Join Dr. Janet Pilcher, Founder and President of Studer Education, for the final Accelerate Your Performance episode of the year as she reflects on the moments, partnerships, and lessons that shaped Studer Education’s path. Dr. Pilcher expresses her deep gratitude for the early leaders who helped lay the foundation for this work and celebrates the enduring impact of aligning culture, strategy, and purpose in education.

Recommended Resources: Keep Your Organizational Flywheel Spinning with Gratitude, How Gratitude Anchors Organizations, Show Your Gratitude

Follow Host Dr. Janet Pilcher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetpilcher/

It's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day challenges of leadership, but what if our most powerful tool is simply focusing on what's working well? Listen as Dr. Janet Pilcher explains how recognizing bright spots creates a powerful loop of purpose and builds the sense of belonging that helps employees know they matter.

Recommended Resources: Keep Your Organizational Flywheel Spinning with Gratitude, Wrapping Up the Year with Purpose, How Gratitude Anchors Organizations

Follow Host Dr. Janet Pilcher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetpilcher/

Consistent practices keep the organizational flywheel spinning, and one practice is essential, especially during the holidays: gratitude.

In this episode, Dr. Janet Pilcher explains how intentional appreciation connects people back to the core values of purpose and worthwhile work. Listen to learn how to connect an individual's specific behavior to its organizational impact, sending a clear message of "what right looks like" and strengthening the bond with your school community.

Recommended Resources: Creating the Momentum to Achieve Organizational Excellence in Education Systems, How Gratitude Builds Great Teams

Follow Host Dr. Janet Pilcher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetpilcher/

"Culture and strategic improvement—those are inseparable." This is a guiding philosophy of Dr. Jamie Burkhart, Director of Women in Leadership at the Missouri Association of School Administrators (MASA).

Joining Dr. Janet Pilcher, Dr. Burkhart discusses her leadership journey and demonstrates why "going slow to go fast" is the only sustainable path to strategic improvement. She also details how MASA's Women in Leadership Initiative has grown from a group of five women to a statewide cohort focused on multiplying leadership, building capacity, and intentionally growing the next generation of female leaders across the state.

Listen to hear how focusing on people and purpose helps leaders tackle current challenges like recruitment, retention, and political pressures.

This episode addresses questions such as:

1. What are the most pressing and significant trends facing educational leaders today, and how can professional organizations effectively support them?
2. What is the critical relationship between organizational culture and strategic improvement?
3. How does a leader build a foundation for lasting positive change?

Recommended Resources: The Culture-Strategy Equation: Reflections from the AASA Conference, Empowered Leaders and Aligned Values, Go Slow to Go Fast

Follow Host Dr. Janet Pilcher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetpilcher/

"Education is truly the conduit to freedom."

This powerful belief drives Superintendent Dr. Tremayne Clardy of the Verona Area School District. Joining Dr. Janet Pilcher, he discusses how the district is strategically establishing literacy as the driving force behind all its work. Dr. Clardy explains why, in today's complex world, strong literacy is the path to student freedom and the one way to ensure every child gains the critical thinking skills necessary to thrive. Listen to hear how this singular focus fuels a disciplined, systemic practice that ensures consistency across the organization.

This episode addresses questions such as:

• What is the strategic role of literacy in a district's overall mission?
• How does systems alignment ensure that all students have equitable access to opportunities?

Recommended Resources: Listen Humbly and Learn Continuously, Transform Communities by Transforming Schools, Remember Your Why: From Struggle to Purpose

Follow Host Dr. Janet Pilcher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetpilcher/

Recurring problems demand a shift in focus. In this final rapid-fire episode, Dr. Janet Pilcher shares three essential steps to move away from blame and toward process improvement. Learn what it takes to reframe discussions, conduct a system audit, and hardwire new, standardized processes for better performance and desired outcomes.

Recommended Resources: Empower Your Team by Embracing Accountability, Achieve Operational Efficiency with Process Improvement, Process Improvement Tool: Stoplight Report

Follow Host Dr. Janet Pilcher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetpilcher/

External noise is a constant, yet you can be a source of stability and trust. Dr. Janet Pilcher shares three actionable steps educational leaders can take to proactively share their story and build strong allies. In five minutes, learn how to anchor conversations to your scorecard, lead with what's right, and ensure message consistency across your system.

Recommended Resources: Save Time with Proactive Communication, Communicate at All Levels, Communicate Clearly, With Simplicity

Follow Host Dr. Janet Pilcher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetpilcher/

October burnout is real, and the first 90 days are critical for new hires. Don't leave retention to chance. In this second rapid-fire episode, Dr. Janet Pilcher shares three intentional executive actions to help leaders secure their best people and create a culture where staff want to stay.

Recommended Resources: Retain New Hires with 30- and 90-Day Conversations, Studer Education 30/90-day Conversation Guide, Create Connections Through Rounding

Learn more about and register for DHP Hemet: https://studereducation.com/dhp-hemet-2025/

Follow Host Dr. Janet Pilcher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetpilcher/