Transformative Principal

Michael Fullan, the internationally known authority on educational leadership and proponent of whole system reform, joins us for this episode.  No doubt, many of you listeners have been influenced by Michael’s work over the years. The former Dean of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education and Professor Emeritus of the University of Toronto, he is co-leader of the New Pedagogies for Deep Lea...

Dr. Thomas R. Guskey is Professor Emeritus in the College of Education at the University of Kentucky. He is known throughout the world for his work on student assessment, grading and reporting, professional learning, and educational research.  Guskey is author/editor of thirty books, including his latest, Engaging Parents and Families in Grading Reforms (Corwin). We discuss: What is the purpose of...

This is a continuation of our coaching calls with Eric Makelky. Please check our previous episodes 532 , 527 , 523 519 514 , 510 , 506 , and 501 In this episode, we talk about onboarding new staff.  What Eric has done that has been helpful. District duties and Principal duties. How do we make people stick around? New Teacher Academy - in-house teachers come in and model, share, and showcase practi...

Do you ever doubt your decisions as a principal. As a principal myself, I understand the constant second-guessing and the toll it can take on confidence. Discover the symptoms of self-doubt, from questioning every decision to hesitancy in sharing innovative ideas. Understand the root cause of self-doubt and why it can hinder leadership effectiveness. Learn what doesn't work when trying to combat s...

In this episode of Transformative Principal, Jethro Jones engages in a profound discussion with Sean Slade, co-head of North America at BTS Spark, about reevaluating traditional perceptions of leadership, particularly around the management of emotions. Sean challenges the archetype of the stoic, emotionless leader, suggesting that vulnerability, emotion, and personal connection are crucial element...

In this episode, Jethro is joined by Danny Bauer and Glenn Robbins, author of the book Calm In The Chaos: Ancient Stoic Wisdom for Successful School Leadership . We talk about how to be stoic as a leader in schools and apply that wisdom to your daily. Plus, you won’t believe the sign we saw in a school! How to get people on the same page when you’re not physically on an island.  Community had come...

Aspirational Model   Shifting Mindset Emotional Connection - Research in MESSY started at the beginning of the pandemic.  There will always be the next crisis.  Expectation of leaders - what’s important? Professional veneer - leave our personal outside our workplace. Establishing themselves as larger than life. Authenticity - personal and professional are more blurred.  Heart, Head, and Hands - Dr...

Worthwhile Links:  Range by David Epstein Drip7 Readwise About Ryan Palmbaum Ryan Palmbaum is the founder and CEO of Dabbl Discovery , an educational, bite-sized video learning platform designed to help people discover and follow new interests and career paths through short videos created exclusively by experienced experts and educators in a wide variety of industries. Dabbl combines the engaging,...

In this episode, we explore the power of purposeful play in education. Join us as we discuss the importance of play in the learning process, the Connecticut legislation about play in elementary grades, and the benefits of purposeful play for students. We also delve into LEGO Education that highlights the positive impact of play on learning in K-8 students. We emphasize the importance of putting ki...

In this episode, Jethro talks with James Anderson, who has been on the show three previous times:  The Learner Agency Model with James Anderson Transformative Principal 351 Learnership with James Anderson Transformative Principal 455  Learnership: The Skill of Learning with James Anderson Transformative Principal 570  In this episode, we talk about teaching cultures and learning cultures, take a s...

Jethro welcomes Dr. Jayne Lammers to Transformative Principal. Although we're talking about AI tools, we didn't spend a lot of time talking about the mundanity and what other sources are talking about: the how to, which tool does what thing. Really, we give guidance for school leaders about how to think beyond the boxes and the accountability systems that are currently set up to start to reimagine...

Topaz Adizes is an Emmy-award winning creator who helps build the space between two people through deep and meaningful conversations. We have one of those for you today. Jethro and Topaz share how to listen better, ask better questions, and have intention in the conversations we have.  {The AND} and 12 Questions for Love Illuminating the space between What 12 questions would be the questions that...

In this podcast conversation, Tiffany Caouette discusses the role and importance of play-based learning in education. Tiffany Caouette, currently working with the Connecticut Association of Schools, shares her insights on Connecticut being one of the first US states to acknowledge the significance of play-based learning through legislation. She talks about her experiences as an administrator, and...

In this episode, Jethro is joined by Paul Thiessen and we talk about a broad range of topics from Podcasting for the school community to AI and Personalized Learning.  The Daily - One topic, condensed in a short amount of time. Talking about events or different topics in our school (purple up and science of reading) Conversations with teachers about perceptions in the beginning, middle, and end of...

Today's episode is super fascinating. Rick Meyer shared his dashboard, and you might want to check out the YouTube video for this episode because it is incredible what he’s doing with teacher data.  The power of the data hub Very reactive in MTSS to start Didn’t know how to do formulas to start Data entry comes from Google forms Main test scores entered by admin/instructional coach Progress monito...

How she stays at the same place for so long.  Relationships Street cred and reputation exist, but they don’t know me personally.  Each family is a new relationship Honesty and transparency People don’t always love the news I give them, but they do appreciate the honesty and directness Don’t need to sugarcoat things because it doesn’t actually help.  Call and connect with new families.  Calling to...

In this episode, Dr. Erin Bailey joins Jethro Jones to talk about how to engage families in inspiring the joy of reading in children.  Making reading backed by research, powered by joy Concerns in children’s reading - not teaching it correctly Teaching teachers to be culturally responsive Train teachers in getting to know their students.  Things we should do to teach kids reading: phonological awa...

In this episode, Matthew Ebert joins Jethro to discuss how to actively and intentionally create the space for educators to be their authentic selves at work and how that impacts a greater school community. Ongoing, authentic, and messy 1:1 meetings with all the staff. Slack as a schoolwide communication tool - How to implement without teachers feeling like they need to be in the  Avoid performativ...

Jethro sits down with David Bryan to talk about how to make school more worthwhile.  The difference between public and private schools More freedom in a private school to address issues in their schools. How to manage high tuition. All students paid tuition. Why he started New Roads to connect people.  The richness of a diverse population leads to amazing environments. Schools that are worthwhile...

How to converse with Chatbots using other tools Background in ELA teaching Thinking of the tool as a reading assistant What is a reading assistant? Getting an executive summary  Get an idea if I should really dive into this idea.  Process - find the text, ask what it is, then zoom in,  Zoom out as needed Hallucinations exist, but they are reduced when the text is there.  AI For the rest of us - Au...

This is a trailer for a new show I just started called A Vision for Learning . In it, we focus on the Apple Vision Pro, AR, VR, XR, AI, and the future of learning. I've already released some great episodes, including two interviews with people who have been using AR in schools for years already! Click here to subscribe and get my learning-focused review of the Apple Vision Pro this weekend! If you...

What we teach and how we teach PK-8th grade over a quarter million devoted to students Small class sizes, 2 teachers in a class of 20. Started at 85 students Incredible amount of individual support Transportation is 7% of the budget.  Breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day Wraparound services On-site partnership with Dayton’s Children's Hospital - full-time mental health, doctor, and other service...

In this show we talk about creating a personal operating system, the core four needed to make yourself an amazing human being. You’re going to love this interview.  You can’t lead others to do something you’re not willing to do yourself. Self-leadership in four core areas.  Gap in what  Leader who has a deep level of integrity  Because of the depth of your own integrity You can be better, but a gr...

Linking Leaders Podcast - subscribe and listen in your podcast player of choice. Small little seeds of ideas  Administrator hacks - How they interact Building pathways for administrator prep and their early days. Content and process of what we provide. Connector for administrators Mentoring aspiring administrators What administrators need are connections with others.  Opportunity and process to co...

How the coaching call worked well for Hillary.  Female, like-minded folks Trying PQ reps has been new Working on one saboteur - physically embody that saboteur. Constantly on technology and value time away from technology Listening to my team and giving them space.  Teams focusing on helping her with her saboteur when she divulged what her saboteur is How this is helping in her career changes.  Lo...