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    Education

    Transformative Principal

    Jethro Jones interviews instructional leaders from around the nation to learn and teach what it takes to become a transformative principal. Episodes address topics like Response to Intervention (RTI), Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS), Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), the latest advances in educational research, standards-based grading, and interviews with industry leaders like Bill Daggett, Rick Wormeli, Todd Whitaker and even people outside the education like Seth Godin, JeVon McCormick, Liz Wiseman, and more.

    Advertise

    Copyright: © 2018 Jethro Jones

    • Apple Podcasts
    • Google Play
    • Spotify

    Latest Episodes:
    Addition Through Subtraction with Robert Dillon May 17, 2026
    Show notes

    In this episode, host Jethro interviews Robert Dillon, author and director of Bright Bytes, about the transformative power of learning spaces. Robert argues that reimagining physical classroom environments is one of the few true "big levers" of disruption in education — alongside grades and schedules. The conversation covers practical, low-cost strategies for redesigning spaces, including removing clutter, adding writable surfaces, varying seating arrangements, and leveraging hallways. Robert emphasizes designing with students rather than for them, using a phased purchasing approach (30/40/30), and embracing iteration over perfection. The episode also touches on the cultural shifts that come when spaces signal something different — making learning feel like a place where process matters more than product, and where hard work can actually be fun.


    We’re proud to be sponsored by IXL.


    IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

    • Simplify and streamline technology
    • Save teachers’ time
    • Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
    • Improve student performance on state assessments


    🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.


    Developing Teacher Leaders with Kyle Palmer May 10, 2026
    Show notes

    In this episode of the Transformative Leadership Summit, Jethro sits down with Kyle Palmer, principal of Lewis and Clark Elementary, to explore how school leaders can develop teacher leaders and build a culture of trust and innovation. Kyle shares the story of how his school evolved from a single maker space initiative—sparked by library teacher Angela Rosheim's genius hour instruction—into a school-wide culture of student-centered learning, STEM integration through Project Lead The Way (PLTW), and maker spaces throughout the building. Central to the conversation is Kyle's philosophy of tight/loose leadership: being firm on learning outcomes and collaborative team expectations while giving teachers genuine autonomy in how they get there. He discusses the power of highly functioning PLCs, the importance of developing leaders (not just followers—a concept drawn from John Maxwell), and why trust, listening, and consistent feedback are the keys to empowering staff. Kyle leaves principals with a simple but powerful action step: go ask your best teachers what they think.


    We’re proud to be sponsored by IXL.


    IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

    • Simplify and streamline technology
    • Save teachers’ time
    • Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
    • Improve student performance on state assessments


    🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.


    Building Relationships That Outlast Leadership Transitions with Danny Bauer May 03, 2026
    Show notes

    In this episode from the Transformative Leadership Summit, Jethro Jones sits down with Daniel Bauer, host of the Better Leaders, Better Schools podcast, to explore why relationships are the cornerstone of transformative leadership.

    Daniel shares a candid, real-time example: his principal's unexpected departure and how a culture of trust and connection shaped how the school community responded to the news. He makes a compelling case for succession planning — not as a contingency, but as an ongoing leadership responsibility.


    We’re proud to be sponsored by IXL.


    IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

    • Simplify and streamline technology
    • Save teachers’ time
    • Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
    • Improve student performance on state assessments


    🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.


    Read to Lead with Kimberly Miles Apr 26, 2026
    Show notes

    In this 'From the Vault' episode of the Transformative Leadership Summit, Jethro sits down with Kimberly Miles, principal of East Gresham Elementary School, to explore her remarkable approach to reading as a leadership practice. Kimberly shares how she strategically selects books — only picking them up after hearing multiple recommendations — and then digs deep using a layered annotation system of underlining, highlighting, color-coded tabs, and 3x5 index card summaries she keeps on hand for professional conversations. She discusses why leaders need to be diverse readers beyond education titles, how she uses books like Make It Stick and Thomas Friedman's work to broaden her thinking, and why she spent two years reading a single book with her staff — and why that was the right call. Whether it's leading book clubs with her leadership team, reading alongside her own adult children, or listening to audiobooks on her commute, Kimberly makes the case that intentional, slow, deep reading is one of the most powerful tools a leader can have.


