Season 4, Episode 12 of the FocusED School Leadership Podcast with Guest Douglas Reeves

Season 4, Episode 12 of the FocusED School Leadership Podcast with Guest Douglas Reeves

by | Apr 17, 2023 | #FocusED, Action, Communication, Core Values, Culture, Daily Habits, Decision-Making, Education, Energy, Engagement, Excellence, Focus, Fulfillment, Goal Setting, Leadership, Learning to Lead, Listening, Mental Mapping, Motivation, Motivation & Retention, Organizational Leadership, Passion, Planning and Preparation, Positivity, Principal Leadership, Principals, Professional Dialogue, Relationships, Resilience, Results, Service Leadership, Teacher Leadership, Teamwork

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Leading Fearlessly with Dr. Douglas Reeves 

This is Season 4, Episode 12 of FocusED, and it features our guest, Dr. Douglas Reeves. It was originally recorded live for a virtual audience in Delaware and provided as a professional development experience in collaboration with the Delaware Department of Education, the Delaware Academy for School Leadership, and The School House 302. Don’t miss what Dr. Reeves says about leading in fear and how to avoid it, changing old practices (like grading)…and so much more.

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Douglas Reeves Brings Tons of Experience to FocusED Listeners

Dr. Reeves is the author of more than 40 books and more than 100 articles on leadership and education. He has twice been named to the Harvard University Distinguished Authors Series and was named the Brock International Laureate for his contributions to education. 

His career of work in professional learning led to the Contribution to the Field Award from the National Staff Development Council, now Learning Forward. Doug has worked in 50 states and more than 40 countries. His volunteer activities include FinishTheDissertation.org, providing free and non-commercial support for doctoral students, and The SNAFU Review, publishing the essays, poetry, stories, and artwork of disabled veterans. 

Doug lives in Boston. He Tweets @DouglasReeves, blogs at CreativeLeadership.net, and can be reached at 1.781.710.9633.

FocusED Show Notes with Dr. Douglas Reeves

We started with the concept of fear. Why so much fear in schools? Dr. Reeves makes it simple: if the only people talking are the ones who are volunteering or in charge, then we have a fear-filled environment. 

Joe highlights what Dr. Reeves says in the book about special education. Doug riffs on the fact that special education practices are just good teaching practices. 

One focus of the podcast was all about the need to take risks and not get things right the first time. 

T.J. asked Doug to talk about candor in schools and its importance of it. 

Joe mentions Atul Gawande’s video about feedback. Dr. Reeves follows up with the words of Howard Gardner and Richard Elmore and their sentiment about thinning–I used to think, and I don’t think anymore. 

You don’t want to miss what Doug says about “promises-made and promises-kept.” 

He talked about credibility and the strategies we can use to build our own credibility. 

What he says about decision-making and options is powerful. 

Doug mentioned Daniel Kahneman’s “sunk cost fallacy.” 

We asked Doug what would improve the student experience in every school, and he talked about grading and the use of the average. 

He calls for more non-fiction writing in all subjects. 

Doug mentions a book he read last week that he calls “the single best book on student discipline.” Changeable by Stuart Ablon

Joe asked about remembering facts and applying what you read, and Dr. Reeves promotes Zotero as a personal assistant of sorts.  

Doug gives some suggestions about how to use ChatGPT for secondary schools. The one we liked the best was to require ChatGPT as a first draft and then improve it through the revision process. 

Don’t miss what Dr. Reeves says about making a local impact with his work and measuring that.

Doug has a call to action for daily support for new teachers and the need for all of us to share as much as we can with each other about the difference that we all make as educators. 

