System Shift: Leading Change So Students Thrive

Dr. Gail Angus, Dr. Leesa Huang, and Dr. Mary Beth Kropp
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“System Shift: Leading Change So Students Thrive” is the go-to podcast for education leaders dedicated to building safe, inclusive learning environments through transformative, sustainable system-wide change. Hosted by Dr. Gail Angus, Dr. Leesa Huang, and Dr. Mary Beth Kropp— expert practitioners with implementing complex initiatives—this podcast blends cutting-edge research, actionable strategies, and authentic stories from education leaders who’ve navigated the challenges of system-wide improvement. Whether you’re launching a district-wide initiative, enhancing current systems, or tackling the challenge of whole-child development, you’ll gain practical insights and tools to lead change with clarity and confidence.

  1. 5D AGO

    33: The Power of Language in School Systems: Clarity, Consistency, and Change

    Words shape systems, yet in education, shifting terminology often creates confusion instead of progress. In this episode, Drs. Gail, Mary Beth, and Leesa explore how inconsistent language around initiatives like intervention, inclusion, and MTSS can unintentionally derail implementation and stall change. They unpack why clarity matters more than novelty, how leaders can build shared meaning across stakeholders, and what it takes to create consistent communication that actually moves practice forward. If you’ve ever felt like your system is “busy” but not aligned, this conversation will change how you think about language, leadership, and sustainable improvement. In This Episode: Why clarity matters more than novelty in system change How words like "pilot" vs. "implementation" shape expectations (and derail progress) Why MTSS means different things at the district office vs. the school site How to build shared meaning that actually sticks   Visit us at navigatedu.com!

    15 min

  2. FEB 9

    32: The 7 Cs of Communication: Why Initiatives Fail (and How to Fix It)

    Most school initiatives don’t fail because the idea was wrong; they fail because communication broke down. In this episode, Drs. Gail, Mary Beth, and Leesa explore how unclear messaging, lack of consistency, and missed audiences can derail even the strongest initiatives. They break down the Seven Cs of Communication, share how to communicate before all the answers exist, and explain why repetition, visuals, and clarity are essential for building trust and momentum across schools and districts. Key Takeaway: Communication isn’t the final step in system change—it’s the system that carries initiatives from intention to implementation.   Visit us at navigatedu.com!

    17 min

  3. FEB 2

    31: How to Safeguard School Initiatives Through Leadership Turnover and Budget Cuts

    Leadership changes and budget cuts are inevitable, but losing your most important initiatives doesn’t have to be. In this episode, we explore how purpose-driven culture, distributed leadership, and shared ownership help protect initiatives through leadership transitions and funding shifts. You’ll learn how to build systems that don’t depend on one person or one budget line and how cross-department alignment keeps the work moving forward. Initiatives last when they’re embedded in culture, shared across roles, and guided by purpose, not tied to individuals or temporary funding. Interested in support? Learn more about the ALIGN Audit here or complete the ALIGN Audit Form and schedule your introductory call with Dr. Gail.   Visit us at navigatedu.com!

    21 min

  4. JAN 26

    30: From Implementation to Culture: Building School Systems That Last

    In this episode, the System Shifters hosts explore how schools and districts can move beyond simply implementing initiatives to integrating them into organizational culture. When systems are truly integrated, they become a “just how we do things here” mentality that is shared across roles, embedded in daily practice, and resilient through leadership changes, budget cuts, and crises. The conversation highlights why integration depends on purpose, consistency, and collective ownership, not more programs. Listeners will hear practical strategies for embedding initiatives into culture, including redundancy, alignment to purpose, shared practice, visible artifacts, and distributed leadership. The key takeaway: initiatives only last when they become part of a school’s identity. Culture, not compliance, protects the work and ensures systems continue to support students over time. Register here for The Million-Dollar Blind Spot Webinar!   Visit us at navigatedu.com!

