Tirillo is a Connecticut based teacher and leader with 21 years in education. He’s served as a teacher and assistant principal in urban and suburban schools, grades 5–12. Marco is passionate about equity, SEL, and restorative practices, striving to create inclusive environments, empower students and staff, and build thriving school communities through advocacy, collaboration, and transformative leadership. Marco co-hosts the After School with the Admin podcast.
Mitchell Hall has spent his entire educational career in Maryland - 8 years on the Eastern Shore and the last 10 in Garrett County. He taught special education, social studies, and gifted and talented before becoming an Assistant Principal last school year. He’s beginning his first year as principal at Grantsville Elementary School.
Warmup questions:
Questions/Topics/Prompts
I will also solicit my audience for questions about being a year-one AP, but our discussion will roughly follow this outline:
Sponsor Spot 2:I want to thank IXL for sponsoring this podcast…
Everyone talks about the power of data-driven instruction. But what does that actually look like? Look no further than IXL, the ultimate online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. IXL gives you meaningful insights that drive real progress, and research can prove it. Studies across 45 states show that schools who use IXL outperform other schools on state tests. Educators who use IXL love that they can easily see how their school is performing in real-time to make better instructional decisions.
And IXL doesn’t stop at just data. IXL also brings an entire ecosystem of resources for your teachers, with a complete curriculum, personalized learning plans, and so much more. It’s no wonder that IXL is used in 95 of the top 100 school districts. Ready to join them? Visit ixl.com/assistant to get started.
Summary/wrap up
Thank you to our sponsors!
Marco Tirillo’s links:
Frederick’s Links:
Email: frederick@frederickbuskey.com
Website: https://www.frederickbuskey.com/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/strategicleadershipconsulting
Daily Email subscribe: https://adept-experimenter-3588.ck.page/fdf37cbf3a
The Strategic Leader’s Guide to Reclaiming Purpose: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CWRS2F6N?ref_=pe_93986420_774957520
Teaser:
“Hello colleagues and welcome to the Assistant Principal Podcast. I’m your host Frederick Buskey. The goal of this podcast is to Improve the quality of life and leadership for assistant principals. Together we can achieve that by focusing on three things:Escaping the tyranny of the urgentEngaging in strategic behaviors each dayAnd, most importantly, becoming outstanding developers of teacher talent”
That’s how I began Episode 1 of APP back on August 26, 2021. It is a bit early to celebrate our fourth birthday but the content of this episode seems like a better fit for July, and as the podcast has grown by over 50% in the first half of this year, I think it is a good time to look at several of the foundational concepts I reference frequently.
Sponsor Spot 1:Before we get started, I’d like to thank Kaleidoscope Adventures for sponsoring today’s show. Lots of companies can help you organize class trips, but Kaleidoscope helps you organize adventures – because isn’t that what student trips should be? Kaleidscope is a full-service tour company offering a range of adventure opportunities and they excel at customizing trips based on your unique context, needs, and goals. Kaleidoscope offers exceptional travel experiences for students (and their group leaders). Thinking about student travel? Reach out to Kaleidoscope using the link in the show notes.
Show Intro
Celebrations:
Key Points Part 1
Sponsor Spot 2:I want to thank IXL for sponsoring this podcast…
Everyone talks about the power of data-driven instruction. But what does that actually look like? Look no further than IXL, the ultimate online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. IXL gives you meaningful insights that drive real progress, and research can prove it. Studies across 45 states show that schools who use IXL outperform other schools on state tests. Educators who use IXL love that they can easily see how their school is performing in real-time to make better instructional decisions.
And IXL doesn’t stop at just data. IXL also brings an entire ecosystem of resources for your teachers, with a complete curriculum, personalized learning plans, and so much more. It’s no wonder that IXL is used in 95 of the top 100 school districts. Ready to join them? Visit http://ixl.com/assistant to get started.
Key Points Part 2
Summarizing (The big takeaway)
*See also, Episode 179 from November, 2023
Sponsor Links:
Kaleidoscope Adventures: https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/the-assistant-principal-podcast-kaleidoscope-adventures/
Episode Links:
Close
Frederick’s Links:
Email: frederick@frederickbuskey.com
Website: https://www.frederickbuskey.com/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/strategicleadershipconsulting
Daily Email subscribe: https://adept-experimenter-3588.ck.page/fdf37cbf3a
Power Quote: “Climate is the emotional state felt within the physical space”
Description:
I had so much fun recording today’s show. My guest stands tall (literally and figuratively) in the realm of helping school leaders develop positive culture and climate. If you are a regular listener, you know I have my own specific framework on school culture, so stay tuned to the end of the show where I will reflect on commonalities and differences between the approaches. I hope you have as much fun listening as I did recording, but before we get into it…
Sponsor Spot 1:As a loyal listener to this show, you know I am a big advocate for short, targeted observations, so I’m excited about digiCOACH sponsoring this podcast. digiCOACH makes it easier to follow up on observations with meaningful feedback. I love that you can focus on specific elements and that there is a ready-made bank of items to use for telling teachers what they are doing well! You can learn more about digiCOACH at digiCOACH.com or click the link in the show notes.