    We’re proud to be sponsored by IXL.


    IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

    • Simplify and streamline technology
    • Save teachers’ time
    • Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
    • Improve student performance on state assessments


    🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.


    Unleash Aliveness with Alisha De Lorenzo Apr 19, 2026
    Show notes

    In this episode, Mike sits down with Alisha DeLorenzo, educator and consultant from New Jersey, to explore her powerful framework of "Unleash Aliveness." Alisha shares how a deeply personal encounter with loss sparked her mission to help schools move from feeling like a "zombie apocalypse" to places of genuine energy and engagement.


    Key Takeaways:

    • Aliveness is created when people feel significant and heard
    • Change doesn't come from big initiatives — it comes from small, community-led sprints
    • Leaders don't need all the answers; the wisdom is already in the building
    • Transformative principals are positively disruptive, human-centered, and willing to get out of the way

    Links:
    LinkedIn: Alisha De Lorenzo
    Instagram: @alishadelorenzo
    Website: alishadelorenzo.com


    We’re proud to be sponsored by IXL.


    IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

    • Simplify and streamline technology
    • Save teachers’ time
    • Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
    • Improve student performance on state assessments


    🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.


    Better Together with Derek Cantrell Apr 12, 2026
    Show notes

    Derek Cantrell, principal of Allegheny High School in Virginia, shares how he led the consolidation of two rival high schools after 40+ years of failed merger attempts. As the final principal of Covington High School, Derek navigated the emotional journey of closing one school while building excitement for a unified future.

    Key insights:

    • The power of intentionality — Communication roadmaps, mingle sessions, scavenger hunts, and family tours helped staff and students from both schools build relationships before day one
    • Blending traditions thoughtfully — The new school kept Allegheny's name but adopted Covington's mascot (Cougars), merged school colors, and created fresh branding so everyone felt ownership
    • Put people first — Derek credits listening to concerns, valuing input on staffing and room selections, and involving stakeholders at every step as the keys to successful culture-building
    • Small wins create momentum — From staff eating lunch together voluntarily to scoring a touchdown on the first kickoff of the first football game, celebrating wins built community pride

    Derek's new book "Better Together" provides a leadership playbook for school consolidation, culture transformation, and recognition systems like their Breakfast Club of Champions program.


    Links:
    LinkedIn: Derek Cantrell
    Book: Better Together: Building One School, One Culture, and One Community
    Better Together Podcast


    We’re proud to be sponsored by IXL.


    IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

    • Simplify and streamline technology
    • Save teachers’ time
    • Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
    • Improve student performance on state assessments


    🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.


    The Science of Kindness with Dr. Chris Culver Apr 05, 2026
    Show notes

    Dr. Chris Culver, founder of Orange Sparrow, shares his journey from being bullied as a student to becoming an advocate for the science of kindness in education. After working in toxic school environments that led him to call an employee assistance helpline, Chris left traditional K-12 education to pursue a mission of making kindness go viral.

    Key takeaways:

    • Kindness isn't just "kindergarten kindness" (sharing crayons, saying sorry) — it's a science backed by neuroscience that includes setting boundaries, honest communication, and empathy
    • Today's Gen Z and Gen Alpha students crave human interaction but lack the skills — they need explicit modeling of collaboration and connection
    • Schools seeing improved test scores, decreased behaviors, and increased attendance when implementing kindness-based approaches
    • Leaders should create clear cultural expectations, gather regular feedback (keep/start/stop surveys), and model vulnerability
    • Culture-building isn't about pizza parties — it's about ensuring people feel seen, heard, valued, and respected

    Links:
    Orange Sparrow
    Science of Kindness
    Dr. Chris Culver LinkTree
    Linked Leaders Bio


    We’re proud to be sponsored by IXL.


    IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

    • Simplify and streamline technology
    • Save teachers’ time
    • Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
    • Improve student performance on state assessments


    🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.


