CheckBox Pro Series

Elizabeth Garcia is the Associate Director of Operations in the Development Office at Massachusetts General Hospital. However, in her former life she was the Director of School Operations at KIPP Academy Lynn Middle School, where she led an operations team supporting over 1,000 students and 200 staff members. She also managed the district's nutrition program, overseeing meal service for 2,200 students daily.

She geeked out with me today about why a strong nutrition program is important and how to build and assess it.

Most Important Question to Ask: Are the students eating the food?!

Ops teams are crucial to ensure students have access to nutritious meals, so listen in to learn ways to build or improve upon a program that brings everyone around the table!

Resources:

• United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) https://www.fns.usda.gov/
• Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/cep
• USDA Meal Pattern One-Pager https://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/nutrition-standards/nslp-meal-pattern
• No Kid Hungry - end child hunger in America https://www.nokidhungry.org/
• Chef Ann Foundation - learn how to bring whole-ingredient, scratch cooking in schools https://www.chefannfoundation.org/

Connect with Elizabeth Garcia:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-garcia-093/
• Elizbeth said she wanted to check the box off of making this meal for the first time! https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021328-chicken-zucchini-meatballs-with-feta
• CheckBox Pro (https://www.checkboxpro.com/) - learn more about the services CheckBox Pro offers to make the work of school leaders more sustainable

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In this episode, I sit down with Tyler Heath, Chief Operations Officer at Austin Achieve Public Schools, to discuss the importance of strong school operations and how he built an effective elementary school car rider dismissal process. Tyler shares insights into the operational challenges schools face, strategies for ensuring efficiency and safety, and key lessons for school leaders looking to refine their own dismissal systems.

Key takeaways:

• A well-structured dismissal process enhances safety, efficiency, and overall school experience.
• Thoughtful planning and data-driven adjustments are crucial to optimizing school operations.
• Common challenges include managing traffic flow, staff coordination, and parent communication.
• Schools should prioritize clear procedures, staff training, and continuous process improvement.
• Strong operations lay the foundation for a positive school culture and improved stakeholder satisfaction.

Connect with Tyler Heath:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-heath-564a23/
• To learn more about Lean Management, Tyler Heath recommends his favorite ops book - The Toyota Way by Jeffrey Liker (https://thetoyotaway.org/product/the-toyota-way/)

CheckBox Pro (https://www.checkboxpro.com/) - learn more about the services CheckBox Pro offers to make the work of school leaders more sustainable

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In this episode, I sit down with ShaVanety Jones, an early career school psychologist, executive functioning coach, and founder of Fleuravida™. With a unique background in psychology and theater, ShaVanety shares how she helps students—especially gifted learners—build confidence, develop essential life skills, and stay engaged through creative tools like improv and social-emotional storytelling. We unpack the multifaceted role of a school psychologist, why third and fourth grade are pivotal years for student development, and how simple acts like writing thank-you notes can teach powerful life lessons.

Key takeaways:

• School psychologists are trained across 10 domains, serving as both evaluators and advocates for students' academic and mental health needs.
• ShaVanety's work focuses on executive functioning, social-emotional growth, and early intervention—especially for gifted students who may struggle with organization and behavior.
• Fleuravida™, her after-school program, blends theater and skill-building to make learning about time management, communication, and peer interaction fun.
• Simple strategies like preference assessments and handwritten thank-you notes can make a big difference in student engagement and confidence.
• Third and fourth grade are often inflection points when students begin to disengage from school—early support and skill-building can help prevent long-term academic and behavioral challenges.
• The job of a school psychologist extends far beyond counseling—it involves legal timelines, coordination, testing, and deep family communication.

Fleuravida™ currently operates as a B2B (Business to Business), so she is hired by school districts and organizations. However, keep an eye on things because her goal is to work as a B2C (Business to Customers, ie. parents).

