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What if the biggest challenge facing schools isn't academics—it's the experience families have every day?

In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Mel sits down with educational consultant, speaker, and author Nathaniel Provencio to explore why today's school leaders must begin thinking like service leaders. Nathaniel challenges traditional leadership thinking by showing how customer service, culture, and intentional experiences directly impact student success, staff retention, and family trust.

Whether you're a new principal or a veteran leader, this conversation will stretch your thinking and give you practical ways to create a school people are excited to join—and reluctant to leave.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

•  Why school leadership is really about creating exceptional experiences—not just managing academics. 
•  How your school's first impressions shape trust, culture, and family engagement. 
•  Simple leadership shifts that improve student, staff, and parent satisfaction immediately. 
•  Why every principal should evaluate their school through the eyes of the people they serve. 

Power Surge Takeaway

Ask yourself one simple question: Would I enthusiastically choose this school for my own child? If the answer isn't an immediate "yes," identify one experience you can improve this week for students, staff, or families.

 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 New Book FIVE STARS will be out in Oct

The Community Connection Podcast

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Calling All Educators! 

I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more.

• I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources.
• I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant.

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Calling All Educators! 

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Perfection isn't the goal—progress is.

In this episode, Dr. Mel sits down with leadership coach Kevin Voisin to unpack why perfectionism keeps so many school leaders stuck. If you're a new principal or educational leader feeling the pressure to have all the answers, this conversation will help you shift your mindset from fear to growth.

Together, they explore how embracing powerful imperfection leads to stronger leadership, greater confidence, and lasting impact. They also discuss personal responsibility, navigating rapid change, and why AI should be viewed as a tool—not a threat.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

•  Why perfection is a direction—not a destination. 
•  How embracing "powerful imperfection" helps you lead with confidence. 
•  The mindset shift that moves you from reacting to intentionally creating your leadership journey. 
•  How educational leaders can adapt and thrive in the age of AI. 

Remember: You don't have to be a perfect leader to make a powerful impact.

 "Perfection is a horizon—it gives you direction, but it's never the destination." 

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Calling All Educators! 

I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more.

• I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources.
• I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant.

Join here: Empowered Educator Community

Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance Success

email: [email protected]

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Support the show

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Calling All Educators! 

I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more.

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• I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant.

Join here: Empowered Educator Community

Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance Success

email: [email protected]

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What if working longer hours is actually making you a less effective leader?

In this episode, Dr. Mel sits down with leadership coach and former British Army officer Jimmy Burroughes to discuss why so many school leaders burn out—and what to do instead.

New principals often believe that success comes from simply working harder, staying later, and saying yes to everything. Jimmy challenges that mindset by sharing practical leadership strategies that help leaders maximize their impact without sacrificing their health, relationships, or effectiveness.

If you're preparing for a new school year or you're already feeling overwhelmed by leadership demands, this conversation will help you rethink how you lead.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

•  Why working harder and longer eventually leads to diminishing returns 
•  The "Leadership Backpack" analogy and why every leader must let go of old habits 
•  How to recognize the early warning signs of burnout before it's too late 
•  The hidden danger behind constantly saying, "I'll just..." 
•  Why everything cannot be your highest priority 
•  How the Effort-Impact Matrix can help you make better leadership decisions 
•  The importance of delegating, developing others, and building leadership capacity 

Power Surge Statement

"An open-door policy isn't always the best leadership strategy. Schedule uninterrupted thinking time each week so you can focus on the highest-impact work that only you can do."

Connect with Jimmy Burroughes

🌐 Website

Connect with Jimmy on LinkedIn for additional leadership resources, assessments, blogs, and free tools.

Free Resource

Jimmy is offering listeners his free guide: Escape the Multitasking Trap

This practical resource explores the hidden cost of constant interruptions and provides strategies to improve focus, productivity, and decision-making.

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Calling All Educators! 

I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more.

• I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources.
• I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant.

