Circle Forum

Artificial intelligence is reshaping how students learn — and how educators teach. Our guest this episode is Dr. Luther Brown  of Subannah EduConsulting , a retired principal and author of the book  Leading From Where We Are: Challenging The Status Quo .  Dr. Brown challenges us to rethink content delivery and focus on critical thinking. We explore how technology should enhance learning rather tha...

Why do some conversations with parents escalate while others build trust? Our guest this episode is Dr. Luther Brown  of Subannah EduConsulting , a retired principal and author of the book  Leading From Where We Are: Challenging The Status Quo .  Dr. Brown explains that our approach to families is rooted in our guiding belief systems. This episode explores culturally responsive leadership and refl...

One of the biggest barriers to school improvement isn’t strategy—it’s identity. Our guest again this episode is Dr. Lisa Riegel, author of the book Aspirations to Operations .  Dr. Riegel explains why teachers resist change when their beliefs and self-concept are tied to “how I’ve always taught.”We explore how leaders can separate behaviours from identity to reduce defensiveness and increase align...

Why do so many school improvement efforts fail—even when everyone is well intentioned? Our guest this episode is Dr. Lisa Riegel, author of the book Aspirations to Operations .  Dr. Riegel explains how stress, perception, and brain biology impact adult learning. We explore why clarity, celebration, and psychological safety matter more than new programs. The conversation highlights collective effic...

Some of the hardest conversations in schools involve substance use, stigma, and family complexity. In this episode our returning guests this episode are Dr. Emily Jenkins, Associate Professor & Canada Research Chair, University of British Columbia I Scientific Director, Wellstream/Bienamont: The Canadian Centre for Innovation in Child and Youth Mental Health and Substance Use in Vancouver Brit...

In today’s polarized world, even routine school conversations can feel emotionally charged. Our returning guests this episode are Dr. Emily Jenkins, Associate Professor & Canada Research Chair, University of British Columbia I Scientific Director, Wellstream/Bienamont: The Canadian Centre for Innovation in Child and Youth Mental Health and Substance Use in Vancouver British Columbia  and Dr. N...

How do you teach someone to stay calm when a parent walks in angry? Our guest this episode is  Dr. Wayne Davies, Instructor, Director of Student Teaching, Faculty of education at the University of Winnipeg. Wayne believes you don’t tell—you show . He explains why mentorship must be experiential: watching, trying, and debriefing together. He shares moving stories of humility, humour, and hard-won w...

What if curiosity was the single best antidote to stress, shame, and trauma in schools? Our returning guest this episode is Dr. Robyn Koslowitz, Educational Director of the Targeted Parenting Institute and author of  Post-Traumatic Parenting: Break the Cycle and Become The Parent You Always Wanted To Be. Dr. Robyn  argues that curiosity is the opposite of pathology—it shifts our focus outward and...

New principals often face the pressure of staying on script, but what happens when the real need is something else entirely? Our returning guest this episode is Dr. Robyn Koslowitz, Educational  Director of the Targeted Parenting Institute and author of  Post-Traumatic Parenting: Break the Cycle and Become The Parent You Always Wanted To Be.  She shares how she balances the tension between curricu...

What’s your process for handling tough parent conversations? In this episode, Shauna Streich, Case Manager , Disability Benefits Plan, The Manitoba Teachers’ Society. explains why principals need a clear, collaborative approach. She talks about how principals can turn high-stress interactions into opportunities for trust and partnership. She emphasizes the importance of having a clear process for...

What if more mental health claims from staff was actually good news? In this episode, our return guest is Shauna Streich, Case Manager , Disability Benefits Plan, The Manitoba Teachers’ Society. She explains the interim results of a project she’s been working on which shows how shorter sick leaves reveal that educators are finally seeking help earlier—because they feel safer to speak up. Drawing o...

Did you know that many stress leave claims in schools trace back to the relationship between principals and staff? In this episode recorded earlier this year,  our guest is Shauna Streich, Case Manager , Disability Benefits Plan, The Manitoba Teachers’ Society.  She shares insights from a Manitoba project that tackled the root causes of rising stress leave claims and mental health challenges in sc...

