The Authority Podcast — Expert Insights and Fresh Ideas for Education Leaders

Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket has earned a reputation as a strong instructional leader, passionate educational advocate, and dedicated mentor. As the Principal of a National Blue Ribbon school in Maryland, she is a lifelong learner who strives for excellence not only for herself, but also for everyone she serves. Today, she joins the show to discuss Relational Intelligence: The Key Factor to Exceptional School Leadership.We discuss:Relational Intelligence (RQ): the ability to build trust, communicate with empathy, and connect authentically How is RQ different from EQ?Why Trust is the first pillarChallenging the myth that leadership is about charisma or controlResults: improved teacher retention, enhanced student outcomes, and increased community engagement.Get Relational Intelligence on Amazon or wherever you get your books. Our previous episode, with Jen Schwanke, also explored trust. Listen to it here: https://bit.ly/46pcCI5About today’s guestDr. Rachel Edoho-Eket is a wife, mother, principal, author, and speaker. With decades as a teacher and leader in public education, she has earned the reputation as a strong instructional leader, passionate educational advocate, and dedicated mentor. As the Principal of a National Blue Ribbon school in Maryland, she is a lifelong learner who strives for excellence not only for herself, but also for everyone she serves. Currently, she is President of the Maryland Association of Elementary School Principals and is an ASCD facility member.About the hostRoss Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Bluesky or LinkedIn I also host Sideline Sessions, a podcast for coaches and parents of student-athletes. The show features conversations with coaches and performance experts in the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Olympics, and more. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt 

This week we welcome back Jen Schwanke, who previously joined the show to discuss The Principal’s Guide to Conflict Management. Jen has been an educator for almost three decades, teaching or leading at all levels. She currently serves as a deputy superintendent in Ohio, is an instructor in educational administration at The Ohio State University, and is the co-host of the popular Principal Matters Podcast with our previous guest Will Parker (listen to his episode here).Jen’s newest book is Trusted: Trust Pillars, Trust Killers, and the Secret to Successful Schools.We discuss:Jen writes each of her books on a very specific topic — how did she decide on this one?Conflict Management and TrustGoals: What is trust and what does it look like? How to develop trust with staff, students, and parents. Can you be a good principal without it?How is trust broken?Reciprocal nature of trustHow can you find out if you’re trusted?Listen to episode 110, The Principal’s Guide to Conflict Management with Jen Schwanke.Get the book Trusted from ASCD.  About today’s guestJen Schwanke, Ed.D., is a longtime educator, teaching and leading at all levels. She is the author of four ASCD books, including the recently-released The Principal’s Guide to Conflict Management, and has published hundreds of articles for various educational publishers. She has written and presented for multiple state and local education organizations, and has provided professional development to various districts in the areas of school climate, personnel, and instructional leadership. An instructor in educational administration at Miami University of Ohio, Dr. Schwanke currently serves as a Deputy Superintendent in Ohio. You can find her at jenschwanke.com.About the hostRoss Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Bluesky or LinkedIn I also host Sideline Sessions, a podcast for coaches and parents of student-athletes. The show features conversations with coaches and performance experts in the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Olympics, and more. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt 

Today’s guest is likely quite familiar to our audience here. Will Parker is host of Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast, with more than 1.5 million downloads to date. An Oklahoma educator since 1993, Will won a teacher of the year award in 1998, was named Oklahoma Assistant Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary Principals in 2012, was principal of a Title I school, and served as executive director of the Oklahoma Association of Secondary School Principals and the Oklahoma Middle Level Education Association for six years. His new book is Whose Permission Are You Waiting For?: An Educator’s Guide to Doing What You Love. We discuss:What motivated this new book“An Educator’s Guide to Doing What You Love”Understanding your pathways in education: “Do I choose A or B?” or “What’s next for me?” Why and how to be coachedThe importance of avoiding the binary in decision-makingKeys for new ideas: Thinking, Planning, Experimenting, Executing Executing with intentionWhy is it important for leaders to give themselves permission for growth?Value of becoming a mentorConnect with Will or listen to his podcast here: https://williamdparker.com. Learn more about all of his books here: https://williamdparker.com/books About today’s guestWilliam D. Parker is the founder of Principal Matters, LLC—an educator, author, speaker, and executive coach who leverages his expertise in school culture, leadership, and communication to equip educators with strategies for motivating students, inspiring teachers, and reaching communities.He is also the host of Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast, with more than 1.5 million downloads to date. Will supports schools through professional development and leadership coaching.An Oklahoma educator since 1993, Will was named South Intermediate High School Teacher of the Year for Broken Arrow Public Schools in 1998. He became an assistant principal in 2004 and was named Oklahoma Assistant Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary Principals in 2012. As a principal of a Title I school, he helped lead initiatives in collaboration, remediation, and mentoring that significantly improved student achievement. For six years, Will served as executive director of the Oklahoma Association of Secondary School Principals and the Oklahoma Middle Level Education Association.Find out more about his leadership academies, masterminds, executive coaching, books, and keynote presentations at williamdparker.com. About the hostRoss Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Bluesky or LinkedIn I also host Sideline Sessions, a podcast for coaches and parents of student-athletes. The show features conversations with coaches and performance experts in the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Olympics, and more. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt 

Today I'm pleased to share an episode from my friend Dr. Karen Dudek-Brannan, a previous guest on The Authority and host of De Facto Leaders, a popular show on the Be Podcast Network.Ever feel like your school is trying all the “right” strategies—social skills groups, planners, behavior charts—but students still struggle with time management, motivation, and peer relationships?You’re not alone—and there’s a reason why, says Dr. Karen. This episode is a clip from her free training, “Create a Research-Based Implementation Plan for your School Team.”It’s designed for school leaders who want to guide their teams in embedding executive functioning support across both general and special education settings—without burning out staff.This episode is for you if you’re ready to:✔️ Help students truly benefit from academic instruction✔️ Support social-emotional growth alongside learning✔️ Avoid overwhelming your team with another “initiative”This episode is the first half of the training in audio format, but to view the whole training with the video, you can go to drkarendudekbrannan.com/efteams.Listen and subscribe at https://defactoleaders.com

For over 20 years, Tony Chatman has partnered with some of the most successful organizations in the world—including Chase Bank, the U.S. Secret Service, Phillips 66, Clear Channel, and St. Joseph’s Health. He specializes in bridging differences in perspectives, communication styles, and experiences by addressing the universal need we all share: to feel valued and seen.As a scientist and chemical engineer, as well as a husband, father, and former leader of a nonprofit dedicated to community upliftment, Tony combines intellect with humanity. He is equal parts head and heart. Tony’s book is The Force Multiplier: How to Lead Teams Where Everyone Wins.We discuss:The mission statement of leadershipWhat is a Force Multiplier?What makes relationship-based leadership effective?Relationship deposits and relationship withdrawalsSeven keys to being a force multiplierRoss: “I earned it, but now I have to learn it.”Learn more about Tony Chatman: www.tonychatman.com About the hostRoss Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Bluesky or LinkedIn I also host Sideline Sessions, a podcast for coaches and parents of student-athletes. The show features conversations with coaches and performance experts in the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Olympics, and more. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt 

Kimberly Spencer is an award-winning high-performance, trauma-informed coach and trainer, Amazon best-selling author, TEDx speaker, and the founder of CrownYourself.com, helping visionary leaders transform their self-limiting stories, build their empire, stand out fearlessly, and make the income and the impact they deserve.Her book is Make Every Podcast Want You: How to be so Radically Interesting You'll Barely Keep from Interviewing Yourself.We talk about:Why should leaders want to be on podcasts?What matters when deciding which shows to target?How to find the right showsHow to be an interesting guest and how to prepareVisibility, messaging, and presenceWhat to do after you’re on a podcastGet the book or connect with Kimberly’s podcasts: Get the book: https://www.communicationqueens.com/bookListen to the Crown Yourself Podcast: https://www.crownyourself/com/podcast Listen to the Communication Queen Podcast: https://www.communicationqueens.com/podcastGet booked & coached LIVE on the Communication Queen Podcast: https://bit.ly/get-on-communication-queen-podcast About the hostRoss Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Bluesky or LinkedIn I also host Sideline Sessions, a podcast for coaches and parents of student-athletes. The show features conversations with coaches and performance experts in the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Olympics, and more. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt 

My guests Charle Peck and Josh Stamper are co-authors of The Language of Behavior: A Framework to Elevate Student Success, winner of the 2025 Firebird Educational Book Award.We talk about:Like our last episode with Dr. Bill Penuel, co-author of Creating Compassionate Change in School Communities, this book also refers to a compassionate approach to school culture and student behavior. Discussing student behavior as a form of communicationTrauma-informed framework, 3 core tenets: Consider the Environment, Explore the Root Causes of Behavior, Respond with IntentionalityHow improving student behavior with this framework affects other areas, like academic performance or classroom cultureWhat would the authors say to educators or school administrators who might be skeptical about trying a new approach?Find The Language of Behavior on Amazon or wherever you get your books. About today’s guestsCharle Peck holds an MS in Education and an MS in Social Work as a 20+ year veteran in education (K-12). As a global keynote speaker, she delivers powerful messages of hope to educators and facilitates meaningful professional learning sessions to equip adults with tools that integrate into everyday practice. Her unique lens as a high school teacher turned clinical therapist, and her work with adolescents and families in crisis, makes her stories relevant and captivating to those struggling in today’s system. You can purchase her books on Amazon and connect with her via her website CharlePeck.com and on LinkedIn @CharlePeckJoshua Stamper is a dedicated educator, speaker, author, and creator of Aspire to Lead. With a rich background in teaching and school administration, Joshua brings invaluable insight into the challenges and opportunities within the education system. His personal journey as a struggling student, combined with nine years of experience as a middle school administrator, fuels his passion for creating supportive and transformative learning environments. Joshua is committed to helping educators and leaders unlock their full potential, fostering growth, and inspiring lasting change in education.About the hostRoss Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Bluesky or LinkedIn I also host Sideline Sessions, a podcast for coaches and parents of student-athletes. The show features conversations with coaches and performance experts in the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Olympics, and more. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt 

Dr. William Penuel is Distinguished Professor of Learning Sciences and Human Development in the Institute of Cognitive Science and School of Education at the University of Colorado Boulder. He is co-author of Creating Compassionate Change in School Communities: Leading Together to Address Everyday Suffering in Schools. We talk about:Why does compassion matter for educators?How is compassion different from empathy, kindness, and relationship-building?How school leaders and educators can put compassion and dignity into actionEveryday suffering in schools - how can and should educators work to reduce it?Fostering inclusivenessRelationships with families4 steps to help develop a plan for a more compassionate schoolHow can educators create self-compassion to move past burnout toward hope and positive action in their schools?Creating Compassionate Change in School Communities is published by Wiley. Find it wherever you get your books. About today’s guestWilliam R. Penuel, Ph.D., is Distinguished Professor of Learning Sciences and Human Development in the Institute of Cognitive Science and School of Education at the University of Colorado Boulder. He is also a Faculty Fellow at the Renée Crown Wellness Institute. He designs and studies curriculum materials, assessments, and professional learning experiences for teachers in STEM education. He also studies how contemplative practices and critical inquiry can support educators in cultivating more compassionate schools. A third line of his research focuses on how long-term research-practice partnerships can be organized to address systemic inequities in education. He is a co-developer of an approach to partnership research called Design-Based Implementation Research (DBIR) and is a co-author on the new book, Creating Compassionate Change in School Communities.About the hostRoss Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Bluesky or LinkedIn I also host Sideline Sessions, a podcast for coaches and parents of student-athletes. The show features conversations with coaches and performance experts in the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Olympics, and more. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt 

Blending memoir, personal essay, local topography, and culture, Alex Poppe’s Breakfast Wine is a frank, human story of pursuing an unconventional life and finding a way home. Alex is a business analyst, turned actor, turned teacher who accepted a teaching position in northern Iraq after a chance encounter with an acclaimed journalist. In this episode, you’ll hear her stories and learn what it was like to teach in conflict and post-conflict zones, including during the COVID-19 pandemic — and you’ll find out it was much different than you think. Get Breakfast Wine at bookshop.org: https://bit.ly/3FTV9hM About today’s guestHaving lived in conflict zones such as Iraq, the West Bank, and Ukraine, Alex Poppe writes about fierce and funny women rebuilding their lives in the wake of violence. She is the author of four works of literary fiction: Duende, a 2024 American Legacy Book Awards winner, a 2023 International Book Awards winner, and a 2023 Readers’ Choice Book Awards finalist; Jinwar and Other Stories, a 2024 Pen Craft Awards runner-up, a 2023 Readers’ Choice Book Awards winner, and a 2022 International Book Awards finalist; Moxie, and Girl, World, a 35 Over 35 Debut Book Award winner, First Horizon Award finalist, Montaigne Medal finalist, Eric Hoffer Grand Prize finalist, and was awarded an Honorable Mention in General Fiction from the Eric Hoffer Awards. In 2021, Alex was an artist-in-residence at the Atlantic Center for the Arts, where her memoir-in-essay Breakfast Wine began.About the hostRoss Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Bluesky or LinkedIn I also host Sideline Sessions, a podcast for coaches and parents of student-athletes. The show features conversations with coaches and performance experts in the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Olympics, and more. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt 

Today’s guest, Erik Palmer, is an educational consultant from Denver who focuses on showing teachers practical, engaging ways to teach oral communication skills, and showing educational leaders how to be more effective communicators.He’s the author of several books, including Well Spoken: Teaching Speaking to All Students, 2nd Edition (Routledge).We discuss:Defining modern, effective oral communication todayWhat most teachers struggle with, when it comes to teaching speakingWhat is uniquely important about learning speaking? How does it expand on/reveal other skills?Building a Speech: Audience, Content, Organization, Visual Aids, and AppearancePerforming a Speech: Poise, Voice, Life, Eye Contact, Gestures, and Speed (PVLEGS)Evaluating a Speech: Creating Effective Rubrics, Guiding Students to ExcellenceDigital speaking contexts including podcasts, webinars, and video/audio appsLearn more about Erik at www.pvlegs.com and find the book from Routledge About today’s guestErik Palmer is an educational consultant from Denver. Prior to becoming a consultant, he had a successful career in business managing a commodity brokerage office and trading on the floor of a Chicago commodity exchange. He was the national sales leader for a large commodity trading firm. In his second career, he spent 21 years teaching English, math, science, and civics, earning Teacher of the Year in one of the nation’s top school districts. Now in his third career as a consultant, Palmer focuses on showing teachers practical, engaging ways to teach oral communication skills, and showing educational leaders how to be more effective communicators.Palmer is an internationally acclaimed speaker. He has given keynotes and led in-service trainings for districts across the US and for educators around the world. Palmer is a frequent contributor to educational magazines and is the author of several books: Well-Spoken: Teaching Speaking to All Students (Routledge, 2024), Teaching the Core Skills of Listening & Speaking (ASCD, 2014), Researching in a Digital World (ASCD, 2015), Good Thinking: Teaching Argument, Persuasion, and Reasoning (Stenhouse Publishers, 2016), Own Any Occasion: Mastering the Art of Speaking and Presenting (ATD Press, 2018) and Before You Say a Word: A School Leader’s Guide to Clear and Compelling Communication (ASCD, 2024). He is a program consultant for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s Into Reading and Into Literature language arts programs.About the hostRoss Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Bluesky or LinkedIn I also host Sideline Sessions, a podcast for coaches and parents of student-athletes. The show features conversations with coaches and performance experts in the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Olympics, and more. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt 

To close out May, I'm happy to highlight another Best Of episode with three-time guest Katie Novak. This was our first conversation, about her best-selling book UDL Now!We talked about:“If UDL is the answer, what is the question?”Who should be doing UDL?UDL is best practice: “Teachers are working too hard to not have a greater impact on learners.”Understanding the similarities and differences between UDL and differentiated instruction (DI) — and why teachers should be doing bothThe three core beliefs of UDL: variability, firm goals, and expert learningWhat is the right amount of student voice and choice?Find UDL Now! from CAST Publishing, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and on Katie’s website: https://www.novakeducation.com/udl-now About today’s guestKatie Novak, Ed.D. is an internationally renowned education consultant, a graduate instructor at the University of Pennsylvania, Graduate School of Education, and the best-selling author of 14 books on inclusive practices, with over 250K books sold worldwide. Katie designs and presents workshops both nationally and internationally focusing on the implementation of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), inclusive practices, and universally designed leadership. Connect on Twitter @KatieNovakUDL and LinkedIn. 

