Transformative Principal

Kelly Hellams is an elementary school principal at Summit Drive Elementary in Greenville, South Carolina.  She is leading her school on a new focus of Leadership and Entrepreneurial Design.  Kelly has been a teacher and administrator for 23 years and has explicit background in creating lessons and opportunities for elementary students in economic education.  She was a contributor of Focus, Economics lessons for Grades 3–5 and worked with other educators from Russia and Europe on hands-on activities related to fundamental economic concepts Started talking about this focus 2–3 years ago. Leader in me school - 7 habits of Franklin Covey Design39 School Visit Eric Chagala Interview Joe Erpelding Interviews VIDA School Visit How Leader in ME works with Design Thinking Resilience comes from within. Listen Explain Act Deliver Empathy is actively listening to your end user non-linear design thinking process Furman University training on Design Thinking Start small. How to be a transformative principal? Be passionat

Garett Cook is a young leader serving in education for the past 11 years in a variety of roles including science teacher, football and track coach, Assistant Principal, and Principal.  Garett has worked in public and private schools in Kansas, Missouri, and Texas, and he is currently serving as the Principal at Terry W. Kitchen Junior High School in Cape Girardeau, MO. Building a leadership model and sticking to it. system for communication Some group for feedback Believer in PLCs, they think they already know it. The meeting advantage Leaning on them and letting them go. Where I’ve gone wrong int he past and where I’m going right. Good listener and strong communicator Being a decent person - following up. Learning where you give and take. How2be: get to know your staff. Sponsors InControl SEL for Middle School In Control created an effortless social and emotional, character development video curriculum for your students that’s ZERO-TEACHER-PREP AND it’s so cool looking- it feels like a Youtube or Netflix S

Laura Bechard is an experienced business, learning and change management professional with a unique background that combines finances and people. Getting the best out of your people, helping them develop their careers and unleashing their talent can be challenging for leaders. Learning plays a role; however the application of new skills, knowledge or beliefs into the workplace plays a much larger role. ProVision Business Advisors works with leaders to help them launch, ramp up and transition throughout the business life cycle. With 25 years experience in higher education, as a learning strategist with global corporations, a former board member of the Institute for Performance & Learning (Canada) and a consultant to professional practices, ProVision’s programs help leaders and organizations generate a larger impact from the investment in employee and leadership development programs. Laura’s tenure in Alberta’s post secondary sector coupled with an M. Ed and MBA provide her with extensive experience in orga

Dr. Joseph Jones is the Superintendent in the New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District. A passion to provide all students an incredible and valuable learning experience Dr. Jones started teaching World and US History in 1996. A few short years later he found himself within the ranks of school administration hoping to make a difference on a larger scale. Dr. T.J. Vari is the Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools and District Operations in the Appoquinimink School District. Dr. Vari is an experienced school administrator and adjunct faculty with a demonstrated history of working in schools and in higher education. Skilled in K–12 education, online learning, literacy, classroom culture, curriculum & instruction, district operations, human resources, change management, and education reform. Dr. Jones and Dr. Vari, along with Salome Thomas-El are co-authors of the new book: Retention for a Change: Motivate, Inspire, and Energize Your School Culture Model for praise: motivate staff Cultur

In this episode we talk about the launch of transformativeprincipal.com, what we’ve learned from 450 episodes, and more! How to get positive press We passed 1,000,000 downloads of the podcast! Thank you! Sponsors InControl SEL for Middle School In Control created an effortless social and emotional, character development video curriculum for your students that’s ZERO-TEACHER-PREP AND it’s so cool looking- it feels like a Youtube or Netflix Series- and that’s purposeful, they meet students right where they’re at. The videos are 5–6 minutes, kids love them, teachers love them, and you will too. There’s no guesswork in the program because there’s a 21-video progression for each grade level. They’ve thought of everything– because it’s a group of award winning counselors, teachers, and principals that came up with this thing. It’ll help you save tons of time and headaches. Take it from me, it’s time to check that social-emotional learning box, the empty one that’s been keeping you up at night–and it’s time to do

