Being Kindly Accountable and Leading Authentic Change with Liz Calvert

Episode Summary

What does it mean to be "kindly accountable"? In this episode, Randy sits down with Liz Calvert, the principal of Madison High School in Virginia, to discuss her journey as an educator and leader. Liz shares her compelling argument for change, rooted in her own children's experience, which sparked her mission to equip students with "durable skills".

Liz offers powerful advice on how to lead with authenticity, navigate the difficult process of grading reform, and inspire staff, even when the work is demanding. She shares a key leadership principle: ensuring that the "adults' learning" (like implementing a new system) does not negatively impact student outcomes.

About Our Guest

Liz Calvert is the principal of Madison High School in Vienna, Virginia. With a diverse background as a history teacher, department chair, tech specialist, assessment coach, and Director of School Counseling, Liz brings a unique and holistic perspective to school leadership. She is a passionate advocate for building a positive school culture where students and staff can thrive.

Key Takeaways

• The Compelling Argument for Change: Liz's "why" is deeply personal, driven by a desire to ensure all students are prepared with durable skills (like collaboration, communication, and critical thinking) that will serve them long after high school.
• Durable Skills > Content: The episode explores using content as the tool to teach durable skills, rather than making content the final goal.
• Leading with Authenticity: Leaders must be authentic, willing to take feedback, and able to admit when they are wrong. Liz shares that her greatest joy as a principal comes from the individual moment she shares with each student at graduation.
• "Kindly Accountable": A key theme is balancing high expectations with genuine care. Liz explains that "clear is kind" and that you can be direct with people while still respecting them as a human being.
• Don't Let Adult Learning Impact Kids: When implementing a new competency-based grading system, Liz's core message to parents was, "I'm not going to allow our learning to impact your child's ability to get into college". This built the trust needed to innovate.
• Shielding Your Staff: To prevent burnout and keep staff inspired, Liz and her admin team work to "filter" district mandates and shield teachers from unnecessary work that distracts from their core mission.

Resources Mentioned

• Guest Bio: Liz Calvert, Principal, Madison High School
• Quote: "Clear is kind." - Brené Brown
• Podcast Recommendation: Lessons We Forgot (Host recommendation)