Get your copy of “Forward, Together” here on Amazon!

https://a.co/d/99RGvl3

This conversation is designed specifically to support and extend the expertise of school board trustees, offering practical ways to connect with people they may strongly disagree with, better understand differing perspectives, and move their communities forward with trust and clarity.

In this episode, MacKenzie Feldpausch of the Michigan Association of School Boards hosts a candid and thoughtful conversation with George Couros about his book Forward, Together: Moving Schools from Conflict to Community in Contentious Times. Drawing directly from her work alongside school board trustees across Michigan, MacKenzie shares why this book resonates so strongly with board members navigating tension, criticism, and complex community dynamics.

Rather than focusing on abstract leadership theory, the discussion centers on real, lived experiences that trustees can immediately relate to, including stories from refereeing, inviting pushback, and transforming a school room into a parent technology hub. Throughout the conversation, George and MacKenzie explore the importance of listening deeply, humanizing one another, reminding ourselves that “we’re all somebody’s kid,” and responding thoughtfully to community needs.

This episode highlights why Forward, Together is a valuable resource for school board trustees who want to lead with empathy, invite productive disagreement, and build stronger relationships in boardrooms and communities, even when consensus feels out of reach.

Ideal for:

• School board trustees and board presidents

• Superintendents working closely with boards

• Education leaders navigating conflict and public pressure

• Anyone seeking practical, human-centered leadership guidance

MacKenzie Feldpausch is the Education Programming Manager for the Michigan Association of School Boards. https://www.masb.org/about-masb/staff-directory/contact-me---mackenzie-feldpausch

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👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset

🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com

🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros

Follow George Couros:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gcouros

Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/

LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519

📚 Books by George Couros:

The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20

Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20

Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/