The School Leadership Show

In this episode of The School Leadership Show, I sit down with Dr. L. Oliver Robinson to discuss his two decades of leadership at Shenendehowa. Dr. Robinson shares his unique path from economics into the superintendency, explaining why he remains a lifelong learner within the craft of school administration.

We get into his approach to building resilient systems by institutionalizing change and his perspective on the K-12 journey as a 13-year odyssey. We also talk about prioritizing dialogue over debate, the importance of "slowing the game down" as a leader, and why public schools are vital to our democracy. Finally, he shares an unexpected insight from retirement about moving beyond the clock to embrace the significance of the moment.

If you have questions, feedback, or suggestions for future episodes, including great non-education books with lessons for school leaders you can email me at Dr.mike.doughty@gmail.com.

I would really appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. It helps a lot. And if you found this episode helpful, please share it with your colleagues.

If you are interested in sponsoring the podcast, feel free to contact me directly at Dr.mike.doughty@gmail.com.

Stay connected with me here:

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Official Website: https://theschoolleadershipshow.org/

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theschoolleadershipshow

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theschoolleadershipshow

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theschoolleadershipshowhttp://instagram.com/theschoolleadershipshow

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

00:40 Superintendent of the Year

01:33 Career Origin Story

05:00 Leading Without the Traditional Path

06:38 How Schooling Has Changed

10:28 Competency Based Learning

13:58 Evolving Programs Through Dialogue

15:26 Advice to New Leaders

20:53 Public Education Worries and Hope

24:57 Retirement Surprises and Farewell

What if the best self-care strategy for school leaders isn't another wellness activity, but learning how to lead from a more regulated place?

In this episode of The School Leadership Show, I sit down with Erica Ebert to move beyond the "yoga your way out of it" clichés and talk about what real self-care and regulated leadership look like in schools. Drawing on her 28 years of K-12 experience, Erica shares how mindfulness, self-awareness, and compassion can help leaders better understand themselves, their teams, and the cultures they create.

We also discuss why "regulated leaders regulate rooms," and why predictable, psychologically safe environments may be the most powerful form of care leaders can provide.

Consider this Erica's official audition as a future guest host. I'm excited to bring her into more conversations as we continue exploring what it means to do the work before the work.

Visit Erica's website: https://ericaebert.com/

If you have questions, feedback, or suggestions for future episodes, including great non-education books with lessons for school leaders you can email me at Dr.mike.doughty@gmail.com.

I would really appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. It helps a lot. And if you found this episode helpful, please share it with your colleagues.

If you are interested in sponsoring the podcast, feel free to contact me directly at Dr.mike.doughty@gmail.com.

Stay connected with me here:

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Official Website: https://theschoolleadershipshow.org/

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theschoolleadershipshow

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theschoolleadershipshow

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Instagram: http://instagram.com/theschoolleadershipshow

Chapters: 00:00 Welcome and Introductions

01:14 Erica's Path to Mindfulness

02:33 Mindfulness Basics for Leaders

05:45 Awareness and Compassion Wings

07:33 Feelings as Data

10:59 Why People Resist the Work

14:23 Safety Isn't Declared

16:29 Leading Systemwide Change

23:38 Self Care vs Strong Systems

26:38 Rapid Fire and Wrap Up

In this episode of The School Leadership Show, I interview acclaimed author and reading expert Timothy Shanahan. We delve into Timothy's new book, 'Leveled Reading, Leveled Lives' discussing the troubling stagnation in U.S. reading levels and how traditional approaches to reading instruction have failed over the decades. Timothy critiques the widespread but ineffective method of using leveled readers and advocates for teaching grade-level texts with appropriate support. The conversation covers historical and contemporary research, the evolution of instructional strategies, and practical advice for school administrators to help improve reading achievement across all grades. Learn more and visit Tim's website https://www.shanahanonliteracy.com/.

If you have questions, feedback, or suggestions for future episodes, including great non-education books with lessons for school leaders you can email me at Dr.mike.doughty@gmail.com.

I would really appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. It helps a lot. And if you found this episode helpful, please share it with your colleagues.