What does it take to build trust with parents who arrive in your office angry or fearful? Our guest on this first episode of Season 11 is Dr. Amy Newman, principal of Newton Elementary in Surrey, British Columbia.  She believes the answer lies in restorative leadership—meeting hard conversations with listening, compassion, and resilience. In this episode, she shares how “being like grass” , a quot...

Steve may be “retired,” but his reflections in this episode couldn’t be more relevant. He shares sharp insights on education’s colonial legacy, especially within Indigenous communities, and challenges us to imagine systems that actually change. From his favorite podcast guests (including Barbara Coloroso and Edward Valandra) to his new role in public recreation, Steve shows how restorative thinkin...

How do you lead a school where office referrals are piling up—and it feels like all you do is suspend students? In this episode , Part 1 of 2, with co-host, Steve Young ,he shares the exact aha moment that led him to adopt restorative practices. With data showing an 80% drop in office referrals and teachers learning to ask better questions, this episode explores how small shifts lead to cultural t...

Do your staff feel seen, heard, and professionally valued—or just evaluated? In Part 2 of this conversation, Craig Randall of Trust-Based Observations challenges school leaders to reimagine how trust is built—not by intention, but through dozens of consistent, small behaviours. From sitting beside teachers to asking permission to offer a suggestion, these shifts create space for true reflection. W...

What happens when school leaders stop evaluating and start listening? Our guest this episode is Craig Randall of Trust-Based Observations.  Craig unpacks how a simple shift—asking the right questions—can change everything about teacher observations. Principals and vice-principals will appreciate the real stories of growth, relational trust, and student achievement. Craig explains how his model mov...

Before you fix curriculum, fix communication. Our podcast guest this episode is Tre Gammage, Owner of Strengths Based Training helping superintendents build high performance leadership teams. Tre shares why adult strengths-awareness and emotional intelligence are at the heart of real school change.  We explore how small conflicts — if ignored — spiral into absenteeism, frustration, and burnout. Th...

We spend so much time trying to "fix" students... but what if the real change starts with us — the adults? Our podcast guest this episode is Tre Gammage, Owner of Strengths Based Training helping superintendents build high performance leadership teams.  Tre digs into why adult strengths awareness and skills isn’t just important — it’s essential if we want better student outcomes and stro...

What happens when you believe in collaboration—but your system doesn’t? Our guest again this episode is Jessica Lees, Deputy Head Teacher of Teaching and Learning, Cairo English School. She explores that very tension in this conversation about creating cultural change from the middle. Jessica tells the story of recognizing when she was managing instead of mentoring—and how one conversation shifted...

“What’s one thing on your plate that AI could take off?”  Our guest this episode is Jessica Lees, Deputy Head Teacher of Teaching and Learning, Cairo English School.  Jessica flips the conversation on AI by starting where most educators feel the strain—time, feedback, and administrative overload. She unpacks how school leaders can ethically and effectively adopt AI without losing the human side of...

Think only specialists can prevent substance use in schools? Think again. Our guests this episode are Dr. Emily Jenkins, Associate Professor & Canada Research Chair, University of British Columbia I Scientific Director, Wellstream/Bienamont: The Canadian Centre for Innovation in Child and Youth Mental Health and Substance Use in Vancouver British Columbia and Dr. Nathan Ngieng Deputy Superinte...

When it comes to substance use prevention, many schools are stuck using outdated, ineffective strategies. Our guests this episode are Dr. Emily Jenkins, Associate Professor & Canada Research Chair, University of British Columbia I Scientific Director, Wellstream/Bienamont: The Canadian Centre for Innovation in Child and Youth Mental Health and Substance Use in Vancouver British Columbia  and D...

How can principals create a culture of growth in their schools? In this episode our guest is  Leanne Marchand , Curriculum Coordinator at Chinook School Division #211 in Saskatchewan.  She explains why instructional leadership is key and how principals can use student data to drive decision-making. She highlights the power of teacher appraisals, feedback loops, and reflective conversations to impr...

School principals are at a breaking point. Their roles now extend far beyond education—managing refugee support, mental health crises, and even food programs—all without additional resources. In this episode, we dive into the overwhelming demands placed on school administrators and the unrealistic expectations that keep piling up. Guest Chris Hicks , Chair or the Council of School Leaders with the...