The Making Schools Work Podcast

SREB
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Join us each week as we talk to different SREB team members and educators across the country to find out the latest in school innovations. From classroom instruction to school leadership, we are going to examine what it is that makes schools work!

  1. Stop Misdiagnosing Resistance: The 5 Catalyst Mindsets Every Instructional Coach Needs

    2D AGO

    Stop Misdiagnosing Resistance: The 5 Catalyst Mindsets Every Instructional Coach Needs

    Send us Fan Mail "Help me work with resistant teachers." It’s a major request for instructional coaches, but Becca Silver, founder of The Whole Educator, says it's often a misdiagnosis.  In this episode, Silver joins Daniel Rock and Jason Adair to explain why resistance isn't a personality trait—it's a human response to unmet needs. Discover how to move your staff past simple compliance and toward true ownership using the Catalyst Mindset framework.  Key Takeaways Reframe the Resistance: Why we should stop labeling teachers as resistant and start supporting teachers experiencing resistance. The 5 Catalyst Mindsets: A deep dive into the five unmet needs (Value, Belonging, Success, Growth and Ownership) that are actually at the root of pushback. Fidelity vs. Integrity: Why the language we use to describe initiatives can either build trust or signal a lack of it. The Levels of Engagement: How to move staff along the continuum from sabotage and defiance to agency and ownership. The Culture of Niceness Blocker: Why valuing harmony over authenticity is actually a silent progress blocker for your school. Resources Mentioned The Resistance Solution: Why Educators Resist and What They Need Instead by Becca Silver. The Whole Educator: thewholeeducator.com.  The Southern Regional Education Board is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works with states and schools to improve education at every level, from early childhood through doctoral education and the workforce.  Follow Us on Social: FacebookInstagramX

    40 min
  2. The High-Growth Blueprint: 5 Years of Level 5 Excellence

    MAY 5

    The High-Growth Blueprint: 5 Years of Level 5 Excellence

    Send us Fan Mail Bethany Wilson, principal of the #1 ranked middle school in Wilson County, Tennessee, joins the podcast to share the secrets behind five consecutive years of Level 5 TVAAS growth. From opening a new school just months before COVID to being named Tennessee's Principal of the Year, Wilson discusses the shift from doing to leading and how intentional culture-building turns data from a boogeyman into a life-changing tool for students.  Key Takeaways Demystifying TVAAS: Understanding student growth as a statistical model for progress rather than a stressor for teachers. The AP Grind vs. Principal Leadership: Why leading a school requires building capacity and an attitude of "We Work" rather than "I Work."Actionable Data: How to simplify complex statistical models into actionable, color-coded spreadsheets that teachers can actually use. Collective Teacher Efficacy: Why the best PLCs are based on trust, vulnerability and a shared drive of lesson designs. Normalizing Failure: Creating a culture where risk-taking is encouraged and growth mindsets are applied to both students and staff. The Power of Success Criteria: A three-year journey to move beyond simple learning objectives to authentic, student-centered criteria. The Southern Regional Education Board is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works with states and schools to improve education at every level, from early childhood through doctoral education and the workforce.  Follow Us on Social: FacebookInstagramX

    50 min
  3. The HOPE Protocol: Moving Professional Development From the Shelf to the Classroom

    APR 28

    The HOPE Protocol: Moving Professional Development From the Shelf to the Classroom

    Send us Fan Mail Why do so many high-quality professional development units end up sitting on the shelf? Jason Adair and Debbie Robertson join the podcast to discuss the HOPE Protocol, a multimillion-dollar grant initiative designed to transform math instruction in North Carolina.  By flipping the traditional PD model on its head, the HOPE framework—Hear, Observe, Plan, Enact—ensures that teachers don't just learn about new strategies; they see them in action with their own students and plan for immediate implementation. While the grant was used for math PD, the same framework can be used for any subject. Key Takeaways The HOPE Framework: A breakdown of the four-stage cycle: Hearing the strategy, observing it in a live classroom, planning for implementation and enacting it right away.Breaking the Fourth Wall: How in-the-moment coaching allows professional developers to speak directly to observing teachers during a live lesson.The Power of the Graphic Organizer: Why giving observing teachers specific look-fors prevents them from focusing on trivial details and keeps the focus on student impact.Learning from "Train Wrecks": Why a model lesson that doesn't go as planned is often more valuable for identifying student gaps than a "perfect" performance.Removing Implementation Barriers: How the protocol eliminates the "that won't work with my kids" mindset by demonstrating success (and struggles) in the teachers' actual classrooms.Leadership’s Role: Why school administrators must be in the room to provide the space and support for these strategies to stick.Note on the Grant Discussion The contents of this podcast were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education (Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Award #S411C240164). The Department does not mandate or prescribe practices, models or other activities described or discussed in this podcast. The contents of this podcast may contain examples of, adaptations of and links to resources created and maintained by another public or private organization. The Department does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness or completeness of this outside information. The content of this podcast does not necessarily represent the policy of the Department. This publication is not intended to represent the views or policy of, or be an endorsement of any views expressed or materials provided by, any Federal agency. The Southern Regional Education Board is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works with states and schools to improve education at every level, from early childhood through doctoral education and the workforce.  Follow Us on Social: FacebookInstagramX

