Relationship Centered Learning

Dr. Jeffry Prickett is the principal of the East Campus of McHenry Community High School District #156 in Illinois. This award winning principal is a humble leader that simply describes himself as a high school principal, doctor, father, husband, podcaster, runner, and avid reader. He is the co-host of the Principal Leadership Lab Podcast where Kevin has been a guest, and now the tables are turned. They sit down to connect on how relationships have been the difference maker in his leadership journey. 

On this episode:

• Dr. Prickett shares his background and how he came to be a high school principal.
• Hear Dr. Prickett talk about the biggest challenge he sees when leading a high school.
• Kevin and Dr. Prickett discuss the importance of connection over just content.
• Kevin and Dr. Prickett talk about the fear teachers have about focusing on relationships over content.
• Dr. Prickett talks about the importance of voice and growing your voice in leadership roles.
• Dr. Prickett tells Kevin about several instances when relationships played a role in problematic situations. 
• Dr. Prickett and Kevin talk about the excitement in education on what changes could abound as a result of COVID. 

Key Takeaways:

•  Have a continuous plan to connect with students throughout the year- not just in the first five days.
• Focus on preparing students for their next step in life.
• When students trust you, they will be truthful with you. 

Tweetable Quotes:

“The more you spend upfront (in connecting) on the back end, you are going to get so much more in return.” - Dr. Prickett

“The principal is the number one indicator on whether you can truly shift the staff and culture.” - Kevin 

Dr. Jeffry Prickett:

Twitter and Facebook for Podcast: @ThePrincipalLeadershipLab

Twitter and Instagram for Dr. Prickett: @jdprickett

Facebook: @jeffryprickett

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On this Mindset Monday, Kevin talks about the concept of belonging in the educational system and classroom. 

Key Takeaways:

• Understand the importance of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and why we often invert the third and fourth tier in our classrooms.
• Asking your student, “Do you feel like you belong?” will open up what the student is feeling and experiencing.
• Students should always know that they are loved and appreciated even when they are corrected or disciplined. 

Tweetable Quote:

“Find one person in education today. Make them feel seen. Make them feel heard, and remind them that not only do they belong, but they are exactly where they need to be today!”- Kevin

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On this episode, I sit down and interview my friend and colleague, Jay Sheets. He has 21 years of experience in education including being a teacher, coach, district specialist, and a restorative discipline coordinator. He currently serves as one of the supervisors in school safety and operations in Dallas ISD. 

Jay and I originally connected in the high school coaching world, but our paths joined forces to implement restorative practices in the second largest district in the state of Texas. 

On This Episode:

• Jay and Kevin talk about the development of the long-lasting friendship.
• Jay shares his thoughts about bringing restorative discipline to the second largest district in Texas
• Jay talks about the thought process in going slow in the implementation of the new program.
• Jay and Kevin talk about the importance of relationship building in education even when times are tough.
• Jay and Kevin discuss the 3 zones of learning: content, correct, and connect.
• Jay talks about the decisions schools are making during the pandemic.
• Jay tells how during the walk-out, the teachers decided to meet their needs then listen to their issues.
• Jay talks about the strategies with working with adults 
• Jay and Kevin talk about the qualities needed for a modern day principle

Key Takeaways:

• Get to know students on an everyday basis, and invest in their personal lives
• Don’t allow pressure to cause you to leave your foundational values
• Be careful in your response- know when to ask the right questions and know when to stay silent.

Tweetable Quotes:

"We should only use educators to train other educators because we are hearing from the people who are doing the work." - Kevin Curtis

"We are trying to build a relationship first. Everything else should be a byproduct of that relationship!" - Jay Sheets

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An educator for 34 years, is the founder of the G.O.A.L. TEAM (Getting Others to Achieve Higher Levels). The G.O.A.L. TEAM, was created for helping high school students and young adults to maximize their personal leadership potential.

 Jeff, a former Texas High School Head Football Coach and eleven-year veteran of the classroom, is also formerly the Principal at Magnolia High School (2002-2016). In 2013 Jeff was selected as the State of Texas TASSP State Principal of the year. 

Besides founding Spring Strategies LLC, Jeff currently serves part time as the Minister of Men at Wildwood UMC, and is also the founder of Suit Up Ministries, a nonprofit men’s ministry.

Jeff attended Abilene Christian University where he played on the 1977 National Championship Football team, received his Bachelor of Arts in Teaching from Sam Houston State University and obtained his Masters of Sports Administration from the United States Sports Academy. In the spring of 2020, Jeff completed his Doctorate in Education with an emphasis in Transformational Leadership from Concordia University.

Jeff is passionate about people and “play.” Developing others and helping them see their value and completeness is what drives Jeff in all his relationships. Jeff loves being a husband, dad and a grandfather. He is always seeking for ways to acknowledge men that strive to be the daily active devoted dads they are called to be. 

 Jeff who resides in Montgomery, Texas, has been married for 38 years and has two children, and two grandchildren.

On This Episode:

• Jeff explains how his interest in social work got him into education.
• Learn how Jeff acted differently as a principle than the expected norm.
• Kevin and Jeff discuss how you can make everyone feel like a contributor.
• Find out the key character trait that can take an educator to the next level

Key Takeaways:

1. The most important thing we do each day is establish relationships with others.
2. Teachers are leaders.
3. Make yourself recognizable as a contributor on campus.

Tweetable Quotes:

• "Staff needs to hear from the administrator that you’re two feet in."
• “The six most important words are ‘I love you, I need you.’”
• “Everyone needs to feel like they’re a part of something bigger than themselves.”

Dr. Jeff Springer

• cultivatingplay.org
• twitter.com/cultivatingplay
• [email protected]

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Trevor Taylor is a freshmen English teacher at Wagner High School. He has organized several peaceful Black Lives Matter protests.

On This Episode:

• Trevor shares why he went back to teach at the campus he graduated from.
• Hear how Trevor has become a strong role model for his community.
• Kevin and Trevor discuss some ineffective strategies employed by teachers.
• Find out how to employ vulnerability in the classroom.
• Discover how to best address mental health.
• Kevin explains the importance of customizing education for individual students.

Key Takeaways:

1. Many times, teachers don’t take the time to actually understand who their students really are.
2. If you don’t have trust, your students won’t receive anything you have to say.
3. What you model will be reciprocated.

Tweetable Quotes:

• “We’re not cookie cutter.”
• “I am more than a teacher. They are more than a student.”
• “What you have to say could change someone’s life or could change the entire world!”

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Kevin explains the change that schools experience in the month of "Shocktober."

Key Takeaways:

1. Prepare for expected speed bumps.
2. Give grace and understanding in hard seasons for both your teachers and your students.
3. Collaborate with other staff to find out what others need.

Tweetable Quotes:

“Do you want to survive October or slay October?”

“Listen, record, and understand needs without any assumptions.”

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Dr. Belinda George is proudly serving her second year as Principal of Homer Drive Elementary in Beaumont, TX. She is currently serving on the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association (TEPSA) Programs and Services Committee at the local and state level. Belinda is also internationally known for reading to her scholars online via Facebook Live, which she has coined as “Tucked in Tuesdays”. During her first year as principal, she made home visits to over 10% of her scholars.  Dr. George does this to form relationships beyond the four walls.  Her campus serves a student body of 94% economically disadvantaged. She is passionate and her love for kids drives her decisions and culture of her campus.

On This Episode:

• Belinda shares what inspired her to become the leader she has.
• Hear how Belinda is connecting with students in the pandemic.
• Learn how Belinda is leveraging TikTok with #TuckedInTuesdays.
• Kevin and Belinda discuss the roadblocks that hold back campus leaders.

Key Takeaways:

1. You have to give beyond the four walls.
2. Constantly learning about technology is the only way you’re going to survive change.
3. The principal has the power to move the campus.

Tweetable Quotes:

• “The power of connections can actually go through a screen.”

Dr. Belinda George:

• TikTok: TuckedInTuesdays
• facebook.com/Fixwhatisbroken
• @tuckedIntuesday
• instagram.com/BCGK55

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Michael Herrera is a Health Science Teacher and Head Assistant Basketball Coach at Byron P. Steele II High School.

On This Episode:

• Michael explains how he became interested in athletics and being drawn to leaders.
• Hear why Michael feels undervalued as a coach.
• Learn the importance of being a connector.
• Kevin explains why he things students struggle to trust their teachers.

Key Takeaways:

1. Coaches need to be valued as educators.
2. Don’t be so content heavy that you neglect your connection-work.
3. You have to put the human before the student.

Tweetable Quotes:

• “You can’t point the finger at others, you have to point the finger at yourself.”
• “You have to connect before you correct.”
• “If you want to know if you’re a good teacher, ask your worst student.”

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Dr. Kimberly McLeod has spent her professional career in public education. She has held various positions in the public school setting including that of a teacher, counselor, professor and administrator. She has earned a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Houston, a Masters degree in Counseling and Guidance, a Master's degree in Educational Administration and a Doctoral degree in Counselor Education from Texas Southern University. She has presented her research and professional training nationally and internationally for over a decade.

Her unique delivery style is research-based, reflective and engaging. She has presented as a keynote, and an invited speaker to teachers, administrators, school board trustees and students in a number of districts, national and international conferences.

Dr. McLeod is the founding editor of the nationally peer reviewed National Journal of Urban Education and has written eight academic books, three children’s books, and over 12 articles in various peer reviewed journals. She has been awarded Teacher of the Year by the college of Education at Texas Southern University and was selected as an award recipient of the YMCA minority achiever’s award. Dr. McLeod is also the President-Elect of the Texas Alliance of Black School Educators.

On This Episode:

• Kevin and Dr. McLeod reflect on how to help students dealing with external pressures and adverse situations.
• Find our how Dr. McLeod began her work with diversity.
• Dr. McLeod shares how stereotypes impact students.
• Hear how to change your vocabulary to stop giving negative unintended messages.
• Learn how relational connection can improve education systems.

Key Takeaways:

• You won’t change a students dysfunction by beating it out of them.
• You have to transfer power to your students through restoration.
• While students are being taught lies through cultural stereotypes, it’s the educators job to help them understand the truth.

Tweetable Quotes:

• “Kids don’t need our tears, they need us to reach them through. Kids don’t need us to beat them up, they need us to teach them how to survive the beat down they’ve already received.” - Dr. Kimberly McCleod
• ”There’s power in permission.” - Kevin Curtis

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On This Episode:

• Find out how to help students who have experienced traumas.
• Kevin unpacks all the things that can trigger a student, how those things make them react, and how educators can bring them down.
• Find out how to support the staff, student, and parents when they “flip their lid.”
• Learn how to be reactive as well as responsive.

Find out more about Dr. Dan Siegel's Hand Model of the Brain:

https://youtu.be/f-m2YcdMdFw

Tweetable Quotes:

• “Stay green, don’t go thirteen.”
• “It’s not about being right it’s about getting it right.” – Brené Brown

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