What happens when you believe in collaboration—but your system doesn’t? Our guest again this episode is Jessica Lees, Deputy Head Teacher of Teaching and Learning, Cairo English School. She explores that very tension in this conversation about creating cultural change from the middle. Jessica tells the story of recognizing when she was managing instead of mentoring—and how one conversation shifted everything. This episode is about the power of asking better questions, being vulnerable, and creating space for others to step up. Jessica Lees walks us through how she tackled unsustainable policies by inviting department leaders into real problem-solving, not just top-down directives. It’s a compelling story of pushing for change with courage and care.

What resonated with you? What challenges do you face in your day to day principal practice? Take 5 minutes to share your thoughts

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“What’s one thing on your plate that AI could take off?” Our guest this episode is Jessica Lees, Deputy Head Teacher of Teaching and Learning, Cairo English School. Jessica flips the conversation on AI by starting where most educators feel the strain—time, feedback, and administrative overload. She unpacks how school leaders can ethically and effectively adopt AI without losing the human side of education. It's not about doing less—it’s about doing what matters. When educators secretly use AI but never talk about it, we miss out on growth, on using use AI transparently to support teachers, on streamline admin work, and on preparing students for a future powered by smart tools. Leaders need to model curiosity, not perfection. AI isn’t a threat—it’s an invitation to lead with courage and community.

What resonated with you? What challenges do you face in your day to day principal practice? Take 5 minutes to share your thoughts

https://www.restorative.ca/cff

Be sure to check out the website https://restorative.ca

#SchoolLeadership,#Principal,,#leadership,#restorative practice,#listening,#relationshipbuilding,#connection,#sustainability,#distributedleadership,#AI,#artificialintelligence,#staffing,#mentalhealth,#stress,#selfcare,#makingitright,#prevention

Think only specialists can prevent substance use in schools? Think again. Our guests this episode are Dr. Emily Jenkins, Associate Professor & Canada Research Chair, University of British Columbia I Scientific Director, Wellstream/Bienamont: The Canadian Centre for Innovation in Child and Youth Mental Health and Substance Use in Vancouver British Columbia and Dr. Nathan Ngieng Deputy Superintendent of Abby Schools in Abbotsford, British Columbia. Sometimes, one caring adult can change a student’s entire trajectory. Emily Jenkins shares how a simple comment from a basketball coach transformed her school experience, highlighting the profound impact of small moments of connection.Emily and Nathan debunk the idea that educators need special training to make a difference. Instead, they emphasize how simple acts of connection—like learning a student's name, asking how they're doing, or showing up in their extracurricular activities—can be life-changing protective factors.Listen to how schools can proactively foster connections instead of waiting to identify "at-risk" students If you're an educator, administrator, or policymaker, this episode builds an understanding how relationship-building is at the heart of substance use prevention.What resonated with you? What challenges do you facei n your day to day principal practice? Take 5 minutes to share your thoughts https://www.restorative.ca/cff Be sure to check out the website https://restorative.ca#SchoolLeadership,#Principal,,#leadership,#restorative practice,#listening,#relationshipbuilding,#connection,#sustainability,#distributedleadership, #traumainformed,#staffing,#mentalhealth,#stress,#selfcare,#truth,#reconciliation,#TRC,#makingitright,#substanceuse,#prevention Transforming Substance Use Harm Prevention in Canadian Schools: An Examination of School Administrators’ Experiences and PerspectivesRead the report here. https://wellstream.ca/