300 episodes

The BETTER LEADERS BETTER SCHOOLS podcast is in the TOP 0.5% most downloaded shows of over 2 million podcasts across the world. The BLBS show was created for RUCKUS MAKERS in education -- those out-of-the-box school leaders making change happen.

Launched in 2015, this category-defining podcast in educational leadership has helped over 1 MILLION leaders LEVEL UP. Each week host DANIEL BAUER has a conversation with a leadership expert and invites you to listen in. Turn your commute, chores, or workout into professional development and then GO MAKE A RUCKUS!

BLBS is the #1 downloaded podcast for school leaders.

The Better Leaders Better Schools Podcast with Daniel Bauer Daniel Bauer

    • Education
    • 5.0 • 1 Rating

The BETTER LEADERS BETTER SCHOOLS podcast is in the TOP 0.5% most downloaded shows of over 2 million podcasts across the world. The BLBS show was created for RUCKUS MAKERS in education -- those out-of-the-box school leaders making change happen.

Launched in 2015, this category-defining podcast in educational leadership has helped over 1 MILLION leaders LEVEL UP. Each week host DANIEL BAUER has a conversation with a leadership expert and invites you to listen in. Turn your commute, chores, or workout into professional development and then GO MAKE A RUCKUS!

BLBS is the #1 downloaded podcast for school leaders.

    Redefining the Currents of School Leadership - Pathways to Innovation

    Redefining the Currents of School Leadership - Pathways to Innovation

     
     
    Vince Bustamante, M.Ed., is a Calgary-based instructional coach, curriculum content developer, and author. Formerly focused on school improvement, Vince now specializes in working with teachers, leadership teams, schools, and school districts in implementing high impact strategies and systems. Vince is currently pursuing his Ed. Doctorate with a focus on the sustainable implementation of professional learning across school districts. Vince has co-authored two bestselling books with Corwin Press: Great Teaching by Design and The Assessment Playbook for Distance and Blended Learning. His most current title: Leader Ready: Four Pathways to Prepare Aspiring School Leaders is also available from Corwin Press.
     
    Tim Cusack Ed.D. has over 30 years’ experience in K-12 education as a teacher, principal, and superintendent. He recently became Dean of Education at Concordia University of Edmonton, supporting teacher and school leader preparation programs. Tim has a doctorate from University of Portland with a focus on preparing aspiring school leaders. He also serves in the Royal Canadian Navy as a Naval Warfare Officer.
     
    Show Highlights
     
     
    "Leader Ready: Four Pathways to Prepare Aspiring School Leaders."
    Challenge traditional leadership predictors to support younger educators and foster a culture of growth belonging.
    Be the “dive master” your team needs to take risks and discover their voice.
    "Hold the ladder steady” to help leverage the gifts of aspiring leaders.
    Strategies for results over building a resume for leadership success.
    How to create an environment for team members to flourish.
     3  categories on how you run a school and navigate the policies, procedures, etcetera.
    Pathways for leadership development and impactful school culture.
     
    “What really impressed me the most was I was with a leader who made it abundantly clear that my voice mattered, that my opinions were important in that learning dynamic. He didn't assume I knew something or presumed that he knew better in any way, shape, or form. But by really being authentic and getting to know who the aspiring leaders are in front of you, I think you can really take them to deeper levels of engagement and understanding.”
    -Tim Cusack
     
    “Listening is really important. Nonjudgmental listening. So if you're in senior leadership and you have some sort of rising star or shooting star or someone who's doing remarkable things, give them a platform to share what they're doing and just honestly listen to how that came about.
     
    Something that a senior leader needs to recognize and say, what are you doing? And how can we help you continue to do that within our district? Because every district has someone that is doing remarkable things. Everyone, every district has some sort of Ruckus Maker that's doing something outside the box, whether it's in their classroom or in their school or in their role. Oftentimes the Ruckus Maker or the ruckus they are making is perceived as negative, when really it may just be a misunderstanding of what they're actually trying to do.I think honestly listening is really important.”
    -Vince Bustamante 
     
    Get the episode transcript here!
     
    Episodes’s Resources & Contact Info:  
    Leader Ready
    Timothy Cusack: Home
    Linkedin.Tim-Cusack
    Linkedin.Vince Bustamante
    Vince Bustamante (Twitter/X)
    Tim Cusack Ed. D.🇨🇦 Twitter/X www.vincebustamante.com   
     
     
    Read my latest book! Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.
     
    Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!
    Apply to the Mastermind The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 
     
    100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.
     
    Apply to the mast

    • 45 min
    How Ruckus Makers Interview Teacher Candidates

    How Ruckus Makers Interview Teacher Candidates

     
     
    Loren Brody is an elementary school principal in Northern Virginia. He is also a husband, father of two teenagers, amateur violinist, dedicated swimmer, new vegetarian cook and mindfulness devotee, and Washington Wizards and Nationals sports fan -- still holding onto his New York roots with allegiance to the New York Jets.
     
     
    Show Highlights
     
    Rebranding is a key focus to differentiate your school effectively to leave a lasting impression.
    Turn interviews into a professional learning experience to tap into candidates' motivations and interests.
    Tips to stand out in the hiring process and attract ideal candidates for your school.
    Enhancing candidate engagement elevates the interview process.
    Transforming interviews into professional learning experiences with 3 questions.
    Outside of the box email pitch to help differentiate candidates and sell what is unique about your school.
    A key adjustment that is essential for your schools survial.
     
     
    “I'm really pumped about the changes we've made in the email pitch, for sure. I think it's just because the language is exciting. And the language means something real.”
    -Loren Brody
     
    “Most educators don't get into education to work with other adults. And that's sort of one of the dirty secrets about K- twelve education. Many educators are great with kids and terrible with adults.
    -Danny Bauer
     
    Get the episode transcript here!!
     
    Loren’s Resources & Contact Info:  
    Linkedin
     
    Read my latest book! Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.
     
    Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!
    Apply to the Mastermind The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 
     
    100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.
     
    Apply to the mastermind today!
     
    How We Serve Leaders  
    The School Leadership Scorecard™
    Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard
     
    Month-to-Month Principal Checklist
    As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?
     
    When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get
    12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do
    Space to write your campus specific items.
    Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work
    Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.
     
    Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™
    The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset
     
    The Positive Spotlight Tool™
    Energy flows to where attention goes!
    If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…
     
    Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive
     
    The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™
    Are you ready to accomplish more?
    With less effort and in less time?
    When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.
     
    Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals
    SHOW SPONSORS:  
    TEACHFX
    How much student talk happened today?
    When classrooms come alive with conversation, learning improves, students feel a sense of belonging, and teachers feel inspired. 
     
    The TeachFX instructional coaching app gives teachers powerful insights into their student talk, student engagement,

    • 52 min
    I Used To Be Drowning As A School Leader

    I Used To Be Drowning As A School Leader

     
     
    Kevin works at the American Cooperative School of Tunis and is the secondary school principal. This is his 23rd year in education. Kevin is originally from Philadelphia, PA USA and is a die-hard sports fan. He has been married for 22 years to his wife Pascale and has three children. Kevin loves learning. In his spare time he does 10 minute yoga and runs two miles everyday.
     
     
    Show Highlights
     
    A secret weapon that arms you to face global challenges in education.
    A transformative experience to boost confidence in handling tough situations to make leadership easier.
    Immersing yourself in the “human aspect” of school leadership.
    Grow beyond comfort zones with the importance of intentional leadership and narrative control.
    Tackle the challenges in front of you with support that fits your diverse leadership style and personality.
    A turning point in your career to get to the rewards of school leadership.
    Clear the hurdles in school leadership and foster a culture of celebrating successes in a Mastermind.
     The positive spotlight tool every leader needs to improve their leadership.
     
    “I think we talked about it a little earlier. I love the combination of how the meetings work. I like being held accountable by a group of educational leaders, and from the book reads, they've been very good. All readers are leaders.You have to be reading. You have to stay current. And that's something that I really appreciate with the Mastermind.”
    -Kevin Thomas
     
    Get the episode transcript here!
     
    Kevin’s Resources & Contact Info:  
    Linkedin
    Twitter
    Facebook
     
    Read my latest book! Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.
     
    Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!
    Apply to the Mastermind The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 
     
    100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.
     
    Apply to the mastermind today!
     
    How We Serve Leaders  
    The School Leadership Scorecard™
    Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard
     
    Month-to-Month Principal Checklist
    As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?
     
    When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get
    12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do
    Space to write your campus specific items.
    Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work
    Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.
     
    Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™
    The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset
     
    The Positive Spotlight Tool™
    Energy flows to where attention goes!
    If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…
     
    Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive
     
    The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™
    Are you ready to accomplish more?
    With less effort and in less time?
    When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.
     
    Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals
    SHOW SPONSORS:  
    TEACHFX
    How much student talk happened today?
    When classrooms come alive with conversation, learning improves, students feel a sense of belonging, and teachers feel in

    • 38 min
    Empowering Teachers and Their Students with Teach FX

    Empowering Teachers and Their Students with Teach FX

     
     
    Kristen Horton began her career in education at Navajo Mountain Community School as a teacher in a multi-age classroom. Dr. Horton has a commitment to supporting students and teachers through collective educator agency and relational capacity. Dr. Horton currently serves as principal of Continental Colony Elementary School and founder of
    L.E.A.D.S. She understands support for teachers will sustain her “why” every day, to increase life chances for students.
     
    Joseph Hyun started his educator journey at UCSD when he signed up to tutor local high school students and discovered his passion for teaching math and commitment to fighting for social justice. Today Joseph serves as the Head of Partner Success at TeachFX, where he supports teachers in increasing equitable opportunities for their students to participate and engage in learning.
     
     
    Show Highlights
     
    TeachFX brings significant shifts in leadership for professional learning and coaching.
    Leadership strategies to support student learning and teacher growth.
    Purpose-driven curricula to save time and address learning gaps. 
    The most important principle when designing curriculum.
    Tips to encourage diverse forms of dialogue that deepen understanding and promote active participation.
    Avoid ineffective PD sessions that lack teacher agency by encouraging professional learning.
    Support teachers in increasing equitable opportunities for student engagement and participation.
    Transferring ownership to students, using these tools. 
     
     
     
    “The scariest place to be in is the same place as last year, grow." 
    -Dr Horton
     
    Get the episode transcript here!
    Dr Horton’s Resources & Contact Info:  
    Twitter
    Instagram
    Facebook
     
     
    Read my latest book! Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.
     
    Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!
    Apply to the Mastermind The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 
     
    100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.
     
    Apply to the mastermind today!
     
    How We Serve Leaders  
    The School Leadership Scorecard™
    Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard
     
    Month-to-Month Principal Checklist
    As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?
     
    When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get
    12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do
    Space to write your campus specific items.
    Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work
    Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.
     
    Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™
    The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset
     
    The Positive Spotlight Tool™
    Energy flows to where attention goes!
    If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…
     
    Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive
     
    The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™
    Are you ready to accomplish more?
    With less effort and in less time?
    When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.
     
    Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals
    SHOW SPONSORS:  
    TEACHFX
    How much student talk happ

    • 36 min
    How I limit Surprises as a School Leader

    How I limit Surprises as a School Leader

     
     
    David Moffa is the Principal at Holy Cross Preparatory Academy, a private school in Delran, NJ serving students in grades 9-12. David has taught at the high school level in both public and private schools, and his mission as a school leader is to build communities where teachers and students feel a deep sense of personal value and empowerment.
     
     
    Show Highlights
     
    Strategies to build trust within a school community.
    Dave shares how the Mastermind is an investment in his growth as a leader, personal development, and leveraging the collective wisdom.
    Systems-level thinking for creating an "automatic" school.
    Elevate your leadership to the next level through delegation and systems-level thinking.
    Principal Checklist to prioritization on what works and what needs improvement.
    Tips to start a parent support group, crowdsourcing information on PTO operations and where to get valuable input.
    Building a leadership playbook through continuous action and reflection.
     
     
    “I would use a phrase from Bart Simpson. Work smarter, not harder, that's what it comes down to. Work smarter, not harder. Why spend 6 hours a night on your own trying to solve things when you can come to a group (Mastermind) of people for an hour, bounce ideas off people, learn from other people, grow personally, grow professionally, and all of a sudden, everybody's better off.” 
    -Dave Moffa 
     
    Get the episode transcript here!
     
    Dave’s Resources & Contact Info:  
    Website:Holy Cross Preparatory Academy
    Linkedin
    Twitter
     
    Read my latest book! Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.
     
    Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!
    Apply to the Mastermind The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 
     
    100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.
     
    Apply to the mastermind today!
     
    How We Serve Leaders  
    The School Leadership Scorecard™
    Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard
     
    Month-to-Month Principal Checklist
    As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?
     
    When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get
    12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do
    Space to write your campus specific items.
    Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work
    Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.
     
    Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™
    The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset
     
    The Positive Spotlight Tool™
    Energy flows to where attention goes!
    If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…
     
    Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive
     
    The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™
    Are you ready to accomplish more?
    With less effort and in less time?
    When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.
     
    Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals
    SHOW SPONSORS:  
    TEACHFX
    How much student talk happened today?
    When classrooms come alive with conversation, learning improves, students feel a sense of belonging, and teachers feel inspired. 
     
    The TeachFX instructional coaching app gives tea

    • 36 min
    Transforming Classroom Dynamics with Executive Functions

    Transforming Classroom Dynamics with Executive Functions

     



    Mitch became a gifted teacher because he was a mediocre student. Despite taking seven years to graduate college, he navigated the classroom with discomfort. This unique perspective fueled Mitch's teaching approach. Recognizing the importance of laying a foundation for learning, he created Organized Binder. This research-backed strategy empowers teachers to impart executive functioning skills efficiently, preserving valuable instructional time. By establishing a predictable routine, Organized Binder fosters safer learning spaces, shaping Mitch's journey from a struggling student to an innovative educator.
     
     
    Show Highlights
     
    Navigate the two challenges with teaching executive functions.
    “Studentness” will provide the skills and habits to be successful regardless of content and skills. 
    6 executive functioning skills that framework for the book, Executive Functions for Every Classroom.
     “The zone of genius” is embedded in what people are already doing.
    A golden opportunity critical for learning with retrieval practice tips. 
    Never let your teachers start the day this way or plan key concepts. 
     
    “Your curriculum, the stuff you're teaching.Have fun, let it be engaging, get passionate about it. Never mess with the routine. A consistent, predictable routine, because predictable learning environments are safer and we can't underestimate for some students how unpredictable their lived experience is outside of class.”
    -Mitch Weathers 
     
    Get the episode transcript here!
     
    Mitch’s Resources & Contact Info:  
    Organized Binder
    Twitter
    Linkedin
    Facebook
    Book: https://bit.ly/42pCMbq
     
     
    Read my latest book! Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.
     
    Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!
    Apply to the Mastermind The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 
     
    100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.
     
    Apply to the mastermind today!
     
    How We Serve Leaders  
    The School Leadership Scorecard™
    Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard
     
    Month-to-Month Principal Checklist
    As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?
     
    When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get
    12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do
    Space to write your campus specific items.
    Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work
    Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.
     
    Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™
    The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset
     
    The Positive Spotlight Tool™
    Energy flows to where attention goes!
    If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…
     
    Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive
     
    The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™
    Are you ready to accomplish more?
    With less effort and in less time?
    When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.
     
    Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals
    SHOW SPONSORS:  
    TEACHFX
    How much student talk happened today?
    When classrooms come alive with conversation, learning improves, stude

    • 41 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
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1 Rating

Emma Podcast Connection ,

Great Lessons in Leadersip

A very interesting and informative show. Great host with some interesting guests! A great listen every time.

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