Schools of Excellence: The No. 1 ECE & Private School Leadership Podcast

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169. The Paradox of School Leadership: Control Mar 11, 2024

Show notes

Recently, I was speaking with a school owner who was selling a location. She had truly done her due diligence in her preparations for this moment, crossing every T and dotting every I. The only thing left to do was to inform her team.

Feeling anxiety about the conversation, she came to me for coaching and guidance. Many coaches might give general advice about drinking water, going on a walk, or meditating. But she wasn’t coming to me for help shaking off her nerves. She was looking for something deeper.

So I asked her, “Do you believe that, because you checked every box, you can control the narrative, and your team should handle the news gracefully?”

Yes, that was exactly what she was feeling.

Then I told her she must accept the discomfort of the fact that she could not, in reality, control her team’s response to the news.

This is the paradox of control. We want control, but what we actually need is trust.

Join me on the podcast for a conversation about:

How the paradox of control manifests inside ECE centers, including your own
Drawing a distinction between control and influence, and why it matters for leaders
How to cultivate resilience and humanity by confronting the paradox of control
Questions for deep reflection to help you become a stronger, wiser leader

Want a written summary of this episode?

Grab it here: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/paradox

Learn more and apply for the Director’s Inner Circle & Owner’s HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/

When certain aspects of our center spiral out of our control, we can either attempt to wrestle control back, or we can cultivate long-term stability and resilience. As you sit with the discomfort of the paradox of control, I would be honored to support you. During a Schools of Excellence Leadership Day Intensive, you’ll get a full day of on-demand, in-school training and coaching with me, plus various accountability check-ins, to help you and your team work through the paradoxes of leadership. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/leadership/

If you’re looking for the ongoing guidance, camaraderie, and support of a community of like-minded leaders as you grow as a leader, apply for our Owner's HQ and Director's Inner Circle membership programs. As a member, you'll gain access to tools, resources, coaching, and community that will help you build a school of excellence. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/

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If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life.

Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your teachers, parents, family, and children who you serve every day.

168. The Paradox of School Leadership: Success Mar 04, 2024

Show notes

Recently, I was on a coaching call with two ECE center owners.

The first owner had just purchased her second location. This was a huge milestone for her, and she expected to feel accomplished. And yet, she was struggling to step into a double identity as both an owner and the director of the second site, until it could get fully staffed.

The second owner had just sold her second location. She reflected back on when she had first purchased it, and at the time, she wondered if she was enough. Now that she sold it, she wondered the same thing.

Success is a paradox. There’s tension between achieving your aims and recognizing the path is not straightforward. Every time a school leader achieves certain goals—higher enrollment, new locations, greater profitability, more brand equity—these milestones come with their own challenges.

Join me for the third episode in my podcast series about the paradoxes of school leadership, where we explore:

How success leads to impostor syndrome and new hurdles
Why leaders paradoxically protect themselves from success
Tangible ways success creates unique challenges for centers
How to redefine your definition of success as you progress in your leadership
Actionable steps you can take to prepare for the pros and cons of success

Want a written summary of this episode?

Grab it here: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/paradox

Learn more and apply for the Director’s Inner Circle & Owner’s HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/

P.P.S. If you’re looking for the ongoing guidance, camaraderie, and support of a community of like-minded leaders as you grow as a leader, apply for our Owner's HQ and Director's Inner Circle membership programs. As a member, you'll gain access to tools, resources, coaching, and community that will help you build a school of excellence. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/

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167. The Paradox of School Leadership: Choice Feb 26, 2024

Show notes

When’s the last time you went to a huge buffet? While it seems like a treat to eat anything you want, you can’t eat it all—and that means you have to choose. The number of decisions you have to make in the buffet line is totally overwhelming.

In the same way, too many choices can feel paralyzing when it comes to our centers—for leadership, teachers, parents, and children.

Will the kids play with blocks or go outside? Which parent-teacher communication system will we use? Which professional development option should we pick? Which curriculum will we choose? Which payroll system is best?

Stop. Breathe.

The truth is, there is no right answer. There is no perfect choice. This is the paradox of choice that confronts us as school leaders.

