An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast

In this episode of An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast, our guest is Lee Loving, Superintendent of the North Santiam School District in Stayton, Oregon!

In our conversation, Lee shares insightful perspectives on leadership, strategic planning, and community engagement. Listen in as we discuss:

• Connection: The importance of building trust and rapport with students, parents, and the community. 🤝
• Strategic Planning: Creating a strategic plan with community input to prepare students for their next steps. 🧭
• Imperfect Leadership: Embracing imperfection, learning from mistakes, and the importance of continuous discovery and growth. 🌱
• Asking the Right Questions: Using thoughtful questions to foster communication and gather valuable insights from students and the community.❓

Want to know what happens when you close the school library and forget to tell the superintendent? Check out this episode!

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An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by Yondr.

Schools around the world are seeing the damaging effects of phones on student engagement, social development, and mental health.

Yondr has developed a unique product and program to allow schools to become phone-free, from arrival to dismissal.

Learn why 1 Million Students use Yondr every day.

MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS. MAXIMIZE LEARNING POTENTIAL.

Go to overyondr.com to learn more.

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An Imperfect Leader: Leadership in (After) Action is supported by ILAA, LLC, a firm dedicated to supporting aspiring, new, and established leaders. For more information, please find them at www.imperfectleader.com.

Music for An Imperfect Leader was written and arranged by Ian Varley.

Sam Falbo created our artwork, a wood-print inspired daruma doll butterfly.

In this episode of An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast, Marcus Chambers shares his insights on leadership, community, and navigating the challenges in education today. Here are three key takeaways:

• A+ School District: Superintendent Chambers explains Okaloosa County's focus on being an "A+ school district" ➕, emphasizing academic excellence as well as athletics and the arts.
• Community Engagement: Discover how Okaloosa County Schools actively engage with their community, understanding that a healthy school district contributes to a healthy community 🏘️. Marcus highlights the importance of transparency, communication, and giving back.
• Post-Pandemic Leadership: Marcus reflects on the importance of understanding your audience and applying "appropriate pressure" to motivate and support staff and students in the post-pandemic reality. He also acknowledges the critical need to support the adults within the school system.

When asked about the term "imperfect leader," Marcus Chambers said that it takes the stress off of wanting to be perfect. Additionally, an imperfect leader understands that you haven't arrived and focuses on getting better.

Listen to the full episode to hear more about Marcus's journey and his approach to leading with empathy and a focus on continuous improvement! 🎧

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An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by Yondr.

Schools around the world are seeing the damaging effects of phones on student engagement, social development, and mental health.

Yondr has developed a unique product and program to allow schools to become phone-free, from arrival to dismissal.

Learn why 1 Million Students use Yondr every day.

MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS. MAXIMIZE LEARNING POTENTIAL.

Go to overyondr.com to learn more.

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An Imperfect Leader: Leadership in (After) Action is supported by ILAA, LLC, a firm dedicated to supporting aspiring, new, and established leaders. For more information, please find them at www.imperfectleader.com.

Music for An Imperfect Leader was written and arranged by Ian Varley.

Sam Falbo created our artwork, a wood-print inspired daruma doll butterfly.

In this episode of An Imperfect Leader, we had the pleasure of speaking with Earl Franks, the Executive Director of the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). We explored some critical themes for today's educational leaders:

• 🤝 The Power of Collaboration: Earl emphasizes how crucial it is for educational organizations to work together. Discover how collaboration can drive meaningful change in public education!
• 📣 Advocating for Our Schools: Earl urges school leaders to proactively share the great stories happening in their schools with political leaders at all levels. Learn how to effectively advocate for your students and schools!
• 🌱 Embracing Imperfect Leadership: We delve into the realities of leadership, including the tough decisions and learning from experiences. Gain insights on navigating the challenges of leadership with grace and a growth mindset.

Whether you're a principal, superintendent, or aspiring leader, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Listen now and join the conversation! 🎧

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An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by Yondr.

Schools around the world are seeing the damaging effects of phones on student engagement, social development, and mental health.

Yondr has developed a unique product and program to allow schools to become phone-free, from arrival to dismissal.

Learn why 1 Million Students use Yondr every day.

MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS. MAXIMIZE LEARNING POTENTIAL.

Go to overyondr.com to learn more.

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An Imperfect Leader: Leadership in (After) Action is supported by ILAA, LLC, a firm dedicated to supporting aspiring, new, and established leaders. For more information, please find them at www.imperfectleader.com.

Music for An Imperfect Leader was written and arranged by Ian Varley.

Sam Falbo created our artwork, a wood-print inspired daruma doll butterfly.

