The Making Schools Work Podcast
Join us each week as we talk to different SREB team members and educators across the country to find out the latest in school innovations. From classroom instruction to school leadership, we are going to examine what it is that makes schools work!
The Making Schools Work Podcast
What's Your Value? Part 1: Identity and Awareness for School Leaders
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In the first half of this powerful two-part series, we sit down with Principal Baruti Kafele, a renowned school leadership expert and best-selling author. This conversation moves past the daily logistics of school management to challenge administrators with a foundational question: What is your instructional value to the teachers you supervise?
Kafele dives deep into the "locker room" of school culture, the high stakes of teacher coaching and the self-awareness required to see your own leadership blind spots.
Key Discussion Points
- The Identity Shift: Moving from a building manager who "puts out fires" to an intentional instructional coach who drives pedagogical growth.
- The Locker Room Analogy: Why a principal staying in the office during the school day is like a coach staying in the locker room during "Game Day."
- The Danger of "Satisfactory": How a lack of consistent classroom data leads to default ratings that fail to tap into a teacher’s—or student's—true potential.
- The "Walk" and Self-Awareness: A personal story from Principal Kafele about an intimidating habit he didn't know he had until he saw it on film.
- The Three-Pronged Process: An introduction to the methodical cycle of pre-observation conversations, laser-focused classroom visits, and collaborative debriefs.
Featured Guest
Baruti Kafele is a former award-winning high school principal and a leading authority on school leadership and culture. He is the author of several books, including What Is My Value to the Teachers I Supervise? and is a highly sought-after featured presenter at the SREB Making Schools Work Conference.
Resources Mentioned
- PrincipalKafele.com: Baruti Kafele’s official website for books, resources, and speaking information.
- The Assistant Principal & New Principals Academy: Principal Kafele's weekly YouTube live stream for school leaders.
- What Is My Value to the Teachers I Supervise?: Principal Kafele's latest book focused on instructional leadership.
The Southern Regional Education Board is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works with states and schools to improve education at every level, from early childhood through doctoral education and the workforce.
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