The Interview Chair

In this episode, Jimmy shares his insights on the power of self-reflection, modeling, and the role everyone's behavior plays in shaping the culture of an entire system. 

In this engaging interview, Dr. Tiffany Bone shares her inspiring journey through education, leadership challenges, and personal growth. Discover her insights on building effective teams, maintaining work-life balance, and the transformative power of education.

In this heartfelt interview, Amy Harksen shares her journey as a school counselor, leader, and advocate for students and staff. Discover practical strategies for building trust, leading teams, and connecting with families to create a positive school culture.

In this episode, Jimmy sits down with former school Athletic Director Stephen Speck. Whether you are an AD, school leader, or parent of a student athlete, this interview offers meaningful insight to help all of us build a community where our players, performers, parents, coaches, and administrators experience the joy of competition and the benefits that comes from being a part of a team. 

In this episode, Jimmy reflects on challenges that come with leading a school in the last month of the calendar year, causing us sometimes to move quickly and create undercurrents that impact staff morale in negative ways. He also shares his views on hiring, evaluations and reinforces a powerful leadership lesson that every leader needs to remember when dealing with difficult staff decisions.

In this episode, Jimmy calls for educators to lead with empathy, recognizing that students and colleagues often carry unseen pain that influences their behavior. Rather than reacting to actions alone, schools should create a “soft place to land” by building trust, showing compassion, and intentionally supporting both the emotional and academic needs of everyone in the community. By doing so, educa...

Avoiding tough conversations can turn small issues into major conflicts. In this episode, Jimmy shares practical strategies to help you initiate those conversations and build a culture of open communication and trust.

In this episode, Jimmy reminds decision-makers that the more staff and students who have their “fingerprints on the sculpture” to determine the vision, design, and implementation for the culturized classroom and school, the more likely we are to get the positive results we desire. A positive school culture is the collective responsibility of everyone within the school community.

In this episode, Jimmy challenges listeners to reflect on how they are responding to disruptive student behaviors and provides several practical examples for you to consider.     

Most educators feel overwhelmed by challenging behaviors — but what if changing the approach could turn chaos into connection? Dr. Bethany Bilidou, an expert in human behavior and creator of the "Ease the Pain in the Classroom" framework, shares surprising strategies that empower teachers to defuse crises in seconds and build resilience in even the most difficult students.

In this episode, Jimmy shares how educators are facing fatigue as they enter the final stretch of the school year. He reminds us that if we want students to stay focused and continue to work hard, then we, as educators, need to do the same. Jimmy shares specific steps that we can take to regain momentum and continue to move forward so we no longer feel like we are just hanging on. 

In this episode, Jimmy sits down with his wife, Kheila Casas, to reflect on her journey and passion for education. Together, they discuss the value of giving others permission, the importance of instructional clarity, and offer insights on balancing leadership and family life with intention and purpose.

In this thought-provoking episode, Will Parker shares his journey as an educator and leader, emphasizing the importance of reflection, asking for help, and building strong relationships within school communities. He highlights the significance of  small steps and how they can lead to significant changes in one’s life. 

In this engaging conversation, Jen Schwanke, an Ohio deputy superintendent, shares her insights on the challenges and rewards of leadership in education. The discussion covers her early failures, the role of principals, the need for instructional leadership, and the significance of empowering educators to foster a supportive environment for both teachers and students. 

In this episode, Jimmy highlights the impact of our words and actions, emphasizing the difference between intent and impact. He discusses how educators can make a profound impact on their students and colleagues by being intentional with words, particularly around the concepts of apologies and forgiveness.

In this authentic, engaging conversation, Meg Simon, a dynamic leader in education, shares her journey in the fast-paced world of education, including the challenges that often come with the immense pressure of being everything to everyone. Meg opens up about the personal hidden struggles of high-achievers and the impact of burnout. She offers valuable insights on protecting one's peace and practi...

In this episode, Jimmy introduces the "Rose and Thorn" reflection practice, highlighting how focusing on the positive experiences can help navigate challenges. He shares transformative stories of students who overcame adversity, reinforcing the message of hope and resilience in education.     

Jimmy shares a personal experience where his approach to student behavior was rooted in a compliance mentality, focusing on punishment rather than understanding. This experience led him to realize the need for a shift from a culture of compliance to one of investment.

In this engaging conversation, Dr. Kirsten Frankovich shares how she sat in the Interview Chair as a young, strong, and confident leader and left the chair feeling broken and wondering if she was truly ready for the role. She emphasizes the importance of women leaders embracing motherhood, knowing that it makes you stronger both at home and at work, and reminds us of how we can regain our confiden...

In this episode, Jimmy shares an excerpt from his best-selling book, Recalibrate the Culture, and reminds us of the significance of giving all members of the school community a voice in identifying our collective commitments to one another. More importantly, he identifies two critical questions that are rarely discussed in this process, and when included, will produce a healthier school culture fo...

In this engaging conversation, David James shares his journey from substitute teacher to assistant principal, and back to classroom teacher, and his role in leading the Wolfpack Workshop Series professional development for staff. David also discusses his commitment to mentoring new teachers and creating a culture of learning by investing in both new and veteran educators to enhance student achieve...

In this episode of the Interview Chair, host Jimmy Casas shares insights from coaching leaders, emphasizing the need for personal connection to build trust with all members of the school community.

In this episode, Lynmara Colón opens up about her journey from self-doubt to self-empowerment. Through the guidance of key mentors, Lynmara discovered the power of bilingualism, the importance of owning her intelligence, and the courage to step fully into who she is. Today, she is dedicated to breaking down barriers for Latina women and others who are facing similar challenges, and encouraging the...

In this episode, Jimmy highlights the power of student voice and shares insights directly from students themselves. He reveals the questions they believe every candidate should be ready to answer.

In this conversation, Todd Nesloney discusses the importance of embracing our vulnerability and the necessity of addressing negative self-talk to take control of our own thoughts. He emphasizes that while it's okay to feel broken at times, it's crucial not to dwell in that negativity, as it can shape our identity.