CheckBox Pro Series

Missy Couch

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.

  1. 35: Clarity, Alignment, and Adaptability

    SEP 17

    35: Clarity, Alignment, and Adaptability

    In this episode of the CheckBox Pro Series, Missy sits down with Matt Cowan, Executive Director of Believe Memphis Academy, to talk about his journey from classroom teacher to school leader and the lessons he’s learned along the way. Matt shares how adaptability has been his superpower—helping him thrive in chaotic seasons, lead through challenges like founding a school during COVID, and now navigate the shift from principal to executive director. He opens up about the joys of watching students grow, the struggles of balancing leadership with family life, and the practical habits that keep him grounded. This candid conversation offers encouragement and real strategies for school leaders working to sustain themselves in this demanding work. Key Takeaways: Matt’s path from teacher to Executive Director and the challenges of each transition. Why adaptability and flexibility are essential superpowers for school leaders. The importance of clarity and alignment in building productive, empowered teams. Practical ways Matt and his wife (also a principal) balance leadership with parenting. Why celebrating small wins and student stories helps sustain leaders through hard seasons.  Connect with Matt Cowan: Learn more about Believe Memphis Academy https://believememphisacademy.org  Nominate a Guest: If you or someone you know is leading with sustainability in mind and has tips, tools, or stories worth sharing, fill out this nomination form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe7yAPDmx7Mnh-Za6yKw0otmtFGND9e-mMdYW_QGAFnbNly_A/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=102956796630725968003  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

    41 min
  2. 34: Realigning to Vision Every Day

    SEP 17

    34: Realigning to Vision Every Day

    In this episode, I sit down with Dana Stuart Browning, founder of The Texas Girls School, just five days after she opened the doors to her brand-new campus. Inspired by her daughter’s experience in STEM, Dana shares her journey from classroom teacher to charter school founder and the vision behind creating a single-gender, STEM-focused, project-based learning environment for middle school girls in Austin. We talk about the challenges of launching a school, the importance of keeping both students and teachers in love with learning, and how strong boundaries and intentional communication systems help her lead with balance and clarity. Key Takeaways: Founding a school requires nimbleness—hiring a mission-aligned team with a “founder’s mindset” is critical. Research shows that girls in single-gender schools are more likely to pursue STEM fields, perform higher in math and science, and build stronger peer relationships. Texas Girls School emphasizes project-based learning, including weekly “Flex Fridays” for design challenges and field explorations. School leaders can sustain themselves by setting boundaries around technology—no email alerts, no late-night emails, and prioritizing in-person connection over constant digital communication. Dana’s superpower as a leader is her ability to cast and realign with vision, helping her and her team stay grounded even when challenges arise.  Connect with Dana Stuart Browning: Follow Dana on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/danabrowning1976/ Follow The Texas Girls School on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/texasgirlsschool/ Learn more or schedule a tour: https://www.texasgirlsschool.org/ Nominate a Guest: If you or someone you know is leading with sustainability in mind and has tips, tools, or stories worth sharing, fill out this nomination form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe7yAPDmx7Mnh-Za6yKw0otmtFGND9e-mMdYW_QGAFnbNly_A/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=102956796630725968003 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

    33 min
  3. 33: Shifting the Mic to School Leaders

    AUG 18

    33: Shifting the Mic to School Leaders

    In this special solo episode, host Missy Couch shares an exciting shift in the CheckBox Pro Series focus. While past episodes have featured subject-matter experts in education, Missy is pivoting to spotlight the real pros—school leaders who are in the trenches every day. She reflects on trends she’s seeing in the field, from the loneliness many leaders feel to the hunger for connection and sustainability, and explains why creating a space for leaders to share their stories, strategies, and “why” matters now more than ever. This is the beginning of a new season of conversations designed to inspire, connect, and remind leaders that this challenging work can be both doable and joyful. Key Takeaways: The podcast will shift from expert interviews to conversations with school leaders currently doing the work. Sustainability in education is about more than efficiency—it’s also about mindset, community, and support. Many leaders struggle with isolation and burnout; sharing stories can help create connection. Listeners are invited to nominate themselves or others for future episodes.  Nominate a Guest: If you or someone you know is leading with sustainability in mind and has tips, tools, or stories worth sharing, fill out this nomination form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe7yAPDmx7Mnh-Za6yKw0otmtFGND9e-mMdYW_QGAFnbNly_A/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=102956796630725968003  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

    9 min
  4. 32: School Nutrition

    AUG 4

    32: School Nutrition

    Elizabeth Garcia is the Associate Director of Operations in the Development Office at Massachusetts General Hospital. However, in her former life she was the Director of School Operations at KIPP Academy Lynn Middle School, where she led an operations team supporting over 1,000 students and 200 staff members. She also managed the district’s nutrition program, overseeing meal service for 2,200 students daily. She geeked out with me today about why a strong nutrition program is important and how to build and assess it. Most Important Question to Ask: Are the students eating the food?! Ops teams are crucial to ensure students have access to nutritious meals, so listen in to learn ways to build or improve upon a program that brings everyone around the table! Resources: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) https://www.fns.usda.gov/ Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/cep USDA Meal Pattern One-Pager https://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/nutrition-standards/nslp-meal-pattern No Kid Hungry - end child hunger in America https://www.nokidhungry.org/ Chef Ann Foundation - learn how to bring whole-ingredient, scratch cooking in schools https://www.chefannfoundation.org/ Connect with Elizabeth Garcia:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-garcia-093/ Elizbeth said she wanted to check the box off of making this meal for the first time! https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021328-chicken-zucchini-meatballs-with-feta CheckBox Pro (https://www.checkboxpro.com/) - learn more about the services CheckBox Pro offers to make the work of school leaders more sustainable  Licensed music ID: ILRNI9DIEHE4JTVQ Music: Energizer by Chris Phaze licensed through Premium Beat by Shutterstock ID: ILRNI9DIEHE4JTVQ

    50 min
  5. 31: Lean Management for Dismissal

    JUL 14

    31: Lean Management for Dismissal

    In this episode, I sit down with Tyler Heath, Chief Operations Officer at Austin Achieve Public Schools, to discuss the importance of strong school operations and how he built an effective elementary school car rider dismissal process. Tyler shares insights into the operational challenges schools face, strategies for ensuring efficiency and safety, and key lessons for school leaders looking to refine their own dismissal systems. Key takeaways: A well-structured dismissal process enhances safety, efficiency, and overall school experience. Thoughtful planning and data-driven adjustments are crucial to optimizing school operations. Common challenges include managing traffic flow, staff coordination, and parent communication. Schools should prioritize clear procedures, staff training, and continuous process improvement. Strong operations lay the foundation for a positive school culture and improved stakeholder satisfaction.  Connect with Tyler Heath: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-heath-564a23/ To learn more about Lean Management, Tyler Heath recommends his favorite ops book - The Toyota Way by Jeffrey Liker (https://thetoyotaway.org/product/the-toyota-way/) CheckBox Pro (https://www.checkboxpro.com/) - learn more about the services CheckBox Pro offers to make the work of school leaders more sustainable Licensed music ID: ILRNI9DIEHE4JTVQ Music: Energizer by Chris Phaze licensed through Premium Beat by Shutterstock ID: ILRNI9DIEHE4JTVQ

    47 min
  6. 30: School Psychology, Simplified

    JUL 8

    30: School Psychology, Simplified

    In this episode, I sit down with ShaVanety Jones, an early career school psychologist, executive functioning coach, and founder of Academic Fusion LLC. With a unique background in psychology and theater, ShaVanety shares how she helps students—especially gifted learners—build confidence, develop essential life skills, and stay engaged through creative tools like improv and social-emotional storytelling. We unpack the multifaceted role of a school psychologist, why third and fourth grade are pivotal years for student development, and how simple acts like writing thank-you notes can teach powerful life lessons. Key takeaways: School psychologists are trained across 10 domains, serving as both evaluators and advocates for students’ academic and mental health needs. ShaVanety’s work focuses on executive functioning, social-emotional growth, and early intervention—especially for gifted students who may struggle with organization and behavior. Academic Fusion, her after-school program, blends theater and skill-building to make learning about time management, communication, and peer interaction fun. Simple strategies like preference assessments and handwritten thank-you notes can make a big difference in student engagement and confidence. Third and fourth grade are often inflection points when students begin to disengage from school—early support and skill-building can help prevent long-term academic and behavioral challenges. The job of a school psychologist extends far beyond counseling—it involves legal timelines, coordination, testing, and deep family communication. Academic Fusion LLC currently operates as a B2B (Business to Business), so she is hired by school districts and organizations. However, keep an eye on things because her goal is to work as a B2C (Business to Customers, ie. parents). Connect with ShaVanety Jones: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shavanety-j-233a35128/ ShaVanety's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/AcademicFusionLLC?utm_source=linktree_admin_share Complete her Gifted Student Programming Survey: https://forms.gle/FBcC4JGkuGGFjFkv7 UCLA PEERS: https://teams.semel.ucla.edu/peers/adolescents-certified-usa/washington-pierce-county CheckBox Pro (https://www.checkboxpro.com/) - learn more about the services CheckBox Pro offers to make the work of school leaders more sustainable  Licensed music ID: ILRNI9DIEHE4JTVQ Music: Energizer by Chris Phaze licensed through Premium Beat by Shutterstock ID: ILRNI9DIEHE4JTVQ

    39 min
  7. 29: What's Saving My Life?

    JUN 16

    29: What's Saving My Life?

    In this episode, Missy Couch shares her personal reflections on the things that are saving her life, a concept inspired by Emily P. Freeman of The Next Right Thing and Kendra Adachi from The Lazy Genius. She discusses ten key elements that bring joy and connection to her life, including coffee, book clubs, Audible, soccer, and family traditions. Each topic highlights the importance of self-care, relationships, and finding joy in everyday activities. Key Takeaways:  Reflecting on what's saving your life can be enlightening. Joy can be found even in the small things, like a cup of coffee. Relationships bring purpose and fulfillment to the mundane. Taking time to invest in hobbies is essential. Links:  The Next Right Thing podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/2brDfTW27CjoKwKk1ovEqy?si=LmJLz1-wTye1V3V9_XCz4g The Lazy Genius podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/2rOjz03L3exjFMsv50ftQt?si=mRNegxgySfmzzSPEQnBijA Cometeer Coffee -  https://cometeer.com/  Marco Polo - https://apps.apple.com/app/id912561374 Audible - https://apps.apple.com/app/id912561374 CheckBox Pro (https://www.checkboxpro.com/) - learn more about the services CheckBox Pro offers to make the work of school leaders more sustainable Licensed music ID: ILRNI9DIEHE4JTVQ Music: Energizer by Chris Phaze licensed through Premium Beat by Shutterstock ID: ILRNI9DIEHE4JTVQ

    27 min
  8. 28: Simplifying School Procurement

    JUN 3

    28: Simplifying School Procurement

    In this episode, I sit down with Daniel Casselli, President of BuyQ, to discuss how group purchasing can help schools—especially smaller charter and private schools—stretch their dollars, streamline operations, and build stronger procurement systems. Drawing from his background in education, edtech, and operations, Daniel offers a masterclass in purchasing strategy, explaining how schools can leverage collective buying power, avoid common pitfalls, and set up procurement systems that actually work. Whether you're new to procurement or trying to bring more strategy to your school’s purchasing processes, Daniel shares actionable insights that can save you time, money, and administrative headaches. Key Takeaways: Group purchasing helps smaller schools access pricing and vendor support typically reserved for large networks. BuyQ negotiates national contracts that reduce costs, improve compliance, and save time by eliminating the need for individual RFPs. Schools should prioritize clarity in procurement ownership, better alignment between budgeting and purchasing, and modernized systems to avoid capacity drain. Strong procurement policies and procedures must be realistic, clearly communicated, and consistently followed. Procurement is not just about savings—it’s about improving the student and staff experience through intentional purchasing decisions. Connect with Daniel Casselli: LinkedIn: Daniel Casselli (https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-casselli-31a7b910b/)  BuyQ Website: www.buyq.org Free Consultation: https://buyq.org/free-consultation BuyQ Contracts Portfolio: Sign up here (https://www.buyq.org) Podcast: Charter School Insider (available on all major platforms) CheckBox Pro – Learn more about the services CheckBox Pro offers to make the work of school leaders more sustainable. Licensed music ID: ILRNI9DIEHE4JTVQ Music: Energizer by Chris Phaze licensed through Premium Beat by Shutterstock ID: ILRNI9DIEHE4JTVQ

    45 min
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5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Missy Couch
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024
  • Show Website
    CheckBox Pro Series