Transformative Principal

In this episode, Jethro is joined by Danny Bauer and Glenn Robbins, author of the book Calm In The Chaos: Ancient Stoic Wisdom for Successful School Leadership. We talk about how to be stoic as a leader in schools and apply that wisdom to your daily. Plus, you won’t believe the sign we saw in a school!How to get people on the same page when you’re not physically on an island. Community had come together before when they’ve been through something together. Starting from negative emotions doesn’t help you find success. When you come from a place of gratitude, it’s great. This is my roadmap for connecting with people. You’re still a human being, but you still have to rise up and be your best. Your pride sometimes takes away your willingness to share what you’re going through. We often don’t have models showing us how we do things different. Key piece is mentoring, models, and psychologically safe spaces where you can admit that you’re struggling. Expect people to be wrong, evil, tortuous, dishonest.Vulnerability

Aspirational Model  Shifting MindsetEmotional Connection - Research in MESSY started at the beginning of the pandemic. There will always be the next crisis. Expectation of leaders - what’s important? Professional veneer - leave our personal outside our workplace.Establishing themselves as larger than life.Authenticity - personal and professional are more blurred. Heart, Head, and Hands - Dr. Marvin BerkowitzPresence triangle - think about the other person and how you’re delivering your message. Self-other-outsideTaking a deep breath, thinking about the relationship, moving to the perspective of the other individual. You matter, you’re not alone. Schools need you. Coaching creates a confidential space. Challenges: courage, empowering and coaching others, taken servant leadership too far, influence others to change their practice, lack of confidence, slowing down and not reacting all the time. Pleaser and MartyrDe-implementationLeaders get things done through influence.This is a Choose Your Own Adventure style

Worthwhile Links: Range by David EpsteinDrip7ReadwiseAbout Ryan PalmbaumRyan Palmbaum is the founder and CEO of Dabbl Discovery, an educational, bite-sized video learning platform designed to help people discover and follow new interests and career paths through short videos created exclusively by experienced experts and educators in a wide variety of industries. Dabbl combines the engaging, concise, 1-3 minute format of TikTok with the quality content and creators of Masterclass or Ted Talks to sit at the peak of engaging education. Before entering the EdTech space, Ryan was a world-traveled, ex-collegiate and professional soccer player having lived in 10+ countries, across 3 different continents, all before he turned 20. Throughout his travels, he decided to become a jack of all trades and a master of some. He was a commissioned painter, graphic designer, and musician–while also studying video game programming, finance, psychology, nutrition and much more. Ryan moved back to the United States in 2019 and ob

In this episode, we explore the power of purposeful play in education. Join us as we discuss the importance of play in the learning process, the Connecticut legislation about play in elementary grades, and the benefits of purposeful play for students. We also delve into LEGO Education that highlights the positive impact of play on learning in K-8 students.We emphasize the importance of putting kids in the driver's seat, exploring concepts, making connections, and conducting experiments. We also discuss how building models and using natural curiosity can help students learn effectively. We encourage teachers to allow kids to find their own solutions and provide time for them to share and discuss their thought process.We believe that purposeful play empowers students and reimagines the classroom experience. It allows everyone to find success and reach their full potential. We acknowledge the challenges of implementing purposeful play, but we emphasize the importance of engaging with the information, discussing

In this episode, Jethro talks with James Anderson, who has been on the show three previous times: The Learner Agency Model with James Anderson Transformative Principal 351Learnership with James Anderson Transformative Principal 455 Learnership: The Skill of Learning with James Anderson Transformative Principal 570 In this episode, we talk about teaching cultures and learning cultures, take a sidewalk into some deep thoughts about moral development, and finish with a bang. Do you have a sense of power and that you get to choose what you do in your life?Agency makes you the master of your circumstances, not the victim. Voice and Choice lip servicePower to choose vs. permission to choose. Agency is an outcome, not a pedagogy. There are some things we don’t have agency - the student needs to change and be capable over something that they weren’t capable of it before. Learning culture vs. teaching culture. Default ways we go about learning - teaching and performing. Learning is not the product of teaching, but the

