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

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119. Founding Member to Confident Leader with Courtney Grenier Feb 27, 2023

Show notes

Raising tuition can be a touchy subject for owners. It's something you know you have to do—something you have the right to do—and yet you feel the need to justify it every time.

This was also true for Courtney Greiner, owner of Mini Mos Child Care and Preschool.

In the early years of running her school, Courtney struggled to find a balance between the desire to improve her center and the very real costs of running her business.

After exhausting every other possibility, Courtney finally came to the conclusion that she had to implement a tuition increase. It was the only way to keep the school running at the high standard her community deserved and set goals for future improvements.

At first, she felt beyond guilty. She knew many parents were struggling financially and didn't want to create more of a burden for them.

But eventually, Courtney realized that the parents were getting so much value for the tuition they were paying. Her teachers were incredible, the curriculum was exceptional, and the children were provided with all kinds of additional opportunities for enrichment.

Her center deserved to be well-funded.

In the end, it turned out that Courtney's anxiety was for nothing. After she raised the tuition, she saw that the parents didn't complain about the increase at all. Just as she had recognized the quality of the education her center was providing, so did the parents.

The only real obstacle that entire time was Courtney's own mindset.

In this week's podcast episode, I sit down with Courtney Greiner to talk not only about money mindset, but also the many other takeaways she has gleaned during her 5-year membership in our Owner's Only HQ program.

Join Courtney and I as we chat about:

The state of her center before joining the membership
How her personal relationships have changed since becoming a member
Her journey to shifting her money mindset
How the culture of her center has evolved
Why you should bet on yourself and consider joining the membership too

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

Courtney was hesitant to bet on herself at first, but once she did, she realized that an investment in herself was really an investment in her center. If you're ready to take an important step toward creating your own school of excellence, I invite you to fill out an application for our Owner’s Only HQ and Director’s Inner Circle membership programs.

More about the show:

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.

118. Decoding Your Culture Part 4: Using Feedforward to Build Skills Feb 20, 2023

Show notes

You already know that feedback is an important part of growth. All of us need to be given the chance to view our work critically so we can find the areas that need improvement.

This is especially true of you as a leader. To build a school of excellence, you need to be able to receive honest feedback from trusted members of your team.

But feedback—as its name suggests—is focused on the past. As a result, it often focuses too much on the mistakes that were made, and this understandably causes people to get defensive or shut down.

A different approach is to provide feedforward. In contrast to feedback, feedforward focuses on the future, pointing out opportunities for growth rather than mistakes.

This change in perspective not only reduces feelings of judgment, but also reinforces positive interpersonal relationships that make it easier to break through barriers and progress toward excellence.

In this week's podcast episode, I'm closing out our series on Decoding Your Culture by discussing how to use feedforward to drive growth among you and your team.

Join me for a conversation about:

The difference between feedback and feedforward
What feedforward looks like in conversation
What to keep in mind when giving and receiving feedforward
How to manage emotions when receiving feedforward
How to discern from whom you should seek out feedforward

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

In addition to reaching out to us with your questions and suggestions, you can continue your education and growth by joining our Owner’s Only HQ and Director’s Inner Circle. As a member, you'll gain access to tools, resources, community, and coaching that will help you grow in ways you never imagined.

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117. Decoding Your Culture Part 3: What is Emotionally Mature Leadership? Feb 13, 2023

Show notes

Last week, I talked about drama and the toll it can take on the culture of your center. We started to identify the different symptoms of drama to look out for, including complaining about the small things, gossip, and playing the victim.

Another sign that drama has infiltrated your school culture is inconsistent actions and behaviors among your team. In other words, when someone goes from one extreme behavior to another—extremely forgiving to hyper-critical or exceptionally kind to highly rude.

These inconsistencies are difficult to spot because they require you to pay attention over a long period of time.

What's more, inconsistent actions and behaviors are also one of the most toxic patterns of drama, because they cause your team and staff to become hypervigilant—walking on eggshells in fear of unpredictable treatment and standards.

Without exaggeration, it can destroy your school's culture from the inside out.

So, how do you combat this insidious form of drama? By becoming an emotionally mature leader.

In this week's podcast episode, we'll continue our Decoding Your Culture series by furthering our exploration of the different types of drama and talking about how to combat it through emotionally mature leadership.

Join me for a conversation about:

Inconsistent actions and behaviors and what they can look like
Manipulation and the widespread damage it causes
Real-life examples of these types of drama in action
What drama-free, emotionally mature leadership looks like

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

If you want to achieve the level of emotionally mature leadership described in this episode, you should join our Owner’s Only HQ and Director’s Inner Circle membership programs. These programs are designed to provide you with the tools, resources, community, and coaching you need to grow into the type of leader you've always wanted to be.

As a member, you'll also have the opportunity to attend this year's Summit of Excellence (February 28–March 2), which centers on building legacy through values-based leadership. The topics we discuss during the event will help you deepen your understanding of how to lead your school to excellence. I hope to see you there! Learn More: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/summit

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116. Decoding Your Culture Part 2: Indicators there is Drama in your Center Feb 06, 2023

Show notes

Gossip is a normal part of the human experience—I mean, who doesn't perk up their ears when they hear a juicy piece of information?

We all engage in at least some of the time because it plays an important role in our ability to connect with others.

But… some individuals gossip significantly more than others. (I'm sure we can all name people in our lives who jump on gossip like hungry wolves devouring their next meal.)

And that craving for gossip is one of the telltale signs of drama, including within your center.

Drama is something you should be paying attention to in your school. It takes up the bandwidth of owners and directors and prevents the growth of a healthy culture.

Where there's drama, there's a misalignment of values. It’s only through shared values that you can build a school of excellence.

So, aside from gossip, what other signs of drama should you be looking out for?

In this week's podcast episode, I begin to explore that question in the second part of our Decoding Your Culture series.

Join me as I talk about:

Drama and its impact on you as a leader
Why gossip is one of the single most destructive forces in human relationships
The compounding nature of complaining about the small things
How playing the victim affects the people around you

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

If the stories from today's episode resonate with you, I encourage you to fill out an application to join our Owner’s Only HQ and Director’s Inner Circle membership programs.

As a member, you'll not only gain access to tools, resources, community, and coaching that can help you improve the culture of your school, but you'll also have the opportunity to attend this year's Summit of Excellence (February 28–March 2), which centers on building legacy through values-based leadership. It's a truly transformational experience you won't want to miss! Learn more: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/summit

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115. Decoding Your Culture Part 1: What is Culture? Jan 30, 2023

Show notes

When I talk about school culture, I'm not talking about Secret Santa gift exchanges, karaoke night, or the pingpong table in the breakroom.

Instead, culture is about the conversation that happens around the ping pong table. It's the set of shared core values and practices that define the day-to-day interactions and decisions in your center.

A healthy culture is essential to building a school of excellence, so keeping a finger on the pulse of your center's culture is something you should prioritize.

But how can you evaluate the state of your current culture if it's not about the gift cards and the pizza parties? How do you actually identify whether your team and staff are united under a set of shared core values and practices?

The best way to determine the health of your culture is by looking at the emotional behaviors happening in your center each and every day—and more specifically—your emotional behaviors.

Where's the focus of your stress? Your frustration? Your anger?

Emotions are data points that help you understand where there's tension and a mismatch of values. With that information in hand, you can evaluate the state of your culture and decide what you can do to pivot in the right direction.

Because starting with you is how you create the ripple effect that will inspire change in everyone else.

In this week's podcast episode, I'm diving into a new series called Decoding Your Culture. In the first episode, I'm looking at what culture is and how to evaluate what's going on in your own center.

Join me for a conversation about:

What school culture is (and isn't)
The easiest way to evaluate your center's culture
How to understand the emotional behaviors involved in your school culture right now
The importance of staying connected to the people you serve

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

Culture is going to be a huge topic at this year's Summit of Excellence (February 28–March 2), which centers on building legacy through values-based leadership. If you're interested in diving deeper into culture and how you can create a healthier environment in your center, I encourage you to join us! Learn more here: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/summit

While the event is limited to members, non-members can still attend by filling out an application to join our Owner’s Only HQ and Director’s Inner Circle membership programs today. As a member, you'll also gain access to tools, resources, community, and coaching that will help you build a school of excellence.

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114. Tripling Income for her Most Profitable Year with Aliyah Johnson-Roberts Jan 23, 2023

Show notes

If you had to be brutally honest with yourself right now, where are you focusing the majority of your attention?

