In this episode of Leadership Lenses, we sit down with Tikvah Wiener and Smadar Goldstein to explore how schools can create lasting change through effective instructional coaching. We consider how leaders can support teachers, overcome fear of change, and build a culture where every student has the opportunity to engage deeply with their learning. Together, we reflect on the ways that focused coaching, aligned with a school’s mission and led in partnership with educational leaders, can help schools move from feeling “fine” to achieving excellence. By combining data, workshops, and individualized support, schools can create a virtuous cycle where teachers feel empowered, students thrive, and the community experiences the full potential of its educational vision.

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Reach Kadima Coaching at - https://www.kadimacoaching.org/

In this episode of Leadership Lenses, we sit down with Rabbi Dr. Jeffrey Kobrin to explore what it really means to lead a school community made up of families from profoundly different cultural backgrounds. Drawing on his experience at North Shore Hebrew Academy, we look at how differences in educational priorities, religious practice, and family expectations can create both tension and opportunity. Together, we consider how leaders can honor each family’s values while also creating shared experiences that help students learn from one another and appreciate perspectives beyond their own. When we approach these differences with curiosity and respect, we can transform them into a source of strength for our schools, building communities that are more open, more connected, and more reflective of the full tapestry of Klal Yisrael.More Resources at - ⁠https://kislowiczconsulting.com/resources/

If you know Mark Shinar, you know this episode, which we're calling Finding Joy with Your Leadership Team, is worth a listen.

We unpack what heads can do when they find themselves frustrated by a struggling administrator without truly understanding what is getting in the way.

We talk about the power of regular meetings, shared agendas, and naming issues directly, as well as the importance of laughter and psychological safety in building a culture where leaders feel supported rather than scrutinized, and we dive into the specifics of how leaders can create environments where teams talk openly, learn together, and even have some fun, unlocking deeper trust, healthier dynamics, and the conditions that allow everyone to thrive.

Find Mark Shinar at - https://www.markshinar.com/

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In this episode of Leadership Lenses, we sit down with Principal Yoel Trieger of the Kiryas Joel Public School to explore how creativity can transform even the most familiar school routines. We look at how a fresh approach to parent engagement turned a typical back-to-school night into a vibrant, expo-style event that celebrated student programs and strengthened trust between parents and staff. Together, we reflect on how authentic collaboration, clear purpose, and a willingness to take risks can inspire both educators and families. When we view creativity not as a rare talent but as a mindset open to possibility, we unlock new ways to build connection, confidence, and community within our schools.

Click the link to see the open house at Kiryas Joel Public School - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Zb1ht5srVx-xxjBQy2q9d9CaxICKwCQZ?usp=drive_link

More Resources at - https://kislowiczconsulting.com/resources/

In this episode of Leadership Lenses, we sit down with veteran leadership coaches Marcy Balogh (https://consultba-lo.com/)and Cheryl Finkel ([email protected]) to explore how heads of school and board presidents can build partnerships that truly strengthen their schools. Drawing on years of experience coaching educational leaders, we look at what makes these relationships work, from shared clarity around governance and structure to the personal systems and habits that sustain trust. We discuss how courage, gratitude, and honest communication turn a professional pairing into a genuine leadership partnership, one that empowers both head and president to lead with strength, empathy, and alignment. When we invest the time to build that connection, we create the foundation for brave leadership and healthy schools.

More Resources at - https://kislowiczconsulting.com/resources/

In this episode of Leadership Lenses, we sit down with Rabbi Menachem Linzer, Principal at Hillel Torah Chicago, to explore how school leaders can build strong, effective partnerships with their boards. Together, we look at what it takes to move beyond routine board meetings toward genuine board relationships built on clarity, communication, and shared purpose. We examine how defining governance roles, setting expectations early, and investing in the head–board chair relationship can transform collaboration and decision-making. When we approach governance not as a formality but as a partnership, we can create alignment, trust, and the kind of leadership that sustains schools and communities over time.

More Resources at - https://kislowiczconsulting.com/resources/

In this episode of Leadership Lenses, we sit down with Rabbi Jeremy Stern of CauseMatch to explore how schools can transform their fundraising efforts into genuine community building. Together, we examine what separates campaigns that struggle from those that thrive, and why technology alone is never enough. We look at how strategy, segmentation, and empowering ambassadors can turn a fundraising drive into a shared expression of mission and purpose. When we view fundraising not just as raising money but as strengthening community, we create deeper engagement, broader support, and a stronger foundation for the work ahead.

More resources at - https://kislowiczconsulting.com/resources/

In this episode of Leadership Lenses, we sit down with Rabbi Yoni Fein, Head of School at Brauser Maimonides Academy in Hollywood, Florida, to explore how a rapidly growing school can stay healthy, mission-driven, and sustainable. Under Rabbi Fein’s leadership, BMA has nearly doubled in size over the past decade, a transformation that brought both opportunity and strain. Searching for a way to maintain clarity and culture amid complexity, Rabbi Fein and his team turned to EOS, the Entrepreneurial Operating System. Together we look at how this framework helps leaders balance vision and execution, defining a North Star for student success, codifying culture so it scales with growth, and putting systems in place that bring accountability, focus, and alignment. The lesson is not about adopting one model wholesale, but about creating practices that link vision to traction so that growth strengthens rather than dilutes the heart of the school.

In this episode of Leadership Lenses, we sit down with transformation and growth executive Dina Rabhan to reflect on the unique demands of school leadership and what it takes to build resilient teams. Dina shares insights from her work as a turnaround CEO, where she steps into struggling organizations to drive change from the inside out. Together, we explore the parallels between corporate and school leadership, noting that while leadership is transferable, the pressures of running a school are unmatched in their intensity and personal toll. We consider how heads can combat the inherent loneliness of leadership, the importance of authentic vulnerability in building trust, and practical structures that help leadership teams move from individual silos to true collaboration. By rethinking how we use our time, how we show up for our teams, and how we balance inspiration with honesty, we can create the conditions for growth, sustainability, and shared strength in our schools.

More resources at - ⁠https://kislowiczconsulting.com/resources/⁠

In this episode of Leadership Lenses, we talk with Rabbi Dr. Seth Grauer of Bnei Akiva Schools Toronto about the dual role of school heads as educational and communal leaders. Running a school is never just about classrooms and academics. It also means ensuring that shuls, camps, youth groups, and partner institutions are thriving, because the strength of the school depends on the strength of the larger community. Together we look at how leaders can embrace this wider responsibility, balance internal demands with external needs, and cultivate partnerships and philanthropy that lift everyone. By taking this broader view, we can create schools that not only educate but also anchor and energize the communities around them.

More resources at - ⁠https://kislowiczconsulting.com/resources/⁠