Culture as a Strategy: Dr. Andy Crozier on Building Award-Winning Schools in Central Lee CSD
Description
In this episode, host Karen Borchert sits down with Dr. Andy Crozier, Superintendent of Central Lee Community School District in rural southeast Iowa, a district where homegrown pride meets award-winning culture.
A Central Lee alum himself, Dr. Crozier returned home to lead the district that shaped him and has spent the past decade proving that culture is a strategy. From visible leadership and weekly scoreboards to thoughtful staff recognition and quality-first decisions, Andy shows how consistent, intentional actions turn values into results.
Together, Karen and Andy explore how presence, trust, and pride create a ripple effect across classrooms, staff, and community, and how happy teachers really do make happy kids.
đź’ˇ Little Wins in This Episode:
- From Student to Superintendent: How Dr. Crozier’s journey home shaped his leadership philosophy.
- Culture as Strategy: Building award-winning schools through visibility, recognition, and accountability.
- Happy Teachers → Happy Students: Why employee joy is at the heart of student success.
- The Power of Presence: How weekly walkthroughs, one-on-ones, and PLC visits fuel authentic connection.
- Recognition That Matters: Why high-quality staff gifts and visible appreciation strengthen pride and belonging.
Key Moments
00:01 Introducing Dr. Andy Crozier and Central Lee CSD
02:15 Small-town pride and culture that feels like family
13:45 Turning feedback into growth and systems of visibility
16:58 How weekly “wins and measures” create sustainable change
20:14 Scoreboards, accountability, and the 4 Disciplines of Execution
26:07 Walkthroughs, PLC visits, and visibility as a superintendent
28:27 “Little Wins” that drive culture from Yeti cups to recognition
39:00 “Find a way to be in a good mood”: The mindset that changes everythin
Connect with Dr. Andy Crozier
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-crozier-92106925a
Website:https://www.centrallee.org/
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🧵 About the Podcast:
Little Wins is the podcast that digs into the small, deliberate actions school leaders are taking to build strong, human-centered cultures.
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