Accelerate Your Performance

Dr. Janet Pilcher celebrates her new book, The Extraordinary Gift: Our Teachers, by sharing powerful stories from two Studer Education team members. Listen as Tiffany Latshaw shares how a fourth-grade teacher's belief transformed her life, and hear from Dr. Casey Blochowiak about the school community that became a safe haven during a difficult time. Their experiences reveal how a teacher's simple act of kindness can change a child's life and how a school can become a vital source of security and hope.

This episode addresses questions such as:

• How does the simple act of a teacher "seeing" a student create a lasting sense of security and belonging?
• Why is a school so much more than a place for academics?
• What is the incredible power of one educator to change the trajectory of a child's life?

Recommended Resources:  Beyond the Ordinary: A 400th Episode Reflection, The Extraordinary Gift: Our Teachers

Purchase The Extraordinary Gift: Our Teachers at https://studereducation.com/books.

Join Dr. Janet Pilcher as she sits down with her co-author, Quint Studer, to discuss their new book, The Extraordinary Gift: Our Teachers. In this special episode, Quint shares his personal and emotional story of how three teachers changed the course of his life and inspired him to become a special education teacher.

Listen as they explore the unique challenges and profound impact of the teaching profession, highlighting the importance of gratitude and creating a culture where educators feel seen, appreciated, and supported.

This episode addresses questions such as:

• Why is teaching a "lonely" job, and how can we support new teachers?
• What is the power of a teacher's influence, even when it goes unrecognized?
• How can we create a culture of appreciation and positivity for teachers in our communities?

Recommended Resources:

• Watch this episode: https://studereducation.com/the-extraordinary-gift-our-teachers-ayp
• Purchase The Extraordinary Gift: Our Teachers at https://studereducation.com/books.
• Learn more about Quint Studer and his work at https://quintstuder.com.

Welcome to a truly special episode of Accelerate Your Performance! In this 400th episode, Dr. Janet Pilcher takes us back to the roots of the podcast, celebrating six and a half years of sharing extraordinary leadership stories and journeys of continuous improvement. This episode also kicks off a powerful month-long focus on our gratitude for teachers, introducing Janet's new book with Quint Studer, The Extraordinary Gift: Our Teachers. Tune in to rediscover how what seems ordinary in education is truly extraordinary and why recognizing our educators is more important now than ever.

Recommended Resources:  The Extraordinary Gift: Our Teachers, Start the School Year with Appreciation, Strengthen Your Team by Hardwiring Gratitude

Continuing our series on Douglas School District's successful recognition strategies, Dr. Janet Pilcher welcomes School Nutrition Coordinator Jennifer Garner. Jennifer shares her heartfelt approach to staff appreciation, from personalized notes and engaging team activities to transparent communication. Learn how her dedication creates a culture where every team member feels deeply valued, driving remarkable results like 100% staff retention.

This episode addresses questions such as: 

• How can leaders communicate effectively with their teams, especially when they are spread across different locations?
• Why is it important to tailor recognition to individual staff preferences?
• How does showing staff appreciation ultimately benefit students as well as district goals?

Recommended Resources:  Elevate School Culture Through Appreciation, Strengthen Your District with Rounding and Recognition

In the second part of a two-episode series, Dr. Janet Pilcher continues her conversation with Superintendent Rashon Hasan of Plainfield Public Schools. Drawing on his unique blend of education and business experience, Rashon shares advice on building powerful, transparent relationships between school boards and superintendents, emphasizing clarity, consistency, and communication.

This episode addresses questions such as: 

• How does a background in operations and finance influence an approach to leadership?
• What unique insights can be gained from serving as both a board president and a district superintendent?
• What strategies can superintendents and school boards use to intentionally foster collaborative and trusting relationships?

Recommended Resources:  Achieve Sustainable Impact with Rounding and Surveys (Part 1), Working with the School Board, Strengthening School Board Collaboration to Drive District Success

Read and study: Each episode of the podcast aligns with the tactics and principles of our host's book, Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework. In conjunction with that book, you can join the mission to create great places to work, learn, and succeed by leading a book study with your leadership team for Hardwiring Excellence in Education. Our free, on-demand book study offers additional tools and resources created by Dr. Pilcher and our Studer Education leader coaches. Each chapter in the study also features exclusive interviews with influential education leaders sharing how they’re making a difference in their districts and beyond.

Order book here.

Sign up for book study here.

In the first part of a two-episode series, Dr. Janet Pilcher welcomes Superintendent Rashon Hasan of Plainfield Public Schools. With a unique background spanning education and business, Rashon shares how rounding has become a cornerstone of his leadership, building trust and continuous engagement across his district. Listen to hear how Plainfield leverages surveys to gather feedback from students, parents, and staff, directly informing district actions and sharpening alignment. Finally, Rashon emphasizes the importance of hearing from every voice in the district, ensuring community perspectives are at the heart of every decision.

This episode addresses questions such as: 

• How does rounding contribute to developing leadership capacity?
• How can leaders "make the complex simple" when implementing improvement strategies like rounding and surveys?
• Why is it crucial for leaders to be vulnerable and reflective when receiving feedback during rounding?

Destination High Performance K12 Leadership Conference: Go here to learn more and register.

Recommended Resources:  Fuel Success with a Feedback Loop, Convert Surveys to Solutions, Amplify Student Voice

Read and study: Each episode of the podcast aligns with the tactics and principles of our host's book, Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework. In conjunction with that book, you can join the mission to create great places to work, learn, and succeed by leading a book study with your leadership team for Hardwiring Excellence in Education. Our free, on-demand book study offers additional tools and resources created by Dr. Pilcher and our Studer Education leader coaches. Each chapter in the study also features exclusive interviews with influential education leaders sharing how they’re making a difference in their districts and beyond.

Order book here.

Sign up for book study here.

Principal Jeannie Clark and second-grade teacher Ms. Laressa Finney share how Francis Case Elementary is taking gratitude to the next level. Listen as they join Dr. Janet Pilcher to explore the impact of recognition and appreciation on school culture, relationships, and morale. Learn how small, intentional gestures create powerful ripple effects that benefit students, parents, and the entire school community.

This episode addresses questions such as: 

• What role does recognition play in retaining employees and creating a positive work environment?
• How can leaders effectively build relationships with their staff and stay focused on positive aspects within their schools and districts?
• How does attending a school with a strong culture of gratitude positively affect students?

Destination High Performance K12 Leadership Conference: Go here to learn more and register.

Recommended Resources:  Strengthen Your District with Rounding and Recognition, How Gratitude Anchors Organizations, Strengthen Your Team by Hardwiring Gratitude

Read and study: Each episode of the podcast aligns with the tactics and principles of our host's book, Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework. In conjunction with that book, you can join the mission to create great places to work, learn, and succeed by leading a book study with your leadership team for Hardwiring Excellence in Education. Our free, on-demand book study offers additional tools and resources created by Dr. Pilcher and our Studer Education leader coaches. Each chapter in the study also features exclusive interviews with influential education leaders sharing how they’re making a difference in their districts and beyond.

Order book here.

Sign up for book study here.

It's one thing to acknowledge outcomes that miss the mark; it's quite another to intentionally transform them into rich learning opportunities. Listen as Dr. Peter Stiepleman, leadership coach and retired superintendent , shares with Dr. Janet Pilcher the foundational principle of his podcast: the importance of reflective practice. 

This commitment to reflection is central to his podcast, An Imperfect Leader, where Peter interviews leaders weekly about decisions they made and what they learned from them. He and Janet then close with a discussion on the evolving landscape of education, including the integration of AI and the enduring value of connection and empathy in leadership.

This episode addresses questions such as: 

• How do we prepare for the future of education? What challenges might be ahead, and how can we plan for them?
• When decision-making, what does it mean to “engage those closest to the work,” and why is it necessary?
• How can after-action reviews equip leaders to improve decision-making and create a culture of continuous learning?

More about Dr. Peter Stiepleman: Visit his website to purchase his books and stream his podcast.

Destination High Performance K12 Leadership Conference: Go here to learn more and register.

Recommended Resources: Transform District Culture with People-First Strategies, Empower Your Team: Using Plus/Delta as a Template for Making Improvement Decisions

Read and study: Each episode of the podcast aligns with the tactics and principles of our host's book, Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework. In conjunction with that book, you can join the mission to create great places to work, learn, and succeed by leading a book study with your leadership team for Hardwiring Excellence in Education. Our free, on-demand book study offers additional tools and resources created by Dr. Pilcher and our Studer Education leader coaches. Each chapter in the study also features exclusive interviews with influential education leaders sharing how they’re making a difference in their districts and beyond.

Order book here.

Sign up for book study here.

What if two simple practices could significantly improve your district's culture? Tune in as Superintendent Kevin Case of Douglas School District joins Dr. Janet Pilcher to discuss the impact of intentional rounding and heartfelt recognition. They'll talk about how leaders going first in these practices creates a ripple effect, building an environment where employees, families, and students feel valued and supported. Learn how these essential tactics can strengthen your district from within.

This episode addresses questions such as: 

• What are some tangible results of prioritizing a people-first approach in education?
• How do districts use intentional rounding and recognition to strengthen their culture?

Destination High Performance K12 Leadership Conference: Go here to learn more and register.

Recommended Resources: Transform Culture with Reward and Recognition, Fuel Success with a Feedback Loop

Read and study: Each episode of the podcast aligns with the tactics and principles of our host's book, Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework. In conjunction with that book, you can join the mission to create great places to work, learn, and succeed by leading a book study with your leadership team for Hardwiring Excellence in Education. Our free, on-demand book study offers additional tools and resources created by Dr. Pilcher and our Studer Education leader coaches. Each chapter in the study also features exclusive interviews with influential education leaders sharing how they’re making a difference in their districts and beyond.

Order book here.

Sign up for book study here.

What inspires the Glencoe School District to keep working toward excellence every day? For Superintendent Dr. Catherine Wang, it all comes back to the students. Tune in as she shares with Dr. Janet Pilcher how her commitment to organizational development is shaping a thriving school district where leaders are empowered to reflect, learn, and grow. You'll also hear how they've transformed new staff onboarding to build a foundation of support and belonging for all new hires.

This episode addresses questions such as: 

• How does a district build highly aligned leaders?
• What is the importance of having those directly involved in the work contribute to problem-solving?

Destination High Performance K12 Leadership Conference: Go here to learn more and register.

Recommended Resources: The Relentless Pursuit of Consistent Growth, Leadership Development is a Must-Have, Pause, Reflect, and Plan for Progress

Read and study: Each episode of the podcast aligns with the tactics and principles of our host's book, Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework. In conjunction with that book, you can join the mission to create great places to work, learn, and succeed by leading a book study with your leadership team for Hardwiring Excellence in Education. Our free, on-demand book study offers additional tools and resources created by Dr. Pilcher and our Studer Education leader coaches. Each chapter in the study also features exclusive interviews with influential education leaders sharing how they’re making a difference in their districts and beyond.

Order book here.

Sign up for book study here.