Change Starts Here

Latest Episodes:

Promoting Student Agency Mar 11, 2025

Show notes

Think back to a time when you felt truly empowered to make a decision. Perhaps it was choosing your career path, selecting a home, or even deciding how to tackle a challenging project. That feeling of ownership and control is powerful—it drives motivation, persistence, and ultimately, success. Now imagine if we could cultivate that same sense of empowerment in our students from an early age.

In this episode of Change Starts Here: Research Conversations, Dr. Jennifer Chevalier, Director of Funding at FranklinCovey Education, and Kim Yaris, M.Ed., Associate Director of Research, explore the critical concept of student agency. They distinguish agency from efficacy, share powerful stories that demonstrate both the presence and absence of agency in educational settings, and discuss practical strategies educators can implement to foster agency in their classrooms. Learn how small shifts in language, purposeful wait time, and creating space for productive struggle can transform students from passive followers into active, confident learners who take ownership of their education and their lives.

Don't forget to like and subscribe, and turn on those bell notifications so you don't miss our next episode on fostering a sense of belonging in schools!

Blog: https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/rcbpsa_k12?x=XlTKb-

Staff Booster: https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/sbcsa_k12?x=XlTKb-

If you want to learn more about FranklinCovey, visit us at

https://www.franklincovey.com/solutions/education/

Starring:

Kim Yaris, M.Ed, Associate Director of Research at FranklinCovey Education

Dr. Jennifer Chevalier, Director of Funding at FranklinCovey Education

Time stamps:

(00:00 - 01:29) Introduction and Defining Agency

(01:30 - 03:29) Agency vs. Efficacy and Real-World Examples

(03:30 - 05:59) The Impact of Limited Agency

(06:00 - 08:20) Learned Helplessness and Why Agency Matters

(08:21 - 10:39) Barriers to Developing Agency

(10:40 - 13:49) Teacher Intentions and Productive Struggle

(13:50 - 16:20) Strategies: Language and Wait Time

(16:21 - 18:29) Building Confidence Through Practice

(18:30 - 20:20) Systemic Approach and Closing

Breaking the Cycle: How Proactive Leadership Transforms Schools Mar 04, 2025

Show notes

Imagine standing at a crossroads. In one direction, you can react to every challenge that comes your way, constantly fighting fires and feeling overwhelmed. In the other, you can choose to focus on what you can control, taking ownership of your responses and creating meaningful change—even within constraints. Which path will you choose?

Join us on Change Starts Here as host Dustin Odham continues his five-part series on paradigms, focusing on the critical shift from reactivity to proactivity. Drawing from Stephen Covey's famous principle, "I am not a product of my circumstances; I am a product of my decisions," Dustin explores how this mindset shift can transform educational leadership. Through real-world examples and practical strategies, learn how to expand your circle of influence, overcome challenges, and create a culture of solution-focused action in your school or district.

Be sure to like, subscribe, and turn on bell notifications to ensure you don't miss our next episode.

If you want to learn more about FranklinCovey, visit us at https://www.franklincovey.com/solutions/education/

Host: Dustin Odham, Managing Director at FranklinCovey Education

Timestamps:

(00:00 - 01:49) Introduction

(01:50 - 03:49) Defining Reactivity vs. Proactivity

(03:50 - 05:29) Circle of Concern vs. Circle of Influence

(05:30 - 08:09) Real-World Success Story

(08:10 - 09:49) Personal & Professional Application

(09:50 - 11:40) Call to Action & Closing

Developing Student Efficacy Feb 25, 2025

Show notes

There are countless stories about the power of belief—whether in classic fairytales, sports movies, or the journeys of groundbreaking innovators, we often see the impossible become possible through self-belief. But does believing in yourself, or self-efficacy, truly make a difference in real life, especially in education?

In this episode of Change Starts Here: Research Conversations, Dr. Jennifer Chevalier, Director of Funding at FranklinCovey Education, and Kim Yaris, M.Ed., Associate Director of Research, explore the transformative impact of student efficacy on academic success and career trajectory. They discuss why self-efficacy matters, how to cultivate it in students, and how to help them push past fear and reach their full potential. Tune in to learn more!

