In this episode of Lumos Lens, host Rich Katz, Superintendent-in-Residence with Lumos Learning, sits down with Trish Baggett, Principal of Richfield Early Learning Center in Flint, Michigan. Trish shares her 20+ year journey through early childhood classrooms, curriculum leadership, coaching, and administration, and why she believes early learning is where the foundation for everything else is built.

Rich and Trish explore what it takes to create a school culture where staff feel valued, students feel safe and supported, and families feel welcomed as true partners. Trish explains how Richfield’s whole-child approach shows up in real, observable ways, from restorative practices and PBIS celebrations to practical supports like food backpacks and community partnerships. They also dig into how data can be used without creating fear, including student-owned tracking, growth-focused grouping, and stress-reducing classroom routines that help learners stay regulated and ready to learn.

Key Moments

01:29 Finding the “right fit” school culture and why it matters in leadership

02:11 Trish’s path into education and why early childhood is her home

04:14 Whole-child values in action and why governance matters for schools

06:09 How staff support shapes student readiness and classroom culture

07:32 Building safety and belonging through routines and community support

08:39 What visitors notice right away when they walk into the building

11:36 Culture builders: PBIS leader celebrations, visibility, and recognition

12:42 Restorative practices as a daily strategy, not a one-time response

14:32 Using data to drive growth without losing the human side of learning

17:33 Reducing student stress with calming corners, brain breaks, and movement

21:16 Current patterns: physical aggression, defiance, and SEL supports

24:19 Districtwide training and aligned strategies for consistent support

26:00 A turnaround story: behavior plans, family partnership, and student growth

Why You’ll Love This Episode

This conversation is a concrete example of how to create trust with staff, build a welcoming school environment, and develop consistent systems that support student behavior and learning over time. You will also hear a refreshingly honest view of what is hard right now in early childhood, and how schools can respond with both empathy and structure.

If you care about creating calmer classrooms, strengthening school culture, and using data to guide instruction in a way that motivates students instead of pressuring them, this episode delivers clear takeaways you can use right away.

Connect with Trish Baggett | Principal, Richfield Public School Academy

Website: https://www.richfieldpsa.net/

Connect with Richard Katz and Lumos Learning

Richard Katz
Superintendent-in-Residence
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-katz/

Lumos Learning
Website: https://www.lumoslearning.com/llwp/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lumos-learning/

About Lumos Lens

Lumos Lens is a podcast where education leaders share how schools are helping students feel more confident and prepared for state assessments, and how district leaders are using data and technology to close learning gaps and improve student achievement.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to Lumos Lens for more conversations with leaders strengthening teaching, learning, and student outcomes.