The Ruckus Report Quick take: Most principals manage buildings instead of transforming lives. Dr. Chris Jones flips the script by putting teachers at the center of every decision, creating scheduling magic that serves everyone — and proves that embracing resistance makes you stronger. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Chris Jones has been an educator in Massachusetts for 24 years. He is finishing his 16th year as a building administrator. He is a teacher centered Principal and passionate about conti...
Jun 11, 2025•52 min•Ep. 24
The Ruckus Report Quick take: Award-winning Superintendent Dr. Nick Polyak reveals why the most innovative school leaders aren't just adding new programs—they're actively tearing down outdated practices to make room for transformational student experiences. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Dr. Nick Polyak is the proud superintendent of the award-winning Leyden Community High School District 212. He earned his undergraduate degree from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL, his Masters from Governors...
Jun 04, 2025•28 min•Ep. 23
The Ruckus Report Quick take: Visionary school leaders don't follow dusty rulebooks. In this episode, Jethro Jones joins Danny Bauer to burn the old manual and co-create a new playbook for Ruckus Makers — one bold idea at a time. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Jethro Jones, 2017 NASSP Digital Principal of the Year, is a former principal from Fairbanks, Alaska, and the host of Transformative Principal, where he interviews leaders from around the world who are reimagining K-12 education. He's the f...
May 28, 2025•47 min•Ep. 21
The Ruckus Report Quick take: Award-winning Principal Demetrius Ball reveals how intentional leadership, strategic decision-making, and being consistently present creates a school culture where students feel more connected than ever before. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Demetrius Ball was born and raised in Ohio. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy (West Point, NY) and served 5 years on active duty in the US Army as a Field Artillery Officer. His education career began in 2008...
May 21, 2025•47 min•Ep. 21
The Ruckus Report Quick take: International school leader Jennifer Bertram reveals how trusting your intuition can lead to unexpected leadership opportunities, and how joining a supportive community of fellow leaders transforms professional growth. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Originally from Canada, Jennifer's teaching journey began in Montevideo, Uruguay, followed by many years at Escola Americana de Campinas, Brazil. She transitioned to administrative roles including Secondary Dean of Studen...
May 14, 2025•41 min•Ep. 20
The Ruckus Report Quick take: When traditional approaches to school improvement aren't working, the answer may not be more control - but rather more connection. Dr. Mitchell reveals how transformative leadership starts with listening and building authentic relationships. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Dr. Derek Mitchell serves as the CEO of Partners in School Innovation, working with schools that face long histories of chronic underperformance and serve predominantly high-poverty communities. His...
May 07, 2025•48 min•Ep. 19
The Ruckus Report Quick take: This experimental episode explores emerging educational trends with Mitch Weathers, diving into AI's impact on teaching, the evolution of education's purpose, and whether teaching remains a recommendable profession. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Mitch became a gifted teacher because he was a mediocre student. Despite taking seven years to graduate college, he navigated the classroom with discomfort. This unique perspective fueled Mitch's teaching approach. Recognizi...
Apr 30, 2025•53 min•Ep. 18
The Ruckus Report Quick take: The factory model of education is dead. This school leader transformed a failing campus into a Blue Ribbon award winner by reimagining intervention through WIN Time - and now she's showing thousands of leaders worldwide how to do the same. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Stephanie is a veteran school leader, author, and owner of Principal Principles. With 18 years as a principal and now serving as an assistant superintendent of schools she's passionate about leadershi...
Apr 23, 2025•31 min•Ep. 17
The Ruckus Report Quick take: In a system built for efficiency rather than connection, Dr. Godfrey shows how one district is creating space for what truly matters—from targeted reading interventions to wellness days for staff—proving that even large districts can make the human element their highest priority. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Dr. Anthony Godfrey is the Superintendent of Schools for Jordan School District in Utah, overseeing 58,000 students and 9,000 employees. Appointed superintende...
Apr 16, 2025•35 min•Ep. 17
The Ruckus Report Quick take: Schools only account for 20% of a child's waking hours. Reschool co-founder Amy Anderson reveals how innovative partnerships with families and communities can transform the other 80% into powerful learning opportunities that create more equitable education for all. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Amy Anderson is the Executive Director and co-founder of RESCHOOL Colorado, which she established in 2013 to ensure learning systems offer options responsive to families' int...
