Leaders Coaching Leaders

As co-host Peter DeWitt says, a talk with Tom Guskey always feels like a master class. Legendary education leader Thomas R. “Tom” Guskey has written twenty-seven books, all widely used and acclaimed in his field. In this conversation, he discussed his newest one, Grading With Integrity. He’ll clarify pervasive mistaken assumptions about grading, what frustrates parents most, challenges teachers and school administrators face, and how to move toward toward effective, useful grading that tells schools, administrators, teachers, students, and parents alike what they need to know.

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What can a world-renowned children's book author and illustrator teach us about leadership? Loren Long is a New Tork Times bestselling picture book author and illustrator. In this episode,  he reveals the creative thought process behind his emotionally resonant illustrations for Amanda Gorman’s Change Sings and how he learned from Matt de la Pena, whose book Love he illustrated, that he was already an activist whether he knew it or not. Children’s books Long has both written and illustrated include the Otis series and The Yellow Bus. In this interview with our co-hosts, unabashed fans, Long opens up about his journey, his craft, and how he sees his role in inclusion.

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Zaretta Hammond draws on her book Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain, her upcoming new title Teaching for Instructional Equity and Cognitive Justice, and her decades of experience to discuss what impacts equity, from challenges to supports. In this eye-opening conversation, she encourages school leaders to find new framings and perspectives that create conscious intentions around equity and inclusion and take concrete action steps toward these goals. One constant throughout her message: put the student first.

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In this special-format episode, our co-hosts Peter DeWitt and Michael Nelson explain and set the theme for the exciting new season of the Leaders Coaching Leaders podcast with a lively discussion and interview of each other! Hear their deeply personal stories about what set them on the path to education leadership and to leading with intention. They’ll reveal their approach to their mission and their deeply felt learning mindset – and how they’ve been shaped and affected by the collaborative, mutual learning they experience every day with the many dedicated educators they feel so fortunate to work with.

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Get to know the person behind the research in this thoughtful conversation with acclaimed education researcher John Hattie. Join host Peter DeWitt and cohost Mike Nelson as they chat with John Hattie about his journey as a lifelong learner, how his Visible Learning research has resonated globally, and his goal for every educator to have a theory of learning. And, learn about John Hattie's highlight of his week--the days he spends with his grandson. Tune into this season seven finale of the Leaders Coaching Leaders Podcast for insights from an award-winning expert on enhancing student learning and achievement.

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Join host Peter DeWitt and Mike Nelson as they interview Dr. Susan Enfield, an alumna of Harvard's urban superintendent program. In this episode, we delve into the importance of mentorship, helping students feel seen and heard, and the need for self-reflection. We also discuss the necessity of taking calculated risks in addressing prominent issues within our educational organizations and solving problems. Dr. Enfield shares her perspective on the bold moves required to face inequities, emphasizing that in order to do right by our children, we must sometimes make our lives harder.

We then explore how to support women in leadership roles, highlighting the importance of making them feel seen and valued in subtle ways. Dr. Enfield explains how humanizing and supporting women in their personal lives can enhance their professional performance and discusses the value of creating a supportive network.

Don't miss Dr. Enfield's impactful way of posing questions and the wealth of knowledge she generously shares.

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Delve into the enriching world of authentic leadership with Kim Fry, a seasoned educational leader who journeyed from a student to the superintendent of Rochester School District. In a role where the average duration is 5 years, Kim has been there for 12 and shares how to be agile and empower others to lead while staying true to herself. She emphasizes the need for listening and constant learning as the cornerstones of leadership, while offering crucial insights from a woman's perspective. 

Throughout the episode, Kim, Peter DeWitt, and Mike Nelson explore the importance of creating exclusive spaces for women, harnessing authentic leadership gifts, and championing for one's self and others. She highlights how strategic use of AI tools can free up a leader’s time, allowing them to focus on mentoring, coaching, and relationship-building. And casts a critical eye on the decision-making processes regarding Superintendent appointments, delving into how to better educate school board members and bridging the gap between women in education leadership and all education leaders.

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How do we unlearn frames of mind that no longer work for us so that we can embrace new learnings that will help us build communities where all can thrive? Join Peter DeWitt, Mike Nelson, Nicole Law and Sonja Hollins-Alexander as they offer deeply thought-provoking reflections on unlearning, learning, soul-searching self-assessment, and what it takes to build a culture where all scholars feel a sense of belonging and recognition. 

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When the world stops and education needs to pivot on a dime, educators have to ask themselves, “What is the purpose of education? How can I take what I know to be sound pedagogy and how do I make technology fit that understanding? How do I make technology work for me and not me work for it?" And ultimately, "How do I make technology work for my students?”

The technology that educators are currently grappling with is how AI fits into classrooms. Join technology expert Jeff Utecht, along with Peter DeWitt and Mike Nelson as they dive deep into how educators can leverage technology and artificial intelligence -not be controlled by it- so they can reshape pedagogy to provide the best for students. 

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Prepare yourself for an engaging conversation in this podcast episode. Host Peter DeWitt and co-host Mike Nelson will be taking you through the inspiring journey of an educational trailblazer, known for her characteristic white sneakers, Dr. Tiffany Anderson. A dynamic figure in her school community, Dr. Anderson is not just confined to the corridors of academia. She's out there greeting students in the mornings, visiting classrooms, and interacting with parents in the community; she's fundamentally reshaping what it means to be a school leader.

In this episode, we'll uncover what drives Dr. Anderson’s deep respect for her school community and her unwavering commitment to listen to their needs. We'll delve into her unique and innovative ways of turning visions of a successful school into a tangible reality - even in seemingly unheard of ways! And above all, we’ll explore how her contagious optimism infuses an expansive perspective where there are no barriers, only unexplored opportunities.

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