Transforming Education: Leadership Lessons

In this episode, we consider how to best lead your team through changes that are beyond your control.  We also consider how schools effectively serve students with intense behavioral needs without compromising the learning environment for everyone, and how we best support our staff along the way.  Whether you are leading a system or just trying to serve and support others, this episode will provid...

What does it truly mean to lead others well? In this episode, we dive into the principles of servant leadership, the value of being teachable, and the importance of embracing different seasons of life and career. Our guest shares how a mindset of service can transform the way we lead, ask questions, and support others. Whether you’re an educator, leader, or professional seeking purpose in your wor...

How do you build a school culture rooted in growth, joy, and shared leadership? In this episode, MOC–Floyd Valley High School principal Levi Letsche shares how intentional systems, collective efficacy, and servant leadership can develop strong student and staff leaders—and create schools where people truly thrive.

What does it take to build and sustain a thriving school culture? In this episode, Dr. Jared Smith, superintendent of Waterloo Schools and author of Turning Points , shares hard-won lessons from his journey as a teacher, principal, and district leader. From navigating setbacks to leading with vulnerability, Dr. Smith offers practical insights on building trust, empowering teams, and why culture is...

In this episode of Standout Voices Leadership Lessons , we sit down with Tony Hoops, Vice President of Athletics at Northwestern College, to explore his journey from small-town Kansas to award-winning athletic director. Tony shares how faith, family, and community guide his leadership philosophy, why being authentic fuels his contagious energy, and how shifting from scoreboard-focused coaching to...

In this episode of Standout Voices: Leadership Lessons, Russ sits down with Nicole Roeder, the 2025 Iowa Secondary Principal of the Year, to explore what it truly means to lead with heart and strength in the face of adversity. Nicole shares her journey as the principal of Rock Valley High School — a role marked not only by professional excellence but also by navigating profound community challenge...

In this episode, Russ sits down with Dr. D. Nathan Phinney, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Northwestern College, to explore the intersection of leadership, service, and faith. Dr. Phinney shares his journey from faculty member to administrator, reflecting on the importance of humility, patience, and seeing leadership as an opportunity to serve others with grace. The two discuss key leaders...

We’re excited to share that we’ve made some big changes around here! The Transforming Education: Leadership Lessons podcast is now Standout Voices: Leadership Lessons. Not only have we given the show a fresh new name, but we also have a brand-new host guiding the conversation as Russ Adams has taken over for Gary Richardson. In this installment of Standout Voices, Russ has a conversation with Gary...

In this episode, Gary sits down with Thomas C. Murray. Tom serves as the Director of Innovation for Future Ready Schools® and is the author of Learning Transformed and Personal and Authentic, among others. Gary and Tom dive into creating a desired workplace and school culture and how the mindset and actions of the adults in the building are impacting that culture. Resources: Learning Transformed P...

In this episode, Gary and guest, Jenn David-Lang of The Main Idea discuss the book Built to Move: The Ten Essential Habits to Help You Move Freely and Live Fully. Jenn discusses a few key ideas from this reading and how teachers, and all professionals, can adapt these concepts into their daily lives and get moving.   Resources: The Main Idea Book recommendation: Built to Move: The Ten Essential Ha...

In this episode, Gary and guests discuss the evolution of artificial intelligence and its significance for education. Dr. Dana Schon, Professional Learning Director for School Administrators of Iowa explains AI capacities, concerns, and limitations with helpful tool implementations for educators and leaders. Dr. Tom Truesdell, Director of Student Resources at Northwestern College shares insights o...

On this episode, Gary sits down with the 2022 AFCA NAIA National Coach of the Year and the Head Coach of the 2022 NAIA National Champion Raider football team, Matt McCarty. Matt reflects on his team’s successful season and the road to the championship. He’s cultivated a culture of excellence built on trust, mental conditioning, and discipline to do the right thing every day. His leadership approac...

In this episode, Leslie welcomes guest Jacob Morgan. Jacob is a best-selling author and one of the world’s leading authorities on leadership, the future of work, and employee experience. He is a highly sought-after keynote speaker and advisor who has worked with organizations such as Microsoft, Disney, Pepsi, Mastercard, and IBM. As a trained futurist, Jacob’s insights are frequently featured in p...

“A gathering is a moment of time that has the potential to alter many other moments of time.” - Priya Parker, The Art of Gathering Jenn David-Lang returns to the podcast, and we’re discussing how to maximize the power and significance of meetings. When most of us plan staff agendas or lessons, we tend to focus more on the logistics (PPTs, refreshments, Post-Its, etc.), rather than the people, beca...

In this episode, Gary talks with Liz Wiseman, author, researcher, and executive advisor who teaches leadership around the world. We discuss her New York Times best sellers Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter and The Multiplier Effect: Tapping the Genius Inside our Schools , and Wall Street Journal Bestseller, Rookie Smarts: Why Learning Beats Knowing in the New Game of Work . W...

As a former educator and principal, Dr. Wilson has taken her years of experience and connections to gather accomplished leaders and practitioners into a community of coaching and support. Dr. Wilson is a certified coach, trainer and speaker on the John Maxwell Team. She is also the CEO and founder of Innovative Strategies Consulting located in Virginia. We enjoyed our conversation with the deeply...

In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Joe Sanfelippo, our Leadership in Education Conference keynote speaker. We discuss the upcoming conference and his energizing keynote and breakout session for educators. We also chat about why teachers feel overwhelmed and how we can create value for those around us by leading with intention, connection and direction . As the Superintendent of Fall Creek School...

Our guest, Dr. Lisa Remy, joins us as the most recently named Executive Director for School Administrators of Iowa. Prior to starting this new leadership role, she served as the Superintendent of the West Des Moines School District where she guided the school’s culture around the slogan: Every Child Every Day. We discuss leadership lessons that include modeling the courage to be vulnerable and wil...

This episode welcomes the superintendent of the Cedar Rapids Community School District, the inspiring Noreen Bush. Noreen was named the 2021-2022 Iowa Superintendent of the Year and received the 2021 American Association of School Administrators Women in School Leadership Superintendent Award. Norene has dedicated nearly 30 years to public education, finding leadership positions out of her passion...

In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Roark Horn to help celebrate his recent retirement from School Administrators of Iowa (SAI). He reflects on his robust experience in education, from educator to administrator, and eventually executive director of SAI. We talk about changes in education over the years, advocating for the profession, and leveraging the learning momentum on the other side of the p...

Guest, Jessica Christensen shares about her vital work as Director of Community Development and Training for Please Pass the Love and a regional trainer for MidAmerica Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network (MHTTC). She helps districts build better systems to support mental health needs and offers educators tangible skill training to support their students' – and their own health. Take a...

We’re thrilled to welcome back leader, speaker and consultant Angela Maiers to the podcast. In this episode, she shares a sneak peek of her keynote for the NWC Trauma-Informed Conference this Spring. The education guru breaks down the three parts of her current mission: hope, mattering and moving forward. Whether or not you’re able to join us for the conference, this conversation will inspire you...

Do you have habits that you have wanted to start, or drop? Maybe you’ve had success initially, only to return to your old routines. From the Main Idea, Jenn David-Lang is back on the podcast to discuss the key takeaways of the New York Times bestseller Atomic Habits by James Clear. With Clear’s four simple laws of human behavior and concrete strategies, we walk through how to make the tiny changes...

In this episode, Northwestern’s newest graduate program director, Dr. Gregg Elliott joins the podcast. He shares his excitement for building the M.A. in School Counseling and M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling programs along with his passion to help fill the need for more licensed counselors. A growing number of youth and adults live with depression and/or anxiety. Consistently, thoughts of...

Rachel Langenhorst is a lifelong learner dedicated to being a positive change agent. As a technology integrationist and instructional coach, she finds fulfillment in educating and empowering others through collaboration, creation, and connection. She speaks and instructs throughout the Midwest, focusing her efforts on technology integration strategies, social media, Internet safety, and effective...