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March 12, 2018
In this episode of the We Love Schools podcast, host Joel Gagne is joined by Heidi Feller, Chief Inspiration Officer for #SocialSchool4edu, and her mentor, Jeri Springstead.
Joel asks Jeri and Heidi about the power of mentors, and how Jeri inspired Heidi to become a German teacher in Wisconsin.
March 9, 2018
In this episode of the We Love Schools podcast, host Carole Dorn-Bell speaks with Dr. Denver J. Fowler, author of the forthcoming book The 21st Century School Leader: Leading Schools in Today’s World. Dr. Fowler is an Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, Graduate and Professional Studies in Education at California State University, Sacramento. Carole and Dr. Fowler discuss the book, how it came about, and what he hopes people take away from it.
December 19, 2017
We Love Schools Podcast Host Joel Gagne talks with Elsa Huxley, former president of the Maury Elementary School Parent Teacher Association, or PTA. The two answer the question “What is a PTA?” while also covering the basics of how PTAs and PTOs work as well as well as explaining their importance.
December 11, 2017
Host Carole Dorn-Bell speaks with Franco Gallo (superintendent of Keystone Local School District), Maura Neville (principal of Keystone Elementary) and Jake Alferio (assistant principal of Keystone Elementary) about The Energy Bus School.
March 27, 2017
This week, Joel Gagne is joined by Dr. Phillip Price, retired superintendent and Executive Director of the Midwest Suburban Superintendent’s Association.
In analyzing strong educational leadership, Dr. Price says he looks to see what an individual was like as a teacher.
“I think it’s extremely helpful, because you understand what’s going on in the classroom,” he says. “Not just observe it, but understand.”
March 13, 2017
In this episode, Joel Gagne speaks with Dorie Clark, marketing strategy consultant, professional speaker, and author of the books Stand Out and Reinventing You.
Clark brings her experience as a branding and communications expert and applies it to the challenges facing school administrators.
Optics, she says, are important in being an educational leader: You want to be a leader that both listens and is willing to take charge.
February 28, 2017
September 19, 2016
We’ve talked time and time again about the key component of crisis communication is to already have a communications plan in place and a good relationship with your community so they’ll trust you when an emergency hits. This week we’re talking with Dr. Joe Clark, Superintendent of Nordonia Schools in Northfield, Ohio, about leadership and communications when a crisis hits.
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July 26, 2016
Last year when Starbucks announced its #RaceTogether initiative, the backlash was quick and relentless. The idea of having authentic conversations about race relations between Starbucks baristas and customers appeared to be contrived, a publicity stunt and an elitist, narrow-minded, savior-complex way of approaching a serious and complicated issue that requires the voices of people who aren’t spending $4 on a latte each day. The initiative was considered by most to be a failure and as public relations experts rehashed what went wrong, it was a clear that no matter how well intentioned the Starbucks initiative, there remained a disconnect in delivery, execution and tone.
So how do we talk about serious issues in this coffee-to-go, Twitter-feed world? Or should we even try? Is it possible to talk about race, class, gender and sexual orientation in a real way on a Facebook timeline or in a podcast? How do you balance speed with substance?
July 21, 2016
Good leadership is something all school administrators aspire to. It is something that takes years of study, years of practice and years of growth, assessment, re-growth. So how can a blog post help improve leadership skills? In the same way mantras reinforce what we already know, an article on leadership reminds us of why and how good leadership is so important to us as educators. As we prepare for a new school year, there’s no better time to recommit and refocus our goal for effective leadership that inspires our school.
Effective leadership is easy to talk about — just do a quick search for inspirational posters! — and of course, it is a difficult and lifelong task to accomplish. We talk to a lot of great leaders on our podcast and they often emphasize the importance of continued learning, continued inspiration and continued growth. To that end, we’ve compiled some of our favorite tips from these leaders and our own experience to help reframe your leadership goals for this coming year.