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What does it look like to lead with purpose for more than five decades—and still be growing?

In this powerful Season 3 finale of School on a Mission, we sit down with Linda Jolly, a lifelong educator whose 55-year career spans classrooms, coaching, counseling, campus leadership, district administration, and regional service. From her early days as a teacher and coach to her current role at Region 18 Education Service Center in Texas, Linda reflects on the moments, mentors, and values that shaped her legacy.

With honesty, wisdom, and deep compassion, Linda shares stories of resilience through cancer, lessons learned from leadership transitions, and the profound impact of teachers who see potential before students see it in themselves. She unpacks the core values that sustained her—accountability, courage, compassion, adaptability, and honesty—and offers heartfelt guidance for educators navigating burnout, transition, or questions of calling.

This episode is both a reflection and a benediction—an invitation to remember your why, lead with integrity, and invest in people in ways that last far beyond the classroom.

Key Takeaways

• Legacy is built through consistency, relationships, and values—not titles
• Teachers shape lives when they see and name potential in students
• Emotional resilience grows through purpose, reflection, and service
• Leadership is about trust, delegation, and creating space for others to lead
• Teaching is a gift—and how you use your gifts becomes your legacy

🚀 Welcome to the School on a Mission Podcast! 🎙️

Hosted by Andrew McPeak and Gina Watts, this podcast is for educators, school leaders, and change-makers who believe in building schools where leadership, character, and social-emotional growth matter just as much as academics. If you believe education should inspire, equip, and empower the next generation—you’re in the right place!

Each episode features engaging conversations, expert insights, and real-world strategies to help you create a school culture where students thrive. From leadership principles and community engagement to AI in education and social media strategy, we tackle the most pressing topics in modern education.

🎧 New episodes drop regularly—don’t miss out!

💡 Connect with us at schoolonamissionpodcast.com

📲 Follow us on social media & join the conversation!

🔹 The School on a Mission Podcast is produced by Growing Leaders, powered by the Maxwell Leadership Foundation.

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In this heartwarming and honest episode of School on a Mission, we sit down with Caroline Hall, a first-year fourth-grade teacher in Georgia who just wrapped up her first year in the classroom. With vulnerability, humor, and a whole lot of heart, Caroline reflects on what it means to step into education, build resilience, and keep showing up—especially when the work gets messy. From controlled chaos to creamer coupons, she shares stories of impact, grace, and growth. Whether you’re a new educator, a seasoned leader, or someone mentoring the next generation of teachers, this episode is a powerful reminder that even first-year teachers can make a lifelong difference.

🚀 Welcome to the School on a Mission Podcast! 🎙️

Hosted by Andrew McPeak and Gina Watts, this podcast is for educators, school leaders, and change-makers who believe in building schools where leadership, character, and social-emotional growth matter just as much as academics. If you believe education should inspire, equip, and empower the next generation—you’re in the right place!

Each episode features engaging conversations, expert insights, and real-world strategies to help you create a school culture where students thrive. From leadership principles and community engagement to AI in education and social media strategy, we tackle the most pressing topics in modern education.

🎧 New episodes drop regularly—don’t miss out!

💡 Connect with us at schoolonamissionpodcast.com

📲 Follow us on social media & join the conversation!

🔹 The School on a Mission Podcast is produced by Growing Leaders, powered by the Maxwell Leadership Foundation.

Send us a text

In this episode of School on a Mission, we step into the world of higher education with Dr. R.D. Saunders, President of Ohio Christian University. With a leadership journey rooted in faith, humility, and decades of experience, Dr. Saunders shares what it means to lead in today’s pressure-packed higher ed landscape. From faculty burnout to enrollment shifts to personal resilience, this conversation is a masterclass in values-based leadership. We explore the role of confidence born from humility, how daily habits shape emotional stamina, and why education is one of the most transformational callings of our time. Whether you lead in a university, a high school, or a boardroom—this episode will challenge and encourage you to lead with purpose, lift others, and stay grounded when the pressure rises.

🚀 Welcome to the School on a Mission Podcast! 🎙️

Hosted by Andrew McPeak and Gina Watts, this podcast is for educators, school leaders, and change-makers who believe in building schools where leadership, character, and social-emotional growth matter just as much as academics. If you believe education should inspire, equip, and empower the next generation—you’re in the right place!

