CheckBox Pro Series

Missy Couch

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Education

CheckBox Pro founder, Missy Couch, interviews experts in the field of education to offer tools, tips, and insights to make the life of a charter school leader even more sustainable.

19 Oct

61: Building Something That Lasts

In this episode of the CheckBox Pro Series, Missy sits down with Karalei Nunn, Founder and CEO of Meridian World School, to talk about what it takes to build and sustain a school over the long haul. Karalei shares how her journey into education began as a parent searching for the right school for her own children. That search eventually led her from architecture into school founding, helping launch Meridian as an International Baccalaureate school serving students across Williamson County. She reflects on the collaborative culture that has shaped Meridian from the beginning, from founding families who helped build programs and systems to the leadership team that continues to make decisions together today. Karalei also shares what she is most proud of now, including the school's ability to use data more intentionally and create a community where families from many backgrounds feel welcomed and supported. Throughout the conversation, Karalei discusses the realities of charter school leadership, including financial constraints, changing regulations, and the importance of knowing when to push for growth and when to strengthen what is already working. This episode is a thoughtful look at tenacity, collaboration, and the steady work of building a school community that lasts. Connect with Karalei: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karalei-nunn/ Meridian World School: https://www.mwschool.org/ About CheckBox Pro: CheckBox Pro helps school leaders create sustainability through added capacity—taking repetitive tasks off their plates so they can focus on what matters most. https://www.checkboxpro.com/ Licensed music ID: ILRNI9DIEHE4JTVQ Music: Energizer by Chris Phaze licensed through Premium Beat by Shutterstock ID: ILRNI9DIEHE4JTVQ
5 Oct

60: What's Saving My Life: Summer 2026

In this summer edition of What's Saving My Life, Missy shares 10 things that brought a little more joy, ease, and sanity to life from July through September. The list is a true mix of meaningful and delightfully ordinary, from World Cup soccer, family video compilations, and welcoming a new rescue dog after saying goodbye to a beloved longtime pup, to finally unclogging the bathroom sinks and embracing overalls as a summer uniform. She also shares what happened when she ditched her Apple Watch and removed social media from her phone, the family card game everyone can finally play together, and the unexpected joy of watching her youngest step confidently into kindergarten. There's also plenty of summer survival, including a reality TV binge while solo parenting during her husband's theater rehearsals and a paper calendar that helped make camps, travel, visitors, and family logistics feel a little more manageable. As always, this episode is a reminder that the things saving us don't have to be big or profound. Sometimes they're simply the people, routines, tools, and small joys making a busy season feel a little lighter. Connect with Missy: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/missy-couch-5626b8176/ About CheckBox Pro: CheckBox Pro helps school leaders create sustainability through added capacity—taking repetitive tasks off their plates so they can focus on what matters most. https://www.checkboxpro.com/ Licensed music ID: ILRNI9DIEHE4JTVQ Music: Energizer by Chris Phaze licensed through Premium Beat by Shutterstock ID: ILRNI9DIEHE4JTVQ
21 Sept

59: Strategic Sense Making

In this episode of the CheckBox Pro Series, Missy sits down with Dr. Remy Washington, CEO of Uplift Education, to talk about stepping into leadership at scale while staying connected to the people doing the work every day. Remy shares her unconventional path into education, from pre-med student to car sales to high school math teacher, and the opportunities that eventually led her to Uplift. Now eight months into the CEO role, she reflects on leading a network serving more than 23,000 students while navigating enrollment, financial pressures, staffing decisions, and organizational change. At the center of Remy's leadership is what she calls strategic sense making. She shares how listening sessions, campus visits, focus groups, data, and highly intentional planning help her understand what is happening across a large organization and make better decisions because of it. Remy also gets practical about managing a demanding role, including how she structures her week, prepares for check-ins, protects time to stay close to schools, and is learning to delegate more to her executive assistant. This episode is an insightful look at leading with curiosity, proximity, and the discipline to gather the right information before deciding what comes next. Connect with Dr. Washington: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/remy-l-washington-edd-72496913/ Learn more about Uplift Education: https://uplifteducation.org/ About CheckBox Pro: CheckBox Pro helps school leaders create sustainability through added capacity—taking repetitive tasks off their plates so they can focus on what matters most. https://www.checkboxpro.com/ Licensed music ID: ILRNI9DIEHE4JTVQ Music: Energizer by Chris Phaze licensed through Premium Beat by Shutterstock ID: ILRNI9DIEHE4JTVQ
31 Aug

58: Seeing What's Possible

In this episode of the CheckBox Pro Series, Missy sits down with David Williams, founder and leader of Village Tech Schools, for a conversation about reimagining what school can look and feel like. David shares how he stumbled into education, fell in love with teaching, and eventually helped build Village Tech around a belief that students should do meaningful work connected to the world beyond the classroom. From public exhibitions and community partnerships to cross-age learning and design thinking, he explains how Village Tech creates opportunities for students to build confidence, creativity, and a strong sense of belonging. David also reflects on the realities of leading a growing charter network, including school finance, enrollment pressures, and the challenge of translating a nontraditional school model to people who have not experienced it firsthand. Through it all, he returns to a people-first philosophy: schools should be people driven and data informed. He also shares the meeting structures his leadership team uses to protect time, strengthen accountability, and keep the organization focused on the work that matters most. This episode is a thoughtful reminder that while school leadership is complex, the heart of the work remains simple: create the conditions for students and adults to do meaningful work together. Connect with David: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-williams-15914865/ Learn more about Village Tech Schools: https://villagetechschools.org/ About CheckBox Pro: CheckBox Pro helps school leaders create sustainability through added capacity—taking repetitive tasks off their plates so they can focus on what matters most. https://www.checkboxpro.com/ Licensed music ID: ILRNI9DIEHE4JTVQ Music: Energizer by Chris Phaze licensed through Premium Beat by Shutterstock ID: ILRNI9DIEHE4JTVQ
17 Aug

57: Helping Every Student Belong

In this episode of the CheckBox Pro Series, Missy sits down with Kayleigh Colombero, Founder and Superintendent of Étoile Academy Charter School, for an honest conversation about school founding, leadership, and building opportunities that change students' lives. Kayleigh shares how her own childhood shaped her belief that every student deserves access to an exceptional education and the confidence to know they belong in any room. She reflects on founding Étoile Academy, the lessons she's learned while growing from a single middle school to a multi-campus network, and why she recently stepped back into the principal role to better understand the day-to-day realities facing her team. Throughout the conversation, Kayleigh discusses the importance of staying relentlessly focused on student outcomes, creating systems that support teachers, and communicating with clarity across an organization. She also shares practical tools her leadership team uses to strengthen collaboration, improve communication, and keep everyone aligned around what matters most for students. Whether you're leading a new school or an established organization, this episode offers an authentic look at what it takes to stay mission-focused, adapt quickly, and keep students at the center of every decision. Connect with Kayleigh: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayleigh-colombero-29b21062/ Learn more about Etoile Academy: https://www.etoileacademy.org/ About CheckBox Pro: CheckBox Pro helps school leaders create sustainability through added capacity—taking repetitive tasks off their plates so they can focus on what matters most. https://www.checkboxpro.com/ Licensed music ID: ILRNI9DIEHE4JTVQ Music: Energizer by Chris Phaze licensed through Premium Beat by Shutterstock ID: ILRNI9DIEHE4JTVQ
3 Aug

56: Lessons from a Lifetime in Education

In this episode of the CheckBox Pro Series, Missy sits down with Dr. Mechiel Rozas, a recently retired superintendent, to reflect on the leadership lessons that sustained her through a decades-long career in education. Dr. Rozas shares her journey from bilingual teacher to superintendent, along with the experiences that shaped her leadership philosophy. She explains why building a positive culture for adults is one of the greatest investments a leader can make, why calm and consistent leadership matters during difficult moments, and how developing the capacity of others became the hallmark of her career. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Rozas offers practical tools leaders can use immediately, including simple frameworks for coaching staff, making thoughtful purchasing decisions, and helping teams distinguish between what is truly required and what they have placed on themselves. She also shares how intentionally protecting time for family, friendships, and personal renewal made it possible to sustain her leadership over the long haul. Connect with Dr. Rozas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-mechiel-rozas-00454955/ At CheckBox Pro, we help school leaders reclaim time and build sustainable careers through executive assistant support designed specifically for education leaders. https://www.checkboxpro.com/ Licensed music ID: ILRNI9DIEHE4JTVQ Music: Energizer by Chris Phaze licensed through Premium Beat by Shutterstock ID: ILRNI9DIEHE4JTVQ
20 Jul

55: The Team Teaching Model

In this episode of the CheckBox Pro Series, Missy sits down with Mohamad Maarouf, Superintendent of Arcadia Schools, for a conversation about rethinking both student learning and teacher sustainability. Mohamad shares his journey from finance to education, sparked by a desire for more meaningful work and deepened through Teach For America, school leadership, and years spent supporting principals across Texas. Now, as the founder of Arcadia Schools, he is preparing to open a new high school model designed to address two of education's biggest challenges: student outcomes and teacher retention. Mohamad explains Arcadia's innovative team teaching model, where students learn in smaller groups with multiple educators, instruction is adjusted in real time using data, and aspiring teachers are developed through a built-in apprenticeship model. He also shares the realities of school founding, from balancing competing priorities to resisting perfectionism and staying grounded in the relationships that make the work possible. Throughout the conversation, Mohamad returns to a central belief: schools are built through trust, collaboration, and community voice. He also shares a practical relationship tracking tool that helps him intentionally steward connections with families, staff, and partners without letting relationships become transactional. This episode is an encouraging listen for school leaders thinking about innovation, sustainability, and what it looks like to build a school with people, not just for them. Connect with Mohamad: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/maarouf/ Learn more about Arcadia Schools https://www.arcadia-schools.org/home At CheckBox Pro, we help school leaders reclaim time and build sustainable careers through executive assistant support designed specifically for education leaders. https://www.checkboxpro.com/ Licensed music ID: ILRNI9DIEHE4JTVQ Music: Energizer by Chris Phaze licensed through Premium Beat by Shutterstock ID: ILRNI9DIEHE4JTVQ
6 Jul

54: What's Saving My Life: Spring 2026

Spring is always a whirlwind. Between school events, travel, sports, and what Missy affectionately calls "May-hem," it can feel like life is moving at full speed. In this quarterly What's Saving My Life episode, Missy reflects on ten things that brought a little more joy, ease, and sustainability to her life between April and June 2026. From practical solutions like grocery pickup and snack prep to meaningful moments with grandparents, coaching youth soccer, and hiking through Zion National Park with friends, this episode is a reminder that the things saving our lives are often smaller and simpler than we expect. If you've never made your own "What's Saving My Life" list, this episode might inspire you to start. Key Takeaways: Small conveniences can make a big difference. Whether it was finally using up accumulated samples, embracing grocery delivery, or keeping healthy snacks ready to go, simple systems helped reduce decision fatigue during a busy season. Being present in your children's world matters. Volunteering at school provided opportunities to see my daughters in a different environment and connect with the people who invest in them every day. Kids are capable of more than we think. One unexpected milestone this spring was watching her youngest daughter decide she was done with nighttime pull-ups and take ownership of the process herself. Shared experiences create lasting memories. Whether it was coaching a youth soccer team, watching sports together, or traveling with close friends, some of the most meaningful moments came from doing life alongside others. Friendship is worth planning for. The Zion National Park trip served as a powerful reminder that investing time with friends can be both restorative and life-giving. What's Saving My Life This Spring: Using up sample products A weekly snackle box filled with fruits and vegetables Volunteering at my girls' school My youngest daughter nighttime potty training herself A new ice cream maker Coaching my daughter's soccer team Grocery delivery and grocery pickup Grandparents Watching the Atlanta Braves and women's soccer A Zion National Park trip with friends Resources Mentioned: Snackle Box https://www.target.com/p/large-snackle-box-cool-sun-squad-8482/-/A-94824074#lnk=sametab Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker https://www.cuisinart.com/pure-indulgence-2-quart-frozen-yogurt-sorbet-ice-cream-maker/ICE-30BCP1.html?srsltid=AfmBOoq58vjUiygTaDGmYjS9x2ouLn3Ji2dOrsZnkbr61cU3rUKXpsEN3aI Ben & Jerry's Recipe Book https://www.target.com/p/ben-jerry-s-homemade-ice-cream-dessert-book-by-ben-cohen-jerry-greenfield-nancy-stevens-paperback/-/A-11759333 Connect with CheckBox Pro: At CheckBox Pro, we help school leaders reclaim time and build sustainable careers through executive assistant support designed specifically for education leaders. https://www.checkboxpro.com/ Licensed music ID: ILRNI9DIEHE4JTVQ Music: Energizer by Chris Phaze licensed through Premium Beat by Shutterstock ID: ILRNI9DIEHE4JTVQ

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CheckBox Pro founder, Missy Couch, interviews experts in the field of education to offer tools, tips, and insights to make the life of a charter school leader even more sustainable.

Creator

Missy Couch
Years Active

2024 - 2026
Episodes

61
Rating

Clean
Show Website

CheckBox Pro Series

CheckBox Pro Series

Episodes

61: Building Something That Lasts

60: What's Saving My Life: Summer 2026

59: Strategic Sense Making

58: Seeing What's Possible

57: Helping Every Student Belong

56: Lessons from a Lifetime in Education

55: The Team Teaching Model

54: What's Saving My Life: Spring 2026

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