This is a special episode of another show on the BE Podcast Network. I recently had John Milhalyo as a guest on Transformative Principal and to I'm sharing one of his best episodes yet on why your fundraiser flopped.

In this episode, John Mihalyo discusses effective strategies for Catholic school leaders to analyze and improve their advancement, development, and fundraising efforts.

Drawing from his experience and expertise, John highlights common pitfalls in setting goals that are either too high or too low and emphasizes the importance of realistic planning, communication, sponsorship, budgeting, and offering desirable items or experiences at fundraising events.

He also stresses the significance of timing, venue selection, and the power of saying 'thank you' to sponsors and donors.

Throughout the episode, John offers practical advice on creating a culture of giving and forging strong community partnerships to support Catholic education worldwide.

00:00 Introduction to the Catholic School Leaders Podcast

00:34 Reflecting on the School Year and Advancement Efforts

01:06 Analyzing Fundraising Efforts and Identifying Improvement Areas

02:19 Common Reasons for Not Meeting Fundraising Goals

05:01 The Importance of Proper Event Planning and Timing

07:16 Maximizing Communication and Sponsorship Opportunities

16:49 Ensuring Your Fundraising Offers What People Want

20:29 Choosing the Right Venue and Recognizing Sponsors

24:43 Avoiding Donor Fatigue with Strategic Fundraising

27:18 Budgeting and Event Feedback for Future Success

31:05 Conclusion and Invitation to Connect

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL and MyFlexLearning.

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you simplify and streamline technology, reliably meet Tier 1 standards, improve assessment performance, and more. Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

MyFlexLearning is the scheduling platform that helps middle and high schools meet the individual needs of all students. Create and manage time for flex blocks, WIN time, activity periods, RTI, counselor and teacher appointments and much more. And with a built-in accountability tool and reporting features, solve your challenges around getting kids where they need to be and understanding how flex time is spent. Make your flex time work for you. Visit myflexlearning.com/BE to learn more and receive $500 off the first year.

• The difference between a catholic school and a public school.
• System of Schools rather than a school system.
• Creating a culture of giving in the school community.
• What’s the cost to educate?
• How to be clear on what you’re doing as the advancement progresses.
• Friendraising vs. Fundraising
• The foundations we have come from elementary schools
• It takes time to grow the office, have a clear purpose for the goals of the offices.
• Catholic Schools compete against themselves in fundraising.
• Get everyone on the same page.
• Moved their role from fundraising entities to friendraising entities.
• Have the vision
• Help people put their guards down and put the vision of the school first.
• It’s very personal to them.
• Bring them into the fold and have them help the advancement office.
• No Fuss Fundraising
• Tie it to a vision and people get the value.
• Don’t put your fundraising into salaries.
• 90% of problems - consistency, communication, curb appeal.
• Connecting Catholic School Leaders
• Needing to refresh and grow together.

About John Mihalyo

John Mihalyo has served as a Catholic school principal for the past 15 years. In that time, he worked for preschools, K-8 schools, and a high school. He has worked for six pastors, two bishops, five superintendents, two dioceses in multiple states, and thousands of parents and constituents. He has found new and creative ways to partner with parents to keep Christ’s light alive in our parochial schools. After 15 years in Catholic schools and 25 years in education, he created Elementary Advancement Solutions LLC as a way to help other school leaders win in advancement, leadership, and recruitment!

As principal, he has overseen the creation of two Advancement Offices. His schools have raised over $1.8 million in funding through annual funds, special events, grants, and other programs by using the methods being offered to you through Elementary Advancement Solutions LLC. He also led a $6 million renovation to his first school as a high school principal. In addition to his successful track record in fundraising, his schools have seen an average increase in enrollment of 21% from his start date to the end of his tenure.

John has worked with and been trained by numerous organizations over his 15 years. He has seen what works and what doesn’t and has developed a strategy specific to teach elementary schools to win at advancement, recruitment, and leadership not just today, but for the future! He is eager to bring this strategy to individual schools to work directly with them to help them meet their advancement needs. He believes in taking a personal approach to help each school he works with find its success based on its specific needs.

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL and MyFlexLearning.

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you simplify and streamline technology, reliably meet Tier 1 standards, improve assessment performance, and more. Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

MyFlexLearning is the scheduling platform that helps middle and high schools meet the individual needs of all students. Create and manage time for flex blocks, WIN time, activity periods, RTI, counselor and teacher appointments and much more. And with a built-in accountability tool and reporting features, solve your challenges around getting kids where they need to be and understanding how flex time is spent. Make your flex time work for you. Visit myflexlearning.com/BE to learn more and receive $500 off the first year.

Michael Fullan, the internationally known authority on educational leadership and proponent of whole system reform, joins us for this episode.

No doubt, many of you listeners have been influenced by Michael’s work over the years. The former Dean of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education and Professor Emeritus of the University of Toronto, he is co-leader of the New Pedagogies for Deep Learning global initiative, served as Premier Dalton’s Special Policy Adviser in Ontario from 2003-2013, and received the Order of Canada (OC) in December 2012.

Michael is the author of numerous books, including the focus of today’s episode: The Principal 2.0: Three Keys to Maximizing Impact (Jossey-Bass).

We discuss:

• The Principal 2.0 (2023) is 90% new material from The Principal (2014). We cover the events that caused Michael to undertake such a significant revisitation.
• The disruptions of the past few years are forcing change in schools – which can turn out for better or worse depending on the evolving role of the principal.
• What forces have traditionally boxed principals into a narrower role?
• Spirit Work
• Global evidence for these principles
• Systemness in Action
• Connected Autonomy
• The Drivers – system change from the bottom up
• Reasons for optimism about the future

Find The Principal 2.0 here: https://bit.ly/3TYJZx4

About today’s guest

Michael Fullan is an internationally known authority on educational leadership. Professor emeritus at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto, Fullan is Global Co-Director of New Pedagogies for Deep Learning. He is an adviser and consultant on major education reform initiatives around the world. His previous books include Change Leader, The Six Secrets of Change, and Leading in a Culture of Change. Learn more: https://michaelfullan.ca/

About the host

Ross Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Twitter @RossBRomano or https://www.linkedin.com/in/rossromano

I also host Sideline Sessions, a podcast for coaches and parents of student-athletes. The show features conversations with coaches and performance experts in the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Olympics, and more. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL and MyFlexLearning.

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you simplify and streamline technology, reliably meet Tier 1 standards, improve assessment performance, and more. Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

MyFlexLearning is the scheduling platform that helps middle and high schools meet the individual needs of all students. Create and manage time for flex blocks, WIN time, activity periods, RTI, counselor and teacher appointments and much more. And with a built-in accountability tool and reporting features, solve your challenges around getting kids where they need to be and understanding how flex time is spent. Make your flex time work for you. Visit myflexlearning.com/BE to learn more and receive $500 off the first year.

Dr. Thomas R. Guskey is Professor Emeritus in the College of Education at the University of Kentucky. He is known throughout the world for his work on student assessment, grading and reporting, professional learning, and educational research.

Guskey is author/editor of thirty books, including his latest, Engaging Parents and Families in Grading Reforms (Corwin).

We discuss:

• What is the purpose of grading?
• “Is my purpose as a teacher to select talent or develop talent?”
• The state of grading practices in US schools
• Communicating grading — what families want to know
• Connotations around the phrase “grading reform”
• What do families oppose?
• Purposefully engaging families: understanding roles and making it authentic
• What leaders get wrong about the change process
• Examples of successful grading reform in school districts

Find Engaging Parents and Families in Grading Reforms from Corwin or wherever you get your books. Learn more at www.tguskey.com.

About today’s guest

Thomas R. Guskey, PhD, is Professor Emeritus in the College of Education at the University of Kentucky. A graduate of the University of Chicago’s renowned Measurement, Evaluation, and Statistical Analysis (MESA) program, he began his career in education as a middle school teacher, served as an administrator in the Chicago Public Schools, and was the first Director of the Center for the Improvement of Teaching and Learning, a national educational research center. Dr. Guskey served on the Policy Research Team of the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future, and on the task force to develop the National Standards for Professional Development. He was named a Fellow in the American Educational Research Association and was awarded the Association’s prestigious Relating Research to Practice Award. He is author/editor of thirty books and over three hundred published articles and book chapters on educational assessment, program evaluation, and grading and reporting. He may be contacted by email at guskey@uky.edu, Twitter at @tguskey, or at www.tguskey.com.

About the host

Ross Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Twitter @RossBRomano or https://www.linkedin.com/in/rossromano

Ross also host Sideline Sessions, a podcast for coaches and parents of student-athletes. The show features conversations with coaches and performance experts in the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Olympics, and more. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL and MyFlexLearning.

