Little Wins

In this episode of Little Wins, host Karen Borchert sits down with Grant W. Gellert, Assistant Principal at MaST Community Charter School in Philadelphia. With nearly two decades at MaST, beginning as an English teacher and now leading the high school. Grant shares how deep roots and responsive leadership shape a culture where students and teachers thrive.

From innovative learning spaces and student-led town halls to the school’s daily Flex program, Grant reveals how MaST builds a sense of pride and community that keeps students and even alumni returning as staff. His leadership style anchored in visibility, responsiveness, and grace, models what it means to build trust and inspire both teachers and students.

If you’ve ever wondered how small daily choices add up to a strong, joyful school culture, this conversation is full of insight and inspiration.

💡 Little Wins in This Episode:

• Creating Community Through Design: From updated buildings to innovative learning spaces, MaST prioritizes pride in the physical environment as a foundation for pride in learning.

• Elevating Teacher Voice: Grant builds culture by making sure teachers are heard—through committees, hallway conversations, and everyday visibility.

• Town Halls & Pods: Revamping student-led forums and cross-grade groups to foster dialogue, mentoring, and shared responsibility.

• The Flex Program: Daily choice-based sessions that mix remediation, clubs, and creative electives—from Hamilton deep-dives to dorm-room cooking—keeping student learning fresh, personal, and fun.

• Culture in Three Words: Pride, grace, and inspiration—Grant’s personal compass for school culture and growth.

Key Moments

03:47 Innovative Learning and Community Spirit

08:49 Career Change Leads to Long Teaching Tenure

10:17 Cultivating Leadership and Culture

14:32 Encouraging Responsiveness in Education

16:18 Proactive Note-Taking and Meetings

20:49 Random Pod Meetings in Education

23:45 Balancing Activity Variety in Programs

27:13 Weekly Flex Period Planning

31:03 Impact of School Expansion

35:18 "IKEA's Impact on Community Pride"

35:52 Creating Pride Through Innovative Spaces

39:25 Challenges of a High School Principal

Connect with Mr Grant W Gellert

Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-gellert-217b913b

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🧵 About the Podcast:

Little Wins is the podcast that digs into the small, deliberate actions school leaders are taking to build strong, human-centered cultures, one meaningful win at a time.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Alpaca for more conversations on building powerful school cultures—one little win at a time.

In this episode of Little Wins, Karen Borchert sits down with Dr. Jeremy Davidson, Superintendent of Elsberry R-II School District in rural Missouri. Leading a district of just over 800 students, Jeremy brings a steady and deeply relational approach to leadership, where visibility, respect, and care are non-negotiables.

Jeremy shares how his district’s move to a four-day school week has supported both student wellbeing and teacher retention—giving families breathing room and protecting time for educators. He reflects on how three-year mentoring programs and peer-to-peer observations help new teachers grow with confidence and connection, while initiatives like steering committees give teachers a voice in big decisions about finance and strategy.

From his own story of once struggling in school to now leading with empathy and purpose, Jeremy’s journey is a reminder that culture isn’t built through programs alone, but through consistency, trust, and everyday actions—like high fives in the hallway and phone calls home.

💡 Little Wins in This Episode:

• Four Days, Big Impact: Elsberry’s four-day school week protects time for teachers, improves mental health, and gives families space to breathe.

• Three-Year Mentoring: New teachers are paired with mentors far beyond year one, ensuring long-term support and belonging.

• Peer-to-Peer Learning: Teachers observe each other’s classrooms during planning periods, sparking growth, reflection, and trust.

• Phone Calls Over Emails: A district-wide 24-hour callback practice keeps parent communication personal and relational.

• Steering Committee Voice: Teachers and staff now weigh in on district priorities like finance and improvement plans, aligning everyone to row in the same direction.

