The secret to a successful school year is to F.O.C.U.S. - Follow One Course Until Successful. And while that may ring true, HOW do you determine which course to follow? And, how can you stay the course in the midst of so many demands on your time, energy, and attention. We’ll tackle these questions today on this episode and I’ll share a really simple ONE plan you can use to identify the right things on which to focus, and drown out the other distractions #LikeABuilder.
Aug 13, 2025•25 min
If you’ve been doing everything they told you to do—giving feedback, supporting teachers, holding people accountable, working on culture—and still not seeing real change in your school, I made this episode for you. I’m breaking down why it feels like you’re doing all the right things and nothing’s moving and showing you the hidden trap that’s keeping you stuck. So, if you’ve been feeling tired, discouraged, or like nothing’s moving no matter how hard you work, this episode will help you see what...
Aug 06, 2025•33 min
In this episode, I’m talking about the double isolation that so many principals silently carry: First, the weight of being the only one in their building who can’t show weakness, who’s expected to solve everything, and who rarely gets support in return. And second, the loneliness of being a Builder in a district full of status-quo thinking where no one else seems to believe that 100% student success is even possible. If you’ve ever felt like you’re the only one who wants more for your school, th...
Jul 30, 2025•36 min
It’s go-time. The halls are getting decorated, the PD agendas are set, and you’re knee-deep in first-day prep. But here’s the hard truth: all that effort? It won’t build alignment. And if you’re not intentionally building alignment from Day 1, the best you can hope for is short-term compliance—and even that fades by fall. In this episode, I’ll unpack: Why alignment feels impossible during the back-to-school scramble (and why it’s not your fault) The hidden trap even good principals fall into thi...
Jul 23, 2025•36 min
Preservice week comes with a lot of pressure. You’re expected to set the tone, cast the vision, get everyone excited—and somehow make it all stick. But if you’ve ever walked into the year full of energy only to feel it unravel by October, this episode will show you why. I’m breaking down the three subtle mistakes that quietly sabotage alignment before the school year even begins, and how to avoid them. These aren’t about working harder or delivering the perfect motivational message. They’re abou...
Jul 16, 2025•29 min
For years, I believed that staff buy-in was the key to real school transformation. I thought that if I could just get everyone excited, inspired, and on board, the work would take care of itself. But I was wrong. In this episode, I’m breaking down why buy-in isn’t just ineffective, it’s actually a trap. Because if someone can buy in, they can also sell out. And that’s exactly what’s happening in schools everywhere. One minute your team’s nodding along, and the next they’re doing the opposite of ...
Jul 09, 2025•26 min
We tend to treat people problems as if they are all different and require different solutions for each situation. But in today's episode, I’m going to make the case that every people problem you face -- whether it’s a resistant teacher, a toxic culture, or a broken relationship with your team -- are all different versions of the exact same problem: A lack of Alignment. And, I’m also going to show you how the solutions we’ve been taught to apply -- writing people up, having tough conversations, w...
Jul 02, 2025•30 min
At their best, PLCs are a space where teachers solve real instructional problems, grow together, and make a measurable difference for students. But for too many schools, PLCs have become rigid, compliance-driven meetings that leave teachers disengaged and frustrated. In this episode, we unpack why most PLCs have lost their way—and what it takes to bring them back to life. You’ll discover the one thing every successful PLC does differently, the hidden reason your teams may be going through the mo...
Jun 25, 2025•36 min
It’s here! Our annual Summer Reading List episode, and it’s one of our most popular for a reason. This year, I’m sharing five non-education books every educator should read -- smart, practical, thought-provoking titles that weren’t written for school administrators but offer powerful insights every Builder can use. From rethinking professional development to designing systems that actually work, this year’s picks will help you design smarter systems, and create the kind of school culture where s...
Jun 18, 2025•48 min
You’ve got the vision. You’ve listened to the podcast. You’ve even started trying some Buildership moves in your school. But if you’re still piecing things together without a real plan or support, you’re not building—you’re borrowing. And borrowing might be the very thing holding you back. In this episode, we’re getting honest about what it really takes to go from “inspired” to in motion —and why dabbling in Buildership can’t deliver 100% success. This isn’t about pressure. It’s about possibilit...
