The Better Leaders Better Schools Podcast with Daniel Bauer

  The Ruckus Report Quick take: In a system built for efficiency rather than connection, Dr. Godfrey shows how one district is creating space for what truly matters—from targeted reading interventions to wellness days for staff—proving that even large districts can make the human element their highest priority. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Dr. Anthony Godfrey is the Superintendent of Schools for Jordan School District in Utah, overseeing 58,000 students and 9,000 employees. Appointed superintendent in 2019, he brings 31 years of experience in the district, having served as an English teacher, assistant principal, principal, and administrator of schools. Dr. Godfrey holds a Bachelor's in English Teaching and French from Weber State University, along with a Master's Degree and Doctorate from the University of Utah. He hosts the popular "Jordan Supercast" podcast, using his platform to connect directly with his community. Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨 In this episode, Dr. Godfrey challenges traditional education paradigms: Key Insight #1: Fund Preparation Time, Not Just Professional Development What's broken: Traditional PD without paid time for teachers to implement what they've learned The shift: Securing board funding for teacher preparation time alongside professional development for their Walk to Read program Impact: Reading scores higher than ever before, despite launching during the pandemic Key Insight #2: Prioritize Staff Wellness Through Structural Changes What's broken: Expecting staff to maintain wellness without creating systemic support The shift: Implementing dedicated "Health and Wellness Days" (three-day weekends) for all 9,000 district employees Impact: Creating a culture that values people over processes, demonstrating that employee wellbeing isn't just talk Key Insight #3: Reimagine Leadership Communication What's broken: Relying on emails and memos to build connections and communicate vision The shift: "Email is for information, not conversation" philosophy and launching a superintendent podcast Impact: Deeper connections throughout the district as people hear their superintendent's voice and style, creating familiarity and trust Quotable Ruckus "Email is for information, not conversation. And many times we want to have a conversation through email. Email is just for information." – Dr. Anthony Godfrey Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here: Tomorrow: Audit your own communication habits—are you trying to have conversations via email that would be better in person? This Month: Create a plan to pay teachers for their preparation time for your next major initiative, not just the training This Semester: Explore what a wellness day would look like in your school or district—even starting with a half-day pilot could show commitment to staff wellbeing Connect & Continue 🎯 Listen to the Jordan Supercast: https://supercast.jordandistrict.org/ 🔗 Follow Dr. Godfrey: X/Twitter | LinkedIn 💪 Join the Ruckus Maker Movement: https://ruckusmakers.club/join Do you Subscribe to the Ruckus Maker Newsletter? Do School Different 3x a Week. Join for FREE here. Today's RUCKUScast in Partnership with: IXL: Meet your students where they are and take them where they need to go. Join over 1 million teachers who trust IXL to drive data-informed excellence in their classrooms. 🔍 Learn more here. Expressability K12: Your inbox isn't a task manager. Your mind isn't for storing mundane processes. It's time to break free. With Expressability K12 Ruckus Makers can prioritize student success by offloading time sucking tasks. Visit Expressability K12 to learn how  here. ODP Business Solutions: "Our STEAM program is too complicated" = Code for "We're doing it wrong" Stop letting fear kill innovation. While some schools struggle with integrating STEAM, other leaders are using a 3-part framework to transform their programs. The secret? It's not what you think. Get the playbook URL: here. Twelve Practices LLC © 2025 | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?

