In Cape (Girardeau), They're Leading Like a Buffalo
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
Release Date: 10/01/2024
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
ποΈJoin us on An Imperfect Leader with trailblazing Marlon Styles!ποΈ This week on An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast, we get to feature Marlon Styles, former Superintendent of Middletown City School District (OH) and current Partner at the Learner Center Collaborative. π«πΌ π Named K12 Diveβs Superintendent of the Year in 2020, Marlon is a fierce advocate for educational equity and a visionary leader in learner-centered education. In this powerful conversation, Marlon shares lessons on leadership, innovation, and community...
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This week, we had an incredibly conversation with , an award-winning media-trained public information officer and founder of Veronica Sopher K12 Communications Consulting. With 25+ years of experience counseling school leaders, Veronica shared invaluable wisdom on navigating the complexities of educational leadership. π«π‘ We delved into how superintendents can build trust and shape compelling narratives, especially during high-stakes moments and crises. Veronica's approach starts with a fundamental question: What problem are we trying to solve? We explored the...
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In this weekβs episode of An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast, we sit down with veteran superintendent to explore the shifting landscape of school leadership over the decades. π π‘ Key Insights: π Leadership Has Evolved: From autocratic to inclusive, with school boards now at the center of decision-making. π§ Courageous, Inclusive Leadership Matters: Superintendents must proactively build trust with boards, unions, and the broader community. π« Strategic Open Enrollment: Dennis shares how Minnetonka used open enrollment to grow enrollment,...
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π The Power of Wholehearted Leadership: 4 Key Insights from Dr. Kathryn Fishman-Weaver π In this episode of An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast, we have an incredible conversation with , the Executive Director of Mizzou Academy. Some key takeaways from our conversation include: π 1. Stories Are the Shortest Distance Between People "Stories are the connective tissue that holds us all together. The space to share who we are - being fully human - doesn't happen by accident." π€ 2. Wisdom Is Everywhere - Embrace Shared Leadership "The most important ideas for...
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This week on An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast, we talk with UCLA's , author of "". Dr. Chavez Moreno's work challenges us to think beyond superficial approaches to racial identity in schools. Here are three key themes and insights from our conversation: Schools implicitly make race through practices and policies. Beyond explicit lessons on race, schools reinforce racial ideas through their structures. As Dr. ChΓ‘vez Moreno explains, "Schools make race through implicit ways also... through the policies and the practices that they engage in". This includes...
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π New episode alert! π§ Tune into the latest episode of An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast featuring . We had a truly insightful conversation about how conscious leadership can drive significant culture shifts in education! Here are a few key takeaways from our discussion: π― Transforming Culture: Shifting culture isn't about checklists and compliance. Jill suggests leaders "shift from your checklist in your brain and move to a bullseye." This means focusing on building internal skills at the core of the system. π§ββοΈ Leading with Self-Regulation:...
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In this episode of : The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast, sits down with , Founder and Executive Director of the . Nicholas is also the co-author of . He shares how building authentic relationships and embedding restorative systems, rather than isolated programs, is critical for cultivating trust, accountability, and resilience in schools. Nicholas Bradford discusses how restorative practices are proactive efforts to build culture and reduce burnout among school leaders. He explains how schools can move beyond punitive models and create environments that empower students, staff, and...
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In this episode of : The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast, Peter Stiepleman sits down with , former principal, state education leader, and co-founder of . As a school leader, Amy led one of Tennesseeβs most dramatic school turnarounds, moving a in Nashville from the bottom 5% to the top 5% in just four years. She later served at the , where she supported principals, assistant principals, and supervisors across the state. Dr. Amy Galloway reflects on the challenges leaders face in times of transition, from navigating isolation and accountability to rebuilding school culture with...
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In this episode of : The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast, I sit down with , Principal at , and , Former-Partner at and Founder of . Two leaders from opposite ends of the political spectrum who are united by a common mission: to help educational leaders communicate more effectively in deeply divided times. Lori Weigel and Jonathan Voss discuss how superintendents can use shared values and thoughtful language to build consensus, especially when facing complex issues like equity, trust in public schools, and community engagement. Drawing on decades of public opinion research, they...
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In this episode of : The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast, sits down with , host and Global Community Director of . Josh, a former history teacher turned educational innovator, shares his journey of challenging traditional education models. Through his work with the What School Could Be initiative, Josh is helping lead the conversation on student-driven learning and community involvement in education reform. Joshβs story is one of transformation, from teaching in Hawaii to curating conversations with educators worldwide. He explores how creative, real-world learning can redefine the...
info_outlineIn this episode of An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast, we're thrilled to welcome Dr. Howard Benyon, Superintendent of Cape Girardeau Public Schools in Missouri, and Dr. Brice Beck, Deputy Superintendent.
These inspiring leaders share insights on:
- β Making fearless, student-first decisions, especially when it comes to going #phone #free in their schools
- β The concept of "Buffalo Leadership" 𦬠β facing challenges head-on and together
- β Building a strong, supportive culture for teachers and staff
- β Innovative retention strategies π
- β Enhancing connectedness and belonging in the school community
π§ Tune in to hear how Cape Girardeau is creating an environment where teachers feel valued and supported through professional development, non-evaluative learning, and some fantastic team-building (cookouts included ππ΄)!
Check out the full episode now! #leadership #education #teachers #schoolculture #retention #professionaldevelopment
Howard Benyon
Brice Beck
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An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by Yondr.
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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, βWhat questions do you have for us?β And they always ask, βWhat kind of support can I expect?β And we always say, βDon't worry, we'll give you a mentor.β
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.