Episodes

Is your professional learning truly serving your school leaders? Join Al Neppl as he shares how the School Administrators of Iowa designs their Annual Conference to tackle the most critical challenges facing today's principals: from fostering well-being and managing student behavior to leveraging AI ethically. Learn the strategies for structuring professional development that truly matters to those you lead. Connect with Al Neppl! Register for the Conference! Your teams are itching for CLARITY...

Does it feel like there are never enough hours in the day to lead effectively? Barb Flowers, Founder of Barb Flowers Coaching and Consultant, will share practical, system-based strategies for time management. Learn the power of time blocking and weekly planning to move beyond constant crisis and reclaim control of your day. This episode provides the tools you need to create more time, reduce stress, and focus on what truly matters. Connect with Barb: barbflowerscoaching.com ____________________...

**Sustain.** Are you struggling to maintain energy and connection in your leadership role? Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket, School Principal and President of MAESP will dive into the vital connection between relational intelligence and long-term educator and leader sustainability. She shares strategies for cultivating meaningful connections and a practical takeaway: the 100-day upward staff feedback survey to build a supportive, thriving school environment. Connect with Dr. Edoho-Eket at http://www.rache...

Do you ever worry about hiring someone who is better at the job than you are? Join Kevin Stewart, VP of Innovative Schools Summits, as he talks about why that feeling needs to stop! He’ll share his best tips on how to build an awesome team by finding people who are smarter than you and letting them shine. Learn the simple secret to becoming a great leader by giving others credit for their wins. Kevin Stewart has spent over 12 years with AccuTrain and more than a decade with the Innovative Schoo...

Are your "quick syncs" turning into hour-long marathons? Do you leave meetings feeling drained instead of driven? In this episode, we dive deep into the essential skill of setting professional boundaries to reclaim your calendar and your energy. Whether you’re a team leader or an individual contributor, mastering these boundary-setting techniques will help you transform your workday from chaotic to controlled. Your teams are itching for CLARITY! That can be a complex thing to provide. But I ha...

"Habit stacking"—a simple, powerful technique for building new routines. Come learn with Lindsay Deacon and I as we share our best tips, tricks, and hacks for seamlessly integrating positive habits into your daily life and work to experience consistent, (nearly) effortless success. Connect with Lindsay: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsaydeacon/ https://educoachsurvivalguide.com/ ____ Your teams are itching for CLARITY! That can be a complex thing to provide. But I have a framework that guides...

Join speaker Kim Strobel to dive into the essential topic of staff wellbeing, exploring the latest research on happiness and how it integrates with models of success in both work and personal life. Kim shares her pathway to understanding happiness and reveals practical habits that educators and leaders can adopt immediately to elevate their happiness levels. Discover how focusing on staff joy can transform your school's culture and performance. Connect with Kim: www.strobeleducation.com/bio F...

Dr. Melinda (Mel) Vandevort shares her framework for empowering new and aspiring school leaders to go the extra M.I.L.E. Discover strategies for stepping into leadership with clarity and confidence, leveraging personal gifts and strengths, and building essential systems that protect instruction and develop staff. This episode offers practical insights on prioritizing systems to avoid burnout and keep instructional mastery at the center of your work. Where can you connect with Dr. Mel Email meli...

Join Danny Bauer to explore how "Ruckus Makers" approach school leadership and education with a mindset of bold innovation. Discover what it means to lead differently, challenge the status quo, and implement non-traditional strategies that serve your stakeholders. Danny shares his insights on transforming school culture and points listeners toward resources for leaders looking to make a difference. Connect with Danny: Website: BLBS Website: https://betterleadersbetterschools.com Newsletters: J...

In this episode, we welcome Mia Pumo, Director at MGT Impact Solutions, to explore the meaning of an "unshakable leader" and how the science of human flourishing applies to educators. Mia, who has 30 years of experience in education, shares how to blend neuroscience and positive psychology with practical coaching tools to build supportive school cultures. We discuss how leaders can create coaching systems that elevate teaching, leadership, and well-being while achieving results. As a bonus, Mia ...

Dr. Chris Jochum, Founder/CEO of CJ Leadership Solutions, joins the show to discuss the vital importance and often-misunderstood value of teacher leadership. He shares insights from his new book, You Don't Have to Leave to Lead: A Practical Guide to Teacher Leadership, explaining why training and supporting teacher leaders is essential for school success. The conversation explores why this crucial aspect of school leadership is frequently overlooked and how it can transform school culture. Liste...

An instructional shift is challenging enough without a clear roadmap. How does a leader create genuine coherence—not just noise—when implementing new curriculum like Bluebonnet Math or i-Ready? This week we’re visiting with Dr. NaTasha Crain, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction, who is leading her district through major changes. Discover how to avoid common communication pitfalls, build shared mental models with principals, and focus teachers on the few things that matter most f...