  The Ruckus Report Quick take: Schools only account for 20% of a child's waking hours. Reschool co-founder Amy Anderson reveals how innovative partnerships with families and communities can transform the other 80% into powerful learning opportunities that create more equitable education for all. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Amy Anderson is the Executive Director and co-founder of RESCHOOL Colorado, which she established in 2013 to ensure learning systems offer options responsive to families' interests and needs, particularly those facing barriers to accessing opportunities. With over 25 years in education innovation, Amy previously served as Associate Commissioner at the Colorado Department of Education, leading the Division of Innovation, Choice, and Engagement where she created a statewide vision for personalized and expanded learning opportunities. Amy's impressive career includes pioneering work in online and blended learning at the DK Foundation, education policy and school finance with APA Consulting, and new school development for the Colorado League of Charter Schools. She was instrumental in launching the nation's first charter schools in the early '90s at Designs for Learning in St. Paul, MN, and co-founded The Odyssey School in Denver, one of Colorado's first and longest-running charter schools. Amy holds a Ph.D. and M.Ed. from the University of Colorado and a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin and currently serves as Chair Emeritus of the Aurora Institute's Board of Directors. Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨 In this episode, Amy challenges traditional education paradigms: Key Insight #1: Co-Design Educational Solutions With Communities What's broken: Creating educational programs for communities rather than with them The shift: Inviting families and students to co-design learning experiences from the very beginning Impact: More relevant and effective solutions that address actual needs instead of assumed ones, building lasting change (like a charter school Amy helped design that's now 26 years old) Key Insight #2: Empower Families With Resources and Agency What's broken: Privileged families can direct resources toward their children's learning outside of school, while others lack this opportunity The shift: Creating "Learning Dollars" that give under-resourced families funds to access learning opportunities that supplement school Impact: Over $600,000 distributed to families across Colorado, allowing them to direct resources toward tutoring, arts, sports, STEM, and other opportunities that match their children's interests and needs Key Insight #3: Connect Schools to Community Learning Resources What's broken: Schools trying to be everything to all students without utilizing community resources The shift: Mapping community learning assets and connecting schools with these resources to expand what schools can offer Impact: Creating "learning ecosystems" that leverage community expertise, like DenverLearningEcosystem.org, which helps schools find and partner with local learning providers Quotable Ruckus "Learning happens everywhere and we need to make sure it's equitable for all kids." – Amy Anderson Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here: Tomorrow: Download the Design Lab resource from ReschoolColorado.org/tools to learn the basics of co-designing with your community This Month: Identify 3-5 community organizations that could enhance your school's offerings and schedule initial conversations about potential partnerships This Semester: Create a pilot program that gives families some agency over a portion of educational resources, perhaps starting with summer learning opportunities Connect & Continue 🎯 Explore Reschool's Design Lab: ReschoolColorado.org/designlab 🔗 Learn about Denver's Learning Ecosystem: DenverLearningEcosystem.org 🌐 Visit RESCHOOL Colorado: ReschoolColorado.org 📱 Follow RESCHOOL: Instagram | Facebook | X/Twitter | LinkedIn 💪 Join the Ruckus Maker Movement: https://ruckusmakers.club/join Do you Subscribe to the Ruckus Maker Newsletter? Do School Different 3x a Week. Join for FREE here.. Today's RUCKUScast in Partnership with:  IXL: Meet your students where they are and take them where they need to go. Join over 1 million teachers who trust IXL to drive data-informed excellence in their classrooms. 🔍 Learn more here. Expressability K12: Your inbox isn't a task manager. Your mind isn't for storing mundane processes. It’s time to break free. With Expressability K12 Ruckus Makers can prioritize student success by offloading time sucking tasks.Visit Expressability K12 to learn how here. ODP Business Solutions: "Our STEAM program is too complicated" = Code for "We're doing it wrong" Stop letting fear kill innovation. While some schools struggle with integrating STEAM, other leaders are using a 3-part framework to transform their programs. The secret? It's not what you think. Get the playbook URL: here. Twelve Practices LLC © 2025 | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?

The Ruckus Report Quick take: When transforming struggling schools, following the traditional playbook isn't enough. Learn how effective turnaround leaders strategically break rules, build relationships, and create rapid improvement while working within traditional systems.     Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Amy Galloway serves as Executive Director of PIVOT School Improvement Leaders, providing intensive coaching and development for principals leading significant school improvement efforts in Tennessee and Mississippi. With experience as a successful turnaround principal herself, Amy now helps school leaders master the delicate art of driving rapid change while building sustainable systems.     Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨 In this episode, Amy challenges traditional education paradigms: Key Insight #1: The Power of Listening First What's broken: Traditional top-down leadership where principals arrive with pre-made plans The shift: Starting with door-to-door listening campaigns to understand community needs and dreams Impact: Building deep trust and authentic buy-in from families and staff   Key Insight #2: Strategic Rule-Breaking What's broken: Rigid adherence to system norms that maintain status quo results The shift: Identifying which rules to break, preparing for consequences, and focusing on student impact Impact: Creating rapid improvement by removing bureaucratic barriers while maintaining accountability   Key Insight #3: High-Performance Planning What's broken: Reactive leadership consumed by daily fires The shift: Protected time for quarterly/monthly/weekly planning aligned to priorities Impact: Leaders who can drive strategic improvement even amid frequent crises   Quotable Ruckus "If you're going to center your kids' experience and you're going to center student learning, that often means you have to make a choice that doesn't necessarily fit within the expectations or the system. And that is more than okay. In fact, it should be expected." - Amy Galloway   Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here:   Tomorrow: Block off 30 minutes for weekly planning - make it your most important meeting This Month: Schedule listening sessions with 5 key stakeholders about their hopes for your school This Semester: Identify one system norm that needs to change and create an implementation plan   Connect & Continue 🎯 Get the full episode transcript: LInk 🔗 Follow Amy : Link  - Website 💪 Join the Ruckus Maker Movement: https://ruckusmakers.club/join   Do you Subscribe to the Ruckus Maker Newsletter? Do School Different 3x a Week. Join for FREE here.   Today's RUCKUScast in Partnership with: IXL: Meet your students where they are and take them where they need to go. Join over 1 million teachers who trust IXL to drive data-informed excellence in their classrooms. 🔍 Learn more: IXL.com/leaders Expressability K12: Your inbox isn't a task manager. Your mind isn't for storing mundane processes. It’s time to break free. With Expressability K12 Ruckus Makers can prioritize student success by offloading time sucking tasks. Visit Expressability K12 to learn how. (expressability.com/ruckus) ODP Business Solutions®  STEAM programs failing before they start?  Most schools botch STEAM implementation because they're missing 3 critical elements. Here's the wild part: it's not about fancy tech or massive budgets. ODP Business Solutions® has researched many successful programs to identify what actually works (and what's just burning cash).Learn the blueprint here.   Twelve Practices LLC © 2025 | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?

  The Ruckus Report Quick take: In this special episode, Danny shares his journey from rule-following student to educational disruptor, then delivers key updates on everything happening at Ruckus Maker HQ in 2025 that can help you transform your leadership. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Danny Bauer is the founder of Better Leaders Better Schools and host of the most downloaded podcast for school leaders. As a former principal turned educational leadership coach, Danny has dedicated his career to helping visionary school leaders "do school different" through his coaching programs, live events, and the Ruckus Maker movement. Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨 In this episode, Danny shares his origin story and provides exciting updates about the Ruckus Maker movement: Key Insight #1: Breaking Rules Intentionally Creates New Possibilities What's broken: Following rules without questioning often leads to playing games you can't win The shift: Consciously deciding to play different games on your own terms, even when it breaks convention Impact: Discovering what you truly value and finding authentic pathways to success that align with your strengths Key Insight #2: Leadership Support Requires Multiple Formats What's broken: One-size-fits-all professional development that doesn't meet the diverse needs of innovative leaders The shift: Creating an ecosystem of support through newsletters, accelerator programs, live events, and masterminds Impact: School leaders can find the right level of support for their specific needs, challenges, and leadership journey Key Insight #3: Creating a Campus Experience Worth Showing Up For What's broken: Schools operating with uninspiring environments that fail to engage students and staff The shift: Reimagining schools as vibrant, exciting, innovative places that rival Disney for creating meaningful experiences Impact: When leaders set this tone, both students and teachers become more engaged, creating a virtuous cycle of positive energy Quotable Ruckus "There's two kinds of principals. Those play-it-safe principals who maintain the status quo. If they get better, it's incrementally better. They don't rock the boat at all. Nothing really changes. And then there's Ruckus Makers that I like to think are visitors from the future, showing us one day how education can be." – Danny Bauer Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here: Tomorrow: Subscribe to Ruckus Maker News and use the Weekend Resource to plan your innovative approach for the week This Month: Choose one rule or conventional practice at your school that needs questioning, and start exploring alternative approaches This Semester: Identify where you need the most support in your leadership journey and commit to joining a community like the Mastermind or attending the Impact Intensive Connect & Continue 🎯 Subscribe to Ruckus Maker News: https://ruckusmakers.news/subscribe 🔗 Learn about the Summer Impact Intensive: https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/live-event-2025/ 💪 Join the Ruckus Maker Movement: https://www.betterleadersbetterschools.com/mastermind-application/ Do you Subscribe to the Ruckus Maker Newsletter? Do School Different 3x a Week. Join for FREE here. Today's RUCKUScast in Partnership with: Class Composer: Want to know why Ruckus Makers love Class Composer? Because it turns the dreaded end-of-year class placement meetings into a streamlined, data-driven process. Your teachers will save hours of time while ensuring that nothing is overlooked, including student separations. 🔍 Learn More Here. Quest Food Management Services: Creating joyful learning environments starts in the cafeteria. Quest brings 40 years of expertise in crafting scratch-made meals that nurture both body and community spirit through innovative student engagement programs. 🔍 Learn more here. ODP Business Solutions: Most schools botch STEAM implementation because they're missing 3 critical elements. Here's the wild part: it's not about fancy tech or massive budgets. ODP Business Solutions® has researched many successful programs to identify what actually works (and what's just burning cash). 🔍 Learn the blueprint: here. Twelve Practices LLC © 2025 | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?

  The Ruckus Report Quick take: Missouri Superintendent Dr. David Buck shows how real-world learning experiences are transforming education from standardized "assembly lines" into dynamic pathways that prepare students for a future even educators can't predict. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Dr. David Buck has been an educator for 28 years, serving as a teacher of everything from at-risk to gifted classes and middle school science. He's been involved with the Missouri Leadership Academy since 2006, helping emerging leaders become principals through a year-long development process. As a father of three daughters (one in college, one in high school, and one in middle school), he brings both professional expertise and personal investment to his transformative work in education. Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨 In this episode, Dr. Buck challenges traditional education paradigms: Key Insight #1: Transform Spaces into Real-World Learning Environments What's broken: Traditional school facilities that limit hands-on, applied learning The shift: Purchasing and repurposing a 15-acre former amusement park into a multi-level learning center for PreK-12, including environmental education, hospitality programs, and hands-on science experiments Impact: Every grade K-5 now has culminating real-world science experiences, high schoolers gain practical career skills, and the community has rallied behind this bold reimagining of educational spaces Key Insight #2: Make Learning Contextual Through Real-World Application What's broken: Teaching academic content in isolation from its real-world applications The shift: Creating contextual learning programs like "AMPed-up Algebra" where students learn algebra while running a screen-printing shop, and hands-on geometry through construction projects Impact: Students in the applied algebra program scored higher than those in traditional classes, demonstrating that contextualized learning leads to better retention and understanding Key Insight #3: Build Direct Bridges Between Education and Employment What's broken: The disconnect between school learning and workforce needs The shift: Implementing "Diploma Plus" programs that ensure every graduate has college credit, an industry-recognized certificate, an internship, or client-connected projects Impact: Increased from 48% to 79% of graduates with market-value assets, with numerous success stories of students solving real business problems that adult employees couldn't crack Quotable Ruckus "What do kids need individually? And it's not going to be the same from kid to kid... I think historically one of the knocks you could put on education is they're quick to solution instead of wrestling and fully understanding the problem." – Dr. David Buck Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here: Tomorrow: Identify one traditional lesson that could be taught through hands-on, real-world application instead. How might algebra look in a business setting or science in an environmental context? This Month: Map your community's business assets and reach out to 3-5 potential partners who might provide internships or client-connected projects for students This Semester: Establish a "Career Navigator" position or repurpose an existing role to focus specifically on connecting students with real-world learning opportunities Connect & Continue 🎯 Get the full episode transcript: Link 🔗 Follow Dr. David Buck: Link 💪 Join the Ruckus Maker Movement: https://ruckusmakers.club/join Do you Subscribe to the Ruckus Maker Newsletter? Do School Different 3x a Week. Join for FREE here.. Today's RUCKUScast in Partnership with: Class Composer: Want to know why Ruckus Makers love Class Composer? Because it turns the dreaded end-of-year class placement meetings into a streamlined, data-driven process. Your teachers will save hours of time while ensuring that nothing is overlooked, including student separations. 🔍 Learn More Here. IXL: Meet your students where they are and take them where they need to go. Join over 1 million teachers who trust IXL to drive data-informed excellence in their classrooms. 🔍 Learn more: IXL.com/leaders ODP Business Solutions: Most schools botch STEAM implementation because they're missing 3 critical elements. Here's the wild part: it's not about fancy tech or massive budgets. ODP Business Solutions® has researched many successful programs to identify what actually works (and what's just burning cash). 🔍 Learn the blueprint: here. Twelve Practices LLC © 2025 | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?

