Mike Schmoker has a way of cutting to the heart of the truth and simultaneously inspiring educators to dream of what’s possible. The fact is, educators can easily get distracted. Schmoker reminds us that if we stay focused on what we already know works, incredible things can happen for students. If you are in any way responsible for leading schools, this is a must-listen….
We are so lucky we were able to recruit Dr. Stephen Peters to talk with us. When we did, we had no idea he was a movie star, or at least close to one having been a leader on the documentary ‘American High School.’ Stephen is a wise leader with a rich background as a school and district leader. He and Jeff discuss the need for some future changes and most importantly, what leaders can do to drive the change….
AJ Crabill is likely one of the most knowledgeable leaders on School Board Governance you can find. As you will hear Jeff and AJ discuss, governance is often messy work, but it does not have to be with the right guidance and support. AJ and Jeff unpack what they notice in terms of current trends and spend time talking about what leaders can do to help guide the process relative to what is best for students, schools, and communities. …
Shane Safir is one of the authors of the very popular book Street Data: A Next-Generation Model for Equity, Pedagogy, and School Transformation. One of our Leadership Circle members recommended to Jeff we feature this inspirational conversation, and we are so glad we did. Street Data is different than so many educational texts and dives into the heart of how we envision and determine what success can look like for students. Any educational leader will learn from this conversation between Jeff and Shane….
There is no doubt about it. Bill Daggett is a DEEEEP thinker and is an expert in pushing us to be the same. He and Jeff lean in on the topic of pursuing a new narrative and model in education to serve students in the future. Bill breaks down elements of our current challenges and fortunately provides some advice on how we can move forward. As one behind the camera, I could tell Jeff and Bill could have talked for hours if we had let them….
Our worries about teacher shortage and a lack of motivation for young professionals to seek a career in teaching are real and it’s shared. In this Leader Chat, Jeff talks with Dr. Denise Spangler, Dean of the College of Education at the University of Georgia. She has led at UGA for many years, and her lens into this problem and the potential for future opportunities for change is something we should all pay attention to….
If you have been an educator any time within the last twenty years, and don’t know who Dr. Doug Fisher is, what rock have you been hiding under? All kidding aside, Doug Fisher is known as an expert in a number of things . . . . literacy, professional learning communities, but today he and Jeff chat about Leadership Credibility. Doug wrote Leader Credibility: the essential traits of those who engage, inspire and transform- which is exactly why we invited him to talk with us….
If you listen to this, you will learn that Deborah Delisle is an amazing leader. As the president and chief executive officer of All4Ed, past CEO of ASCD, and was the U.S. assistant secretary of elementary and secondary education, she provides insights and wise advice from a leadership perspective. Deb and Jeff try to focus on the topics of innovation, underserved students, and working in teams, but they go even deeper than planned. This is an honest and heartfelt conversation, and we are so thankful for this Leader Chat….
Those who have been in education for some time and have paid attention know Robert Marzano is a rock star! His expertise runs deep in many areas, and in this Leader Chat, we were thrilled to pick his brain on leading and implementing proficiency-based systems in schools and districts. We are so lucky to have such an esteemed lineup of guests, and Dr. Marzano only adds to the esteem of our show….
As the past superintendent of Hillsborough County Public Schools and New York State Education Commissioner, MaryEllen Elia knows what she is talking about. Jeff recruited her to this Leader Chat to discuss strategies on setting up district systems aligned to the needs of students, something MaryEllen is passionate about. This conversation is relevant to education leaders regardless of the size, location, or demographics of their system, a relevant topic indeed….