How do we prepare students to become empathic individuals and global citizens in an increasingly complex world?

Dr. Paul Freeman, Superintendent of Guilford Public Schools and Connecticut's Superintendent of the Year, joins An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast to discuss leading transformational change through confident vulnerability.

Dr. Freeman shares how Guilford's Portrait of a Graduate (POG) model guides instruction across all grade levels: developing students as adaptable learners, responsible collaborators, critical thinkers, effective communicators, empathic individuals, and global citizens.

💡 Highlights from the conversation:

• Making Thinking Visible: Moving from compliance to engagement.

• The Necessity of Discomfort: Encouraging deep, sometimes uncomfortable, conversations that build critical thinking.

• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Continuing to build a diverse, inclusive community through professional learning and material audits.

• Deliberate Practice: Partnering with Harvard's Ed Ethics team to help educators navigate complex discussions safely.

• After Action Review: Reflecting on lessons learned from retiring an offensive mascot and advancing social justice work.

Dr. Freeman embodies confident vulnerability. He embodies the courage to lead with both strength and humility. Tune in for a truly inspiring conversation!

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Follow Host Peter Stiepleman on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-stiepleman-76004819a/
Website: https://imperfectleader.com/

YouTube (video of conversation):  

https://www.youtube.com/@animperfectleaderleadershi5144/featured

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animperfectleader/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@animperfectleader 

Follow Co-host Jamie Almanzán on:

Connect with APC Leadership Collaborative for support in navigating complex leadership situations: https://www.apccollab.com

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An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by Yondr. 

Schools around the world are seeing the damaging effects of phones on student engagement, social development, and mental health.

Yondr has developed a unique product and program to allow schools to become phone-free, from arrival to dismissal.

Learn why 1 Million Students use Yondr every day.

MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS. MAXIMIZE LEARNING POTENTIAL.

Go to overyondr.com to learn more.

 

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An Imperfect Leader: Leadership in (After) Action is supported by ILAA, LLC, a firm dedicated to supporting aspiring, new, and established leaders. For more information, please find them at imperfectleader.com.

Music for An Imperfect Leader was written and arranged by Ian Varley.

Sam Falbo created our artwork, a wood-print inspired daruma doll butterfly.