Douglas Reeves Quotes from FocusED

When kids are afraid, they can’t learn. When adults are afraid, they can’t learn. ~ Dr. Douglas Reeves 

One of the biggest misunderstandings is that we build self-esteem with blanket affirmations. Not true. We need candor instead. ~ Dr. Douglas Reeves 

We have to quit doing what we’ve always done and expecting different results. ~ Dr. Douglas Reeves  

Related School Leadership Content from TheSchoolHouse302

Douglas Reeves Joins Joe and T.J. on the Leading Better & Growing Faster Podcast

Steven Covey Joins Joe and T.J. for a Conversation about Trust

Passionate Leadership

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Thanks for listening to FocusED, an educational leadership podcast brought to you by TheSchoolHouse302 @ theschoolhouse302.com where we publish free leadership content. Go to the site, subscribe, and you’ll get all of our content sent directly to your email. 

 

FocusED is your educational leadership podcast where our mission is to dissect a particular focus for teachers and school leaders so that you can learn to lead better and grow faster in your school or district. Let us know who you would like to hear from next.

Season 4, Episode 11 of the FocusED School Leadership Podcast with Laurie Barron

Season 4, Episode 11 of the FocusED School Leadership Podcast with Laurie Barron

by | Mar 28, 2023 | #FocusED, Action, Communication, Core Values, Culture, Daily Habits, Decision-Making, Education, Energy, Engagement, Excellence, Focus, Fulfillment, Goal Setting, Leadership, Learning to Lead, Listening, Mental Mapping, Motivation, Motivation & Retention, Organizational Leadership, Passion, Planning and Preparation, Positivity, Principal Leadership, Principals, Professional Dialogue, Relationships, Resilience, Results, Service Leadership, Teacher Leadership, Teamwork

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Strengthening School & District Communities with Laurie Barron

This is Season 4, Episode 11 of FocusED, and it features our guest, Laurie Barron. It was originally recorded live for a virtual audience in Delaware and provided as a professional development experience in collaboration with the Delaware Department of Education, the Delaware Academy for School Leadership, and The School House 302. Don’t miss what Laurie says about strengthening school and district communities as a teacher and leader…and so much more.

 

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Laurie Barron Brings Tons of Experience to FocusED Listeners

Dr. Laurie Barron is in her twenty-seventh year in education, serving as a high school English teacher, a middle school assistant principal, and nine years as a middle school principal.  

Since 2013, she has served as the superintendent of the Evergreen School District in Kalispell, Montana. Barron holds a bachelors in English Education from the University of Georgia, a master’s in Supervision and Administration from the University of West Georgia, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Sarasota.  

The following are just some of her accolades:

  • National Superintendent Certification through AASA
  • National Board Certified Teacher
  • Teacher of the Year
  • STAR Teacher
  • Georgia Middle School Principal of the Year
  • National Middle School Principal of the Year 
  • School Administrators of Montana G.V. Erickson Award
  • Empowered Superintendent of the Year by the Montana Educational Technologists Association
  • Montana Superintendent of the Year

She has co-authored 3 books: 

Dr. Barron is a national speaker, consultant, and leadership coach, and she says she’s living the dream in northwest Montana with her husband Daniel, where together they enjoy spending time with family watching Georgia Bulldogs football, snow skiing, camping, rafting, hiking, and watching their daughter Emma play college soccer.

FocusED Show Notes with Laurie Barron

Laurie started out the conversation with the fact that the concept of instructional leadership may have confused us during NCLB into forgetting about the whole child. Her book brings that back to the center of the conversation with a sense of belonging. 

Joe asks Laurie to get granular about strategies for helping students understand and feel that they matter in school. Her response: Trusting relationships are the biggest key.

Laurie breaks down a timeline for engagement: 

  • Every classroom door, every morning. 
  • Every classroom was visited every week. 
  • Feedback to every teacher every month.
  • Twice a year check-ins with every direct report. 

Dr. Barron talked about earning the credibility to give teachers ideas that they’ll use. Part of it comes from visibility; the other part comes from our ability to have tough conversations.

Laurie talked about the level of accountability that comes from having crucial conversations. Timing is everything. 

