Transformative Principal

We are excited to have SchoolAI as a sponsor for the Summer of AI Series on Transformative Principal. Please visit schoolai.com to save your teachers 10 hours per week. In this podcast episode, primary educator and entrepreneur Emily Garcia discusses the science of reading and the role of teachers versus AI in teaching children to read. While there is systemic and explicit phonics-based instruction that is necessary for effective reading instruction, there are also many factors that prevent AI from being able to fully replace teachers. Teachers provide multiple inputs and value in partner reading and are necessary for building a classroom community and managing the classroom. However, when applicable, teachers should use AI as a tool to enhance their teaching methods. The decision of when to use AI should be made during PLCs and based on what is working for the students.This episode is brought to you by AILeader.info, where you can learn all about AI specifically in a place designed for educators through 3-mi

Dave Hurwitt is an innovator. Over the course of his career, he’s led the development and launch of new products and services – from toothpicks to wind turbines – that have generated well over $1 billion in sales. Having worked in admissions through grad school, he was amazed by how little technology and the internet had impacted the college search and admissions process. And even more, he was dismayed to discover how often students were transferring or dropping out altogether. In early 2020, this led directly to his founding Troove, a 2-sided, AI-powered platform to help students discover their passions, people, and place based on the real experiences of recent alumni and current higher education students.This episode is brought to you by AILeader.info, where you can learn all about AI specifically in a place designed for educators through 3-minute masterclasses.  How Troove works Take the idea of suggestions from Netflix or Amazon and apply it to college. 15-minute quiz, how do you ask the right questions t

In this episode, Jethro and Fred discuss chatbots and artificial intelligence. The episode covers the history of chatbots, including the Turing Test and the development of Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, Bing, and Jasper. The potential uses and issues with chatbots are explored, including incomplete or misinformation, theft of intellectual property, inappropriate uses, and threats to various types of jobs. The episode also touches on the impact of chatbots on education and the potential for the weaponization of disinformation, cybersecurity, and more emotion-targeted advertising. Beginning of Cybertraps Podcast Episode Index Writebettr.com - test out AI with your poorly written emails AILeader.info - learn about AI and how to use it to save time with 3-minute masterclasses. Today’s Topic: Bot’s Up, Doc? Keynote delivered at last minute for Alaska Society for Technology in Education Artificial Life and Artificial IntelligenceWhy chatbots are NOT “artificial intelligence” – yet “The Father of C

Based in wonder and optimism, Nancy Giordano is an exponential strategist focused on building a safe, inclusive, thriving future. Believing we have a once in a generation opportunity to rethink, reimagine and reshape every industry and social construct we call life, she supports and champions those actively architecting bold solutions and guides the visionary leaders eager to meet this call. An active strategist working on horizon solutions, Nancy is eager to share her insights on emerging technologies and shifting cultural expectations in ways that get everyone deeply motivated by the possibilities…and confident to start building.This episode is brought to you by AILeader.info, where you can learn all about AI specifically in a place designed for educators through 3-minute masterclasses.  Life hack - make up your job Job is labeled or defined Can’t use a map anymore, so we need a compass - What does the future need and expect, and what am I in a unique position to create and contribute Compass allows you to

This episode is part of the Summer of AI series presented by AILeader.info. AILeader.info makes the abstract actionable by helping you stay on the cutting edge with 3-minute masterclasses that teach you what you need to know about AI in just 3 minutes or less. To join, go to AILeader.info Got key people to be successful.  Curriculum alignment  Instructional rigor  advanced models for schools  Teacher Planning - is the source of what teachers are doing.  Is ChatGPT the best for lesson planning?  More advanced models exist.  Machine Learning will actually remember the moves and methods of a teacher.  Almost like having a coach built into your model.  Bard with Google  ASU+GSV conference FineTune - If you’re serious, you need better language models.  Provides references to everything that it creates.  School districts can go in with more confidence because there is less bias.  AI is going to be the path.  Dual challenge for school districts - figure out a policy on AI  Don’t worry about AI taking your job, worr

Dr. Tucker brings a unique perspective with a lifetime of learning experiences overseas and in the United States. Having grown up traveling back and forth between Africa and the United States he experienced a variety of learning environments. He credits his mom, his first homeschool teacher, teachers at an international school, and numerous Missouri educators for his decision to pursue a career in education. His experiences have influenced his commitment to designing learner-centered educational experiences.He currently serves as the Superintendent of Liberty Public Schools. During his time in LPS, the District opened EPiC Elementary (2022 National Blue Ribbon School), partnered with industry to create Kansas City Tech Academy, established the UnSchool Challenge, and rolled out several micro schools including HMS by Design, EDGE, North Nation By Design, and Warren Hills Reimagined. These innovations evolved through a commitment to answering the question, “What does it mean to be learner-centered?” and always

In this episode, Jethro Jones introduces the Summer of AI Series on Transformative Principal. All summer, we’ve got some great interviews scheduled to come out with believers, skeptics, and everyone in between all about AI. Join the conversation by joining our Facebook group hereAnd, Jethro also shares the AILeader.info resource, a membership site to help you learn how to save time and energy by learning how to use AI most effectively as a school leader. Join here. Jethro also shares the APLUS framework for adopting AI in schools:  Accessibility: Ensure that AI-driven educational tools and resources are accessible to all learners, regardless of their backgrounds, abilities, or disabilities. Design AI systems that accommodate diverse learning styles and provide inclusive learning experiences for all students. Privacy and Ethics: Uphold strong ethical standards in the design, development, and deployment of AI technologies in education. Safeguard student privacy, ensuring transparent data collection and usage pr

This is a continuation of our coaching calls with Eric Makelky. Please check our previous episodes 532527523 519 514, 510, 506, and 501In this episode, we talk about onboarding new staff.  What Eric has done that has been helpful. District duties and Principal duties. How do we make people stick around? New Teacher Academy - in-house teachers come in and model, share, and showcase practices from their classroom. In-house people leading these things. Half-day around the building - basic information. Make a list, and trickle in during the summer. And what do they really need to be ready for the first day of school? Resources, curriculum, plan, classroom management. Big Picture vs. Details. How do you do that? Trello Board about onboarding How do you avoid overwhelming them? Identify what is really valuable and what is extra Mentoring new teachers How do you not force mentoring on teachers? Collaborative teams within PLCs. Solid mentor Mentorship is done according to the needs of the mentee It’s about mentoring

Danny Bauer is a  Principal Development & Retention Expert Best Selling Author And Host of Two of the World’s Most Downloaded Podcasts As the Chief Ruckus Maker, he founded Better Leaders Better Schools in 2015. In this episode, we talk about his new book and other various and random things.  Why an experimental mindset is so important. Deliver a result in as few words as possible Build Leadership Momentum Gift yourself a 3-hour deep work block Perfect principal entry plan John Unger - after I started this all the stress was gone. Should veteran school leaders still pick up this book? How to get out of your own head? Imagine worst-case scenarios. I’ve already imagined worse than this. What would it take for you to hold this with an open hand? Outcomes are never in your control, inputs are. 5 categories within the framework - start with the individual school leader, ruckus maker mindset tool. Everything else builds on top of each other and leads to Significant and legacy work is not found in operations. Th

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Robert Feirsen and Dr. Seth Weitzman about their new book From Conflict to Collaboration: A School Leader’s Guide to Unleashing Conflict’s Problem-Solving Power.We talk about how to avoid conflict, the three A’s to approach conflict, and much more.About the GuestsDr. Robert Feirsen is currently an associate professor and coordinator of the Educational Leadership Program at Manhattanville College. Previously, he was assistant professor and chair of the Education Department at the New York Institute of Technology. A former SAANYS member, Dr. Feirsen enjoyed a distinguished career in P-12 schools. As a school building leader in Westchester and Nassau Counties, he served as an elementary school principal, a middle school assistant principal, and a middle school principal. At the central office level, he served as an assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, deputy superintendent, and superintendent of schools. Dr. Feirsen taught at the elementary, middle, and high