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you simplify and streamline technology, reliably meet Tier 1 standards, improve assessment performance, and more. Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

MyFlexLearning is the scheduling platform that helps middle and high schools meet the individual needs of all students. Create and manage time for flex blocks, WIN time, activity periods, RTI, counselor and teacher appointments and much more. And with a built-in accountability tool and reporting features, solve your challenges around getting kids where they need to be and understanding how flex time is spent. Make your flex time work for you. Visit myflexlearning.com/BE to learn more and receive $500 off the first year.

This is a continuation of our coaching calls with Eric Makelky. Please check our previous episodes 532, 527, 523 519 514, 510, 506, and 501

In this episode, we talk about onboarding new staff.

• What Eric has done that has been helpful.
• District duties and Principal duties.
• How do we make people stick around?
• New Teacher Academy - in-house teachers come in and model, share, and showcase practices from their classroom.
• In-house people leading these things.
• Half-day around the building - basic information.
• Make a list, and trickle in during the summer.
• And what do they really need to be ready for the first day of school?
• Resources, curriculum, plan, classroom management.
• Big Picture vs. Details.
• How do you do that?
• Trello Board about onboarding
• How do you avoid overwhelming them?
• Identify what is really valuable and what is extra
• Mentoring new teachers
• How do you not force mentoring on teachers?
• Collaborative teams within PLCs.
  1. Solid mentor
  2. Mentorship is done according to the needs of the mentee
  3. It’s about mentoring culture not just pedagogy.
• Have retired teachers come and be mentors when appropriate.

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL and MyFlexLearning.

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you simplify and streamline technology, reliably meet Tier 1 standards, improve assessment performance, and more. Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

MyFlexLearning is the scheduling platform that helps middle and high schools meet the individual needs of all students. Create and manage time for flex blocks, WIN time, activity periods, RTI, counselor and teacher appointments and much more. And with a built-in accountability tool and reporting features, solve your challenges around getting kids where they need to be and understanding how flex time is spent. Make your flex time work for you. Visit myflexlearning.com/BE to learn more and receive $500 off the first year.

Do you ever doubt your decisions as a principal. As a principal myself, I understand the constant second-guessing and the toll it can take on confidence.

Discover the symptoms of self-doubt, from questioning every decision to hesitancy in sharing innovative ideas. Understand the root cause of self-doubt and why it can hinder leadership effectiveness.

Learn what doesn't work when trying to combat self-doubt and uncover practical strategies to stop it in its tracks. From remembering your value to setting realistic expectations and developing a support system, we've got you covered.

Enhance your job satisfaction and stop doubting your decisions by tuning in and taking action. If you're ready to take the next step, check out the free workshop on How to Stop Doubting Your Decisions as a School Leader. Click HERE to take the workshop.

After you finish listening, I would love to hear your most significant takeaway from today's episode. Take a screenshot of yourself listening on your device, share it on your Instagram stories, and tag me, @BarbFlowersCoaching.

While you're there, please ensure you follow me on Instagram so you can get a behind-the-scenes look at how I assist educators in reducing stress, preventing burnout, and how you can benefit as well.

Connect with Barb:
Website

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL and MyFlexLearning.

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you simplify and streamline technology, reliably meet Tier 1 standards, improve assessment performance, and more. Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

MyFlexLearning is the scheduling platform that helps middle and high schools meet the individual needs of all students. Create and manage time for flex blocks, WIN time, activity periods, RTI, counselor and teacher appointments and much more. And with a built-in accountability tool and reporting features, solve your challenges around getting kids where they need to be and understanding how flex time is spent. Make your flex time work for you. Visit myflexlearning.com/BE to learn more and receive $500 off the first year.

In this episode of Transformative Principal, Jethro Jones engages in a profound discussion with Sean Slade, co-head of North America at BTS Spark, about reevaluating traditional perceptions of leadership, particularly around the management of emotions. Sean challenges the archetype of the stoic, emotionless leader, suggesting that vulnerability, emotion, and personal connection are crucial elements for effective leadership, especially highlighted by observations from the first year of the pandemic. The conversation delves into how leaders who embraced their humanity, admitting uncertainty and fostering relationships, tended to succeed more. Drawing on a study and the insights from the book Embracing MESSY Leadership, Sean emphasizes the critical role of emotions in building trust, cultivating teamwork, and enhancing problem-solving capacities. He argues for a shift from controlling to exercising and utilizing emotions as strategic tools in leadership. The podcast also touches on the practical aspects of having difficult conversations and the importance of authenticity, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness in leadership roles. Sean concludes by underscoring the evolving understanding of leadership as beyond a series of tasks, advocating for emotional adeptness as a key leadership skill.