Key Moments

05:53 Exploring the Four-Day School Week

09:15 "Student-Centric School Leadership Values"

11:22 Unified Team Communication

14:06 New Staff Orientation Day

16:39 Positive Reinforcement in Teaching

23:04 Leadership Committee Establishment

24:15 "Baseball's Journey to Self-Discovery"

28:20 Building Visibility and Recognition

30:43 "Purposeful Education Through Collaboration"

34:06 Building Positive School Connections

Connect with Dr. Jeremy Davidson

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jeremy-davidson-081123a1 

Website:https://www.elsberryschools.com/ 

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Alpaca Resources Library: https://www.getalpaca.com/resources-library 

🧵 About the Podcast:

Little Wins is the podcast that digs into the small, deliberate actions school leaders are taking to build strong, human-centered cultures, one meaningful win at a time.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Alpaca for more conversations on building powerful school cultures—one little win at a time.

In this episode of Little Wins, Karen Borchert sits down with Dr. Albert Lee Byrom, superintendent of Poth ISD in rural Texas. A former San Antonio police officer turned educator, Dr. Byrom brings a servant-leadership mindset to his district of fewer than 1,000 students. His journey from patrol car to principal to superintendent is grounded in one belief: visibility, empowerment, and trust are the keys to lasting culture.

Dr. Byrom shares insights from his doctoral research on teacher retention in rural schools, revealing six key drivers that keep educators rooted in their communities. He explains how situational leadership allows him to adapt his style to each staff member, why parent-led storytelling is the best branding a district can ask for, and how empowering teachers with autonomy, data, and growth opportunities fosters both pride and humanity in schools.

Whether you’re leading in a rural district, balancing tight budgets, or simply looking for ways to create a culture people want to be part of, this episode offers powerful lessons on how small, intentional acts of visibility and care can transform a district from the inside out.

💡 Little Wins in This Episode:

• From Police Beat to School Hallways: Dr. Byrom’s unique path from law enforcement to education instilled his belief in catching kids before you have to catch them—building trust through presence and consistency.

• Six Drivers of Retention: Pay may matter most, but Dr. Byrom’s research shows culture, administrative support, branding, flexibility, and strong district decisions are equally critical to keeping teachers.

• Branding Through Parents’ Voices: By celebrating wins on Facebook and inviting parents into classrooms, Poth ISD lets its community—not just the district—tell the story of pride and safety.

• Situational Leadership in Action: Knowing staff well enough to adjust how feedback is delivered (without changing the message) has transformed trust and approachability across the district.

• Promoting From Within: By identifying and encouraging leadership potential, Dr. Byrom builds a pipeline of principals and directors from his own teaching staff—proving that growth doesn’t always have to come from outside.

Key Moments

05:18 "From Fugitive to Mentor"

06:53 From Teacher to Education Leader

10:52 Teacher Retention Crisis in Texas

13:38 School Budget Challenges and Constraints

18:01 Inconsistent Educational Leadership Decisions

20:21 Boosting Branding Through Community Involvement

24:45 Memorable Interactions in Education

26:04 Adaptive Leadership Communication Strategies

30:39 Collaborative Peer Mentorship Approach

33:01 Empowering Teachers Through Manageable Class Sizes

41:00 Administrative Triumph and Contract Renewal

43:39 "Empowering Educators through Autonomy"

Connect with Dr. Albert Lee Byrom

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/albert-lee-byrom-ed-d-3543219a 

Website: https://www.pothisd.us/ 

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Alpaca Website: https://www.getalpaca.com/
Alpaca Resources Library: https://www.getalpaca.com/resources-library 

🧵 About the Podcast:

Little Wins is the podcast that digs into the small, deliberate actions school leaders are taking to build strong, human-centered cultures, one meaningful win at a time.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Alpaca for more conversations on building powerful school cultures—one little win at a time.

In this episode of Little Wins, Karen Borchert sits down with Dr. Nick Fitzgerald, superintendent of Canajoharie Central School District in upstate New York. As just the sixth superintendent in the last hundred years, Nick leads a small rural district with a deep sense of tradition and an equally bold vision for the future.

Nick shares how his team has built a culture of care through social–emotional learning, mentoring, and restorative practices—doubling counseling staff and embedding supports so that every student feels safe, seen, and ready to learn. He reflects on how departmentalizing grades 1–5 and introducing teacher “badges” for self-directed professional growth are freeing educators to focus on what matters most. And he explains why empathy, visibility, and wellness are central to sustaining both staff and students in the hard work of education.

Whether you’re leading in a rural district, a suburban school, or simply curious about what it takes to balance tradition with innovation, this episode offers practical and inspiring ideas for how consistent, intentional culture-building can create schools where people genuinely want to be.

💡 Little Wins in This Episode:

• Doubling Down on Care: Counseling staff doubled, a full-time therapist added, and restorative practices embedded—making student wellbeing the foundation for learning.

• Mentors Everywhere: From administrators to bus drivers, any adult can serve as a 
  mentor, giving students trusted connections beyond the classroom.

  
  

• Wellness Days for Staff: Half-days for massages, fitness, and even pickleball create space for staff to recharge and build cross-role relationships.

• Badges, Not Mandates: A self-directed professional development program rewards teachers with skill badges (like AI, Canva, or Google) and a coveted day off.

• Future-Driven Learning: Redesigning classroom spaces and launching student “badges” for critical skills like collaboration and problem-solving—years ahead of state mandates.

Key Moments

03:29 Aspiring Superintendent's Journey

09:18 "Staff Consistency Ensures Stability"

13:33 Decentralized Educational Strategy Translation

19:22 Prioritizing Students' Emotional Wellbeing

20:31 Enhancing Counseling and Behavioral Support

23:56 Inclusive Team Building at School

29:42 "Adapting Education Post-COVID"

31:16 Streamlined K-5 Teaching Model

34:15 "Transformative Efficient AI in Education"

37:16 Faculty Skills Badge Program

42:38 "Future-Driven Education by 2029"

44:30 Financial Strategies for Sustainable Growth

Connect with Dr. Nick Fitzgerald

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-fitzgerald-19872222a
Website: https://www.canajoharieschools.org/ 

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🧵 About the Podcast:

Little Wins is the podcast that digs into the small, deliberate actions school leaders are taking to build strong, human-centered cultures, one meaningful win at a time.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Alpaca for more conversations on building powerful school cultures—one little win at a time.

In this episode of Little Wins, Karen Borchert sits down with Sarah Harless, principal of Bear Lake School in Michigan, where the entire K–12 community is housed under one roof. With 24 years of experience at Bear Lake—serving in roles from Title I aide to teacher to principal—Sarah brings a rare depth of perspective on what it takes to cultivate trust, resilience, and respect in a small but mighty school.

Sarah shares the story of how her staff turned a tough setback into a defining moment of growth, building a culture where vulnerability, courage, and collaboration thrive. From facing down the challenges of being labeled a “priority school” to celebrating statewide recognition, Sarah reflects on the power of shared goals, hard conversations, and showing up for one another.

Whether you lead in a small school, a large district, or simply want to see what it looks like when educators rally around each other, this episode offers inspiration for how consistent, intentional culture-building can transform schools from the inside out.

💡 Little Wins in This Episode:

• All-Staff Professional Development: Teachers across all grade levels gather to learn together, strengthening alignment and relationships between elementary and secondary staff.

• From Priority to Progress: Bear Lake rebounded from being placed on Michigan’s “priority school” list to earning statewide recognition—proving that resilience and teamwork can flip a narrative in record time.

• Celebrating Data with “Data Digs”: Staff turn test results into collaborative growth moments, asking “What are you doing that’s working?” and sharing strategies openly.

• Hard Conversations, Courageously Led: A culture where trust and care allow staff to challenge one another honestly, knowing the shared goal is student success.

• Welcoming New Staff Like Family: Veteran teachers personally reach out to new hires—even in the summer—to ensure they feel supported and part of the community from day one.

Key Moments

04:19 Navigating Leadership and Succession

08:16 Evolving School Recognition Programs

11:54 Fostering Communication Among Educators

15:16 Building Team Culture in Schools

18:55 Facing Test Scores and Reflection

22:55 Navigating Difficult Conversations Among Teachers

26:09 Embracing Hard Conversations for Unity

27:10 Career-Reviving Decision

32:58 "Celebrating Success Through Collaboration"

35:29 "Resilient School Community"

37:40 Celebrating Wins and Hard Conversations

Connect with Sarah Harless

Website: https://bllakers.org/

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🧵 About the Podcast:

Little Wins is the podcast that digs into the small, deliberate actions school leaders are taking to build strong, human-centered cultures, one meaningful win at a time.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Alpaca for more conversations on building powerful school cultures—one little win at a time.

In this episode of Little Wins, host Karen Borchert sits down with Evan Hecker, principal and culture-builder, to talk about the power of relationships, visibility, and gratitude in leadership. Evan shares how he’s made trust the foundation of his work, why celebrating small successes fuels momentum, and how giving both students and teachers a voice leads to lasting change.

From morning greetings to empowering student leaders, Evan shows us how the “little wins” of daily practice add up to big impact in education. If you’ve ever wondered how to keep joy alive in the hard work of teaching and leading, this conversation is a masterclass in authenticity and energy.

💡 Little Wins in This Episode

1. Build Culture Before Systems: Evan prioritizes trust and relationships before implementing systems, knowing culture must come first.
2. Leadership Through Visibility: By showing up in classrooms and greeting students, he models what presence looks like in practice.
3. Start Meetings with Wins: Every leadership meeting begins by recognizing success, fueling morale and momentum.
4. Turning Feedback into Action: Teachers’ and students’ voices directly shape decisions—closing the loop with transparency.
5. Leading with Gratitude: Evan makes it a habit to thank staff and students, reinforcing a culture of recognition and belonging.

Key Moments

06:10 Reuniting with Former Students

09:48 Collaborative Teams and Commitments

12:38 Fostering Growth and Support

13:58 "Discussing Success in Meetings"

19:54 Celebrating Positive Behaviors with High Five Cards

23:44 Employee Recognition Letters Home

26:44 Staff Appreciation Slideshow & Treats

28:05 "Popsicle Hotline Superintendent"

32:26 "Confidence in Sellable Lessons"

35:41 GSL Sportsmanship Meeting

38:08 Supporting Students Amid Challenges

43:06 "Creating Joyful, Caring Culture"

Connect with Evan Hecker

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-hecker-17b1b4164

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Karen’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenborchert

Alpaca LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/get-alpaca

Alpaca Website: https://www.getalpaca.com/
Alpaca Resources Library: https://www.getalpaca.com/resources-library 

🧵 About the Podcast:

Little Wins is the podcast that digs into the small, deliberate actions school leaders are taking to build strong, human-centered cultures, one meaningful win at a time.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Alpaca for more conversations on building powerful school cultures—one little win at a time.

In this episode of Little Wins, we meet Dr. Vito Perrone, superintendent of five small, distinct school districts in Western Massachusetts. In his first year at the helm of this uniquely complex and collaborative setup, Dr. Perrone brought a clear focus on people-first leadership, relationship-building, and transparent communication.

Karen and Dr. Perrone dig into what it means to lead through connection in a system with five school committees, five sets of community dynamics, and five unique educational cultures. From building a central office team from scratch to establishing trust across communities, Dr. Perrone shares practical strategies—like his “Four Cs,” central office roadshows, and even a school-leader-themed newsletter—that help shape a culture of compassion, collaboration, and presence.

This conversation is packed with transferable ideas for any school or district leader, and a reminder that showing up—literally and figuratively—is where real change begins.

💡 Little Wins in This Episode:

1. The Central Office Roadshow: With no unified convocation possible across five districts, Dr. Perrone and his team hit the road to deliver presentations at every school—starting each one with a word cloud generated from staff feedback. A small act with big impact: “We heard you.”

   
   

2. Three Words on a Whiteboard: “How can I help? Who needs to know? Was it confirmed?” These simple, guiding questions sit on a whiteboard in Dr. Perrone’s office—and quietly shape how he leads every day.

   
   

3. Making Goals Actually Matter:  By anchoring strategic plans to educator goals, school improvement plans, and his own leadership objectives, Dr. Perrone keeps vision tied to daily action—and insists that goals be relevant, authentic, and lived, not shelved.

   
   

4. Being Known by Kindergarteners: When a kindergartener pointed him out to her mom as “Dr. Perrone, the superintendent,” it was more than a cute moment. It was a testament to his visible, felt presence across all schools.

   
   

5. Listening, Even When the Answer Is No: Whether it’s through Google Forms or face-to-face conversations, Dr. Perrone makes a habit of hearing feedback—and letting people know how (or why not) he’s acting on it. Transparency as trust-building.

Key Moments

05:35 Building Trust Between Schools and Towns

08:38 "Building Trust and Collaboration"

10:44 "Feeling Others' Perspectives"

16:06 Goal Execution through Stakeholder Engagement

18:01 Empowering Team Through Communication

21:00 Engaging Complex Educational Communities

25:13 Engaged School Community Presence

26:21 "Feedback Acknowledgment Challenges"

30:08 "Superintendent Recognition Moment"

33:57 Massachusetts Fiscal Challenges

37:16 Correctional Education and Recidivism

39:41 Superintendent's Renewed School Engagement

42:13 "Thoughtful Leadership Insights Shared"

Connect with Dr. Vito Perrone

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vito-perrone-662b6853

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Alpaca Resources Library: https://www.getalpaca.com/resources-library 

🧵 About the Podcast:

Little Wins is the podcast that digs into the small, deliberate actions school leaders are taking to build strong, human-centered cultures, one meaningful win at a time.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Alpaca for more conversations on building powerful school cultures—one little win at a time.

In this episode of Little Wins, Karen Borchert sits down with Jordan Stuhan, a principal who leads with humility, intentionality, and a fierce belief in people over performance. From his very first day on the job, Jordan flipped the traditional playbook—choosing to listen, observe, and connect before making any sweeping changes.

In their conversation, Jordan shares how he's building a thriving culture rooted in trust, shared ownership, and relational leadership. From recess duty to vision-setting, every move he makes is grounded in a simple truth: people come first.

Whether you're a school leader, educator, or community member, this episode is full of actionable wins—small shifts with big impact.

💡 Little Wins in This Episode:

1. First, Build the People: Before focusing on academics or data, Jordan made it his mission to be seen, be known, and be trusted. His early days were spent in classrooms and hallways—not offices.

2. It’s Not Just the Principal’s Vision: Jordan invited teachers, students, and families into the process of defining the school’s identity. The result? Shared vision and deeper buy-in.

3. From Complaints to Committees: Instead of brushing off concerns, he turned staff frustrations into leadership opportunities, creating task forces that gave people ownership of the solution.

4. Recess Duty Revival: What started as a routine turned into a relationship-builder. Jordan’s presence during recess helped shift school climate, student behavior, and staff morale.

5. Connection over Correction: Rooted in the belief that relationships drive results, Jordan leads with care first—modeling the kind of compassion he hopes to see across his entire school.

Key Moments

03:48 Teaching Reevaluation and Improvement

07:16 Feedback Collection via Forms

11:23 "Embracing Leadership Beyond Bill"

14:35 Visible and Approachable Leadership

18:53 "Eagle Pride Embedded in Culture"

19:54 Student Spirit and Song Competition

24:10 Staffing Challenges and Team Building

28:11 Breaking Down Professional Silos

33:04 "Staff Gatherings: Morning Humor"

35:20 Playful Basketball Rivalry in School

37:02 "Kent City High School Invite"

43:00 "Journey of Authentic Educational Wins"

43:49 Building Strong School Culture

Connect with  Jordan Stuhan
Website: https://www.kentcityschools.org/highschool/principals-message/

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Alpaca Resources Library: https://www.getalpaca.com/resources-library 

🧵 About the Podcast:

Little Wins is the podcast that digs into the small, deliberate actions school leaders are taking to build strong, human-centered cultures, one meaningful win at a time.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Alpaca for more conversations on building powerful school cultures—one little win at a time.

 In this episode of Little Wins, host Karen Borchert sits down with Jennifer Rosenblum, the founding Head of School at the Academy of Blanchard, part of the Academies of Oklahoma. Jennifer is doing something rare and powerful: building a school—and its culture—from the ground up.

From incorporating nature-based learning and place-based design, to fostering trust through deep community involvement, Jennifer shares the bold vision behind a school that puts joy, autonomy, and connection at the center of everything. Her reflections on what it takes to transform rural education, build a dream team, and reimagine childhood learning are honest, practical, and profoundly inspiring.