If you are interested in sponsoring the podcast, feel free to contact me directly at Dr.mike.doughty@gmail.com.

Stay connected with me here:

• Official Website: https://theschoolleadershipshow.org/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theschoolleadershipshow
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theschoolleadershipshow
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theschoolleadershipshow

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

01:20 Discussing the New Book: Leveled Reading Leveled Lives

04:28 Historical Context of Reading Instruction

10:22 Challenges with Current Reading Instruction Methods

21:43 Proposed Solutions and Future Directions

25:25 Addressing Reading Challenges in Young Learners

26:32 The Importance of Fluency and Comprehension

30:33 Background Knowledge and Its Role in Reading

35:55 Effective Reading Instruction Strategies

39:52 Reflecting on Changes in Reading Education

In this episode of the School Leadership Show, I had the pleasure of interviewing Amanda Bickerstaff, co-founder and CEO of AI for Education. We delved into Amanda's rich background in education and her pioneering work with AI. Amanda shared her journey from teaching high school biology in New York City to founding AI for Education, a platform dedicated to promoting AI literacy among educators and students.

This conversation was recorded in partnership with NYSCOSS, as Amanda is a featured speaker at their pre-institute session before the Winter Institute conference in Albany. We discussed her upcoming pre-conference workshop at the NYSCOSS Winter Institute, focusing on the crucial roles of AI literacy, effective change management, and ensuring equitable access to AI tools in the education sector.

For more information about the NYSCOSS Winter Institute and the pre-institute session, visit: https://na.eventscloud.com/website/91519/education/

If you have questions, feedback, or suggestions for future episodes, including great non-education books with lessons for school leaders you can email me at Dr.mike.doughty@gmail.com.

I would really appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. It helps a lot. And if you found this episode helpful, please share it with your colleagues.

If you are interested in sponsoring the podcast, feel free to contact me directly at Dr.mike.doughty@gmail.com.

Stay connected with me here:

• Official Website: https://theschoolleadershipshow.org/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theschoolleadershipshow
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theschoolleadershipshow
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theschoolleadershipshow

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

00:46 Amanda Bickerstaff's Background and Journey

03:15 Founding AI for Education

06:19 Early Work and Evolution

10:01 Challenges and Best Practices in AI Adoption

18:02 Equity and Access in AI

25:05 Future of EdTech and Practical Tips

32:14 Pre-conference workshop

In this episode, I, Mike Doughty facilitates a conversation with cabinet level leaders sponsored by the New York State Council of School Superintendents (NYSCOSS). The group talked about strategies for finding the joy in work, cultivating positive culture in the workplace, and striving for work-life balance. If you're a cabinet level leader in New York State and would like to join future conversation like this, please visit the NYSCOSS website at https://www.nyscoss.org/

Grab your coffee and join us as we hear from veteran and emerging leaders about sustaining the passion for this work and modeling healthy boundaries for the next generation of educators.

If you have questions, feedback, or suggestions for future episodes, including great non-education books with lessons for school leaders you can email me at Dr.mike.doughty@gmail.com.

I would really appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. It helps a lot. And if you found this episode helpful, please share it with your colleagues.

If you are interested in sponsoring the podcast, feel free to contact me directly at Dr.mike.doughty@gmail.com.

Stay connected with me here:

• Official Website: https://theschoolleadershipshow.org/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theschoolleadershipshow
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theschoolleadershipshow
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theschoolleadershipshow

In this special episode from the NYSCATE Conference, I, Mike Doughty, and Christy Bezrutczyk discuss the influence of technology and AI on the developing student brain.

We examine recent findings in neuroscience, the impact of screen time and blue light on learning and behavior, and the evolving role of AI in education. Our conversation stresses the importance of balanced technology integration, human connection, and systemic changes needed to enhance educational outcomes.

Tune in to learn how we can leverage technology purposefully to support holistic student development.

If you have questions, feedback, or suggestions for future episodes, including great non-education books with lessons for school leaders you can email me at Dr.mike.doughty@gmail.com.

I would really appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. It helps a lot. And if you found this episode helpful, please share it with your colleagues.

If you are interested in sponsoring the podcast, feel free to contact me directly at Dr.mike.doughty@gmail.com.

Stay connected with me here:

• Official Website: https://theschoolleadershipshow.org/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theschoolleadershipshow
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theschoolleadershipshow
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theschoolleadershipshow

I am excited to share a conversation I had recently with the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) on The President's Gavel podcast. This episode, based on a popular session from this year's Leadership in Education Event, explores media literacy and why it is arguably the most crucial skill set we need to teach students today.

Join us as we delve into the challenges of the modern information ecosystem and explore how educators can empower students to become savvy thinkers, rather than merely "endless scrollers".

Host: Ann Laszewski, Leadership Development Manager, NYSSBA

Guest: Dr. Mike Doughty, Assistant Superintendent, Northeastern Regional Information Center, Capital Region BOCES (Previously joined the podcast for Episode 39: What's So Scary About AI? in 2023).

Guest: Katherine Hamill, Director, Mid-Hudson Regional Information Center, Ulster BOCES

Want to learn more about today's topic? Additional resources can be found in the original show notes for this episode. https://soundcloud.com/thepresidentsgavel/empowering-critical-thinking-through-media-literacy

If you have questions, feedback, or suggestions for future episodes, including great non-education books with lessons for school leaders you can email me at Dr.mike.doughty@gmail.com.

I would really appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. It helps a lot. And if you found this episode helpful, please share it with your colleagues.

If you are interested in sponsoring the podcast, feel free to contact me directly at Dr.mike.doughty@gmail.com.

Stay connected with me here:

•

Official Website: https://theschoolleadershipshow.org/

•

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theschoolleadershipshow

•

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theschoolleadershipshow

•

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theschoolleadershipshowhttp://instagram.com/theschoolleadershipshow

How important is it to stay in touch with pop culture as a school leader?

In this episode, I chat with Brooke Hammerling, the host of "Pop Culture Mondays… on Thursdays" podcast and the author of the widely read Pop Culture Mondays Newsletter. We dive into Brooke's unique journey from PR and communications to becoming a vital source of pop culture knowledge, especially for a gen Xer like me.

Brooke shares how staying current with the latest trends can help educators connect better with their students, and the challenges and benefits of balancing communication in today's fast-paced, digital world. We also discuss the resurgence of 90s culture, iconic school movies, and why media literacy is crucial for today's students.

If you have questions, feedback, or suggestions for future episodes, including great non-education books with lessons for school leaders you can email me at Dr.mike.doughty@gmail.com.

I would really appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. It helps a lot. And if you found this episode helpful, please share it with your colleagues.

If you are interested in sponsoring the podcast, feel free to contact me directly at Dr.mike.doughty@gmail.com.

Stay connected with me here:

• Official Website: https://theschoolleadershipshow.org/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theschoolleadershipshow
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theschoolleadershipshow
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theschoolleadershipshow

Connect with Brooke Hammerling and explore her insights:

• Podcast: Pop Culture Mondays… on Thursdays
• Newsletter: https://popculturemondays.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brooke

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

00:23 Brooke's Background and Podcast

02:22 The Pop Culture Mondays Newsletter

05:25 Impact of Pop Culture on Schools

07:54 Communication Challenges in Modern Education

28:51 The Impact of Misinformation in Schools

29:55 Pop Culture's Reflection on Education

34:18 Favorite School-Centric Movies

41:30 The '90s Revival

How does one navigate the journey from English teacher to Superintendent? In this episode, I sit down with the recently retired Marie Wiles in a unique in-person interview. We dive deep into her 36-year-long career, from early teaching days and curriculum development to her tenure in various leadership roles, including her time as a BOCES district superintendent. Marie shares her insights on the importance of instructional experience, the challenges of transitioning roles, the value of networks, and her unexpected journey into authoring a book, "Lessons from the Bard: What Shakespeare Can Teach Us about School District Leadership". This engaging episode unfolds Marie's remarkable experiences and her perspectives on the future of education amid financial uncertainties.

If you have questions, feedback, or suggestions for future episodes, including great non-education books with lessons for school leaders you can email me at Dr.mike.doughty@gmail.com.

I would really appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. It helps a lot. And if you found this episode helpful, please share it with your colleagues.

If you are interested in sponsoring the podcast, feel free to contact me directly at Dr.mike.doughty@gmail.com.

Stay connected with me here:

• Official Website: https://theschoolleadershipshow.org/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theschoolleadershipshow
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theschoolleadershipshow
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theschoolleadershipshow

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Announcement

00:49 Marie Wiles' Early Career in Education

01:46 Transition to Higher Education and Doctoral Studies

05:21 BOCES Experience and Leadership Roles

08:53 Personal Life and Career Moves

17:19 Balancing Lesson Plans and Student Interaction

19:51 The Dunning-Kruger Effect in Leadership

20:31 Challenges and Realities of Leadership Roles

23:23 Gender Disparity in Educational Leadership

25:49 Concerns for the Future of Education

28:48 Hope and Faith in Youth

31:46 Writing a Book: Lessons from Shakespeare

32:03 The Process of Writing and Publishing

37:26 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

Feeling overwhelmed by the complexities of leadership today? Tune in to learn how building your self-regulation can help you navigate dysregulated times and have more effective conversations. In this episode, my co-host Jenn David-Lang and I had the pleasure of speaking with the amazing Jennifer Abrams, whom I see as a guru of interpersonal relations in education. Jennifer, a full-time international consultant and author of impactful books like Having Hard Conversations and Stretching Your Learning Edge: Growing (up) at Work, joined us to explore the critical topic of self-regulation in dysregulated times.

We talked about living in a VUCA world, Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous, and how we need to build complexity fitness by developing our cognitive, emotional, and psychological skills. Jennifer shared that becoming more self-regulated involves building self-awareness, like cleaning up our emotional "dust". It turns out only about 10-15% of people are truly self-aware, and one way to improve is by bravely asking for 360 feedback from your team.

We also dove into practical skills for leaders navigating challenging moments, such as learning to suspend certainty that your way is the only way. Saying "Tell me more" instead of reacting can be incredibly powerful. For extroverts like me, focusing on listening instead of jumping in is key. I shared my favorite tactic when someone is stressed: asking, "How long do we have to make this decision?". This simple question helps shift from feeling "subject" to circumstances to viewing them more "objectively".

Jennifer left us with powerful parting advice: "Go have humane, growth-producing conversations. That's the goal.". Jennifer Abrams' Newsletter: jenniferabrams.com

If you have questions, feedback, or suggestions for future episodes—including great non-education books with lessons for school leaders—email us at Dr.mike.doughty@gmail.com. Please consider leaving a rating and review on Spotify or iTunes to support the show. Every bit helps! And if you found this episode helpful, share it with your colleagues.

Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Contact Mike directly at Dr.mike.doughty@gmail.com. To explore insightful summaries of top leadership books, connect with Jenn David-Lang at Jenn@TheMainIdea.net or visit http://themainidea.net.

Timestamp:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

02:08 Understanding Dysregulation and Self-Regulation

07:08 Building Self-Awareness and Team Dynamics

24:00 Mentoring the Next Generation of Leaders

27:29 Balancing Personal and Professional Needs

37:17 Personal Insights and Fun Tangents

In this episode, I had the privilege of speaking with Howie Schneider, the executive director of the Center for News Literacy at Stony Brook University's School of Communication and Journalism. Howie shared his fascinating journey from a 35-year career in journalism, including being the editor of Newsday, to leading the charge in preparing citizens to navigate today's complex information landscape.

We delved into why Stony Brook created the first university course in the U.S. focused specifically on news literacy, defining reliable information not just as "truth," but as "actionable information." Howie explained their crucial realization that teaching these skills at the university level was "way, way too late," which led them to partner with K-12 districts to integrate news literacy into required instruction, starting as early as kindergarten.

We discussed the major challenges students (and all of us) face, including information overload, the tension between speed and accuracy, blurring lines between sources, and the impact of our own biases. Howie outlined the essential concepts they teach: slowing down, asking critical questions about sources and evidence, practicing lateral reading, and becoming your own factchecker. He stressed that district leadership and commitment are key to making this transformative change and addressing the equity issue of relying on individual teachers.

Our conversation touched on what keeps him up at night, including the slow progress in states like New York compared to others, the crisis facing the news industry, and the overwhelming "tsunami" of misinformation and disinformation we all face. Howie shared valuable advice for school leaders on why this work is urgent and how they can get involved and set an example.

Are we ready to empower our students (and ourselves) to confidently discern reliable information in a world awash with news and fakes? Tune in to learn how we can help the next generation navigate the information revolution!

If you have questions, feedback, or suggestions for future episodes—including great non-education books with lessons for school leaders—email us at Dr.mike.doughty@gmail.com. Please consider leaving a rating and review on Spotify or iTunes to support the show. Every bit helps! And if you found this episode helpful, share it with your colleagues.

Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Contact Mike directly at Dr.mike.doughty@gmail.com. To explore insightful summaries of top leadership books, connect with Jenn David-Lang at Jenn@TheMainIdea.net or visit TheMainIdea.net.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

00:58 The Birth of News Literacy

04:30 Challenges in News Literacy Education

13:36 Implementing News Literacy in K-12 Education

23:23 Future of News Literacy and Final Thoughts

In this episode, Jenn David-Lang interviews Jenice Pizzuto and Steven Carney about their book Implement with IMPACT: A Strategic Framework for Leading School and District Initiatives. The discussion focuses on their strategic framework for effectively implementing school and district initiatives using research-based practices. They emphasize the importance of including stakeholders, meticulous planning, professional learning, and a human-centered approach to change.

The conversation highlights the common pitfalls in implementation, particularly the often-skipped "plan and prepare" stage, and offers actionable insights for educators and leaders looking to close the gap between knowledge and practice. They also introduce their acronym 'IMPACT' as a guide for keeping the human elements in mind during implementation.

If you want to learn more, Steven Carney will be doing a workshop on how to make your initiatives and changes go well on September 17, 2025 free for subscribers to THE MAIN IDEA. Consider becoming a subscriber: TheMainIdea.net

Additionally, if you're deeply committed to your school's initiatives and want to truly make an IMPACT, tune in to understand the science behind successful implementation and how to apply it in your setting!

Jenice Pizzuto's website: https://www.impactleadsucceed.com/

Steven Carney's website: https://www.impactlearnandlead.com/

If you have questions, feedback, or suggestions for future episodes—including great non-education books with lessons for school leaders—email us at Dr.mike.doughty@gmail.com. Please consider leaving a rating and review on Spotify or iTunes to support the show. Every bit helps! And if you found this episode helpful, share it with your colleagues.

Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Contact Mike directly at Dr.mike.doughty@gmail.com. To explore insightful summaries of top leadership books, connect with Jenn David-Lang at Jenn@TheMainIdea.net or visit TheMainIdea.net.

In this episode, Jenn David-Lang sits down with renowned educator and turnaround Principal Kafele to discuss his latest—and most personally significant—book: "What Is My Value Instructionally to the Teachers I Supervise?"

This conversation zeroes in on the principal's role as an instructional leader. Principal Kafele makes it clear that the core focus of his message—and his latest book—is on how and why principals themselves must strengthen and own their role as instructional leaders.

What You'll Learn:

• Why the principal must lead instructionally

• How self-reflection can transform your leadership practice

• The 4 levels of reflection: Self-Reflection, Self-Assessment, Self-Adjustment, Self-Improvement

• How your school culture either enables or prevents instructional leadership

• Why now—at the end of the school year—is the best time to reflect deeply on your role as instructional leader

This episode is a powerful call to action for principals to ask the right questions, assess their impact, and return with greater clarity and purpose next year.

Learn more about Principal Kafele and his work: https://principalkafele.com

If you have questions, feedback, or suggestions for future episodes—including great non-education books with lessons for school leaders—email us at Dr.mike.doughty@gmail.com. Please consider leaving a rating and review on Spotify or iTunes to support the show. Every bit helps! And if you found this episode helpful, share it with your colleagues. Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Contact Mike directly at Dr.mike.doughty@gmail.com. To learn more about Jenn's insightful book summaries and work, reach out at Jenn@TheMainIdea.net or visit TheMainIdea.net.

In this episode, Jenn David-Lang took the reins and had a fascinating conversation with Michael McDowell, author of Rigor Redefined: 10 Teaching Habits for Surface, Deep, and Transfer Learning. Listen to the podcast to hear how Michael challenges our traditional understanding of rigor. Apparently, rigor isn't just about things being "hard" or doing a lot of work quickly. Instead, it's defined as a balance between surface, deep, and transfer learning, and importantly, it's a taxonomy, not a hierarchy. This means you don't have to master knowing facts (surface) before you can relate ideas (deep) or apply learning to new situations (transfer). Jenn and Michael also discussed how this balanced approach can and should be accessible to all students, not just those in advanced classes. A key takeaway seems to be that embedding rigor consistently is about implementing small, doable routines in our daily practice. They even shared examples of routines for fostering deep (like a three-able turn and talk) and transfer learning (like "spot the difference" problems). I'm particularly interested in the advice on how leaders can observe for rigor, focusing on what students are actually doing and saying.

Are you rethinking what rigor looks like in your classroom or school? Listen to this episode to learn more about redefining rigor and discover practical habits you can implement today! To learn more about Michael McDowell's work and services, visit his website: http://hingeeducation.org.

If you have questions, feedback, or suggestions for future episodes—including great non-education books with lessons for school leaders—email us at Dr.mike.doughty@gmail.com. Please consider leaving a rating and review on Spotify or iTunes to support the show. Every bit helps! And if you found this episode helpful, share it with your colleagues.

Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Contact Mike directly at Dr.mike.doughty@gmail.com. To learn more about Jenn's insightful book summaries and work, reach out at Jenn@TheMainIdea.net or visit TheMainIdea.net.

In this episode, I'm incredibly excited to be joined by two amazing people: my fantastic co-host, Jenn David-Lang, who's also stepping in as a guest today, and the one and only Kim Marshall! We're diving into a topic that feels more important than ever right now: supporting new teachers. It's something I'm seeing firsthand as my daughter navigates her first year teaching, and believe me, it's a challenge. That's why we're shining a spotlight on the brand-new, absolutely invaluable section on the https://bestofmarshallmemo.org website. Jenn and Kim have curated the most powerful, practical insights from thousands of articles specifically to help new educators, and the best part? It's all available for free!

We get into the nitty-gritty of what new teachers really need to succeed. We discuss everything from crucial steps like onboarding and thoughtful scheduling to helping new teachers build resilience, tackle tough classroom management situations, and the vital role of teacher teams in combating isolation. My biggest hope is that the resources we discuss will help these dedicated new teachers, who face such immense challenges, not just get through their first years, but truly thrive and make a lasting career in this essential profession. Don't miss this conversation—and seriously, go check out the free resources at bestofmarshallmemo.org!

Thank you for tuning in! If you have questions, feedback, or suggestions for future episodes—including great non-education books with lessons for school leaders—email us at Dr.mike.doughty@gmail.com. Please consider leaving a rating and review on Spotify or iTunes to support the show. Every bit helps! And if you found this episode helpful, share it with your colleagues.

Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Contact Mike directly at Dr.mike.doughty@gmail.com. To explore insightful summaries of top leadership books, connect with Jenn David-Lang at Jenn@TheMainIdea.net or visit TheMainIdea.net.

In this episode, Jenn and I are thrilled to welcome William Parker! A longtime educator from Oklahoma who transitioned into full-time consulting, speaking, and writing, Will is the author of "Messaging Matters" and his new book, "Whose Permission Are You Waiting For?: An Educator's Guide to Doing What You Love"

Will shares how his new book, born from coaching conversations with high-achieving leaders at crossroads, is designed to help educators think through career options, get out of ruts, and reconnect with their joy.

We dive into key concepts from the book, including:

• Avoiding the Binary: Why you don't always have just two options and how to explore multiple pathways.

• The Power of Curiosity and Inquiry: How asking questions and reaching out to experts leads to discovery.

• Idea to Action: Moving from thinking to doing with intentionality and achievable goals.

• Goal Setting and Reflection: The importance of looking back to learn and setting goals for the future across all parts of your life.

• Whose Permission Are You Waiting For?: Identifying yourself as your biggest obstacle and realizing you often only need your own permission to take the next step towards what you want.

• Figuring Out What You Want: Practical exercises like the 'Doing, Not Doing, Want to Do, Don't Want to Do' framework.

Join us to explore how to give yourself permission to dream, inquire, and rediscover the joy of learning in your career. Also, don't forget to tune in to William's podcast, Principal Matters. It's packed with practical tips and inspiration for school leaders.

As always, send your comments, questions, and show ideas to mike@schoolleadershipshow.com. Consider rating the podcast in iTunes and leaving a comment. And please pass the show along to your colleagues. Additionally, if you have other non-education books with implications for school leaders, send those suggestions our way, too. And finally, If you or someone you know would like to sponsor the show, send Mike an email at mike@schoolleadershipshow.com.

In this episode, Jenn has a conversation with one of the educators who was featured prominently in Harry and Rosemary Wong's latest book, THE New Teacher Induction Book: How to Recruit, Train, and Retain New Teachers. Tara Link is a leader who started an induction program 18 years ago in Moberly, Missouri. She joined Jenn to talk about Rosemary and Harry Wong's latest book, and she had so many useful tips to share.

Unfortunately, while we are losing a number of our new and newer teachers, we are also not doing as good of a job of supporting our new teachers as well. About 50% of all new teachers receive no induction at all.

Tara shared some of the problems our new teachers face. Sometimes they don't receive anything more than a welcome and then the rest of their new teacher support is left up to chance.

They also struggle with a whole new generation of classroom management issues that may have looked different in the past. Plus, newer teachers are increasingly coming through alternative certification routes so they may not have had enough training.

Tara really emphasized the importance of DIFFERENTIATING the support we provide to new teachers and being extremely CLEAR.

We discussed THREE KEY COMPONENTS of an effective new teacher support system that the Wongs outlined in their book:

1. COLLABORATION

New teachers need to connect with a wide range of the people they plan to work with and need to feel they are part of something bigger than themselves. This connects to purpose and our Gen-Z teachers are particularly feeling the need to connect to their purpose.

2. PD TAILORED TO THE NEEDS OF NEW TEACHERS

We need to provide new teachers with PD on the basics -- classroom management, lesson design -- and not just jump into training them on the latest fad. As leaders we also need to continually model for new teachers. Be the model of what you want them to be.

3. A COMPREHENSIVE, MULTI-YEAR APPROACH

We need to do much more with our new teachers than have them come a day or two before the rest of the staff. Tara developed a model program S.H.I.N.E. (Supporting, Helping, and Inspiring New Educators) that lasts two full years. She shares some successful elements of her program but encourages you to ask your experienced teachers what was helpful in supporting them and look around at your own resources to see how you can use them to support new teachers.

Where to start? Tara recommends just choosing ONE system of support. Choose something you are already doing well and plus-one it, that is, add to what you're already doing well.

RESOURCES

• THE New Teacher Induction Book: How to Recruit, Train, and Retain New Teachers by Harry and Rosemary Wong (and Jenn's summary for The Main Idea is out in April)

• Tara Link's latest book, Teacher Induction that Works: A Lasting Impact from Day One.

As always, send your comments, questions, and show ideas to mike@schoolleadershipshow.com. Consider rating the podcast in iTunes and leaving a comment. And please pass the show along to your colleagues. Additionally, if you have other non-education books with implications for school leaders, send those suggestions our way, too. And finally, If you or someone you know would like to sponsor the show, send Mike an email at mike@schoolleadershipshow.com.

March is Women's History Month! This episode features a conversation with LaVonna Roth, an inspirational speaker and consultant whose work has inspired women leaders everywhere. Jenn introduced LaVonna, highlighting her impactful speaking on leadership. LaVonna shared her "S.H.I.N.E." framework, initially for students but powerfully applicable to adults and leaders. SHINE represents Self, Heart, Inspire, Navigate, and Exceptional, focusing on strengths, passion, inspiration, action, and becoming your best self.

We explored how this framework resonates with all leaders because of its human-centered approach. LaVonna shared her journey of growth and emphasized the importance of focusing on strengths over weaknesses and overcoming imposter syndrome by recognizing one's inherent value. She offered practical advice related to self-reflection on one's abilities and letting go of perfectionism.

We also discussed creating supportive cultures where leaders uplift others, referencing the idea of a "Firefly Effect," where collective support leads to greater success. LaVonna encouraged leaders to be open, collaborative, and to recognize and nurture the strengths of those around them. You can find more about LaVonna and her work at igniteyoushine.com.

As always, send your comments, questions, and show ideas to mike@schoolleadershipshow.com. Consider rating the podcast in iTunes and leaving a comment. And please pass the show along to your colleagues. Additionally, if you have other non-education books with implications for school leaders, send those suggestions our way, too. And finally, If you or someone you know would like to sponsor the show, send Mike an email at mike@schoolleadershipshow.com.

Responding to emergencies takes two things: leadership and communication. Are you prepared? Mike and Jenn had a truly productive conversation with school preparedness expert, Chris Joffe.

He talked about everything from why leaders need to start with themselves and understand how THEY respond to emergencies. He also shared that one of the essential keys is having an emergency org chart and teams to deal with the wide range of emergencies your school might have.

Throughout it all, Chris emphasized that humans and relationships are key. Why? Because "emergencies require people to respond." Unfortunately, his data shows that the vast majority of emergencies are an escalation of an event – an incident in school that leads to fights, weapons, or even worse, a school shooting.

To learn more about Chris and the services Joffe Emergencies provides for school: https://www.joffeemergencyservices.com/

Chris has offered to do a free workshop for subscribers to THE MAIN IDEA on the emergency preparedness stuff you won't find in the district handbook – it will be April 7 at 4pm ET / 1pm PT – sign up here (https://forms.gle/TSStmwiAo8jkSmvn7 ) or reach out to me at Jenn@TheMainIdea.net

As always, send your comments, questions, and show ideas to mike@schoolleadershipshow.com. Consider rating the podcast in iTunes and leaving a comment. And please pass the show along to your colleagues. Additionally, if you have other non-education books with implications for school leaders, send those suggestions our way, too. And finally, If you or someone you know would like to sponsor the show, send Mike an email at mike@schoolleadershipshow.com.

Khalid Oluewu, principal of Webster Elementary School in Chicago, has done what many principals would love to do: He has created structures and practices at his school to ACCELERATE learning for all, and in particular for Black males.

Wow. The idea started when he was a teacher and taught middle school math and had students come to him years behind. He looped with the students and in three short years he not only got them on grade level, but when they went to high school they were able to skip Algebra and start with Geometry.

Now as a principal he put four things in place to accelerate learning - to have students learn one and a half years' worth in just a year):

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Have teachers focus on PRIORITY standards

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Have teachers provide JUST-IN-TIME supports not live in remediation

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Provide more individualized learning by having teachers use small groups and by partnering with organizations who could provide high-impact tutoring

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Using tech platforms for more individualized learning

The results? In one year the overall proficiency level leaped from just 6% to 50% and for Black boys, it went from just 2% to 30%! Truly impressive. And those numbers keep climbing up, far from the single-digit proficiency levels they were before.

To learn more, check out these resources:

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Read Khalid's research paper: Year of Acceleration for All (Yes, that includes Black Males)

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Visit Webster Elementary School if you're in Chicago

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Reach out via email: koluewu@cps.edu

As always, send your comments, questions, and show ideas to mike@schoolleadershipshow.com. Consider rating the podcast in iTunes and leaving a comment. And please pass the show along to your colleagues. Additionally, if you have other non-education books with implications for school leaders, send those suggestions our way, too. And finally, If you or someone you know would like to sponsor the show, send Mike an email at mike@schoolleadershipshow.com.