On this week's podcast, we had the pleasure of speaking with Joe Feldman, the founder and CEO of Crescendo Education Group, about equitable grading practices. 🍎 It was an insightful conversation, and here are three key things I'm taking away:

• Traditional grading often undermines learning: Many teachers receive little to no training on grading. As a result, they often replicate the practices they experienced, which may not be effective. Joe's work emphasizes that traditional grading can be inconsistent, unfair, and demotivating for students.
• Multiple opportunities to demonstrate mastery are essential: Just like in professional settings (bar exams, medical boards, etc.), students should be given multiple chances to show their understanding. This approach shifts the focus from "one-shot" high-stakes tests to a growth mindset, where students are motivated to learn from mistakes and improve.
• System-wide change requires a thoughtful, collaborative approach: Implementing equitable grading isn't a quick fix. It requires building trust with teachers and using action research in professional learning communities.

I encourage all leaders to listen to this episode and consider how these principles can be applied in their schools and districts. This approach to grading is about learning and giving every child the best opportunity to succeed! 🚀

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An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by Yondr.

Schools around the world are seeing the damaging effects of phones on student engagement, social development, and mental health.

Yondr has developed a unique product and program to allow schools to become phone-free, from arrival to dismissal.

Learn why 1 Million Students use Yondr every day.

MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS. MAXIMIZE LEARNING POTENTIAL.

Go to overyondr.com to learn more.

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An Imperfect Leader: Leadership in (After) Action is supported by ILAA, LLC, a firm dedicated to supporting aspiring, new, and established leaders. For more information, please find them at www.imperfectleader.com.

Music for An Imperfect Leader was written and arranged by Ian Varley.

Sam Falbo created our artwork, a wood-print inspired daruma doll butterfly.

In this episode of An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast, we get to sit down with Dr. Aaron Johnson, leader, author, and professor. Here are some takeaways from our conversation:

🗣️ Humanizing Students: It's so crucial to allow students to be themselves, express their opinions, and share what they like and dislike about school.👂

🏫 Relationships are Key: Building strong, authentic relationships with students, teachers, and the community is fundamental.

💔 Challenging the Status Quo: We need to critically examine our own identities, biases, and the historical context of our education systems.

🔄 Seeking Diverse Perspectives: Surround yourself with people who don't think like you.

📚 Literacy as a Tool: Use literacy to connect with students and explore relevant issues.

🧊 The Iceberg Model: Remember that what we see (behaviors) is just the tip of the iceberg.

⚖️ Intentionality: Leaders need to be intentional in their actions and call out inequities.

🙏 Grace over Perfection: Embrace imperfection and be willing to make mistakes. I

🔑 Compromise: Sometimes you need to compromise to move forward.

🚀 Actionable Steps: Dr. Johnson's book, "A Walk in Their Kicks," offers concrete steps for educators looking to create more just and equitable school environments.

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An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by Yondr.

Schools around the world are seeing the damaging effects of phones on student engagement, social development, and mental health.

Yondr has developed a unique product and program to allow schools to become phone-free, from arrival to dismissal.

Learn why 1 Million Students use Yondr every day.

MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS. MAXIMIZE LEARNING POTENTIAL.

Go to overyondr.com to learn more.

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An Imperfect Leader: Leadership in (After) Action is supported by ILAA, LLC, a firm dedicated to supporting aspiring, new, and established leaders. For more information, please find them at www.imperfectleader.com.

Music for An Imperfect Leader was written and arranged by Ian Varley.

Sam Falbo created our artwork, a wood-print inspired daruma doll butterfly.

This powerful conversation dives deep into leadership, equity, and creating inclusive educational spaces. Melissa, Associate Superintendent at Roseville Area Schools, shared invaluable lessons that are a must for any leader. Here's a quick recap:

• 💪 Courageous Leadership: Melissa emphasizes the need to challenge inequity head-on.
• 🌱 Identity & Achievement: Melissa powerfully states, "I won't consider myself an effective educator until no identity marker predicts achievement." Her personal story of overcoming low expectations as a young mom is truly inspiring.
• ❤️ Embracing Imperfection: Melissa embraces the idea of "imperfect leadership" as grace. Quoting the "man in the arena" speech, she notes, "it's not if there will be face down moments in the arena, it's just when and it's having more than one chance to get things right."
• 🤝 Systemic Change & Relationships: It's not enough to just support individuals; we need systemic change to create a truly inclusive culture.

