On The Way To School

Welcome back to "On the Way to School." In this episode, Dr. Chris Dennis speaks to brand-new school leaders who feel present in the room but not yet in it. He reframes leadership as identity, not title, and reminds new leaders that they already carry leadership through their lived experience. He shares three pillars for early leadership growth: Your experience is leadership capital. Name roles, s...

In today’s episode, Dr. Chris Dennis reflects on a full and meaningful weekend before drawing a powerful lesson from the golf course. From celebrating Dr. Roger Bridges’ milestone birthday over nine holes to joining Mocha Moms and honoring fellow educator Dr. John Carroll at the Private School Axis event, Chris highlights the importance of community, fellowship, and recognizing those who serve. He...

Dr. Chris Dennis shares a personal story about tearing his hamstring after skipping a warm-up and connects it to why educators and administrators should prepare physically, mentally, and emotionally before meetings and the school day. Learn quick, practical warm-up ideas—physical stretches, vocal exercises, and mental resets—to help you enter the day focused and ready.

Host Dr. Chris Dennis reflects on a night at an LAFC match and draws a simple analogy between soccer and school leadership: understanding roles, positioning, and teamwork leads to better opportunities to score. After a long day, he shares how watching the game helped him see the importance of preparation, knowing your teammates, and embracing wins and setbacks as part of leading well.

Dr. Chris Dennis reminds educators and school leaders that while organizations move on, individual influence endures. Using a real campus example, he emphasizes that your daily consistency and presence matter to students, parents, and colleagues; even those who never say thank you. He encourages listeners to save notes of appreciation, reflect on the positive effects of their work, and continue to...

Dr. Chris Dennis reflects on settling into the school year and the difference between tactical tasks and strategic leadership. He discusses how administrators can avoid becoming the default problem-solvers, create clear off-ramps, and regain balance in their work. The episode offers practical advice to check your calendar, empower staff to lead solutions, and protect time for long-term initiatives...

This morning, I’m recording live from my car! Literally on the way to school. I had a plan for today’s episode, but I decided to pivot. Lately, I’ve been thinking about what I call political fret and worry; how the government shutdown, activism, and civic anxiety are showing up in our classrooms and communities. Students are asking deeper questions, colleagues are rethinking their work, and I’m re...

Dr. Chris Dennis reflects on a winning week and shares a classroom lesson that used protest music to teach equity, justice, and leadership. Students brought meaningful songs, examined them through interpersonal, institutional, internalized, and ideological lenses, and found renewed connection and purpose. For homework, listeners are asked to choose two favorite songs, reflect on why they matter an...

In this episode, I remind K–12 leaders to model and promote workplace benefits, prioritize staff check-ins, and provide meaningful feedback and professional development to support our colleagues. I share brief stories about the impact of small gestures and encourage everyone to practice self-care by utilizing physicals and fitness programs. I emphasize that as leaders, we can create a healthier sc...

Welcome back to "On the Way to School," Today, I reflect on the impact of Coach Tuck! How his encouragement to sprint the 400 and join relays helped me discover speed, win championships, and shape my athletic path. I connect coaching to leadership by guiding staff, parents, and students, explaining the purpose of voluntary affinity spaces, and handling pushback with patience and clarity. As equity...

Happy Tuesday on the way to school! As I reflect on my journey, I can't help but recognize the profound impact that coaching has had on my life. From my high school track coach who identified my potential early on to the executive coaches who have helped me refine my professional edge, I've learned invaluable lessons along the way. One key takeaway has been the importance of being coachable. Accep...

Welcome to another episode of "On the Way to School." As I share my thoughts today, I want to discuss with you the importance of clearing both physical and mental clutter. It's all too easy to let distractions multiply; those junk drawers, tasks piling up, and goals that no longer align with our vision can weigh us down.    I encourage each of you to take a step back and re-evaluate your prioritie...

In this Friday episode, I reflect on making it through a short but full week in schools, capped by the excitement of homecoming weekend. A real highlight for me was seeing my son recognized on the homecoming court, which gave me the chance to discuss the difference between leadership and stewardship and what it means to be seen and celebrated by one's community. I also share some takeaways from ou...

In this episode of "On the Way to School", I continue the conversation about my book Lonely Graduation, sharing personal stories from my own college nights and a student-athlete's signing day. I explore the emotional transition that follows major achievements and how celebrations can sometimes feel draining or isolating. I emphasize the importance of giving ourselves space to process both the joy...

Welcome to "On the Way to School" with Dr. Dennis. In this episode, I open up about my upcoming book, Lonely Graduation: The Journey After the Milestone. September has always felt like a month of calibration to me, and as I get deeper into writing, I wanted to share some of that process with you. I discuss where the book began with my own experience as a first-generation college graduate and the u...

Good morning! Welcome to "On the way to School." I'm Dr. Dennis, and I'm excited to share my reflections on our recent high school back-to-school night. It was heartwarming to see so many parents returning to campus, and I loved hearing the stories that emerged from those interactions. The passion our teachers have for their roles truly shines through, and it's inspiring.   I'm also thinking about...

Welcome to another episode of "On The Way To School!" As I reflect on the first days of the school year, I keep coming back to the importance of "calibration", adjusting my pace and energy across classrooms, meetings, and responsibilities. In class today, I checked in with students using a Beyoncé mood meter. In my calendar, I've worked on scheduling strategies that create space for both urgency a...

Welcome back to a new season of On the Way to School! I’m Dr. Dennis, and I’m thrilled to share my reflections on the first week back at school. Join me as I recount memorable moments from carline drop-offs, inspiring classroom interactions, and the joys of family life. In this episode, I’ll dive into my experiences teaching an equity, justice, and leadership course, discussing the balance between...

Welcome to "On the Way to School." I'm your host, Dr. Chris Dennis. In this episode, I discuss the onboarding process for new school staff, emphasizing the importance of feedback and clear communication during the crucial first weeks on campus. I share insights on how issues can emerge from informal communication channels and stress the importance of new hires communicating any concerns with their...

Welcome to "On The Way To School." I'm Dr. Chris Dennis, and today I'm excited to explore the impact of disruption on both our personal and professional lives. Disruptions can often feel overwhelming, and I want to explore why that is and share some valuable strategies to help us stay on track amidst the chaos. Staying focused and being prepared for life's unexpected challenges is crucial; togethe...

In this episode of On The Way To School, I’m excited to share my personal experiences with AI at work. It all started with an unexpected recap from an AI companion during one of our meetings, which opened my eyes to the potential of this technology. I’ll delve into the diverse ways AI is being utilized in educational environments, highlighting the importance of transparency and discussing the ethi...

Join me, Dr. Chris Dennis, this Monday morning as I delve into the powerful theme of setting the right intentions and cultivating positive habits. I'll be sharing some personal reflections on the milestones I've encountered throughout my journey, with a particular emphasis on the impact of habits we form at the start of the school year. Have you ever considered how a seemingly small decision, like...

Welcome to another episode of 'On The Way To School.' I'm your host, Dr. Chris Dennis. Today, I want to dive into the complexities of modern leadership—something that I believe is more crucial now than ever as we approach a new school year.  As I reflect on my journey, I recognize the vital role that emotional intelligence plays in effective leadership. It's not just about managing tasks; it's abo...

Hey everyone! Welcome back to another episode of 'On The Way To School.' I'm Dr. Chris Dennis, and today, we're diving into some crucial aspects of effective leadership. We'll explore how transparent communication and genuine emotional expression can boost your leadership impact.  I'm also going to talk about the importance of recognizing who might be missing from your team and how we can bring th...

In this episode of "On The Way To School," I reflect on the importance of strategic planning both professionally and personally. As we begin a new school year, I share my experiences in preparing for critical meetings and retreats, emphasizing how strategic plans serve as a roadmap for achieving our long-term objectives. I delve into personal anecdotes, including a recent family road trip and my w...