School Rules Podcast

Are cell phone bans in classrooms actually solving the screen time crisis—or are we just swapping one digital distraction for another? In this episode of the School Rules Podcast , host Dr. Jerry Burkett sits down with Terry Gromes Jr. , Founder and CEO of The Canary Project , to unpack the true cost of the attention economy on students and families. From algorithmic dopamine hooks to the "br...

Welcome back to the School Rules Podcast with Dr. Jerry Burkett! In this high-yield episode, we cut through educational noise and policy confusion to bring you actionable tools for school leadership, instructional technology, and financial literacy. The Leadership Lens (Before School): Navigating the October Low & DAEP Risks Dr. Burkett addresses the seasonal strain of late September and Octob...

How can educators and instructional designers harness the power of artificial intelligence without losing human empathy and connection? In this episode of the School Rules Podcast , Dr. Jerry Burkett welcomes Jackie Pelegrin , host of Designing with Love and adjunct professor at Grand Canyon University. Drawing from nearly two decades of experience across higher education, corporate learning, and...

In this episode of the School Rules Podcast , Dr. Jerry Burkett sits down with Isabella Choi (Founder & President) and Camille Song from the National Substance Prevention Network (NSPN) . For years, school leaders have relied on top-down assemblies, scare tactics, and zero-tolerance removals to combat substance use—methods that rarely shift student culture. NSPN is pioneering a different appro...

In this quick reaction episode of the School Rules Podcast , Dr. Jerry Burkett analyzes Texas Representative James Talarico’s education reform comments at last night’s CNN Town Hall. Episode Highlights: Fully Funding the Department of Education: Why federal Title I and IDEA dollars matter for local districts. Universal Pre-K: The long-term instructional return on early childhood investments. Teach...

Welcome back to the School Rules Podcast with Dr. Jerry Burkett! In this high-yield episode, we cut through educational noise and policy confusion to bring you actionable tools for school leadership, instructional technology, and financial literacy. The Leadership Lens (Before School): Navigating the October Low & DAEP Risks Dr. Burkett addresses the seasonal strain of late September and Octob...

Welcome to the kickoff episode of the 2026–2027 academic year! Host Dr. Jerry R. Burkett delivers an packed three-segment episode tackling the full spectrum of educational leadership—from systemic K-12 policy crises to cutting-edge classroom technology and doctoral student success. Segment 1: The Leadership Lens – Fort Worth ISD & State InterventionsDr. Burkett opens the season with an adminis...

Welcome to a new episode of the School Rules Podcast, created for graduate students enrolled in ELDR 5323: Organization & Administration of Educational Leadership. In this session, Dr. Burkett introduces the course, outlines the major leadership themes we’ll explore this semester, and connects theory to practice through travel, reflection, and applied administrative concepts. In this episode:...

In this episode of the School Rules Podcast , I blend discussions from ELDR 6433 and ELDR 5123 to explore what it means to lead with curiosity and purpose. We talk about developing a meaningful leadership philosophy, staying open to new information, and how curiosity shapes the way leaders respond to challenges. I also dive into trauma‑informed leadership, the mental health realities facing educat...

Specifically for Dr. Burkett's ELDR 6433, we discuss the end of the course, the capstone project, and how we explore our individual leadership style.

In this video, Dr. Burkett discusses the process leaders should go through to create and write their own leadership philosophy.

School Rules Podcast -- Summer Edition. For my ELDR 6433: Seminar in Educational Leadership Course. How do great leaders handle conflict, navigate corporate culture, and stay legally compliant without losing their team? Welcome to Episode 4 of our Leadership Series! Today we are stepping out of textbook theory and straight onto the office floor to look at the practical, day-to-day dynamics that sh...

Power is the currency of organizations, but how do we navigate it ethically? We stress-test abstract theories against the realities of institutional life using French and Raven’s five forms of power, Daniel Goleman’s emotional intelligence domains, and Robert Kelley’s followership styles. We also examine six distinct ethical lenses to help make your moral reasoning visible. 🎯 Special Assignment S...

