Leading Out The Woods

🎙️ #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...

Anchor Chat #31: Calm is Contagious  In this episode of Anchor Chats, Dr. Woods reflects on Calm Is Contagious, exploring how a leader’s demeanor can influence the culture, climate, and effectiveness of a school. He discusses the importance of remaining composed during challenging situations, modeling emotional regulation, and creating a sense of stability for staff and students. Dr. Woods encoura...

🎙️ #ThrowbackThursday – Episode #3: Rural Education We're taking it back to one of the early episodes of Leading Out The Woods featuring Dr. Jamon Flowers, Assistant Professor in the Department of Lifelong Education, Administration, and Policy at the University of Georgia In this episode, Dr. Flowers shares valuable insights into the realities of rural education and why this important topic deserv...

Episode #133 is up!  Check it out!!! Always a teacher: How to love your job even more after 40 years Special Guest Mr. Don Bott, instructional coach, consultant, speaker, and veteran educator, joins Dr. Woods on episode #133 of Leading Out The Woods to discuss Always a Teacher: How to Love Your Job Even More After 40 Years. In this episode, Mr. Bott reflects on lessons learned throughout his remar...

Anchor Chat #30: Beyond Busy Work — Rethinking Student Engagement In this episode of Anchor Chats, Dr. Woods reflects on Beyond Busy Work — Rethinking Student Engagement, challenging educators to move beyond compliance-driven activities and focus on authentic cognitive engagement. He discusses the difference between students being busy versus truly thinking, emphasizing the importance of discourse...

Throwback Thursday! Win the Morning featuring Ryan Stein Originally Released On: 2-9-2024 This week, we’re revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode: ✅ Ryan shares his inspiring philosophy of "Win the Morning" ✅ Ryan discusses his strategies to cultivate a positive school culture Whether you’re hearing it for the first time or revisiting a classic, this...

Episode #132 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Dr. Darian Jones joins Dr. Woods on episode #132 of Leading Out The Woods to discuss From Trauma to Transformation: Healing-Centered Leadership in Schools. In this episode, they explore how leaders can move beyond trauma-informed practices to adopt healing-centered approaches that prioritize relationships, restoration, and resilience. Together, the...

Throwback Thursday! Building Molecular Literacy featuring Dr. Colleen Kelley Originally Released On: 6-28-2024 This week, we’re revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode: ✅ Dr. Kelley discusses molecular literacy and how it is an essential component for a variety of career fields for students. ✅ Dr. Kelley shares how she is creating comic books to get ch...

Anchor Chat #29: From Compliance to Commitment In this episode, Dr. Woods explores a critical shift in school leadership: moving from compliance-driven practices to building true commitment among staff. While compliance may produce short-term results, it rarely leads to lasting change. Sustainable improvement happens when educators understand the purpose behind the work, feel a sense of ownership,...

Throwback Thursday! Loving Your Neighbor featuring Chris Singleton Originally Released On: 7-28-2023 This week, we’re revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode: ✅ Chris shares his inspirational message of resilience, unity and forgiveness. ✅ Chris discusses the way he works with schools, universities, and other organizations to promote love and acceptanc...

Throwback Thursday! Teacher Efficacy: Reaching All Learners Originally Released On:11-6-2020 This week, we’re revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode: ✅ Dr. Novak shares her work on implementing inclusive practices. ✅ Dr. Novak offers tips on creating collective efficacy in learning environments. Whether you’re hearing it for the first time or revisiti...

Episode #131 is up!  Check it out!!! Special Guest Ms. Jayme Braida, Elementary Principal and Special Education Director, joins Dr. Woods on episode #131 of Leading Out The Woods to discuss Culture Isn’t an Accident: How Intentional Leadership Creates Effective Schools. In this episode, they explore how leaders can intentionally shape school culture through clarity, consistency, and purpose-driven...

Throwback Thursday! Title: Art of In-School Suspension featuring Johnathan Cranford Originally Released On: 6-16-2023 This week, we’re revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode: ✅ Johnathan discusses his strategies on implementing a successful in-school suspension program at his school. ✅ Johnathan details how the success led to his book, "The Art of In-...

Throwback Thursday! 🎧Digital Leadership: The New Frontier featuring Dr. Eisa Cox Originally Released: 1-10-2025 This week we’re revisiting a forward-thinking conversation from Leading Out The Woods. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Eisa Cox, Superintendent of Ashe County Schools, as we explore what it truly means to lead in a digital age—and how leaders can leverage technology to strengthen sys...

Anchor Chat # 28: What Are We Tolerating? In this episode, Dr. Woods explores a challenging but essential leadership question: What are we tolerating in our schools that may be quietly shaping our culture? From inconsistent expectations to small behaviors that go unchecked, what leaders and educators allow (intentionally or unintentionally) often becomes the norm over time. Dr. Woods reflects on h...

Throwback Thursday! When Calling Parents Isn’t Your Calling featuring Crystal Frommert Originally Released On: January 12, 2024 This week we’re revisiting another insightful conversation from Leading Out The Woods In this episode, I’m joined by Crystal Frommert, Deputy Head of Secondary at Awty International School and author of When Calling Parents Isn’t Your Calling. We discuss practical ways ed...

Throwback Thursday! Supporting the Whole Child featuring Dr. Sarah Kirk Originally Released On: 12-15-2023 This week we’re revisiting another powerful conversation from Leading Out The Woods. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Sarah Kirk, CEO of Yoga 4 Classrooms and Oklahoma’s 2018 School Counselor of the Year, to discuss how schools can better support the academic, social-emotional, and overal...

Episode #130 is up!  Check it out!!! Special Guest Dr. Brandi Kelly, Speaker, Author, Leadership Coach, and Founder of Spark HOPE Edu, joins Dr. Woods on episode #130 of Leading Out The Woods to discuss Bringing Joy Back: Why H.O.P.E. Is a Leadership Strategy. In this episode, Dr. Kelly shares her leadership journey and the inspiration behind her H.O.P.E. System—Habits, Optimistic Outlook, Purpose...

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:Takeaways from this classic: Dr. Gratto shares an overview of his book, “Inside the Schoolhouse: What Great Principals Know and Do.” Dr. Gratto discusses the key...

Throwback Thursday! Rethinking Black History featuring Dr. LaGarrett King Originally Released On: 2-12-2021 This week, we’re revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode. Takeaways from this classic: Dr. King discusses the importance of black history and how to properly reframe its instruction in k12.  Dr. King provides strategies on how to incorporate black...