Richard Shell is a global thought leader and senior faculty member at one of the world’s leading business schools, the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He serves as Chair of Wharton’s Legal Studies and Business Ethics Department, the largest department of its kind in the world. His forthcoming book, The Conscience Code: Lead with Your Values. Advance Your Career. addresses an increasingly urgent problem in today’s workplace: standing up for core values such as honesty, fairness, personal dignity, and justice when the pressure is on to look the other way. Why do we struggle with doing what is right? All kinds of rationalizations put you away from looking at the problem. Incentives prompt us to look the other way. Position of power or control enables you to look the other way. People don’t see what’s in front of them because they’re paying attention to something else. Inattention blindness Seeing it vs. owning it. What would a person of conscience do, who is a principal? Observe and willing to

Daniel Bauer is an unorthodox Ruckus Maker who has mentored thousands of school leaders through his Better Leaders Better Schools blog, books, podcasts, and powerful coaching experiences. His new book, The Mastermind: Unlocking the Talent Within Every School Leader introduces a proprietary process called the ABCs of powerful professional development™ which is changing the landscape of how school leaders experience professional development. Leadership Lesson, we repeat ourselves - people need to hear the stories. We all have imposter syndrome It’s easier to give up and play small. To write a better book, I stopped writing a book. Authenticity, Belonging, Challenge Why walking helped - nature is inspiring. King Domino - Cover your kingdom What are principals struggling with the most? Isolation is the #1 enemy of excellence. Would you go to a doctor who wasn’t talking with his peers? Why is that OK for educators? Social media is fine for a first step. How to be a transformative principal? Take some time off! S

Danielle Nuhfer specializes in teaching mindfulness, stress reduction, self-care and habit formation to teachers and students. A high school English teacher, Mindful Schools Certified instructor and an ICF-credentialed teacher wellness coach, Danielle is the author of The Path of the Mindful Teacherx and founder of Teaching Well (teachingwell.life) which is dedicated to supporting teachers to reduce stress and burnout while finding and sustaining balance and wellness inside and outside of their classrooms. Danielle is honored to work with teachers through professional development opportunities, online courses, and one-on-one teacher wellness coaching. A mindful teacher changes the culture of the school in a positive way. How are teachers balancing their work and personal life. Teachers who are mindful are able to know when to ask for help and when to get additional support. The teacher’s mind Leave the teacher’s mind, find the beginner’s mind. If we think it’s selfish, we won’t do it. Self-care is not selfis

Michael Skinner is an award-winning advocate, educator, writer and critically acclaimed singer, songwriter, guitarist, addressing the issues of trauma, abuse and mental health concerns through public speaking, writing and his music. He has spoken at the National Press Club, was a keynote presenter for a conference held by the United Nations, The State Department and Georgetown University on the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children and adults and he was part of the groundbreaking Oprah Winfrey Shows that addressed the issues of males sexually abused as children. Since 1993, Michael’s uplifting and heartwarming story and songs of Hope and Healing has impacted thousands of people every year throughout the country. His presentations at colleges, universities, high schools, mental health centers and conferences, churches, civic groups, sexual assault and domestic violence support centers and conferences, including a women’s correctional center in Hawaii are highly acclaimed. He has appeared on many TV,

Judith Warner, author of the new book, And Then They Stopped Talking to Me: Making Sense of Middle School, has published eight previous works of non-fiction, including the New York Times best-sellers, Perfect Madness: Motherhood in the Age of Anxiety and Hillary Clinton: The Inside Story, plus the multiple award-winning We’ve Got Issues: Children and Parents in the Age of Medication. She’s also a longtime New York Times contributor, best known for her popular column, “Domestic Disturbances.” A former special correspondent for Newsweek in Paris, she has lived in Washington, D.C. for twenty years with her husband and two daughters, and speaks frequently on American family life, workplace issues, and mental health.** Why people hate middle school. Middle school leaves an indelible impression on everyone, no matter what their experience was it seems. Why is this time so formative? How have things changed since you and I were kids dealing with these issues? Kids are so similar to what we were like. Role of par

