Dana Thompson brings 20 years of educational expertise to explore hybrid and micro schools—innovative models transforming education. She explains how hybrid schools blend 3 days of in-person instruction with 2 days of parent-facilitated home learning, while micro schools create intimate environments for 5-20 students across multiple ages. Dana identifies five critical pitfalls derailing schools: neglecting culture, overloading teachers, ignoring student voice, inconsistent communication, and reactive leadership. She provides practical strategies including modeling behaviors, setting boundaries, and prioritizing professional development. The core message: healthy school culture built on strong relationships is the foundation of educational success. Timestamps

[00:00:00] - Introduction and welcome

[00:03:00] - Why healthy school culture is essential for effective teaching

[00:04:00] - Understanding hybrid schools: 3 days in-building, 2 days at-home

[00:05:00] - Classical education: Paper and pencil over technology

[00:07:00] - Hybrid model across K-12 grade levels

[00:08:00] - What are micro schools? The "Little House on Prairie" model

[00:10:00] - Can hybrid and micro models be combined?

[00:11:00] - Dana's consulting services for schools

[00:13:00] - Pitfall #1: Neglecting school culture and relationships

[00:18:00] - Pitfall #2: Overloading teachers with too many initiatives

[00:20:00] - Pitfall #3: Ignoring student voice

[00:23:00] - Personal story: The lethargic class and the "voice box" solution

[00:25:00] - Pitfall #4: Inconsistent communication

[00:28:00] - Pitfall #5: Reactive vs. proactive leadership

[00:29:00] - Practical leadership strategies: Modeling behavior

[00:31:00] - Setting healthy boundaries (no emails after 8 PM!)

[00:33:00] - Prioritizing professional growth and celebrating wins

[00:35:00] - Contact information and closing

Get In Touch:

If you're interested in connecting with Dana Thompson, you can reach her via her website (https://www.lowcountrychristian.com/), via email([email protected]), via LinkedIn(https://www.linkedin.com/in/dana-thompson-ed-s-428833a0/), or on Facebook(https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576234995996).

For those interested in sharing their own stories on "Chatting with the Experts," reach out to Paula Okonneh through her website at chattingwiththeexperts.com or connect via LinkedIn.