Laurie talked about the myth that holding high standards will push people out. She says that we might need to “love harder” and “explain more.” 

The best advice that Laurie has for leaders is to develop a network. Wisdom from her mentor: Keep one foot in your job and one foot in your profession. 

Laurie recommends What Great Teachers Do Differently by Todd Whitaker 

Joe asks about books outside of education. Laurie mentions Mindset by Carol Dwek and Daniel’s Pink’s Drive. Must read!

Laurie Barron Quotes from FocusED

It’s really hard to engage and participate if you feel like you don’t matter. ~ Laurie Barron 

Honesty is kind. We need to give very clear feedback to teachers. ~ Laurie Barron 

How we work with people and our honesty with them are critical. ~ Laurie Barron

More School Culture Resources from TheSchoolHouse302

3 Ideas About Innovative School Culture

5 Ways to Show More Support to Create the School Culture that Teachers and Students Need

Retention for a Change

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Thanks for listening to FocusED, an educational leadership podcast brought to you by TheSchoolHouse302 @ theschoolhouse302.com where we publish free leadership content. Go to the site, subscribe, and you’ll get all of our content sent directly to your email. 

 

FocusED is your educational leadership podcast where our mission is to dissect a particular focus for teachers and school leaders so that you can learn to lead better and grow faster in your school or district. Let us know who you would like to hear from next.

Season 4, Episode 10 of the FocusED School Leadership Podcast with Lorea Martinez

Season 4, Episode 10 of the FocusED School Leadership Podcast with Lorea Martinez

by | Mar 27, 2023 | #FocusED, Action, Communication, Core Values, Culture, Daily Habits, Decision-Making, Education, Energy, Engagement, Excellence, Focus, Fulfillment, Goal Setting, Leadership, Learning to Lead, Listening, Mental Mapping, Motivation, Motivation & Retention, Organizational Leadership, Passion, Planning and Preparation, Positivity, Principal Leadership, Principals, Professional Dialogue, Relationships, Resilience, Results, Service Leadership, Teacher Leadership, Teamwork

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Social and Emotional Learning and Leading with Lorea Martinez

This is Season 4, Episode 10 of FocusED, and it features our guest, Lorea Martinez. It was originally recorded live for a virtual audience in Delaware, and provided as a professional development experience in collaboration with the Delaware Department of Education, the Delaware Academy for School Leadership, and The School House 302. Don’t miss what Lorea Martinez has to say about SEL in schools, including what leaders can do to support staff…and so much more.

 

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Lorea Martinez Brings Tons of Experience to FocusED Listeners

Dr. Lorea Martínez Pérez is the award-winning founder of HEART in Mind Consulting, a company dedicated to helping schools and organizations integrate Social Emotional Learning in their practices, products, and learning communities. She has worked with schools, districts, and organizations to guide SEL implementation efforts, including training teachers and leadership teams, and provided guidance to educational technology and media companies to help them integrate SEL into their products.

An educator who has worked with children and adults internationally, Dr. Martínez is a faculty member at Columbia University Teachers College, educating aspiring principals in Emotional Intelligence. She has conducted extensive research in the SEL field with a focus on SEL implementation, principals’ Emotional Intelligence, teacher preparation, and school climate. She frequently blogs about how to incorporate SEL in teaching practices, leadership, and parenting.

She received her Doctor of Philosophy, magna cum laude, in Quality and Innovation in Education from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. In 2014, she was awarded the American Education Research Association Graduate Student Award for Excellence in SEL Research from the SEL Special Interest Group.

Dr. Martínez started her career as a special education teacher and administrator. A native of Costa Brava in Spain, she currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and two daughters.

Buy her book, Teaching with the HEART in Mind: A Complete Educator’s Guide to Social Emotional Learning.

FocusED Show Notes with Lorea Martinez

Don’t miss what Lorea says about teaching SEL: “We wouldn’t let reading teachers teach the skills of reading without knowing how to read well themselves.” 

