Most school administrators are committed to good leadership, so why is becoming an ideal school leader often so elusive? In this episode, we take off the masks, gaze deeply in the mirror, and search for real answers.

Follow on Twitter: @randybw15 @PrinCoach81 @BrassTacksInno1 @gustafsonbrad @benjamingilpin @bamradionetwork @Jonharper70bd

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James Bailey and Randy Weiner co-wrote Leading SEL by Modeling It. James Bailey's career has encompassed teacher, principal, school turnaround, principal consultant, and superintendent roles spanning Texas, Colorado, and Wyoming. As Superintendent in Wyoming, his district was the first member in the state to join the League of Innovative Schools after reform efforts around personalized learning and social-emotional development. In San Antonio, he led the turnaround efforts for the Carpe Diem Schools. His deep-seated commitment to equity and supporting school leaders led to him training as an executive coach and co-founding Brass Tacks Innovations focused on adult SEL development, school redesign, and the use of improvement and implementation science to help all schools and learners meet the demands of our emerging society. Randy Weiner has worked in start-ups, education, and education technology throughout his career. He is a co-founder and served as the founding Chairman of the Board at Urban Montessori Charter School (UMCS) in Oakland, CA—the nation’s first public Montessori, Arts Integration and Design Thinking school. Randy is also a co-founder and the CEO at BrainQuake, a two-time U.S. Department of Education Small Business Innovation Award winner. Randy taught for five years in Oakland and Madagascar. He provides educational consulting services, along with James Bailey and Elana Feinberg, through Brass Tacks Innovations.

Most school years are challenging during the best of times. Given the exceptional challenges students, teachers and parents are struggling with during the pandemic, how can school leaders maintain motivation during this unique school year?

Follow on Twitter: @toddhenry, @gustafsonbrad @benjamingilpin @bamradionetwork @Jonharper70bd

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Positioning himself as an “arms dealer for the creative revolution”, Todd Henry teaches leaders and organizations how to establish practices that lead to everyday brilliance. He is the author of five books (The Accidental Creative, Die Empty, Louder Than Words, Herding Tigers, and The Motivation Code) which have been translated into more than a dozen languages, and he speaks and consults across dozens of industries on creativity, leadership, and passion for work. With more than ten million downloads, his podcast The Accidental Creative offers weekly tips for how to stay prolific, brilliant, and healthy. His latest book, The Motivation Code, is a practical guide to discovering what truly drives your best work.

In this episode, we pick the brain of one of our “Washington insider” colleagues for clues about the road ahead under the new U.S. Secretary of Education.

Follow on Twitter: @thomascmurray @gustafsonbrad @benjamingilpin @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd

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Tom Murray serves as the Director of Innovation for Future Ready SchoolsⓇ, a project of the Alliance for Excellent Education, located in Washington, D.C. He has testified before the United States Congress and has worked alongside that body and the US Senate, the White House, the US Department of Education and state departments of education, and school districts throughout the country to implement student-centered learning. Murray serves as a regular conference keynote, was named one of “20 to Watch” by NSBA, the “National/Global EdTech Leader of the Year” in 2018, the “Education Thought Leader of the Year” in 2017, and the “Education Policy Person of the Year” by the Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2015. His best-selling book, Learning Transformed, was released in 2017 with ASCD, and his new book, Personal & Authentic was released last fall. Connect with him at thomascmurray.com