(AUDIO) Beyond the Report Card: Reclaiming School Greatness with Vikas Pota
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
As we wrap up our summer encore series and gear up to launch Season 5 of An Imperfect Leader, we are closing out the sunny season with an absolute powerhouse of a conversation! ☀️🎙️ In our final summer encore episode, I sat down with , founder of T4 Education and creator of the . If you are a superintendent, head of school, or district leader, this episode is your ultimate reminder of why your school has every reason to be celebrated on a global stage. Here are three game-changing themes we deconstruct in this episode: 1️⃣ What Makes a School The Best in the World? Vikas...
info_outline
(VIDEO) Beyond the Report Card: Reclaiming School Greatness with Vikas Pota
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
As we wrap up our summer encore series and gear up to launch Season 5 of An Imperfect Leader, we are closing out the sunny season with an absolute powerhouse of a conversation! ☀️🎙️ In our final summer encore episode, I sat down with , founder of T4 Education and creator of the . If you are a superintendent, head of school, or district leader, this episode is your ultimate reminder of why your school has every reason to be celebrated on a global stage. Here are three game-changing themes we deconstruct in this episode: 1️⃣ What Makes a School The Best in the World? Vikas...
info_outline
Dr. Christina Kishimoto and the Radical Power of Relationship Capital
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
🚨 How do you lead when the answer is "zero"? 🚨 In our latest encore episode of An Imperfect Leader, we sit down with the incredible Dr. Christina Kishimoto (Founder and CEO of and former superintendent in Hartford, Gilbert, and Hawaii) to talk about the radical power of relationship capital, the messy reality of school leadership, and what it truly means to lead with intention. During the conversation, Dr. Kishimoto shared a powerful story from the start of the 2020 pandemic. When her district needed $100 million for student devices to support online learning across seven...
info_outline
Back by Popular Demand: Casey Hallgarth and Why Relationships (Not Titles) Are the True Key to System Leadership
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
This week on An Imperfect Leader, we’re heading back into the archives to bring you a conversation that remains incredibly relevant today. My guest, Dr. Casey Hallgarth, Superintendent of Baker School District, shared timeless wisdom on leading with heart and integrity. Here is why this encore episode is a must-listen: 🤝 Relationships are the Foundation: Successful leadership isn't about the title. It's about authentic connections with staff, your board, and the community. 👂 The Power of Real Listening: To create a shared image of success, you have to convene groups and "really...
info_outline
(AUDIO) Building a Cathedral to Possibility: How Winchester and Jason Van Heukelum are Beyond the Four Walls of a Classroom
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
Are we preparing students for a four-year degree that only 20% will actually complete, or are we preparing them for life? In this special encore episode of An Imperfect Leader, we are revisiting a powerful conversation with , Superintendent of Winchester Public Schools in Virginia. This is an episode every school leader needs to hear, especially if you’ve ever felt that the current "testing regime" is sucking the joy out of your classrooms. Why should you care? Because Jason is doing something truly bold. He didn't just build a new CTE wing; he created the Emil and Grace Shahadah...
info_outline
(VIDEO) Curing the Testing Obsession: Winchester and Jason Van Heukelum are Reclaiming Joy and Agency in the Modern Classroom
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
Are we preparing students for a four-year degree that only 20% will actually complete, or are we preparing them for life? In this special encore episode of An Imperfect Leader, we are revisiting a powerful conversation with , Superintendent of Winchester Public Schools in Virginia. This is an episode every school leader needs to hear, especially if you’ve ever felt that the current "testing regime" is sucking the joy out of your classrooms. Why should you care? Because Jason is doing something truly bold. He didn't just build a new CTE wing; he created the Emil and Grace Shahadah...
info_outline
(VIDEO) Leading with Curiosity with Max Silverman: The Power of Noticing and Wondering
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
We are heading back into the archives for a very special encore episode of An Imperfect Leader! When I first spoke with , the Executive Director of the , our audience was much smaller. His insights on how we lead schools and support principals are more relevant today than ever. Max (now in an emeritus/advisor role at CEL) is one of those leaders who combines deep expertise with incredible humility. In this episode, we dive into: The Power of Simple Tools: Max shares a mantra that has stuck with me: "Simple tools lead to complex thinking, and complex tools lead to...