    43 min
  4. Underdog Leadership: Driving Growth in High-Need Schools With Natasha Brown

    APR 21

    Underdog Leadership: Driving Growth in High-Need Schools With Natasha Brown

    Send us Fan Mail How does a school move from a low-performing list to the top 5% in the state for academic growth? Natasha Brown, principal of Westover Middle School and author of Underdog Leadership, joins Daniel Rock and Erin Anderson Williams to discuss the "Three S’s" of school improvement: stance, systems and support. From data-driven PLCs to boisterous student restorative practices, Brown shares how she built a culture where students and teachers alike take pride in their progress. Key Takeaways The Underdog Mentality: Why being the school nobody expects to win can be your greatest competitive advantage.Tuesday/Thursday PLCs: A specific system for separating "Data Days" from "Content Planning Days" to ensure intentional instruction.The "Three S's" Framework: Implementing a consistent focus on stance, systems and support to shift a school’s mindset.Distributed Leadership: Why empowering teacher leaders is the only way to avoid administrative burnout.The Writing Strategy: Using written statements as a tool for student voice and emotional regulation.Supporting the Whole Educator: Creative ways to treat staff like family, including an on-campus afterschool support system for teachers' children.Resource Mentioned Underdog Leadership: Driving Growth in High-Need Schools by Natasha Brown (Available on Amazon). The Southern Regional Education Board is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works with states and schools to improve education at every level, from early childhood through doctoral education and the workforce.  Follow Us on Social: FacebookInstagramX

    49 min
  5. The Curse of Knowledge: Communication Science for School Leaders With Thomas Murray

    APR 14

    The Curse of Knowledge: Communication Science for School Leaders With Thomas Murray

    Send us Fan Mail What do great leaders and great educators have in common? They are exceptional communicators. Thomas Murray, Director of Innovation for Future Ready Schools, joins Daniel Rock and Erin Anderson Williams to dive into the curse of knowledge, the speed of modern communication, and why the most important part of any message is how it’s understood—not just how it’s phrased. Key Takeaways The Stoplight Email: Why rapid-fire responses can shatter trust and how a simple apology can rebuild it.The Curse of Knowledge: The scientific reason why we often fail to communicate information we believe is common sense.Listening to Understand: Shifting from problem-solving mode to listening mode to build deeper connections with staff and families.The Knock-on-the-Door Test: A practical strategy for seeking feedback on sensitive communications before hitting send.Storyteller in Chief: How leveraging student voices can triple engagement and help schools own their own narrative.Resource Mentioned ThomasCMurray.com: For resources and tools to replicate these communication workshops with your own staff. The Southern Regional Education Board is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works with states and schools to improve education at every level, from early childhood through doctoral education and the workforce.  Follow Us on Social: FacebookInstagramX

    41 min
  6. The Human Side of Career Readiness With Nicole Cobb

    MAR 31

    The Human Side of Career Readiness With Nicole Cobb

    Send us Fan Mail How do we ensure the skills students build in the classroom translate to the world of work? In this episode, Dr. Nicole Cobb, Professor of the Practice at Vanderbilt University and member of the Governor’s Council for CTE, joins Daniel Rock and Ashley Shaw to discuss the intersection of school climate and career readiness.  We move beyond "checking boxes" to explore how teachers can model the human skills—communication, initiative and problem-solving—that employers actually want. Key Takeaways Modeling Professionalism: Why it is essential for teachers to explicitly model body language, eye contact and tone of voice during lessons.The Power of the "So What?": Bridging the developmental gap by being transparent with students about why they are practicing teamwork or meeting deadlines.Practical Lesson Tweaks: How to shift from traditional five-paragraph essays to career-aligned formats like police reports or project summaries.Ethical AI Integration: Using AI for brainstorming and feedback without sacrificing critical thinking or falling for "fake" citations.Resource Mentioned World Economic Forum Future of Jobs Report: Highlighting that 39% of core worker skills are expected to change by 2030. The Southern Regional Education Board is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works with states and schools to improve education at every level, from early childhood through doctoral education and the workforce.  Follow Us on Social: FacebookInstagramX

    42 min
  7. Integrating Academics and CTE

    MAR 17

    Integrating Academics and CTE

    Send us Fan Mail In a rapidly changing workforce, students need more than just technical skills—they need the analytical thinking and adaptive problem-solving abilities to apply those skills in real-world contexts. In this episode, SREB Instructional Coach Deb Cullen joins us to discuss how educators can blur the lines between "shop" and "theory" to create a more powerful, integrated learning experience.  ​Deb shares practical strategies for embedding literacy and math into Career and Technical Education and explains why this integration isn't "one more thing" for teachers, but a vital part of preparing students for a high-wage, high-skill future.  ​Key Discussion Points ​The Changing Purpose of Education: Moving from simple knowledge retrieval to helping students navigate and apply the information at their fingertips.​Decoding Embedded Academics: Understanding that high-level literacy and math are already present in CTE—from 14th-grade level technical manuals to the complex chemistry of cosmetology.​Teaching for Transfer: How to use real-world scenarios and AI as a "thought partner" to see student thinking before they ever touch expensive equipment or work with a live client.​The Power of Questioning: Utilizing superpower tools like Q-Charts to move students from basic knowledge to predictive and creative analytical thinking.​Collaborative Strategies: Practical tips for administrators and teachers to "erase the lines" through shared planning periods and cross-curricular projects.​Featured Guest ​Debra Cullen is an instructional coach at SREB with a deep background in both the humanities and CTE. She works extensively through SREB’s Teach2Lead initiative, coaching new teachers coming from industry to master pedagogy and classroom management.  The Southern Regional Education Board is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works with states and schools to improve education at every level, from early childhood through doctoral education and the workforce.  Follow Us on Social: FacebookInstagramX

    37 min
  8. The Art of the Feedback Conversation: Part 2 with Principal Baruti Kafele

    MAR 10

    The Art of the Feedback Conversation: Part 2 with Principal Baruti Kafele

    Send us Fan Mail In the conclusion of our two-part series with Principal Baruti Kafele, we move from the leadership mindset to the tactical execution of instructional coaching. This episode is a deep dive into the "Grow You" model, focusing on the sophisticated people skills and communication nuances required to turn high-stakes observations into transformative growth. We explore the psychology of the feedback loop, the importance of "reading the room," and how to build a culture where instructional leadership is the daily norm, not a seasonal event. Key Discussion Points Building a "Grow You" Culture: Shifting the perception of classroom visits from a punitive "gotcha" to an inherent, supportive part of a teacher’s professional identity.The Psychology of the Conversation: Practical "tricks" for leveling the playing field, including moving meetings out of the office and the intentional use of student seating to reduce power dynamics.Mastering Communication Nuances: How a leader’s voice, facial expressions and even the intensity of their eye contact can either build a bridge or create a barrier to growth.Audience Analysis for Educators: The importance of "reading the room" and adapting your leadership style to meet the unique personality and experience level of every teacher.Feedback That Allays Anxiety: Strategies for finding immediate common ground and using early reinforcement to ensure teachers remain open to constructive growth.Featured Guest Baruti Kafele is a former award-winning high school principal and a leading authority on school leadership and culture. He is the author of several books, including What Is My Value to the Teachers I Supervise? and is a highly sought-after featured presenter at the SREB Making Schools Work Conference. Resources Mentioned PrincipalKafele.com: Baruti Kafele’s official website for books, resources, and speaking information.The Assistant Principal & New Principals Academy: Principal Kafele's weekly YouTube live stream (300+ consecutive weeks) for school leaders.What Is My Value to the Teachers I Supervise?: Principal Kafele's latest book focused on instructional leadership. The Southern Regional Education Board is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works with states and schools to improve education at every level, from early childhood through doctoral education and the workforce.  Follow Us on Social: FacebookInstagramX

    29 min
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Join us each week as we talk to different SREB team members and educators across the country to find out the latest in school innovations. From classroom instruction to school leadership, we are going to examine what it is that makes schools work!

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