 Lorea talks about the need to practice SEL in front of students. They don’t just learn because we teach them the skills. They learn because we show them. 

 This conversation doesn’t gloss over the incredible needs in schools today, both socially and academically. 

 Lorea talked about the system changes that need to be made for SEL to work. 

 Dr. Martinez talks about the fact that we’re teaching teachers how to teach students, but we’re ignoring the fact that we also need to help teachers to help themselves. 

 Don’t miss what she says about her HEART acronym. 

 We discuss the need for teachers and leaders to process their emotions so that they don’t come up against a wall when they’ve swallowed them for too long. 

 The E in HEART is “elect your responses,” which is about our behavioral patterns and making better choices than what we do on autopilot. 

 Lorea provides listeners with specific strategies to use. Don’t miss what she says about taking the weather report with popsicle sticks. 

 We discuss the need for leaders to have real conversations about how people feel. 

 We love the fact that she highlights the need for leaders to celebrate and praise the staff. We have to continue to find positive moments and bright spots. 

 Joe follows up to underscore the importance of praise, using our specific praise model, and the way we need to be very intentional about celebrations and individual accomplishments. 

 Lorea tells us about everyone’s tendencies to look at their low scores versus celebrating the strengths we have. 

 Dr. Martinez brings up Six Seconds as a place to go for materials and assessments for leaders who want to improve their emotional intelligence. 

 Lorea mentions two books: Cultivating Kindness: An Educator’s Guide (research about kindness in kids) and Unleashed: The Unapologetic Leader’s Guide to Empowering Everyone Around You (a business book). 

 Joe brings up CASEL and the notion that all of this isn’t new…it just may be new to you! 

 Lorea wishes that someone would study more about adult SEL, specifically about organizational leadership and core values. How are the systems and routines we build embedded with emotional intelligence? 

 We invited Lorea to talk about the course that she created for teachers. Don’t miss what she says about how to use it.

Lorea Martinez Quotes from FocusED

We cannot teach what we don’t practice; the students are always watching. ~ Lorea Martinez 

Educators are great at having empathy for students, but they need to get better at having self-empathy. ~ Lorea Martinez

More Social and Emotional Resources from TheSchoolHouse302

Season 3, Episode 4 of FocusED with Lorea Martinez

Leading Better & Growing Faster w/ Joe & TJ: Thoughts about Supporting SEL in Schools

Our Interview with SEL Expert Thomas Hoerr

Season 3, Episode 2 of FocusED with Jeffrey Benson

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Thanks for listening to FocusED, an educational leadership podcast brought to you by TheSchoolHouse302 @ theschoolhouse302.com where we publish free leadership content. Go to the site, subscribe, and you’ll get all of our content sent directly to your email. 

 

FocusED is your educational leadership podcast where our mission is to dissect a particular focus for teachers and school leaders so that you can learn to lead better and grow faster in your school or district with more knowledge, better understanding, and clear direction on what to do next.

How School Leaders Can View Problems as Possibilities To Improve Their Schools, Leading Better and Growing Faster with Joe and T.J.

How School Leaders Can View Problems as Possibilities To Improve Their Schools, Leading Better and Growing Faster with Joe and T.J.

by | Mar 13, 2023 | #onethingseries, Action, Communication, Core Values, Culture, Daily Habits, Decision-Making, Education, Energy, Engagement, Excellence, Focus, Fulfillment, Goal Setting, Leadership, Leading Better and Growing Faster, Learning to Lead, Listening, Mental Mapping, Motivation, Motivation & Retention, Organizational Leadership, Passion, Planning and Preparation, Positivity, Principal Leadership, Principals, Professional Dialogue, Relationships, Resilience, Results, Service Leadership, Systems Thinking, Teacher Leadership, Teamwork

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How School Leaders Can View Problems as Possibilities To Improve Their Schools

In this episode, Joe and T.J. explore what it really means to mind your mental map. Our minds can be very scary places if we are not careful. School leaders must remain in a productive space in order to lead effectively, but the thread of events throughout the day and week can take its toll. This is why school leaders must do the following:

  1. Flip Your Thinking
  2. Don’t Jump to Judge
  3. Adapt, Don’t Adopt

Key Points from Joe & T.J

T.J. starts the conversation on the crucial importance of being aware of the potential of living on Groundhog Day–experiencing the same set of events over and over.

Joe double-downs on some ChatGPT, unfinished learning, school climate, an increase in student discipline, the teacher shortage, and ESSER funds running out, and how we frame all of these circumstances in our minds is critical. Yes, they are problems, but where are the possibilities? We are firm believers that with the right approach, no problem is unsolvable. 

 

Take control of your thinking and flip it. Listen to T.J. talk about Tim Ferris and how he approaches an issue. 

  • Innovation and analysis–think with your team.
  • Don’t jump to judge–so easy to judge others by their actions and not intentions. 
  • Adapt, don’t adopt–put an issue on its side.
  • Perceptual illusion–what don’t you see?

The Leading Better & Growing Faster with Joe & T.J. Show

Let us know a topic that you want us to cover by contacting us at [email protected]. And don’t miss our leadership newsletter every week by subscribing to the site. Like, follow, share, and comment–we appreciate it!

We can’t wait to hear from you. 

Joe & T.J.

Two Books For School Leaders Who Want To Become Their Best Self, Leading Better and Growing Faster with Joe and T.J.

Two Books For School Leaders Who Want To Become Their Best Self, Leading Better and Growing Faster with Joe and T.J.

by | Mar 13, 2023 | #readthisseries, #SH302, Action, Communication, Core Values, Culture, Daily Habits, Decision-Making, Education, Energy, Engagement, Excellence, Focus, Fulfillment, Goal Setting, Leadership, Leading Better and Growing Faster, Learning to Lead, Listening, Mental Mapping, Motivation, Motivation & Retention, Organizational Leadership, Passion, Planning and Preparation, Positivity, Principal Leadership, Principals, Professional Dialogue, Relationships, Resilience, Results, Service Leadership, Systems Thinking, Teacher Leadership, Teamwork

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Joe and T.J. Recommend that School Leaders Read Harvard Business Review’s On Mental Toughness and Success Through A Positive Mental Attitude

In this episode, you’ll hear key points made by both T.J. and Joe about two books every school leader should read to mind their mental map to the future.

T.J. immediately underscores that On Mental Toughness has a bonus article with Martin Seligman. Dr. Martin E.P. Seligman is the Director of the University of Pennsylvania Positive Psychology Center.

You also don’t want to miss the critical points he makes on mental toughness and the value of perseverance.

Joe shares one of his favorite books because of the power of the success principles featured in it, Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude. Spend a life pursuing them, and you will grow as a person and a leader. 

In each episode, Joe and T.J. leave a tip to lead better and grow faster. This month’s reading tip is to build in time to reflect on what you’ve read. This is easy to do, but so often, we just move on without reflecting on how we might apply the information in the books we read. Knowledge without application serves no one and won’t make you any better than you were before you started reading. 

The Leading Better & Growing Faster with Joe & T.J. Show

Let us know what you’re reading by contacting us at [email protected]. And don’t miss our leadership newsletter every week by subscribing to the site. 

 

We can’t wait to hear from you. 

 

Joe & T.J.

 

The Power of Grit, Tenacity, and Family Support with Nancy and Elizabeth Jorgensen, Leading Better and Growing Faster with Joe and T.J.