Apr 10, 2025•31 min•Ep. 15
The Ruckus Report Quick take: When transforming struggling schools, following the traditional playbook isn't enough. Learn how effective turnaround leaders strategically break rules, build relationships, and create rapid improvement while working within traditional systems. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Amy Galloway serves as Executive Director of PIVOT School Improvement Leaders, providing intensive coaching and development for principals leading significant school improvement efforts in Tennes...
Apr 02, 2025•37 min•Ep. 14
The Ruckus Report Quick take: In this special episode, Danny shares his journey from rule-following student to educational disruptor, then delivers key updates on everything happening at Ruckus Maker HQ in 2025 that can help you transform your leadership. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Danny Bauer is the founder of Better Leaders Better Schools and host of the most downloaded podcast for school leaders. As a former principal turned educational leadership coach, Danny has dedicated his career to h...
Mar 26, 2025•41 min•Ep. 13
The Ruckus Report Quick take: Missouri Superintendent Dr. David Buck shows how real-world learning experiences are transforming education from standardized "assembly lines" into dynamic pathways that prepare students for a future even educators can't predict. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Dr. David Buck has been an educator for 28 years, serving as a teacher of everything from at-risk to gifted classes and middle school science. He's been involved with the Missouri Leadership Academy since 2006,...
Mar 19, 2025•33 min•Ep. 11
The Ruckus Report Quick take: A veteran educator shares powerful insights on building trust, implementing anchor practices, and creating a school culture where both teachers and students want to show up every day. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker A middle school principal with 14 years of experience in education transitions from teacher to coach to administrator, bringing fresh perspectives on building authentic relationships and implementing meaningful change. Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨 In thi...
Mar 12, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 12
Dr. Lupita Hightower on Strategic Planning: Turning Belief into Transformation The Ruckus Report Quick take: Arizona's Superintendent of the Year drops a masterclass on how strategic planning—when done right—creates school systems where every child is valued as a treasure and success is the expectation, not the exception. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Dr. Lupita Hightower is Arizona's Superintendent of the Year for 2023 and has worked in education for over 27 years in various roles, serving as s...
Mar 05, 2025•37 min•Ep. 10
The 90-Day Accelerator: Launching Your School Year for Legendary Impact Danny Bauer on Transforming School Leadership Through Intentional Planning The Ruckus Report Quick take: A game-changing framework for school leaders who want to escape the firefighting trap and create intentional, high-impact leadership from day one. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Danny Bauer, host of the Better Leaders Better Schools Podcast and founder of the Ruckus Maker movement, shares his journey from experiencing "the...
Feb 26, 2025•33 min•Ep. 9
The Ruckus Report Quick take: A compelling look at how embracing AI and creativity can transform education, told through the journey of a young entrepreneur who went from feeling constrained by traditional schooling to teaching others how to innovate. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Today's episode features two innovators in education: Nate Corona is a Santa Cruz entrepreneur who's redefining what's possible for students in the AI age. Starting with a sneaker cleaning business in his hometown, Nat...
Feb 19, 2025•45 min•Ep. 8
The Ruckus Report Quick take: A former teacher turned ed-tech founder reveals how simple daily actions - from hallway check-ins to thoughtful class placements - can transform school culture and help every student thrive. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Mike Cronley is the CEO and co-founder of Class Composer, bringing 12 years of 3rd grade teaching experience to revolutionize how elementary schools create balanced classes. After witnessing firsthand how traditional class placement methods could un...
Feb 12, 2025•33 min•Ep. 7
The Ruckus Report Quick take: A veteran superintendent reveals how shifting from a mastery mindset to an unfinished mindset can transform school leadership and create environments where innovation thrives, student voice matters, and continuous growth is celebrated. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Dr. Michael Lubelfeld serves as Superintendent of North Shore District 112 in suburban Chicago, leading 9 elementary schools with 4,000 students. A passionate educator since 1992, Mike was awarded the 202...
Feb 05, 2025•42 min•Ep. 6
The Ruckus Report Quick take: In this special coaching episode, a K-4 principal shares his honest struggles and breakthroughs in implementing project-based learning, revealing why communication and teacher buy-in are crucial for meaningful educational change. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Dan is a K-4 principal with an art education background, bringing a unique creative perspective to his leadership role. As a solo administrator in his building, he's passionate about transforming education thro...
Jan 29, 2025•49 min•Ep. 5
The Ruckus Report Quick take: As California mandates AI literacy in schools, education leaders face a critical choice between teaching basic AI operation and empowering students to reimagine what's possible with AI fluency. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Hannah Grady Williams is the Chief Rebel at d'Skills, where she helps students transform their passions into real-world projects using AI. Starting college at 14 and graduating with her bachelor's at 18, Hannah brings a fresh perspective to educa...