Suzanne DeMallie taught for seven years in the Baltimore County Public Schools system. Research into her own son’s learning difficulties led her to author the Classroom Auditory Learning Issues Resolution, adopted by the National PTA in July 2007. Her work has appeared in Our Children Magazine, THE Journal, Towson Times, and The Baltimore Sun. She has presented at the National School Boards Association’s annual convention; to nation, state, and local PTA groups; and to politicians. Suzanne was awarded the National PTA Life Achievement Award in May 2007, the highest honor from the nation’s largest child advocacy organization. She is also the Author of "Can you hear me now? Join the Conversation to Make Public Education a Better Choice" Three children, middle child had auditory processing deficits. Ears could capture auditory signals perfectly but brain couldn't process it correctly. Many children struggle with hearing issues. If you say, "I have a teacher voice, I don't need a microphone!" I will shame you. P

Patricia Wilkinson is a science nerd and veteran teacher who has taught all grades, kindergarten through sixth, in both public and private schools. Trish is also the mom of two kids who had “challenges” they now use as strengths in healthy relationships and fulfilling careers. Founder of Brain Stages Parenting, coauthor of Brain Stages: How to Raise Smart, Confident Kids and Have Fun Doing It, Trish shares kid-tested, research-supported techniques to educate and raise successful humans in our complicated world. Everybody gets a big drink of water at the beginning of the day. We all wake up dehydrated. Take a 10 minute exercise or run in the morning. Why the brain benefits so much from exercise and water. Brain connections happen via chemical reactions rather than just electronically, which is facilitated by water. Working memory Moving helps transfer short term memory to long term memory. If we do movement in 10 minute increments, it’s optimal. Add a move game How to be a transformative principal? Get every

Angie Busch Alstonis a teacher in Brevig Mission, a small Inupiaq village on the Seward Peninsula. She came to Alaska in 2005 for a one year adventure and ended up staying. She prizes classroom and community connections and believes all teachers can open themselves to the richness and value around them. She is also the author of The Transplant Teacher, a book to help teachers thrive when they live and teach in new places. Find her online at theAlaskaTeacher.com. Transplant plant analogy. How to survive and thrive when you’re in a new environment. Roll with whatever is going on. Connect with the people around you and look inward. How to stay connected? Get involved, try things, and participate. Make connections a little bit at a time. Relationships are built a little bit at a time. If introverted, look for an ally. How to be a transformative principal? Help foster connections. Sponsors InControl SEL for Middle School In Control created an effortless social and emotional, character development video curriculu

Alyssa Gallagher is Head of Education, North America for BTS Spark, a not-for profit practice focused on bringed executive level coaching to every school leader.  She has extensive experience leading schools and districts to revolutionize learning for students. Under Alyssa’s guidance Los Altos School District became a nationally recognized leader in education innovation with her work featured in Forbes, Wired, The Economist magazine and on CNN and CBS’ 60 Minutes.  After two decades working within k12 education, Alyssa led the global leadership practice for The Wiseman Group, co-designing executive development strategies to enable leaders to become better ‘multipliers’ of their people’s talent.  Alyssa has worked with a wide spectrum of leaders, ranging from early career professionals in her local school district to seasoned executives in Fortune 500 Companies.  Alyssa enjoys working with leaders to design strategies that leverage the capability, creativity and intelligence of everyone on their team. Let’s

Jared Cooney Horvath is a cognitive neuroscientist with expertise in human learning, memory, and brain stimulation. He earned his Master’s degree from Harvard University and his Doctorate from the University of Melbourne. In 2018, Dr. Horvath co-founded LME Global to bring his pioneering brain and behavioral research to teachers, organizations and professionals looking to boost their performance and gain a competitive edge. To inquire about booking Dr. Horvath for a speaking engagement, or to view his online courses and training material, visit www.lmeglobal.net New Book 10 Things Schools Get Wrong (And How We Can Get Them Right) Education is not broken We need to fix it by 10–15% Recognition that teachers are experts. We’ve conflated expertise in learning with expertise in teaching. As the experts you tell us what’s going right! Those who can’t play, coach. We don’t have time. Deep learning vs surface learning. Evidence-based must be surface learning only. Every field gets to define their level of evidence.

