In this episode of Little Wins, host Karen Borchert sits down with Dr. Ricky Stephens, Superintendent of Keene Independent School District in Keene, Texas, a small district doing big things through culture, character, and connection.

Over his 13 years leading Keene ISD, Dr. Stephens has shaped a district guided by one simple but powerful promise: Every child, every need, every day. From launching the Keene 22—a set of everyday habits and character expectations—to transforming classrooms into hands-on learning experiences, his story is a testament to what happens when a community leads with trust and kindness.

In this conversation, Dr. Stephens shares how small acts, like holding the door open or greeting students by name, have become the heartbeat of a district that values people as much as performance. He reveals how Keene’s “house system” builds belonging across grades, how teachers model empathy and presence, and why a long-term commitment to “making learners, not takers” is changing everything—from student confidence to test scores.

Whether you’re leading a large urban district or a single-school community, this episode will inspire you to slow down, find your why, and invest in the little things that make big culture possible.

💡 Little Wins in This Episode:

The Keene 22: A simple, powerful framework that teaches students life habits—like shaking hands, showing gratitude, and respecting others’ ideas—that prepare them to be better humans.

Makers, Not Takers: From transformation rooms to classroom “emergency rooms,” Keene students learn by doing—and become active creators of their education.

Culture by Design: A decade-long commitment to relationships, not quick fixes, builds trust and long-term success.

The House System: Inspired by the Ron Clark Academy, Keene’s color-based houses connect students across grades and backgrounds to create true belonging.

Argue Without Anger: Through classroom debates and public-speaking events, students learn to disagree without hate and communicate with confidence.

Little Acts, Big Lessons: From holding doors to saying “thank you,” Keene 22 habits shape a district where kindness is contagious.

Key Moments

00:01 Welcome to Little Wins

03:42 Finding the “Why” at Keene ISD

08:05 The Transformation Room: Turning Classrooms into Real-World Labs

13:08 Discovering the Ron Clark Academy

17:31 How the House System Builds Belonging

19:41 What Is the Keene 22?

22:47 Teaching Students to “Argue Without Anger”

26:19 Modeling Culture Through Hiring and Habits

32:07 Stories of Everyday Wins—from Classrooms to the Community

35:13 Trusting the Long Game in School Leadership

42:05 Small Wins That Prove It’s Working

44:26 How Personal “Whys” Create Healthy Cultures

Connect with Dr. Ricky Stephens
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricky-stephens-9b9737179/
Keene ISD Website: https://www.keeneisd.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—one meaningful win at a time.

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