An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast

🚨 How do you lead when the answer is "zero"? 🚨

In our latest encore episode of An Imperfect Leader, we sit down with the incredible Dr. Christina Kishimoto (Founder and CEO of Voice 4Equity and former superintendent in Hartford, Gilbert, and Hawaii) to talk about the radical power of relationship capital, the messy reality of school leadership, and what it truly means to lead with intention.

During the conversation, Dr. Kishimoto shared a powerful story from the start of the 2020 pandemic. When her district needed $100 million for student devices to support online learning across seven islands, the state legislature unexpectedly funded her request at ZERO dollars.

Instead of accepting defeat, she quickly pivoted. She called on her deep relationship capital by leveraging trusted partnerships in the private sector, nonprofits, the military, and Hawaiian Airlines to secure laptops, hotspots, and food for vulnerable families.

Here are some of our favorite takeaways from this episode:

💡 Relationship Capital isn't for politics; it's for safety: True networks are built so leaders can check in, keep each other safe, and ensure no one is leading in isolation.

💡 Imperfect is where the magic happens: Leadership is naturally messy, and that's exactly where innovation, diverse perspectives, and collective problem-solving are born.

💡 Empowering diverse voices: Why women, particularly women of color, need dedicated networks of support to navigate unique, racialized, and gendered leadership contexts.

💡 Staying curious: How curiosity about people makes them feel seen and strengthens organizational trust.

🎧 Tune in to hear the full conversation here or search for An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast on your favorite podcast platform.

👉 Want to connect with Dr. Kishimoto's work? Visit voice4equity.com

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Follow Host Peter Stiepleman on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-stiepleman-76004819a/ Website: https://imperfectleader.com/

Follow Co-host Jamie Almanzán on:

Connect with APC Leadership Collaborative for support in navigating complex leadership situations: https://www.apccollab.com

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An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by IXL. Boost learning with a platform proven to deliver results. IXL gives educators a complete K–12 curriculum and personalized learning plans that adapt to every student.

Trusted by over 1 million teachers and 96 of the top 100 school districts, IXL helps schools outperform on state tests, and helps teachers focus on what matters most.

IXL: Powerful data. Personalized learning. Real progress.

Discover what IXL can do for your school at IXL.com/imperfect

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American education is at a crossroads, and the fight for justice cannot wait. Ezekiel Dixon-Roman and Sonya Douglass of Teachers College present The Politics of Possibility, a powerful series confronting the rollback of civil rights and student erasure. Featuring global voices, the series offers real strategies to honor every student's history. Watch Season 1 now.

------

The Mosaic Project, one of our favorite organizations, has over 25 years of experience empowering students to celebrate differences, communicate assertively, and resolve conflicts peacefully at their outdoor school. Their innovative SEL curriculum is now available to An Imperfect Leader listeners at a 10% discount through their new documentary film-based Mosaic Classroom Project!

The Project's ready-to-use lesson plans include film, original music, "gametivities", and real conversations. We're proud to partner with The Mosaic Project in helping educators build inclusive, peaceful learning communities! Just mention An Imperfect Leader during the onboarding process to receive the 10% discount.

Learn more about The Mosaic Classroom Project.

------

Think differently. Think in systems. Reach out to The Waters Center for Systems Thinking to learn more about how systems thinking capacity building can strengthen your team and organization.

Homepage: www.waterscenterst.org

Thinking Tools Studio: https://thinkingtoolsstudio.waterscenterst.org

------

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 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 week on An Imperfect Leader, we're heading back into the archives to bring you a conversation that remains incredibly relevant today. My guest, Dr. Casey Hallgarth, Superintendent of Baker School District, shared timeless wisdom on leading with heart and integrity. Here is why this encore episode is a must-listen:

• 🤝 Relationships are the Foundation: Successful leadership isn't about the title. It's about authentic connections with staff, your board, and the community.
• 👂 The Power of Real Listening: To create a shared image of success, you have to convene groups and "really listen to what they're saying."
• 👣 Walking the Talk: Leading by example is the only way to foster true trust. Your actions must align with your words.
• 🧒 The Ultimate Filter: Casey uses one powerful question for every decision: "Will it help the kids?" It's a simple but vital reminder of why we do this work.

Casey's roadmap for a thriving school environment is just as impactful now as it was then.

