Start the 22-23 school year #SSDAstrong with our 14-day special series exploring how education leaders prepare for the new school year.

In this episode, Hope Elementary School District Superintendent/Principal, Melanie Matta, shares how she leads as a team player by putting gloves on and watering the lawn.  Listen in to hear more about how she leads staff and students to be their best. 

Melanie shares many tips, including:

• Take some time off 
• Regularly meet with like-minded leaders
• Write your staff personalized notes
• Learn your students' names 
• Make the first day a party with music and a selfie station 

Start the 22-23 school year #SSDAstrong with our 14-day special series exploring how education leaders prepare for the new school year. 

In this episode, former ACSA Executive Director and current Superintendent of Newport-Mesa Unified School District, Dr. Wesley Smith, identifies what distinguishes a good leader from a great leader.

Topics covered in this episode include:

1. How to help staff show up well every day 
2. Hiring new staff – who to look for and how to acclimate them to a transformational culture 
3. Good to great leaders – the importance of identifiable outcomes 

Start the 22-23 school year #SSDAstrong with our 14-day special series exploring how education leaders prepare for the new school year. 

In this episode, Chicago Park Elementary School District Superintendent, Katie Kohler, explains how she onboards new teachers, supports all of her teachers with homestyle warmth and earns student buy-in by allowing students to create the rules. 

Start the 22-23 school year #SSDAstrong with our 14-day special series exploring how education leaders prepare for the new school year. 

In this episode, Placerville Union School District Superintendent, Eric Bonniksen, explains how he builds a strong school culture and reduces anxiety at PUSD by making his district community feel like a family.

1. Keep staff motivated by being available, supportive, and affirming. 
2. Make the office a place where people want to be.
3. Crack jokes and laugh at yourself 

Start the 22-23 school year #SSDAstrong with our 14-day special series exploring how education leaders prepare for the new school year. 
 
In this episode, Keyes Union Elementary School District Superintendent, Dr.Helio Brasil, lays out a plan for building a familial bond between you, your district office, and school staff with a retreat focused on setting the tone for the year ahead.

1. Meet with your stakeholders to reflect on what can be better in the new year 
2. Take “me time” to focus 
3. Set the tone for the year with a staff retreat. Have your staff set one personal goal and one professional goal. Then have them explain the tools they believe they will need to achieve their goals. 

Start the 22-23 school year #SSDAstrong with our 14-day special series exploring how education leaders prepare for the new school year.

In our third episode, Cold Spring Elementary School District Superintendent, Dr. Amy Alzina, shares how she leads her staff and students to be their best year after year.

This episode was recorded with visual examples. Click here to view the video recording to follow along with Dr. Alzina.

Links from Dr. Alzina:

1. Know Your Why on YouTube 
2. Classroom Teachers 
3. TK Brochure
4. Summer Reading Program 

Start the 22-23 school year #SSDAstrong with our 14-day special series exploring how education leaders prepare for the new school year. 

In our second episode, the Deputy Superintendent for the Monterey County Office of Education shares nuggets of wisdom from his versatile career.

Start the 22-23 school year #SSDAstrong with our 14-day special series exploring how education leaders prepare for the new school year. 

In this episode, Sundale Union Elementary School District Superintendent Terri Rufert and Principal Cindy Gist share their big three. 

1. Have a theme to focus on this school year 
2. Remember your "why"
3. Focus on relationships 

Books mentioned during this episode: 

1. Relentless: Changing Lives by Disrupting the Education Norm - Hamish Brewer
2. Kids Deserve It! Pushing Boundaries and Challenging Conventional Thinking - Todd Nesloney 

In this interview, host Tim Taylor,  Executive Director of the Small School Districts' Association, is joined by Katie Kohler, Superintendent/Principal of Chicago Park Elementary School District. 

In this interview, host Tim Taylor,  Executive Director of the Small School Districts' Association, is joined by Alma Lopez, Livingston Middle School Counselor and 2022 School Counselor of the Year!