WEP 260: Leading with Heart, Hustle, and Pride an Interview with Mark Bagley Hosted by Kelly Croy

Episode 260: Leading with Heart, Hustle, and Pride" with Mark Bagley

By Kelly Croy

This is the Wired Educator Podcast, Episode 260! I am so excited for you to hear this conversation. I’m sitting down with a good friend, a colleague, and a truly great leader in Ohio: Mark Bagley, the Superintendent of Van Wert City Schools.

In this episode, we learn exactly what it takes to lead a district with authenticity and how to make a real difference in the lives of both colleagues and children. Mark is a "servant leader" in the truest sense of the word. Whether it’s picking up trash, helping in a classroom when there are no subs, or standing out at the bus hub every single morning, Mark leads from the trenches.

You are going to love this interview. Buckle up!

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A Great Week to be a Wired Educator

Before we dive into the interview, I have to tell you—it has been an amazing week.

I was recently invited to Gibsonburg Schools to share my book, Unthink Before Bed, for their Literacy Night. It was a blast. I shared the books I loved as a kid, talked about the "why" behind reading, and even did some live drawing of the characters. But the real star was my dog, Jedi. He showed up in a tie, met the kids, and did a few tricks! Gibsonburg even pre-ordered copies for the families. It’s moments like these that remind me why we do what we do.

I also want to give a huge shout-out to Joe Miller for organizing the third annual SEL Symposium at Port Clinton City Schools. We had world-class speakers, and the energy was incredible. If you haven't heard it yet, go back a few episodes and listen to my interview with Joe about how he built that event.

Coming Soon to the Podcast:

• Casey Cooney: We recorded a live broadcast about Rigor and Relationships in the Age of AI.

• Mark Perna: Author of Answering Why, talking about career and life skills.

• Ben Johnson & Bobby Dodd: Discussing their book Intentional Influence and cultural mapping.

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Key Takeaways from Mark Bagley

Mark and I covered a lot of ground in this interview. Here are a few "nuggets" that every educator needs to hear:

• The Power of "E + R = O": Mark is a firm believer in the Focus 3 system: Event + Response = Outcome. We can’t always control the events, but we can control our response. That response dictates the outcome for our students and staff.

• "What Happened to You?": Instead of asking "What is wrong with you?", we must ask "What happened to you?" Understanding trauma is the first step toward regulation and learning.

• The CEO Program: Van Wert is doing something revolutionary with their seniors through the Career Education Opportunities program, getting kids into the workforce to learn real-world skills.

• The "Thankfulness Walk": Mark starts his day with gratitude. In a job that is 24/7, finding that space to be grateful is essential for longevity.

"The culture of your school will never be higher than the highest adult. We have to make sure we keep on raising our adults." — Mark Bagley

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Work with Kelly Croy

Leadership matters, and let’s give the world something worth following! If you enjoyed what you heard today and would like to bring some of these conversations to your campus, I am available to speak at your next event, your kickoff, or your opening day. I love working directly with teachers, staff, and administrators to help you level up.

Reach out to me at: [e-mail] or visit www.KellyCroy.com

Support the Show

• Partnerships: If you’d like your book, product, service, or website highlighted in the pre-roll, email me at [e-mail].

• Reviews: I love them! Please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. I read every single one and might share yours on the next episode.

• Share: Please share this podcast with your staff, colleagues, and family.

Thank you for taking time from your busy week to listen and make a difference in the lives of students. You're awesome. Have a great week!

Mentioned in this Episode

Books & Authors

• Unthink Before Bed by Kelly Croy

• Along Came a Leader by Kelly Croy

• What Happened to You? by Dr. Bruce Perry & Oprah Winfrey

• Answering Why by Mark Perna

• Intentional Influence by Ben Johnson & Bobby Dodd

Websites & Resources

• Wired Educator Official Website – Your hub for all things level-up.

• KellyCroy.com – Book Kelly for your next speaking event.

• Van Wert City Schools – Learn more about Mark Bagley’s district.

• Focus 3 (E+R=O) – The leadership system mentioned by Mark.

• Project Lead The Way (PLTW) – The engineering and computer science curriculum discussed.

To learn more about having Kelly Croy speak at your event, visit his website to connect.

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Thank you for listening and for being part of this community. It is always a great day to be a Wired Educator.

You are awesome!

Kelly

I would like to speak at your event!

Do you like what you heard? Invite Kelly to speak at your school.

Interested in booking Kelly for your Next Event?

Yes! Let's Make it happen right HERE!

I love opening day keynotes to school districts and conferences, workshops with leaders and any opportunity to help educators reignite their passion, build stronger connections with students and colleagues, improve instruction, and level up as leaders. I hope YOU will reach out to ME!

Order Kelly’s books, Along Came a Leader and Unthink Before Bed: A Children’s Book on Mindfulness for your personal library.

Educator, Author, Keynote Speaker

Instagram: @kcroy
Website: kellycroy.com and wirededucator.com

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kelly_croy
Podcast: The Wired Educator Podcast  Twitter: @kellycroy and of course: Facebook.