#EducationLeadership #Podcasserole #AnImperfectLeader #SchoolImprovement

-----

Follow Host Peter Stiepleman on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-stiepleman-76004819a/ Website: https://imperfectleader.com/

Follow Co-host Jamie Almanzán on:

Connect with APC Leadership Collaborative for support in navigating complex leadership situations: https://www.apccollab.com

-------

An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by IXL. Boost learning with a platform proven to deliver results. IXL gives educators a complete K–12 curriculum and personalized learning plans that adapt to every student.

Trusted by over 1 million teachers and 96 of the top 100 school districts, IXL helps schools outperform on state tests, and helps teachers focus on what matters most.

IXL: Powerful data. Personalized learning. Real progress.

Discover what IXL can do for your school at IXL.com/imperfect

-------

American education is at a crossroads, and the fight for justice cannot wait. Ezekiel Dixon-Roman and Sonya Douglass of Teachers College present The Politics of Possibility, a powerful series confronting the rollback of civil rights and student erasure. Featuring global voices, the series offers real strategies to honor every student's history. Watch Season 1 now.

------

The Mosaic Project, one of our favorite organizations, has over 25 years of experience empowering students to celebrate differences, communicate assertively, and resolve conflicts peacefully at their outdoor school. Their innovative SEL curriculum is now available to An Imperfect Leader listeners at a 10% discount through their new documentary film-based Mosaic Classroom Project!

The Project's ready-to-use lesson plans include film, original music, "gametivities", and real conversations. We're proud to partner with The Mosaic Project in helping educators build inclusive, peaceful learning communities! Just mention An Imperfect Leader during the onboarding process to receive the 10% discount.

Learn more about The Mosaic Classroom Project.

------

Think differently. Think in systems. Reach out to The Waters Center for Systems Thinking to learn more about how systems thinking capacity building can strengthen your team and organization.

Homepage: www.waterscenterst.org

Thinking Tools Studio: https://thinkingtoolsstudio.waterscenterst.org

------

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 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.

Are we preparing students for a four-year degree that only 20% will actually complete, or are we preparing them for life?

In this special encore episode of An Imperfect Leader, we are revisiting a powerful conversation with Dr. Jason Van Heukelum, Superintendent of Winchester Public Schools in Virginia. This is an episode every school leader needs to hear, especially if you've ever felt that the current "testing regime" is sucking the joy out of your classrooms.

Why should you care? Because Jason is doing something truly bold. He didn't just build a new CTE wing; he created the Emil and Grace Shahadah Innovation Center, which he calls a "cathedral to possibility".

Key takeaways:

• Universal Career Exploration: In Winchester, career and technical education isn't "the track for those other kids." Every single student is required to participate. It's about breaking down social barriers and ensuring all students learn together.
• The "Elevate 2030" Vision: Jason gets vulnerable about the pressure to "double down" on test scores post-COVID. He shares how he's dusting off the rubrics for skills and dispositions to refocus on student agency and deeper learning.
• CTE Elevated: Why moving programs out of the basement and into state-of-the-art facilities changes the narrative for students and the community.

If you are looking for a path forward that balances accountability with the human need for creativity and curiosity, Jason's story is your blueprint.

#EducationLeadership #CTE #StudentAgency #InnovationInEducation #Podcasserole #AnImperfectLeader #SchoolImprovement #ThePoliticsOfPossibility

-----

Follow Host Peter Stiepleman on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-stiepleman-76004819a/ Website: https://imperfectleader.com/

Follow Co-host Jamie Almanzán on:

Connect with APC Leadership Collaborative for support in navigating complex leadership situations: https://www.apccollab.com

-------

An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by IXL. Boost learning with a platform proven to deliver results. IXL gives educators a complete K–12 curriculum and personalized learning plans that adapt to every student.

Trusted by over 1 million teachers and 96 of the top 100 school districts, IXL helps schools outperform on state tests, and helps teachers focus on what matters most.

IXL: Powerful data. Personalized learning. Real progress.

Discover what IXL can do for your school at IXL.com/imperfect

-------

American education is at a crossroads, and the fight for justice cannot wait. Ezekiel Dixon-Roman and Sonya Douglass of Teachers College present The Politics of Possibility, a powerful series confronting the rollback of civil rights and student erasure. Featuring global voices, the series offers real strategies to honor every student's history. Watch Season 1 now.

------

The Mosaic Project, one of our favorite organizations, has over 25 years of experience empowering students to celebrate differences, communicate assertively, and resolve conflicts peacefully at their outdoor school. Their innovative SEL curriculum is now available to An Imperfect Leader listeners at a 10% discount through their new documentary film-based Mosaic Classroom Project!

The Project's ready-to-use lesson plans include film, original music, "gametivities", and real conversations. We're proud to partner with The Mosaic Project in helping educators build inclusive, peaceful learning communities! Just mention An Imperfect Leader during the onboarding process to receive the 10% discount.

Learn more about The Mosaic Classroom Project.

------

Think differently. Think in systems. Reach out to The Waters Center for Systems Thinking to learn more about how systems thinking capacity building can strengthen your team and organization.

Homepage: www.waterscenterst.org

Thinking Tools Studio: https://thinkingtoolsstudio.waterscenterst.org

------

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 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.

Are we preparing students for a four-year degree that only 20% will actually complete, or are we preparing them for life?

In this special encore episode of An Imperfect Leader, we are revisiting a powerful conversation with Dr. Jason Van Heukelum, Superintendent of Winchester Public Schools in Virginia. This is an episode every school leader needs to hear, especially if you've ever felt that the current "testing regime" is sucking the joy out of your classrooms.

Why should you care? Because Jason is doing something truly bold. He didn't just build a new CTE wing; he created the Emil and Grace Shahadah Innovation Center, which he calls a "cathedral to possibility".

Key takeaways:

• Universal Career Exploration: In Winchester, career and technical education isn't "the track for those other kids." Every single student is required to participate. It's about breaking down social barriers and ensuring all students learn together.
• The "Elevate 2030" Vision: Jason gets vulnerable about the pressure to "double down" on test scores post-COVID. He shares how he's dusting off the rubrics for skills and dispositions to refocus on student agency and deeper learning.
• CTE Elevated: Why moving programs out of the basement and into state-of-the-art facilities changes the narrative for students and the community.

If you are looking for a path forward that balances accountability with the human need for creativity and curiosity, Jason's story is your blueprint.

#EducationLeadership #CTE #StudentAgency #InnovationInEducation #Podcasserole #AnImperfectLeader #SchoolImprovement #ThePoliticsOfPossibility

-----

Follow Host Peter Stiepleman on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-stiepleman-76004819a/ Website: https://imperfectleader.com/

Follow Co-host Jamie Almanzán on:

Connect with APC Leadership Collaborative for support in navigating complex leadership situations: https://www.apccollab.com

-------

An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by IXL. Boost learning with a platform proven to deliver results. IXL gives educators a complete K–12 curriculum and personalized learning plans that adapt to every student.

Trusted by over 1 million teachers and 96 of the top 100 school districts, IXL helps schools outperform on state tests, and helps teachers focus on what matters most.

IXL: Powerful data. Personalized learning. Real progress.

Discover what IXL can do for your school at IXL.com/imperfect

-------

American education is at a crossroads, and the fight for justice cannot wait. Ezekiel Dixon-Roman and Sonya Douglass of Teachers College present The Politics of Possibility, a powerful series confronting the rollback of civil rights and student erasure. Featuring global voices, the series offers real strategies to honor every student's history. Watch Season 1 now.

------

The Mosaic Project, one of our favorite organizations, has over 25 years of experience empowering students to celebrate differences, communicate assertively, and resolve conflicts peacefully at their outdoor school. Their innovative SEL curriculum is now available to An Imperfect Leader listeners at a 10% discount through their new documentary film-based Mosaic Classroom Project!

The Project's ready-to-use lesson plans include film, original music, "gametivities", and real conversations. We're proud to partner with The Mosaic Project in helping educators build inclusive, peaceful learning communities! Just mention An Imperfect Leader during the onboarding process to receive the 10% discount.

Learn more about The Mosaic Classroom Project.

------

Think differently. Think in systems. Reach out to The Waters Center for Systems Thinking to learn more about how systems thinking capacity building can strengthen your team and organization.

Homepage: www.waterscenterst.org

Thinking Tools Studio: https://thinkingtoolsstudio.waterscenterst.org

------

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 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 are heading back into the archives for a very special encore episode of An Imperfect Leader!

When I first spoke with Max Silverman, the Executive Director of the University of Washington Center for Educational Leadership (CEL), our audience was much smaller. His insights on how we lead schools and support principals are more relevant today than ever.