🔑 Key Takeaways: * Differentiate support for all leaders. * Offer additional supports specifically for BIPOC leaders. * Prioritize creating inclusive cultures rather than focusing solely on individual resilience. * Every leader should have an equity coach. - Why not call Jamie Almanzán?

This conversation was a powerful reminder of the importance of courage, equity, and continuous improvement. Let's all commit to creating environments where everyone can thrive! 🌟

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An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by Yondr.

Schools around the world are seeing the damaging effects of phones on student engagement, social development, and mental health.

Yondr has developed a unique product and program to allow schools to become phone-free, from arrival to dismissal.

Learn why 1 Million Students use Yondr every day.

MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS. MAXIMIZE LEARNING POTENTIAL.

Go to overyondr.com to learn more.

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An Imperfect Leader: Leadership in (After) Action is supported by ILAA, LLC, a firm dedicated to supporting aspiring, new, and established leaders. For more information, please find them at www.imperfectleader.com.

Music for An Imperfect Leader was written and arranged by Ian Varley.

Sam Falbo created our artwork, a wood-print inspired daruma doll butterfly.

📢 Exciting new episode of An Imperfect Leader! 📢

I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Michelle Osterhoudt, Superintendent of Margaretville Central Schools, and it was an incredibly insightful conversation!

Here are some of the key themes:

• Rethinking Traditional Education 🏫: Michelle shared her personal experience with her daughter's struggles in the traditional school system, which led her to advocate for diverse learning pathways.
• The Importance of Community and Connection 🤝: We discussed how crucial it is for schools to foster a sense of community and for educators to truly know their students.
• Being a Disruptor, Not Just an Ally 🗣️: Michelle emphasized the need for active disruption against hate speech and injustice, not just passive allyship.
• The Imperfect Leader's Journey 🧭: Michelle's vulnerability and honesty about her own mistakes highlighted the growth and learning that comes with leadership.

This episode is packed with wisdom for educators, leaders, and anyone passionate about creating a better future for our kids. Don't miss it! 🎧

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An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by Yondr.

Schools around the world are seeing the damaging effects of phones on student engagement, social development, and mental health.

Yondr has developed a unique product and program to allow schools to become phone-free, from arrival to dismissal.

Learn why 1 Million Students use Yondr every day.

MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS. MAXIMIZE LEARNING POTENTIAL.

Go to overyondr.com to learn more.

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An Imperfect Leader: Leadership in (After) Action is supported by ILAA, LLC, a firm dedicated to supporting aspiring, new, and established leaders. For more information, please find them at www.imperfectleader.com.

Music for An Imperfect Leader was written and arranged by Ian Varley.

Sam Falbo created our artwork, a wood-print inspired daruma doll butterfly.

📢 We had an INCREDIBLE conversation with Dr. Stephen Pruitt, President of the Southern Regional Education Board. 🎧 We dove deep into education, leadership, and creating real change. Here are some of the key takeaways:

• 🤝 Stakeholder vs. Shareholder: Dr. Pruitt brilliantly explained that in education, we need to move beyond "stakeholders" and cultivate "shareholders"—those invested in a common vision and who feel ownership of the process!
• ✍️ Defining Standards: Standards are a "contract between the State Department of Ed and teachers". It's about shared agreements and collaboration, not top-down mandates.
• 🧠 Harvesting Wisdom: The development of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) was a masterclass in inclusion! 26 lead states, 40 writers, and countless public reviews ensured everyone's voice was heard.
• 🤔 Unintended Consequences: As Commissioner of Education in Kentucky, Dr. Pruitt created an "Unintended Consequences Committee" to identify potential negative outcomes before they happened. Genius!
• ⚛️ Systems Thinking: Drawing on his background as a chemist, Dr. Pruitt emphasized the importance of thinking about the world as a system, from education to the workforce. To make real change, we must address all parts of the system.
• 💔 The Three Phases of Crisis: In the face of a school shooting, Dr. Pruitt learned that there are three critical phases to address: prevention, management, and recovery. He realized that the recovery phase, especially the social, emotional, and mental health aspects, is frequently overlooked.
• 🚧 Removing Barriers: After the tragic event at Marshall County High School, Dr. Pruitt's focus was on removing barriers to recovery for students and staff. This included excusing students from state tests and prioritizing the needs of the community. He asks the crucial question: "Are you removing barriers to recovery, or are you creating more?"

📚 Plus, we discussed the SREB Journal of Education Practices and Trends, a resource designed to bridge the gap between research and practice! You can find it by searching "journal" at sreb.org.

🌟 Key takeaway: True leadership means embracing imperfection, constantly learning, and empowering others. Remember, as Dr. Pruitt said, "We need to treat education and our profession more like a Hallmark movie and less like a Lifetime movie." Let's choose to love the profession! ❤️

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An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by Yondr.

