How Many Times Do I Have to Tell You?

Dean's guest is Katherine MacIver, Director of Education at Hastings Prince Edward District School Board in Eastern Ontario, about leadership in education amid constant “noise” and competing demands. MacIver describes focusing on the “big rocks” and keeping conversations centered on students and achievement, while staying connected to classroom learning through tough, curious questions. She emphasizes a skill-based approach grounded in literacy and numeracy, notes qualitative community feedback and improving results in achievement and graduation, and highlights a simple, one-page strategic plan. The discussion explores building culture and trust through everyday interactions, de-siloing central teams, and communicating the “why” repeatedly and with purpose and audience in mind, including practical examples like cybersecurity password changes. MacIver also discusses buffering staff from rhetoric and governance challenges, developing leadership through opportunity and mentorship, and credits mentor Mary Ann Bishop for shaping her approach.


00:00 Why Explain The Why
01:28 Meet Director Katherine
02:18 Blocking Out The Noise
04:19 Staying Close To Classrooms
06:40 Skills First Literacy Math
07:38 Measuring Life After Graduation
10:36 Keeping Talent Local
12:57 Pride Strategic Plan Wins
15:25 Building Trusting Culture
18:49 Communicate Nine Times
20:50 Purpose And Audience
22:31 Parent Focused Messaging
23:15 Staying On Mission
27:32 Calm Under Pressure
29:40 Developing Future Leaders
32:21 Biggest Career Jump
34:37 Mentor Who Shaped Me
36:20 Quick Hitters And Wrap