Many educators are tired of the pendulum swinging so often when it comes to reading instruction. And while this fatigue is understandable, the low reading rates of so many children demand continued attention. In fact, many argue that it is the social justice issue of our time. Kareem Weaver would agree and has spent most of his career fighting for a student’s right to read. He has learned many lessons on how to cut through the polarization and grow a coalition of leaders who are fighting for the same cause. Find out Kareem’s groundbreaking insights on what he calls “full and complete reading”, leader development, the hidden chasm between educators and students, and steps to end the reading wars once and for all. Let us know what you think!

Behind every great school are active and engaged families. Period. Yet it can be so easy for this to fall through the crack for busy leaders. Today’s bestselling author will break down why it’s important to prioritize engaging families, how engaging families has shifted in our current time, and give some practical tips that work quickly. He will convince you that developing relationship with families, especially those that appear disengaged or those who have been disenfranchised, is one of the most important things you can do as a school leader. Let us know what you think!

In this episode, Peter Dewitt discusses the concept of de-implementation and why it’s a term that should be on every leader’s mind. He sounds the alarm on what will continue to happen to our school communities if we don’t start easing the overwhelming workload for teachers and principals. With its origins in the medical field, Peter explains how de-implementation is also useful in the field of education for tackling the challenge of overwork. He will share the different forms it can take and when it makes sense to use a formalized process to lessen waste, increase results, and support major school improvement efforts.  Let us know what you think!

Leaders today know that teacher voice matters, yet getting honest feedback can be elusive. In this episode, four veteran teachers discuss what is top of mind for them as they educate our students. Topics range from current ideas in math and ELA to how you can help keep heated political issues away from their classrooms. If you have ever wanted to be a fly on the wall and hear what your most respected and productive teachers have to say, this is the session for you.Let us know what you think!

We all know the principal who has led their school for over a decade. How does that happen? What makes them feel like they can make a difference year after year. Our guests would say it is likely the kind of training and support they received before ever stepping into the role. This includes apprenticing expert leaders, engaging in relevant learning tasks, taking risks, and celebrating mastery to name a few. To nourish future leaders, and stem the growing tide of attrition, it’s all about setting them up for success in the first place.Let us know what you think!

Collaborative does not always mean productive or responsive. Earmarking time in the day for educators to meet and discuss the needs of children is essential, but only if these meetings scale solutions and build teacher capacity. In this episode find out how you can efficiently respond to the needs of individual and small groups of students while building your school’s overall collective efficacy. Let us know what you think!

Today, we hear the rallying cry for equity all around us. Education leaders champion its cause, but how seamlessly is the work folded into their everyday practice? Equity cannot stand alone or be part of a title given to some person working somewhere in the organization. For it to be realized, school and district leaders must see it as inseparable from other aspects of leadership and create systems that activate it in every classroom, for every student. In this episode, listen as two recognized superintendents share how they unpack and operationalize equity in their schools.Let us know what you think!

Covid. Book bans. Polarizing legislation. The last few years have been relentless in their efforts to pull district leaders’ attentions away from the normal business of running schools. But some leaders have remained a true beacon of light, keeping everyone’s eye on what is best for students. They remind educators that it is not SEL, or academics, or inclusion, but all of the above if we want an effective response to current challenges; that courage is the trait that precedes all others when deciding how to respond in a crisis. Listen as four leaders from all over the country show how they use their “spirit” to stay focused, build belonging, and successfully lead their schools. Let us know what you think!

For the first time in recent history, school leaders have five generations in their schools: Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z (entering as brand-new teachers), and Gen Alpha students. In this far-reaching episode, Peter DeWitt and Mark White discuss how schools can leverage new technology to reach their youngest teachers and students, how to retain and attract more Millennials and Gen Z teachers, and how to move from managing to coaching with all generations. Let us know what you think!

In schools, the logistics of how our teams work together are just as important as what we work together to do. In this super practical episode, organizational development expert Anthony Kim shares better habits for school leadership teams to adopt. Anthony is the CEO of Education Elements and the author of The New Team Habits and The New School Rules. Let us know what you think!