🎯 The Ruckus Report

Quick take: Dr. Brandi Kelly offers a refreshing reminder that hope isn't fluffy — it's foundational. In this episode, she unpacks how school leaders can reconnect with what matters most: the heartbeat of their schools.

🎓 Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker

Dr. Brandi Kelly is a seasoned educator with 20+ years of experience as a school social worker, principal, and superintendent. She's a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Maxwell Certified Coach who founded Spark HOPE Edu to help leaders cultivate schools where every person feels seen, heard, and valued.

🔨 Breaking Down the Old Rules

In this episode, Dr. Brandi Kelly challenges traditional education paradigms:

🧠 Key Insight #1: Leadership by Compliance

• What's broken: Systems that reward rule-following over relationship-building.
• The shift: Leading with heart, humanity, and HOPE.
• Impact: Deeper connection, higher engagement, and campuses where people thrive.

🧠 Key Insight #2: Fixing Kids Instead of Finding Their Spark

• What's broken: Focusing on deficits and discipline.
• The shift: Believing in students before they believe in themselves.
• Impact: Students rediscover purpose, belonging, and personal power.

🧠 Key Insight #3: Leading Alone

• What's broken: Isolation at the top.
• The shift: Prioritizing coaching, community, and connection.
• Impact: Stronger, more supported leaders who build stronger teams.

💬 Quotable Ruckus

"You matter. Your story matters. And there is greatness inside of you. So go shine your light in this world bright." – Dr. Brandi Kelly

🏋️ Your Do School Different Challenge

Ready to implement these ideas? Start here:

• Tomorrow: Ask one student or teacher what gives them hope.
• This Month: Reflect on your leadership through the lens of HOPE: Habits, Optimistic Outlook, Purpose, and Excellence.
• This Semester: Start your day with intention. Replace your to-do list with a "to-connect" list.

👩🏻‍💻 Connect & Continue

🌟 Get the full episode transcript here

🔗 Follow Dr. Brandi Kelly:

• Website: www.sparkhopeedu.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandi-kelly-ed-d-lcsw-05446aa7/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadwithhope.23/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LTW24?mibextid=LQQJ4d

📌 Ruckus Makers Don't Just Listen — They Act

If education ain't a bit disruptive, then what are your students really learning?

This show isn't about doing school better.

It's about Doing School Different — and joining a growing movement of bold, creative school leaders who reject legacy models and reimagine what's possible.

🧠 Here are four ways we can help you on your Do School Different journey:

📬 Subscribe to the Free Newsletter — An opportunity to Do School Different 3x a week. Tools, mindset shifts, and strategies that actually work: https://ruckusmakers.news

🗖 Read Ruckus Maker Media — Exclusive content on Substack. Premium leadership insights, AI prompts and custom gpts, new books before the bookshelf: https://ruckusmakers.media

💥 Join The Ruckus Maker Club — Our private network + workshops, The Automatic School tools, AI Prompt Library, and more: https://ruckusmakers.club

🤨 Apply to the Mastermind — Weekly coaching, peer mentorship, and our proven leadership system (The Ruckus Maker Flywheel) to help you transform your campus: https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mastermind

🤝 Today's RUCKUScast in Partnership with:

• ODP Business Solutions®: Looking to create the kind of campus experience students never forget? ODP Business Solutions® transforms ordinary spaces into extraordinary learning environments. 🔍 Learn more: odpbusiness.com/education
• IXL: Over 1 million teachers rely on IXL because it is empowering, it helps them make better decisions with reliable data, and it adapts instruction based on student performance. 🔍 Learn more: ixl.com/leaders
• Play Piper: Too many students love tech but don't see themselves as scientists or engineers. Play Piper's hands-on STEM kits and engaging curriculum changes that. 🔍 Learn more: playpiper.com

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