Today’s episode wraps up our four-part series on communication and finding your voice. My guest is Matthew Rolnick.Matt is SVP of Partnerships & Events for The Real American Beer Company and former VP of Strategy & Innovation at Yaymaker. He’s an Amazon bestselling author, speaker, LinkedIn 2023 Top Entrepreneurship Voice, and a Udemy Instructor for 135k students.Matt is author of Find Your Yay.We discuss:Find your voice and grow your brand on social media — who should do it?Defining a personal brandThe purpose of building an online presenceWhat kind of content should people share?Cutting through the noiseBenefits of a networkAbout the hostRoss Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Bluesky or LinkedIn I also host Sideline Sessions, a podcast for coaches and parents of student-athletes. The show features conversations with coaches and performance experts in the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Olympics, and more. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt 

Today is part 3 of our miniseries on communication. My guest, Michael Davis, works with business owners, entrepreneurs, and business leaders who struggle to effectively give presentations. He helps them increase their confidence, influence, and impact with more impactful presentations every time they stand up and speak.Michael's expertise in communication is rooted in the belief that all business problems stem from communication issues. If your organization aims to improve leadership, team collaboration, and overall effectiveness, then Michael's approach can deliver these results.Michael is founder of Speaking CPR and author of seven books on communication, including THE Book on Storytelling.We discuss:What is storytelling and what is it not?What leaders lose when they don’t use storytellingHow storytelling helps leaders enhance influence, foster trust, strengthen organizational structure, and develop their staffStakeholder engagement“Then, Now and How” frameworkHow can storytelling help leaders save time?Learn more about Michael and get the book:https://SpeakingCPR.com 52 Storytelling Tips: https://speakingcpr.com/52-storytelling-tipshttp://bit.ly/SpeakingCPRYouTube About the hostRoss Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Bluesky or LinkedIn I also host Sideline Sessions, a podcast for coaches and parents of student-athletes. The show features conversations with coaches and performance experts in the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Olympics, and more. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt 

This week, we’re continuing our miniseries on finding your voice and increasing your influence as a leader. My guest is Ryan Millar, a Canadian-born, Amsterdam-based coach, story trainer, and communications consultant. All of his work draws heavily on his 25+ years as an improviser. Ryan got his start in Vancouver BC in the late ‘90s with !nstant Theater, and has worked with Boom Chicago and toured Europe teaching and performing at festivals.His latest book, on the art of public speaking, is called The Confident Presenter.We discuss:How Ryan got started teaching public speakingThe connection between improv and public speaking“All effective public speakers are confident, but not all confident public speakers are effective.”Adjusting to the audienceIdentifying your goals and then determining strategies: Opening, stories, rhetorical techniques.What are some of those techniques for making a connection?Getting feedbackLearn more about Ryan and the book at https://ryanmillar.com and https://confidentpresenter.co About the hostRoss Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Bluesky or LinkedIn I also host Sideline Sessions, a podcast for coaches and parents of student-athletes. The show features conversations with coaches and performance experts in the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Olympics, and more. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt 

This week, we’re starting a four-episode miniseries on finding your voice and increasing your influence as a leader. My guest to kick it off is Dr. Laura Sicola, a leadership communication and influence expert, and a renowned speaker, former bilingual K-12 teacher and university professor who holds a PhD in educational linguistics from the University of Pennsylvania.With over 20 years of experience, she has coached TED speakers, delivered her own TED talk with over 7 million views, and appeared in major media outlets. Her clients include notable organizations like Comcast, GSK, and IBM. Her book is Speaking to Influence: Mastering Your Leadership Voice.Laura and I discuss:Whether you are seen as a leader (not whether you believe you are a leader)Communication — what does it help you do as a leader?Image and reputation goals: mapping them out, making them authentic, understanding their relevance to your impactHow to choose and use the right wordsThe Three Cs of Vocal Executive Presence: Command, Connect, and CloseHow can I build my brand as a "go-to expert" and speaker?Learn more at www.laurasicola.com and www.speakingtoinfluence.comAbout the hostRoss Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Bluesky or LinkedIn I also host Sideline Sessions, a podcast for coaches and parents of student-athletes. The show features conversations with coaches and performance experts in the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Olympics, and more. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt 

Miriam Plotinsky is a National Board–certified teacher with additional certification in administration and supervision. She’s currently an instructional specialist with Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland.She’s the author of several books, including Small but Mighty: How Everyday Habits Add Up to More Manageable and Confident Teaching (ASCD).We talk about:Why Miriam wanted to write a book about "small but mighty" teaching practicesPhyllis Fagell said about the book, "Small but Mighty is an indispensable guide for any teacher who ever wished that doing the impossible felt more manageable.”What are some of the biggest challenges facing teachers today?“Habits over motivation” as key to successBeginning with beliefs - how teachers need to address their own beliefsBenefits of “habit stacking”How to make the habits practicalFind Small but Mighty from ASCD or wherever you get your books. About the guestMiriam Plotinsky is an instructional specialist with Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland and the author of several education books, including Small but Mighty: How Everyday Habits Add Up to More Manageable and Confident Teaching (ASCD). She is also a National Board–certified teacher with additional certification in administration and supervision. She can be reached at https://miriamplotinsky.com About the hostRoss Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Bluesky or LinkedIn I also host Sideline Sessions, a podcast for coaches and parents of student-athletes. The show features conversations with coaches and performance experts in the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Olympics, and more. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt 

Episode 150 of The Authority is a special one. I’m joined by Dr. John B. King, Jr., the 10th U.S. Secretary of Education. John is currently the chancellor of the State University of New York (SUNY), the nation’s largest comprehensive system of public higher education. Over the course of his career in public education, he has been a high school social studies teacher, a middle school principal, the first African American and Puerto Rican to serve as New York State Education Commissioner, a college professor, and the president and CEO of the Education Trust.His new book is called Teacher By Teacher: The People Who Change Our Lives.We discuss:John’s inspiring storyTeachers who treat students as worthy of respectThe teachers who made an impact and why they still stand out todayWhat we miss when schools are discouraged from supporting and developing the whole personThe meaning of public education – why it’s critical and what we miss when it’s not supportedThe public education discourse - what’s missing or what we get wrongRigor and joy are not mutually exclusiveGoing on “offense” to create relevance in school and address chronic absenteeismReasons for hope in educationYou can find Teacher by Teacher wherever you get your books.About today’s guestJohn B. King Jr. served in President Barack Obama’s cabinet as the tenth U.S. Secretary of Education. Over the course of his extensive and influential career in public education, he has been a high school social studies teacher, a middle school principal, the first African American and Puerto Rican to serve as New York State Education Commissioner, a college professor, and the president and CEO of the Education Trust, a national education civil rights organization. King is currently the chancellor of the State University of New York (SUNY), the nation’s largest comprehensive system of public higher education. Both of King’s parents were career New York City public school educators. He lives in Brooklyn, New York, with his wife, an education researcher and former teacher, and his two daughters.About the hostRoss Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Bluesky or LinkedIn 

This week I welcome Amanda Morin and Emily Kircher-Morris to the show. Amanda is a neurodivergent neurodiversity activist, an award-winning author, early childhood specialist, certified teacher, and nationally known speaker, deeply committed to fostering accessible and inclusive environments for neurodivergent individuals.Emily has dedicated her career to transforming how we understand and support neurodivergent minds. As a licensed professional counselor, educator, and thought leader, she brings a unique blend of clinical expertise and lived experience to her work with neurodivergent individuals.Their book is Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools: Transforming Practices So All Students Feel Accepted & Supported.Hear about:What does neurodiversity-affirming mean?Neurodiverse vs. neurodivergentHow many students are neurodivergent? What are most typical diagnoses?Sensory needs and behaviors educators may observeHow students often hide their neurodivergent traitsHow a school can prepare - staffing, training, etc.Neurodiversity-affirming communication (The Double Empathy Problem)Get Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools wherever you get your books.Connect with our guests:https://www.neurodiversityaffirmingschools.comhttps://neurodiversitypodcast.com/speakinghttps://www.amandamorin.com/speakinghttps://www.amandamorin.com/coachinghttps://neurodiversity.university About the hostRoss Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Bluesky or LinkedIn I also host Sideline Sessions, a podcast for coaches and parents of student-athletes. The show features conversations with coaches and performance experts in the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Olympics, and more. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt 