This week, I invite you to explore the paradox of choice on the podcast, as we discuss:

How to frame choices in terms of your values
Which frameworks can guide your decision-making processes
The inevitable grief and regret that can follow making a choice
Low-stakes ways to build resilience for high-stakes decisions

Want a written summary of this episode?

Grab it here: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/paradox

Learn more and apply for the Director’s Inner Circle & Owner’s HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/

I can give you frameworks galore, but that can’t beat the individualized, laser-focused coaching support I offer during a Schools of Excellence Leadership Day Intensive. During the Intensive, you’ll receive a full day of on-demand, in-school training with me, plus various accountability check-ins, to help you and your team make choices, while building a healthier, stronger center. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/leadership/

For owners and directors who are looking for ongoing support in navigating the many choices that come along with school leadership, I invite you to apply to the Owner's HQ and Director's Inner Circle membership programs. As a member, you'll receive access to tools, resources, coaching, and community to support your efforts to build a school of excellence. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/

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166. The Paradox of School Leadership Feb 19, 2024

Show notes

Learn more and apply for the Director’s Inner Circle & Owner’s HQ: http://Chanie.me/jointhedic

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165. Values Driven Leadership with Catherine Doberstein Feb 12, 2024

Show notes

In 2022, Catherine Doberstein had just started listening to my podcast. In an episode, I mentioned the live, in-person Summit of Excellence that was coming up, and she decided to attend.

She told me, “I had been looking for a community of young business owners to be surrounded by, but I didn’t realize there was a whole group of early childcare leaders who wanted a higher level of education for children. I knew this is where I needed to be.”

Joining the Schools of Excellence Owner’s HQ membership program created some significant changes in Catherine’s school, the Little Scholars Academy of Kannapolis, NC. In this conversation, Catherine and I discuss:

How she shifted from doing everything in her school (owner, director, and teacher) to becoming a confident leader
Catherine’s journey from grinding for five days a week at her school, to only working two days per week, giving her more time with her family
Strategies Catherine put in place to create accountability within her team
How she identified and communicated company values, which now inform all of her business decisions
How she navigates challenges differently now than she did two years ago

Learn more and apply for the Director’s Inner Circle & Owner’s HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/

Some challenges are easier to overcome with an outside perspective and focused, collaborative time. When you work with Schools of Excellence during a Leadership Day Intensive, you’ll receive a full day of on-demand, in-school training with me, plus accountability check-ins, to help you and your team work through growing pains, and build a stronger, healthier center. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/leadership/

If you, like Catherine, are seeking a community of like-minded childcare leaders, apply for our Owner's HQ and Director's Inner Circle membership programs. As a member, you'll gain access to tools, resources, coaching, and—best of all—community that will help you build a school of excellence. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/

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164. Timeless Leadership Insights with Simon Sinek Feb 05, 2024

Show notes

Back in 2017, I had the immense pleasure of interviewing author and speaker Simon Sinek about how to be an effective leader. It's a topic that many people talk about but few can agree on.

During the interview, I asked Simon to define what it means to be a leader. Rather than give me a simple statement, he chose to tell a story that I'll never forget.

During his stay at the Four Seasons hotel in Las Vegas, Simon met a charming and enthusiastic barista named Noah. Noah's energy was so infectious that Simon felt compelled to ask him whether he liked his job.

Noah's response was, "No—I love my job."

He went on to explain that at the Four Seasons, his supervisors didn't make an appearance just to tell him what to do or to try to catch him making mistakes—like his other job at another well-known Las Vegas hotel (and reminiscent of many people's experience at work).

Instead, his managers checked in with him frequently to ask how he was doing and what they could do to make his job easier. This not only made Noah enjoy his work more, but it also gave him the support he needed to do his job better.

Powerful stuff, right?

Simon's point in telling this story was to demonstrate what true leadership looks like, which is to take care of people.

Because when you look out for the needs of your team, you don't need to micromanage, discipline, or fix problems. Your compassion and guidance alone give them the tools they need to be successful.

In this week's podcast episode, I'm re-sharing my interview with Simon Sinek because it's a powerful conversation about leadership that I want to make sure you all hear.

Join us for a conversation about:

How to create an environment like Noah's at the Four Seasons
What it means to be a leader
Which questions to ask yourself to uncover your why
How you can be a student of leadership
And so much more!

Learn more and apply for the Director’s Inner Circle & Owner’s HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/

P.S. This episode dives into the true essence of leadership and touches on so many core concepts that we talk about with our members. If you like what you hear and want more opportunities to receive guidance and support that can transform your leadership, I encourage you to apply for our Owner's HQ and Director's Inner Circle membership programs. As a member, you'll gain access to tools, resources, coaching, and community that will help you as you work toward building a school of excellence.

P.P.S. Inspired by what you've heard in this episode and want to help take your team's leadership to the next level? Inquire about a Leadership Day Intensive for your center. You'll get a full day of on-demand, in-school training with me, plus various accountability check-ins to help you and your team work through existing obstacles and build a stronger, healthier center. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/leadership

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163. Preparing for Parent Teacher Conferences Jan 29, 2024

Show notes

Communication is about more than just your words.

Years ago, when I was still working as a teacher, I was preparing for parent–teacher conferences with my mentor, Dana Levy. She was guiding me through a role-play exercise to help me feel more confident in my communication with parents.

When I got to the part of the interaction where I was supposed to express some concerns about the child, Dana stopped me and asked me to step in front of the mirror before starting again.

As I spoke in front of the mirror, I immediately noticed what Dana had observed: As soon as I reached the difficult part of the conversation, my entire body tensed up.

It was like I became an open book, unintentionally revealing my negative emotions through my facial expressions and body language—something that would be sure to make the parents anxious.

And chances are, this happens to some teachers at your center too.

Preparing for parent–teacher conferences is about more than tips or templates—although these resources can be helpful.

It requires practice and a holistic understanding of the parents' perspective so you can communicate both effectively and empathetically.

In this week's podcast episode, I'm sharing a recording of a training session I conducted for leaders within our Director's Inner Circle membership program about how to prepare for parent–teacher conferences.

Join me for a conversation about:

How to conduct yourself during a parent-teacher conference
What the parent perspective looks like
Language to avoid when talking about a child
How to structure the conference from beginning to end

Learn more and apply for the Director’s Inner Circle & Owner’s HQ: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/membership/

This episode is a recording from a previous training session with our members. If you like what you hear and want more opportunities to receive guidance and support that can transform your leadership, I encourage you to apply for our Owner's HQ and Director's Inner Circle membership programs. As a member, you'll gain access to tools, resources, coaching, and community that will help you as you work toward building a school of excellence.

Managing parent-teacher relationships is a common challenge for leaders. If this is something your team struggles with, I encourage you to inquire about a Leadership Day Intensive. You'll get a full day of on-demand, in-school training with me, plus various accountability check-ins to help you and your team work through existing obstacles and build a stronger, healthier center. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/leadership

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162. 2024 ECE Forecast: Navigating Money Leaks & Investment Gaps Jan 22, 2024

Show notes

When my husband Mayer and I moved to Florida, we had a pool for the first time ever. But as New Yorkers, we had no idea how to take care of it. So when we were told we didn't have to do much to maintain it, we took those words at face value.

Over time, different parts of the pool started to break down, and we had no choice but to call a maintenance company to evaluate the situation.

When they finally came to take a look, we were shocked at what they told us: We had to drain and reline the entire pool.

A costly mistake.

The thing is, it didn't have to be that way. Had we kept up with the proper maintenance all along, we wouldn't have had to pay for such a costly repair.

We only had ourselves to blame.

Sound familiar?

Maintenance neglect is a common and costly problem for early childcare centers—something you really cannot afford in today's economic climate.

It's crucial you find ways to address money leaks and close investment gaps so your center can thrive regardless of the state of the economy.

This week's podcast episode is the final of a four-part series that breaks down the 2024 forecast for early childhood education. To close out our discussion, I'm talking about how you can navigate finances as you move into 2024 and beyond.