Each episode features engaging conversations, expert insights, and real-world strategies to help you create a school culture where students thrive. From leadership principles and community engagement to AI in education and social media strategy, we tackle the most pressing topics in modern education.

🎧 New episodes drop regularly—don’t miss out!

💡 Connect with us at schoolonamissionpodcast.com

📲 Follow us on social media & join the conversation!

🔹 The School on a Mission Podcast is produced by Growing Leaders, powered by the Maxwell Leadership Foundation.

Send us a text

What’s really going on with Gen Z—and how can we support them without lowering the bar?

In this eye-opening episode, Andrew McPeak sits down with Dr. Tim Elmore—renowned author, founder of Growing Leaders, and generational expert—to unpack the unique mental health challenges facing Gen Z today. From relentless academic pressure to the silent weight of social media, Dr. Elmore explores the roots of rising anxiety and offers research-backed solutions every educator, parent, and leader needs to hear.

You’ll discover:

• Why EQ is the new essential skill
• How smartphones have impacted resilience
• The surprising science of post-traumatic growth (PTG)
• A simple but powerful metaphor that could reframe every hard conversation you have with students
• Practical ways to move from empathy to compassion—and help Gen Z thrive

Whether you’re leading a classroom or mentoring a young team, this episode will equip you to lead with clarity, connection, and confidence.

Don’t miss the story of Louis Braille—and the 4-letter mindset that builds resilience.

🚀 Welcome to the School on a Mission Podcast! 🎙️

Hosted by Andrew McPeak and Gina Watts, this podcast is for educators, school leaders, and change-makers who believe in building schools where leadership, character, and social-emotional growth matter just as much as academics. If you believe education should inspire, equip, and empower the next generation—you’re in the right place!

Each episode features engaging conversations, expert insights, and real-world strategies to help you create a school culture where students thrive. From leadership principles and community engagement to AI in education and social media strategy, we tackle the most pressing topics in modern education.

🎧 New episodes drop regularly—don’t miss out!

💡 Connect with us at schoolonamissionpodcast.com

📲 Follow us on social media & join the conversation!

🔹 The School on a Mission Podcast is produced by Growing Leaders, powered by the Maxwell Leadership Foundation.

Send us a text

In a world of standardized tests and high-stakes pressure, veteran educator Sheila Peterson offers a refreshing reminder: school can still be joyful. In this energizing episode, Sheila shares how humor, play, and honest relationships can reignite passion—for students and teachers alike.

From grape-catching contests to classroom dance parties, Sheila’s joy-filled approach isn’t just fun—it’s transformational. You’ll hear how she sets boundaries without guilt, builds trust through laughter, and invites students (and colleagues) into a culture of connection, creativity, and realness.

Whether you’re burned out, worn thin, or simply seeking to bring more life into your work—this conversation is your permission slip to teach with heart and lead with laughter.

What You’ll Learn

• How humor can be a powerful tool for trust, healing, and inclusion
• Why protecting your time and boundaries leads to better teaching
• How play builds community and boosts resilience in students
• The science behind laughter—and why it belongs in the classroom
• Practical ways to bring joy into even the most structured environments

🚀 Welcome to the School on a Mission Podcast! 🎙️

Hosted by Andrew McPeak and Gina Watts, this podcast is for educators, school leaders, and change-makers who believe in building schools where leadership, character, and social-emotional growth matter just as much as academics. If you believe education should inspire, equip, and empower the next generation—you’re in the right place!

Each episode features engaging conversations, expert insights, and real-world strategies to help you create a school culture where students thrive. From leadership principles and community engagement to AI in education and social media strategy, we tackle the most pressing topics in modern education.

🎧 New episodes drop regularly—don’t miss out!

💡 Connect with us at schoolonamissionpodcast.com

📲 Follow us on social media & join the conversation!

🔹 The School on a Mission Podcast is produced by Growing Leaders, powered by the Maxwell Leadership Foundation.

Send us a text

In this moving and deeply practical conversation, Tyree Rivers—Climate & Culture Systems Consultant for Columbus City Schools—joins Andrew and Gina to explore the quiet crisis affecting so many schools: relational disconnection. From student loneliness to teacher burnout, Tyree unpacks how emotionally rich, relationally safe environments don’t just feel better—they function better.

With wisdom earned from decades in education, Tyree shares strategies for creating healthy culture across large systems, navigating conflict with grace, and building intentional frameworks where people feel seen, heard, and valued.

This episode is a heartfelt reminder that relationships aren’t a side dish—they’re the foundation.

What You’ll Learn

• How to recognize emotional disconnection in your school culture
• The power of restorative practices—and how to implement them sustainably
• Practical tips for naming and expressing emotions as an educator
• How to build and repair trust at the systems level
• Ways to lead relational change without burning out

🚀 Welcome to the School on a Mission Podcast! 🎙️

Hosted by Andrew McPeak and Gina Watts, this podcast is for educators, school leaders, and change-makers who believe in building schools where leadership, character, and social-emotional growth matter just as much as academics. If you believe education should inspire, equip, and empower the next generation—you’re in the right place!

Each episode features engaging conversations, expert insights, and real-world strategies to help you create a school culture where students thrive. From leadership principles and community engagement to AI in education and social media strategy, we tackle the most pressing topics in modern education.

🎧 New episodes drop regularly—don’t miss out!

💡 Connect with us at schoolonamissionpodcast.com

📲 Follow us on social media & join the conversation!

🔹 The School on a Mission Podcast is produced by Growing Leaders, powered by the Maxwell Leadership Foundation.

Send us a text

Vision without action is just a dream—but action without vision? That’s a recipe for burnout. In this episode of School on a Mission, Dr. Neil Gupta, Superintendent of Oakwood City Schools and a nationally recognized leadership voice, joins Andrew and Gina for an inspiring and deeply practical conversation about what it takes to turn bold ideas into meaningful change.

Dr. Gupta shares real-world strategies for leading with empathy, building trust, and creating space for both innovation and well-being—at every level of a school system. From bringing coffee in a Rubbermaid tote to creating monthly check-ins with his team, Dr. Gupta reveals how small rhythms build big momentum.

You’ll walk away with tangible leadership moves, a fresh mindset on vision-setting, and permission to slow down in order to go far—together.

What You’ll Learn

• How to lead with both clarity and care
• Why empathy and listening are essential change tools
• The role of check-ins, team retreats, and feedback loops in sustainable leadership
• How to model well-being in high-performing schools
• Practical ways to re-center your “why” when the work gets heavy

🚀 Welcome to the School on a Mission Podcast! 🎙️

Hosted by Andrew McPeak and Gina Watts, this podcast is for educators, school leaders, and change-makers who believe in building schools where leadership, character, and social-emotional growth matter just as much as academics. If you believe education should inspire, equip, and empower the next generation—you’re in the right place!

Each episode features engaging conversations, expert insights, and real-world strategies to help you create a school culture where students thrive. From leadership principles and community engagement to AI in education and social media strategy, we tackle the most pressing topics in modern education.

🎧 New episodes drop regularly—don’t miss out!

💡 Connect with us at schoolonamissionpodcast.com

📲 Follow us on social media & join the conversation!

🔹 The School on a Mission Podcast is produced by Growing Leaders, powered by the Maxwell Leadership Foundation.

Send us a text

What if the most powerful thing you can do as a leader… is say nothing at all?

In this powerful two-host episode, Andrew and Gina explore how listening—truly listening—is one of the most overlooked and underutilized tools in a leader’s toolkit. With no guest this time, it’s a heart-to-heart conversation filled with relatable stories, practical strategies, and leadership wisdom about the art of listening with intention.

They break down the science and soul of active listening—why it matters, how it builds trust faster than advice ever will, and how to overcome the distractions that derail us. You’ll discover how listening applies at every level of school leadership—from students to staff to parents—and why giving someone your full attention might be the most radical leadership move you make this year.

What You’ll Learn:

• The #1 reason most leaders think they’re listening… but aren’t
• What active listening really looks like in schools
• How to avoid the “fixer” trap in staff and student conversations
• Listening as burnout prevention
• Why being heard matters more than being helped

Whether you’re leading a team, teaching in the classroom, or parenting at home—this episode will challenge and inspire you to tune in more deeply.

🚀 Welcome to the School on a Mission Podcast! 🎙️

Hosted by Andrew McPeak and Gina Watts, this podcast is for educators, school leaders, and change-makers who believe in building schools where leadership, character, and social-emotional growth matter just as much as academics. If you believe education should inspire, equip, and empower the next generation—you’re in the right place!

Each episode features engaging conversations, expert insights, and real-world strategies to help you create a school culture where students thrive. From leadership principles and community engagement to AI in education and social media strategy, we tackle the most pressing topics in modern education.

🎧 New episodes drop regularly—don’t miss out!

💡 Connect with us at schoolonamissionpodcast.com

📲 Follow us on social media & join the conversation!

🔹 The School on a Mission Podcast is produced by Growing Leaders, powered by the Maxwell Leadership Foundation.

Send us a text

What makes a great leader? According to Patrick Erwin, it’s not just vision or charisma—it’s trust.

In this compelling live interview, School on a Mission co-hosts Andrew and Gina sit down with Patrick M. Erwin, Curriculum Director at the Maxwell Leadership Foundation and a nationally recognized speaker, to unpack how trust and authenticity shape emotionally resilient schools.

From his years as a high school band director to his current work training leaders across the country, Patrick shares personal stories and practical insights on leading with integrity, sustaining real relationships under pressure, and rebuilding trust when it’s been broken.

Whether you’re a principal, teacher, coach, or student leader—this conversation will equip you to lead with courage, consistency, and heart.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why trust is a culture, not a checklist
• How to lead authentically, even when it’s hard
• Small daily habits that strengthen relationships
• How to rebuild trust after a breakdown
• Why vulnerability and accountability can co-exist

Tune in for an honest, hope-filled conversation that will challenge and inspire your leadership.

🚀 Welcome to the School on a Mission Podcast! 🎙️

Hosted by Andrew McPeak and Gina Watts, this podcast is for educators, school leaders, and change-makers who believe in building schools where leadership, character, and social-emotional growth matter just as much as academics. If you believe education should inspire, equip, and empower the next generation—you’re in the right place!

Each episode features engaging conversations, expert insights, and real-world strategies to help you create a school culture where students thrive. From leadership principles and community engagement to AI in education and social media strategy, we tackle the most pressing topics in modern education.

🎧 New episodes drop regularly—don’t miss out!

💡 Connect with us at schoolonamissionpodcast.com

📲 Follow us on social media & join the conversation!

🔹 The School on a Mission Podcast is produced by Growing Leaders, powered by the Maxwell Leadership Foundation.

Send us a text

What if emotional resilience wasn’t about pushing through—but about tuning in?

In this powerful episode of School on a Mission, emotional wellness advocate and Sōmōcom Lab founder Chelsea Elliott joins Andrew and Gina to explore how adults can model emotional intelligence in ways that prevent burnout and promote balance. Drawing from personal experiences and professional insights, Chelsea shares practical tools—from body scans to three-question check-ins—that help educators build emotional awareness and stay grounded in the work they love.

Whether you’re navigating burnout, supporting student well-being, or trying to build emotionally healthy school culture, Chelsea offers sustainable habits, healing reframes, and a call to treat both students and adults as full, feeling humans.

Key Takeaways:

• Why emotional intelligence starts with language and validation
• How to model healthy responses instead of reacting on autopilot
• The 3-question system that builds self-awareness in the moment
• Why self-care isn’t a luxury—it’s maintenance
• How honoring your emotions can transform your leadership

🎧 Tune in for practical wisdom and renewed perspective. Because the way we care for ourselves is the way we lead.

🚀 Welcome to the School on a Mission Podcast! 🎙️

Hosted by Andrew McPeak and Gina Watts, this podcast is for educators, school leaders, and change-makers who believe in building schools where leadership, character, and social-emotional growth matter just as much as academics. If you believe education should inspire, equip, and empower the next generation—you’re in the right place!

Each episode features engaging conversations, expert insights, and real-world strategies to help you create a school culture where students thrive. From leadership principles and community engagement to AI in education and social media strategy, we tackle the most pressing topics in modern education.

🎧 New episodes drop regularly—don’t miss out!

💡 Connect with us at schoolonamissionpodcast.com

📲 Follow us on social media & join the conversation!

🔹 The School on a Mission Podcast is produced by Growing Leaders, powered by the Maxwell Leadership Foundation.