Jethro welcomes Dr. Jayne Lammers to Transformative Principal. Although we're talking about AI tools, we didn't spend a lot of time talking about the mundanity and what other sources are talking about: the how to, which tool does what thing. Really, we give guidance for school leaders about how to think beyond the boxes and the accountability systems that are currently set up to start to reimagine what learning can be  in schools and beyond, and the ways in which generative AI tools might play a role in that. Edmentum has been using AI tools on the back end for a while. Courses products - self-directed learning. Teaching kids how to use the tools as a personalized tutor for them. Badges and micro-credentialingYouth engaged in “fandom” not looking for credit.Butting up against the expectations and formalization of Disrupt the siloed nature of secondary schoolsVery few learners get the opportunity to see connections between their content areas. The Sims 12000 players - writing the stories - Trying to set that u

Topaz Adizes is an Emmy-award winning creator who helps build the space between two people through deep and meaningful conversations. We have one of those for you today. Jethro and Topaz share how to listen better, ask better questions, and have intention in the conversations we have. {The AND} and 12 Questions for LoveIlluminating the space betweenWhat 12 questions would be the questions that spark a deep relationshipTrial and error - what questions work, and in what sequence?WHy are these questions and others working or not working? {The AND} is a formatIt’s about holding the space for people. There are as many stories of relationships as there are sands of the sea. It is what is.The Skin Deep is an experience design studio. The media suggests that the speaker is important. Questions fall into some sort of societal programmingAsk questions that go deeper than the simple questions we usually askIntention and well-constructed questionsThey’re asking themselves “How do we ensure that our students rank high?” A

In this podcast conversation, Tiffany Caouette discusses the role and importance of play-based learning in education. Tiffany Caouette, currently working with the Connecticut Association of Schools, shares her insights on Connecticut being one of the first US states to acknowledge the significance of play-based learning through legislation. She talks about her experiences as an administrator, and her push for the inclusion of play-based learning in schools. She emphasizes the benefits of this learning approach, which not only includes improved executive functioning skills and critical thinking abilities among children, but also incorporates real-world applications into their learning process. The conversation delves into issues such as teacher autonomy, utilizing current resources, and balancing the use of electronics in classrooms. The podcast concludes with a discussion on the role of professional development for teachers and administrators in the successful implementation of play-based learning.We all stru

In this episode, Jethro is joined by Paul Thiessen and we talk about a broad range of topics from Podcasting for the school community to AI and Personalized Learning. The Daily - One topic, condensed in a short amount of time.Talking about events or different topics in our school (purple up and science of reading)Conversations with teachers about perceptions in the beginning, middle, and end of career. Why focus on his specific community - parent coffees, video calls, etc. 20-30 people ended up showing up. Gave more flexibilityThe Puma PawdUse DescriptJethro’s TEDxTalk about Attendance.Personalized LearningWorking with Education Elements32/40 educators really wanted to dive in to personalized learning. Synergy Podcast episodes on Transformative PrincipalIt’s about mindsetChange in education What impact can I make? How does AI tie into personalized learning?Embracing AI in educationStill need to have critical thinking to determine what is good information. AI can mark students’ progress in academic standards. 

Today's episode is super fascinating. Rick Meyer shared his dashboard, and you might want to check out the YouTube video for this episode because it is incredible what he’s doing with teacher data. The power of the data hubVery reactive in MTSS to startDidn’t know how to do formulas to startData entry comes from Google formsMain test scores entered by admin/instructional coachProgress monitoring is done by paraprofessionalsStudents enter dataTeachers don’t put any data in. Daily: Checkin/attendance dataWeekly: Sonday Phonics Progress monitoring - Color coding based on their MAP Scores. Monthly or as needed: Raider badges & Freckle Intervention program Behavior data - Ownership roomsProtecting the data: hLookup Query and other formulasWiping out the old data.How to be a transformative principal? Identify what you want to collect! About Rick MeyerRick Meyer is an elementary principal in Sidney, NE. He has been in education for 19 years, the first 7 as a kindergarten teacher. He then transitioned to a techno