Joe Erpelding is the Director of Education at Thrively. What if? Life ready, thought leaders who are ready to elevate humanity! Students creating impact. Create learning that is personal to you. Find a need, using design thinking. Hacking Language - “that’s an at risk kid” It’s our responsibility to find the promise within each kid. What do we want our kids to value 5 years from now. The future is the space we mindfully create! Reality distorter. Create the culture to help kids be successful. how to be a transformative principal? Pause and Listen. Ask who is not at this table right now? Sponsors InControl SEL for Middle School In Control created an effortless social and emotional, character development video curriculum for your students that’s ZERO-TEACHER-PREP AND it’s so cool looking- it feels like a Youtube or Netflix Series- and that’s purposeful, they meet students right where they’re at. The videos are 5–6 minutes, kids love them, teachers love them, and you will too. There’s no guesswork in the progr

Gina Rodriguez-Nunez - Tippin Born and raised in El Paso, Texas. Proud graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso. Received my Bachelors of Interdisciplinary Studies, Bachelors of Liberals Arts. Masters of Education I was an assistant principal for 7 years. I was named principal of Tippin elementary in 2009. I have served the Tippin community for 12 years. Raised by two hard working parents who immigrated to the US after they were married. My mother was a stay-at-home mother and my father worked at a break making factory. When I entered school I only spoke Spanish. I am a product of the bilingual program in EPISD. I later became a bilingual teacher and now a supporter of the EPISD dual language program. I am married and have 3 amazing children. While I am not being a principal I enjoy spending time with my children, traveling and reading. Brittni’s situation taught me a lot about my role as an administrator. Being present for them What can the school do for you? It’s easy to shy away from situations like

Dr. Temple is the Sealy and Smith Chair of Violence Prevention at the University of Texas Medical Branch, as well as a Licensed Psychologist and the Founding Director of the Center for Violence Prevention. His research focuses on the prevention of interpersonal, community, and structural violence, and has been funded through the National Institute of Justice, National Institutes of Health, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He has over 200 scholarly publications in a variety of high-impact journals including JAMA, JAMA Pediatrics, The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, Pediatrics, and the Journal of Adolescent Health. He recently co-edited a book on adolescent dating violence, is an Associate Editor for the Journal of Primary Prevention, and is on the editorial boards of four other scientific journals. Dr. Temple recently co-chaired the Texas Task Force on Domestic Violence and served on the Board of Directors of the Texas Psychological Association. Locally, he served for 7 years as the Vice Pre

Regina Collins is the Principal of the Global School at the Florida Virtual School.  Florida Virtual School is a national organization serving K - 12 students in online education for over 23 years.  She has 20 years in education and 11 of them in virtual education.  In her role as the Global School Principal, she collaborates with a diverse group of people to work towards the common goal of increasing student achievement and retention in an online setting.  She has a way of encouraging students and staff to remain positive and persevere while adapting to change.  And boy has the last 13 months or so really tested that skill! She believes partnerships with parents and school districts are essential to enriching the experience at FLVS Global School.  Prior to joining FLVS in 2010, she also has experience teaching at the elementary level where she passionately pursued strategies to reach the individual needs of each of her students. Teaching is an art and science Organization Development Manager National Standa

Rashard Curmon is a graduate of Elizabeth City State University and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, with a minor in Speech Pathology, a Master of Arts degree in Teaching from East Carolina University, and a Master in School Administration NC State University. Rashard is a former Language Arts teacher. Rashard has served as an Assistant Principal, Instructional Coach and has worked at all three levels: elementary, middle, and high school. He currently resides in Winterville, North Carolina, and is a Principal for Lenoir County Public Schools. Elementary school principal - School opened in 2009 6th in 12 years Learn as much as you can. Don’t come in with a savior complex. What are the early wins for you? Clear vision and mission Didn’t take the route where you watch for six months to a year. Culture of collaboration Gracious space My total focus was achievement. Urgency is now! Instructional framework I had to bei n classrooms. I can’t move our school instructionally if I don’t know what’s going on