What happens when a young, first-time principal steps into a school reeling from a leadership change? In this powerful episode of Transformational Educators, Amber Shields, now Managing Director with the Commit Partnership and founder of PM Consulting, shares how she built trust from scratch, reconnected fractured staff, and turned reflective adult learning into a foundation for sustainable culture change.

Listeners will learn how small daily actions and intentional relationship-building helped transform staff mindsets, rebuild community, and center professional growth on ownership and reflection. Whether you’re leading through transition or building a new foundation, Amber’s story offers both encouragement and practical strategies.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Building trust starts with small, consistent daily actions
• Coffee chats and hallway check-ins can drive real connection
• Arrival and dismissal are overlooked opportunities for visibility
• Reflection must be embedded into daily school culture
• Teachers thrive when they can name one area they want to grow in
• Safe spaces for adult learning foster vulnerability and growth
• Peer observations increase self-awareness and instructional insight
• Individual growth plans should align with broader school goals
• Psychological safety is essential for sustainable culture shifts
• Leadership requires self-awareness, consistency, and alignment

BEST MOMENTS

00:01:52. “Every time we’re together, you are so full of joy and optimism and practical wisdom.”
00:04:02. “I had to do some mindset work of my own to separate what is not mine to carry.”
00:05:15. “Coffee was on me... I wanted to get them off campus.”
00:07:00. “Those small acts can really be impactful in terms of building connection.”
00:07:51. “Hey guys, this didn’t work. That has so much trust building in that simple act alone.”
00:10:12. “Name one thing they wanted to own improving.”
00:13:00. “When teachers began to do that informally... it’s beautiful because it impacts the students.”
00:14:12. “When people feel safe to be vulnerable... there has to be a sense of safety.”
00:15:32. “Gratitude was something that I tried to use to center me in those difficult moments.”

Transformational Educators | School Leadership Stories

Thank you for listening to Transformational Educators, where we share real stories of servant leadership, trust-building, and purpose-driven change in schools.

🔗 Explore Gracelyn University’s online programs and leadership resources:
https://www.gracelyn.edu

📖 Read Dr. Matthew Flippen’s new book, Win With Your Talent Pipeline:
https://zurl.co/EDveZ

📅 New episodes release every Thursday at 6 AM CT.

Watch and subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TransformationalEducators?sub_confirmation=1

If today’s conversation inspired you to lead with courage and care, share it with another educator or school leader. Together we can build schools that truly transform lives.

Produced by APodcastGeek
https://apodcastgeek.com

What if the hard parts of your story were actually preparing you to lead?

In this powerful episode of Transformational Educators, Dr. Matthew Flippen talks with Jayme Braida, Principal of Columbus Elementary and Iowa’s 2025 Elementary Principal of the Year. Jayme shares how her leadership identity was forged through childhood adversity, how her faith and purpose continue to guide her, and how she cultivates a resilient, relational school culture. If you’ve ever wondered how to lead through challenge without losing yourself, this episode will equip and inspire you. Learn how transformational leadership grows from reflection, grace, and the daily decision to show up with courage.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Leadership identity can form long before stepping into a formal role
• Adversity, when reframed, becomes a powerful leadership teacher
• Relational leadership drives sustainable school culture change
• Capturing Kids’ Hearts creates belonging for staff and students
• Values-based leadership fosters alignment and integrity
• Grace and accountability can coexist in effective leadership
• Staff emotional support builds long-term instructional trust
• Leading with faith brings clarity and purpose during trials
• Reflective practices help leaders stay anchored in mission
• Transformational impact starts with seeing people deeply

BEST MOMENTS

00:01:59. “I was the kid full of potential, but very misunderstood.”
00:02:49. “My leadership identity was formed long before I became a teacher.”
00:04:07. “Sometimes those things follow you into life. I made mistakes I wasn’t proud of.”
00:05:32. “She came to the hospital when my son was born. I thought, I want to be a principal like her.”
00:06:20. “I’ve always tried to have a bigger impact than just my own classroom.”
00:08:03. “Grace became a core value when I needed it the most.”
00:10:58. “You can’t have a kid’s head before you have their heart. That’s true for adults too.”
00:14:11. “Deep purpose and resilience really come from living through hardships and leaning on faith.”

🔗 Explore Gracelyn University’s online programs and leadership resources: https://www.gracelyn.edu

Transformational Educators | School Leadership Stories

Thank you for listening to Transformational Educators, where we share real stories of servant leadership, trust-building, and purpose-driven change in schools.

🔗 Explore Gracelyn University’s online programs and leadership resources:
https://www.gracelyn.edu

📖 Read Dr. Matthew Flippen’s new book, Win With Your Talent Pipeline:
https://zurl.co/EDveZ

📅 New episodes release every Thursday at 6 AM CT.

Watch and subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TransformationalEducators?sub_confirmation=1

If today’s conversation inspired you to lead with courage and care, share it with another educator or school leader. Together we can build schools that truly transform lives.

Produced by APodcastGeek
https://apodcastgeek.com

What if your leadership legacy began with a popsicle and a push-up contest?

In this episode of Transformational Educators, host Dr. Matthew Flippen sits down with Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket, Principal of Waterloo Elementary in Maryland and coauthor of Relational Intelligence. Rachel shares the powerful story of stepping into leadership after a beloved principal and rebuilding trust through joy, humility, and consistency. She breaks down how to use relational intelligence to transform school culture, build trauma-informed behavior systems, and lead with empathy, without losing structure or accountability.

If you’ve ever faced the challenge of inheriting a hurting campus or wondered how to lead change with authenticity, Rachel’s story will inspire and equip you.

Key Takeaways:

• Why joy and humility are essential traits in school leadership
• How to build trust quickly when following a beloved leader
• Why relational intelligence is foundational to school culture
• How to gather real feedback that drives actionable change
• Using push-up contests and popsicles to connect with students
• Building behavior systems that are consistent, clear, and trauma-informed
• How “PAW Pals” created strong mentoring moments across the school
• The impact of relational strategies on student attendance and behavior
• Why leaders must embrace feedback, even the hard truths
• The power of proactive, honest communication with families

Best Moments:

00:02:00. “There was a sadness amongst the whole school community.”
00:05:10. “We did some playground blacktop plots with popsicles with the principal.”
00:07:05. “I still think I can beat you.”
00:09:35. “I do a 100-day survey... Please give me feedback.”
00:10:37. “They wanted me to be more consistent with my behavior implementation.”
00:16:14. “Adults need trusted adults too.”
00:18:24. “We saw a decrease in incidents of physical aggression.”
00:22:23. “We are here to support you, and you have my word.”

🔗 Explore Gracelyn University’s online programs and leadership resources: https://www.gracelyn.edu

Transformational Educators | School Leadership Stories

Thank you for listening to Transformational Educators, where we share real stories of servant leadership, trust-building, and purpose-driven change in schools.

🔗 Explore Gracelyn University’s online programs and leadership resources:
https://www.gracelyn.edu

📖 Read Dr. Matthew Flippen’s new book, Win With Your Talent Pipeline:
https://zurl.co/EDveZ

📅 New episodes release every Thursday at 6 AM CT.

Watch and subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TransformationalEducators?sub_confirmation=1

If today’s conversation inspired you to lead with courage and care, share it with another educator or school leader. Together we can build schools that truly transform lives.

Produced by APodcastGeek
https://apodcastgeek.com