    18 min

  5. JAN 19

    29: From Implementation to Integration: Building Sustainable School Systems

    Many school initiatives don’t fail because they’re bad—but because they’re never fully integrated. In this episode, Drs. Leesa, Mary Beth, and Gail explore the difference between implementation and integration, and why programs often disappear after leadership changes, budget cuts, or staff turnover. They share how integrated systems—built around shared purpose, distributed ownership, and daily practice—become part of a district's culture and can withstand disruption. Using MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support) as a framework for integration, they demonstrate how to weave together academics, behavior, and social-emotional supports so they function as one coherent system rather than competing initiatives. This episode challenges leaders to move beyond installing programs and start building systems that truly last. Register here for The Million-Dollar Blind Spot Webinar!   Visit us at navigatedu.com!

    22 min

  6. JAN 12

    28: Implementation Illusion- Reality Check: Are Your Programs Actually Working or Just Existing?

    Many schools have strong programs on paper—PBIS, MTSS, safety protocols, curriculum initiatives—but far fewer have systems that actually function in practice. In this episode, the hosts unpack the concept of implementation illusion: when programs appear to be in place, but critical practices, clarity, and support are missing. This gap creates staff burnout, confusion across roles, and puts students in serious risk for failure. Listeners will explore why one-time training, siloed initiatives, and unclear ownership undermine even the best programs and what leaders can do instead. The conversation highlights the importance of universal training, role clarity, ongoing coaching, integration across systems, visible leadership, and feedback loops that make implementation real, sustainable, and reliable under pressure. This episode challenges leaders to move beyond “we have it” thinking and honestly assess whether their systems truly work when it matters most so staff feel supported, students don’t fall through the cracks, and programs outlast individual people.   Visit us at navigatedu.com!

    23 min

  7. JAN 5

    27: The Mid-Year Leadership Reset: How School Leaders Pause, Refocus, and Finish Strong

    The start of a new year often brings fresh goals, but for educators, it also marks the halfway point of the school year. In this episode of System Shift, Drs. Gail, Mary Beth, and Leesa explore why mid-year is the perfect time for a strategic pause. They discuss how reflective leadership, purpose-driven decision-making, and honest data conversations help leaders reset priorities, build psychological safety, and maintain momentum. This episode offers practical steps for adaptive leaders to use for a mid-year pause to realign systems, make meaningful adjustments, and finish the school year strong without adding more to already full plates.   Visit us at navigatedu.com!

    14 min

  8. 12/29/2025

    Listen Again Ep 11: Building Protective Factors for Staff - The Foundation of Psychological Safety

    System Shifters, as we close out the year, we wanted to bring back one of our most important conversations because it's about something we don't discuss enough: taking care of the adults in our buildings. What if the same conditions that help students feel safe to take risks also determine whether your veteran teachers spoke up in a meeting? In this episode of System Shift, we explore how the three core protective factors, caring relationships, high expectations, and opportunities for participation apply just as much to adults as they do to students. We dig into why even well-intentioned leaders can unintentionally create unsafe environments for staff when expectations are unclear, trust is weak, or relationships are missing. Through real-world stories and practical strategies, we unpack how shifting from a risk-focused mindset to a protective-factor mindset can transform your culture into one where honest conversations drive real improvement. In This Episode: How protective factors fuel both student and staff well-being Why psychological safety is the key to collaboration and performance Common leadership habits that unintentionally erode trust Practical activities to map and strengthen protective factors in your school Key Takeaway: Protective factors aren’t “soft” work. They’re the essential foundation for alignment, accountability, and lasting change.   Visit us at navigatedu.com!

    20 min
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“System Shift: Leading Change So Students Thrive” is the go-to podcast for education leaders dedicated to building safe, inclusive learning environments through transformative, sustainable system-wide change. Hosted by Dr. Gail Angus, Dr. Leesa Huang, and Dr. Mary Beth Kropp— expert practitioners with implementing complex initiatives—this podcast blends cutting-edge research, actionable strategies, and authentic stories from education leaders who’ve navigated the challenges of system-wide improvement. Whether you’re launching a district-wide initiative, enhancing current systems, or tackling the challenge of whole-child development, you’ll gain practical insights and tools to lead change with clarity and confidence.

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