Show Intro
Guest Bio:
Stand Tall Steve (aka Steve Bollar) is an educational thought leader, former Superintendent of Schools, principal, author, and a school culture and motivation expert. He is a renowned speaker who has inspired countless individuals and organizations to achieve their goals and unleash their full potential. Drawing on his extensive experience in education and leadership, Steven delivers powerful and inspiring messages that challenge audiences to think differently about their lives and their work.
In 2023 Steve earned a place on Global Gurus World's Top 30 Education Professionals. He is the author of the book Stand Tall Leadership, the school culture and climate book series Ideas, Ideas, Ideas and a contributing author in Because of a Teacher.
Husband of one. Father of three. Owner of two dogs & 10 fish, Stand Tall Steve openly shares his knowledge, experiences, and creativity with others. He currently speaks to schools, organizations, businesses, and communities across the globe about how to think differently about schools, education, and life.
Ladies and gentlemen… Stand Tall Steve!
Warmup questions:
Questions/Topics/Prompts
Sponsor Spot 3:I want to thank IXL for sponsoring this podcast…
Everyone talks about the power of data-driven instruction. But what does that actually look like? Look no further than IXL, the ultimate online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. IXL gives you meaningful insights that drive real progress, and research can prove it. Studies across 45 states show that schools who use IXL outperform other schools on state tests. Educators who use IXL love that they can easily see how their school is performing in real-time to make better instructional decisions.
And IXL doesn’t stop at just data. IXL also brings an entire ecosystem of resources for your teachers, with a complete curriculum, personalized learning plans, and so much more. It’s no wonder that IXL is used in 95 of the top 100 school districts. Ready to join them? Visit ixl.com/assistant to get started.
Closing questions:
Sponsor Spot 4:Before we wrap, I’d like to thank Kaleidoscope Adventures for sponsoring today’s show. Lots of companies can help you organize class trips, but Kaleidoscope helps you organize adventures – because isn’t that what student trips should be? Kaleidscope is a full-service tour company offering a range of adventure opportunities and they excel at customizing trips based on your unique context, needs, and goals. Kaleidoscope offers exceptional travel experiences for students (and their group leaders). Thinking about student travel? Reach out to Kaleidoscope using the link in the show notes.
Summary/wrap up
There are a lot of great things in today’s show but I want to focus this summary on the core concepts Steve talked about of values, culture, and climate.
Thank you to our sponsors!
Guest links:
Website: www.standtallsteve.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@standtallsteve1330
https://www.youtube.com/@withinourranks
Frederick’s Links:
Email: frederick@frederickbuskey.com
Website: https://www.frederickbuskey.com/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/strategicleadershipconsulting
Daily Email subscribe: https://adept-experimenter-3588.ck.page/fdf37cbf3a
The Strategic Leader’s Guide to Reclaiming Purpose: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C...
Power Quote: “How do you want me to listen?”
Description:
Today’s guest is someone I consider to be a master at the art of coaching, which is appropriate as she wrote the best-selling book titled The Art of Coaching. I Had Elena Aguilar on the show a little over a year ago and we split the interview into two parts, episodes 204 and 205 (link in the show notes) because it was so rich and packed with powerful thoughts and techniques. This interview with Elena is even more dense – so much so that we are splitting it into three parts. In today’s section Elena and I dive into listening and there is so much packed into the span of fifteen minutes that I decided to release it as a full episode. If you listen closely, you’ll recognize that the discussion is embedded within the intro section of celebrations and stories. We didn’t even get to the main interview before Elena shared some wisdom that I wanted to put on its own, for your benefit.
After this conversation, I’ve added Elena’s thoughts on “the one thing leaders should take away.” It is consistent with today’s main topic, but I will also include it in each of the next two part of our discussion because it is so powerful I think we all, myself included, need to listen to it once a week.