Max (now in an emeritus/advisor role at CEL) is one of those leaders who combines deep expertise with incredible humility. In this episode, we dive into:

• The Power of Simple Tools: Max shares a mantra that has stuck with me: "Simple tools lead to complex thinking, and complex tools lead to simple thinking."
• The Anatomy of Instruction: True leadership expertise can only be developed "in the presence of students." We talk about moving beyond spreadsheets to develop "habits of thinking"—noticing, wondering, and hypothesizing about what is actually causing learning.
• The After Action Review: Max gets vulnerable about a major decision to convert a comprehensive high school into three small schools.
• Moving at the Speed of Trust: Vital advice for any leader on the importance of "seeing the unseen" and prioritizing relationships over ego.

Whether you are a head of school, a superintendent, a principal, or a teacher leader, Max's perspective on humanizing the work is a must-listen.

Follow Host Peter Stiepleman on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-stiepleman-76004819a/ Website: https://imperfectleader.com/

Follow Co-host Jamie Almanzán on:

Connect with APC Leadership Collaborative for support in navigating complex leadership situations: https://www.apccollab.com

-------

An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by IXL. Boost learning with a platform proven to deliver results. IXL gives educators a complete K–12 curriculum and personalized learning plans that adapt to every student.

Trusted by over 1 million teachers and 96 of the top 100 school districts, IXL helps schools outperform on state tests, and helps teachers focus on what matters most.

IXL: Powerful data. Personalized learning. Real progress.

Discover what IXL can do for your school at IXL.com/imperfect

-------

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 3 Million Students use Yondr every day.

MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS. MAXIMIZE LEARNING POTENTIAL.

Go to overyondr.com to learn more.

------

The Mosaic Project, one of our favorite organizations, has over 25 years of experience empowering students to celebrate differences, communicate assertively, and resolve conflicts peacefully at their outdoor school. Their innovative SEL curriculum is now available to An Imperfect Leader listeners at a 10% discount through their new documentary film-based Mosaic Classroom Project!

The Project's ready-to-use lesson plans include film, original music, "gametivities", and real conversations. We're proud to partner with The Mosaic Project in helping educators build inclusive, peaceful learning communities! Just mention An Imperfect Leader during the onboarding process to receive the 10% discount.

Learn more about The Mosaic Classroom Project.

------

Think differently. Think in systems. Reach out to The Waters Center for Systems Thinking to learn more about how systems thinking capacity building can strengthen your team and organization.

Homepage: www.waterscenterst.org

Thinking Tools Studio: https://thinkingtoolsstudio.waterscenterst.org

------

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 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 are heading back into the archives for a very special encore episode of An Imperfect Leader!

When I first spoke with Max Silverman, the Executive Director of the University of Washington Center for Educational Leadership (CEL), our audience was much smaller. His insights on how we lead schools and support principals are more relevant today than ever.

Max (now in an emeritus/advisor role at CEL) is one of those leaders who combines deep expertise with incredible humility. In this episode, we dive into:

• The Power of Simple Tools: Max shares a mantra that has stuck with me: "Simple tools lead to complex thinking, and complex tools lead to simple thinking."
• The Anatomy of Instruction: True leadership expertise can only be developed "in the presence of students." We talk about moving beyond spreadsheets to develop "habits of thinking"—noticing, wondering, and hypothesizing about what is actually causing learning.
• The After Action Review: Max gets vulnerable about a major decision to convert a comprehensive high school into three small schools.
• Moving at the Speed of Trust: Vital advice for any leader on the importance of "seeing the unseen" and prioritizing relationships over ego.

Whether you are a head of school, a superintendent, a principal, or a teacher leader, Max's perspective on humanizing the work is a must-listen.

Follow Host Peter Stiepleman on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-stiepleman-76004819a/ Website: https://imperfectleader.com/

Follow Co-host Jamie Almanzán on:

Connect with APC Leadership Collaborative for support in navigating complex leadership situations: https://www.apccollab.com

-------

An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by IXL. Boost learning with a platform proven to deliver results. IXL gives educators a complete K–12 curriculum and personalized learning plans that adapt to every student.

Trusted by over 1 million teachers and 96 of the top 100 school districts, IXL helps schools outperform on state tests, and helps teachers focus on what matters most.

IXL: Powerful data. Personalized learning. Real progress.

Discover what IXL can do for your school at IXL.com/imperfect

-------

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 3 Million Students use Yondr every day.

MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS. MAXIMIZE LEARNING POTENTIAL.

Go to overyondr.com to learn more.

