The Call to Courage: Shelley Berman Navigates Divisive Forces in Public Education
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
Release Date: 09/17/2024
(AUDIO) "You Are the Strategy": Transforming Chronic Absenteeism Through Relational Invitation with Shelley Berman
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
When a student stops showing up to school, our default instinct as a system is often to drop the hammer: automated warning letters, threats of fines, or referrals to juvenile court. Here’s the truth: those compliance letters don't build enthusiasm. They alienate families and often worsen the problem. In this latest episode of An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast, we sit down with veteran superintendent and former CASEL CEO to tackle one of the most pressing challenges facing education today: chronic absenteeism. Instead of treating attendance as an...
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(VIDEO) "You Are the Strategy": Transforming Chronic Absenteeism Through Relational Invitation with Shelley Berman
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
When a student stops showing up to school, our default instinct as a system is often to drop the hammer: automated warning letters, threats of fines, or referrals to juvenile court. Here’s the truth: those compliance letters don't build enthusiasm. They alienate families and often worsen the problem. In this latest episode of An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast, we sit down with veteran superintendent and former CASEL CEO to tackle one of the most pressing challenges facing education today: chronic absenteeism. Instead of treating attendance as an...
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(VIDEO) From Blackouts to Belonging: Chris Lynn and Leading the International School of Havana
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
In the latest episode of An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast, we sit down with , Head of School at the Leading an international school in Cuba amidst daily grid uncertainties, fuel shortages, and complex operational challenges requires incredible resilience, empathy, and community-first leadership. Chris Lynn approaches each challenge with a human-centered approach. 🌟 1. The Belonging Manifesto To ensure that every student, staff member, and family feels safe, known, and valued, Chris spearheaded the co-creation of the school’s...
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(AUDIO) From Blackouts to Belonging: Chris Lynn and Leading the International School of Havana
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
In the latest episode of An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast, we sit down with , Head of School at the Leading an international school in Cuba amidst daily grid uncertainties, fuel shortages, and complex operational challenges requires incredible resilience, empathy, and community-first leadership. Chris Lynn approaches each challenge with a human-centered approach. 🌟 1. The Belonging Manifesto To ensure that every student, staff member, and family feels safe, known, and valued, Chris spearheaded the co-creation of the school’s Belonging...
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(AUDIO) Courage, Systems, and Conviction: A Lesson in Vulnerability with Supt. Michael Hayden with Supt. Michael Hayden
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
This week on An Imperfect Leader, we sit down with Superintendent of the Clyde-Savannah Central School District for a deeply moving conversation on leadership, literacy, and human-centered courage. Here are two key takeaways from this powerful conversation: 1. Thinking in Systems to Guarantee Middle School Literacy Michael shares how middle school serves as a crucial pivot point. Rather than leaving literacy to chance, Michael applied systems thinking across the district: Protecting Instructional Coaching: Even during state aid cutbacks, the district prioritized non-evaluative...
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(VIDEO) Courage, Systems, and Conviction: A Lesson in Vulnerability with Supt. Michael Hayden
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
This week on An Imperfect Leader, we sit down with Superintendent of the Clyde-Savannah Central School District for a deeply moving conversation on leadership, literacy, and human-centered courage. Here are two key takeaways from this powerful conversation: 1. Thinking in Systems to Guarantee Middle School Literacy Michael shares how middle school serves as a crucial pivot point. Rather than leaving literacy to chance, Michael applied systems thinking across the district: Protecting Instructional Coaching: Even during state aid cutbacks, the district prioritized non-evaluative...
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(VIDEO) Process over Product: How Courageous Leaders Build Community Trust with Dr. Gustavo Balderas
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
When we talk about leadership in education, it’s easy to rely on broad phrases like "building relationships" or "equity" without defining what those actually look like in daily practice. In this week's episode of An Imperfect Leader, co-host Jamie Almanzan and I sat down with , Superintendent of Puget Sound Educational Service District and former AASA and NABE National Superintendent of the Year. We explored what it takes to turn abstract ideas into concrete, actionable systems. Here are a couple of themes from our conversation that every leader can appreciate: 1. Process Is as...