Today’s guest, Tony Frontier, is an award-winning educator who works with teachers and school leaders nationally and internationally to help them prioritize efforts to improve student learning. He’s the author or co-author of several books, including Teaching with Clarity and Five Levers to Improve Learning.We discuss his latest, AI with Intention: Principles and Action Steps for Teachers and School Leaders (ASCD).Hear about:On the topic of AI and education, what is important for educators to keep in mind about what has changed and what remains the same?Tony’s greatest fear and greatest hope about how AI will change educationEssential Question: How can teachers and students use AI tools to support intentional teaching and learning?Most important guiding principles that challenge teachers to think more clearly about what has changed and what is the sameEssential Question for Leaders: How can leaders build capacity to ensure AI tools are used to effectively support intentional teaching and learning?Guiding principles for educational leaders Read Tony’s Educational Leadership article, “Active Learning, Not Passive Compliance”Get the book AI with Intention from ASCD or wherever you get your books.About today’s guestTony Frontier, PhD is an award-winning educator who works with teachers and school leaders nationally and internationally to help them prioritize efforts to improve student learning. With expertise in classroom assessment, student engagement, curriculum development, meaningful feedback, technology integration, and strategic planning, Frontier emphasizes a systems approach to empower leaders and teachers to serve others.As a former classroom teacher in Milwaukee Public Schools, an Associate High School Principal, the Director of Instruction for the Whitefish Bay School District, and a college professor who taught PhD candidates statistics, research, and learning theory, Frontier brings a wealth of experience as a classroom teacher, building administrator, central office administrator, and researcher to his workshops, writing, and research.About the hostRoss Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Bluesky or LinkedIn I also host Sideline Sessions, a podcast for coaches and parents of student-athletes. The show features conversations with coaches and performance experts in the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Olympics, and more. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt 

Brian Butler is an educational consultant, speaker, author, and award-winning former principal who is passionate about nurturing collaborative school cultures that unlock every student’s unlimited potential. In this episode, we discuss two of his books, Every Student Deserves a Gifted Education and Limitless Future.We talk about:Brian's inspiring storyWhat is a gifted education?The necessary mindset shift to plan a gifted education for every studentThe five shifts/elements to help create a schoolwide approach to nurturing each student’s unique strengths, passions, and talentsFallacy of Fixed Intelligence, Labels Be Gone, Obligation of Teams, Our Superpowers,  Resistance and InspirationPersistence, curiosity, communication, flexible thinking Brian’s podcast, “A Conversation with Brian”About today’s guestBrian Butler is an educational consultant, speaker, author, and award-winning former principal who is passionate about nurturing collaborative school cultures that unlock every student’s unlimited potential. Brian has advised thousands of schools across the United States, Australia, and Canada.As a former school-based educator and principal, Brian worked with countless parents and parent groups, supporting and guiding them in their essential role in nurturing their children’s growth and potential. He emphasized the importance of leveraging the unique strengths and insights that each family contributed. Brian’s goal is to help parents recognize that they hold the key to their children’s success and development, which drove him throughout his career to create a collaborative and empowering environment so every child could flourish.Brian has enjoyed diverse career experiences, including being a professional basketball player in the European League. He holds a bachelor’s degree in speech communications from The George Washington University, a teacher’s certification in physical education, and a master’s degree in school counseling from George Mason University. With an administrative endorsement from the University of Virginia, Brian is known for his ability to drive positive change.To learn more or contact Brian, visit www.brianbutler.info About the hostRoss Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Bluesky or LinkedIn I also host Sideline Sessions, a podcast for coaches and parents of student-athletes. The show features conversations with coaches and performance experts in the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Olympics, and more. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt