• The Better Leaders Better Schools Podcast with Daniel Bauer

  • By: Daniel Bauer
  • Podcast

The Better Leaders Better Schools Podcast with Daniel Bauer

By: Daniel Bauer
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  • Summary

  • The BETTER LEADERS BETTER SCHOOLS podcast is in the TOP 0.5% most downloaded shows of over 2 million podcasts across the world. The BLBS show was created for RUCKUS MAKERS in education -- those out-of-the-box school leaders making change happen. Launched in 2015, this category-defining podcast in educational leadership has helped over 1 MILLION leaders LEVEL UP. Each week host DANIEL BAUER has a conversation with a leadership expert and invites you to listen in. Turn your commute, chores, or workout into professional development and then GO MAKE A RUCKUS! BLBS is the #1 downloaded podcast for school leaders.
    © 2015 Better Leaders Better Schools
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Education
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Episodes
  • Unleashing Student Potential Through AI: A Young Innovator's Story Nate Corona on Transforming Education Through Creative Technology

    Unleashing Student Potential Through AI: A Young Innovator's Story Nate Corona on Transforming Education Through Creative Technology
    Feb 19 2025
    The Ruckus Report Quick take: A compelling look at how embracing AI and creativity can transform education, told through the journey of a young entrepreneur who went from feeling constrained by traditional schooling to teaching others how to innovate. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Today's episode features two innovators in education: Nate Corona is a Santa Cruz entrepreneur who's redefining what's possible for students in the AI age. Starting with a sneaker cleaning business in his hometown, Nate chose the "harder route" over traditional paths, leading him to d'Skills where he transformed a random thought into a successful logo design business. Now part of d'Skills' business development team while also working in auto advertising, Nate exemplifies how embracing different thinking styles can lead to unexpected opportunities. Hannah Williams is the founder of d'Skills, a VC-backed startup shifting students from test prep to life prep. Her own unorthodox journey began at age 12 when her father handed her a phone to close a real estate deal from a blue pickup truck. She went on to enroll in college at 14 and graduated with a degree in international business at 18. Now at 25, Hannah leads d'Skills in equipping motivated teens with digital and AI skills, helping them convert these skills into paid, real-world projects with small businesses. Her vision is to help 1M high schoolers build impact portfolios that give them more experience and connections than most college graduates. Christopher Lochhead calls her "a pioneer of our time." Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨 In this episode, Nate Corona challenges traditional education paradigms: Key Insight #1: Embracing Technology as an Ally What's broken: Schools often fear and restrict technology use The shift: Viewing AI and tech as tools for enhanced learning and creativity Impact: Students develop practical skills while maintaining engagement Key Insight #2: Learning Through Creation What's broken: Traditional test-based assessment and rigid curriculum The shift: Allowing students to drive their own learning through creative projects Impact: Middle school students voluntarily creating additional learning spaces and refusing to leave class Key Insight #3: Redefining Success What's broken: One-size-fits-all approach to education and career paths The shift: Embracing different thinking styles and entrepreneurial mindsets Impact: Students discovering profitable opportunities and meaningful work before finishing traditional education Quotable Ruckus "Don't be scared to be different. Be different. I think being different is awesome." – Nate Corona Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here: Tomorrow: Begin exploring how AI tools could enhance one lesson or activity This Month: Create a space for students to pursue creative projects using technology This Semester: Develop a program that connects student creativity to real-world opportunities Connect & Continue 🎯 Get the full episode transcript: Link 💪 Join the Ruckus Maker Movement: https://ruckusmakers.club/join Do you Subscribe to the Ruckus Maker Newsletter? Do School Different 3x a Week. Join for FREE here. Today's RUCKUScast in Partnership with: Class Composer: Want to know why Ruckus Makers love Class Composer? Because it turns the dreaded end-of-year class placement meetings into a streamlined, data-driven process. Your teachers will save hours of time while ensuring that nothing is overlooked, including student separations. 🔍 Learn More Here. Quest Food Management Services: Creating joyful learning environments starts in the cafeteria. Quest brings 40 years of expertise in crafting scratch-made meals that nurture both body and community spirit through innovative student engagement programs. 🔍 Learn more here. ODP Business Solutions: Most schools botch STEAM implementation because they're missing 3 critical elements. Here's the wild part: it's not about fancy tech or massive budgets. ODP Business Solutions® has researched many successful programs to identify what actually works (and what's just burning cash). 🔍 Learn the blueprint: here Twelve Practices LLC © 2025 | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?
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    45 mins
  • Small Actions, Big Impact: Mike Cronley on Creating Environments Where Everyone Matters

    Small Actions, Big Impact: Mike Cronley on Creating Environments Where Everyone Matters
    Feb 12 2025

    The Ruckus Report Quick take: A former teacher turned ed-tech founder reveals how simple daily actions - from hallway check-ins to thoughtful class placements - can transform school culture and help every student thrive.

    Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Mike Cronley is the CEO and co-founder of Class Composer, bringing 12 years of 3rd grade teaching experience to revolutionize how elementary schools create balanced classes. After witnessing firsthand how traditional class placement methods could unintentionally disrupt student relationships and learning environments, he developed a solution to help schools make more informed, equitable placement decisions.

    Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨 In this episode, Mike challenges traditional education paradigms:

    Key Insight #1: The Power of Being Present

    • What's broken: Leaders getting caught up in administrative tasks and losing touch with their staff

    • The shift: Intentional daily check-ins and genuine conversations with teachers

    • Impact: Teachers feel valued, leading to increased motivation and better student outcomes

    Key Insight #2: From Paper to Purpose

    • What's broken: Complex, paper-based class placement systems that miss crucial student dynamics

    • The shift: Data-informed decisions that consider academic, social, and emotional needs

    • Impact: More balanced classes and stronger student relationships

    Key Insight #3: Taking Smart Risks

    • What's broken: Fear of failure leading to stagnation in educational practices

    • The shift: Creating a culture where trying new approaches is encouraged

    • Impact: Continuous improvement through calculated risk-taking and innovation

    Quotable Ruckus "You have to be willing to take risks and try to improve. Not gigantic risks, but if you want to move the needle and do something different and better, you have to be willing to try." – Mike Cronley

    Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here:

    1. Tomorrow: Walk your halls after school and have one genuine conversation with a teacher

    2. This Month: Create a system to track meaningful check-ins with all staff members

    3. This Semester: Review your class placement process and identify opportunities for more data-informed decisions

    Connect & Continue

    • 🎯 Get the full episode transcript: Link

    • 🔗 Follow Mike: LinkedIn, Facebook

    • 💪 Join the Ruckus Maker Movement: https://ruckusmakers.club/join

    Do you Subscribe to the Ruckus Maker Newsletter? Do School Different 3x a Week. Join for FREE here.

    Today's RUCKUScast in Partnership with:

    Class Composer: Want to know why Ruckus Makers love Class Composer? Because it turns the dreaded end-of-year class placement meetings into a streamlined, data-driven process. Your teachers will save hours of time while ensuring that nothing is overlooked, including student separations. 🔍 Learn More Here.

    Quest Food Management Services: Creating joyful learning environments starts in the cafeteria. Quest brings 40 years of expertise in crafting scratch-made meals that nurture both body and community spirit through innovative student engagement programs. 🔍 Learn more here.

    ODP Business Solutions: Most schools botch STEAM implementation because they're missing 3 critical elements. Here's the wild part: it's not about fancy tech or massive budgets. ODP Business Solutions® has researched many successful programs to identify what actually works (and what's just burning cash). 🔍 Learn the blueprint: here

    Twelve Practices LLC © 2025 | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?
    Show more Show less
    33 mins
  • 10x Leadership: Dr. Mike Lubelfeld's Guide to Empowering Superintendents

    10x Leadership: Dr. Mike Lubelfeld's Guide to Empowering Superintendents
    Feb 5 2025

    The Ruckus Report Quick take: A veteran superintendent reveals how shifting from a mastery mindset to an unfinished mindset can transform school leadership and create environments where innovation thrives, student voice matters, and continuous growth is celebrated.

    Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Dr. Michael Lubelfeld serves as Superintendent of North Shore District 112 in suburban Chicago, leading 9 elementary schools with 4,000 students. A passionate educator since 1992, Mike was awarded the 2021 Administrator and Supervision Distinguished Alumni Award from Loyola University Chicago. He's co-authored four books, including his latest "The Unfinished Teacher: Becoming the Next Version of Yourself."

    Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨 In this episode, Dr. Lubelfeld challenges traditional education paradigms:

    Key Insight #1: The Power of Coaching Fundamentals

    • What's broken: Complex leadership initiatives that overlook basic human connection

    • The shift: Regular, structured coaching conversations focused on growth and support

    • Impact: Principals create better conditions for teacher growth, leading to improved student outcomes

    Key Insight #2: Embracing the Unfinished Mindset

    • What's broken: The pressure to achieve mastery and have everything figured out

    • The shift: Viewing leadership as a continuous journey of growth and evolution

    • Impact: Creates a culture where innovation thrives and continuous improvement is celebrated

    Key Insight #3: Leveraging Student Voice

    • What's broken: Top-down decision making that excludes student perspectives

    • The shift: Actively incorporating student input in strategic planning and facility design

    • Impact: More engaged students and better-designed learning environments that meet real needs

    Quotable Ruckus "I'm never going to be done doing it. I'm going to learn more from the next principal than she or he learned from me because I'm learning from them and we're growing together." – Dr. Mike Lubelfeld

    Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here:

    1. Tomorrow: Schedule a one-on-one coaching conversation with a teacher or principal focused on their aspirations and goals

    2. This Month: Create a student advisory panel to provide input on one major school initiative

    3. This Semester: Develop a structured feedback system that celebrates growth and learning

    Connect & Continue

    • 🎯 Get the full episode transcript: Link

    • 🔗 Follow Dr. Lubelfeld: LinkedIn

    • 💪 Join the Ruckus Maker Movement: https://ruckusmakers.club/join

    Do you Subscribe to the Ruckus Maker Newsletter? Do School Different 3x a Week. Join for FREE here.

    Today's RUCKUScast in Partnership with:

    Class Composer: Want to know why Ruckus Makers love Class Composer? Because it turns the dreaded end-of-year class placement meetings into a streamlined, data-driven process. Your teachers will save hours of time while ensuring that nothing is overlooked, including student separations. 🔍 Learn more here..

    Quest Food Management Services: Creating joyful learning environments starts in the cafeteria. Quest brings 40 years of expertise in crafting scratch-made meals that nurture both body and community spirit through innovative student engagement programs. 🔍 Learn more: www.questfms.com

    ODP Business Solutions: Most schools botch STEAM implementation because they're missing 3 critical elements. Here's the wild part: it's not about fancy tech or massive budgets. ODP Business Solutions® has researched many successful programs to identify what actually works (and what's just burning cash). 🔍 Learn the blueprint: here

    Twelve Practices LLC © 2025 | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?
    Show more Show less
    42 mins

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