Episode 377

full
Published on:

6th Mar 2025

Kids Don’t Care How Much You Know, Until They Know How Much You Care

Summary: Join C.T. and guest Dr. Brad Hunt, Superintendent of Coppell ISD, as they explore connecting with over 13,000 students and fostering strong relationships. Explore strategies for staying close to students, hearing their voices, and building engagement through various communication channels. Discover how Dr. Hunt uses student advisory groups, Zoom calls, social media, and the "I Lead" leadership program to connect with students and gather valuable feedback. This insightful conversation offers practical guidance for leaders aiming to cultivate a sense of community, ensure students feel valued, and navigate tough budget decisions with student input.

Key Takeaways:

  • Importance of Presence: Being visible and present on campuses is crucial for understanding student needs and concerns.
  • Multiple Avenues for Communication: Dr. Hunt uses various channels to connect with students, including student advisory groups, Zoom calls, and social media (Instagram).
  • Student Voice Matters: Actively seeking and valuing student feedback is essential for a successful school district.
  • Intentionality: Creating structured opportunities for student input is necessary to ensure all voices are heard, not just the loudest or most easily accessible ones.
  • Reaching All Levels: It's important to engage with students at all grade levels, from elementary to high school, recognizing their unique perspectives.
  • Building Genuine Relationships: Attending school events, being authentic, and showing that you care are key to fostering trust and engagement.
  • Student Leadership Programs: Developing programs like "I Lead" empowers students and provides valuable leadership experience.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

1:20 About Coppell ISD

2:20 Staying Connected

3:05 Student Advisory

4:06 Elementary Input

5:55 Ensuring All Voices

7:25 Growing Up in the District

9:40 Broadening Representation

11:30 Translating Input to Action

12:04 Senior Cornhole

15:30 Budget Challenges

16:40 Demonstrating You Care

17:25 I Lead Program

18:30 Social Media Intern: Solomon


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

Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Dr. Brad Hunt: linkedin.com/in/brad-hunt

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



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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.

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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.