The Better Leaders Better Schools Podcast with Daniel Bauer

The Ruckus Report Quick take: Most principals manage buildings instead of transforming lives. Dr. Chris Jones flips the script by putting teachers at the center of every decision, creating scheduling magic that serves everyone — and proves that embracing resistance makes you stronger. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Chris Jones has been an educator in Massachusetts for 24 years. He is finishing his 16th year as a building administrator. He is a teacher centered Principal and passionate about continuous improvement and the idea that success is not a destination, but a process. Chris is the President of the Massachusetts State Administrators Association (MSAA) and was the Massachusetts School Counselors Association (MASCA) 2022 State Administrator of the Year. Chris is active on social media, vlogs about continuous improvement on a weekly basis, and hosts his own podcast called SEEing to Lead as a way to amplify teacher's voices in an effort to improve education as a whole promoting his "just cause": improving the educational experience for as many people as possible by being purposeful, acting with integrity, and building character. Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨 In this episode, Dr. Chris Jones challenges traditional education paradigms: Key Insight #1: Schedules Should Serve People, Not Systems What's broken: Cookie-cutter schedules that ignore what teachers and students actually need The shift: Build schedules from scratch based on your values and vision — give teachers two preps, create rotating blocks that feel fresh, and add "WIN" time for individualized support Impact: Teachers report feeling more connected, less burned out, and students are more engaged because the day feels "slower" and more purposeful Key Insight #2: Resistance Is Your Design Partner What's broken: Seeing pushback as something to overcome or defeat The shift: Practice "kintsugi leadership" — break the old system completely, then rebuild it stronger using resistance as beautiful constraints that guide better solutions Impact: Dr. Jones' assistant principal solved complex scheduling problems in one day by "breaking it" first, and senior tardiness plummeted when they redesigned privileges around what students actually valued Key Insight #3: Schools Prepare Kids for the Past, Not the Future What's broken: Standardized practices that keep the past alive in the present for a future that no longer exists The shift: Individualize learning experiences, eliminate meaningless assessments like midterms/finals, and focus on what students need to be amazing Impact: Schools become places where learning matters more than grades, and students develop skills for jobs that don't even exist yet Quotable Ruckus "You can't just throw something at people and say, okay, what do you think? You have to help them along and guide them as to what part of what you think, what they think you want to hear about so that you can make adjustments to it." – Dr. Chris Jones Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here: Tomorrow: Ask your teachers one question: "What do you need to be amazing?" Then actually listen and take notes This Month: Identify one "sacred cow" practice (like midterms) that doesn't serve learning and plan to eliminate it This Semester: Practice kintsugi leadership on your biggest scheduling or systems challenge — break it completely and rebuild from your values Connect & Continue 🎯 Get the full episode transcript: link 🔗 Follow Dr. Chris Jones: Podcast | Website | Newsletter 💪 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. 🔍 Learn more: here ODP Business Solutions Stop letting compliance kill innovation. Some leaders are transforming their campuses with flexible solutions that actually work for modern learning environments. 🔍 Learn more: here Twelve Practices LLC © 2025 | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?

The Ruckus Report Quick take: Award-winning Superintendent Dr. Nick Polyak reveals why the most innovative school leaders aren't just adding new programs—they're actively tearing down outdated practices to make room for transformational student experiences. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Dr. Nick Polyak is the proud superintendent of the award-winning Leyden Community High School District 212. He earned his undergraduate degree from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL, his Masters from Governors State University, and his Ed.D. from Loyola University Chicago. Nick has been a classroom teacher and coach, a building and district level administrator, a School Board member, and a superintendent in both central Illinois and suburban Chicago. Nick earned an IASA School of Advanced Leadership Fellowship and he also graduated from the AASA National Superintendent Certification Program. He teaches for both the Illinois and National Aspiring Superintendent Academies and has co-authored four books on school leadership. Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨 In this episode, Dr. Nick Polyak challenges traditional education paradigms: Key Insight #1: Unlearning Debunked Educational Practices What's broken: Clinging to disproven theories like multiple learning styles while adding endless new initiatives The shift: Actively identifying and discarding outdated knowledge to make room for evidence-based practices Impact: Teachers empowered with current, relevant pedagogical approaches instead of layering old myths with new methods Key Insight #2: Reimagining School Structure Through Innovation Incubators What's broken: Traditional 45-minute siloed classes with bell schedules that fragment learning The shift: Creating teacher-led innovation teams who design interdisciplinary, problem-based learning experiences like CoLab Impact: Freshmen spending four periods daily in meaningful, community-connected learning that earns honors credit Key Insight #3: Transforming Exclusion into Belonging Through Bilingual Programming What's broken: Theater programs that don't reflect the school's 70% Latinx population The shift: Creating Teatro Leyden with dual English/Spanish casts, treating language as an asset Impact: Doubled theater participation and families who previously couldn't access school arts now fill auditoriums Quotable Ruckus "We as human beings are really good at learning new things. We're really bad at unlearning things that are no longer true or no longer relevant to make room for new things." – Dr. Nick Polyak Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here: Tomorrow: Identify one "sacred cow" practice in your school and research whether it's still educationally sound This Month: Create an innovation incubator team of teachers from different disciplines to dream big about student experience This Semester: Audit your programs to see if they reflect your student demographics—then redesign what doesn't Connect & Continue 🎯 Get the full episode transcript: here 🔗 Follow Dr. Nick Polyak: LinkedIn 💪 Join the Ruckus Maker Movement: The Ruckus Maker Club 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: 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: Visionary school leaders don't follow dusty rulebooks. In this episode, Jethro Jones joins Danny Bauer to burn the old manual and co-create a new playbook for Ruckus Makers — one bold idea at a time. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Jethro Jones, 2017 NASSP Digital Principal of the Year, is a former principal from Fairbanks, Alaska, and the host of Transformative Principal, where he interviews leaders from around the world who are reimagining K-12 education. He's the founder of the Transformative Leadership Summit and author of SchoolX: How principals can design a transformative school experience for students, teachers, parents – and themselves! Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨 In this episode, Jethro Jones challenges traditional education paradigms: Key Insight #1: Learning Is Not Linear What's broken: The assumption that learning progresses in a straight line, within four walls, at the same pace for all The shift: Honor that all learning is personal and non-linear; value what students learn outside of school, too Impact: Schools begin to partner with families and communities — not just invite them to partner with schools Key Insight #2: Change Something in Year One What's broken: "Don't change anything your first year" — the most paralyzing advice for new leaders The shift: Make small, strategic changes that align with your vision from day one Impact: Greater momentum, better clarity, and staff trust because you're not waiting to lead Key Insight #3: First In, Last Out Is a Trap What's broken: Hustle culture that measures effectiveness by time on campus The shift: Shift to value-based leadership — do the right work, not all the work Impact: Leaders reclaim time, model healthy boundaries, and lead more sustainably (without burning out) Quotable Ruckus "You can't out-teach what's happening in the home. We should be partnering with parents, not asking them to partner with us." – Jethro Jones Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here: Tomorrow: Stop collecting a meaningless report or form you never read — free up your staff and your schedule This Month: Draw your "Do School Different Scorecard" — list the top 8 areas of campus life and define where each needs to go This Semester: Redesign how your school values time — for yourself, your staff, and your students Connect & Continue 🎯 Get the full episode transcript: here 🔗 Follow Jethro Jones: LinkedIn | Twitter/X 💪 Join the Ruckus Maker Movement: ruckusmakers.club/join Do you Subscribe to the Ruckus Maker Newsletter? Do School Different 3x a Week. ✉️ Join for FREE: ruckusmakers.news/subscribe 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. 🔍 Learn more: expressability.com/ruckus ODP Business Solutions "Our STEAM program is too complicated" = Code for "We're doing it wrong." Stop letting fear kill innovation. Some leaders are transforming STEAM with a three-part framework that's not what you think. 🔍 Get the playbook: here Twelve Practices LLC © 2025 | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?

The Ruckus Report Quick take: Award-winning Principal Demetrius Ball reveals how intentional leadership, strategic decision-making, and being consistently present creates a school culture where students feel more connected than ever before. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Demetrius Ball was born and raised in Ohio. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy (West Point, NY) and served 5 years on active duty in the US Army as a Field Artillery Officer. His education career began in 2008 as a social studies teacher, spanning roles in California and Maryland before moving into administration. Currently in his third year as principal of California High School, Demetrius was recently named Administrator of the Year. He is a proud husband and father of four amazing children, committed to professional development that benefits his school and community. Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨 In this episode, Demetrius Ball challenges traditional education paradigms: Key Insight #1: Strategic Decision-Making as a Leadership Superpower What's broken: Rushed, reactive decision-making without challenging assumptions The shift: Slowing down to journal, identify assumptions, and strategically question each one before implementing changes Impact: More meaningful staff collaboration time and professional development aligned with actual teacher needs Key Insight #2: Intentional Presence Transforms School Culture What's broken: Administrators hidden in offices, disconnected from the daily pulse of school life The shift: Being consistently present—greeting students at drop-off, walking campus, attending after-school activities Impact: Students reporting they feel more connected to school than ever before, with meaningful learning experiences Key Insight #3: Building Administrative Teams Around Complementary Strengths What's broken: Hiring admin team members who mirror the principal's skills and style The shift: Intentionally seeking team members with diverse skills that fill identified gaps Impact: A more versatile, aligned administrative team that presents a united front while bringing different strengths to challenges Quotable Ruckus "One of the biggest secrets that I've found to being a successful leader and building trust in your community is being present. Not just physically being present, but showing up." – Demetrius Ball Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here: Tomorrow: Start your day by walking a complete lap around your campus, popping into hallways and classrooms This Month: Survey your staff about what they need, then use AI to identify the main themes from their responses This Semester: Evaluate your admin team's collective strengths and weaknesses, then recruit specifically to fill the gaps Connect & Continue 🎯 Get the full episode transcript: here 🔗 Follow Demetrius Ball: LinkedIn | Instagram 💪 Join the Ruckus Maker Movement:here 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: here Twelve Practices LLC © 2025 | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?

The Ruckus Report Quick take: International school leader Jennifer Bertram reveals how trusting your intuition can lead to unexpected leadership opportunities, and how joining a supportive community of fellow leaders transforms professional growth. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Originally from Canada, Jennifer's teaching journey began in Montevideo, Uruguay, followed by many years at Escola Americana de Campinas, Brazil. She transitioned to administrative roles including Secondary Dean of Students and Assistant Principal. Jennifer then served as Middle School Principal at the American International School of Dhaka for five years before moving to American International School Chennai with her family. Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨 In this episode, Jennifer Bertram challenges traditional education paradigms: Key Insight #1: Leadership Pathways Aren't Always Conventional What's broken: The belief that leadership journeys must follow a prescribed, traditional path The shift: Embracing unexpected opportunities, even when they seem imperfect or challenging Impact: Discovering authentic leadership styles while gaining valuable experience in roles others might avoid Key Insight #2: Community-Fueled Confidence What's broken: The isolation and loneliness of school leadership positions The shift: Joining supportive communities of like-minded leaders who face similar challenges Impact: Creating a professional network that offers accountability, resource sharing, and emotional support Key Insight #3: Sticky Core Values Drive School Culture What's broken: Abstract, forgettable school values that don't connect with daily practices The shift: Creating "sticky" core values that tell stories and create memorable mindsets Impact: Transforming school culture through principles like "Every day is a new day," "Together we," and "The gift of concentration" Quotable Ruckus "Leadership can be lonely. It can be one of those places where you would love to be able to talk about an issue with someone, and you just can't for various reasons. What I found in the Mastermind was a group that is very open." – Jennifer Bertram Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here: Tomorrow: Trust your intuition when an unexpected leadership opportunity presents itself This Month: Create one "sticky core value" that can be turned into a memorable, actionable school goal This Semester: Build a support network of leaders facing similar challenges to combat professional isolation Connect & Continue 🎯 Get the full episode transcript:here 🔗 Follow Jennifer Bertram: 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: Want to know why 67% of STEAM programs fail? Hint: It's not the budget. After researching many schools, ODP Business Solutions® uncovered three make-or-break factors that determine STEAM success. The best part? You probably already have what you need. See the research: here Twelve Practices LLC © 2025 | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?

The Ruckus Report Quick take: When traditional approaches to school improvement aren't working, the answer may not be more control - but rather more connection. Dr. Mitchell reveals how transformative leadership starts with listening and building authentic relationships. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Dr. Derek Mitchell serves as the CEO of Partners in School Innovation, working with schools that face long histories of chronic underperformance and serve predominantly high-poverty communities. His organization partners with schools to create lasting, meaningful change through innovative leadership approaches. Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨 In this episode, Dr. Mitchell challenges traditional education paradigms: Key Insight #1 ● What's broken: The assumption that out-of-control schools need stricter discipline and tighter control ● The shift: Building authentic connections with students by listening and understanding their perspectives ● Impact: One principal transformed his challenging middle school by first meeting with 30 struggling students to truly hear their needs, leading to innovative solutions like stealth support systems for students in distress Key Insight #2 ● What's broken: Traditional professional development that's neither professional nor developmental ● The shift: Creating authentic learning communities that build relationships while focusing on growth ● Impact: Moving PLC meetings off-campus and sharing meals together led to vastly improved outcomes and stronger teacher collaboration Key Insight #3 ● What's broken: The "skill solution" approach to addressing performance issues ● The shift: Using the skill-will-way matrix to properly diagnose and address teacher performance challenges ● Impact: More effective interventions by matching solutions to the real root cause - whether it's skill, will, or way Quotable Ruckus "Working within the lines will only produce what's been produced in the past. If we're really talking about excellence for each and every child, mean every young person reaching their potential, we got to get beyond the lines." - Dr. Derek Mitchell Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here: 1. Tomorrow: Color-code your calendar based on your top 3-4 strategic priorities to see how you're really spending your time 2. This Month: Move one regular meeting off-campus to build stronger relationships and more authentic dialogue 3. This Semester: Create a system to proactively schedule regular check-ins with your supervisor where you set the agenda and priorities Connect & Continue 🎯 Get the full episode transcript: here 🔗 Follow Dr Derek Mitchell: Linkedin, 💪 Join the Ruckus Maker Movement: Link 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: 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: This experimental episode explores emerging educational trends with Mitch Weathers, diving into AI's impact on teaching, the evolution of education's purpose, and whether teaching remains a recommendable profession. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Mitch became a gifted teacher because he was a mediocre student. Despite taking seven years to graduate college, he navigated the classroom with discomfort. This unique perspective fueled Mitch's teaching approach. Recognizing the importance of laying a foundation for learning, he created Organized Binder. This research-backed strategy empowers teachers to impart executive functioning skills efficiently, preserving valuable instructional time. By establishing a predictable routine, Organized Binder fosters safer learning spaces, shaping Mitch's journey from a struggling student to an innovative educator. Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨 In this episode, Mitch Weathers challenges traditional education paradigms: Key Insight #1: AI's Impact on Education What's broken: The notion that AI will completely replace teachers within the next decade The shift: Reimagining education as developing transferable competencies rather than just delivering content Impact: Creating learning environments where teachers serve as guides and mentors while AI supports content delivery and practice Key Insight #2: Redefining Education's Purpose What's broken: Education systems focused primarily on knowledge transfer without clear career pathways The shift: Focusing on developing student agency and capacity for learning in new environments Impact: Preparing students for future careers that don't even exist yet through transferable skills Key Insight #3: The Teaching Profession's Future What's broken: The perception of teaching as financially unrewarding and morale-killing The shift: Recognizing teaching as a meaningful profession with immediate visible impact Impact: Creating school cultures where educators feel fulfilled beyond financial compensation Quotable Ruckus "When you boil down education to its raw elements, it's a messy human-to-human endeavor, which means relationships matter." – Mitch Weathers Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here: Tomorrow: Ask yourself: "What are we teaching and why?" in light of AI advancements This Month: Identify transferable competencies your students need beyond content knowledge This Semester: Create a plan to balance technological integration while preserving meaningful human relationships Connect & Continue 🎯 Get the full episode transcript: [Link] 🔗 Follow Mitch Weathers:Twitter, Linkedin,Facebook &Organized Binder 💪 Join the Ruckus Maker Movement: The Ruckus Maker Club.club/join 📚 Read Mitch's Book: Executive Functions for Every Classroom 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: Want to know why 67% of STEAM programs fail? Hint: It's not the budget. After researching many schools, ODP Business Solutions® uncovered three make-or-break factors that determine STEAM success. The best part? You probably already have what you need. See the research:here Twelve Practices LLC © 2025 | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?

The Ruckus Report Quick take: The factory model of education is dead. This school leader transformed a failing campus into a Blue Ribbon award winner by reimagining intervention through WIN Time - and now she's showing thousands of leaders worldwide how to do the same. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Stephanie is a veteran school leader, author, and owner of Principal Principles. With 18 years as a principal and now serving as an assistant superintendent of schools she's passionate about leadership, student success, and innovative school solutions. She's also the creator of WIN Time, helping schools implement data-driven interventions. Connect with her at PrincipalPrinciples.net! Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨 In this episode, Stephanie McConnell challenges traditional education paradigms: Key Insight #1: Intervention Without Interruption What's broken: The old pull-out model where students leave class for intervention and miss core instruction The shift: WIN Time - built into the master schedule where every student gets intervention AND enrichment without missing anything Impact: Transformed McConnell's school from an F-rated campus to a National Blue Ribbon Award winner in just two years Key Insight #2: Flexible Grouping Based on Real-Time Data What's broken: Static intervention groups that trap students in remediation all year The shift: Data-driven regrouping every 2-4 weeks based on student progress Impact: Students can receive double-blocked reading intervention AND math enrichment based on individual needs Key Insight #3: Culture of Ownership > Compliance What's broken: Teachers following prescribed programs without investment in outcomes The shift: Challenging the "why" behind every practice and building true teacher ownership Impact: Teachers shift from "I taught it" to "students learned it" mindset, driving real results Quotable Ruckus "Since the things that matter the most should never be at the mercy of the things that matter the least." – Stephanie McConnell Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here: Tomorrow: Ask yourself "why" about one existing intervention practice in your school This Month: Audit your master schedule to find where WIN Time could fit This Semester: Visit a school using WIN Time or bring Stephanie's framework to your team Connect & Continue 🎯 Get the full episode transcript: [Link] 🔗 Follow Stephanie McConnell: Instagram, Facebook 💪 Join the Ruckus Maker Movement: Link 📚 Join Stephanie's Leadership Group: Link 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 here Twelve Practices LLC © 2025 | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?

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?