    Instructional Coherence with Dr. Gene Kerns Mar 29, 2026
    Show notes

    Gene Kerns, Vice President and Chief Academic Officer at Renaissance Learning, joins the show to discuss instructional coherence—a trending concept in education that asks whether all the programs, assessments, and interventions schools purchase actually work together as a system.

    Notes:
    - Instructional Coherence.
    - Connecting in appropriate ways.
    - How do you know if there is instructional coherence?
    - Each part we add has the potential to become a silo.
    - Incoherence vs. coherence.
    - Our students who are struggling the most have to carry the most cognitive load.
    - 1 vendor vs. multi-vendor situations.
    - Article pairing of assessment and instruction.
    - Power of aligning to textbooks/curriculum
    - Just because we are giving kids more time doesn't mean they are getting the learning they need.
    - Emphasis on grade level content.
    - Review only what is absolutely necessary and immediately relevant to what you're doing right now.
    - Lesson Creator with AI for the teachable moment.
    - Check out Renaissance Learning Webinars
    - Renaissance Intelligence

    About Dr. Gene Kerns
    Gene Kerns is a third-generation educator with teaching experience from elementary through the university level and K-12 administrative experience. He currently serves as Vice President and Chief Academic Officer of Renaissance Learning.

    With nearly 20 years of experience of leading staff development and speaking at national and international conferences, his former clients include administrators’ associations across the country and the Ministry of Education of Singapore.

    Gene received his Bachelor's degree and Master's degree from Longwood College in Virginia, and also holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) from the University of Delaware with an emphasis in Education Leadership. He is the author of 3 books on educational topics.

    As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.


    We’re proud to be sponsored by IXL.


    IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

    • Simplify and streamline technology
    • Save teachers’ time
    • Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
    • Improve student performance on state assessments


    🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.


    Executive Functions for Every K-3 Classroom with Mitch Weathers & Sarah Oberle Mar 22, 2026
    Show notes

    In this episode, first grade teacher Sarah Oberle and Organized Binder creator Mitch Weathers discuss their new book, Executive Functions for Every K-3 Classroom. They explain how core executive functions—working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility—develop between ages 4-8 and can't be trained like skills. Instead, teachers should design environments that preserve students' limited cognitive capacity for learning.

    Links:

    US Book Purchases:

    • Book 1: Executive Functions for Every Classroom, Grades 3-12: Creating Safe and Predictable Learning Environments
    • Book 2: Executive Functions for Every K-3 Classroom: Promoting Self-Regulation for a Strong Start

    Outside of the US Book Purchases:

    • Book 1: Executive Functions for Every Classroom, Grades 3-12: Creating Safe and Predictable Learning Environments
    • Book 2: Executive Functions for Every K-3 Classroom: Promoting Self-Regulation for a Strong Start

    LinkedIN:

    • Sarah Oberle
    • Mitch Weathers

    Websites:

    • https://sarahoberle.com/
    • https://organizedbinder.com/

    We’re proud to be sponsored by IXL.


    IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

    • Simplify and streamline technology
    • Save teachers’ time
    • Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
    • Improve student performance on state assessments


    🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.


    How to Lead Change Without Leaving Your Team Behind with Dr. Kristilynn Turney Mar 15, 2026
    Show notes

    In this episode, Mike Caldwell sits down with Dr. Kristilynn Turney, an educational consultant, speaker, and former school principal with 27 years in education. Kristilynn shares her journey from being labeled a "problem child" for talking too much to becoming the first Black principal of two predominantly white suburban schools in the Cincinnati area.

    Key topics include:

    • The weight and responsibility of being "the first" in leadership
    • Building relationships as the foundation for school transformation
    • Balancing vision with collaborative decision-making
    • Navigating resistance while holding firm on non-negotiables
    • Keeping instruction at the center of every leadership decision

    Episode Links:
    Website: DrKristilynnTurney.com
    YouTube: Dr. Turney Speaks
    LindkedIn: Dr. Kristilynn Turney


    We’re proud to be sponsored by IXL.


    IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

    • Simplify and streamline technology
    • Save teachers’ time
    • Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
    • Improve student performance on state assessments


    🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.


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