Throughout the summer, Dr. Janet Pilcher has had the privilege of interviewing exceptional leaders and teachers from educational organizations across the country. Join her as she reflects on how these individuals demonstrate a strong commitment to excellence through their relentless focus on continuous improvement. Listen as she highlights how prioritizing improvement over mere accountability lays the foundation for sustained success in education.

Recommended Resources: Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework, Preparing Students for Success from Kindergarten and Beyond, Recalibrate to an Improvement Lens, Raise the Bar with a Growth Mindset, Moving from Hope to Action, Classroom Improvement That Empowers Students

WRiE Information & Registration:
Engage with your peers and learn to Hardwire Excellence in Education at our annual K-12 leadership event, What's Right in Education. Visit studereducation.com/wrie to see the full speaker agenda and register. Seats are filling up quickly!

What can you achieve when you collaborate with students to identify their learning barriers and make a plan to overcome them? According to Kristen Anderson, Director of Instructional Development, and Cheyenne Roberts, Teaching and Learning Specialist, the answer is collective efficacy. Join Dr. Janet Pilcher along with Kristen and Cheyenne as they discuss Hemet Unified School District's classroom improvement journey. Listen as they share how a student-centered improvement framework is impacting  achievement in math and creating a collaborative culture.

Recommended Resources: Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework, Moving from Hope to Action, Continuous Improvement through Leadership

WRiE Information & Registration:
Engage with your peers and learn to Hardwire Excellence in Education at WRiE 2024: studereducation.com/wrie

As Dr. Christi Barrett from Hemet Unified School District reminds us in this episode, "Hope is not a plan." For meaningful improvement to occur, she emphasizes that leaders must use hope to fuel intentional actions. Join Dr. Janet Pilcher as she engages with Christi to discuss Hemet's ongoing improvement journey, with a special focus on their recent classroom initiatives. Listen as Christi highlights the crucial role of building trust with all stakeholders and explains how, once trust is established, intentional actions are driving significant improvements in student learning across the district.

Recommended Resources: Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework, Continuous Improvement through Leadership, Simple Strategies for Classroom Improvement, Unrelenting Commitment to Improvement

WRiE Information & Registration:
Engage with your peers and learn to Hardwire Excellence in Education at WRIE 2024: studereducation.com/wrie

Creating a learning environment modeled on a healthy family unit might sound unconventional, but at Child Development Centers of Erie, Pennsylvania, it works. Join County Director Pam Sampsell and Lead Preschool Teacher Kaylee Kellerman as they share with Dr. Janet Pilcher their unique approach to help students ages 0-5 learn emotional self regulation. Listen as Pam and Kaylee share how classroom families and "wishing well" routines foster a sense of belonging and mutual respect so all kids in their care can thrive.

Recommended Resources: Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework, Innovation for the Whole Child, Preparing Students for Success from Kindergarten and Beyond

WRiE Information & Registration:
Engage with your peers and learn to hardwire Excellence in Education at WRIE 2024: studereducation.com/wrie

Can you believe we've reached episode 350? Join Dr. Janet Pilcher in celebrating this milestone as she expresses her heartfelt gratitude to you. Listen as she encourages you to recognize someone this week by handwriting a thank-you note. And be inspired as she shares her own note of appreciation for you.

Recommended Resources: Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework, Transform Culture with Reward and Recognition, The Power of Reward and Recognition, Creating a Culture of Recognition

WRiE Information & Registration:
Early bird registration and discounted pricing open now through July 31, 2024. studereducation.com/wrie

Good leaders listen humbly, and as Dr. Janet Pilcher often says, they pay ridiculous attention to details. Join Janet and Dr. Kraig Sproles, Superintendent of Bethel School District, as they explore the intersection of analytical and interpersonal approaches in their leadership practices. Listen as Kraig shares his candid thoughts on failing forward, all in service of getting better at getting better for the students his district serves.

This episode answers questions such as:

• What's the difference between a strategic plan that sits on a shelf and a strategic plan that transforms the way you teach and reach your students?
• What role does humble listening play in the continuous improvement process?
• How does "failing forward" evolve from a challenge into a catalyst for growth?

Recommended Resources: Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework, Round for Employee Retention, Pause, Reflect, and Plan for Progress

WRiE Information & Registration:
Early bird registration and discounted pricing open now through July 31, 2024. studereducation.com/wrie

How do leaders stay true to their values during challenging times? And how do they respond to critical incidents and make tough decisions? Listen and learn as Dr. Janet Pilcher and Dr. Pat Greco continue part two of their reflective conversation from last week where they address these questions and underscore how developing their people is at the heart of everything they do.

Recommended Resources: Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework, Lean In, Stay Curious, and Other Leadership Lessons, Building the Leadership Muscle to Improve Hiring and Retention

WRiE Information & Registration:
Early bird registration and discounted pricing open now through July 31, 2024. studereducation.com/wrie

What is impactful leadership? According to Dr. Janet Pilcher and returning guest, Dr. Pat Greco, it's all about making a difference, having a clear purpose, and creating meaningful and positive experiences for those they lead and serve. Listen now to hear part one of Janet and Pat's conversation about their key learnings over the past year, what it means to be a level ten leader, and lessons from the classroom they'll never forget.

Recommended Resources: Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework, Building the Leadership Muscle to Improve Hiring and Retention, Getting Better at Getting Better, Leadership Development is a Lifeline

WRiE Information & Registration:
Early bird registration and discounted pricing open now through July 31, 2024. studereducation.com/wrie

Join Dr. Janet Pincher for a special conversation with Dr. Chris Hartley, Deputy Executive Director at the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence. Together they discuss the evolving educational priorities from both state and national perspectives. They also dig into California’s approach in building coherence around the services provided to all districts in California. Listen now to hear how Dr. Hartley says California is working to break down silos and showcase exemplar practices.

Recommended Resources: Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework, Service in the Relationship Business, Recalibrate to an Improvement Lens

WRiE Information & Registration:
Early bird registration and discounted pricing open now through July 31, 2024. studereducation.com/wrie

What's more important than accountability? Join Dr. Janet Pilcher as she interviews Superintendent Bradley Roberson from the Oxford School District, who emphasizes the importance of focusing on daily actions that truly make a difference. Listen as he highlights the significance of creating a workplace culture that celebrates innovation, recognizes small wins, and promotes trust.

This episode answers questions such as:

• What does it mean to shift from a lens of accountability to a lens of continuous improvement?
• How does focusing on actions rather than just goals help in achieving better outcomes?
• What are some ways building administrators use rounding to identify and solve school-wide problems?

Recommended Resources: Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework, Raise the Bar with a Growth Mindset, Cascading Scorecards to Achieve Continuous Improvement: The Oxford School District's Journey, Build a Culture of Improvement

What learning gains can students make when their teachers and leaders are practicing a growth mindset? Join Dr. Janet Pilcher as she interviews Principal Patches Calhoun and teacher Ms. LaTonya Smith from Della Davidson Elementary in Oxford, MS. Listen now to learn what it takes to create an inspiring workplace where mindset matters and students achieve phenomenal outcomes.

This episode addresses questions such as:

• How does creating a positive workplace culture enhance teacher motivation and increase student achievement?
• What specific actions do school leaders take to make teachers feel valued and supported?
• What challenges do classroom teachers face, and how can leaders help alleviate these challenges?

Recommended Resources: Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework, Building Trust with Teachers and Supporting Them, Align Behaviors with Goals and Values, Why Does Recognition Matter?

It may be the start of the summer, but it's prime planning time for educational leaders. Join Dr. Janet Pilcher as she explores three ways to think about building inspiring workplaces for our staff and inspiring classrooms for our students for the upcoming school year. Listen now as she highlights how educators and leaders can create remarkable experiences for all students all the time.

This episode addresses questions such as:

• What are some key lessons in building inspiring schools and workplaces?
• How can we provide remarkable experiences for our students?

Recommended Resources: Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework,  Spur Success with Audacious Goals, The Value of Kindness, Creating the Momentum to Achieve Organizational Excellence in Education Systems

How can school districts effectively cascade and communicate strategic plans? Join Dr. Janet Pilcher as she interviews Superintendent Todd Antony and Principal Jared Schaffer from the School District of Onalaska to hear how they emphasize clarity and alignment so people at all levels can be highly engaged and connected to the work of continuous improvement. Listen now as they discuss the role of scorecards and short cycles of improvement in driving meaningful change in their district.

This episode addresses questions such as:

• What is the difference between having a strategic plan and operationalizing a strategic plan?
• What role do scorecards and short cycles of improvement play in the process of cascading a strategic plan from the district level to the school level?
• How does a strategic plan build clarity and alignment for employees and students?

Recommended Resources: Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework, Plan Strategically for Success, The Power of Collaboration in Strategic Planning, Plan and Execute for Organizational Excellence

What insights and lessons can be unpacked from the previous school year? Join Dr. Janet Pilcher as she interviews Dr. Charan Cline, Superintendent of Redmond School District, to hear how he utilizes reflective practice to identify both bright spots and challenges. Listen as Dr. Cline elaborates on how scorecard and survey results are an opportune moment for reflection before diving into decision-making. 

This episode addresses questions such as:

• How are scorecards and surveys useful in the reflection and planning process?
• How can leaders prioritize continuous learning and growth?
• How do rounding conversations clarify purpose and promote engagement within teams?

Recommended Resources: Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework, Pause, Reflect, and Plan for Progress, Moving from Reflection to Action

Purposefully pausing and reflecting paves the way for improvements and adjustments to be made in the upcoming school year. Join Dr. Janet Pilcher as she interviews Dr. Kathy Oropallo, a Leader Coach at Studer Education, to hear how she coaches her partners to evaluate the effectiveness of past strategies, celebrate wins, and address challenges. Kathy explains how tools like leader rounding and plus delta capture real-time data and shares insights on how she coaches leaders to move from reflection to action.

This episode addresses questions such as:

• What are the most important steps of the reflection process?
• How can leaders evaluate the effectiveness of past strategies?
• How can the insights gained during the reflection process be translated into actionable steps to take?

Recommended Resources: Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework, Pause, Reflect, and Plan for Progress, Transform Communities by Transforming Schools, Make Way for Improvement

The end of the school year is packed with obligations and events, but making time to pause, reflect, and plan for the upcoming school year is essential for continued growth. Join Dr. Janet Pilcher as she advises leaders to pause and reflect on organizational results and the alignment and consistency of leadership practices. Listen as Janet presents questions to guide leaders through this reflection, empowering them to plan for success in the year ahead.

This episode addresses questions such as:

• How does gaining feedback allow leaders to "get better at getting better"?
• What is the importance of pausing and reflecting before the planning process begins?
• How can leaders successfully measure that their priorities support the achievement of positive results, both organizationally and individually?

Recommended Resources: Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework, Reflect to Improve Your Leadership, Mindfulness and Reflection Practices for Leaders and Teams, The Power of Pause

Can effective leadership create ripple effects that extend beyond school walls? Join Dr. Janet Pilcher as she connects with Lisa Nellessen Savage of the Pensacola News Journal to highlight the impact of CivicCon on the Pensacola community, and continue listening as she interviews Dr. Angela Bush of Jefferson County Schools, a recent CivicCon presenter, to hear how she spearheaded school improvement efforts that became a catalyst for community transformation. Listen as Dr. Bush emphasizes two of the Nine Principles that have shaped her leadership and explains how the principles she hardwired at Erwin Middle School can be replicated in any school.

This episode addresses questions such as:

• What are the broader impacts of successful leadership within an organization or community?
• How can well developed systems and processes be hardwired into an organization?
• What does it look like in practice to develop leaders to develop people?

Recommended Resources: Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework, From CSI to a Top 5 School: Erwin Middle, a Jefferson County Success Story, Watch CivicCon: Learn how to lead a school out of low performance with Angela Bush, Align Behaviors with Goals and Values

What strategies can leaders use to navigate resistance to change and encourage employee buy-in? Join Dr. Janet Pilcher as she engages in a conversation with Mrs. Aubree Short, Principal of Los Tules Middle School in Tulare, California, to hear how surveys and rounding have proven to be pivotal tools in her journey toward school improvement. Aubree explains how post-COVID data revealed a need for improvement in climate and culture for both students and teachers. Listen as she reveals how collaboration amongst high performing employees has transformed Los Tules from a trauma-informed school to a trauma-sensitive school through the implementation of the Ready to Learn program. 

This episode answers questions such as:

• How do data-driven insights transform school culture?
• What role do high-performing employees play in rolling out organizational changes?
• How can rounding with students and teachers be used to improve the change process?

Recommended Resources: Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework, Charting the Course: Leadership Strategies for Managing Change in Education, Coaching High Performers Through Resistance to Change, Fostering Resilient Learners

Inviting input from high performers early and often in the change process is one of the major keys to managing resistance in organizations. Join Dr. Janet Pilcher as she welcomes Dr. Charlotte Boling, a Leader Coach at Studer Education, to share how she coaches her partners to proactively prepare employees for success throughout the change process.  Listen as Charlotte elaborates on the necessity of "facing the brutal facts"  and explains how engaging high performers helps leaders to identify potential challenges and provide necessary support through organizational shifts.

This episode addresses questions such as:

• How does "facing the brutal facts" help leaders implement change?
• What proactive measures can leaders take to set up employees for success throughout the change process?
• How can leaders create a supportive culture that encourages feedback from high performers?

Recommended Resources: Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework, Charting the Course: Leadership Strategies for Managing Change in Education, Resistance to Change, Connecting with High Performers

How can leaders support high performers through organizational change? Join Dr. Janet Pilcher to hear actionable strategies for managing resistance to change among top performers. Listen now to hear how leaders can effectively guide employees through each phase of change, ensure a smoother transition process, and maintain high performance through organizational shifts.

This episode addresses questions such as:

• What are the four phases of change, and why are they important to understand?
• Why do high performers sometimes struggle with change despite their past successes?
• How can leaders involve high performers throughout the change process?