Jan 22, 2025•53 min•Ep. 4
The Ruckus Report Quick take: In this transformative session, Danny Bauer shares the powerful RISE method to help school leaders move from playing it safe to creating meaningful change in their schools. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Danny Bauer is the founder of Better Leaders Better Schools, author of multiple bestselling books, and host of one of the world's top 0.5% podcasts. He helps school leaders "Do School Different" through coaching, mentorship, and building communities of innovative edu...
Jan 21, 2025•1 hr 7 min
The Ruckus Report Quick take: From surviving childhood trauma to revolutionizing student mental health, Dr. Watson reveals how schools can transform their approach to student wellbeing from crisis response to proactive skill-building. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Dr. Hayley Watson is the founder and CEO of Open Parachute, a Tier 1 K-12 curriculum program supporting mental health for students, teachers, and parents. A Clinical Psychologist with a PhD in school bullying interventions, she's spent...
Jan 15, 2025•42 min•Ep. 3
The Ruckus Report Quick take: From middle school gum empire to innovative children's author, Mr. B reveals how embracing uniqueness and real-world learning can transform education from standardized to remarkable. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Mr. B is a multi-faceted creative and entrepreneur, blending Hip-Hop music, live-streaming, and children's storytelling into his unique brand. Known for his viral rhymes and as the creator of What Rhymes With Orange?, Mr. B brings fans into real-world exper...
Jan 08, 2025•55 min•Ep. 2
The Ruckus Report Quick take: Start 2025 strong with three game-changing frameworks that help school leaders move from traditional planning to actionable transformation. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Danny Bauer is the founder of Better Leaders Better Schools and host of the top 1% education leadership podcast worldwide. His mission is helping Ruckus Makers "Do School Different" by reimagining education even within traditional systems. Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨 In this episode, Danny challe...
Jan 01, 2025•41 min•Ep. 1
The Ruckus Report Quick take: From humble beginnings in Greenfield to becoming an award-winning superintendent, Dr. Galván shares powerful insights on leading with empathy, building authentic relationships, and preparing students for an AI-driven future. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Dr. Zandra Jo Galván serves as Superintendent of Salinas UHSD, is CALSA Immediate Past President (California Assoc Latinx Sups & Admin), was named ALAS National Superintendent of the Year 2023-2024, and recogniz...
Dec 25, 2024•37 min•Ep. 243
The Ruckus Report Quick take: Discover how a veteran superintendent transforms traditional power structures into collaborative leadership, proving that giving away authority actually strengthens your impact as a leader. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Dr. Tricia Mooney brings 30 years of educational experience to her role as Superintendent of Hermiston School District. A relentless advocate for student achievement, she's dedicated to creating multiple education pathways for students both in the cl...
Dec 18, 2024•35 min•Ep. 242
Dr. Chris Nagy on Transformational Educational Leadership The Ruckus Report Quick take: In this paradigm-shifting conversation, educational futurist Dr. Chris Nagy reveals how superintendents can create innovative learning environments by embracing entrepreneurial mindsets and emerging technologies, challenging traditional educational frameworks while preparing students and staff for an AI-driven future. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Dr. Nagy is a retired school superintendent, co-founder of Mag...
Dec 11, 2024•43 min•Ep. 241
The Ruckus Report Quick take: Want to sleep well at night as a school leader? Dr. Jon Bartelt shares how embracing joy, listening deeply to students, and staying true to core values helps him lead with confidence through 23 years as superintendent. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Dr. Jon Bartelt serves as Superintendent of Bloomingdale School District 13 in Illinois, leading a PreK-8 district of 1,400 students. With 34 years in education and 23 as superintendent, he's guided by three core values: ...
Dec 04, 2024•46 min•Ep. 240
Every principal deserves high quality coaching and mentorship. Who is your coach or mentor? What would you be able to accomplish with help figuring out how to accomplish your biggest goals? At Ruckus Maker HQ we have two great options for you: Option 1: Join the BRAND NEW Ruckus Maker Club. Learn more here Option 2: Join The Ruckus Maker Mastermind™ our flagship program. Learn more here. Show Highlights Strategies for effective curriculum communication. New student grouping system for differenti...
Nov 27, 2024•52 min•Ep. 239