Sponsor Spot 1: I’d like to thank Kaleidoscope Adventures for sponsoring today’s show. Lots of companies can help you organize class trips, but Kaleidoscope helps you organize adventures – because isn’t that what student trips should be? Kaleidscope is a full-service tour company offering a range of adventure opportunities and they excel at customizing trips based on your unique context, needs, and goals. Kaleidoscope offers exceptional travel experiences for students (and their group leaders). Thinking about student travel? Reach out to Kaleidoscope using the link in the show notes.
Show Intro
Guest Bio:
Elena Aguilar is a writer, leader, teacher, coach and podcaster. She is the author of eight highly acclaimed books including: The Art of Coaching, The Art of Coaching Teams, The PD Book: 7 Habits that Transform Professional Development, and the newly released Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching. She has also been a frequent contributor to Edutopia, ASCD’s Educational Leadership, and EdWeek Teacher.
Elena is the founder and CEO of Bright Morning Consulting, an organization committed tohelping individuals and organizations create the conditions for transformation. She has taught tens of thousands of folks how to have conversations that build a more just and equitable world. Elena can be heard demonstrating these conversations on The Bright Morning Podcast.
Elena was a guest on episodes 204 and 205, June 2024
Warmup questions:
Sponsor Spot 3:I want to thank IXL for sponsoring this podcast…
Everyone talks about the power of data-driven instruction. But what does that actually look like? Look no further than IXL, the ultimate online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. IXL gives you meaningful insights that drive real progress, and research can prove it. Studies across 45 states show that schools who use IXL outperform other schools on state tests. Educators who use IXL love that they can easily see how their school is performing in real-time to make better instructional decisions.
And IXL doesn’t stop at just data. IXL also brings an entire ecosystem of resources for your teachers, with a complete curriculum, personalized learning plans, and so much more. It’s no wonder that IXL is used in 95 of the top 100 school districts. Ready to join them? Visit ixl.com/assistant to get started.
Closing questions:
Summary/wrap up
Thank you to our sponsors!
Elena’s links:
Elena’s new book: Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching
Specials for listeners: Pre-Order Bonuses
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elena_aguilar_writer/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elena-aguilar/
Book Shop: https://bookshop.org/lists/books-by-elena-aguilar/
Bright Morning: https://www.brightmorningteam.com/
The Bright Morning Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bright-morning-podcast-with-elena-aguilar/id1517537206
Newsletter: https://www.brightmorningteam.com/resources/newsletter
Frederick’s Links:
Email: frederick@frederickbuskey.com
Website: https://www.frederickbuskey.com/
Description:
Today’s interview will be a bit different as my guest is coming from four decades of leadership experience in the corporate arena. Despite the different setting, the leadership lessons will sound familiar to you. I think this discussion with someone coming from a different place invites us to reexamine fundamental leadership themes from a slightly different perspective.
Sponsor Spot 1:Administrators, you walk through classrooms, take notes, and you plan to follow up… but how much of that feedback actually reaches teachers in a meaningful way?With digiCOACH, you don’t just observe—you coach in the moment. Provide clear, specific feedback instantly and track progress over time. No more forgotten notes or lost opportunities—just real conversations that drive real change.With digiCOACH, you’re not just giving feedback—you’re building a system for growth. Track trends, measure progress, and give teachers the real-time feedback they love. Ready to make coaching more impactful? Start today at digiCOACH.com.
Show Intro
Guest Bio:
With over 30 years of leadership experience, Jim Carlough is an accomplished business strategist, speaker, and author. Having successfully driven explosive growth for healthcare organizations—from start-ups to industry leaders — Jim is a trusted expert in building high-performing teams, revitalizing underperforming businesses, and guiding organizations through transformational change. Jim's core philosophy—leaders aren’t born; they’re developed—challenges the myth of innate leadership. In his book, The Six Pillars of Effective Leadership: A Roadmap to Success, Jim delivers a practical and inspiring guide for leaders at every stage of their journey. His approach focuses on six essential traits that empower individuals to embrace leadership as a skill that can be learned, honed, and mastered through experience, mentorship, and intentional growth.
Warmup questions:
Questions/Topics/Prompts
Sponsor Spot 3:I want to thank IXL for sponsoring this podcast…
Everyone talks about the power of data-driven instruction. But what does that actually look like? Look no further than IXL, the ultimate online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. IXL gives you meaningful insights that drive real progress, and research can prove it. Studies across 45 states show that schools who use IXL outperform other schools on state tests. Educators who use IXL love that they can easily see how their school is performing in real-time to make better instructional decisions.