Don’t forget to like and subscribe, and turn on those bell notifications so you don’t miss our next episode!

Download the Staff Booster for Developing Student Self-Efficacy!

https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/rc_sbcsse_k12?x=RQ_thB

Starring: Kim Yaris, M.Ed, Associate Director of Research at FranklinCovey Education

Dr. Jennifer Chevalier, Director of Funding at FranklinCovey Education

Time stamps:

(00:00 - 00:20) Introduction

(00:21 - 02:16) The Grade Motivator

(02:17 - 06:17) Student Self Efficacy

(06:18 - 11:51) Belief in Yourself

(11:52 - 13:35) Career Trajectories

(13:36 - 16:33) Optimal Level of Challenge

(16:34 - 18:14) The Role of Encouragement

(18:15 - 21:10) The Comparison Trap

(21:11 - 23:31) The Fear of Failure

(23:32 - 24:13) Closing

Leadership Pipelines: Building Interactive Pathways for Student and Educator Growth Feb 18, 2025

Show notes

Building leadership in your district doesn’t start with conferences or new hires—it starts with students. Cultivating leadership from a young age empowers future generations with the wisdom and guidance to lead. Tune in to hear how one superintendent is making this vision a reality.

Welcome to Change Starts Here. Join host Dustin Odham as he sits down with Thom Cochran, Superintendent of Johnson County Schools, known for his passion for student leadership and his ability to build trust across his district. In this episode, Thom shares how Johnson County Schools is fostering leadership at every level—among staff and students—through trust, authentic listening, and reflection. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation, plus an unexpected answer to Thom’s favorite walk-up song!

Don’t forget to like, and turn on those bell notifications to ensure you don’t miss our next episode.

If you want to learn more about FranklinCovey, visit us at https://www.franklincovey.com/solutions/education/

Host: Dustin Odham, Managing Director at FranklinCovey Education

Guest: Thom Cochran, Superintendent of Johnson County Schools

Time stamps:

(00:00 - 01:56) Introduction

(01:57 - 05:37) Born Into Education

(05:38 - 06:56) In Others’ Shoes

(06:57 - 11:20) Advocate for Student Leadership

(11:21 - 14:11) Authentic Listening

(14:12 - 21:47) Developing Leadership

(21:48 - 26:54) The Shift to Trust

(26:55 - 31:26) Strengthen Your Trust

(31:27 - 38:07) Reflecting on Career

(38:08 - 43:17) Rapid Fire Questions!

(43:18 - 45:07) Closing

Hashtags:

#EducationLeadership #FutureLeaders #BuildingLeaders #StudentSuccess #LeadershipDevelopment #TrustAndGrowth #EducationMatters #Mentorship #SchoolLeadership #SuperintendentInsights

Future-Focused Lesson Planning Feb 11, 2025

Show notes

When you listen to a podcast or read an article, you take in the information and process it—but when something in that content connects to you personally, it sticks. You digest it more deeply and remember it with greater clarity. The same holds true in education: students retain information better when it feels relevant and engaging, and when they feel actively involved in their learning. Now imagine embedding that learning with future-readiness skills.

In this episode of Change Starts Here: Research Conversations, Dr. Jennifer Chevalier, Director of Funding at FranklinCovey Education, and Kim Yaris, M.Ed., Associate Director of Research, discuss how educators can use existing academic standards to design future-focused lesson plans. By creating lessons that build meaningful connections and encourage students to personalize their learning, educators can boost knowledge retention and engagement. With small, intentional adjustments, these lesson plans can also foster critical skills like cooperation, problem-solving, and adaptability—equipping students to step into the world prepared for anything.

Don’t forget to like and subscribe, and turn on those bell notifications so you don’t miss our next episode!

Click here to check out 3 Future-Focused Lesson Plans: https://resources.franklincovey.com/rc-fflp-k12

Starring: Kim Yaris, M.Ed, Associate Director of Research at FranklinCovey Education

Dr. Jennifer Chevalier, Director of Funding at FranklinCovey Education

Time stamps:

(00:00 - 00:51) Introduction

(00:52 - 04:06) The End in Mind

(04:07 - 06:48) Melding Competencies

(06:49 - 08:35) Example in Literature

(08:36 - 12:44) Cross Content Examples

(12:45 - 15:51) The Heart of It All

(15:52 - 20:07) Shifting Standards for Students

(20:08 - 20:38) Closing

Overcoming the Limits: How Educators Can Lead with an Abundance Mindset Feb 04, 2025

Show notes

Imagine a glass of milk—half full or half empty? The way we perceive what’s in front of us shapes our ability to grow, innovate, and lead. An abundance mindset allows us to maximize what we have, find creative solutions, and unlock potential—even in the face of obstacles. In today’s education landscape, this perspective is more essential than ever.

Join us on Change Starts Here as host Dustin Odham continues his series on paradigm shifts, focusing on the transition from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset. Dustin explores what it means to embrace abundance, shares real-world examples of its impact in school districts, and provides actionable strategies—like practicing gratitude and fostering collaboration—to help your team thrive. Learn how to shift your perspective, see the possibilities, and make the most of every drop.

Be sure to like, subscribe, and turn on bell notifications to ensure you don’t miss our next episode.

If you want to learn more about FranklinCovey, visit us at https://www.franklincovey.com/solutions/education/

Host: Dustin Odham, Managing Director at FranklinCovey Education

Timestamps:

(00:00 - 01:13) Introduction

(01:14 - 02:20) Relationship Leadership

(02:21 - 03:34) Comparing Mindsets

(03:35 - 06:57) Representing an Abundance Mindset

(06:58 - 08:15) Practice Gratitude

(08:16 - 09:18) Foster Collaboration

(09:19 - 10:38) Call to Reflection

(10:39 - 11:40) Closing

Authentic Educator Collaboration Jan 28, 2025

Show notes

Imagine trying to push a boulder up a hill by yourself—it keeps rolling back down before you reach the top. Even with a team, if everyone pushes at different times, you’ll struggle to make progress. But when a team communicates effectively, trusts one another, and moves as one, that boulder doesn’t stand a chance. In education, the same is true: with a strong, collaborative team, no hill is too steep to climb.

This concept comes to life in this episode of Change Starts Here: Research Conversations. Dr. Jennifer Chevalier, Director of Funding at FranklinCovey Education, and Kim Yaris, M.Ed., Associate Director of Research at FranklinCovey Education, explore how authentic educator collaboration leads to meaningful, lasting change in schools. They discuss how building trust within teams and reducing teacher isolation creates a unified effort toward the shared goal of improving student outcomes. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about the power of working together to achieve extraordinary results!

Don’t forget to like and subscribe, and turn on those bell notifications so you don’t miss our next episode!

Click here to check out the Staff Booster resource: https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/sb_fcaec?x=kG9QcM

Starring: Kim Yaris, M.Ed, Associate Director of Research at FranklinCovey Education

Dr. Jennifer Chevalier, Director of Funding at FranklinCovey Education

Time stamps:

(00:00 - 01:00) Introduction

(01:01 - 05:09) Affecting Outcomes

(05:10 - 10:05) Everyone Contributes

(10:06 - 15:08) High Trust Environments

(15:09 - 16:55) Benefits of Collaboration

(16:56 - 19:17) Barriers to Consider

(19:18 - 22:35) Mindset is Everything

(22:36 - 23:07) Closing

It Starts with the Plants: How School Change Takes Root Jan 21, 2025

Show notes

Changing the culture of an organization and creating the desired impact takes hard work, but it’s often difficult to identify where these improvements are truly taking place. Yearly reviews and test scores provide valuable insights into progress, yet they reveal little about the culture within our districts. But what if the changes we seek could begin with something as simple—and symbolic—as the plants around us?

Welcome to Change Starts Here, join our host, Dustin Odham, as he sits down with Christian Ehrhart, High School Associate Principal at Spring Grove Area School District. Christian shares his journey at Spring Grove, reflecting on how his windy path has deepened his understanding of self-leadership and the power of reflection. Through initiatives like their innovative Launch Program and Lighthouse Teams, Christian is empowering both students and teachers to become leaders within their school community. Don’t miss Christian’s thoughtful and grounded insights on leadership and growth. Watch now to discover how he’s making a meaningful impact!