Schools around the world are seeing the damaging effects of phones on student engagement, social development, and mental health.

Yondr has developed a unique product and program to allow schools to become phone-free, from arrival to dismissal.

Learn why 1 Million Students use Yondr every day.

MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS. MAXIMIZE LEARNING POTENTIAL.

Go to overyondr.com to learn more.

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An Imperfect Leader: Leadership in (After) Action is supported by ILAA, LLC, a firm dedicated to supporting aspiring, new, and established leaders. For more information, please find them at www.imperfectleader.com.

Music for An Imperfect Leader was written and arranged by Ian Varley.

Sam Falbo created our artwork, a wood-print inspired daruma doll butterfly.

Have you ever felt like the traditional leadership models just don't fit? 🤔 Then you NEED to listen to our latest episode of An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast with the incredible Dr. Quintin Shepherd.

🎧 We dive deep into #transformational #leadership, the power of language, and how to truly connect with your #community. 🤝

Here are 4️⃣ things you absolutely should listen for:

💡The distinction between "#complicated" and "#complex" problems: Learn why applying a "one right way" approach to complex issues can backfire.

💡The power of "#feedforward" vs. "#feedback": Discover how shifting your language can transform how you engage with your community.

💡#Vulnerability and #Compassion as Leadership Strengths: Hear how Dr. Shepherd's experience with Halloween led him to learn that vulnerability and compassion are essential to effective leadership.

💡Leadership as a series of failures: Understand the importance of viewing leadership as a journey with learning experiences rather than a quest for perfection.

You don't want to miss this conversation! 🚀

Also, check out Quintin's new book:

Transforming Education: Building Foundations for Systemic Change and Empowered Communities.

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An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by Yondr.

Schools around the world are seeing the damaging effects of phones on student engagement, social development, and mental health.

Yondr has developed a unique product and program to allow schools to become phone-free, from arrival to dismissal.

Learn why 1 Million Students use Yondr every day.

MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS. MAXIMIZE LEARNING POTENTIAL.

Go to overyondr.com to learn more.

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An Imperfect Leader: Leadership in (After) Action is supported by ILAA, LLC, a firm dedicated to supporting aspiring, new, and established leaders. For more information, please find them at www.imperfectleader.com.

Music for An Imperfect Leader was written and arranged by Ian Varley.

Sam Falbo created our artwork, a wood-print inspired daruma doll butterfly.

📢 The tree is lit and the cookies have been set out for Santa. It's the perfect time to tune in to an amazing remastered encore episode with Douglas Reeves on An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast! 🎧 We dive deep into crucial topics for today's education leaders. Here are some key takeaways:

1️⃣ Theme 1: The Urgent Need for Safety 🛡️ Doug highlighted the intense pressures educators face, from social media attacks to in-person intimidation. Quote: "If we don't make our profession a safe place to be, then what we think today is a teacher shortage and an administrator shortage is going to be a Sunday school picnic".

2️⃣ Theme 2: The Power of Coaching 🧑‍🏫 Doug stressed the importance of coaches being present in the classroom to provide authentic feedback. Quote: "It's only coaching if you're in the game with children present".

3️⃣ Theme 3: Embracing Imperfection and Learning from Mistakes 💡 The conversation emphasized that leaders are not perfect, and that admitting mistakes is essential for growth. Quote: "The essential part of systems thinking is admitting what you don't know, so you can look for other connections".

🔑 Supporting Leaders is Crucial: It's more important than ever to support our educational leaders who are facing unprecedented challenges.

👂 Listen to the full episode for more insights and don't miss my conversation with Jamie Almanzán!

#ImperfectLeader #Leadership #Education #DougReeves #Superintendents #Coaching #TeacherSupport #EdLeadership #Vulnerability #GrowthMindset

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An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by Yondr.

Schools around the world are seeing the damaging effects of phones on student engagement, social development, and mental health.

Yondr has developed a unique product and program to allow schools to become phone-free, from arrival to dismissal.

Learn why 1 Million Students use Yondr every day.

MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS. MAXIMIZE LEARNING POTENTIAL.

Go to overyondr.com to learn more.

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An Imperfect Leader: Leadership in (After) Action is supported by ILAA, LLC, a firm dedicated to supporting aspiring, new, and established leaders. For more information, please find them at www.imperfectleader.com.

Music for An Imperfect Leader was written and arranged by Ian Varley.

Sam Falbo created our artwork, a wood-print inspired daruma doll butterfly.