Rod made the move back to the classroom after years as a leadership and instructional coach. In this episode, he reflects on the surprises of returning to teaching—and how his experiences beyond the classroom shaped his transition. We talk specifically about how he has changed his writing instruction and his emphasis on student dialogue.Resources:The Literacy Cookbook (Sarah Tantillo)literacycookbook.com/about-us.phpInside Teaching: How Classroom Life Undermines Reform (Mary Kennedy)Follow Rod on:X/Twitter:  Rod (@rodjnaquin) / XLinkedIn: (1) Rod Naquin | LinkedInFacebook: (2) FacebookSubstack: Rod J. Naquin | SubstackPodcast: Why I'm giving students the claims - Pocket Casts

In this episode John Payne shares the steps, the challenges and successes of working with Catholic Virtual to fill a staffing need. He lays out some simple steps to get parent buy-in and the strategies that made the partnership successful. For the Creative Staffing Playbook, please visit us here.  If you need help planning for your unique staffing situation, please schedule a time to talk with us today. https://bit.ly/Build-IT-Better-TogetherOur mission at Saint Veronica Catholic School is to provide a Catholic education that fosters spiritual, intellectual, social, and physical growth. We aim to develop the whole person and prepare our students to become responsible citizens of the world. Our school is committed to academic excellence and provides a challenging curriculum that prepares our students for success in high school and beyond. We believe that every student is unique and has the potential to make a positive impact in the world.In partnership with each family and the St. Veronica Parish community, and as ministers who participate in the mission of Jesus Christ, St. Veronica Catholic School strives to keep Christ’s image present in the world while providing a quality education which instills Christian stewardship and academic excellence.The In Search of Catholic School Excellence Podcast is brought to you by I Love My Tech Team. When technology doesn’t work, Catholic school leaders lose time, trust, and momentum. We partner with schools to restore reliable systems, empower teachers, and create the foundation for innovative learning centered on students.Lead Your School Into What’s Possible with I Love My Tech Team.Restoring What’s Broken. Advancing What’s Possible.Find out more at https://ilovemytechteam.com

In this episode of "Morning Motivation for Educators," host Danielle Neufer discusses her journey from burnout to thriving in teaching. She introduces "well work," focusing on self-care and resilience, and encourages educators to maximize their strengths and embrace joy in their profession. Join her for actionable steps to enhance personal well-being and student impact.

We tell our kids to be creative, but do we really know what that means—or how to cultivate it? Doreen Lorenzo, former President of frog design and now Assistant Dean at UT Austin's School of Design and Creative Technologies, has spent decades helping Fortune 100 companies innovate and is now transforming how we educate the next generation. Through her podcast "Creativity is the Job of the Future," she's exploring a crucial thesis: in an uncertain, AI-driven world, creative thinking isn't just nice to have—it's the essential skill. Today, Doreen shares what she's learned from design legends, ultramarathon runners, and unconventional creatives about how creativity actually works, why schools often kill it, and most importantly, how parents can nurture it at home.Why This Matters→ Creativity isn't what we think it is—and that's the problem. Most parents equate creativity with arts and crafts,  rather than with the ability to tackle challenges, find unexpected solutions, and adapt to rapid change. If we're nurturing the wrong thing, we're not preparing our kids for the future they'll actually face.→ Traditional education is systematically killing creativity—even as it becomes more essential. Schools reward conformity, right answers, and standardized thinking precisely when the world needs divergent thinking, experimentation, and the courage to fail. Unless parents actively counterbalance this, kids lose their natural creative capacity by the time they hit middle school.→ AI makes creativity more valuable, not less. As AI handles more routine cognitive work, the uniquely human ability to ask new questions, make unexpected connections, and imagine possibilities becomes the differentiator. Kids who can't think creatively won't just struggle to find jobs—they'll struggle to find meaning and agency in a rapidly changing world.

In this episode, Barb talks with leadership expert Casey Watts about why clarity—not effort—is often what’s missing when initiatives stall or staff buy-in fades. Casey shares how her Clarity Cycle Framework helps leaders align expectations, transfer ownership, and create follow-through without adding more to their plates. They explore how unclear roles fuel overwhelm, why resistance is often a clarity issue, and how “painting done” leads to stronger leadership and better results. This episode is a must-listen for principals who want more alignment, less frustration, and a clearer focus in their leadership.Find Casey on her website catchingupwithcasey.com or LinkedIn.