Join me for a conversation about:

Why owners are finding themselves in a financial crisis
The two major areas you need to address to increase your profit margins
How to avoid scarcity-based decision-making
How to make charitable giving a core part of your financial strategy

Learn more and apply for the Director’s Inner Circle & Owner’s HQ: http://Chanie.me/jointhedic

If you enjoy this episode and are looking for a space to continue exploring the next era of school leadership, consider applying for our Owner's HQ and Director's Inner Circle membership programs. As a member, you'll gain access to tools, resources, coaching, and community that will help you as you work toward building a school of excellence.

Or, help your leadership team prepare for today's modern challenges with a Leadership Day Intensive. You'll get a full day of on-demand, in-school training with me, plus various accountability check-ins, to help you and your team work through obstacles and build a stronger, healthier center. https://schoolsofexcellence.com/leadership/

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161. 2024 ECE Forecast: Cultivating Healthy Child Relationships Jan 15, 2024

Show notes

When I was a new parent, I thought I could give my kids more by simply loving them more.

Spoiler alert: I was mistaken.

Don't get me wrong—my heart was in the right place. Like so many before me, I wanted to give my kids a life even better than the one I had experienced.

But with time and maturity, I came to realize you can't give what you don't have.

You can't pour into your kids if you don't first pour into yourself.

The same can be said for your teachers at school.

Since the pandemic, children have experienced significant delays in cognitive and behavioral development, and our collective solution has been to seek strategies and resources to address these growing concerns.

But let me ask you this: How can teachers create the sort of safe and supportive environment that children need to grow and thrive if they can't create that for themselves?

You can't give what you don't have, remember?

Before we can look for solutions, we need to shift the focus to helping teachers regulate their own emotions so that they're better equipped to give children what they need.

This week's podcast episode is the third in a four-part series that breaks down the 2024 forecast for early childhood education. It centers on how to cultivate healthy teacher–child relationships so your students and school can thrive.

Join me for a conversation about:

Why child relationships are such an important topic in 2024
What experts have to say about child development in today's world
The skills teachers need to cultivate healthy relationships with their students
Practical strategies for how to make self-regulation a focal point this year

Learn more and apply for the Director’s Inner Circle & Owner’s HQ: http://Chanie.me/jointhedic

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160. 2024 ECE Forecast: The Shifting Landscape of Parent Partnerships Jan 08, 2024

Show notes

Has someone ever told you to calm down?

It's one of the most aggravating statements ever.

Recently, I was having a conversation with my husband, Mayer, and things were getting a little heated. Before things got out of hand, I wanted to regulate myself so I could operate from a more level mindset.

Instead of giving me the space to work through my emotions, Mayer decided it would be helpful in that moment to say "Calm down. It's not a big deal."

When in the history of the world has it ever been helpful to tell someone to calm down?

So I responded snarkily, "Okay, get taller. Just grow 5 more inches. It's not a big deal."

Predictably, Mayer was confused. Of course, he couldn't do what I was asking.

But here's the thing—neither could I!

In the same way that Mayer couldn't grow 5 inches in a matter of seconds, I couldn't regulate myself at that very moment.

Emotional regulation is a process that takes time.

Why am I telling you this?

Because the next time you see your staff on the receiving end of an upset parent's rampage, I want you to think twice before you tell them not to take it personally.

The parenting landscape has changed drastically over the last several years, and your teachers deserve more than being told to calm down when dealing with the modern challenges of parent partnerships.

They need you to step up and create an environment where they feel supported and empowered to foster meaningful relationships with parents in this new climate.

This week's podcast episode is the second in a four-part series that breaks down the 2024 forecast for early childhood education. It centers on the shifting landscape of parent partnerships and what to consider as we move into the new year.

Join me for a conversation about:

How parent partnerships have evolved, especially since the pandemic
The impact of modern relationships on mental health
How the shifting landscape is impacting teachers and turnover
The key areas you should focus on as a leader in 2024

Learn more and apply for the Director’s Inner Circle & Owner’s HQ: http://Chanie.me/jointhedic

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