  The Ruckus Report Quick take: A veteran educator shares powerful insights on building trust, implementing anchor practices, and creating a school culture where both teachers and students want to show up every day.     Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker    A middle school principal with 14 years of experience in education transitions from teacher to coach to administrator, bringing fresh perspectives on building authentic relationships and implementing meaningful change.   Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨 In this episode, our guest challenges traditional education paradigms:     Key Insight #1: Trust-Building Over Tools  ● What's broken: Focusing solely on implementing new programs and initiatives  ● The shift: Building genuine relationships and trust first  ● Impact: Increased teacher buy-in and more authentic implementation of school practices     Key Insight #2: Anchor Practices as Culture Builders  ● What's broken: Treating classroom observations as purely evaluative tools  ● The shift: Using anchor practices to celebrate and spread effective teaching strategies  ● Impact: Teachers seeing observations as coaching opportunities rather than evaluations     Key Insight #3: Attendance Through Engagement  ● What's broken: Treating attendance as a compliance issue  ● The shift: Creating a school environment students don't want to miss  ● Impact: Increased attendance rates and student engagement     Quotable Ruckus "Be curious, not judgmental." – Anonymous Principal     Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here:   Tomorrow: Have a non-evaluative conversation with a teacher about their interests outside of school This Month: Identify your school's anchor practices by studying your most effective teachers This Semester: Build a comprehensive plan to make your school a place students don't want to miss   Connect & Continue  🎯 Get the full episode transcript:  💪 Join the Ruckus Maker Movement: https://ruckusmakers.club/join 🚀 Join the 90-Day Accelerator Waitlist: https://90-day-waitlist.carrd.co/     Do you Subscribe to the Ruckus Maker Newsletter? Do School Different 3x a Week. Join for FREE here.     Today's RUCKUS cast in Partnership with:  Class Composer: Want to know why Ruckus Makers love Class Composer? Because it turns the dreaded end-of-year class placement meetings into a streamlined, data-driven process. Your teachers will save hours of time while ensuring that nothing is overlooked, including student separations. 🔍 Learn More Here Quest Food Management Services: Creating joyful learning environments starts in the cafeteria. Quest brings 40 years of expertise in crafting scratch-made meals that nurture both body and community spirit through innovative student engagement programs. 🔍 Learn more here. ODP Business Solutions: Most schools botch STEAM implementation because they're missing 3 critical elements. Here's the wild part: it's not about fancy tech or massive budgets. ODP Business Solutions® has researched many successful programs to identify what actually works (and what's just burning cash). 🔍 Learn the blueprint: here   Twelve Practices LLC © 2025 | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?