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Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance Success

email: [email protected]

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Support the show

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Calling All Educators! 

I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more.

• I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources.
• I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant.

Join here: Empowered Educator Community

Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance Success

email: [email protected]

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Burnout doesn't happen overnight. More often, it's the result of countless small stressors that slowly drain our energy, passion, and purpose.

In this episode, Dr. Mel sits down with former educator, keynote speaker, and positive psychology advocate Phil Januszewski to explore practical ways educators and school leaders can flourish—even during the most demanding seasons.

Phil shares how tiny, intentional habits can create lasting change, why assuming positive intent transforms workplace relationships, and how building simple systems can reduce stress while increasing joy.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, or like you're constantly pouring into everyone else while running on empty, this conversation is for you.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• Why educator burnout often happens through "death by paper cuts"
• How positive psychology can help educators thrive instead of simply survive
• The importance of building personal recharge moments into your workday
• How simple systems reduce mental overload
• How leaders can support both themselves and their teams through intentional habits
• And More!

Connect with Phil Januszewski

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube
• LinkedIn
• TikTok
• X (Twitter)
• Positive Growth Clothing Store
• Join the Positive Growth Lounge Email List

About Phil

Phil Januszewski is a nationally recognized keynote speaker, former chemistry and physics teacher, and positive psychology advocate. After spending 20 years in education, he now helps educators and public health professionals flourish personally so they can create greater impact professionally—without burnout, boredom, or cynicism.

His upcoming book, Too Damn Happy: Flourishing in a Tired and Uninspired World, explores practical mindset shifts and intentional habits that help people build sustainable joy and resilience.

🎁 Free Resource from Phil Januszewski

Phil is offering listeners a FREE one-month membership to the Positive Growth Lounge so you can experience practical strategies for building resilience, increasing joy, and preventing burnout.

Get Your Free One-Month Membership

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Download Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase!

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Calling All Educators! 

I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more.

• I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources.
• I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant.

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Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance Success

email: [email protected]

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Support the show

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Calling All Educators! 

I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more.

• I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources.
• I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant.

Join here: Empowered Educator Community

Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance Success

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What Strong Instructional Leaders Study in Summer

Summer offers school leaders something that's often in short supply during the school year—time to think, reflect, and grow. But with so many books, podcasts, conferences, and professional learning opportunities available, how do you know what deserves your attention?

In this episode, Dr. Mel Vandevort shares three areas that strong instructional leaders intentionally study during the summer to better support teachers and improve student learning. Rather than chasing the latest educational trend, you'll be challenged to focus on learning that creates lasting impact in your school.

Whether you're a new principal, an experienced administrator, an instructional coach, or an aspiring school leader, this conversation will help you be more intentional about how you invest your professional growth before the school year begins.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why instructional leaders should study student learning before studying programs
• The connection between understanding high-quality instruction and coaching teachers effectively
• Why learning how adults grow is just as important as understanding how students learn
• One practical step you can take this summer to strengthen your instructional leadership

Reflection Question:
What are you intentionally studying this summer that will make you a stronger instructional leader this fall?

References

•  Robinson, V. M. J., Lloyd, C. A., & Rowe, K. J. (2008). The Impact of Leadership on Student Outcomes: An Analysis of the Differential Effects of Leadership Types. 
•  Hattie, J. (2015). High-Impact Leadership. 
•  Bendikson, L., Robinson, V., & Hattie, J. (2012). Principal Instructional Leadership and Secondary School Performance. 
•  Çelik et al. (2022). The Association Between Principal Leadership and Student Achievement: A Multivariate Meta-Meta-Analysis. 

Support the show

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Calling All Educators! 

I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more.

• I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources.
• I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant.

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Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance Success

email: [email protected]

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Support the show

Million Podcasts List

Download Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase!

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Calling All Educators! 

I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more.

• I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources.
• I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant.

Join here: Empowered Educator Community

Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance Success

email: [email protected]