FocusED: An educational leadership podcast that uncovers what is working in our schools.

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 Season 6, Episode 9 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 Season 6, Episode 6 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 St...

This is Season 6, Episode 5 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 s...

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...

This is Season 6, Episode of FocusED, and it features our guest, Nathan Tanner; we discuss what it means to be an unconquerable leader…and so much more. Nathan Tanner Brings a Tons of Experience to FocusED Listeners Nathan Tanner is an executive coach who helps CEOs, founders, and high impact leaders scale themselves and their companies. He has coached leaders at high growth startups and bellwethe...

Lauren tells that she was inspired to write the book, The Leader Inside, because of her journey and the people who mentored her along the way, including her parents who were teachers and a special teacher who she names on the show. She told us a story about how George Couros challenged her to blog and then eventually write a book. She writes to reflect on her learning, and the pieces about coachin...

Jason Kennedy Brings a Tons of Experience to FocusED Listeners Jason Kennedy is a 24 year educator, author, school administrator, district curriculum and professional learning director, instructional coach, and presenter. He has tons of experience at all levels of education, elementary through college. He has been a part of Cognia review teams, statewide professional learning, and local curriculum...

Dr. Emily Alicia Affolter is the director of and faculty for Prescott College's Sustainability Education Ph. D. Program. Prior to serving in this role, she worked as a Senior Research Scientist at the University of Washington’s Center for Evaluation & Research for STEM Equity (CERSE). Emily earned her Ph. D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Multicultural Education from the University...

FocusED Show Notes with Guest Amy Anderson Amy starts the conversation with the fact that we need outside partners to do the best work we can on the inside. Don’t miss what she says about the time that students spend beyond the school walls and the need to engage the community to support all learners. Dr. Anderson’s work is primarily with students who are typically marginalized by the system. Joe...

This is Season 5, Episode 18 of FocusED, and it features our guest, MInette Norman; in this episode, we're focused on what it means to be an inclusive leader and how leaders can learn to create psychological safety for the people they seek to serve. Minette Norman Brings a Tons of Experience to FocusED Listeners Minette Norman is an award-winning author, speaker, leadership consultant, and former...

This is Season 5, Episode 17 of FocusED, and it features our guest, Peter Rios; in this episode, we're focused on what it takes to unlock your greatest potential as a leader…and so much more. _________________________________________ Peter Rios Brings a Tons of Experience to FocusED Listeners Peter has consulted at institutions such as Harvard University, the Lilly Endowment, and the Department of...

MESSY Leadership with Alyssa Gallagher This is Season 5, Episode 16 of FocusED, and it features our guest, Alyssa Gallagher; we discuss the meaning of MESSY leadership, myths about readiness for a role, the need for coaching for all leaders…and so much more. _________________________________________ Alyssa Gallagher Brings a Tons of Experience to FocusED Listeners Alyssa Gallagher is the Head of B...

This is Season 5, Episode 15 of FocusED, and it features our guest, Patrice Bain; we discuss powerful teaching techniques, brain science, action research, classroom instruction, school leadership…and much more. _________________________________________ Patrice Bain Brings a Tons of Experience to FocusED Listeners Patrice M. Bain, Ed. S., is a veteran K–12 and university educator, speaker and autho...

Be the Flame with Shane Saeed This is Season 5, Episode 14 of FocusED, and it features our guest, Shane Saeed. In our wide ranging conversation, we discuss community building, setting norms, the science of learning, coaching teachers…and much more. _________________________________________ Shane Saeed Brings a Tons of Experience to FocusED Listeners Shane Saeed is a district instructional coach in...

Kim Strobel Brings a Tons of Experience to FocusED Listeners Kim Strobel is a renowned motivational speaker and author of the forthcoming Teach Happy: Small Steps to Big Joy, sought after by schools, businesses, and organizations worldwide. With her powerful message about the impact of happiness on well-being and the pursuit of fulfillment, she traverses the globe, sharing her insights. Kim specia...

This is Season 5, Episode 12 of FocusED, and it features our guest, Wendy Turner. Wendy talks to us about adult burn-out, SEL strategies to use on yourself, what leaders can do differently to support teachers…and much more. _________________________________________ Wendy Turner Brings a Tons of Experience to FocusED Listeners Wendy Turner is an educator, author, and teacher leader who is passionat...

This is Season 5, Episode 11 of FocusED, and it features our guest, Mitch Weathers. Mitch defines executive functioning skills, why they are so important to teach students in school, and how to do it in every classroom…and much more. _________________________________________ Mitch Weathers Brings a Tons of Experience to FocusED Listeners Mitch Weathers became a gifted teacher because he was a medi...

This is Season 5, Episode 10 of FocusED, and it features our guest, Suzanne Dailey. Don’t miss what Suzanne has to say about teaching happier, gratitude, the brain, tons of book recommendations…and much more. _________________________________________ Suzanne Dailey Brings a Tons of Experience to FocusED Listeners Suzanne Dailey has been a teacher for 22 years. She is currently an instructional coa...

Dr. Erica Buchanan-Rivera Brings a Tons of Experience to FocusED Listeners Dr. Erica Buchanan-Rivera has served as a teacher, principal of an international magnet school, director of curriculum, and director of equity and inclusion in her 17 years as an educator. She is currently a DEI project specialist and adjunct professor in the College of Education at Butler University and consults through he...

This is Season 5, Episode 8 of FocusED, and it features our guest, Meghan Lawson. It was originally recorded in front of a live audience in Delaware, provided as a professional development experience in collaboration with the Delaware Department of Education, Wilmington University, and The School House 302. Don’t miss what Meghan Lawson says about teaching for a lasting impact, creating a legacy o...

Luke Roberts Brings a Tons of Experience to FocusED Listeners Dr. Luke Roberts has worked in education in the UK for over 20 years to address issues of conflict, bullying, and educational opportunities. He worked on the national evaluation of restorative justice in schools before becoming a practitioner and trainer. He became increasingly concerned that the whole school approach was not working an...

This is Season 5, Episode 6 of FocusED, and it features our guest, Lee Roland. It was originally recorded in front of a live audience in Delaware, provided as a professional development experience in collaboration with the Delaware Department of Education, Wilmington University, and The School House 302. Don’t miss what Lee Roland says about his journey as a school leader and radical change in sch...