INTRO: This week, we feature James Sturm, co-founder of the Center for Cartoon Studies. In this our conversation, we explore the dynamic interplay between the power of language and the power of images in shaping a district's narrative. Join us as we delve into strategies for effectively communication of vision and values. In the second half, James shares a compelling story about navigating a crisis when a flood threatened the campus library, sparking a reflection on proactive leadership, or the bias toward action. Get ready for a thought-provoking conversation on leadership with James Sturm ..read more

INTRO: In just a few weeks, I will be traveling with a small group of amazing volunteers from all over the United States and Australia to Omo Village in Papua New Guinea. I serve on the Board of Directors for Be the Change Volunteers, an organization committed to building schools all over the world for communities interested in providing opportunities to their children, especially their girls. Our co-founders, Jimi and Cristi Cook, believe that communities with educated women thrive - and they’re right! BTCV is also building schools in Peru, Malawi, Rwanda, India, and Puerto Rico, so, if you’r ..read more

Intro: As I prepared for this week’s episode, I traded in personal anecdotes with a traditional story, one about two farmers and their approach to change. One always bought the latest tools for his farm, hoping they would solve his problems. Meanwhile, his neighbor focused on building relationships with other farmers, learning from their experiences, and sharing his own knowledge.  When a drought hit, the first farmer struggled alone with his fancy equipment, while his neighbor’s network came together to devise solutions.  In the end, it was the approach of building in instead of buy ..read more

INTRO: Earlier this year, I read The Delicate Handling of Equity Work in Conservative Communities, and was thrilled when the authors agreed to be guests on the podcast. In the two years since I left the superintendency, I have found myself talking with superintendents who have faced (or are facing) this same dilemma. They recognize the importance of the children in their district learning about systems of oppression, but sometimes their communities see any topic of equity as an assault on their "traditions" (or, in one example from their article, they say superintendents are bringing Crit ..read more

INTRO: In this episode of An Imperfect Leader, Jeff Utecht, educational futurist and podcast host of Shifting Schools, joins me in conversation. We reflect on the intersections of tradition and transformation, innovation and integration. We  delve into Jeff's insights and experiences, and how he helps educators navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing world. In the first part, we talk about topics like esports, cell phones in the classroom, and AI. In the second part, Jeff talks about a time he looked to the future for everyone else, and forgot to do it for himself and his career ..read more

INTRO: Join me on this episode of An Imperfect Leader for a captivating discussion with Sean Stewart, an expert in historical leadership. We explore how lessons from the past can shape today's leadership practices, offering valuable insights for leaders across all fields. In this episode, we'll shift our focus to the demanding roles of school leaders and the critical importance of establishing a shared vision of success. Sean will share his expertise and shed light on how historical perspectives can inform and enrich contemporary leadership approaches in education. His knowledge of all things ..read more

INTRO: My guest this week holds a special place in my professional life. I met him during his first campaign for the school board in Oakland, CA. In the second part of the show, my guest, Dr. Gary Yee, describes what has got to be one of the most difficult experiences of any superintendent – the vandalizing of his home, navigating a hunger strike of two teachers, and community members occupying a school, all in response to proposed school closures. Other Topics Discussed: Superintendent Tenures Community Engagement Superintendent/Board Relations Dr. Marcus Foster Hunger Strike  Hart ..read more

INTRO: In this episode of An Imperfect Leader, join us as we delve into the world of education leadership with Superintendent Diego Ochoa, a veteran with over 25 years of experience, and Graham Dugoni, the founder of Yondr – a pioneer in creating phone-free spaces. Together, they discuss the impact of going phone-free on student success and the compelling purpose that drives their work. Discover how the San Mateo-Foster City Schools district's strategic plan, led by Diego, was influenced by the decision to minimize distractions and create a focused learning environment. Graham shares insights ..read more

INTRO:  This episode is coming out just as I have returned from co-presenting at a conference hosted by the Coalition of Oregon School Administrators (or COSA). During our presentation, we talked about distinguishing between reform and transformation. Specifically, that reform is usually made up of outside forces telling you what to do, coaching for compliance and using sticks and carrots to get results. Whereas transformation is about establishing your district’s compelling purpose. It relies on cycles of inquiry and peer coaching, and adjusting the goal, when appropriate. It relies on a ..read more

INTRO: The most unexpected thing happened the other day. I was having car issues and the mechanic offered to do a home visit. That in itself was a nice gesture. He found the issue (resolved it pretty quickly, actually. If you’re dying to know, it was an electrical issue beyond my expertise. Ok, let’s be honest, I have no expertise beyond the radio shack club at the summer camp I attended as a kid where I soldered together a motion detector one summer. You had to be within something like 4 inches for it to actually detect you!   So we’re chitchatting and through the window, he sees a ukule ..read more