Transformative Principal

In this episode of Transformative Principal, host Jethro Jones sits down with K.C. Knudson, MTSS Coordinator at the Northwest Educational Service District, to explore the critical distinction between coaching and evaluation in education. Drawing on research and real-world experience, K.C. shares why 98% of teachers need coaching—not evaluation—and how shifting from a culture of grading to one of growth can transform schools. The conversation covers the pitfalls of traditional evaluation systems, the power of collective efficacy, and practical strategies for principals to foster collaborative, learner-centered environments. Listeners will gain actionable insights on building effective teams, de-privatizing instructional practice, and making professional learning communities truly impactful.

• Coaching vs. Evaluation
• Pennsylvania training and assistance network
• Pennsylvania data - 98% of teachers are rated proficient
• Grow vs. Grade - 98% of your staff want to grow and get better. 
• Gates foundation spent $212 Million to state that teacher evaluations do not provide meaningful growth, retain teachers, or help with student achievement
• Washington - research-based evaluation - targeted vs. comprehensive evaluation
• Need to teach our principals how to coach more effectively. 
• Don’t spend a lot of time talking about quality instruction
• Precision over profusion - trying to add more seat time is profusion
• What do we need our teachers to be really good at. 
• Instructional floor - Anthony Muhammed
• We’ve got to be good at our craft to get to the student learning part of it. 
• Learner objectives - produce kids that know how to be seen and heard, how to function, how to thrive in the world. 
• The Principal is Principle
• Schools change life trajectories
• Community Creates Equity
• Principal as the center of a wagon wheel vs. the principal as a node of a network
• Supportive leadership in the service of empowered teachers
• How to be a transformative principal? Deprivatize teaching: Sit down for 30 minutes and do a teams audit: When do I have people sitting down and focusing on student learning?

About K.C. Knudson

K. C. Knudson is currently the MTSS Coordinator at the Northwest Educational Service District. Prior to this role, he served as a Senior Educational Consultant, where he focused on facilitating the establishment of inclusive classrooms, schools, and districts to effectively cater to the diverse needs of all students. This work is deeply rooted in the strategic utilization of the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) guidelines and the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework. K. C. has extensive experience in providing professional learning, coaching, and technical assistance specifically aimed at supporting the implementation of inclusive practices using UDL and MTSS. His background in education leadership includes significant roles such as Director of Teaching and Learning, Assistant Superintendent, Executive Director, Principal, Assistant Principal, and Teacher.

We’re proud to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

In this episode of Transformative Principal, host Jethro Jones interviews Kristian Golick, founder of EduCreative, about how schools can stand out by uncovering and communicating their unique culture and emotional truth. They discuss the importance of storytelling in school marketing, the process of identifying a school's key differentiator, and how a clear, emotionally resonant message attracts both families and staff who are the right fit. Kristian shares insights on the value of external perspective, the impact of belonging and engagement on students, and practical steps for principals to start collecting stories that define their school’s identity. The episode emphasizes that when a school’s message is clear and authentic, it fosters community, increases enrollment, and creates a virtuous cycle of pride and participation among students, staff, and families.

• Culture is just another word for reputation
• How do you figure out what the key differentiator of your school. 
• Tell me a time when you were so proud to work at your school.
• Emotions and key ideas
• Kids will love school - Why?
• Your school is creating a sense of belonging in your students and families. 
• Where kids want to congregate, rather than have to congregate. 
• How having a good vision for your school helps recruit teachers
• It can be hard to see what is good in your school when you’re in the thick of it
• Anything created is a representation of your school’s experience. 
• How to be a transformative principal? What’s an amazing thing that happened this week?

About Kristian Golick

At EduCreative, we help schools stop sounding like everyone else. Most schools talk about programs and preparation—but parents don’t choose schools based on that. They choose based on connection. We uncover the emotional truth behind what makes your school different, and turn that into strategic, story-driven video content, that resonates with the right families. Because when your message is clear and your story connects, enrollment follows.

We’re proud to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

In this episode, Jethro Jones welcomes Patrick Mongrain, a middle school teacher, instructional coach, and restorative justice specialist, to discuss building sustainable systems in education. Patrick shares his “Moneyball” approach—leveraging data and analytics to improve classroom instruction and teacher support. He emphasizes the importance of moving beyond quick fixes and initiative fatigue by focusing on eight key practices that create hope and clarity for educators.

• Moneyball - Billy Bean developed a system of analytics to make a better system. 
• Judging people based on unimportant data and perceptions. 
• Applying a similar approach to how we teach. 
• Spending time in different areas that see what great things are happening all over the place. 
• Stop throwing shiny objects at the problem. 
• The Key Performance Indicators: 
  • Class Routine
  • Community Data
  • Corrective Feedback
  • Informed Supervision
  • Opportunities To Respond
  • Positive Feedback
  • Positive Feedback Range
  • Student To Teacher Time
  • Teaching Expectation
• Systems = hope
• Knowing what to do next gives people hope. That’s how systems create hope. 
• 2% of teachers need to be evaluated, 98% of teachers need to be coached. 
• Evaluation as a hoop to jump through. 
• Teachers are so incredible, having an evaluation system that is so complex makes it difficult. 
• Repeating is not the same as creating. 
• Two injustices against teachers - evaluations 
• Evaluation systems seem intentionally overwhelming.
• Initiative Fatigue
• Trust Based Observations 
• Edchanger Pro app - Make observations like a 
• How to be a transformative principal? Relationships - taking the time to connect with them. Self-care is working in a system that you feel confident in. 

About Patrick Mongrain

Patrick Mongrain is a certified teacher currently serving in a TOSA role. He taught middle school history and leadership for 10 years and has spent another 10 years as a district-level instructional coach and restorative justice specialist. In his current position within the professional learning department, he divides his time evenly between teaching in classrooms, supporting school leaders in building systems, and working on district wide improvement. Patrick believes teachers are incredible, and to truly support them, we must move beyond quick fixes and do the hard work of building and sustaining systems. In this spirit, he has created a coherent instructional framework that applies a “Moneyball” approach, leveraging data and analytics on key performance indicators. He’s written a book Theory Can Only Take You So Far and developed a data collection app called Edchanger Pro that brings this system to life.

Contact: 

E-mail: [email protected]

Webpage: https://www.youtube.com/@EdChanger and www.EdChanger.com

App: EdChanger Pro: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/edchanger-pro/id6741165826 

LinkedIn: Patrick Mongrain

We’re proud to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

In this episode, host Jethro Jones welcomes Derek Mitchell, CEO of Partners in School Innovation, to discuss the evolving role of schools post-pandemic, the importance of community partnerships, and innovative solutions to chronic challenges like truancy. Derek shares insights on leadership, the need for equity-centered school improvement, and practical strategies for principals to become transformative leaders.

• Hope coming out of the pandemic
• Hoped that role that schools play would be appreciated. 
• Schools have also made families feel less invited. 
• Think about how to expand schools beyond their four walls
• Partner with Parents
• Schools aren’t prepared for 
• Truancy epidemic - See Jethro’s TedX Talk about Absenteeism
• Partnered with a local laundromat to put laundry in the school
• Listen to the broader community. 
• 3 reasons why adults don’t do what they should to help kids learn. Skills, will, plan.
• How to be a transformative principal? Manage your time more strategically. 1. Plan space between things 2. Schedule blocks of time in classrooms

About Derek Mitchell

Derek Mitchell has been the CEO of Partners in School Innovation since 2009. Under Derek’s leadership of “Partners,” the organization has adapted to a dynamic educational landscape and grown to address an expanding need for equity-centered school improvement. Partners has joined with national funders such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and the W. Clement & Jessie V. Stone Foundation to help educators build their capacity to serve some of the most challenged communities in the United States. 

Along the way, Dr. Mitchell has published reflections about Partners’ work in a variety of journals and blogs such as Phi Delta Kappan, EdSource, and Leadership magazine.

In addition, Derek has recently been a fellow of The Gratitude Network and is currently a fellow of the Pahara Institute. He is also a member of the board of trustees for the California Academy of Sciences and for Pitzer College.

Before coming to Partners, he earned a Ph.D. in educational psychology from UCLA; served as the director of technology and student achievement for the Oakland Unified School District in California; supported district-wide reform across the country for the Stupski Foundation; and was the executive director of the Opportunity Zone in Prince George’s County in Maryland.

We’re proud to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

In this episode, host Jethro Jones discusses the crucial topic of AI and cybersecurity with Sam Bourgeois, an experienced IT director with a background in private industry and education. The conversation covers the importance of AI standards, the ethical implications of AI use, and the need for cybersecurity awareness among young people. Sam introduces 'Make It Secure Academy,' an innovative platform aimed at educating students about cybersecurity through interactive and engaging methods. The episode emphasizes the critical need to incorporate these lessons into everyday education to protect children in an increasingly digital world.

• Cybertraps Podcast
• AI Standards, AI Ethics, and Cybersecurity for kids.
• Working for a company that has an International footprint 
• How to support someone who wants to bring on tools. 
• Guardrails, not blockade. 
• NIST
• Regulations around AI
• Is it worthwhile for kids to learn standards about AI usage. 
• A student should know and recognize there are correct and incorrect ways to use AI. 
• With great power comes great responsibility. 
• MakeITsecure academy
• Once data is exposed, they’re being watched and tracked all the time
• Kids will turn 18 with data exposed for years. 
• How to teach kids without it being a gotcha! 
• On a mission to protect every kid, one kid at a time. 

About Sam Bourgeois

Sam is the leader of a large managed services provider in the US serving global customers ranging from defense to education. He is the Sr. Dir. of Technology and Cybersecurity and leads the visioning of new products and services, oversees DEVSECOPs teams and serves as the cyber leader of the organization and many clients. He has deep telecommunication, IT, education, and corporate training industry experiences, and is passionate about serving those in need whether it’s in Rotary or non-profit board membership. 

Socials: 

@makeitsecurellc = insta, Fb

https://www.linkedin.com/company/102108099

Webpresence 

LLC - https://www.makeitsecurellc.com/home

501c3 - https://www.make-it-secure.org/

LMS - https://makeitsecure.academy/

Intro to the LMS and Courses - https://youtu.be/xEyFXhe6Z3E 

We’re proud to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

In this episode, Jethro Jones talks with Dr. Jayne Lammers, a dissertation coach, about the importance of having systems and support to complete a dissertation. They discuss Dr. Lammers' experience, the role of a dissertation coach, and various strategies such as weekly accountability check-ins, peer exchanges, and 'shut up and write' sessions to help doctoral students succeed.

• Join DAGGER 🗡️ Doc Student Support
• Jayne’s interview on TP Episode 592 
• Kept her doctoral students after leaving the university. 
• Successful because of systems. 
• Signing up for systems that have come into 
• How having a coach helps the chair and the student
• Pseudo-outside the university
• Place of support where they can be real. 
• Seems like professors don’t care. 
• Guides transition from student to scholar
• Emotional aspect to writing and investing in this project.
• Coach can help you navigate all those different factors. 
• Weekly Accountability Group Meetings: the momentum generated by showing up
• Shut Up and Write Sessions: the power of social writing sessions (or isolated writing)
• Setting Goals: making them attainable and humane, not just SMART (and why that matters for doc students, especially)
• Peer Exchanges: why it’s worth your time to read your peers’ work, even when you feel you have limited time for your own

About Jayne Lammers

Dr. Jayne C. Lammers is a former tenured professor and Fulbright U.S. Scholar who has been supporting doctoral students since 2010. She now works as the Director of Learning Design for Edmentum, a K-12 digital learning and assessment provider, but remains connected to academia as a dissertation coach for the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education. Through Dr. Jayne Consulting Services, she helps researchers thrive by creating systems of accountability that turn the overwhelm into steady progress, and even joy! She’s been developing these systems through her work with academic writers at top U.S. institutions and in Indonesia. 

Whether someone is a doctoral student navigating the dissertation process or a faculty member stretched too thin, Jayne is there to help. Her approach, affectionately called “lovin’ and shovin’” by a recent student participant, blends compassionate accountability with a no-shame attitude. She meets people where they are and then encourages them to make meaningful progress on their writing, research, goals, and future.

At the heart of everything she does is a commitment to making academia a more humane and rewarding experience for everyone involved.

Those curious about her scholarship can check it out on ORCiD or Google Scholar.

Those interested in what she’s up to professionally can follow her on LinkedIn. Her Curriculum Vitae, current as of May 2025, is also available.

We’re proud to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

In this episode, Jethro Jones and Damon Hargraves discuss innovative software solutions tailored for educational purposes. They share insights on the impact of AI and other emerging technologies on school environments, the conception of customized applications, and the future of software development in schools.

We’re proud to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

In this episode, Jethro Jones hosts Erin Bailey, Vice President of Literacy Programs and Research at Reading is Fundamental, to discuss the importance of reading in children's development. They delve into how reading fosters connections, the impact of screen time on reading habits, and effective strategies for schools and families to encourage reading. The episode also touches on the role of AI in literacy and mental health education through books.

• How To Help Families Find Joy In Reading with Dr. Erin Bailey Transformative Principal 586
• Focused on language components - material and affective component. 
• Sitting side-by-side and face-to-face with a child.
• When kids want to read the books a hundred times in a row! 
• Gen Z Parents Not Reading to their Kids
• Quick attention. Training your brain to only be able to pay attention
• Missing out on opportunities to bond with children when reading. 
• Reading can take you places, and you can escape.
• Family education 
• Meet families where they are at. 
• Schools cutting back on read-aloud time. 
• Accessible guides.
• Teaching in Hong Kong
• Cognitive Debt Research
• How to Train Your Amygdala

We’re proud to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

In this episode, host Jethro Jones interviews Barb Solish, the National Director of Innovation for the National Alliance on Mental Illness. They discuss the importance of mental health awareness, early intervention, and the impact of literacy in shaping children's futures. Barb shares insights into the Macy's and NAMI partnership, the importance of building strong connections through reading and other activities, and the crucial role of community support in mental health care.

For the interview between Barb and Erin, go here: https://transformativeprincipal.org

• Half of all mental health issues start before 14. 
• Only half of those who need it are getting the help they need. 
• Distinct warning signs. https://nami.org/signs
• Looking for changes. 
• Call a pediatrician 
• Conversation starters
• Find a support group
• When you are not alone, you have hope.
• Cathleen Beachboard on Resilient Schools talking about hope.
• Trauma Awareness Training
• Kids are a lot stronger than we give them credit for. 
• Outcomes for students - what are the outcomes we want. 
• Mental health education is health education.
• Focus on connection not perfection. 

Barb Solish: National Alliance on Mental illness

Barb Solish is NAMI’s National Director of Innovation. She is passionate about mental health awareness, education, and advocacy, especially after the loss of a friend to suicide. Barb’s lived experience developing a mental health condition as a young person also motivates her work improving outcomes for young people with mental health concerns.

In her time at NAMI, Barb has led NAMI’s Youth and Young Adult Initiatives team, developing new resources for kids, teens, young adults, educators, and caregivers. She also led the creation of new initiatives, including the virtual version of the NAMI Ending the Silence presentation program for middle and high school students and NAMI Next Gen, NAMI’s young adult advisory group. In addition to youth and young adult work, Barb oversees NAMI’s Workplace Mental Health Initiatives, including NAMI StigmaFree Workplace. Barb believes strongly that not only is creating a mentally healthy workplace the right thing to do, it’s an economic imperative.

We’re proud to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

In this episode, Jethro Jones introduces a special conversation between Dr. Erin Bailey, Vice President of Literacy Programs and Research at Reading is Fundamental, and Barb Solish, the NAMI National Director of Innovation. They discuss the partnership between Reading is Fundamental (RIF) and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), supported by Macy's, to provide books and mental health resources to children nationwide. The conversation dives into the youth mental health crisis, the literacy crisis, and how these two organizations are working together to support children's mental and emotional well-being through literacy and other resources.

• NAMI and RIF joining together with the support of Macy’s
• Being next to someone is powerful
• Name it to tame it. 
• Identifying emotions for kids is powerful
• Literacy for skills in both areas. 
• The power of a mother reading aloud to her children. 
• NICU mothers reading aloud to kids every day lowered rates of post-partum depression and stress. 
• Routine and trust are built together. 
• Early intervention 
• The Presence and the connection is what really matters. 

Barb Solish: Link to headshot - National Alliance on Mental illness

Barb Solish is NAMI’s National Director of Innovation. She is passionate about mental health awareness, education, and advocacy, especially after the loss of a friend to suicide. Barb’s lived experience developing a mental health condition as a young person also motivates her work improving outcomes for young people with mental health concerns.

In her time at NAMI, Barb has led NAMI’s Youth and Young Adult Initiatives team, developing new resources for kids, teens, young adults, educators, and caregivers. She also led the creation of new initiatives, including the virtual version of the NAMI Ending the Silence presentation program for middle and high school students and NAMI Next Gen, NAMI’s young adult advisory group. In addition to youth and young adult work, Barb oversees NAMI’s Workplace Mental Health Initiatives, including NAMI StigmaFree Workplace. Barb believes strongly that not only is creating a mentally healthy workplace the right thing to do, it’s an economic imperative.

Erin Bailey, Vice President, Literacy Programs & Research, Reading Is Fundamental

Erin Bailey, Ed.D., joined Reading Is Fundamental in 2021 and currently serves as the Vice President of Literacy Programs and Research. Dr. Bailey brings deep curriculum and instructional expertise to her position, which includes serving as the subject matter expert and developing, curating, and managing content and professional learning for educators and families on literacy.

She has played a pivotal role in shaping high-quality, research-based content that supports Pre-K through Middle School students nationwide. With a strong command of literacy best practices, she leads cross-functional efforts to ensure RIF’s resources spark reading joy while aligning with effective instructional strategies. Passionate about empowering educators, Dr. Bailey has spearheaded RIF’s professional development initiatives—designing and delivering hands-on, relevant learning experiences that build lasting capacity and support classroom success.

Dr. Bailey has been an educator in U.S. and international classrooms. Her teaching experience spans from PreK-8 including roles as a classroom teacher, literacy specialist, English language learning specialist, and university instructor. Her interests include professional learning for teachers on family and community engagement, instructional strategies for multilingual learners, and literacy instruction. She is interested in the ways that partnering with families and communities, particularly for children from historically marginalized communities, can transform literacy instruction. Additionally, she designs curriculum and professional development for utilizing play-based learning to teach language and literacy to young children.

Dr. Bailey has a robust and interdisciplinary research repertoire including learning through informal spaces such as public gardens, art museums, and social movements. She takes up art processes such as film, photography, and sound mixing to expand approaches to qualitative inquiry. She has presented her work at several major conferences including the American Education Research Association (AERA) and the World Organization for Early Childhood Education (OMEP) and has published in academic journals including Qualitative Inquiry, Journal of Early Childhood Literacy, and Journal of Literacy Research.

We’re proud to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.