How she stays at the same place for so long. RelationshipsStreet cred and reputation exist, but they don’t know me personally. Each family is a new relationshipHonesty and transparencyPeople don’t always love the news I give them, but they do appreciate the honesty and directnessDon’t need to sugarcoat things because it doesn’t actually help. Call and connect with new families. Calling to share good news. Our students deserve our A game every dayDeveloping teachers when you have a good relationship. Be a good listener, open the door for reflection. Work together, rather than against each other. 90% of teachers want to be here for the right reason. Seeing brillianceThe meat of your work is not in doing observations. Small moments of walkthroughs are where the growth really happens.Keep a sense of humorWeird, hard, and funny happens every day. Don’t make rash decisions - Somebody else thought I should make a decision quickly. Don’t let anyone rush your decisions.How to be a transformative principal? Think about

In this episode, Dr. Erin Bailey joins Jethro Jones to talk about how to engage families in inspiring the joy of reading in children. Making reading backed by research, powered by joyConcerns in children’s reading - not teaching it correctlyTeaching teachers to be culturally responsiveTrain teachers in getting to know their students. Things we should do to teach kids reading: phonological awareness (hearing and manipulating sounds), phonics, vocabulary, fluency (rate, accuracy, expression), and comprehension.Typically science of reading stops at the first two.There’s no one way to teach readingMotivation to readGiving children access to books that they own and chooseLink between motivation and reading, and motivation and comprehensionBookmobile, printed, SkybraryGetting joy from the experienceParents are the primary educatorsYou can’t out-teach the culture of the home.Teacher PD about family engagement systemsFamily engagement vs. family involvementFamily engagement is the family system and the school system

In this episode, Matthew Ebert joins Jethro to discuss how to actively and intentionally create the space for educators to be their authentic selves at work and how that impacts a greater school community.Ongoing, authentic, and messy1:1 meetings with all the staff.Slack as a schoolwide communication tool - How to implement without teachers feeling like they need to be in the Avoid performative care6 staff meetings in one year. Use Slack as you need it - AutonomyPower of muting channelsHilarious communitiesThe power of continuous meetings. All development is personal. (The Personal is Professional)Must have holistic approaches to all things. Try, fail, cry, and try again. 6 staff meetingsThe Art of GatheringInitiatives came from the teachers, not from the administration. Grades were not an accurate reflection of what kids really could do. Care vs. accountability Schools are not families, they’re teams. How to be a transformative principal? Stop going to meetings and start going to classrooms. About Matthew Eb

Jethro sits down with David Bryan to talk about how to make school more worthwhile. The difference between public and private schoolsMore freedom in a private school to address issues in their schools.How to manage high tuition.All students paid tuition.Why he started New Roads to connect people. The richness of a diverse population leads to amazing environments.Schools that are worthwhile are flexible, nimble, and messy. What does the future of education look like? Schools have to invest in those areas where kids are interested.Improving the conversation by being together.Every human being has been learning from the time they were aware. “Getting Credit” for their learning.Kids learning skateboarding tricks. Fan the flames that are there. Grade school teachers David Bolton - Educational ActivistCuriosity Invited PodcastHow to be a transformative principal? Pause before you say no. About David BryanThrough a decades-long career in the trade, business, and education spaces, Dr. David Bryan has garnered the ski

How to converse with Chatbots using other toolsBackground in ELA teachingThinking of the tool as a reading assistantWhat is a reading assistant?Getting an executive summary Get an idea if I should really dive into this idea. Process - find the text, ask what it is, then zoom in, Zoom out as neededHallucinations exist, but they are reduced when the text is there. AI For the rest of us - AugmentationHow does this make Rod a better learner?Focuses my time better and helps me know what I should spend my time on. How leaders talk to one another. Finding a gap in the research - hard to discern the landscape. Reading more scholarly research because I have a tool that helps me know I’m going to get something from it. Science Direct and Google Scholar to find resources.Like the autonomy of interacting directly with the source. @rodjnaquin everywhere but check out the substack.

