Leading Out The Woods

🎙️ Episode #138 – Leading with Identity When the Path Isn't Clear What keeps you grounded as a leader when the path forward isn't always clear? I'm excited to welcome Dr. Amanda Austin, Director (Principal) of Iberville Math, Science, and Arts Academy East, to Leading Out The Woods for an insightful conversation about leading with purpose, staying true to your values, and navigating the challenges...

Throwback Thursday – Episode #17: Teacher Efficacy: Reaching All Learners This week, we're revisiting an insightful conversation with Dr. Katie Novak, internationally renowned education consultant, as we explore the importance of teacher efficacy, inclusive practices, and creating learning environments that meet the diverse needs of students. In this episode, Dr. Novak shares her experiences and p...

Anchor Chat #34: Who Owns the Problem? In this episode of Anchor Chats, Dr. Woods reflects on Who Owns the Problem? and the tendency for leaders to take on every challenge brought their way. He explores the difference between supporting someone through a problem and assuming responsibility for solving it. Dr. Woods challenges leaders to pause, clarify ownership, ask the right questions, and empowe...

Throwback Thursday! Building Bridges: School Boards, Communities, and Administrators Unite Originally Released On: 11-15-24 This week, we’re revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode, Special Guest Ja'Quez D. Taylor, Former School Board Chair and active School Board Member in NC, joins Dr. Woods to discuss how effective collaboration among these key stakeh...

Throwback Thursday! Started from the Bottom, Now I'm Here Originally Released On: 6-18-21 This week, we’re revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode: ✅ Darrion discusses how he motivates and inspires his students and school community. ✅ Darrion shares advice with other educators trying to make a positive impact with students at-risk. Whether you’re heari...

🎙️ Episode #137 – Roaches in My Cereal: And the Moral Imperative to Reimagine School What if some of the things we've accepted as "just the way school works" are the very things we need to rethink? I'm excited to welcome Dr. Melvin J. Brown, Superintendent in Residence at Defined, LLC, longtime educational leader, and author of Roaches in My Cereal: And the Moral Imperative to Reimagine School, to...

Throwback Thursday! Is Financial Literacy Working? Originally Released On: 7-15-2022 This week, we’re revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode: ✅ Dr. Thomas shares how we should conceptualize financial literacy. ✅ Dr. Thomas discusses barriers students and families routinely encounter when learning about financial literacy. Whether you’re hearing it for...

Anchor Chat #33: The Leadership Pause In this episode of Anchor Chats, Dr. Woods reflects on The Leadership Pause and the importance of creating space between a situation and our response. He explores how leaders can resist the pressure to react immediately, instead taking time to listen, gather context, and think intentionally before making decisions. Dr. Woods reminds leaders that being responsi...

Episode #136 is live! Check it out! Special Guest Patty McGee, nationally recognized literacy consultant, author, and educator, joins Dr. Woods on episode #136 of Leading Out The Woods to discuss Giving Grammar Instruction a Glow Up. In this episode, they explore why grammar instruction matters, the limitations of traditional approaches, and the mindshifts educators can make to bring grammar learn...

Throwback Thursday! Title: Episode #27_Staff Motivation & Morale featuring Dr. Todd Whitaker  Originally Released On: 2-26-21 This week, we’re revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode, we: ✅ discuss the importance of staff motivation and morale in school management, ✅ provide tips on what you can do to ensure this is happening in your school. Whethe...

Throwback Thursday! Inside the Schoolhouse: What Great Principals Know and Do featuring Dr. John Gratto Originally Released On: 8-13-2021 This week, we’re revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode: ✅ Dr. Gratto shares an overview of his book, “Inside the Schoolhouse: What Great Principals Know and Do.” ✅ Dr. Gratto discusses the key concepts that assista...

🎙️ #ThrowbackThursday – Episode #103: Win the Morning! How we start the day can shape everything that follows. For this week's Leading Out The Woods Throwback Thursday, we're revisiting my conversation with Ryan Stein, principal and author of Lifeline 65: How Small Connections and Big Enthusiasm Can Change Education. In this episode, Ryan shares his inspiring “Win the Morning” philosophy and how i...

☀️ Summer Leadership Recharge: Principal Edition 🌲🎙️ Leading Through Change: Managing Transitions & Challenges Leadership is tested most during seasons of change. This week, I'm joined by Dr. Shameka Gerald, Managing Director at 2Revolutions, to discuss how school leaders can successfully navigate transitions, overcome challenges, and build resilient school communities. Together, we discuss:...

Episode #135 is up!  Check it out!!! Special Guest Jeff McCoy, Chief Education Officer for the Education Research & Development Institute (ERDI), joins Dr. Woods on episode #135 of Leading Out The Woods to discuss AI in K–12. In this episode, they explore the growing impact of artificial intelligence on education, discussing how school leaders can embrace innovation, navigate emerging challeng...

ThrowbackThursday! Episode #96: Games & Simulations in the Classroom Special Guest Dr. Edmond Hally, Associate Professor of Political Science at Ferrum College, joins Matt to discuss the positive effects of games on student success.

☀️ Summer Leadership Recharge: Principal Edition 🌲🎙️ Meet Their Needs And They'll Succeed Student success begins with understanding students as individuals. This week, I'm joined by Salome Thomas-EL—principal, nationally recognized speaker, and author of Meet Their Needs And They'll Succeed—for a conversation about creating schools where every student has the opportunity to thrive. Together, we e...

☀️ Summer Leadership Recharge: Principal Edition 🌲🎙️ Creating Impactful Professional Development Plans Professional development shouldn't be something educators attend—it should be something that transforms practice. This week, I'm joined by Dr. Stephanie Burroughs, Assistant Superintendent, to discuss how school leaders can design meaningful professional learning that empowers teachers and impro...

Anchor Chat #32: The Middle Matters In this episode, Dr. Woods challenges educators to rethink where they focus their attention by highlighting a group of students who often go unnoticed—the ones in the middle. While schools naturally devote time and resources to students who are struggling and those who are excelling, there is tremendous potential among students who are quietly meeting expectatio...

☀️ Summer Leadership Recharge: Principal Edition 🌲🎙️ Strategic Goal Setting for School Success Every successful school begins with a clear vision—and intentional goals to bring that vision to life. This week, I'm joined by Dr. Donetrus Hill, High School Principal, to discuss how school leaders can create strategic goals that inspire action, build accountability, and drive meaningful improvement....

🎙️ #ThrowbackThursday – Episode #122: Teacher Recruitment & Retention This week, we're revisiting an important conversation with Dr. Lindsey Jensen, 2018 Illinois Teacher of the Year and Educators Rising Illinois State Coordinator, as we tackle one of the biggest challenges facing education today—recruiting, developing, and retaining great teachers. In this episode, Dr. Jensen shares practical...

Summer Leadership Recharge In this episode of Summer Leadership Recharge: Principal Edition, Dr. Woods sits down with Dr. Alex Carter, Vice President of Field Implementation at the Colorado Education Initiative, for an insightful conversation on the concept of the “Warm Demander.”Together, they unpack how school leaders can balance high expectations with genuine care, creating an environment where...

Episode #134 is up!  Check it out!!! What if instructional improvement began by identifying what's working—not just what's missing? I'm excited to welcome Vicki Wilson—former principal, author, and consultant—to Leading Out The Woods for an engaging conversation on how strength-focused leadership can transform teaching, collaboration, and student achievement. In this episode, we explore: ✨ How le...

🎙️ #ThrowbackThursday – Episode #46: The Art of Delegation This week, we're revisiting a leadership conversation with Dr. Marcus Belin, award-winning principal, speaker, and leadership expert, as we explore one of the most overlooked—but essential—skills of effective leadership: delegation. Strong leaders know they can't do it all. The real impact comes from developing others, building trust, and...

🎙️ #ThrowbackThursday – Episode #103: Win the Morning! This week, we're revisiting an energizing conversation with Ryan Stein, principal and author of Lifeline 65: How Small Connections and Big Enthusiasm Can Change Education. Ryan shares his inspiring philosophy of "Win the Morning" and explains how intentional leadership at the start of each day can set the tone for a positive school culture. Ke...

🎙️ #ThrowbackThursday – Episode #36: Support(ing) Students Affected by Trauma This week, we're revisiting an impactful conversation with Anthony Swann, school administrator and former Virginia Teacher of the Year (2021), as we discuss how educators can better support students affected by trauma. Drawing from both his professional experiences and personal journey, Anthony shares powerful insights i...