What happens when a small K–8 school serves kids, teachers, and a university all at once? We invited Metcalf’s principal, assistant principal, and dean to pull back the curtain on lab school life: the fast pivots, the extra hats, and the reason everyone still calls it home.

We talk about the power of a zone-defense leadership model where roles overlap on purpose and coverage never breaks. That structure fuels an open-door culture: tough conversations stay collaborative, visibility stays high, and support reaches the right person fast.

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Hard to believe we are already looking ahead to next school year.

For families considering the lab schools, we have administrators from both buildings on this week's podcast to talk about the process. Andy and Ben have Andrea Markert and Dr. Carmen Bergmann to hear about the admissions processes, applications, and what our schools look for in an incoming class.

For more information about us we also have Prospective Student Open Houses:

- UHigh: January 28, 2026 at 6pm. Find out more at https://uhigh.illinoisstate.edu/.

- Metcalf: Find out more at https://metcalf.illinoisstate.edu/.

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'Tis the Season! This week we get to vent a little and talk about some of the "Positive Frustrations" about being a teacher, being a teacher in this day and age, and finally just being a teacher.

We love our work; let the airing of the grievances commence!

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