------

The Mosaic Project, one of our favorite organizations, has over 25 years of experience empowering students to celebrate differences, communicate assertively, and resolve conflicts peacefully at their outdoor school. Their innovative SEL curriculum is now available to An Imperfect Leader listeners at a 10% discount through their new documentary film-based Mosaic Classroom Project!

The Project's ready-to-use lesson plans include film, original music, "gametivities", and real conversations. We're proud to partner with The Mosaic Project in helping educators build inclusive, peaceful learning communities! Just mention An Imperfect Leader during the onboarding process to receive the 10% discount.

Learn more about The Mosaic Classroom Project.

------

Think differently. Think in systems. Reach out to The Waters Center for Systems Thinking to learn more about how systems thinking capacity building can strengthen your team and organization.

Homepage: www.waterscenterst.org

Thinking Tools Studio: https://thinkingtoolsstudio.waterscenterst.org

------

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 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 are bringing back one of our most impactful conversations for an encore episode of An Imperfect Leader!

Have you ever wondered why, in a profession where over 70% of teachers are women, only 28% of superintendents are? Or why so many leaders feel they have to be "perfect" just to survive?

Dr. Rachel White joined us to dive into her groundbreaking work with The Superintendent Lab. She didn't just look at the numbers; she hand-collected data on nearly 13,000 leaders because a national database simply didn't exist. One of her most startling finds? One in five superintendents is named John, Matthew, or Michael.

In this episode, we explore:

• Mirrors and Windows: How leadership serves as a "mirror" for students to see their potential and a "window" for the community to understand diverse lived experiences.
• The Hall of Mirrors: A candid look at how school boards sometimes hire based on fit, which can inadvertently reinforce the status quo.
• Leading with Curiosity: Moving away from hierarchy and toward a coaching stance that ripples through an entire system.
• Legislative Storytelling: Why superintendents need to be proactive partners with state legislators—not just the "no" people who call when they're angry.

Dr. White reminds us that every data point is a human being with a family, a story, and a why. If you're looking for a way to lead that centers on empathy and research-driven insight, you won't want to miss this.

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Follow Host Peter Stiepleman on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-stiepleman-76004819a/ Website: https://imperfectleader.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animperfectleader

Follow Co-host Jamie Almanzán on:

Connect with APC Leadership Collaborative for support in navigating complex leadership situations: https://www.apccollab.com

-------

An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by IXL. Boost learning with a platform proven to deliver results. IXL gives educators a complete K–12 curriculum and personalized learning plans that adapt to every student.

Trusted by over 1 million teachers and 96 of the top 100 school districts, IXL helps schools outperform on state tests, and helps teachers focus on what matters most.

IXL: Powerful data. Personalized learning. Real progress.

Discover what IXL can do for your school at IXL.com/imperfect

-------

The Mosaic Project, one of our favorite organizations, has over 25 years of experience empowering students to celebrate differences, communicate assertively, and resolve conflicts peacefully at their outdoor school. Their innovative SEL curriculum is now available to An Imperfect Leader listeners at a 10% discount through their new documentary film-based Mosaic Classroom Project!

The Project's ready-to-use lesson plans include film, original music, "gametivities", and real conversations. We're proud to partner with The Mosaic Project in helping educators build inclusive, peaceful learning communities! Just mention An Imperfect Leader during the onboarding process to receive the 10% discount.

Learn more about The Mosaic Classroom Project.

------

Think differently. Think in systems. Reach out to The Waters Center for Systems Thinking to learn more about how systems thinking capacity building can strengthen your team and organization.

Homepage: www.waterscenterst.org

Thinking Tools Studio: https://thinkingtoolsstudio.waterscenterst.org

------

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 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.

Some conversations stay with you long after the recording ends. My conversation with Dr. Nyah Hamlett is one of those.

In this encore episode, Dr. Hamlett, former superintendent of Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and now Chief Equity & Development Officer for Montgomery County Public Schools, offers a deeply honest reflection on leadership under pressure.

Here are three themes leaders should listen for:

1. "Don't Flinch" Leadership: Listen for how Nyah defines leadership as choosing courage over convenience, especially when decisions are uncomfortable or unpopular.

2. Student Voice as Shared Power (Not a Checkbox): Listen for how student voice can sharpen decisions, even when leaders don't ultimately go the students' way.

3. Imperfect Leadership, Vulnerability, and Accountability: Listen closely to Nyah's after-action reflection. It's a masterclass in humility, learning in real time, and leading as a human being, especially when systems and personal wellbeing collide.

This episode is a reminder that leadership is not about perfection. It's about integrity, reflection, and the willingness to stand firm without flinching.

#DontFlinch #CourageOverConvenience #AuthenticLeadership #VulnerabilityInLeadership #EducationalLeadership #Superintendents #PublicEducation #EdLeadership #EquityInEducation #StudentVoice #RestorativePractices #SystemsThinking #EquityAndEmpathy #ImperfectLeader #PodcastRoleNetwork #LeadLearner #Podcasserole

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Follow Host Peter Stiepleman on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-stiepleman-76004819a/ Website: https://imperfectleader.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animperfectleader/

Follow Co-host Jamie Almanzán on:

Connect with APC Leadership Collaborative for support in navigating complex leadership situations: https://www.apccollab.com

-------

An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by IXL. Boost learning with a platform proven to deliver results. IXL gives educators a complete K–12 curriculum and personalized learning plans that adapt to every student.

Trusted by over 1 million teachers and 96 of the top 100 school districts, IXL helps schools outperform on state tests, and helps teachers focus on what matters most.

IXL: Powerful data. Personalized learning. Real progress.

Discover what IXL can do for your school at IXL.com/imperfect

-------

The Mosaic Project, one of our favorite organizations, has over 25 years of experience empowering students to celebrate differences, communicate assertively, and resolve conflicts peacefully at their outdoor school. Their innovative SEL curriculum is now available to An Imperfect Leader listeners at a 10% discount through their new documentary film-based Mosaic Classroom Project!

The Project's ready-to-use lesson plans include film, original music, "gametivities", and real conversations. We're proud to partner with The Mosaic Project in helping educators build inclusive, peaceful learning communities! Just mention An Imperfect Leader during the onboarding process to receive the 10% discount.

Learn more about The Mosaic Classroom Project.

------

Think differently. Think in systems. Reach out to The Waters Center for Systems Thinking to learn more about how systems thinking capacity building can strengthen your team and organization.

Homepage: www.waterscenterst.org

Thinking Tools Studio: https://thinkingtoolsstudio.waterscenterst.org

------

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 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.

📢 What an incredible conversation with Dr. Stephen Pruitt, President of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

🎧 In this encore episode, we dove deep into education, leadership, and driving real change. Here are the key takeaways:

🤝 Stakeholder vs. Shareholder: Dr. Pruitt made a powerful distinction: education needs fewer "stakeholders" and more "shareholders". What does that mean? Shareholders are people invested in a common vision who feel true ownership of the process.

✍️ Redefining Standards: Standards, he explained, are a contract between the State Department of Education and teachers. It's about shared agreement and collaboration, not top-down mandates.

🧠 Harvesting Wisdom: The development of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) was a masterclass in inclusive design: 26 lead states, 40 writers, and countless public reviews to make sure every voice was heard.

🤔 Unintended Consequences: As Kentucky's Commissioner of Education, Dr. Pruitt created an "Unintended Consequences Committee" to catch potential negative outcomes before they happened. Genius.

⚛️ Systems Thinking: Drawing on his background as a chemist, he emphasized viewing education (and the workforce pipeline) as one interconnected system. Real change requires addressing every part of it.

💔 The Three Phases of Crisis: From navigating a school shooting, Dr. Pruitt identified three critical phases: prevention, management, and recovery. The recovery phase (especially social, emotional, and mental health support) is too often overlooked.

🚧 Removing Barriers: After the tragedy at Marshall County High School, his focus was removing barriers to recovery: excusing students from state tests, prioritizing community needs, and asking the essential question: "Are you removing barriers to recovery, or are you creating more?"

📚 We also discussed the SREB Journal of Education Practices and Trends, a resource built to bridge research and practice. Find it by searching "journal" at sreb.org.

🌟 The biggest takeaway? True leadership means embracing imperfection, staying a lifelong learner, and empowering others. As Dr. Pruitt put it: "We need to treat education and our profession more like a Hallmark movie and less like a Lifetime movie." Let's choose to love this profession. ❤️

#Education #EducationLeadership #K12Education #SchoolLeadership #EdChat #NGSS #StandardsBasedEducation #CrisisManagement #SystemsThinking #TeacherLeadership #SREB #EducationPolicy #SchoolSafety #ResilientLeadership #LifelongLearning #EducationPodcast #Podcasserole

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Follow Host Peter Stiepleman on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-stiepleman-76004819a/ Website: https://imperfectleader.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animperfectleader

Follow Co-host Jamie Almanzán on:

Connect with APC Leadership Collaborative for support in navigating complex leadership situations: https://www.apccollab.com

-------

An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by IXL. Boost learning with a platform proven to deliver results. IXL gives educators a complete K–12 curriculum and personalized learning plans that adapt to every student.

