Join host Cate Tolnai for a powerful conversation with Dr. Kip Glazer and Tiffany Carson, two education leaders who built a districtwide Wellness Center during the pandemic while navigating systemic change together. They share what true partnership looks like—honesty, laughter, empathy, and courage—and offer lessons on sustaining leadership in demanding times. 💚✨ 🎯 What You'll Discover: Leading Through Crisis Together 🌊• How Kip and Tiff's partnership during the pandemic created a districtwide Wellness Center to support students, staff, and community• Turning crisis into opportunity through collaboration, trust, and shared vision• What it means to lean on each other for honesty, perspective, and laughter when everything is shifting Be Hard on the Problem, Not the Person 💡• Building circles of trust where feedback is honest, compassionate, and centered on growth• How to navigate difficult conversations while protecting relationships and dignity• Creating systems where empathy and accountability work together Redefining Leadership and Mentorship 🤝• Leadership isn't about titles—it's about authenticity, reflection, and showing up with empathy• The power of mutual respect and shared humanity in leadership partnerships• Why strong leaders choose to "be a dolphin, not a crab"—lifting others instead of pulling them down Boundaries, Empathy & Sustaining Leadership 🌱• How to sustain yourself in an increasingly demanding field without burning out• Setting boundaries while staying deeply committed to equity and student success• Making space for hope, dignity, and possibility even when the work feels impossible From Pandemic Challenges to Systems Change 🔄• Navigating systemic change while supporting equity-centered initiatives in SEL, organizational wellness, and AI integration• How Tiff led efforts that increased A–G completion, College and Career Readiness, and launched California's first Interpretation and Translation CTE pathway• Kip's leadership in AI integration, game-based learning, and empowering youth through innovation Key Takeaways:✨ Leadership is about authenticity and empathy—not titles or positional power✨ True partnership means honesty, laughter, and leaning on each other through crisis✨ Be hard on the problem, not the person—build trust circles where feedback centers growth✨ "Be a dolphin, not a crab"—choose to lift others rather than pull them down✨ Sustaining leadership requires boundaries, reflection, and making space for hope and dignity 🎯 Perfect For: School leaders navigating systemic change and building equity-centered initiativesAdministrators seeking authentic leadership partnerships and mentorship modelsEducators working on SEL, organizational wellness, and responsible AI integrationLeaders feeling overwhelmed and needing strategies to sustain themselvesAnyone interested in building trust circles and compassionate feedback systemsEducators wanting to turn crisis into opportunity through collaboration Resources & Mentions:🏫 Mountain View High School Wellness Center initiative🎓 Santa Barbara County Education Office equity-centered programs🤖 Responsible AI integration in education🎮 Game-based learning for literacy and numeracy (Kip's doctoral research)🌉 California's first Interpretation and Translation CTE pathway Connect With Our Guests:Tiffany Carson - LinkedIn Dr. Kip GlazerInstagram: @kipglazerLinkedInWebsite: https://www.kipglazer.com/About Tiffany Carson:Tiffany Carson is Director of School and District Support at Santa Barbara County Education Office, leading equity-centered initiatives in SEL, organizational wellness, and responsible AI integration. As special education teacher, high school administrator, and district leader, she has closed opportunity gaps and increased A–G completion, College and Career Readiness, and CTE participation across all student groups—even during the pandemic. She launched California's first Interpretation and Translation CTE pathway and now pursues her doctorate in Organizational Development and Change, bringing courage and compassion to help educators navigate today's complex realities. About Dr. Kip Glazer:Dr. Kip Glazer serves as Principal of Mountain View High School in California. A native of Seoul, South Korea who immigrated to the U.S. in 1993, she earned her Doctorate in Learning Technologies from Pepperdine University and is recognized for leadership in AI integration, game-based learning, and instructional innovation. A 2023 CSTA Equity Fellow and 2024 Google Innovator, Kip has served as advisor for the U.S. Department of Education, Digital Promise, Kennedy Center ArtsEdge, and EngageAI Institute. This episode is a masterclass in collaboration, compassion, and courageous leadership. 💚 #EducationalLeadership #SEL #AIinEducation #SystemsChange #Mentorship #EdChat