This is a trailer for a new show I just started called A Vision for Learning. In it, we focus on the Apple Vision Pro, AR, VR, XR, AI, and the future of learning. I've already released some great episodes, including two interviews with people who have been using AR in schools for years already!Click here to subscribe and get my learning-focused review of the Apple Vision Pro this weekend!If you listen to Transformative Principal, you'll love A Vision for Learning. 

What we teach and how we teachPK-8th grade over a quarter million devoted to studentsSmall class sizes, 2 teachers in a class of 20. Started at 85 studentsIncredible amount of individual supportTransportation is 7% of the budget. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner every dayWraparound servicesOn-site partnership with Dayton’s Children's Hospital - full-time mental health, doctor, and other services for kids.Startup year - be naive about what starting a school entails. Temporary site - Fire marshallWorking with a local Medicaid provider30% higher in every category than every other child on MedicaidLooking at lots of data for whole-child outcomes51% at grade level at the start, and 85% at grade level at the end of the year.Not all roses and sunshineScreenings for character, mental health, etc. Age 27 goals. How they teach - Tried finding instructional strategies that really moved the needle. Influenced by Hattie’s work - prioritized by effect size.Teacher quality mattersBenjamin Bloom’s Research - Acton AcademyUsing p

In this show we talk about creating a personal operating system, the core four needed to make yourself an amazing human being. You’re going to love this interview. You can’t lead others to do something you’re not willing to do yourself.Self-leadership in four core areas. Gap in what Leader who has a deep level of integrity Because of the depth of your own integrityYou can be better, but a great leader is someone who can find people who are better in their area of expertise. The thing that we are unwilling to do will cause resentment in those we lead. Nobody expects the leader to be better than everyone at everythingLeaders give people authority and trust to own that part of the organizationThis all starts at home. Servant-hearted leadership is the most powerful leadership. Doing it at home with your family makes it easier to translate to the workplace. The more I hold onto stuff, the more I’m the bottleneck.You have to let go in order to grow. Priority and sequence to everything. Get myself on point so I’m on

Linking Leaders Podcast - subscribe and listen in your podcast player of choice.Small little seeds of ideas Administrator hacks - How they interactBuilding pathways for administrator prep and their early days.Content and process of what we provide.Connector for administratorsMentoring aspiring administratorsWhat administrators need are connections with others. Opportunity and process to come together.Creating the time to step aside and having people think through a problem of practiceLower the temperature - make them feel less stressed. “It mattered that we met because…”Every time I’m in front of a group of leaders, I’m able to model something that they can learn too. Center for Leadership and Innovation - Planning summits, step aside, go deep. Rather than frequent check-ins do half day summitsPlay-based learning2nd year around - how do you take on everything but not getting in over your head? Marking where we have had some impact in our state. How to prioritize what you should change. Pulse surveys. Is this

How the coaching call worked well for Hillary. Female, like-minded folksTrying PQ reps has been newWorking on one saboteur - physically embody that saboteur.Constantly on technology and value time away from technologyListening to my team and giving them space. Teams focusing on helping her with her saboteur when she divulged what her saboteur isHow this is helping in her career changes. Loving the challenge of change. Fearful that I wasn’t very good at it, and you’re not until you get some experience and get your feet on the ground. How her leadership is supporting her in a career change.Focus to where she wants to live. How job interviews will be impacted by what she’s learning. You need to take care of you first. It takes discipline. You are worthy. Set asiAbout Hillary ChapmanHillary Chapman dreamed of being an educator at age 4 when she would assign homework to her neighborhood friends from her parent’s Readers Digest and National Geographic.  Thanks to her Mom encouraging her to have more recess…Hillary