info_outline
(AUDIO) Leading with Curiosity with Max Silverman: The Power of Noticing and Wondering
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
We are heading back into the archives for a very special encore episode of An Imperfect Leader! When I first spoke with , the Executive Director of the , our audience was much smaller. His insights on how we lead schools and support principals are more relevant today than ever. Max (now in an emeritus/advisor role at CEL) is one of those leaders who combines deep expertise with incredible humility. In this episode, we dive into: The Power of Simple Tools: Max shares a mantra that has stuck with me: "Simple tools lead to complex thinking, and complex tools lead to simple thinking." ...
info_outline
Why Humanizing the Superintendency Matters More Than Ever with Dr. Rachel White (Encore Episode)
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
We are bringing back one of our most impactful conversations for an encore episode of An Imperfect Leader! Have you ever wondered why, in a profession where over 70% of teachers are women, only 28% of superintendents are? Or why so many leaders feel they have to be "perfect" just to survive? joined us to dive into her groundbreaking work with . She didn’t just look at the numbers; she hand-collected data on nearly 13,000 leaders because a national database simply didn’t exist. One of her most startling finds? One in five superintendents is named John, Matthew, or Michael. In this...
info_outline
(AUDIO) Leading without Flinching with Nyah Hamlett (Encore Episode)
An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast
Some conversations stay with you long after the recording ends. My conversation with is one of those. In this encore episode, Dr. Hamlett, former superintendent of Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and now Chief Equity & Development Officer for Montgomery County Public Schools, offers a deeply honest reflection on leadership under pressure. Here are three themes leaders should listen for: 1. “Don’t Flinch” Leadership: Listen for how Nyah defines leadership as choosing courage over convenience, especially when decisions are uncomfortable or...
info_outlineWe are heading back into the archives for a very special encore episode of An Imperfect Leader!
When I first spoke with Max Silverman, the Executive Director of the University of Washington Center for Educational Leadership (CEL), our audience was much smaller. His insights on how we lead schools and support principals are more relevant today than ever.
Max (now in an emeritus/advisor role at CEL) is one of those leaders who combines deep expertise with incredible humility. In this episode, we dive into:
- The Power of Simple Tools: Max shares a mantra that has stuck with me: "Simple tools lead to complex thinking, and complex tools lead to simple thinking."
- The Anatomy of Instruction: True leadership expertise can only be developed "in the presence of students." We talk about moving beyond spreadsheets to develop "habits of thinking"—noticing, wondering, and hypothesizing about what is actually causing learning.
- The After Action Review: Max gets vulnerable about a major decision to convert a comprehensive high school into three small schools.
- Moving at the Speed of Trust: Vital advice for any leader on the importance of "seeing the unseen" and prioritizing relationships over ego.
Whether you are a head of school, a superintendent, a principal, or a teacher leader, Max’s perspective on humanizing the work is a must-listen.
Follow Host Peter Stiepleman on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-stiepleman-76004819a/
Website: https://imperfectleader.com/
Follow Co-host Jamie Almanzán on:
Connect with APC Leadership Collaborative for support in navigating complex leadership situations: https://www.apccollab.com
-------
An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by IXL. Boost learning with a platform proven to deliver results. IXL gives educators a complete K–12 curriculum and personalized learning plans that adapt to every student.
Trusted by over 1 million teachers and 96 of the top 100 school districts, IXL helps schools outperform on state tests, and helps teachers focus on what matters most.
IXL: Powerful data. Personalized learning. Real progress.
Discover what IXL can do for your school at IXL.com/imperfect
-------
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.
Learn why 3 Million Students use Yondr every day.
MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS. MAXIMIZE LEARNING POTENTIAL.
Go to overyondr.com to learn more.
------
The Mosaic Project, one of our favorite organizations, has over 25 years of experience empowering students to celebrate differences, communicate assertively, and resolve conflicts peacefully at their outdoor school. Their innovative SEL curriculum is now available to An Imperfect Leader listeners at a 10% discount through their new documentary film-based Mosaic Classroom Project!
The Project’s ready-to-use lesson plans include film, original music, “gametivities”, and real conversations. We’re proud to partner with The Mosaic Project in helping educators build inclusive, peaceful learning communities! Just mention An Imperfect Leader during the onboarding process to receive the 10% discount.
Learn more about The Mosaic Classroom Project.
------
Think differently. Think in systems. Reach out to The Waters Center for Systems Thinking to learn more about how systems thinking capacity building can strengthen your team and organization.
Homepage: www.waterscenterst.org
Thinking Tools Studio: https://thinkingtoolsstudio.waterscenterst.org
------
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 imperfectleader.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.