Jun 11, 2025•31 min
If you’re always the one carrying the plan—chasing the deadlines, keeping the vision alive, and pushing things forward while your team drifts—this episode is for you. In this episode, I’m sharing the moment I realized traditional summer planning was setting school leaders up to fail. I’ll tell you the story that changed everything for me, why most SIPs fall apart by October, and how you can shift from compliance-based plans to ones your team actually owns. If you’re already thinking about next y...
Jun 04, 2025•29 min
You’re probably wrapping up the school year and already planning for next year, believing better plans mean better results. But what if that belief is fundamentally flawed? In this episode, discover why even your best plans fall apart without a compelling vision. Learn why Builders spend their summers differently—crafting visions that truly align and energize their teams. Stop wasting time on tactics that won't stick and make this the summer you build something truly transformative #LikeABuilder...
May 28, 2025•29 min
You’ve written your 100% Vision, embraced the language of Buildership, and maybe even started using some of the tools, but if you’re still making decisions, managing your team, and approaching your work like a leader, you’re going to stay stuck. In this episode, we’re unpacking the subtle ways leadership habits sneak back in, even when you believe in the vision, and why you can’t build a 100% school using the same strategies you used when you were chasing 5% gains. It’s not about working harder....
May 21, 2025•37 min
Everyone focuses on getting teachers to stay. Almost no one asks what we can learn when they leave. That’s why this week, we’re doing a replay of one of our most talked-about episodes. You’ll discover a deceptively simple but deeply powerful strategy that most school leaders overlook, and why skipping it could be costing you insight, trust, and long-term alignment. Even if you’ve heard it before, listen again with fresh ears. There’s a good chance what you missed last year is exactly what you ne...
May 14, 2025•30 min
It’s that time of year when everyone’s quietly tapping out. Teachers, students, even your best systems seem to be running on fumes. But what if the real problem isn’t burnout… it’s cultural drift? In this episode, we're digging into why the usual end-of-year leadership advice falls flat and what Builders do differently to keep staff meaningfully engaged in May. If you’re ready to finish the year with purpose and set the stage for a stronger year next year, this episode will show you how to do it...
May 07, 2025•35 min
Next week, schools everywhere are celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week. But, what if we’re celebrating the wrong things? In this episode, we explore how appreciation can unintentionally reinforce exhaustion, compliance, or martyrdom, and how Builders do it differently. You’ll learn how to use Teacher Appreciation Week as a strategic moment to reinforce your school’s vision, elevate your culture, and align your team for what comes next. From the Builder’s Appreciation Formula to powerful WOW mom...
Apr 30, 2025•32 min
What if one 15-minute conversation could give you more insight than a walkthrough, a post-observation conference, or a data meeting ever could? In this episode, I’m sharing how quarterly one-on-ones helped me build deeper alignment, spark authentic reflection, and finally understand what was really happening in classrooms. You’ll hear how I used them, what shifted, and why they’re the most powerful system most school administrators aren’t using (yet). If you’ve ever felt like you’re chasing acco...
Apr 23, 2025•32 min
When everything feels like it’s falling apart—mandates shift, morale dips, and chaos creeps into the day-to-day—most principals scramble to hold things together. But Builders do something different. Instead of reacting, they anchor. In this episode, Discover how the Buildership Model isn’t something you abandon in hard times—it’s what carries you through them. In fact, when time's get tough, Builders double down on purpose, people, and process because doing so isn’t idealistic, it’s strategic. I...
Apr 16, 2025•35 min
Ever had a boss shut down your work—not because it wasn’t working, but because it wasn’t their idea? In this episode, I’m talking about how to manage up like a Builder, especially when your boss is still stuck in traditional leadership thinking. I’ll share five practical strategies to help you protect your vision, navigate resistance, and keep building—even when your supervisor doesn’t see the value yet. Plus, I’ll show you how to turn that pushback into a powerful tool that actually advances yo...
Apr 09, 2025•41 min
Most principals treat the master schedule like a logistical puzzle—but what if the real problem isn’t the puzzle pieces, but the picture you're trying to build? In this episode, I unpack why master scheduling feels so frustrating, what fear is really driving all those revisions and pushbacks, and what it would look like to create a schedule that truly reflects your school’s vision. If you’re tired of last-minute chaos, endless tweaks, and staff confusion, this episode will change the way you see...
Apr 02, 2025•36 min
This week’s episode is more personal than most. I just learned that one of my longtime mentors is dying, and it’s made me pause and reflect on the profound impact mentorship has had on my journey. In this episode, I share what it really means to have a mentor , not just someone who gives advice, but someone who sees who you’re becoming and helps you grow into that vision. I also explore how the right mentor can change your trajectory, and why being in the right rooms with the right people matter...
Mar 26, 2025•35 min
Testing season is here, bringing intense pressure that can derail instruction, school culture, and teacher morale. With district mandates looming and high-stakes assessments weighing on students and staff, it’s easy for schools to shift into panic mode. But Builders take a different approach—one that prioritizes real learning while still achieving strong results. In this episode, discover how to navigate testing season without letting it consume your school, refocus on what truly moves the needl...
Mar 19, 2025•28 min
Every spring, schools hit a slump—teachers check out, students lose focus, and principals feel like they’re the only ones holding everything together. The typical response? Push harder, pile on accountability, and try to ‘motivate’ people back into action. But Builders know better. In this episode, we’ll unpack why the Spring Slump isn’t a motivation problem—it’s a misalignment problem. Instead of fighting to sustain momentum, you’ll learn how to realign your school so that teachers and students...
Mar 12, 2025•34 min
Who you listen to matters more than you think. As a Builder, you’re not just leading—you’re transforming schools in ways that most people around you don’t understand. But if the loudest voices in your ear are supervisors focused on compliance, colleagues who don’t share your vision, or skeptics who think you’re aiming too high, their doubts can start shaping your decisions without you even realizing it. In this episode, we’ll unpack how the wrong influences can slowly pull you back into the stat...
Mar 05, 2025•37 min
In this episode, I break down the 5 In/5 Out Process—a simple but powerful strategy every principal should implement before the school year ends. You’ll learn how this method helps eliminate learning gaps, reduces teacher overwhelm, and creates a seamless path for student success. Plus, I’ll share an unexpected benefit: how it can strengthen your school culture and foster shared accountability. So tune in to this episode to discover how you can give your teachers clarity and set your students up...
Feb 26, 2025•35 min
We’re hitting rewind on this episode because it couldn’t be more relevant right now. With so many changes happening and looming, this is the perfect time to look at how to deal with district demands. If you’ve ever felt like district demands keep you from pursuing your 100% vision then today’s episode is for you. Discover how to secure the support of your district for your 100% vision, and how to keep district demands from derailing your progress. If you are currently struggling to move forward ...
Feb 19, 2025•29 min
Is your staff truly aligned, or are you constantly chasing, checking, and correcting just to keep things moving? Hidden misalignment is one of the biggest reasons schools struggle to sustain momentum and most principals don’t recognize it until it’s too late. In this episode, we’ll explore the three biggest ways misalignment is slowing you down, how to tell if your school has surface-level vs. true alignment, and what the most effective principals do differently to make alignment automatic. If y...
Feb 12, 2025•32 min
If you’re constantly chasing, checking, and correcting your staff, you don’t have an unmotivated teacher problem—you have an alignment problem. The real reason teachers aren’t fully committed isn’t because they don’t care, it’s because they don’t have the feedback, support, culture, and accountability needed to take full ownership of their work. In this episode, we’re breaking down the 4 Staff Alignment Levers—Feedback, Support, Culture, and Accountability—and how they help teachers do the right...
Feb 05, 2025•32 min
Are you tired of putting in endless hours chasing small wins that never seem to add up? In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on why small wins and incremental growth are keeping your school stuck—and how Builders achieve transformational, exponential results instead. Discover why your current approach to school improvement might actually be working against you, the hidden cost of fragmented efforts, and the one mindset shift that can align your staff and energize your entire school. I...
Jan 29, 2025•34 min
Feeling overwhelmed by uncertainty? You're not alone—but Builders have a secret for turning chaos into clarity. In this episode of School Leadership Reimagined , we’re diving into the simple yet powerful steps Builders use to transform even the most overwhelming challenges into manageable, solvable tasks. I’ll walk you through the exact process Builders rely on (and yes, I even pulled out my iPad to sketch it all out—catch the video version on YouTube!). By the end of this episode, you’ll know e...
Jan 22, 2025•34 min