info_outline
(AUDIO) Process over Product: How Courageous Leaders Build Community Trust with Dr. Gustavo Balderas
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
When we talk about leadership in education, it’s easy to rely on broad phrases like "building relationships" or "equity" without defining what those actually look like in daily practice. In this week's episode of An Imperfect Leader, co-host Jamie Almanzan and I sat down with , Superintendent of Puget Sound Educational Service District and former AASA and NABE National Superintendent of the Year. We explored what it takes to turn abstract ideas into concrete, actionable systems. Here are a couple of themes from our conversation that every leader can appreciate: 1. Process Is as Important as...
info_outline
(VIDEO) Chip Kimball and Three Leadership Lessons on Culture, Deep Thinking, and Knowing When to Hit Reset
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
"This was a fail, and I own it." This week, on An Imperfect Leader, shows us what real leadership vulnerability looks like. His insights on international education and systems leadership brought up some themes every leader should reflect on: 1. The Power of the Reset Button: When Chip tried to streamline his team’s global R&D process, the spark was missing. Instead of abandoning a noble goal, he had the vulnerability to admit the approach was a failure, hit pause, and launch "R&D 2.0". 2. Cultural Competence Over Standard Metrics Drawing from years leading major school...
info_outline
(AUDIO) Chip Kimball and Three Leadership Lessons on Culture, Deep Thinking, and Knowing When to Hit Reset
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
"This was a fail, and I own it." This week, on An Imperfect Leader, shows us what real leadership vulnerability looks like. His insights on international education and systems leadership brought up some themes every leader should reflect on: 1. The Power of the Reset Button: When Chip tried to streamline his team’s global R&D process, the spark was missing. Instead of abandoning a noble goal, he had the vulnerability to admit the approach was a failure, hit pause, and launch "R&D 2.0". 2. Cultural Competence Over Standard Metrics Drawing from years leading major school...
info_outlineJamie Almanzán and I are thrilled to announce our guest, Dr. Shelley Berman, a veteran superintendent with over 28 years of experience across Massachusetts, Kentucky, and Oregon. He’s also the co-author of The Call to Courage, a timely book co-written with Dr. Luvelle Brown, Superintendent of Ithaca.
In this episode, Shelley delves into the growing ideological divisions and attacks on public education that threaten our democratic foundations. He highlights key themes from his book, addressing how educators and leaders can foster the courage to stand firm in the face of divisiveness, while still championing inclusivity, diversity, and democratic values.
Throughout the conversation, Shelley offers insight into:
- Navigating the pressures from extremist groups targeting public education.
- Cultivating safe, inclusive spaces for all students, irrespective of their background or identity.
- How school leaders can reclaim the narrative in their communities and maintain their moral focus on student success.
Don't miss this compelling discussion about the call to courageous leadership in the most challenging of times!
Plus check out this link to the Rocket PD seminar he and Luvelle Brown are hosting:
The link to The Call to Courage on the publisher’s website is (it’s also available on Amazon).
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An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by Yondr.
Schools around the world are seeing the damaging effects of phones on student engagement, social development, and mental health.
Yondr has developed a unique product and program to allow schools to become phone-free, from arrival to dismissal.
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Go to overyondr.com to learn more.
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At the end of every interview we have for teacher candidates, we say, “What questions do you have for us?” And they always ask, “What kind of support can I expect?” And we always say, “Don't worry, we'll give you a mentor.”
That's where partners like EdConnective step in. They provide real coaching, observations and feedback with practice. EdConnective ensures that every student thrives by facilitating exceptional educator growth. If you're looking for support for your people, for your leaders, for science of reading efforts, for recruitment and retention initiatives, check out EdConnective.com.
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Imperfect Leaders! Are you facing challenges filling open Speech-Language Pathologist positions within your district? Empat Speech understands the critical need for qualified professionals and partners with school districts with a menu of options.
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An Imperfect Leader: Leadership in (After) Action is supported by ILAA, LLC, a firm dedicated to supporting aspiring, new, and established leaders. For more information, please find them at www.human-centeredleaders.com.
Music for An Imperfect Leader was written and arranged by Ian Varley.
Sam Falbo created our artwork, a wood-print inspired daruma doll butterfly.