Leading Out The Woods

Throwback Thursday! When Calling Parents Isn’t Your Calling featuring Crystal FrommertOriginally Released On: January 12, 2024This week we’re revisiting another insightful conversation from Leading Out The Woods In this episode, I’m joined by Crystal Frommert, Deputy Head of Secondary at Awty International School and author of When Calling Parents Isn’t Your Calling. We discuss practical ways educators can build stronger partnerships with families—even when those conversations feel difficult.Takeaways from this episode include:• Strategies for building trust with families through communication• How educators can approach challenging parent conversations with confidence• Why strong school–family partnerships play a critical role in student successWhether you're hearing this conversation for the first time or revisiting it again, the message remains clear: strong communication with families strengthens the entire learning community.🕰️ Be sure to check back every Thursday for more Throwback episodes from the Leading Out The Woods vault.

Throwback Thursday! Supporting the Whole Child featuring Dr. Sarah KirkOriginally Released On: 12-15-2023This week we’re revisiting another powerful conversation from Leading Out The Woods. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Sarah Kirk, CEO of Yoga 4 Classrooms and Oklahoma’s 2018 School Counselor of the Year, to discuss how schools can better support the academic, social-emotional, and overall well-being of students. Takeaways from this classic:How wrap-around supports strengthen student successThe role of social-emotional practices within daily instructionPractical ways educators can support the whole child inside the classroom and across the school communityWhether you’re hearing it for the first time or revisiting a classic, this conversation is packed with insights that still resonate today. 🎧🕰️ Don’t forget to check back every Thursday for more Throwback episodes!

Episode #130 is up!  Check it out!!!Special Guest Dr. Brandi Kelly, Speaker, Author, Leadership Coach, and Founder of Spark HOPE Edu, joins Dr. Woods on episode #130 of Leading Out The Woods to discuss Bringing Joy Back: Why H.O.P.E. Is a Leadership Strategy. In this episode, Dr. Kelly shares her leadership journey and the inspiration behind her H.O.P.E. System—Habits, Optimistic Outlook, Purpose, and Excellence. Together, they explore how leaders can combat burnout, strengthen their beliefs, and intentionally “hold hope” for others while building resilient school communities grounded in joy, purpose, and excellence. 

Throwback Thursday! Inside the Schoolhouse: What Great Principals Know and Do featuring Dr. John GrattoOriginally Released On: 8-13-2021This week, we’re revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode:Takeaways from this classic:Dr. Gratto shares an overview of his book, “Inside the Schoolhouse: What Great Principals Know and Do.”Dr. Gratto discusses the key concepts that assistant principals and principals can take away from the book.Whether you’re hearing it for the first time or revisiting a classic, this conversation is packed with insights that still resonate today. 🎧🕰️ Don’t forget to check back every Thursday for more Throwback episodes!

Throwback Thursday! Rethinking Black History featuring Dr. LaGarrett KingOriginally Released On: 2-12-2021This week, we’re revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode. Takeaways from this classic:Dr. King discusses the importance of black history and how to properly reframe its instruction in k12. Dr. King provides strategies on how to incorporate black history education in your daily history/social studies instruction.Whether you’re hearing it for the first time or revisiting a classic, this conversation is packed with insights that still resonate today. 🎧🕰️ Don’t forget to check back every Thursday for more Throwback episodes!

Anchor Chat #27: Clarity Is the StrategyIn this episode of Anchor Chats, Dr. Woods reflects on Clarity Is the Strategy, emphasizing that clear expectations, focused priorities, and consistent communication are the foundation of effective leadership and instruction. He discusses how a lack of clarity often leads to confusion, misalignment, and stalled progress—while intentional clarity accelerates results.

Episode #129 is up! Check it out!!!Special Guest Ryan Tillman, Speaker, CEO, and Founder of Breaking Barriers United, joins Dr. Woods on episode #129 of Leading Out The Woods to discuss Teaching Peace in a Divided Time. In this episode, Ryan draws from his experiences as a former School Resource Officer to explore the root causes of conflict among students and share practical, relationship-driven strategies educators can use to foster empathy, unity, and belonging. Together, they discuss how schools can proactively address division, navigate moments of tension, and build more compassionate and connected learning environments.

Throwback Thursday! Teachers of Promise featuring Wade WhiteheadOriginally Released On: 9-9-2022This week, we’re revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode:Takeaways from this classic:Wade discusses what the Teachers of Promise Institute is and the impact it has made on education.As a Milken Award Winner and National Teachers Hall of Fame Inductee, Wade shares proven classroom practices and strategies that enhance student achievement and foster a positive, engaging learning environment.Whether you’re hearing it for the first time or revisiting a classic, this conversation is packed with insights that still resonate today. 🎧🕰️ Don’t forget to check back every Thursday for more Throwback episodes!

Throwback Thursday! Unpacking Collaborative Leadership featuring Pam EhnleOriginally Released On: 4-4-2025This week, we’re revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode:✅ Pam shares the inspiration behind the book, Leading Out The Woods: Collaborative Leadership.✅ Pam discusses why collaboration is essential for effective leadership.Whether you’re hearing it for the first time or revisiting a classic, this conversation is packed with insights that still resonate today. 🎧🕰️ Don’t forget to check back every Thursday for more Throwback episodes!

Anchor Chat #26: The Feedback Loop — What Happens After the Walkthrough?In this episode of Anchor Chats, Dr. Woods reflects on The Feedback Loop — What Happens After the Walkthrough?, emphasizing the critical role feedback plays in instructional growth. He discusses how timely, actionable follow-up after walkthroughs transforms observations into meaningful coaching conversations, strengthens practice, and drives continuous improvement. Dr. Woods challenges leaders to be intentional about closing the loop so feedback leads to impact—not just documentation.