Shelley Groves is an assistant superintendent of a Career Technical Education Planning District in Ohio. In this podcast, she shares her experiences with CTE, work-based learning experiences, how she keeps kids from failing, and how she has changed the curriculum to give students more choice while still focusing on the standards. She also talks about the collaboration between the two campuses and the Focus Friday pilot program that has helped to build more effective relationships. In Ohio, CTE can be delivered several different ways: career technical planning district One exceptional experience. 2 campuses, Fairfield and Franklin Counties Only juniors and seniors. From career exploration to workforce development. How far do kids have to travel. 1 hour bus ride for some. Perkins funding comes with CTE. Required to have work-based learning experiences. Failure is not an option. My students don’t fail, because I don’t give them an option. Kids are leaving and working on the job. AASA last year - listening to one

This is a continuation of our coaching calls with Eric Makelky. Please check in our previous episodes 527, 523, 519, 514, 510, 506, and 501In this episode we talk about dealing with difficult parents. - Celebration - Just calling someone who applied. - Someone applying - Reaching out immediately - Making it personal. - Parents - How to get them on your team? - 25–30 parents now on the advisory council. - Challenges with parents - Being a successful principal is about being popular and making everyone happy. - Parents can be really challenging. - Education is the parents’ responsibility and we are here to help out. - What about when there isn’t a reason? - I’m recording this conversation…Me, too. - Would you like me to send a copy to you? - Intimidation approaches - Next time: so many things to learn that I didn’t have things in place for helping new staff. How do I help new staff transition in? Sponsors Transformative Principal MastermindLead a school everyone can be proud of.Being a principal is tough work.

Jack Arend joined the AWSP team in July 2019. He has served in education since 1989 as an elementary, middle and high school music teacher. He began his building leadership career in the fall of 2006 as the principal of Peter G. Schmidt Elementary in the Tumwater School District. After eleven years in the principalship, he served two years at the Central Office level overseeing multiple content areas and mentoring first year teachers. Jack and his wife are both graduates of Washington State University. Jack received his Masters Degree from Western Washington University and his Administrative credentials from Seattle Pacific University. Jack and his wife Brenda enjoy living in the Olympia area and love spending time with their three children, Amanda, Emily, and Thomas. The Move Up Workshop online version is now closed, but if you are interested, you can join the waitlist at my web site Move Up workshop Do you see your school vision in your classroom observations Professional Learning is self-care for the scho

Ryan Henton is the Assistant Principal at 450-student Castle Rock High School. He’s in his 15th year as an educator and his first year as an administrator. Previous to administration, he was an English teacher teaching everything from 6th grade to English AP, in California and now in Castle Rock. In this episode, we talk about Ryan’s experience at the Move Up workshop which you can join virtually starting next week! Worksheet hanging on his wall. Helped me focus more learning on the job is so fast and furious. Show up Lead Up, Level Up Ryan’s one thing is “How to make today a WIN.” Moving from Prevention to Promotion mindset. Focusing on his destination. Did I make the right move? So many hats to wear and so many things to do. I always went home feeling not successful. The workshop helped me see things in a different way. Connecting with other assistant principals. Format | Calendar | popped up | | ———– | ———————- | | Podcast | bullying investigation | | JV Practice | Meet with parents | This workshop was an

In this interview, Jethro talks with Lynn Hardin about the Move Up Workshop.  We're so grateful to our sponsor AI Coach by Edthena. AI Coach enables your teachers to go through coaching cycles based on their own needs. The virtual coach guides teachers to reflect on their teaching, set a goal, and create an action plan… all based on gathering classroom evidence. It gives support between PD days  and other coaching cycles.Get a free trial for your teachers here.

On this episode we talk about the Move Up Workshop, where you will learn how to show up, lead up and level up so you can move up. Are you ready to move up? Take the 2-minute assessment here and see for yourself. Shaun Cornwall is a seasoned educator and administrator dedicated to delivering top-notch education to all learners. Shaun embraces a well-rounded approach to education, focusing on academic, engineering, artistic, wellness, and social-emotional aspects. With a 20-year background in education, he has served as an Assistant Principal, Dean of Students, and elementary-level classroom teacher. He is currently serving as an assistant principal in the issaquah school district. Shaun has a knack for incorporating technology into learning environments and has successfully developed STEM programs during his career. With a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and a principal’s license, he is also an active member of ASCD and AWSEP, and has contributed to STEM conferences and the NSTA’s Science Scope journ

Ben Ziegler started his teaching career in SW Washington back in 2009. For a decade now, he has been a part of the Battle Ground School District, and for the past four years, he has been serving as an administrator. Throughout his tenure, Ben has held various positions, including a Dean for Students at the high school level, three years as an elementary AP, and currently, he is an AP at the middle school level. On this episode we talk about the Move Up Workshop, where you will learn how to show up, lead up and level up so you can move up. Are you ready to move up? Take the 2-minute assessment here and see for yourself. What was most valuable from the workshop you attended with Jethro?  Getting our mission/vision statements into our observations. How we are aligning in our vision and mission Coherence - aligning academics and social emotional. TPEP What is your one thing? Being aware 2x a day, ask myself if I’m aware. Helping teachers be more willing to try new things and do different things. How has your one

Take our free quiz to see if you’re ready to become a principal! Get personalized feedback and actionable steps for improvement. Start your journey to educational leadership success today! In this episode, we are continuing our coaching conversations with Eric. Please check in our previous episodes 523 519 514, 510, 506, and 501 We are talking about how we finally met in person! We have known each other for years, but haven't met yet! Here's the outline of the rest of what we talk about:  Schoolai.com Chapter on hiring from How to be a Transformative Principal Recruiting and hiring What do we need to do differently to be more flexible Knowing how few applicants there are, how can we recruit differently?  What is good? Easy to fill out applications Vacancies open sooner Early for traditional  What do you not feel good about? Don’t know how much difference teacher fairs make or not Like having a presence at a job fair.  Very few graduates in programs Internet has changed the applica

In this episode, we’re bringing you a conversation from The Authority Podcast, part of the Be Podcast Network.  Today’s guest is international best-selling author and business leader Mark Miller, Vice President of High Performance Leadership for Chick-Fil-A.  Culture Rules: The Leader's Guide to Creating the Ultimate Competitive Advantage is Mark’s 11th book. He currently has over one million books in print in more than twenty-five languages. Ross and Mark discuss: 71% of U.S. leaders believe culture is their #1 most powerful tool to drive performance, but enhancing culture ranks low on their priority list — why the gap? First move: decide and declare what you're trying to create. Culture needs to be explicit.  The 3 Culture Rules: Aspire, Amplify, Adapt What does culture mean to your customers? Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella wanted to shift the company from being “know-it-alls” to “learn-it-alls” — what did Mark learn while working on the book? The “magic circle” of game design and how it explains culture.  Wh

This week on Transformative Principal, Jethro Jones shares a special episode where he was on a panel to discuss the current teacher shortage and what can be done. This was recorded for the Better Learning Podcast In this podcast, we discussed the following: - teachers that are leaving or doing really well. - How education has been a pink collar job and the impact that has on our day today - Empowering individuals - Addressing mentorship - Policy change vs. leadership decisions - Public Impact in North Carolina - Teacher Buy-in - Teachers want to connect - Playing with Teaching - Motivation - Leadership & culture - A discussion of money About the Panel:ists Michael Horn is the co-founder of the Clayton Christensen Institute and author of Blended and Disrupting Class, and the new book coming out this week called “Choosing College!”, which is the book we are talking about today! Charles Fournier is a High school English teacher and freelance podcaster at Wyoming Public Radio. Worked as an associate producer