• Maybe the emotionless leader is not quite correct.
• MESSY Leadership came out of the pandemic
• The leaders who were able to make personal connections, build relationships and show vulnerability did quite well.
• Exercise your emotion rather than controlling your emotions.
• Admit uncertainty
• Pose questions back to team
• High level of self-awareness and self-confidence
• Everyone wants to feel like they matter and they want to belong.
• You are part of this community.
• Don’t we want to be authentic ourselves?
• Get communication cards.
• Leadership as a series of tasks and duties.
• Making people feel happy on a surface level.
• What’s putting you in the box? And how do you get out of it?
• Leadership is not a series of checklists.

Links:

• Sean Slade's website: https://www.seanslade.com/
• MESSY Leadership
• Jethro’s Communication Cards: https://www.jethrojones.com/communication-cards

About Sean Slade

Sean is the Co-Head of North America at BTS Spark. He is an education leader, speaker and author, with nearly three decades of experience in education, both in the US and globally. With a strong background in education reform and wellbeing, he has driven policy change, implemented initiatives, and developed educational leaders, to enhance the social impact of education. As Senior Director of Global Outreach at ASCD, Sean launched and grew the ASCD Whole Child Network to 1,800 members, 350 school districts and 56 countries. He is a Social & Emotional Learning expert for NBC Today, advisory member for OECD’s Future of Education & Skills 2030, a founding member of the UNESCO Chair on Global Health & Education. He has written for the Washington Post, Huffington Post, EdWeek, and is a frequent keynote speaker.

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL and MyFlexLearning.

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you simplify and streamline technology, reliably meet Tier 1 standards, improve assessment performance, and more. Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

MyFlexLearning is the scheduling platform that helps middle and high schools meet the individual needs of all students. Create and manage time for flex blocks, WIN time, activity periods, RTI, counselor and teacher appointments and much more. And with a built-in accountability tool and reporting features, solve your challenges around getting kids where they need to be and understanding how flex time is spent. Make your flex time work for you. Visit myflexlearning.com/BE to learn more and receive $500 off the first year.

In this episode, Jethro is joined by Danny Bauer and Glenn Robbins, author of the book Calm In The Chaos: Ancient Stoic Wisdom for Successful School Leadership. We talk about how to be stoic as a leader in schools and apply that wisdom to your daily. Plus, you won’t believe the sign we saw in a school!

• How to get people on the same page when you’re not physically on an island.
• Community had come together before when they’ve been through something together.
• Starting from negative emotions doesn’t help you find success.
• When you come from a place of gratitude, it’s great.
• This is my roadmap for connecting with people.
• You’re still a human being, but you still have to rise up and be your best.
• Your pride sometimes takes away your willingness to share what you’re going through.
• We often don’t have models showing us how we do things different.
• Key piece is mentoring, models, and psychologically safe spaces where you can admit that you’re struggling.
• Expect people to be wrong, evil, tortuous, dishonest.
• Vulnerability can be perceived in many different ways
• Stoicism is constancy.
• Be the rock, that is immovable.
• A lot of the expectation is expecting the sea to not rage, but that is not realistic.
• Mastering what is in your control.
• How we help people see they can choose what they control.
• How to be a transformative principal? Own your mistakes - Danny
• Psychological safety

About Danny Bauer

Danny Bauer helps Ruckus Makers Do School Different™ which means shifting from old, traditional, and often broken ways of educating to new, different, and innovative ways of educating.

He’s written multiple bestselling books and hosts the Better Leaders Better Schools podcast which is the most downloaded show in school leadership and ranks in the TOP 0.5% of all shows worldwide.

About Glenn Robbins

Glenn Robbins is the proud Superintendent of the Brigantine Public School District in Brigantine, New Jersey. His passion is harnessing a district culture that thrives on positive psychology, design thinking, futurism, innovative digital spaces, technology integration, esports, cybersecurity, Social Emotional Learning Zen Dens, and Maker cultures. In addition, Glenn encourages all students to have a voice, not only in building a school culture, but also in designing student led entrepreneur opportunities.

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL and MyFlexLearning.

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you simplify and streamline technology, reliably meet Tier 1 standards, improve assessment performance, and more. Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

MyFlexLearning is the scheduling platform that helps middle and high schools meet the individual needs of all students. Create and manage time for flex blocks, WIN time, activity periods, RTI, counselor and teacher appointments and much more. And with a built-in accountability tool and reporting features, solve your challenges around getting kids where they need to be and understanding how flex time is spent. Make your flex time work for you. Visit myflexlearning.com/BE to learn more and receive $500 off the first year.