The Power of Grit, Tenacity, and Family Support with Nancy and Elizabeth Jorgensen, Leading Better and Growing Faster with Joe and T.J.

by | Mar 3, 2023 | #onethingseries, Action, Communication, Core Values, Culture, Daily Habits, Decision-Making, Education, Energy, Engagement, Excellence, Focus, Fulfillment, Goal Setting, Leadership, Leading Better and Growing Faster, Learning to Lead, Listening, Mental Mapping, Motivation, Motivation & Retention, Organizational Leadership, Passion, Planning and Preparation, Positivity, Principal Leadership, Principals, Professional Dialogue, Relationships, Resilience, Results, Service Leadership, Systems Thinking, Teacher Leadership, Teamwork

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About Nancy and Elizabeth Jorgensen

Elizabeth Jorgensen has been published in many popular journals, including the English Journal, Edutopia, Teachers & Writers Magazine, and many, many more. 

Her book on process-based assessment, Hacking Student Learning Habits, was published by Times 10 Publications in 2022, and her most recent book was released in October 2022, Gwen Jorgensen: USA’s First Olympic Gold Medal Triathlete, which is our focus today, along with her co-author and mother, Nancy. 

She has presented nationally and is an award-winning writer and teacher, and sought-after speaker. 

Nancy Jorgensen was a high school choir director for many years, she is the co-author of two music education books, Things They Never Taught You in Choral Methods and From the Trenches: Real Insights from Real Choral Educators. She is also the author of several essays and an Olympic blog, published in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 

Very impressive teachers and family!

What You’ll Find in this Podcast Episode with Nancy and Elizabeth Jorgensen

Listen to this incredible story of mother and daughter working in the same school and how Nancy (mom) was publishing articles and other work, and how she went to Elizabeth (an English teacher) to help with editing. 

Then, Elizabeth asked her to return the favor. They’ve been writing together ever since. 

Nancy explains why candor was critical with her children. There’s no time to slow down to “be nice.” 

Don’t miss what Elizabeth and Nancy say about ideation and staying on task, including the kind of feedback they want and expect from each other. 

We really liked the concept of the “beta-readers” to help with polishing work before publication. 

They get very granular about their writing and editing process. It’s fascinating to hear how they can often lose track of who wrote the initial piece. 

The research behind why they wrote Gwen Jorgensen: USA’s First Olympic Gold Medal Triathlete is fascinating. Their discovery: there aren’t books available for young people about female athletes.

One powerful theme in the book comes from how Gwen listened to a track coach even though she didn’t consider herself a runner.

Nancy and Elizabeth emphasized the power of listening and embracing what others see in us, even if we don’t see it in ourselves.

Elizabeth talked about the essence of feedback and how Gwen refined her skills to grow into an Olympic Gold medalist. 

Don’t miss how school leaders can use these lessons in each and every classroom. The point about strength identification is a powerful takeaway. Elizabeth’s answer on the power of reflection and the activity of having students write letters is something every teacher can do. 

What Nancy says about student leadership in the choir classroom is profound. 

We were not surprised to learn that both of them follow Gwen as a positive force in their lives. In fact, they have to follow her on social media because she’s so busy. 

The way that Elizabeth uses social media to praise and celebrate the people she follows is an awesome strategy. 

The goals that Gwen makes public about her Olympic training is both vulnerable for her and inspirational for the rest of us. 

Elizabeth talks about the need for sleep. You need the Oura ring!  

Nancy talked about sticking to a schedule as a superpower. 

Nancy wants to learn how to run and do a 5K with Gwen. Liz suggested that hiring a coach is a game-changer!

Elizabeth talked about her desire to be more patient, compassionate, and kind. Especially in her response and delivery to others. 

Nancy used to think that she had an obligation to certain groups but now gives herself the freedom to say no. 

Elizabeth ends with what she has learned about not putting a ceiling on what she can do. Listen to how she slashed her mile-per-minute time!

Additional Resources

 

The Leading Better & Growing Faster with Joe & T.J. Show

Let us know if there’s a guest who you want us to have on the show by leaving a comment below or by contacting us at [email protected]. And don’t miss our leadership content updates every week by subscribing to the site. 

We can’t wait to hear from you. 

Joe & T.J.