Recommended Resources: Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework, Charting the Course: Leadership Strategies for Managing Change in Education, Pay Attention to the Right Work, Did That Question Catch You Off Guard?

What is rounding like in action? Join Dr. Janet Pilcher as she interviews Dr. Deanna Ashby, Senior Director of Coaching at Studer Education, to hear about how rounding has positively impacted three of her partner districts in Kentucky. DeDe shares insights into how Graves County, Oldham County, and Meade County Schools have each customized rounding to build meaningful connections, share feedback and action steps, and address specific needs. Listen now as Janet and DeDe role play an actual rounding conversation about DeDe’s experiences at the Kentucky School Board Association conference, providing a firsthand example of what rounding entails.

This episode addresses questions such as: 

• How can rounding help leaders build connections to recruit and retain employees?
• Who should leaders round with, and how often?
• What results have partner districts experienced as a result of implementing rounding strategies?

Recommended Resources: Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework, Create Connections Through Rounding, Rounding for Success: A Superintendent's Journey from Skepticism to Impact, Rounding with Purpose

How do we build great workplace cultures to keep exceptional employees on our team? Join Dr. Janet Pilcher, author of Hardwiring Excellence in Education,, as she explains how rounding is key to building environments where employees feel motivated and deeply connected to their work. Janet emphasizes how rounding helps leaders address any challenges that get in the way of employees being able to do their best work and demonstrates how rounding can be used to recognize bright spots and people who are doing good work. Listen now to learn to how we round, why we round, and what questions to ask our employees when we round.

This episode addresses questions such as:

• How does rounding build a deep connection between employees and their work?
• What key questions should drive rounding conversations?
• How can the 3 to 1 tactic be utilized in rounding conversations to build an emotional bank account?

Recommended Resources: Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework, Master the Art of Feedback, Essential Components of Healthy Workplace Cultures, Rounding for Success: A Superintendent's Journey from Skepticism to Impact

How can school districts prioritize amplifying student voice? Join Dr. Janet Pilcher, author of Hardwiring Excellence in Education, as she explores the impact of student feedback with Dr. Candace Pelt-Perez, Superintendent of Central Linn School District, and Celeste Van Cleave, District Business Manager. Together, they discuss the integration of student surveys into short-term improvement cycles, resulting in significant outcomes such as collaborating with students to address school bus safety concerns and expanding cafeteria menu choices. Listen now to learn how the collaboration between students and adults continues to drive positive cultural shifts within Central Linn School District.

This episode answers questions such as:

• What role does student input play in the overall strategic planning process? 
• How can results from student surveys be used to identify and implement short term cycles of improvement?
• How does the partnership between students and adults cultivate trust and goodwill?

Recommended Resources: Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework, Building Bridges: A Superintendent’s Journey to Create a Community-Driven Strategic Plan,  Using Student Voice to Help Shape District Plans, Continuous Improvement to Support Students
 

It’s one thing to create a strategic plan, but it’s another altogether to execute it with precision. Join Dr. Janet Pilcher, author of Hardwiring Excellence in Education, as she speaks with Superintendent Brian Sica of Banks School District to hear how he initiated the strategic planning process and began regularly implementing short cycles of improvement during his first year as superintendent. Listen as Dr. Sica highlights specific needs and challenges his district faced as well as the critical role of balancing culture and strategy throughout the process of achieving organizational excellence.

This episode addresses questions such as:

• What steps can leaders take to establish trust within the community?
• How do culture and strategy intertwine to support organizational success?
• How can strategic planning build trust and foster professional growth within the leadership team?

Recommended Resources: Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework, Plan Strategically for Success, The Power of Collaboration in Strategic Planning, Building Bridges: A Superintendent’s Journey to Create a Community-Driven Strategic Plan

How do leading organizations stay ahead of the curve? Join Dr. Janet Pilcher, author of Hardwiring Excellence in Education, as she delves into the intricacies of strategic planning with Dr. Casey Blochowiak, a Coach Senior Director at Studer Education. As a companion to last week’s high-level overview of strategic planning, this week’s episode dives into crucial aspects like how to form a strong steering committee and the pivotal role of executive leadership throughout the planning process. Listen now to also hear a roleplay between Janet and Casey demonstrating how coaches collaborate with partners to set a clear strategic vision for organizational excellence. 

This episode answers questions such as:

• What is the role of coaches in the strategic planning process?
• How do you select members for the strategic planning team, and what role do they play?
• How does strategic planning help organizations navigate industry trends and future challenges?

Recommended Resources: Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework, Plan Strategically for Success,  Mindfulness and Reflection Practices for Leaders and Teams, Listen to People to Continuously Improve