Education is constantly changing, and with change comes new challenges. In navigating those challenges, leaders can draw on the lived experiences of strong leaders—because experience is one of life’s greatest teachers. Bradley Roberson, retired superintendent of Oxford County Schools in Mississippi and now a Studer Education Leader Coach, has led through many seasons of change in education. Throughout his career, he has held firmly to a guiding belief: “Every kid that comes through every syst...
Sep 28
18 min
Since 2019, Dr. Janet Pilcher has used this podcast to share the stories of effective leaders—their successes, their challenges, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. Across 449 episodes, those stories have revealed countless lessons worth remembering and milestones worth celebrating. As Dr. Pilcher reflects, “Here’s what I’ve learned over 449 episodes: We are all connected, and how we treat one another matters.” Leaders have an important role to play in helping people recognize thos...
Sep 21
7 min
Good leaders listen with intention and then act on what they learn. Listening to those closest to the work provides the most meaningful and accurate information because they are the ones that know the work best. These people can share what’s working well, what needs to be improved, what problems need to be solved, what potential solutions might look like, why organizations are achieving the results they are achieving, how to scale positive results, and so much more. Listening to those closest...
Sep 14
20 min
When schools, students, and families work together, everyone wins. The truth is that teachers, families, and students have the same goal – student success. Therefore, building teams that allow everyone to work together for this shared goal helps bring the goal to fruition. Everyone has a valued voice on the team, and leaders build the culture for these teams to thrive and invite people to the table to share their voices. Listen as Dr. Janet Pilcher and Keri Jo Sapp, the principal of Oxf...
Aug 31
24 min
Teachers are a gift to the world, and the work they do each day is transformational. They leave special marks on our lives, and their work is impactful. Teachers need to be reminded how remarkable and appreciated they are; they need to be reminded that their work matters in so many ways. This episode is about the big and small ways we can show appreciation and the impact that those demonstrations have on educators. The truth is that all employees and leaders need to know they are appreciated,...
Aug 24
17 min
Good leaders are effective at showing care and concern for others. Acts of care and concern can be demonstrated in both expected ways (such as check-in meetings) and unexpected ways (such as difficult conversations). The bottom line is that when people feel cared for, they are more engaged, feel a deeper investment to their work, and feel safe. In environments that build these feelings, a community is built and supported. People just want to know they are valued and that their work matters.&n...
Aug 17
16 min
Getting and keeping employees engaged is hard, intentional work, but it's worth the continuous time and effort. As Lana Fontenot, Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement and External Relations at South Louisiana Community College, states, "Engagement is not a one-time thing, it happens day in and day out, year-round. You never stop doing it. It's not a check the box." In the first part of this two-part interview, Dr. Janet Pilcher and Ms. Fontenot discussed the importance of getti...
Aug 10
22 min
Employee engagement is key to a successful organization, and getting team members engaged should begin even before their first day of work as a new hire. New hires naturally feel a mix of excitement and anxiety, but leaders must capitalize on the excitement while minimizing the anxiety to stimulate employee engagement from the outset. According to Lana Fontenot, Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement and External Relations for South Louisiana Community College, effective pre-boarding a...
Aug 3
18 min
Continuous improvement is grounded in learning. In fact, continuous improvement necessitates a mindset that focuses on continued learning and growth and that acknowledges that there is always something new to discover. Through this learning, growth occurs, and growth facilitates improvement. As Brian Alaback, Director of Professional Learning for Escambia County Public Schools in Florida so aptly shares, “if I don't have the mindset of continuing to grow and learn, then it doesn't matter what...
Jul 27
25 min
In today’s episode, Dr. Janet Pilcher implements her own advice to “face the brutal facts” in education. As educational leaders in both K12 and higher education face a changing landscape, Dr. Pilcher explains that it’s crucial for leaders to attend to the bottom line to provide what’s best for students. Listen as she encourages the practice of facing the brutal facts and responding in positive ways by using scorecards and short cycles of improvement; having open conversations with ...
Jul 20
11 min
Load more