FocusED

In this episode of FocusED , Joe and T.J. interview Scott Walker, author of Order Out of Chaos . Scott shares powerful lessons from hostage negotiations that every leader can apply to difficult conversations, conflict, and high-pressure decision-making. Drawing from years of navigating life-or-death situations, Scott explains why chaos isn’t something to avoid—it’s often the starting point for gro...

Our guest for this episode of FocusED is Marty Dubin, author or Blindspotting: How to See What's Holding You Back as a Leader . Marty explains that his book emerged from reflecting on a diverse career and realizing that much of leadership effectiveness comes down to self-awareness rather than technical skill. He shares that leaders can read the same material and learn the same strategies, yet appl...

Dr. Stacie Chana explains that artificial intelligence must be treated as an urgent equity issue because, if schools do not intentionally teach AI skills, students without access will be left behind in a rapidly changing job market. She emphasizes that AI is accelerating faster than any previous technological shift and will transform society within the next decade, making it essential for schools...

The episode features Rich Czyz of Yardville Elementary , co-founder of 4oClockFaculty , and author of Autopilot: Practical Productivity for School Leaders . Rich explains that he wrote Autopilot after the pandemic as a response to school leader burnout, with a focus on helping leaders be more efficient, proactive, and meaningful in their work. He says the biggest challenge for school leaders is th...

Our guest for this episode of FocusED is Kim Gameroz, author of Becoming the BISON. Kim starts by telling us about the reason she chose BISON as an analogy for leadership in schools. Bison head into the storm when it’s coming, not away from it like most other animals. She says that we need to teach social and emotional skills rather than expect them. This is true for students and staff. Kim says t...

In this episode of FocusED , we welcome Lori Woodley Langendorf, author of SEL Muscle Mastery , to explore the power of social emotional literacy in schools. Lori challenges the traditional view of SEL as something we “teach and check off,” reframing it as a lifelong literacy—no different than reading or math. It’s not a program. It’s a practice. As a former school counselor and co-founder of All...

In this episode of FocusED , we sit down with Dr. Brad Johnson for a thoughtful conversation about how meaningful change in schools rarely comes from massive initiatives—but from small, intentional shifts grounded in relationships. Brad shares why he’s leaned into storytelling through his recent books, including Room 212 , and how stories help educators see themselves in the work. He explains that...

This episode of FocusED features superintendent and author, Dr. Michael Lubelfeld. The episode centers on leading “tomorrow’s schools today,” with Dr. Michael Lubelfeld unpacking how change leadership, mindset, and systems thinking shape the future of K–12 education.​ Lubelfeld and his co-author Nick Polyak use eight real-world case studies and two change frameworks—including the Virginia Satir mo...

Gregg Behr, executive director of the Grable Foundation and co-author of When You Wonder, You’re Learning , joins Joe and TJ on FocusED .​ The episode centers on Mr. Rogers’ lessons in creativity, curiosity, care, and what they mean for schooling today.​ Fred Rogers is framed as an innovator who used the technology of his time to make what was attractive to kids also good and constructive.​ Behr e...

Our guest for this episode of FocusED is Principal EL. Principal EL believes every child deserves at least one adult who is “crazy about them,” and that leaders must be intentionally curious about students’ lives outside of school to build belonging. Consistency, he explains, is the backbone of strong relationships; students need to know their principal will show up day after day, even after confl...

Principal Kafele notes that being an instructional leader is a non-negotiable responsibility for any administrator who supervises teachers.​ He says that schools should prioritize instructional coaching over just operational or disciplinary management, ensuring that every teacher receives support for instructional growth.​ Principal Kafele notes that he wrote his recent book to help school leaders...

FocusED Show Notes with Guest Julia Bialeski Julia shares that her book Leading with Grace was inspired by her personal and professional transitions within public education, reflecting on the impact of leadership roles on her growth and identity.​ She describes the “leadership lifespan” concept—emphasizing that leadership is temporary and every position involves unique phases and resets, regardles...

FocusED Show Notes with Guest Hedreich Nichols Hedreich, author of Finding Your Blind Spots: Eight Guiding Principles to Overcome Implicit Bias in Teaching , joins the show to discuss the need for systemic change in education. Hedreich shares stories from her childhood and her son’s experiences in school, highlighting the pressure and discomfort that comes from expecting students of color to repre...

FocusED Show Notes with Guest Matthew Woods Dr. Woods starts the conversation with the fact that collaborative leadership means that we’re all coming to the table with perspective, and it’s important to recognize that everyone has a unique contribution to the team. Matt discusses a pitfall when we invite people into our offices to air their grievances--it’s not as simple as it sounds. We talk abou...

FocusED Show Notes with Guest Kristy Volesky Kristy Volesky is the author Transformational Work-Based Learning: Leading Exceptional Internship Programs . Kristy starts by defining work-based learning with a simple explanation: learning that is based on working. But, she says that it doesn't have to be students working. Don’t miss what she says about having a before, during, and after strategy for...

FocusED Show Notes with Guest Kim Marshall Kim’s book, Rethinking Teacher Supervision and Evaluation , came from work that he was doing as a school leader where teachers wanted more frequent and meaningful feedback. He updated the book twice because of changes to evaluation systems around the country, some of which he used as examples in the book. The third edition of the book has a huge focus on...

FocusED show notes with guest Courtney Monterecy . Courtney tells us about how the book came to be, which included her story about meeting her co-author, Todd Whitaker. She says that the school she took over and needed to turn around had three principals during the previous school year. We discuss the dilemma of what to attack and fix first when everything seems to be falling down all around you....

FocusED Show Notes with Guest Adriana Villavicencio Dr. Villavicencio decided to write her book because of the discrepancies in education--it can be both a wonderful experience for some students as well as an exclusionary one for others. She says that we often have great policies that could work, but limitations and pitfalls can provide setbacks that bring us pause, prompting us to abandon them be...

FocusED Show Notes with Guest Vicky Essebag Vicky starts by defining “relationspaces” as the way that we bring ourselves to the spaces where we develop relationships. Vicky tells us that we have preconceived notions about how we’re communicating and sometimes it’s effective and other times it’s not. Vicky gives us an example of where our communication as teachers to students might be landing wrong...

This is Episode 77 of FocusED, and it features our guest, Nason Lollar; Joe and TJ interview Nason about educator professional conduct, human resources, managing and sustaining a positive culture, school leadership…and so much more.

FocusED Show Notes with Guest Christina Hidek Christina starts out with some suggestions about how school leaders can get on the same page with the PTO/PTA President by meeting on a regular basis. The key is to meet ahead of the actual PTA meetings and separate from them. School leaders should explain their vision for the school and the school year to the parent groups, starting with the PTA Presi...

Shawn tells us that “future-ready” is about students recognizing their purpose; he reminds us about the goal of education and the gaps that exist right now with what we provide and what students actually need. Dr. Dilly talked about the need for leaders to stay true to who they are, that relationships matter, and that we should celebrate our differences. Shawn elevates competencies that students n...

This is Episode 74 of FocusED, and it features our guest, Peter Cookson; we discuss community leadership, supporting students in poverty, school culture…and so much more. Peter Cookson Brings a Tons of Experience to FocusED Listeners Peter Cookson serves as a senior researcher with the Learning Policy Institute, a founding principal investigator for the American Voices Project based at Stanford Un...

This is Episode 73 of FocusED, and it features our guest, Kate Koch; we discuss women in leadership positions, mentorship, balance at work…and so much more. Kate Koch Brings a Tons of Experience to FocusED Listeners Dr. Kate Koch is the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources for Lemont-Bromberek SD113a. She has served as an elementary principal, an assistant principal, and a middle school his...

Ben starts off by telling us about a committee that he has going to help unpack “emerging technology,” and things are literally changing overnight. For us to lead in a tech-driven environment, Ben says that we have to be willing to say “I don’t know what that means, yet.” He tells us about the human-centered design process that they use at his schools--building something for empathy for the end-us...