Connect with ShaVanety Jones:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shavanety-j-233a35128/
• ShaVanety's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Fleuravida
• Complete her Gifted Student Programming Survey: https://forms.gle/FBcC4JGkuGGFjFkv7
• UCLA PEERS: https://teams.semel.ucla.edu/peers/adolescents-certified-usa/washington-pierce-county

CheckBox Pro (https://www.checkboxpro.com/) - learn more about the services CheckBox Pro offers to make the work of school leaders more sustainable

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In this episode, Missy Couch shares her personal reflections on the things that are saving her life, a concept inspired by Emily P. Freeman of The Next Right Thing and Kendra Adachi from The Lazy Genius. She discusses ten key elements that bring joy and connection to her life, including coffee, book clubs, Audible, soccer, and family traditions. Each topic highlights the importance of self-care, relationships, and finding joy in everyday activities.

Key Takeaways:

• Reflecting on what's saving your life can be enlightening.
• Joy can be found even in the small things, like a cup of coffee.
• Relationships bring purpose and fulfillment to the mundane.
• Taking time to invest in hobbies is essential.

Links:

• The Next Right Thing podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/2brDfTW27CjoKwKk1ovEqy?si=LmJLz1-wTye1V3V9_XCz4g

• The Lazy Genius podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/2rOjz03L3exjFMsv50ftQt?si=mRNegxgySfmzzSPEQnBijA

• Cometeer Coffee - https://cometeer.com/

• Marco Polo - https://apps.apple.com/app/id912561374

• Audible - https://apps.apple.com/app/id912561374

CheckBox Pro (https://www.checkboxpro.com/) - learn more about the services CheckBox Pro offers to make the work of school leaders more sustainable

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In this episode, I sit down with Daniel Casselli, President of BuyQ, to discuss how group purchasing can help schools—especially smaller charter and private schools—stretch their dollars, streamline operations, and build stronger procurement systems. Drawing from his background in education, edtech, and operations, Daniel offers a masterclass in purchasing strategy, explaining how schools can leverage collective buying power, avoid common pitfalls, and set up procurement systems that actually work.

Whether you're new to procurement or trying to bring more strategy to your school's purchasing processes, Daniel shares actionable insights that can save you time, money, and administrative headaches.

Key Takeaways:

• Group purchasing helps smaller schools access pricing and vendor support typically reserved for large networks.

• BuyQ negotiates national contracts that reduce costs, improve compliance, and save time by eliminating the need for individual RFPs.

• Schools should prioritize clarity in procurement ownership, better alignment between budgeting and purchasing, and modernized systems to avoid capacity drain.

• Strong procurement policies and procedures must be realistic, clearly communicated, and consistently followed.

• Procurement is not just about savings—it's about improving the student and staff experience through intentional purchasing decisions.

Connect with Daniel Casselli:

• LinkedIn: Daniel Casselli (https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-casselli-31a7b910b/)

• BuyQ Website: www.buyq.org

• Free Consultation: https://buyq.org/free-consultation

• BuyQ Contracts Portfolio: Sign up here (https://www.buyq.org)

• Podcast: Charter School Insider (available on all major platforms)

CheckBox Pro – Learn more about the services CheckBox Pro offers to make the work of school leaders more sustainable.

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In this episode, Markesha Tisby, M.Ed., returns to the Pro Series to dive deeper into how school and instructional leaders can support K-2 teachers in delivering high-quality foundational literacy instruction. Building on her first episode on phonics and early literacy, Markesha now shifts the spotlight to leadership—sharing practical ways administrators, coaches, and consultants can create the conditions for strong phonics instruction to thrive.

Whether you're a school leader looking to sharpen your early literacy lens or a coach seeking more intentional ways to guide new teachers, this conversation offers concrete actions and reminders of what great support really looks like.

Key Takeaways:

• K-2 teachers often feel undervalued; leaders should make their support visible and intentional.

• School leaders don't need to be literacy experts—but they should aim to be lead learners.

• Strong PD for phonics includes more than just an overview; it requires follow-up coaching, modeling, and space to try without fear of evaluation.

• Leaders should avoid conflating coaching visits with formal walkthroughs to protect teacher vulnerability and growth.

• Phonics instruction can't be learned in one session—teachers need continued opportunities to deepen their practice with responsive, data-informed coaching.

Connect with Markesha Tisby:

• Website: www.tisbyconsultant.com – Schedule a consultation today!
• LinkedIn: Markesha Tisby, M.Ed (https://www.linkedin.com/in/markesha-tisby-m-ed-7a241a157/)
• LinkedIn: Tisby Educational Consulting (https://www.linkedin.com/company/tisby-educational-consulting)

Recommended Reading:

• 6 Ways to Bring the Science of Reading into the Balanced Literacy Classroom (https://www.routledge.com/Shifting-the-Balance-Grades-K-2-6-Ways-to-Bring-the-Science-of-Reading-into-the-Balanced-Literacy-Classroom/Burkins-Yates/p/book/9781625315106?srsltid=AfmBOoq69NpP-1bsyyRbrTnOzW27Qqdb8OsIPYdK5Ao63gKDB5k1Bbmo)

• Reading Above the Frey: Reliable, Research-Based Routines for Developing Decoding Skills

• Differentiating Phonics Instruction for Maximum Impact: How to Scaffold Whole-Group Instruction So All Students Can Access Grade-Level Content

• Fear Not the Decodable: Why? When? How? (https://blog.heinemann.com/fear-not-the-decodable-why-when-how)

• I Am Ruby Bridges

CheckBox Pro (https://www.checkboxpro.com/) - learn more about the services CheckBox Pro offers to make the work of school leaders more sustainable

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In this episode, I sit down with Markesha Tisby, M.Ed., founder and CEO of Tisby Educational Consulting, to explore the critical importance of K-2 instruction and how foundational literacy sets the stage for long-term academic success. A former early childhood teacher and coach, Markesha shares strategies for integrating phonics into all content areas and building joyful, rigorous instruction that supports young readers.

Key Takeaways:

• Strong K-2 instruction lays the groundwork for a student's future academic performance.

• Phonics instruction can and should be woven into all subjects—not just reading blocks.

• School leaders should focus on both instructional practice and student engagement during early literacy walkthroughs.

• Teachers benefit from routines, research-backed resources, and time to deeply understand foundational reading strategies.

• Slowing down instruction in the early grades can lead to faster, more sustainable growth in later years.

Connect with Markesh Tisby:

• LinkedIn: Markesha Tisby, M.Ed (https://www.linkedin.com/in/markesha-tisby-m-ed-7a241a157/)

• LinkedIn: Tisby Educational Consulting (https://www.linkedin.com/company/tisby-educational-consulting)

• Website: www.tisbyconsultant.com – Schedule a consultation today!

• Texas Council of Teachers of English Language Arts: tctela.org

Recommended Reading:

• 6 Ways to Bring the Science of Reading into the Balanced Literacy Classroom (https://www.routledge.com/Shifting-the-Balance-Grades-K-2-6-Ways-to-Bring-the-Science-of-Reading-into-the-Balanced-Literacy-Classroom/Burkins-Yates/p/book/9781625315106?srsltid=AfmBOoq69NpP-1bsyyRbrTnOzW27Qqdb8OsIPYdK5Ao63gKDB5k1Bbmo)

• Reading Above the Frey: Reliable, Research-Based Routines for Developing Decoding Skills

• Differentiating Phonics Instruction for Maximum Impact: How to Scaffold Whole-Group Instruction So All Students Can Access Grade-Level Content

• Fear Not the Decodable: Why? When? How?(https://blog.heinemann.com/fear-not-the-decodable-why-when-how)

• I Am Ruby Bridges

CheckBox Pro (https://www.checkboxpro.com/) - learn more about the services CheckBox Pro offers to make the work of school leaders more sustainable

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In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Henrietta Muñoz, CEO of the Texas A&M University-San Antonio Institute for School and Community Partnerships. With over 25 years of experience in nonprofit leadership and school-community partnerships, Dr. Muñoz shares why data is essential for school boards and how board members—especially those without an education background—can better understand and use school data to make informed decisions.

We discuss the key data points school boards should review regularly, strategies for decoding complex data, and the importance of building trust between school leaders and board members. Dr. Muñoz also highlights the role of board members as strategic partners in school success.

Key takeaways:

• School boards play a critical role in governance, financial oversight, and ensuring academic success.
• Key data points for board members include enrollment, attendance, financial health, academic performance, and student persistence rates.
• Data should be presented in diverse ways (charts, infographics, narratives) to accommodate different learning styles.
• Understanding growth measures in student achievement is as important as absolute performance levels.
• Board members should embrace curiosity, ask questions, and engage as thought partners rather than passive reviewers of data.

Connect with Dr. Henrietta Muñoz:

• LinkedIn: Dr. Henrietta Muñoz (https://www.linkedin.com/in/henrietta-mu%C3%B1oz-phd-2aa13b17/)

CheckBox Pro (https://www.checkboxpro.com/) - learn more about the services CheckBox Pro offers to make the work of school leaders more sustainable

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In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Alicia Martin, CEO and founder of DWG Educate & Serve LLC, to discuss how school and district leaders can effectively use data to drive student success. Known as the "Data Diva Doc," Dr. Martin shares her expertise in data-driven instruction, assessment strategy, and leadership development.

We explore her three-step framework—Discover, Work, and Grow—designed to help educators analyze data, implement targeted support, and monitor progress to ensure continuous improvement. Dr. Martin also provides practical tips on making data more accessible, reducing overwhelm, and fostering a culture of data-informed decision-making.

Ket takeaways:

• Schools should move beyond test scores and analyze multiple data sources, including attendance, discipline, and student progress tracking.
• Effective data use involves a structured process: Discover (Data Analysis), Work (Targeted Support), and Grow (Progress Monitoring).
• Leaders need to make time for data analysis and classroom observations by structuring their schedules intentionally.
• Data should be actionable—schools must have systems in place to turn insights into meaningful interventions.
• Student data conferences empower students to take ownership of their learning and performance.

Connect with Dr. Alicia Martin:

• LinkedIn: Dr. Alicia Martin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/draliciamartin/)
• Website: www.dwgeducateserve.com (Visit the "Contact Us" tab for free data-driven instructional tips and upcoming PD opportunities.)
• Social Media: @DWGEducateServe on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter
• Hashtag: #DataDivaDoc

CheckBox Pro (https://www.checkboxpro.com) - learn more about the services CheckBox Pro offers to make the work of school leaders more sustainable

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James Aycock has supported students with disabilities in schools for close to two decades. It truly is his calling and boy am I thankful he is in that space. He shares with listeners the hard truth about tests but doesn't leave us discouraged. He teaches us about the different types of assessments out there and how they are (or should) be used. He offers advice for parents on what to do when they suspect their student is struggling or needs more of a challenge, and the answer is not, "ambush the teacher during carpool."

LINKS:

• James wrote a piece for SCORE titled, "Teacher Voice: In Defense of Standardized Testing." (https://tnscore.org/perspectives-and-press/perspectives/teacher-voice-in-defense-of-standardized-testing)

• Book recommendations from James:
  • Rasing Kids Who Read: What Parents & Teachers Can Do by Daniel T. Willingham
  • (https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/22263945-raising-kids-who-read)
  • 10 to 25: The Science of Moticating Young People by David Yeager, PhD (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/203746293-10-to-25?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=Mjutcgk1DZ&rank=2)
  • Also, if you want to have a steady flow of non-fiction, then he recommends The Next Big Idea Club* (https://nextbigideaclub.com/) where you can get 2 books per quarter to increase your knowledge…a skill he advises every school take with students starting as early as elementary school. *Right now they are offering 20% off for new members with code NBIC20

• James Aycock (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesaycock/

• CheckBox Pro (https://www.checkboxpro.com/) - learn more about the services CheckBox Pro offers to make the work of school leaders more sustainable

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