On yourself? On your family?

Or are you primarily focusing on your center?

If that's you, you're definitely not alone. Many of the owners and directors I work with have been in your shoes, including Aliyah Johnson-Roberts.

Back in 2020, Aliyah found herself so focused on her center that she was obliging herself to stay at school, even when she wasn't needed. Day after day, she found herself sitting at her desk well past 5pm instead of spending time at home.

It was not only affecting her well-being, but also her family's.

Then, in June of that year, Aliyah decided that enough was enough. She decided to join the Owner’s Only HQ with the hope that it could help her bring more balance into her life.

With the support of fellow owners, Aliyah started to realize that her mindset was at the root of her struggle. She recognized that while she had always looked at her students and staff as her responsibility, that wasn't true of her family.

Once she came to that realization and learned to shift her mindset, she found the balance she was looking for. It not only improved her and her family's well-being, but also created a healthier school culture and the center’s most profitable year ever.

In this week's podcast episode, I invite you to examine your own mindset as I sit down with Aliyah to talk about her experience in our Schools of Excellence membership program.

Join Aliyah and I for a conversation about:

The status of her center before she became a member
How she shifted the mindset that was keeping her anchored to her desk
How the community she's found among other members has enriched her life
The ROI her center has experienced since joining the program
The goals she has for her center moving forward

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

If Aliyah's story resonates with you, I highly encourage you to apply for our Owner’s Only HQ and Director’s Inner Circle membership programs. As a member, you'll not only experience the support of a like-minded community of members just like Aliyah, but also gain access to tools, resources, and coaching that will help you on your journey to building a school of excellence.

As a member, you'll also be eligible to attend our 2023 Summit of Excellence. This year's members-only event focuses on building legacy through values-based leadership and includes a variety of special activities and experiences that you won't find anywhere else. You won't want to miss it! Learn more here: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/summit

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113. How to Discern Which Events to Invest In & Attend Jan 16, 2023

Show notes

In the midst of the pandemic, there were days when I wondered whether we'd ever return to attending in-person events.

As helpful as Zoom was during that time, there was a silent collective agreement that virtual events could never compare to the energy and connection we experience when interacting with others face-to-face.

Fortunately, we've since gone back to in-person events, and it's been a welcome respite from the years of isolation.

But I've also noticed that the return to these events has impacted the way we see them. Post-pandemic, we view our time as more valuable, so we're more intentional about how and where we spend it.

And that means being particular about the events we choose to take part in.

The thing is, not all events are created equal. They all have different purposes and qualities that can impact your decision to attend, like cost, location, and networking opportunities.

So, how do you tease apart these differences to ensure you're spending your precious time wisely?

In this week's podcast episode, I dig into the different types of events and how to discern which ones to invest in based on your personal needs and goals.

Join me for a conversation about:

The four most common types of events
What sets these events apart from one another
Which factors to consider when deciding which events to attend
Why our Summit of Excellence should be at the top of your list (HINT: It's one-of-a-kind!)

The most important takeaway from this episode is that while there are many valuable events out there, only YOU can determine which ones are best for you, your team, and the goals you have for your center.

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

You can start practicing your discernment skills by choosing whether to attend our 2023 Summit of Excellence, which focuses on how to build legacy through values-based leadership. Learn more here: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/summit

To make this year's event a truly special experience, we've limited attendance to members of our Owner’s Only HQ and Director’s Inner Circle programs. However, it's not too late for non-members to get tickets! All you have to do is fill out a membership application.

By becoming a member, you'll not only get the chance to attend the event, but also take advantage of the tools, resources, community, and coaching that our programs have to offer. I hope to see you there!

More about the show:

112. The Difference Between an Opportunity and a Distraction Jan 09, 2023

Show notes

It's the beginning of 2023, which means the promise of a whole new year of possibilities!

As a visionary, you're likely especially anxious about getting started on tackling your new goals for your center.

But as a visionary, you also need to ensure you stay grounded in reality—and that means recognizing that not every new opportunity is of real value to your center.

Because you want the very best for your school, you can be particularly susceptible to what's called "shiny object syndrome."

Shiny object syndrome is the continual state of distraction brought on by the ongoing belief that there’s always something new worth pursuing. In early childhood education, this can look like a new software, curriculum, or even the latest teaching technique.