Don’t forget to like, and turn on those bell notifications to ensure you don’t miss our next episode.

If you want to learn more about FranklinCovey, visit us at https://www.franklincovey.com/solutions/education/

Host: Dustin Odham, Managing Director at FranklinCovey Education

Guest: Christian Ehrhart, High School Associate Principal at Spring Grove Area School District

Time stamps:

(00:00 - 02:54) Introduction

(02:55 - 04:09) A Windy Path

(04:10 - 06:02) Reflective Practitioner

(06:03 - 08:49) A Need for Change

(08:50 - 10:24) Identifying Leaders

(10:25 - 11:59) How Did You Fail Today?

(12:00 - 14:39) Plants Show Up

(14:40 - 17:56) Inside Out Change

(17:57 - 21:52) Looking at Lighthouse

(21:53 - 24:08) People Before Everything

(24:09 - 26:49) The Launch Program

(26:50 - 30:54) Changing Trajectories

(30:55 - 36:38) Patience to Follow

(36:39 - 45:10) Rapid Fire Questions!

(45:11 - 45:50) Closing

Establishing Foundations of Trust Jan 14, 2025

Show notes

Have you ever had a friend who instinctively knows what you're thinking, aligning perfectly with your decisions and comments? That kind of relationship, built on high trust, allows for quick, efficient collaboration while fostering a more engaging and enjoyable connection. When applied to the workplace, such relationships can boost productivity and create systemic synergy across districts and schools.

In this episode of Change Starts Here: Research Conversations, Dr. Jennifer Chevalier, Director of Funding at FranklinCovey Education, and Kim Yaris, M.Ed., Associate Director of Research at FranklinCovey Education, discuss the importance of establishing foundations of trust in your district. They delve into the characteristics of high and low-trust cultures, offering actionable strategies to build trust within teams and foster efficiency. With insights from Stephen M.R. Covey’s The Speed of Trust and personal stories, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways you won’t want to miss!

Don’t forget to like and subscribe, and turn on those bell notifications so you don’t miss our next episode!

Click here to check out the Staff Booster resource: https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/rc-sb-bct?x=NrLj-v

Starring: Kim Yaris, M.Ed, Associate Director of Research at FranklinCovey Education

Dr. Jennifer Chevalier, Director of Funding at FranklinCovey Education

Time stamps:

(00:00 - 01:05) Introduction

(01:06 - 05:19) Polar Opposite Stories

(05:20 - 08:10) Low Trust Environments

(08:11 - 09:45) Trust Taxes, Trust Dividends

(09:46 - 12:05) High Trust and High Synergy

(12:06 - 13:46) The Ego Barrier

(13:47 - 18:11) Build a Culture of Trust

(18:12 - 21:11) It Starts with Leaders

(21:12 - 21:33) Closing

New Year, New Lens: Shifting Paradigms for a Transformative 2025 Jan 07, 2025

Show notes

Imagine wearing sunglasses with a red tint—everything you look at would have a red hue. The glasses represent our perceptions, but they don't always reflect the truth of the situation. Sometimes, we need to remove them to see the full spectrum of color and gain new perspectives.

Join us on Change Starts Here as Dustin Odham starts off 2025 right, by setting a goal for all to start shifting our paradigms to create quantum leap change this year. In this episode, Dustin introduces Franklin Covey’s See-Do-Get Model, sharing personal examples of how it has helped him create lasting change. Don’t miss this inspiring episode to start your year on the right foot with Dustin!

Be sure to like, subscribe, and turn on bell notifications to ensure you don’t miss our next episode.

Find the reflection exercise for this episode here:

https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/ny_prd_ref?x=q82nhA

If you want to learn more about FranklinCovey, visit us at https://www.franklincovey.com/solutions/education/

Host: Dustin Odham, Managing Director at FranklinCovey Education

Timestamps:

(00:00 - 01:46) Introduction

(01:47 - 02:48) Closer Look at Paradigms

(02:49 - 04:20) What is a Paradigm?

(04:21 - 06:43) See-Do-Get Model

(06:44 - 09:03) Assuming a Better Intent

(09:04 - 12:11) Implementing the Model