43: Leading Through Growth
CheckBox Pro Series
In this episode of the CheckBox Pro Series, Missy sits down with Rachael Sewards, Founder and Executive Director of Solare Collegiate Charter School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Rachael shares her journey from Teach for America corps member in Memphis to founding one of the city’s highest-performing public charter schools serving a historically underperforming community. She opens up about what it takes to lead through rapid growth—from launching Solare as a middle school to expanding into a full K–8 campus—and the lessons she’s learned about delegation, communication, and defining...
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42: What's Saving My Life: Fall 2025
CheckBox Pro Series
In this quarterly solo episode of the CheckBox Pro Series, Missy shares her What’s Saving My Life list for Fall 2025—a season she defines as October through December, otherwise known as the sprint to the end of the year. This episode is equal parts reflection, survival guide, and joy inventory, capturing the small habits, simple tools, and intentional choices that helped her stay grounded during one of the busiest seasons of the year. From tiny logistics like a USB port adapter and Aquaphor, to bigger mindset shifts like not overplanning a family trip abroad, Missy walks through ten very...
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41: Learning Beyond the Classroom
CheckBox Pro Series
In this episode of the CheckBox Pro Series, Missy sits down with Dr. Josh Pinto Taylor, Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Anchor School in Atlanta, Georgia. Josh shares his journey from studying architecture to founding a charter school that blends academic excellence, student voice, and community impact. He reflects on the challenges of leading a growing school—running a thriving middle school while preparing to launch a high school—and what it means to lead with vision and shared ownership. Josh also unpacks The Anchor School’s approach to place-based and project-based learning,...
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40: From Mom to Movement: The Story Behind Celebrate Dyslexia
CheckBox Pro Series
In this powerful episode of the CheckBox Pro Series, Missy sits down with Jasmin Dean, Founder and Executive Director of Celebrate Dyslexia and Celebrate Dyslexia Schools in San Antonio, Texas. What began as a mom’s determination to help her son learn to read has grown into a movement reshaping how families, educators, and medical professionals understand and support dyslexia. Jasmin shares her journey from managing her husband’s medical practice to founding a nonprofit—and eventually launching a public charter school designed as a model for how every campus can serve students with...
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39: Leading Like a Solid Object
CheckBox Pro Series
In this episode of the CheckBox Pro Series, Missy sits down with Aaron Wallace, Associate Education Director at Dynamic Minds Academy in Indiana—a public charter school serving students across the autism spectrum. Aaron shares how his untraditional path from college hockey player to educator led him to a school that blends academics and therapy in powerful ways. He talks about the importance of “being the solid object”—a grounding presence for students and staff alike—and how that mindset shapes his leadership, especially in challenging moments. From advocating fiercely for his...
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38: Removing Barriers, Building Futures
CheckBox Pro Series
In this inspiring episode of the CheckBox Pro Series, Missy talks with Dr. Leticia Archuleta, Executive Director of Health Leadership High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. With a background that bridges social work, education, and leadership, Dr. Archuleta shares how her school is redefining access and equity for students through a powerful blend of health education, community partnerships, and social-emotional learning. From paying students for internships to providing free healthcare and mental health services on campus, Health Leadership High School is a model for what it looks like to...
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37: Building Joyful Communities
CheckBox Pro Series
In this episode of the CheckBox Pro Series, Missy sits down with Danielle Mack, Chief Executive Officer of Ethos Classical in Atlanta. Danielle shares her journey from teaching seventh grade math to founding and leading a thriving K–8 school community, one she trusted enough to enroll her own children in. She opens up about the challenges of leading through growth and transition, the importance of balancing motherhood with leadership, and how she sustains herself in a demanding role. At the heart of her leadership is a superpower: creating joyful, connected communities where families,...
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36: What's Saving My Life: Summer 2025
CheckBox Pro Series
In this lighthearted solo episode, Missy shares her seasonal reflection on the small (and not-so-small) things that made her summer more joyful, manageable, and sustainable. From rediscovering lightning bugs to painting late-night walls, this list is equal parts nostalgic, practical, and honest. Think of it as her online diary—a moment to pause and name what’s helping her show up well in work, life, and everything in between. Bonus: her mother-in-law (the #1 fan of these episodes) will be listening—and texting her approval. Key Takeaways: A reminder that simple joys—like lightning...
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35: Clarity, Alignment, and Adaptability
CheckBox Pro Series
In this episode of the CheckBox Pro Series, Missy sits down with Matt Cowan, Executive Director of Believe Memphis Academy, to talk about his journey from classroom teacher to school leader and the lessons he’s learned along the way. Matt shares how adaptability has been his superpower—helping him thrive in chaotic seasons, lead through challenges like founding a school during COVID, and now navigate the shift from principal to executive director. He opens up about the joys of watching students grow, the struggles of balancing leadership with family life, and the practical habits that keep...
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34: Realigning to Vision Every Day
CheckBox Pro Series
In this episode, I sit down with Dana Stuart Browning, founder of The Texas Girls School, just five days after she opened the doors to her brand-new campus. Inspired by her daughter’s experience in STEM, Dana shares her journey from classroom teacher to charter school founder and the vision behind creating a single-gender, STEM-focused, project-based learning environment for middle school girls in Austin. We talk about the challenges of launching a school, the importance of keeping both students and teachers in love with learning, and how strong boundaries and intentional communication...
info_outlineIn this episode of the CheckBox Pro Series, Missy sits down with Dr. Josh Pinto Taylor, Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Anchor School in Atlanta, Georgia. Josh shares his journey from studying architecture to founding a charter school that blends academic excellence, student voice, and community impact. He reflects on the challenges of leading a growing school—running a thriving middle school while preparing to launch a high school—and what it means to lead with vision and shared ownership. Josh also unpacks The Anchor School’s approach to place-based and project-based learning, where students identify problems within their own community and design solutions that make their school—and city—better. From hygiene cabinets and community gardens to student-designed duffel bags, Josh shares how giving students real agency transforms learning and builds lasting confidence.
Key Takeaways:
- How The Anchor School blends architecture, education, and community design to shape learning.
- The difference between place-based and project-based learning—and why both matter.
- Practical examples of student-led projects that improve their school community.
- How to implement project-based learning whether you’re a classroom teacher or school leader.
- The power of centering students’ voices through structures like “micro village meetings.”
Connect with Josh:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-pinto-taylor-ed-d-77913035/
- Learn more about The Anchor School: https://www.theanchorschool.org
About CheckBox Pro: CheckBox Pro helps school leaders create sustainability through added capacity—taking repetitive tasks off their plates so they can focus on what matters most. https://www.checkboxpro.com/
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