In this podcast lecture for ELDR 6433, Dr. Burkett breaks down 9 modern-day leadership styles. These include transformational, servant, authentic, autocratic, situational, Laissez-Faire, Collective, Complexity, and Distributed.

In this episode of the School Rules Podcast, Dr. Jerry R. Burkett tackles three of pressing issues facing K-12 leaders today. From the courtroom in Virginia to the phone pouches in your hallways, we are talking about the "Architecture of Excellence" and the courage required to lead effectively. In this episode, we dive into:⚖️ The Virginia 6-Year-Old Shooting Case & Administrator Lia...

In this episode, we dive into: 🎙️ Segment 1: Commitment vs. Compliance Are your staff meetings "death by PowerPoint," or are they fueling the mission? Dr. Jerry R. Burkett discusses how to move beyond "checking the boxes" of mandates and regulations to inspire a team that leads with their "Why." 🎬 Segment 2: The First Follower & "Wicked" Using the cultu...

School Rules Podcast | Culture, Crisis & Communication: Leading Schools with Purpose In this powerful episode of the "School Rules Podcast", we dive deep into the systems and stories that shape our schools. Host Dr. Jerry R. Burkett explores the heartbeat of School Culture, the leadership of bilingual education, and the urgency of emergency preparedness for school campuses. 👥 Featur...

In this episode, we dive into the hot-button issue of cell phone bans in schools —what’s driving the movement, what the research says, and how it’s impacting students and teachers alike. Then we shift gears to explore what every principal should be prioritizing this school year , from instructional leadership to community-building. Finally, we look ahead to the future of education : What trends ar...

🚨 Big Changes Coming to the Podcast! 🚨 This week, we're shifting gears to make School Rules Podcast an even better companion to my graduate courses. 🎓 We’re diving into how leaders should respond during challenging times , offering practical strategies for staying grounded when the pressure is on. Plus, I’m sharing the top 9 lessons I learned as a school principal —the good, the tough, and the...

In this episode of the School Rules Podcast, we dive into three crucial topics for educators and school leaders:✅ Authentic Leadership: What does it really mean to lead with authenticity? We break down the key principles and how they shape meaningful leadership in schools.📚 Why Publishing Matters in Higher Education: Whether you're an aspiring scholar or a seasoned educator, publishing is mo...

📢 School Rules Podcast | Leadership Matters 🎙️Welcome to *School Rules Podcast*! In this episode, we tackle the complexities of leadership with thought-provoking discussions on: ✅ **The Absence of Leadership** – What happens when leadership fails? We examine the consequences of ineffective leadership and explore strategies for addressing leadership gaps. ✅ **Special Interview with Craig Randall...

This is a School Rules Podcast Special Episode! For this episode, Dr. Burkett discusses special topics as a guest speaker for READ 6693: Literacy, Leadership, and Policy course for Dr. JaNiece Elzy-Palmer at Texas Woman's University. In this special, we discuss Education Policy, Advocacy in Education, the Importance of Voting, and the Implications for Closing the Department of Education.

In this episode, Dr. Burkett discusses recent controversial curricula that are are impacting schools. We also discuss ways to manage students discipline as a school leader and managing difficult conversations. Lastly, we visit part two of our four part series on principal effectiveness. This week: Leadership skills

In this episode, Dr. Burkett talks about finding and supporting the unsung "grinders" in your school. We also discuss the importance of public education and how it is the cornerstone of our society. Finally, we start a 4 part series on what makes an effective principal starting with Professionalism and Ethics. #teachers #education #leadership #school #principal

In this episode, Dr. Burkett provides an update on the conversations happenings in Keller ISD regarding the district split. He also explores the concepts of ethical leadership and the differences between moral and servant leadership. #educationalleadership #leadership #ethics #moral #servants #schoolleadership #kellerisd #schoolboard