What does it take to lead with trust, transform a district, and ensure a legacy that isn’t about you—but about everyone? In this inspiring episode of Little Wins, Karen Borchert sits down with Alison Canter, Director of Student Services at Charleston CUSD #1, who believes school culture isn’t built with slogans—it’s built in the everyday work of connection, ownership, and shared leadership.

From revitalizing family engagement to empowering paraprofessionals and creating student-led initiatives that actually work, Alison opens up about the small moves that have made a huge difference. She shares stories of joy, intentionality, and community—all rooted in one powerful belief: it’s not about being the hero. It’s about building something that lasts.

Whether you’re leading a school, a district, or a hallway—this episode is packed with practical takeaways for creating a school culture where everyone belongs, and everyone leads.

💡 Little Wins in This Episode:

1. A Culture That Outlasts the Leader: Alison’s mission isn’t about being the center—it’s about building systems and community that thrive whether she’s there or not.
2. Everyone Has a Seat at the Table: From paraprofessionals to students, Alison creates structures that elevate every voice and make people feel truly seen and valued.
3. Start With Listening, End With Trust: Her approach to culture change begins with opening doors—literally—and inviting families, staff, and students into meaningful conversations.
4. Celebration as a Leadership Strategy: Staff meetings kick off with wins, not just updates—because recognition fuels resilience and relationships.
5. Students With Purpose: Through programs like PA Ambassadors and student jobs, kids aren’t just part of the system—they’re helping lead it.

Timestamps:

05:14 School Transformation and Community Dedication

07:33 "Reopening Doors Post-COVID"

10:44 Community Education Collaboration Success

14:54 "Relationships Before Scores"

16:35 New Leader's Successful Start

22:12 Core Values: Safety, Learning, Love

22:44 Staff Committees for School Growth

28:26 Reflecting on Education Changes

30:13 Counselors Navigate Student Needs

35:31 Teacher Pen Pals Enhance Connection

38:48 Perseverance in Adversity

39:23 "Million-Word Reader's Emotional Triumph"

42:55 "Building Inclusive School Communities"

Connect with Alison Canter

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-canter-349256147 

Website: https://www.lpssonline.com/schools/live-oak/

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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.

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

In this special episode of Little Wins, recorded live at ASU+GSV 2025, host Karen Borchert sits down with Dr. Jeffrey Collier, Superintendent of Saginaw ISD in Michigan, to unpack what it really means to lead with service, clarity, and trust.

Dr. Collier shares how he built what he calls his “Saginawesome” team, a group of diverse thinkers united by a shared purpose. He dives into the systems that make his leadership work: from clarity as a cultural value, to humble curiosity as a leadership superpower. With sharp reflections and zero ego, Dr. Collier reminds us that the best leadership isn’t loud, it’s deeply human.

Whether you’re leading a district, a building, or a team of one, this episode is packed with takeaways that will shift how you think about impact.

💡 Little Wins in This Episode:

1. “Saginawesome” Team Culture: Hiring divergent thinkers and building deep trust among leaders to create a dynamic, high-functioning team.

2. Clarity Is Kindness: Embracing transparency and clear expectations to reduce friction and strengthen relationships.

3. Service Is the Strategy: Saginaw ISD staff see themselves as a customer service organization, not just an educational system.

4. Borrow, Build, Share: Dr. Collier practices “admire and acquire,” learning from others and freely sharing what works in return.

5. Lead with Listening: Whether in staff meetings or strategic planning, asking powerful questions takes priority over having the right answers.

Timestamps:

05:12 Intangibles of Servant Leadership

07:20 Humbled by National Thought Leaders

10:01 "Embrace and Support Others"

15:25 Pragmatic Insights for Educational Leaders

16:16 Adapting Education for Future Needs

Connect with Dr. Jeffrey Collier

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-collier-ed-d-0192b6236

Website: https://www.sisd.cc/o/saginaw-isd/

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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.

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

In this episode of Alpaca’s "Little Wins," host Karen Borchert sits down with Gus Carter, principal of Guilford High School in Rockford, Illinois, to hear his inspiring journey from a reluctant educator to one of the youngest principals in the state.

Gus shares how his approach, anchored in genuine relationships, an open-door policy, and simple, heartfelt gestures, has fueled a sense of trust and belonging in a large, urban high school. From hallway conversations and daily check-ins to a school-wide culture of recognition and his now-legendary “I love you all” Friday sign-off, Gus reveals the power of consistency and authenticity in leadership.

Whether you’re an educational leader, teacher, or community advocate, Gus’s story is a testament to how little wins can ignite big changes in school climate. Get ready to walk the halls with Gus, learn the inside secrets to fostering connection, and discover why sometimes, the most impactful moves don’t cost a thing.

💡 Little Wins in This Episode:

1. “Love You All” Sign-off: Students now say it back to him in the hallways and even included it in their senior prank, spray-painting it outside his office.

2. Open Door Policy: If Gus's office door is open, it’s a signal that anyone, staff or student, can walk in without an appointment.

3. Culture Before Curriculum: New teachers are encouraged to spend the first two weeks of school not on curriculum but on building relationships and classroom culture.

4.  Hallway Presence: Builds relationships, promotes supervision, and addresses student issues in real-time.

5. Friday Announcements with a Purpose: Gus makes motivational announcements every Friday, non-academic in nature, focusing on encouragement and values.

Key Moments

06:36 Overcoming Perceptions to Lead
08:29 Imposter Syndrome New Principal Transition
10:27 Leadership Through Servant Heart
13:37 Valuing Team Collaboration and Input
18:01 "Hallway Interactions During Passing Periods"
22:55 Teacher Mentorship Explained
26:12 "Encouragement Notes System"
26:43 Guilford PRIDE Initiative Launch
30:25 Expressing Love to Students
34:21 Empowering Words' Unexpected Impact
37:00 Prioritize Learning Environment Over Curriculum
42:30 "Building Positive School Culture"
43:31 "Eager Reunion Invitation"

Connect with  Gus Carter
Website: https://guilford.rps205.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 Alpaca’s "Little Wins," host Karen Borchert sits down with Lindsay Pietrzak, an inspiring educator who’s taken an unconventional leap in her career. After more than 20years in education, including 12 years as a principal and administrator, Lindsay is returning to her roots in the classroom. At a time when most see leadership as an upward climb, Lindsay is redefining what it means to lead by choosing to work side by side with students once again.

We’ll dive into what drew her back to teaching, the emotions and challenges behind leaving a tight-knit school community, and how she’s bringing hard-won expertise and a fresh perspective to her new role. Lindsay opens up about building strong home-to-school partnerships, fostering true team culture among educators, and finding, and celebrating the “little wins” that make a big difference each day. 

Whether it’s dance buttons in the classroom or candid reflections on change, Lindsay’s story is a testament to the power of authentic connection, collective leadership, and a deep belief in the potential of every student and educator.

💡 Little Wins in This Episode:

1. Reframing Control: Lindsay shared how years in administration taught her that “you can only control what’s in your classroom”, a realization she’s bringing back to her work as a teacher.

   
   

2. Smart Goals for Real Connection: In her first year as an elementary principal, Lindsay set a goal to meet 95% of families. She ended up meeting 98%, front-loading relationships that paid off in trust and collaboration.

   
   

3. Celebrating with a Dance Button: One of Lindsay’s favorite moments was watching students hit a classroom “dance button” to celebrate their math goals, joyful, student-centered proof of progress.

   
   

4. Owning the Narrative: She challenges the fear that celebrating wins makes you a target if something later goes wrong. “People don’t want to fail,” she says. “But we have to tell a different story.”

   
   

5. Letting Go of “But”: Lindsay encourages teachers to reframe team conversations by eliminating the word “but”, and instead focus on what’s possible, not just what’s hard.

Key Moments

05:09 Bittersweet Departure from Resilient Community

06:44 Connecting with Families Initiative

11:46 "Focus on What You Can"

15:00 Collaborative Teaching: Avoiding Hero Complex

17:57 Building High-Functioning Educational Teams

20:47 Celebrating Student Achievement Milestones

23:24 Curriculum Co-Creation Challenges

26:57 "New Principal Sparks Excitement"

30:44 "Recognize Humanity in Education"

34:07 Celebrating Education's Successes

36:32 "Embracing Honest Data Conversations"

39:58 "Second Graders Interview Principal"

Connect with Lindsay Pietrzak

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-pietrzak/
Website: https://www.cusd201.org/ 

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

In this episode, host Karen Borchert sits down with Jeff Dock, the first-year assistant principal at Thornapple Kellogg High School in Middleville, Michigan. After nearly two decades as a teacher, coach, and mentor, Jeff has made the leap into school leadership bringing with him a “team first” mentality and a belief that real school culture is built one relationship, and one conversation, at a time.

In this candid conversation, Jeff shares the surprises and challenges he’s faced moving from a classroom of 120 students to leading a school community of nearly a thousand. He talks about the loss of day-to-day control, the creative solutions he’s found to stay visible like his mobile office cart and the little wins that have had a big impact, from handwritten notes home to engaging staff and students with cornhole tournaments and lunchtime games. You'll also hear his reflections on serving staff, following through, and the ongoing journey to build a safe, encouraging, and positive environment for every student.

Whether you’re a new administrator, a seasoned educator, or just curious about what it takes to build a vibrant school culture, you’ll find inspiration and practical takeaways in Jeff’s first-year lessons and leadership philosophy.

💡 Little Wins in This Episode:

1. "Take the Office to the Hallway": Jeff uses a mobile cart to stay visible while managing the behind-the-scenes work of school leadership.

   
   

2. Notes Home: Teachers write handwritten postcards to students (and mail them!) to acknowledge effort, growth, and community. Every student gets one.

   
   

3. Cornhole Culture: A full-blown lunchtime tournament, complete with brackets and staff-student teams, brought joy, connection, and school spirit.

   
   

4. Student Connections: Jeff schedules short, informal check-ins with students who haven’t been to the office, not for discipline, but just to talk.

   
   

5. Mission-Driven Whiteboard: In his office, Jeff keeps a visual reminder of his three goals: Serve the staff. Follow through. Be consistent.

Key Moments

06:25 Struggling to Be Present

09:15 "Improving On-the-Go School Leadership"

10:25 Adapting Leadership for Growth

13:20 Gaining Insights from Student Calls

18:56 Impactful Student-Teacher Recognition

20:56 Balancing Roles: Parent and Administrator

23:28 Unplanned Shelter in Place Response

29:10 "Team Dynamics: Staff-Student Balance"

31:33 "Consistency in Leadership Goals"

35:25 "Spontaneous Staff Meeting Recap"

37:46 Fostering Open Communication in Schools

40:47 Encouragement and Student Well-being

43:06 "Daily Positive Student Interactions"

47:06 Innovative Administrative Wins

Connect with Jeff Dock
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-dock-a4a3bb56/
Website: https://tkhs.tkschools.org/ 

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

In this episode, host Karen Borchert sits down with Dr. Amber S. Henderson, a seasoned educator and transformational school leader with over eighteen years of experience in urban public education. Dr. Henderson shares her journey from classroom teacher to principal, highlighting her passion for instructional leadership, equity-driven reform, and fostering a community-centered school environment.

During their conversation, Dr. Henderson opens up about her hands-on approach to leadership at Mayra Yates Elementary in Matteson, Illinois. She discusses the importance of “soul work” in schools, supporting not just academic growth but also the holistic well-being of students and staff. From restorative practices and daily rituals of joy to meaningful staff recognition and moments of care, Dr. Henderson shares concrete examples of the traditions and routines that have become part of her school’s cultural DNA.

Whether you’re an educator, administrator, or anyone passionate about positive change in schools, this episode is packed with heartfelt insights and actionable ideas for nurturing a thriving educational environment.

💡 Little Wins in This Episode:

1. A Restorative Welcome: Her 30/60/90-day entry plan prioritized deep listening and personal one-on-ones with staff to rebuild community trust.

2. Wednesday SEL for Adults: Weekly 15-minute staff meetings open with connection-building SEL practices like speed dating check-ins and trivia.

3. Knights Commander Awards: A peer-nominated recognition ritual that ends with handwritten notes of gratitude and a coveted bronze knight statue.

4. Space That Heals: Her office is designed for restoration, complete with cozy chairs, soft lighting, and an open-door policy for courageous conversations.

5. Listening as Leadership: Whether with students, staff, or families, Dr. Henderson leads by listening deeply and acting with compassion.

Key Moments

05:05 Navigating Early Feedback Sessions

07:04 Creating Joyful, Safe Communities

11:39 "Morning Welcome for Students"

16:08 Balancing Academics and Well-being

18:02 Restorative Practices in Education

22:22 Promoting Staff Well-Being and Success

24:25 Impact of SEL on Student Behavior

27:25 Love: Foundation for Community Success

29:52 Parental Gratitude in Child's Education

32:51 Gratitude for Sharing Insights

Connect with Dr. Amber S. Henderson

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-amber-s-henderson-239626b1/
Website: https://my.dist159.com/

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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.

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. Luke Beall, principal of Fairview High School in Northwest Pennsylvania, to explore what it really takes to build a thriving school culture from the inside out. From spearheading a community-connected curriculum to letting students and teachers take the reins on culture-shaping initiatives, Dr. Beall offers a refreshingly real take on leadership.

Dr. Beall shares what it means to lead in the very halls where he once walked as a student and how that history gives him a unique, deeply personal perspective. This episode dives into why vulnerability, autonomy, and authenticity are the cornerstones of his approach, and how failing forward might just be the key to school transformation.

Whether you're a school leader, educator, or community member, this episode offers rich insight into how intentional, small wins can lead to powerful transformations.

💡 Little Wins in This Episode:

1. Final Fridays: Monthly, student-led events that inject fun, recognition, and connection into the school rhythm.

2. Celebrating Student Successes Broadly: From speech & debate victories to equestrian nationals, every achievement gets its spotlight.

3. Failure as a Feature, Not a Flaw: A culture where missteps are not only allowed but expected as part of learning.

4. Investing in Time: Treating planning time as sacred, not just something to be protected, but expanded when innovation demands it.

5. Technology as a Tool for Rethinking Learning: As an Apple Distinguished School, Fairview isn’t just 1:1, they’re redefining assessment and creativity.

Timestamps:

05:05 "Real-Life Career Experience Programs"

07:46 Culture of Inclusive Excellence

14:54 Teacher Integration Strategies

19:19 Nomination for Tech-Driven Education

21:15 Balanced Educational Technology Integration

25:56 Local History Program Gains Momentum

26:37 Local Business Exploration: A Learning Journey

32:20 Boosting Student Engagement

33:16 Final Fridays: School-Wide Fun

41:59 Education: Perseverance Through Struggles

Connect with Dr. Luke Beall

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-luke-beall
Website: https://www.fairviewschools.org/

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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.

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

In this episode, host Karen Borchert sits down with Sheila Taylor, principal of Norwalk School District, to unpack the unique and inspiring practices that have made her school a beacon of connection and joy.

With over three decades in education Sheila shares the special story behind her school’s “grade alike” structure where over 500 second and third graders learn and grow together. Sheila pulls back the curtain on what it means to build a sense of family among both staff and students; how intentional acts of noticing and kindness can transform a workplace, and why laughter is a core ingredient to any thriving school.

Whether you’re an educator, school leader, or just in need of some heartwarming ideas for building community, this episode is filled with inspiring stories, practical tips, and genuine moments of joy to help you create a place where both kids and grown-ups want to be. 

💡 Little Wins in This Episode:

The Art of Noticing: Sheila tracks personal milestones of her staff and follows up year after year with compassion.

The Last Day Tunnel Walk: A tear-filled sendoff where every child walks through a tunnel of cheering staff.

Color-Coded Belonging: A thoughtful building design with color-themed hallways and "family halls" to help even the youngest students feel grounded.

From a Rough Start to a Respected Leader: Sheila vulnerably shares how she turned around a rocky first year as principal by doubling down on visibility, humility, and connection.

Leader in Me, Lived Daily: Sheila models the habits she asks her staff and students to embrace: “seek first to understand.”

Key Moments

04:08 Streamlined Collaboration in Schools
08:30 "Everyone Matters"
10:24 "School Reopening with Positivity"
15:10 Addressing Trauma in Educational Settings
18:36 "Morning School Greetings and Empathy"
22:11 "Overwhelmed by Life's Challenges"
25:48 Stepping Out: Be Visible
29:06 "Leader in Me: School Habits Program"
32:41 Understanding Generational Challenges
34:15 Leading by Example
38:25 Supportive Community Matters
40:54 Empathy and Joyful Leadership
43:54 "Support and Connection

Connect with Sheila Taylor 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheila-taylor-2331b589/
Website: https://www.norwalkschools.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.

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

Welcome to Little Wins Podcast—where little moments matters! 

This podcast is hosted by Karen Borchert to connect with education leaders about how they are building great cultures in their school. We’re sharing real stories from schools where small actions are making a big impact.

Listen and subscribe to Little Wins Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.

Learn how we help schools build strong culture at getalpaca.com