Episode 274

full
Published on:

5th Sep 2024

Transforming Education: Schools of Choice and Leadership Development

Summary:

In this episode of 'The Engaging Leadership Show,' host CheeTung (CT), co-founder of EngageRocket, talks to Dr. Bret Champion, Superintendent of Medford School District in Southern Oregon. Bret discusses the district's unique characteristics, its commitment to student-centered learning, and the initiatives around school choice, including the launch of innovative programs like Medford Online Academy and the Innovation Academy.

The conversation delves into the challenges and strategies for effective leadership, reflecting on Bret’s leadership journey, the importance of thoughtfully challenging the status quo, and fostering a coherent vision for school management. Bret emphasizes the critical role of principals in driving instructional quality and adapting to changes, as well as the value of stakeholder-centered coaching. Throughout, the episode underscores the need for a balanced approach to immediate tasks and long-term goals in educational leadership.

Download a comprehensive list of recommended leadership resources compiled by Dr. Champion here: https://k12.engagerocket.net/bretchampion

Key Takeaways:

  1. Shared Vision: Emphasize inclusivity and comprehensive education where "All are learning and learning is for all."
  2. Schools of Choice: Provide diverse educational options to meet community needs and foster personalized learning experiences.
  3. Leadership Development: Focus on growing leadership capacity from within, with robust training in instructional knowledge, change management, and cultural competency.
  4. Reflection and Coaching: Implement regular feedback sessions with stakeholders to foster continuous improvement and accountability.
  5. Instructional Coherency: Align educational goals through a coherency map and ensure that all schools work towards common objectives.


Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to the Engaging Leadership Show

00:25 Meet Bret Champion: Superintendent of Medford School District

00:42 Medford School District: Unique Features and Vision

02:43 Innovative Schools of Choice in Medford

07:13 Challenges and Drivers of Educational Change

13:53 Leadership and Personal Growth

26:12 Strengthening Principal Leadership

31:54 Final Reflections and Advice for Aspiring Leaders

34:11 Conclusion and Resources


Connect with Dr. Jim: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Bret Champion: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bret-champion-872264245/

Music Credit: Shake it Up - Fesliyanstudios.com - David Renda



Join us at Engaging Leadership to learn and connect with a community of leaders in education just like you. This is the space where top people leaders share actionable insights and practical playbooks in fostering a high-performing workplace of the future.

Sign up as a member today for community updates on the latest leadership resources and exclusive event invites: k12.engagerocket.net

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About the Podcast

Principal Office Hours
Real principals. Real talk. No hall passes required.
Finally—a podcast that proves school principals have personalities (and killer insights, too). Every week, join us for candid conversations with K-12 principals who are navigating the beautiful chaos of educational leadership without losing their minds or sense of humor.

Each 40-minute episode features real principals sharing what actually works in school leadership—from handling helicopter parents and budget nightmares to building school culture that doesn't make everyone roll their eyes. Consider this your professional development that doesn't feel like professional development.

Our guests aren't afraid to share their epic fails alongside their victories. They'll tell you about the initiative that spectacularly bombed during assembly, right before revealing how they turned their school's reading scores around. It's educational leadership with the BS filter turned off.

Whether you're currently wearing the principal badge, aspiring to the big chair, or teaching while secretly taking notes on what you'd do differently, Principal Office Hours delivers actionable strategies you can implement faster than a student being sent to detention.

Subscribe now and join the faculty lounge conversation that's too real for the school board meeting. New episodes drop every week. Warning: May cause spontaneous leadership growth and occasional inappropriate laughter during staff meetings.

About your hosts

CheeTung Leong

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Jim Kanichirayil

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Your friendly neighborhood talent strategy nerd is the producer and co-host for The HR Impact Show. He's spent his career in sales and has been typically in startup b2b HRTech and TA-Tech organizations.

He's built high-performance sales teams throughout his career and is passionate about all things employee life cycle and especially employee retention and turnover.