Power Quote: “I’m still learning, but we will figure it out together.”

Description:

You are going to LOVE today’s show! As with last week, you may want to take notes. Today’s guest, a practicing principal, shared with me that he has been a listener of the show for several years, and you will hear how many of this show’s core themes he echoes and has internalized. This is going to be fun and real! 

Sponsor Spot 1:Before we get into the main show, I’d like to thank Kaleidoscope Adventures for sponsoring today’s show. Lots of companies can help you organize class trips, but Kaleidoscope helps you organize adventures – because isn’t that what student trips should be? Kaleidscope is a full-service tour company offering a range of adventure opportunities and they excel at customizing trips based on your unique context, needs, and goals. Kaleidoscope offers exceptional travel experiences for students (and their group leaders). Thinking about student travel? Reach out to Kaleidoscope using the link in the show notes.

Guest Bio:

Todd Shadley is in his 17th year in education, serving mostly at the middle school level. Todd was a classroom teacher for 13 years, primarily in the 6th grade with short stints in 7th and 8th grades. About 3 years ago, he stepped into his first administrative role as a MS/HS assistant principal and then MS principal in a different district before coming back to the district he taught in as the MS principal this year. Todd has coached basketball and soccer. He's been married for 10 years and has 3 children who are 17, 8, &7. Todd’s wife Megan was also an educator for 9 years before staying home to raise and educate their two younger children.

Warmup questions:

• We always like to start with a celebration. What are you celebrating today?
• Is there a story that will help listeners understand why you are doing what you do?

Questions/Topics/Prompts

• Five-minute coaching session for first-year principal 
• How you are working with your leadership team.
• Part two: I describe culture as the intersection between people-purpose-structures-resources. Can we reflect on your school’s culture using this framework?
• If we have time, in part three we’ll dig into the specific issue of kids being mean to each other. 

Sponsor Spot 2:I want to thank IXL for sponsoring this podcast…
Everyone talks about the power of data-driven instruction. But what does that actually look like? Look no further than IXL, the ultimate online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. IXL gives you meaningful insights that drive real progress, and research can prove it. Studies across 45 states show that schools who use IXL outperform other schools on state tests. Educators who use IXL love that they can easily see how their school is performing in real-time to make better instructional decisions.
And IXL doesn’t stop at just data. IXL also brings an entire ecosystem of resources for your teachers, with a complete curriculum, personalized learning plans, and so much more. It’s no wonder that IXL is used in 95 of the top 100 school districts. Ready to join them? Visit ixl.com/assistant to get started.

Closing questions:

• What part of your own leadership are you still trying to get better at?
• If listeners could take just one thing away from today’s podcast, what would it be?
• Before we go, is there anything else that you’d like to share with our listeners?
• Where can people learn more about you and your work…

Sponsor Spot 3:Before I summarize some of the key points from today’s interview with Todd, I want to thank our sponsor digiCOACH. Administrators, you walk through classrooms, take notes, and you plan to follow up… but how much of that feedback actually reaches teachers in a meaningful way?
With digiCOACH, you don’t just observe—you coach in the moment. Provide clear, specific feedback instantly and track progress over time. No more forgotten notes or lost opportunities—just real conversations that drive real change.With digiCOACH, you’re not just giving feedback—you’re building a system for growth. Track trends, measure progress, and give teachers the real-time feedback they love.
Ready to make coaching more impactful? Start today at digiCOACH.com.

Summary/wrap up

• They just want to be heard!
• Listen (not do) to build trust
• They will tell you what they need, but you must be patient
• Being present (can’t grow a school from your desk)
• Modeling vulnerability
• Modeling and establishing boundaries (we, not me)
• The power of one person’s belief in another!!!

Sponsor Spot 4:

Thank you to Summer Pops Math Workbooks for sponsoring this episode.
When students practice math over the summer, students learn and math scores go up. Join the growing list of schools offering at-home summer math enrichment.  If you are curious about what a research-based summer-math program looks like. Check out Summer Pops for free. Get your FREE workbook samples today at https://summerpopsworkbooks.com/sample-request-page/ 

Todd’s links:

Instagram

LinkedIn 

Frederick’s Links:

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.frederickbuskey.com/ 

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/strategicleadershipconsulting 

Daily Email subscribe: https://adept-experimenter-3588.ck.page/fdf37cbf3a 

The Strategic Leader’s Guide to Reclaiming Purpose: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CWRS2F6N?ref_=pe_93986420_774957520