Dr. Lupita Hightower on Strategic Planning: Turning Belief into Transformation The Ruckus Report Quick take: Arizona's Superintendent of the Year drops a masterclass on how strategic planning—when done right—creates school systems where every child is valued as a treasure and success is the expectation, not the exception. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Dr. Lupita Hightower is Arizona's Superintendent of the Year for 2023 and has worked in education for over 27 years in various roles, serving as superintendent for the last 12 years. As an immigrant starting school in the U.S. in the 7th grade, she credits her success to the many believers including family and educators. Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨 In this episode, Dr. Hightower challenges traditional education paradigms: Key Insight #1: Strategic Planning Must Begin With Belief What's broken: Strategic plans that lack a core belief system or are created without authentic community involvement The shift: Building a foundational belief system—"Every child is capable of success without exception"—before crafting a community-driven strategic plan Impact: A district where expulsions are non-existent (zero in 12 years) and long-term suspensions are extremely rare (only two in 12 years) Key Insight #2: Parent Engagement Requires Genuine Partnership What's broken: Blaming parents for lack of engagement instead of examining school practices The shift: Implementing Academic Parent Teacher Teams where families become true educational partners, sharing transparent data and supporting each other Impact: 23% of enrollment comes from out-of-district families, driven entirely by word-of-mouth, despite being in one of the nation's most competitive school choice environments Key Insight #3: Diversity Requires Removing Bias From Selection What's broken: Traditional hiring processes that perpetuate unconscious bias The shift: Implementing a "blinded process" where applicants' identities are hidden during initial screening, with evaluation based purely on task performance Impact: A district where 60% of staff are people of color, creating powerful representation for a student body that is 95% students of color Quotable Ruckus "We cannot forget that as parents, we are our children's first teacher. Yes, in the school, you make a huge difference, but we cannot forget that." – Dr. Lupita Hightower (sharing wisdom from a parent) Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here: Tomorrow: Audit your language around students—how can you shift from deficit-based descriptions to treasure-focused language? This Month: Identify one way to make parent engagement more data-transparent and collaborative, perhaps through piloting Academic Parent Teacher Teams in one grade level This Semester: Examine your hiring practices for hidden bias—could a "blinded" initial screening process help diversify your staff? Connect & Continue 🎯 Get the full episode transcript: Link 🔗 Follow Dr. Hightower: LinkedIn | Instagram 💪 Join the Ruckus Maker Movement: https://ruckusmakers.club/join Do you Subscribe to the Ruckus Maker Newsletter? Do School Different 3x a Week. Join for FREE  here. Today's RUCKUScast in Partnership with: Class Composer: Want to know why Ruckus Makers love Class Composer? Because it turns the dreaded end-of-year class placement meetings into a streamlined, data-driven process. Your teachers will save hours of time while ensuring that nothing is overlooked, including student separations. 🔍  Learn More Here.   Quest Food Management Services: Creating joyful learning environments starts in the cafeteria. Quest brings 40 years of expertise in crafting scratch-made meals that nurture both body and community spirit through innovative student engagement programs. 🔍 Learn more here. ODP Business Solutions: Most schools botch STEAM implementation because they're missing 3 critical elements. Here's the wild part: it's not about fancy tech or massive budgets. ODP Business Solutions® has researched many successful programs to identify what actually works (and what's just burning cash). 🔍 Learn the blueprint: here. Twelve Practices LLC © 2025 | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?

The 90-Day Accelerator: Launching Your School Year for Legendary Impact Danny Bauer on Transforming School Leadership Through Intentional Planning The Ruckus Report Quick take: A game-changing framework for school leaders who want to escape the firefighting trap and create intentional, high-impact leadership from day one. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Danny Bauer, host of the Better Leaders Better Schools Podcast and founder of the Ruckus Maker movement, shares his journey from experiencing "the worst start to school ever" to developing a comprehensive system that helps school leaders launch their years with clarity, purpose, and momentum. Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨 In this episode, Danny challenges traditional education leadership paradigms: Key Insight #1: Self-Leadership Before School Leadership What's broken: Starting with operations and putting yourself last The shift: Prioritizing your energy management and growth first Impact: Leaders who are focused, empowered, and modeling the change they want to see Key Insight #2: Communication as the Foundation What's broken: Unclear expectations and complex messaging The shift: "Simplicity is velocity, complexity is the devil" Impact: Teams aligned and motivated, all "rowing in the same direction at once" Key Insight #3: Focus Beats Fragmentation What's broken: Chasing 10-20+ initiatives simultaneously The shift: Zeroing in on 3-5 high-leverage priorities that create domino effects Impact: Meaningful progress on what truly matters instead of watered-down results Quotable Ruckus "You're going to get the culture that you deserve, whether that's positive or negative, depending on how you show up. It's either intentionally designed or it designs itself." – Danny Bauer Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here: Tomorrow: Complete the School Leadership Scorecard to identify your highest-leverage growth opportunities This Month: Draft an intentional 90-day plan focused on the five core areas: self-leadership, communication, academic focus, culture building, and operations This Semester: Join the 90-Day Accelerator to transform your leadership approach with proven frameworks and systems Connect & Continue 🎯 Get the full episode transcript: Link 💪 Join the Ruckus Maker Movement: https://ruckusmakers.club/join 🚀 Join the 90-Day Accelerator Waitlist: https://90-day-waitlist.carrd.co/ Do you Subscribe to the Ruckus Maker Newsletter? Do School Different 3x a Week. Join for FREE here: http://ruckusmakers.news/subscribe Today's RUCKUScast in Partnership with: Class Composer: Want to know why Ruckus Makers love Class Composer? Because it turns the dreaded end-of-year class placement meetings into a streamlined, data-driven process. Your teachers will save hours of time while ensuring that nothing is overlooked, including student separations. 🔍 Learn More Here. Quest Food Management Services: Creating joyful learning environments starts in the cafeteria. Quest brings 40 years of expertise in crafting scratch-made meals that nurture both body and community spirit through innovative student engagement programs. 🔍 Learn more here. ODP Business Solutions: Most schools botch STEAM implementation because they're missing 3 critical elements. Here's the wild part: it's not about fancy tech or massive budgets. ODP Business Solutions® has researched many successful programs to identify what actually works (and what's just burning cash). 🔍 Learn the blueprint: here Twelve Practices LLC © 2025 | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning? Last edited just now

  The Ruckus Report Quick take: A compelling look at how embracing AI and creativity can transform education, told through the journey of a young entrepreneur who went from feeling constrained by traditional schooling to teaching others how to innovate. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Today's episode features two innovators in education: Nate Corona is a Santa Cruz entrepreneur who's redefining what's possible for students in the AI age. Starting with a sneaker cleaning business in his hometown, Nate chose the "harder route" over traditional paths, leading him to d'Skills where he transformed a random thought into a successful logo design business. Now part of d'Skills' business development team while also working in auto advertising, Nate exemplifies how embracing different thinking styles can lead to unexpected opportunities. Hannah Williams is the founder of d'Skills, a VC-backed startup shifting students from test prep to life prep. Her own unorthodox journey began at age 12 when her father handed her a phone to close a real estate deal from a blue pickup truck. She went on to enroll in college at 14 and graduated with a degree in international business at 18. Now at 25, Hannah leads d'Skills in equipping motivated teens with digital and AI skills, helping them convert these skills into paid, real-world projects with small businesses. Her vision is to help 1M high schoolers build impact portfolios that give them more experience and connections than most college graduates. Christopher Lochhead calls her "a pioneer of our time." Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨 In this episode, Nate Corona challenges traditional education paradigms: Key Insight #1: Embracing Technology as an Ally What's broken: Schools often fear and restrict technology use The shift: Viewing AI and tech as tools for enhanced learning and creativity Impact: Students develop practical skills while maintaining engagement Key Insight #2: Learning Through Creation What's broken: Traditional test-based assessment and rigid curriculum The shift: Allowing students to drive their own learning through creative projects Impact: Middle school students voluntarily creating additional learning spaces and refusing to leave class Key Insight #3: Redefining Success What's broken: One-size-fits-all approach to education and career paths The shift: Embracing different thinking styles and entrepreneurial mindsets Impact: Students discovering profitable opportunities and meaningful work before finishing traditional education Quotable Ruckus "Don't be scared to be different. Be different. I think being different is awesome." – Nate Corona Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here: Tomorrow: Begin exploring how AI tools could enhance one lesson or activity This Month: Create a space for students to pursue creative projects using technology This Semester: Develop a program that connects student creativity to real-world opportunities Connect & Continue 🎯 Get the full episode transcript: Link 💪 Join the Ruckus Maker Movement: https://ruckusmakers.club/join Do you Subscribe to the Ruckus Maker Newsletter? Do School Different 3x a Week. Join for FREE here. Today's RUCKUScast in Partnership with: Class Composer: Want to know why Ruckus Makers love Class Composer? Because it turns the dreaded end-of-year class placement meetings into a streamlined, data-driven process. Your teachers will save hours of time while ensuring that nothing is overlooked, including student separations. 🔍 Learn More Here. Quest Food Management Services: Creating joyful learning environments starts in the cafeteria. Quest brings 40 years of expertise in crafting scratch-made meals that nurture both body and community spirit through innovative student engagement programs. 🔍 Learn more here. ODP Business Solutions: Most schools botch STEAM implementation because they're missing 3 critical elements. Here's the wild part: it's not about fancy tech or massive budgets. ODP Business Solutions® has researched many successful programs to identify what actually works (and what's just burning cash). 🔍 Learn the blueprint: here Twelve Practices LLC © 2025 | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?  

  The Ruckus Report Quick take: A former teacher turned ed-tech founder reveals how simple daily actions - from hallway check-ins to thoughtful class placements - can transform school culture and help every student thrive. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Mike Cronley is the CEO and co-founder of Class Composer, bringing 12 years of 3rd grade teaching experience to revolutionize how elementary schools create balanced classes. After witnessing firsthand how traditional class placement methods could unintentionally disrupt student relationships and learning environments, he developed a solution to help schools make more informed, equitable placement decisions. Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨 In this episode, Mike challenges traditional education paradigms: Key Insight #1: The Power of Being Present What's broken: Leaders getting caught up in administrative tasks and losing touch with their staff The shift: Intentional daily check-ins and genuine conversations with teachers Impact: Teachers feel valued, leading to increased motivation and better student outcomes Key Insight #2: From Paper to Purpose What's broken: Complex, paper-based class placement systems that miss crucial student dynamics The shift: Data-informed decisions that consider academic, social, and emotional needs Impact: More balanced classes and stronger student relationships Key Insight #3: Taking Smart Risks What's broken: Fear of failure leading to stagnation in educational practices The shift: Creating a culture where trying new approaches is encouraged Impact: Continuous improvement through calculated risk-taking and innovation Quotable Ruckus "You have to be willing to take risks and try to improve. Not gigantic risks, but if you want to move the needle and do something different and better, you have to be willing to try." – Mike Cronley Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here: Tomorrow: Walk your halls after school and have one genuine conversation with a teacher This Month: Create a system to track meaningful check-ins with all staff members This Semester: Review your class placement process and identify opportunities for more data-informed decisions Connect & Continue 🎯 Get the full episode transcript: Link 🔗 Follow Mike: LinkedIn, Facebook 💪 Join the Ruckus Maker Movement: https://ruckusmakers.club/join Do you Subscribe to the Ruckus Maker Newsletter? Do School Different 3x a Week. Join for FREE here. Today's RUCKUScast in Partnership with: Class Composer: Want to know why Ruckus Makers love Class Composer? Because it turns the dreaded end-of-year class placement meetings into a streamlined, data-driven process. Your teachers will save hours of time while ensuring that nothing is overlooked, including student separations. 🔍 Learn More Here. Quest Food Management Services: Creating joyful learning environments starts in the cafeteria. Quest brings 40 years of expertise in crafting scratch-made meals that nurture both body and community spirit through innovative student engagement programs. 🔍 Learn more here. ODP Business Solutions: Most schools botch STEAM implementation because they're missing 3 critical elements. Here's the wild part: it's not about fancy tech or massive budgets. ODP Business Solutions® has researched many successful programs to identify what actually works (and what's just burning cash). 🔍 Learn the blueprint: here Twelve Practices LLC © 2025 | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?