With so many potential opportunities, it's easy to let your imagination run wild. But if you're always focused on the possibilities, you become distracted from the present and the goals you're working on right now.

So, how do you know what's truly an opportunity worth pursuing and what's simply a distraction from the big picture?

In this week's podcast episode, I'm digging into shiny object syndrome and how you can tease apart opportunities from distractions.

Join me for a conversation about:

The sneaky "shiny object syndrome" trap
The different types of shiny objects
How to avoid falling into the trap
How to undo any damage that's already been done
Ways to better prepare ourselves and our teams for shiny object syndrome

Your excitement about new opportunities may sometimes be a weakness, but it can also be your greatest strength. As long as you keep your sights focused on what matters, you can use your visionary power to steer your ship toward the legacy you want to build for your center.

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

Speaking of building a legacy, we'll be diving into how to build legacy through values-based leadership at our 2023 Summit of Excellence. While this year’s summit is limited to members only, it’s not too late for non-members to participate. Just fill out an application for our Owner’s Only HQ and Director’s Inner Circle membership programs today. learn more here: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/summit

As a member, you’ll not only have the chance to attend the Summit of Excellence, but you’ll also benefit from tools, resources, community, and coaching that will produce real results and help you build a school of excellence.

More about the show:

111. Manuals to Modules with Beth Cannon Jan 02, 2023

Show notes

One struggle that seems to come up again and again for school leaders is onboarding.

Year after year, I see owners and directors stressing over this consistent and necessary aspect of running a school—almost as if they didn't see it coming.

If you fall into the same boat, I want you to pause and consider why that might be.

If onboarding is such a repetitive process, why does it continue to be so difficult for you and your team?

Chances are it's because you're stuck in the automatic mode of reacting to what's happening each time you onboard a new staff member.

This causes you to repeat things you don't need to, miss things that are absolutely essential, and make the same mistakes over and over.

So, how can you shift out of reaction mode?

In this week's podcast episode, I sit down with my friend Beth Cannon from the early childcare space to answer this question plus others about setting up functional systems in your center.

Join Beth and I for a conversation about:

How to shift from reacting to planning
Ways to make time to create essential systems for your school
Why modules are better than manuals for training staff
The benefits of establishing a teacher–mentor program

If you like what you heard from Beth in today's episode, you can find links to further connect with her on our show notes page.

Like onboarding, so many problems can be solved by taking the time to establish strategies and systems for your school. In doing so, you not only reduce your stress levels, but also make space to focus on the projects that are going to drive your school toward excellence.

I've never heard of a better win–win.

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

If you're looking for more strategies to apply at your center, I encourage you to attend a free virtual event hosted by The Leader's Lounge from January 13–16, 2023. There, you'll hear from me and other leaders in the early childhood education space as we discuss topics like how to create an accountable team (led by me), how to hire and retain A-players, and how to create a culture of community.

Learn more about The Leader's Lounge event here: https://leaderslounge.solutions/speakers/

Connect further with Beth Cannon here: https://bethcannonspeaks.com/

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How to Raise Capital Funding with Scott Wayman from Kangarootime Dec 19, 2022

Show notes

When you're caught up in the day-to-day responsibilities of running your school, planning for the future can become the last thing on your mind.

But thinking about what comes next for your center is essential to setting goals that will help you build a school of excellence and a legacy you can be proud of.

And oftentimes, those goals involve raising funds to make those big-picture projects a reality.

If the mere mention of building an investment portfolio raises your heart rate, you're not alone. After all, most of us don't get into the early childhood education business because we have a love for finance.

Fortunately, there are things you can start doing today to begin familiarizing yourself with investing and open your mind to the possibility of raising capital for your center.

As part of a special bonus podcast series, I invited Scott Wayman from Kangarootime to chat with me about how to strategically plan for the future of your school.

Join Scott and I for a conversation about:

Why raising funds is an important and timely topic for owners
How we can initiate the conversation around funding in early childhood education
How to plan for the future when you're trying to cover regular expenses
What to consider when looking to raise funds for your school

While the thought of raising funds can be daunting, you are more than capable of taking on the challenge. What's more, by investing in your center, you'll be working to ensure that the impact on your community extends years into the future.

Connect further with Kangarootime here: https://kangarootime.com/

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

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