This is Season 3, Episode 9 of FocusED, and it features our guest, Joshua Stamper. It was originally recorded live for a studio audience in Delaware, provided as a professional development experience for Delaware teachers and leaders. Don’t miss what Joshua has to say about aspiring leadership, leadership development, and so much more. 

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Joshua Stamper Brings Tons of Experience to FocusED Listeners

Joshua Stamper initially used his artistic talent, creativity, and original ideas as a professional graphic designer. He then transitioned to inspiring students to use their imagination and creative expression in public education. Being unsuccessful as a student growing up, Joshua never expected to be back in the classroom as a teacher, athletic coach, or administrator. His struggles as a student spawned a passion to change the education model, push the boundaries of traditional learning, and explore new innovative ideas. Joshua has been a middle school Assistant Principal in North Texas for the past eight years, where he’s served at four campuses in two school districts.

In addition to his current administrative position, Joshua is the host of Aspire: The Leadership Development Podcast, leadership coach, education presenter, and Podcast Network Manager for the Teach Better Team. He’s also the author of the 2021 book, ASPIRE to Lead. Joshua lives in the Dallas, TX area with his wife and five children. You can stay connected by following @Joshua__Stamper on Twitter and Instagram, or by visiting his website www.joshstamper.com.

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FocusED Show Notes with Joshua Stamper 

Josh talked about how leads often obtain knowledge but then rarely do anything with it to grow and change. The “activate” part of self-development is the use of knowledge in practice, especially for leaders who want to move up to the next level. 

Josha talks about how it goes a long way to be able to explain experiences as a leader when interviewing for positions versus just explaining what you might do. 

Josh tells aspiring leaders to seek support wherever you can, even if it’s not on your campus. 

There’s no winning or losing, only learning. ~ Joshua Stamper 

The model came to Josh because he was tasked with building an aspiring leaders program in his district. In his work with aspiring leaders, he was inspired to help others and write the book to add value as a resource in education. 

Josh is working on supplemental material for the book so that readers get more stories and more depth into their journey as an aspiring leader. 

Josh recommended The Ten Minute Principal by Evan Rob and Thrive Through the Five by Jill Siler.

He mentioned the Teach Better Team. Check them out. 

Josh leans heavy into Voxer groups to stay connected with others. 

We talked about the fact that the greatest leaders of all time are always aspiring. Josh talked about simply wanting to make an impact and help education in as many ways as he can. 

Josh talked about a future topic in education, maybe a book called The Necessary Evolution of Education in America. Can’t wait for him (or someone) to write it. 

This is Season 3, Episode 8 of FocusED, and it features our guest, Dr. Susan Bunting. It was originally recorded live for a studio audience in Delaware, provided as a professional development experience for Delaware teachers and leaders. Don’t miss what Dr. Bunting says about the ways that administrators can remain focused on the most important aspect of teaching and learning during a crisis and much more. 

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Dr. Susan Bunting Brings Tons of Experience to FocusED Listeners

After teaching in Maryland for several years, Dr. Susan Bunting joined Indian River SD in 1977 as a middle school language arts teacher, later teaching gifted education. She was named Indian River’s Teacher of the Year in 1985. She served as Supervisor of Elementary Instruction and then Director of Instruction before taking the position as superintendent in 2006. 

Dr. Bunting was named Delaware’s 2012 Superintendent of the Year, and she was one of four finalists for the American Association of School Administrators’ (AASA) National Superintendent of the Year award. 

Susan went on to serve as Delaware’s Secretary of Education from 2017 until just recently in 2021. She is also a former adjunct faculty member at the University of Delaware and Wilmington University. She has a number of degrees in education, including her Bachelor of Arts in K-8 education and psychology from the American University in Washington, D.C., a master’s degree in education from Salisbury State University, and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Delaware.

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FocusED Show Notes with Dr. Susan Bunting 

Dr. Bunting opens with the need to focus on students first, academic as well as social and emotional. Dr. Bunting has faith in our leaders in Delaware, and she expressed that in the interview. Don’t miss what she says about the “7 Cs.” 

She reminds us that we need to cut to the chase and get to the core of

Dr. Bunting talks about needing to use data to analyze what our students need so that we can move the work forward. 

She’s a big believer in early childhood programming. You’ll want to hear what she says about long-term thinking and planning. 

Delaware is a relationship State. Dr. Bunting talks about the comradery and collaboration necessary to do this work well. She talks about needing a teacher evaluation system that’s based on growth and that evolves with the times. 

Dr. Bunting asks listeners to focus on student achievement, especially given what needs to be made up because of the pandemic. 

An expert on curriculum and instruction, she calls for a revision to our curriculum that narrows down what gets taught to a core set of standards so that we can do them well.

Dr. Bunting talks about losing sleep and not “letting it win” when it comes to our hurdles. 

Her recommendation to do something each day that isn’t education-related is powerful. 

Don’t miss what she says about being able to focus every school by designing and engineering what we do in schools by using data. 

“We need a lot more training in SEL work.” ~ Dr. Susan Bunting 

She mentions her favorite book, Lincoln on Leadership. Get your copy today. 

To lead better and grow faster, Susan recommends connecting to people through organizations like AASA, NASSP, NAESP, and local associations. 

She tells our listeners to go back to school, get a doctorate if you don’t have one already, and continue to learn as a leader. #LifeLongLearner 

Based on one of her responses, Joe mentions a Hugh Jackman interview with Tim Ferriss. This is a must for all leaders. 

A friend told Susan to write a book called Grace Under Fire, and we hope she does. You Can’t Deal with Crazy. 

People appreciate a listening ear. ~ Dr. Susan Bunting