Episode #128 is up!  Check it out!!!Special Guest Dr. John Craig joins Dr. Woods on episode #128 of Leading Out The Woods to discuss Growth Mindset. In this episode, they explore what it truly means to cultivate a growth mindset in schools, how leaders and educators can model it in practice, and why embracing continuous learning is essential for both personal and organizational growth. Together, they highlight strategies that support resilience, reflection, and sustained improvement in educational settings.

Throwback Thursday! Learning from Mistakes & Failure in the Classroom featuring Dr. Julie WarnerThis week, we’re revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode:✅ Dr. Warner discusses why she believes self-reflecting on mistakes and failure in your instructional practice is vital for improving your teaching.✅ Dr. Warner shares ​​several examples from her book, “Failure Before Success: Teachers Describe What They Learned from Mistakes.”Whether you’re hearing it for the first time or revisiting a classic, this conversation is packed with insights that still resonate today. 🎧🕰️ Don’t forget to check back every Thursday for more Throwback episodes!

Throwback Thursday! Loving Your Neighbor featuring Chris SingletonOriginally Released On: 7-28-2023This week, we’re revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode:✅ Chris shares his inspirational message of resilience, unity and forgiveness.✅ Chris discusses the way he works with schools, universities, and other organizations to promote love and acceptance of others. Whether you’re hearing it for the first time or revisiting a classic, this conversation is packed with insights that still resonate today. 🎧🕰️ Don’t forget to check back every Thursday for more Throwback episodes!

In this episode, Dr. Woods explores how the first moments of the school day shape everything that follows. From adult presence at arrival to clear routines and instructional warm starts, effective start-of-day systems create consistency, calm, and connection for both students and staff.Rather than leaving mornings to chance, Dr. Woods highlights how intentional structures—predictable arrival procedures, positive greetings, reinforced expectations, and aligned staff systems—reduce chaos and increase readiness to learn. When leaders and teachers are purposeful about the start of the day, they establish a tone that supports strong behavior, engagement, and instruction.This Anchor Chat reminds educators that the school day doesn’t begin with the first lesson—it begins the moment students walk through the door.

Throwback Thursday! Authentic Literature featuring Dr. Donyall DickeyOriginally Released On: 5-7-2021This week, we’re revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode:✅ Dr. Dickey shares what authentic literature and how it should be used in teaching and learning.✅ Dr. Dickey discusses his book, Mitigating Curricular Chaos, which shares strategies on constructing and procuring core content curricula that addresses and mitigates the achievement gap.Whether you’re hearing it for the first time or revisiting a classic, this conversation is packed with insights that still resonate today. 🎧👉 Tune in now on your favorite podcast platform or at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leading-out-the-woods/id1507447161🕰️ Don’t forget to check back every Thursday for more Throwback episodes!

Episode #127 is up!  Check it out!!!Special Guest Vernon Wright joins Dr. Woods on episode #127 of Leading Out The Woods to discuss Connect. Impact. Scale. In this episode, Vernon shares his instructional leadership philosophy and the intentional ways he builds connections, empowers educators, and scales meaningful impact across school communities. Together, they explore practical strategies leaders can use to strengthen relationships, elevate instructional practice, and drive long-term success for both students and staff.

Throwback Thursday! Episode #64: I Choose to StayOriginally Released On: 7-29-2022This week, we’re revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode:✅ Dr. Thomas-EL discusses why 'he chose to stay' in education.✅ Dr. Thomas-EL shares strategies on improving staff morale and capacity.Whether you’re hearing it for the first time or revisiting a classic, this conversation is packed with insights that still resonate today.🎧👉 Tune in now on your favorite podcast platform or at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leading-out-the-woods/id1507447161🕰️ Don’t forget to check back every Thursday for more Throwback episodes!

Throwback Thursday! Student Content Creator featuring Rachelle Dene PothOriginally Released On: 3-12-2021This week, we’re revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode:✅ Rachelle shares her thoughts on students having input on the content they create in classrooms.✅ Rachelle discusses the paradigm shift from teachers being the “gatekeepers” of knowledge to more a facilitator of learning.Whether you’re hearing it for the first time or revisiting a classic, this conversation is packed with insights that still resonate today.🎧👉 Tune in now on your favorite podcast platform or at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leading-out-the-woods/id1507447161🕰️ Don’t forget to check back every Thursday for more Throwback episodes!

Throwback Thursday! Started from the Bottom, Now I'm Here Originally Released On: 6-18-21This week, we’re revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode:✅ Darrion discusses how he motivates and inspires his students and school community.✅ Darrion shares advice with other educators trying to make a positive impact with students at-risk.Whether you’re hearing it for the first time or revisiting a classic, this conversation is packed with insights that still resonate today.🎧👉 Tune in now on your favorite podcast platform or at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leading-out-the-woods/id1507447161🕰️ Don’t forget to check back every Thursday for more Throwback episodes!

Episode #126 is up!  Check it out!!!Diversifying the Educator PipelineSpecial Guest Dr. Shaylyn Marks, Assistant Professor of Teacher Education at California State University, Bakersfield, joins Dr. Woods on episode #126 of Leading Out The Woods to discuss Diversifying the Educator Pipeline. In this episode, they explore Dr. Marks’ research and her book, Diversifying the Educator Pipeline: Supporting Black Educators through Recruitment, Preparation, and Retention. Together, they unpack the historical impact of Brown v. Board of Education, the challenges Black preservice teachers have faced and the urgent need to recruit, support, and retain more Black educators in today’s schools.