In today’s episode of The 10-Minute Teacher Podcast, we sit down with well-known educator and author George Couros to dive into his latest book, What Makes a Great Principal: The Five Pillars of Effective School Leadership.

With insights from educators, principals, and contributors from around the world, George discusses how great principals build strong relationships, encourage continuous learning, and create environments that elevate both teachers and students. (I also was able to contribute a chapter about my principal and we talk about that a little as well.)

• What makes a great principal?
• What are the five pillars of effective school leadership?
• How can principals build strong relationships with their staff and students?
• Why is servant leadership important in education?
• How do principals promote a collaborative school environment?
• What is the role of vision in school leadership, and how should it be developed?
• How can principals support teachers to help them grow and succeed?
• What characteristics do the best principals and teachers share?
• How can school leaders balance autonomy and accountability for their staff?
• How does a principal’s presence in the classroom impact school culture and teacher performance?

Whether you're a principal, teacher, or aspiring leader, this episode is packed with valuable lessons on how to lead with vision, purpose, and empathy whether you're leading a school or your classroom.

Sponsor: Mirrortalk.ai - Today's show is sponsored by MirrorTalk.AI by Swivl. This incredible verbal reflection tool for students uses AI to respond in a way that will help coach my students on the task at hand. Whether they are building websites or working on teams, the feedback helps me see where students are and coaches them to higher levels of performance. Go to coolcatteacher.com/mirrortalk now to sign up for your free, 60-day trial.

Show Notes and Full Transcript: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e864

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✅ WHERE TO FIND ME

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Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored podcast episode.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

We want our students to be engaged and to want to learn. Particularly since the pandemic, many schools have struggled to engage learners. Today's episode shows us not only how we can creatively include play in our classrooms, no matter the age group or subject, but also why it's never too late to re-engage students.

Additionally, Dr. Nash shares fascinating data from a recent survey involving over 6,000 administrators, teachers, parents, and students that reveals the importance of student engagement and how play-based learning can drive meaningful educational experiences across all ages. Additionally, we learn how play-based learning can drive meaningful educational experiences across all ages.

Show Notes: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e863

Key Questions We Answer in the Show:

• How does play-based learning impact student engagement and educational outcomes?
• What does the latest research from LEGO Education tell us about current engagement levels in schools?
• How can teachers incorporate hands-on, playful learning even in older grade levels?
• What are some practical examples of how purposeful play can solve real-world classroom challenges?
• Why is fun important in education, and how can teachers strike a balance between fun and learning objectives?

Key Research Insights (go to LegoEducation.com to read the full report.)

• 35% of administrators report that students are disengaged in school, leading to issues like absenteeism and poor information retention.
• 83% of attendance rates are tied directly to hands-on, engaging learning experiences.
• 84% of surveyed educators believe that hands-on learning can improve test scores.
• Only 2 in 5 students report regularly experiencing play-based learning, despite strong support from both teachers and students for its benefits.

Show Sponsor: Hands-on learning through play is backed up by research. Please go to LEGOeducation.com to see the new report on classroom engagement. To support this method of teaching, check out the full range of hands-on learning experiences you can bring to your classroom with LEGO Education.

Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored podcast episode.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Nicki Slaugh is a trailblazing principal who pioneered personalized competency-based learning at Question Academy Junior High in Utah. Nicki's innovative approach has captured national attention, increasing student engagement, test scores, and teacher retention. In today's episode, Nicky shares the journey of shifting from a traditional school to a dynamic, customized learning environment where every student thrives at their own pace.

Here’s what we’ll cover in today’s episode:

• How did Nicki transform her school culture to engage students and raise test scores?
• What strategies did she use to retain teachers and increase enrollment?
• How does personalized, competency-based learning work in a real classroom setting?
• What role does technology play in her innovative model?
• How did Nicki empower teachers and students with voice and choice in learning?
• What advice does she have for schools looking to implement similar changes?

Show notes and transcript: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e862

Sponsor: EVERFI from Blackbaud

Do you want to equip your students for success in both their careers and personal lives, but find yourself racing against the clock? EVERFI is your go-to solution! Their entire suite of K-12 products aligns with state standards and has earned the prestigious ISTE Seal. These digital lessons are crafted to empower your students to excel in our dynamic world. Engage and inspire with interactive, self-paced lessons, meticulously designed by content experts. From financial literacy and workforce readiness to character building, mental health and prevention education – these lessons are tailored for students across all grade levels. Best of all, thanks to EVERFI’s generous partners, these research-based resources come at no cost to all K-12 schools, districts and students. Visit everfi.com/coolcat to get started today for free.

Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored podcast episode.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."