💡 Little Wins in This Episode:

1. Planning Year with Purpose: Jennifer spent a full year listening, learning, and building trust—through town halls, community visits, and deep partnership with families.
2. Culture Starts at the Interview: Hiring at the Academy isn’t just about credentials—it’s about heart, alignment, and the ability to dream big with kids at the center.
3. Joy Is the Blueprint: At Blanchard, joy isn’t a reward—it’s the strategy. Every learning experience is designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and connection.
4. From Arborist to Outdoor Classroom: A conversation about trees turned into plans for student-run farms, outdoor learning labs, and a campus that embraces nature.
5. “I See You” as Leadership Practice: Jennifer believes recognition is culture-building—and starts with simply acknowledging the people who show up every day.

Key Moments

03:12 Seminole Academy's Educational Impact

08:01 Visionary Leadership in Rural Education

10:03 "Collaborative Hiring and Leadership Approach"

12:59 "Overloaded Standards Undermine Learning"

18:10 Play-Based Learning Foundations

19:55 Innovative School Planning Challenges

22:59 "Cell Phones: School Life Impact"

28:53 Innovative Educational Planning Team

30:49 March Lottery for Student Enrollment

35:31 Finding Belonging in School

38:51 "Prioritize Soft Skills in Education"

41:16 Tree Management Partnership for Education

43:27 "Recognition and Validation"

Connect with Jennifer Rosenbloom

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-rosenbloom-b2a121341

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Alpaca LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/get-alpaca

Alpaca Website: https://www.getalpaca.com/
Alpaca Resources Library: https://www.getalpaca.com/resources-library 

🧵 About the Podcast:

Little Wins is the podcast that digs into the small, deliberate actions school leaders are taking to build strong, human-centered cultures.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Alpaca for more conversations on building powerful school cultures.

In this episode of Little Wins, host Karen Borchert sits down with Samantha Sebestik, principal of Pleasant Acres Elementary in Rantoul, Illinois—a school where joy, equity, and student empowerment aren’t buzzwords, they’re everyday practices.

Sami shares how her team leads with connection, culture, and curiosity—from student-led school tours to jobs that give every child purpose and pride. You’ll hear how intentional hiring, high-fives in the hallway, and conscious discipline are shifting student behavior and building trust among teachers.

If you’re looking for practical, heart-filled leadership ideas that truly change the game, this episode is your blueprint.

💡 Little Wins in This Episode:

1. Photos in the Hallways, Names in the Air: Sami’s team ensures every student is seen literally by displaying their photos and greeting them by name before they even reach the classroom.
2. Jobs With Joy and Purpose: From watering office plants to leading assemblies, students apply for real jobs that give them leadership experience and a sense of ownership in their school.
3. The Parachute Team: A cross-functional group quietly surrounds new or vulnerable students with extra care and connection from day one.
4. Lead With Listening, Follow With Trust: Before officially stepping into her role, Sami met individually with every staff member to understand their hopes, ideas, and strengths.
5. Positive Notes as a Leadership Habit: Every week, her leadership team handwrites notes to teachers—starting the feedback loop with appreciation, not critique.

Timestamps:

03:56 "Books as Windows and Mirrors"

07:29 Bilingual Community Celebration Leadership

10:44 Cultural Learning Event for Schools

15:13 Pre-Role Engagement Insights

17:21 Weekly Positive Feedback Meetings

20:10 Assume Positive Intent in Feedback

25:16 Transient Student Support Strategies

28:19 Youth Engagement Eases Staff Burdens

31:46 Parachute Team Welcomes New Students

33:43 Conscious Discipline: Importance of Connection

35:58 Teacher's Growth Leads to Best Year

39:19 Adapting and Sharing Ideas

Connect with Samantha Sebestik

Website: https://www.rcs137.org/domain/74

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Alpaca LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/get-alpaca

Alpaca Website: https://www.getalpaca.com/
Alpaca Resources Library: https://www.getalpaca.com/resources-library 

🧵 About the Podcast:

Little Wins is the podcast that digs into the small, deliberate actions school leaders are taking to build strong, human-centered cultures.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Alpaca for more conversations on building powerful school cultures.