And IXL doesn’t stop at just data. IXL also brings an entire ecosystem of resources for your teachers, with a complete curriculum, personalized learning plans, and so much more. It’s no wonder that IXL is used in 95 of the top 100 school districts. Ready to join them? Visit ixl.com/assistant to get started.
Closing questions:
Sponsor Spot 4:Before we wrap, I’d like to thank Kaleidoscope Adventures for sponsoring today’s show. Lots of companies can help you organize class trips, but Kaleidoscope helps you organize adventures – because isn’t that what student trips should be? Kaleidscope is a full-service tour company offering a range of adventure opportunities and they excel at customizing trips based on your unique context, needs, and goals. Kaleidoscope offers exceptional travel experiences for students (and their group leaders). Thinking about student travel? Reach out to Kaleidoscope using the link in the show notes.
Summary/wrap up
Thank you to our sponsors!
Jim’s links:
FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/jimcarloughms
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimcarloughmotivation/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/jimcarloughms
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@jimcarloughms
Frederick’s Links:
Email: frederick@frederickbuskey.com
Website: https://www.frederickbuskey.com/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/strategicleadershipconsulting
Daily Email subscribe: https://adept-experimenter-3588.ck.page...
Power Quote: “Uncover the rock”
Description:
If you haven’t begun reflecting on the year yet, today’s episode will get you in the mood. I encourage you to pause today’s show frequently – there are a number of moments that deserve some contemplation and pausing to think about what something looks or feels like in your context could be very beneficial. This is such a thoughtful conversation – I found myself feeling both reflective and uplifted by the end. I hope you experience the same feelings.
Sponsor Spot 1:Before we dive in, I’d like to thank DigiCoach for sponsoring today’s show. As a loyal listener to this show, you know I am a big advocate for short, targeted observations, so I’m excited to have DigiCoach as one of our sponsors. DigiCoach makes it easier to follow up on observations with meaningful feedback. I love that you can focus on specific elements and that there is a ready-made bank of items to use for telling teachers what they are doing well! You can learn more about DigiCoach at digicoach.com or click the link in the show notes.
Show Intro
Guest Bio:
Will Lepech has worked in various roles within a K-12 system level. He earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Group Science, a Master of Arts (MA) in Educational Leadership K-12, has a Michigan Elementary Teaching Certificate with additional endorsements in Music Education and Science along with a Michigan School Administrator Certificate. Prior to becoming the Continuous Improvement Consultant at Montcalm Area ISD, he taught in self-contained elementary classrooms at multiple levels, and was an elementary assistant principal at Kent City Community Schools in Kent City, Michigan. In addition, Will served as the Kent City Community Schools Director of Multi-Lingual and Migrant Education Programs and held multiple roles in the MTSS/PBIS process. Will is a member of the Michigan Continuous Improvement Facilitators Network (MCIFN), as well as the Michigan Association of State and Federal Program Specialists (MASFPS)
Warmup questions:
Questions/Topics/Prompts
Sponsor Spot 2:I want to thank IXL for sponsoring this podcast…
Everyone talks about the power of data-driven instruction. But what does that actually look like? Look no further than IXL, the ultimate online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. IXL gives you meaningful insights that drive real progress, and research can prove it. Studies across 45 states show that schools who use IXL outperform other schools on state tests. Educators who use IXL love that they can easily see how their school is performing in real-time to make better instructional decisions.
And IXL doesn’t stop at just data. IXL also brings an entire ecosystem of resources for your teachers, with a complete curriculum, personalized learning plans, and so much more. It’s no wonder that IXL is used in 95 of the top 100 school districts. Ready to join them? Visit http://ixl.com/assistant to get started.
Closing questions:
Sponsor Spot 3:Before we wrap, I’d like to thank Kaleidoscope Adventures for sponsoring today’s show. Lots of companies can help you organize class trips, but Kaleidoscope helps you organize adventures – because isn’t that what student trips should be? Kaleidscope is a full-service tour company offering a range of adventure opportunities and they excel at customizing trips based on your unique context, needs, and goals. Kaleidoscope offers exceptional travel experiences for students (and their group leaders). Thinking about student travel? Reach out to Kaleidoscope using the link in the show notes.
Summary/wrap up
Close
Sponsor Links:
Kaleidoscope Adventures: https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/the-assistant-principal-podcast-kaleidoscope-adventures/
DigiCOACH: digiCOACH.com
Guest links:
Email: wlepech@maisd.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/will-lepech-4a05b3342
Frederick’s Links:
