The Better Leaders Better Schools Podcast with Daniel Bauer

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?

The Ruckus Report Quick take: A veteran superintendent reveals how shifting from a mastery mindset to an unfinished mindset can transform school leadership and create environments where innovation thrives, student voice matters, and continuous growth is celebrated. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Dr. Michael Lubelfeld serves as Superintendent of North Shore District 112 in suburban Chicago, leading 9 elementary schools with 4,000 students. A passionate educator since 1992, Mike was awarded the 2021 Administrator and Supervision Distinguished Alumni Award from Loyola University Chicago. He's co-authored four books, including his latest "The Unfinished Teacher: Becoming the Next Version of Yourself." Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨 In this episode, Dr. Lubelfeld challenges traditional education paradigms: Key Insight #1: The Power of Coaching Fundamentals What's broken: Complex leadership initiatives that overlook basic human connection The shift: Regular, structured coaching conversations focused on growth and support Impact: Principals create better conditions for teacher growth, leading to improved student outcomes Key Insight #2: Embracing the Unfinished Mindset What's broken: The pressure to achieve mastery and have everything figured out The shift: Viewing leadership as a continuous journey of growth and evolution Impact: Creates a culture where innovation thrives and continuous improvement is celebrated Key Insight #3: Leveraging Student Voice What's broken: Top-down decision making that excludes student perspectives The shift: Actively incorporating student input in strategic planning and facility design Impact: More engaged students and better-designed learning environments that meet real needs Quotable Ruckus "I'm never going to be done doing it. I'm going to learn more from the next principal than she or he learned from me because I'm learning from them and we're growing together." – Dr. Mike Lubelfeld Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here: Tomorrow: Schedule a one-on-one coaching conversation with a teacher or principal focused on their aspirations and goals This Month: Create a student advisory panel to provide input on one major school initiative This Semester: Develop a structured feedback system that celebrates growth and learning Connect & Continue 🎯 Get the full episode transcript: Link 🔗 Follow Dr. Lubelfeld: 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: 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: www.questfms.com 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: In this special coaching episode, a K-4 principal shares his honest struggles and breakthroughs in implementing project-based learning, revealing why communication and teacher buy-in are crucial for meaningful educational change. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Dan is a K-4 principal with an art education background, bringing a unique creative perspective to his leadership role. As a solo administrator in his building, he's passionate about transforming education through project-based learning while maintaining strong relationships with his staff. Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨 In this episode, Dan challenges traditional education paradigms: Key Insight #1: Consistent Communication What's broken: Sporadic communication about new initiatives, assuming teachers will automatically buy in The shift: Consistently discussing and reinforcing PBL benefits while giving teachers autonomy to experiment Impact: Teachers feel more supported and are more likely to take risks with new teaching methods Key Insight #2: Building Authentic Relationships What's broken: Traditional top-down mandate approach to implementing new programs The shift: Building genuine relationships and understanding teachers' individual goals and aspirations Impact: Increased teacher engagement and willingness to try new approaches Key Insight #3: Meaningful Feedback Systems What's broken: Complex, jargon-filled evaluation systems that don't drive real improvement The shift: Simple, meaningful feedback focused on growth and celebrating small wins Impact: More authentic professional development and risk-taking in the classroom Quotable Ruckus "You have to have the mentality that everybody you meet is going through something that you don't know anything about. We have a saying here: 'Sweep the sheds.' It sounds kind of weird, but it's about humility and doing the work that needs to be done." -Principal Dan Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here: Tomorrow: Ask your teachers what's stopping them from trying something new in their classrooms This Month: Create a weekly roundup to celebrate teachers taking risks and trying new approaches This Semester: Develop an implementation plan based on teacher feedback and goals Connect & Continue 🎯 Get the full episode transcript: Link 🔗 Join The Ruckus Maker Club waitlist: https://ruckusmakers.club/join 💪 Apply to the Ruckus Maker Mastermind: https://www.betterleadersbetterschools.com/mastermind-application Do you Subscribe to the Ruckus Maker Newsletter? Learn how to Do School Different 3x a Week. Join for FREE here. Today's Pod 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. Class Composer Is your elementary school still creating class lists with colored index cards or sticky notes? Class Composer offers a streamlined solution for making well-informed student placement decisions in less time. 🔍 https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7625546/b577a4c88ce8. ODP: ODP Business Solutions® formerly Office Depot® Business Solutions Division has been a trusted partner for schools for over 30 years. At ODP Business Solutions, we're by your side to meet your evolving education needs.🔍 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: As California mandates AI literacy in schools, education leaders face a critical choice between teaching basic AI operation and empowering students to reimagine what's possible with AI fluency. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Hannah Grady Williams is the Chief Rebel at d'Skills, where she helps students transform their passions into real-world projects using AI. Starting college at 14 and graduating with her bachelor's at 18, Hannah brings a fresh perspective to education innovation. Chris Lochhead calls her "one of the most important voices in education today." Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨 In this episode, Hannah challenges traditional education paradigms: Key Insight #1: AI Literacy Isn't Enough What's broken: Schools focusing only on basic AI efficiency like email writing and lesson planning The shift: Moving toward true AI fluency where students apply AI across all aspects of learning Impact: Students who can creatively innovate and think beyond what AI alone can accomplish Key Insight #2: Integration Over Isolation What's broken: Adding standalone AI clubs or career pathways as a checkbox solution The shift: Embedding AI project-based learning into every core subject Impact: Students developing real-world AI applications across all disciplines Key Insight #3: Authentic AI Experience What's broken: Using "sterilized" educational versions of AI tools that limit real learning The shift: Teaching students to work with actual AI tools they'll use in their careers Impact: Graduates prepared for the true demands of an AI-transformed workplace Quotable Ruckus "If our response as leaders is to go with sterilized versions of tools to satisfy a mandate, we're not doing our kids a service for their future." - Hannah Grady Williams Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here: Tomorrow: Evaluate how your school currently uses AI - is it for efficiency or empowerment? This Month: Identify one core subject where you can integrate AI project-based learning This Semester: Develop a comprehensive AI fluency strategy across all grade levels Connect & Continue 🎯 Get the full episode transcript: [Link] 🔗 Follow Hannah: hannah@dskills.io 🌐 Explore d'Skills: https://www.dskills.io/ 💪 Join the Ruckus Maker Movement: https://rucku 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 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. ODP Business Solutions®: Want to know how top schools create collaborative learning environments that actually work? ODP Business Solutions®, formerly Office Depot Business Solutions Division, has equipped innovative educators for over three decades. 🔍 Visit www.odpbusiness.com/education and let's make a ruckus together. Twelve Practices LLC © 2025 | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?

The Ruckus Report Quick take: In this transformative session, Danny Bauer shares the powerful RISE method to help school leaders move from playing it safe to creating meaningful change in their schools. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Danny Bauer is the founder of Better Leaders Better Schools, author of multiple bestselling books, and host of one of the world's top 0.5% podcasts. He helps school leaders "Do School Different" through coaching, mentorship, and building communities of innovative educators. Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨 In this episode, Danny challenges traditional education paradigms: Key Insight #1: From Reactive to Reimagining What's broken: Leaders getting stuck in day-to-day reactive mode The shift: Using the RISE method (Reimagine, Identify, Select Strategic Strikes, Execute) Impact: Creates clear path from current reality to reimagined future Key Insight #2: From Overwhelm to Strategic Focus What's broken: Trying to tackle too many initiatives at once The shift: Using the 80/20 principle and "The One Thing" question Impact: Identify highest leverage actions that make other things easier/unnecessary Key Insight #3: From Planning to Execution What's broken: Analysis paralysis and lack of momentum The shift: Breaking goals into first day/week/month actions Impact: Building momentum through quick wins and strategic progress Quotable Ruckus "Ideas are great, but not the greatest. Taking action is really important." - Danny Bauer Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here: Tomorrow: Use the Do School Different Scorecard to assess your current reality This Month: Identify your "One Thing" that makes everything else easier This Semester: Implement strategic strikes using the 80/20 principle Ready to Do School Different? Take the next step: https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/win *Offer expires January 27th, 2025

The Ruckus Report Quick take: From surviving childhood trauma to revolutionizing student mental health, Dr. Watson reveals how schools can transform their approach to student wellbeing from crisis response to proactive skill-building. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Dr. Hayley Watson is the founder and CEO of Open Parachute, a Tier 1 K-12 curriculum program supporting mental health for students, teachers, and parents. A Clinical Psychologist with a PhD in school bullying interventions, she's spent 20 years developing youth programs that turn challenges into opportunities for growth. Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨 In this episode, Dr. Watson challenges traditional mental health paradigms: Key Insight #1: Mental Health Belongs in Tier One What's broken: Relegating mental health support to counseling offices and crisis intervention The shift: Teaching core mental health skills to all students as fundamental curriculum Impact: Reduced pressure on Tier 2/3 services; students develop essential life skills early Key Insight #2: Four Steps to Emotional Intelligence What's broken: Reactive responses to emotional challenges without systematic approach The shift: Feel, Pause, Think, Act framework for processing emotions Impact: Students learn to recognize triggers and choose constructive responses Key Insight #3: Student Voice Drives Transformation What's broken: Adults lecturing about mental health without authentic connection The shift: Real student stories and experiences guide learning Impact: Increased engagement and relatability in mental health education Quotable Ruckus "Don't be afraid to bring mental health into the classroom. This is the ruckus making that we need to really create generational change for the future." – Dr. Hayley Watson Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here: Tomorrow: Practice the Feel-Pause-Think-Act framework yourself in a challenging situation This Month: Create safe spaces for students to share their stories and experiences This Semester: Implement a tier one mental health curriculum across grade levels Connect & Continue 🌐 Website: https://openparachuteschools.com/ 📚 Get "Finding the Words": https://openparachuteschools.com/finding-the-words/ 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-hayley-watson-2b249a16/ 📧 Email: hayley@openparachuteschools.com 💪 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 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. ODP Business Solutions®: Want to know how top schools create collaborative learning environments that actually work? ODP Business Solutions®, formerly Office Depot Business Solutions Division, has equipped innovative educators for over three decades. 🔍 Visit www.odpbusiness.com/education and let's make a ruckus together. Twelve Practices LLC © 2025 | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?