When we start a new initiative in schools, we have to take into account the rich tapestry of things that are already in place. ~ Nathan Maynard

About Nathan Maynard

Nathan Maynard is a youth advocate, educational leader, and change maker. He is the co-author of the Washington Post bestselling and award-winning book, Hacking School Discipline: 9 Ways to Create a Culture of Empathy and Responsibility Using Restorative Justice. 

Nathan also is the co-founder of BehaviorFlip, the first restorative behavior management software. Nathan studied Behavioral Neuroscience at Purdue University and has been facilitating restorative practices for over 15 years. He was awarded “Youth Worker of the Year” through dedicating his time with helping underserved and underprivileged youth involved with the juvenile justice system in Indiana. He was on the founding administration team that opened Purdue University’s first high school in 2017, Purdue Polytechnic High School, serving youth in inner city Indianapolis, Indiana. Prior to his four years as a school administrator, he was a youth worker and program director in a youth residential treatment care center.

He is passionate about addressing the school-to-prison pipeline crisis and closing the achievement gap through implementing trauma-informed behavioral practices. Nathan has expertise in Dialectical Behavioral Coaching, Motivational Interviewing, Positive Youth Development, Restorative Justice, and Trauma-Informed building practices to assist with creating positive school climates. He now runs a team of people who do restorative implementation work, called the Restorative Group. Check them out at restorativegroup.org. 

What You’ll Find in this Podcast Episode with Nathan Maynard

Nathan starts the podcast with a strong stance on how systems and structures are necessary for innovation to last, particularly those on restorative practices.  

Nathan gives us a quick history lesson on how restorative practices are tied to indigenous roots. 

One pillar of innovation is listening. Nathan talked about using qualitative data in addition to quantitative data, particularly within micro-communities. 

Nathan mentions Dr. Luke Roberts from Cambridge and his powerful work within systems. 

Don’t miss what Nathan says about internalizing change and attacking fixed disposition. He truly appreciates The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.  

Nathan’s insight about the ripple effect of innovation and restorative justice is transformative.

Nathan talks about what makes a good leader great. He refers back to Dr. Luke Roberts a second time. The story that Nathan tells about how Dr. Roberts changed his mind regarding restorative practices is great. Very impressive.

He recommends being more self-aware and being conscious of your self-talk. His personal strategies are great tools for every leader. You need a bowl with water and ice…listen why.

Nathan talked about getting better at collecting “street data.” Check out Street Data by Shane Safir and Jamila Dugan 

He learns by listening, interviews, being involved in groups, and honoring others’ ideas. This part is inspiring. 

“Success doesn’t have to be tangible.” Nathan used to think that it was all about the external data. He switches that point-of-view to an internal notion of success. Listen to what he says about making success intangible. 

As always, let us know what you think of this with a like, a follow, or a comment. Find us on Twitter, YouTube, iTunes, Facebook, & SoundCloud. And, again, if you want one simple model for leading better and growing faster per month, follow this blog by entering your email at the top right of the screen. We hope you’ll tell a friend or book us to join your team for professional learning.

TheSchoolHouse302 is about getting to simple by maximizing effective research-based strategies that empower individuals to lead better and grow faster.

Joe & T.J. 

S. David Brazer is Principal Consultant at Brazer Consulting, LLC. Formerly Associate Professor and Director of Leadership Degree Programs in the Stanford University Graduate School of Education (where he earned his Ph.D.), Brazer continues to design courses and teach in the Stanford EdLEADers online professional development program for executive level education leaders. Brazer’s theory development and empirical research on strategic decision making, leadership, teacher learning, and organizational design have appeared in numerous peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes. Brazer is the lead author of Leading Schools to Learn, Grow, and Thrive: Using Theory to Strengthen Practice (with Scott C. Bauer and Bob L. Johnson, Jr., 2019, Routledge). He has also published (with Robert G. Smith) Striving for Equity: District Leadership for Narrowing Opportunity and Achievement Gaps (2016, Harvard Education Press), and (with Scott C. Bauer) Using Research to Lead School Improvement: Turning Evidence into Action (2012, Sage Publications). 

What You’ll Find in this Podcast Episode with David Brazer

Open-minded, engaging, inquiring…don’t miss what David says about asking questions and becoming a “learning leader” who is willing to listen to the answers.

David’s discussion of how educators respond to poor performance in Algebra I is insightful. It says so much about our common problems in education and will resonate. 

David says that we need to engage in WHY questions, not about purpose, but to uncover the root causes for the problems we have. 

What David says about stress and reverting to old routines is powerful. When we ask people to change, we have to know that it will cause stress. It means that we need to ensure that they feel safe so that they don’t go back to old practices. 

Every leader wants to motivate their staff, David references Frederick Herzberg and Hygiene Factors when discussing what de-motivates people. You’ll want to hear what he says about what leaders should attend to!

Don’t miss what David says about “dreaming” big to make plans about what school could be if we’re focused and that we’re poised to take risks. 

We love what David says about the elements of a learning experience. 

David discusses the need for people to try out new practices in simulated settings before having to do it in reality when they’re under pressure.

David didn’t hesitate to mention Larry Cuban as a place where he gets knowledge and inspiration. 

Referencing Dewey, what David says about social construction for knowledge and the simple truth about “talking to people” is awesome. 

David wants to get better at asking questions before responding with passion. Don’t miss what he says about learning about teachers’ theory of action. 

David is a reader. Don’t miss why David chooses to read more books than articles. 

David attributes Scott Bauer to turning his academic life around.

David used to think that there are leadership rules-of-thumb that work in schools, but he learned long ago that rules-of-thumb for school leadership are mythical. Listen to his analogy about school discipline. 

Books Mentioned During the Podcast with David Brazer

The Black Man in America by Larry Cuban 

The Managerial Imperative and the Practice of Leadership in Schools by Larry Cuban

Student-Centered Leadership by Viviane Robinson  

More Free School Leadership Resources for Principals

As always, let us know what you think of this with a like, a follow, or a comment. Find us on Twitter, YouTube, iTunes, Facebook, & SoundCloud. And, again, if you want one simple model for leading better and growing faster per month, follow this blog by entering your email at the top right of the screen. We hope you’ll tell a friend or book us to join your team for professional learning.

TheSchoolHouse302 is about getting to simple by maximizing effective research-based strategies that empower individuals to lead better and grow faster.

Joe & T.J.