Trusted by over 1 million teachers and 96 of the top 100 school districts, IXL helps schools outperform on state tests, and helps teachers focus on what matters most.

IXL: Powerful data. Personalized learning. Real progress.

Discover what IXL can do for your school at IXL.com/imperfect

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The Mosaic Project, one of our favorite organizations, has over 25 years of experience empowering students to celebrate differences, communicate assertively, and resolve conflicts peacefully at their outdoor school. Their innovative SEL curriculum is now available to An Imperfect Leader listeners at a 10% discount through their new documentary film-based Mosaic Classroom Project!

The Project's ready-to-use lesson plans include film, original music, "gametivities", and real conversations. We're proud to partner with The Mosaic Project in helping educators build inclusive, peaceful learning communities! Just mention An Imperfect Leader during the onboarding process to receive the 10% discount.

Learn more about The Mosaic Classroom Project.

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Think differently. Think in systems. Reach out to The Waters Center for Systems Thinking to learn more about how systems thinking capacity building can strengthen your team and organization.

Homepage: www.waterscenterst.org

Thinking Tools Studio: https://thinkingtoolsstudio.waterscenterst.org

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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 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.

I am thrilled to share an encore release of a very special crossover episode between our podcast, An Imperfect Leader, and Mason Pashia's Getting Smart Podcast (also a proud member of the Podcasserole Network!). Together, we sit down with Dr. Jennifer Light, a professor at MIT, to explore the the history of Junior Republics and the cutting-edge work of Embodied Education.

Here are two key takeaways from our conversation:

🏙️ The Legacy of Junior Republics: Imagine a miniature city or nation run entirely by kids. Starting in 1895, Junior Republics gave children the power to act as senators, run businesses, and even debate major issues like women's suffrage (often reaching progressive conclusions long before adults did). This "radical student agency" reminds us that when we trust young people with real-world responsibility, they are capable of extraordinary things.

🏃‍♂️ The MIT Project on Embodied Education: We also took a deep dive into how movement and physical activity can be integrated into academic instruction to enhance learning, creativity, and executive function. Dr. Light shared how her team at MIT is designing "games" to teach complex subjects like Algebra.

Sometimes, the best ideas for the future are waiting for us in the past.

#EducationInnovation #StudentAgency #EmbodiedLearning #Leadership #JuniorRepublics #GettingSmart #MIT #AnImperfectLeader #EducationHistory #Podcasserole

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Follow Host Peter Stiepleman on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-stiepleman-76004819a/ Website: https://imperfectleader.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animperfectleader

Follow Co-host Jamie Almanzán on:

Connect with APC Leadership Collaborative for support in navigating complex leadership situations: https://www.apccollab.com

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An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by IXL. Boost learning with a platform proven to deliver results. IXL gives educators a complete K–12 curriculum and personalized learning plans that adapt to every student.

Trusted by over 1 million teachers and 96 of the top 100 school districts, IXL helps schools outperform on state tests, and helps teachers focus on what matters most.

IXL: Powerful data. Personalized learning. Real progress.

Discover what IXL can do for your school at IXL.com/imperfect

-------

The Mosaic Project, one of our favorite organizations, has over 25 years of experience empowering students to celebrate differences, communicate assertively, and resolve conflicts peacefully at their outdoor school. Their innovative SEL curriculum is now available to An Imperfect Leader listeners at a 10% discount through their new documentary film-based Mosaic Classroom Project!

The Project's ready-to-use lesson plans include film, original music, "gametivities", and real conversations. We're proud to partner with The Mosaic Project in helping educators build inclusive, peaceful learning communities! Just mention An Imperfect Leader during the onboarding process to receive the 10% discount.

Learn more about The Mosaic Classroom Project.

------

Think differently. Think in systems. Reach out to The Waters Center for Systems Thinking to learn more about how systems thinking capacity building can strengthen your team and organization.

Homepage: www.waterscenterst.org

Thinking Tools Studio: https://thinkingtoolsstudio.waterscenterst.org

------

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 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.