You've got questions, I've got answers! During this final episode of the PLC replay series, I'll be answering YOUR questions about PLCs and Teams. I'll address questions like, "What does an ideal agenda look like for a PLC?" and, "How do you get PLCs started?" and, "What if a certain group of teachers are resistant?" These questions, plus the ones dropped in the comments will get answered! Check out the Better Data Meetings Tomorrow LIVE Mastermind Your teams are itching for CLARITY! That can b...

It's the second episode of this three-part replay series on PLCs and Teams! Do you ever find yourself or others asking, "What is our focus for PLCs this week?" When questions like this are asked, it's a sure sign that PLCs have lost their purpose! Join this episode to learn about strategies and tools that you can turnaround and implement with PLCs immediately so they can begin the year with a solid focus and feel revitalized to do purposeful work that matters for the remainder of the year! Neve...

Yep, I said it... PLCs: Just Say "NO"! The truth is that this buzzword term is becoming just that... a buzzword. For too many people, this term is coming up empty. This is the first of a series of three replays that all have to do with TEAMS! Let's jump into some conversations and CHANGE the bad taste that people are getting in their mouths about PLCs by thinking about WHAT we can say "NO" to when it comes to PLCs! Check out the Better Data Meetings Tomorrow Mastermind Your teams are itching fo...

We see reels created on Sundays with no one in the building, stating what an influencer does or does not do on their campus. We're bombarded with teacher memes showcasing what "everyone" thinks about faculty meetings or PLCs. But it doesn't stop there. It's not just social media that's driving the narrative... it's our many social interactions. I'll be talking about all of this and more on this podcast episode and challenging all of us to get out of the POPPIES, so beautiful yet so wicked, and f...

Ever wonder why some conversations feel like navigating a minefield? This episode with Crystal Atkinson tackles the often-frustrating reality of difficult interactions, exploring why people can be challenging and, more importantly, how clarity in communication isn't just possible, but a powerful tool to bridge divides. Join us as we unpack practical strategies to cut through the noise, foster understanding, and transform communication challenges into opportunities for stronger leadership and mor...

What if the very systems you rely on are unconsciously creating gaps in student learning? The uncomfortable truth is that assumptions—from the district level down to the classroom—foster a lack of clarity that no one intends. Casey uncovers how to spot these unintentional gaps and walks through the essential first step: using simple awareness tools and the Clarity Cycle Framework to bring absolute clarity to expectations, instruction, and student needs. Check out the Better Data Meetings Tomorr...

What if the small thing missing from your leadership isn't a new tool, but a clear, written management theory? John A. Dues challenges us to create a cohesive blueprint that brings absolute clarity to every decision. As Chief Learning Officer and COO at United Schools, John breaks down why a coherent management theory is the non-negotiable foundation for creating predictable, sustainable success with your team. This conversation provides the clarity you need to move from managing by reaction t...

It's the end of the week and you're ready to leave it all behind and jump into the weekend! BUT first, use these three strategies to end your week with clarity so you can BEGIN your week with clarity and confidence! Check out the Better Data Meetings Tomorrow Course Your teams are itching for CLARITY! That can be a complex thing to provide. But I have a framework that guides you to do just that– gain and create clarity! www.catchingupwithcasey.com/claritycycleframework Need help getting your l...

Is your school's improvement plan a binder on a shelf, or a living system that drives results? As leaders, we often focus on the what (better test scores, higher engagement), but not the how—the foundational systems that make it all possible. This week, I'm catching up with former Superintendent and Principal Principles owner, Stephanie McConnell, to dive into the powerful, often-overlooked small things that transform how we lead schools. Drawing from her experience leading at every level—from ...

There are too many scary, jaw-dropping numbers to reference in this podcast episode. But I here are a few scary numbers I explore: 1,000,000 31 5 48 They are each scary in their own way and I'm sure you have many other scary numbers you could share! But what do we do about these scary numbers? What's the solution? Share your thoughts with me! casey@clarity-driven.com Articles referenced: https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/what-teachers-want-public-know https://www.k12dive.com/news/...

So many of us build our identity around what we do—the job title, the role, the label. But what happens when that role changes or ends? In this conversation with career coach and former touring drummer Justin Pohlmann, we talk about the messy middle of career transitions, how to separate purpose from profession, and why chasing passion isn’t the best place to start when you’re feeling stuck. Justin shares what it really means to find clarity and momentum again when the noise gets loud and your c...

The modern school administrator's plate isn't just full—it's overflowing. If you feel like you're constantly fighting fires instead of leading with vision, this episode is for you. Join me as I sit down with author of The BluePrint, coach, and speaker Todd Bloomer to tackle the critical question: How can we support the current school administrator with tools that allow them to not only survive, but thrive? We dive into the concept of "Uber"-like coaching for principals and discuss practical str...