Episode #129 is up! Check it out!!!

Special Guest Ryan Tillman, Speaker, CEO, and Founder of Breaking Barriers United, joins Dr. Woods on episode #129 of Leading Out The Woods to discuss Teaching Peace in a Divided Time. In this episode, Ryan draws from his experiences as a former School Resource Officer to explore the root causes of conflict among students and share practical, relationship-driven strategies educators can use to foster empathy, unity, and belonging. Together, they discuss how schools can proactively address division, navigate moments of tension, and build more compassionate and connected learning environments.

Throwback Thursday! Teachers of Promise featuring Wade Whitehead
Originally Released On: 9-9-2022

This week, we’re revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode:Takeaways from this classic:

• Wade discusses what the Teachers of Promise Institute is and the impact it has made on education.
• As a Milken Award Winner and National Teachers Hall of Fame Inductee, Wade shares proven classroom practices and strategies that enhance student achievement and foster a positive, engaging learning environment.

Whether you’re hearing it for the first time or revisiting a classic, this conversation is packed with insights that still resonate today. 🎧🕰️ Don’t forget to check back every Thursday for more Throwback episodes!

Throwback Thursday! Unpacking Collaborative Leadership featuring Pam Ehnle

Originally Released On: 4-4-2025

This week, we’re revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode:

✅ Pam shares the inspiration behind the book, Leading Out The Woods: Collaborative Leadership.

✅ Pam discusses why collaboration is essential for effective leadership.

Whether you’re hearing it for the first time or revisiting a classic, this conversation is packed with insights that still resonate today. 🎧🕰️ Don’t forget to check back every Thursday for more Throwback episodes!

Anchor Chat #26: The Feedback Loop — What Happens After the Walkthrough?

In this episode of Anchor Chats, Dr. Woods reflects on The Feedback Loop — What Happens After the Walkthrough?, emphasizing the critical role feedback plays in instructional growth. He discusses how timely, actionable follow-up after walkthroughs transforms observations into meaningful coaching conversations, strengthens practice, and drives continuous improvement. Dr. Woods challenges leaders to be intentional about closing the loop so feedback leads to impact—not just documentation.

Episode #128 is up!  Check it out!!!

Special Guest Dr. John Craig joins Dr. Woods on episode #128 of Leading Out The Woods to discuss Growth Mindset. In this episode, they explore what it truly means to cultivate a growth mindset in schools, how leaders and educators can model it in practice, and why embracing continuous learning is essential for both personal and organizational growth. Together, they highlight strategies that support resilience, reflection, and sustained improvement in educational settings.

Throwback Thursday! Learning from Mistakes & Failure in the Classroom featuring Dr. Julie Warner

This week, we’re revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode:

✅ Dr. Warner discusses why she believes self-reflecting on mistakes and failure in your instructional practice is vital for improving your teaching.
✅ Dr. Warner shares ​​several examples from her book, “Failure Before Success: Teachers Describe What They Learned from Mistakes.”

Whether you’re hearing it for the first time or revisiting a classic, this conversation is packed with insights that still resonate today. 🎧

🕰️ Don’t forget to check back every Thursday for more Throwback episodes!

Throwback Thursday! Loving Your Neighbor featuring Chris Singleton

Originally Released On: 7-28-2023

This week, we’re revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode:

✅ Chris shares his inspirational message of resilience, unity and forgiveness.

✅ Chris discusses the way he works with schools, universities, and other organizations to promote love and acceptance of others. Whether you’re hearing it for the first time or revisiting a classic, this conversation is packed with insights that still resonate today. 🎧

🕰️ Don’t forget to check back every Thursday for more Throwback episodes!

In this episode, Dr. Woods explores how the first moments of the school day shape everything that follows. From adult presence at arrival to clear routines and instructional warm starts, effective start-of-day systems create consistency, calm, and connection for both students and staff.

Rather than leaving mornings to chance, Dr. Woods highlights how intentional structures—predictable arrival procedures, positive greetings, reinforced expectations, and aligned staff systems—reduce chaos and increase readiness to learn. When leaders and teachers are purposeful about the start of the day, they establish a tone that supports strong behavior, engagement, and instruction.

This Anchor Chat reminds educators that the school day doesn’t begin with the first lesson—it begins the moment students walk through the door.

Throwback Thursday! Authentic Literature featuring Dr. Donyall Dickey
Originally Released On: 5-7-2021

This week, we’re revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode:
✅ Dr. Dickey shares what authentic literature and how it should be used in teaching and learning.
✅ Dr. Dickey discusses his book, Mitigating Curricular Chaos, which shares strategies on constructing and procuring core content curricula that addresses and mitigates the achievement gap.Whether you’re hearing it for the first time or revisiting a classic, this conversation is packed with insights that still resonate today. 

🎧👉 Tune in now on your favorite podcast platform or at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leading-out-the-woods/id1507447161

🕰️ Don’t forget to check back every Thursday for more Throwback episodes!

Episode #127 is up!  Check it out!!!

Special Guest Vernon Wright joins Dr. Woods on episode #127 of Leading Out The Woods to discuss Connect. Impact. Scale. In this episode, Vernon shares his instructional leadership philosophy and the intentional ways he builds connections, empowers educators, and scales meaningful impact across school communities. Together, they explore practical strategies leaders can use to strengthen relationships, elevate instructional practice, and drive long-term success for both students and staff.