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

How do you transform a school that’s lost its way? Dr. Catherine Kennedy did it through trust, not titles.
In this episode of Transformational Educators, host Matthew Flippen speaks with Dr. Catherine Kennedy of the Texas Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents. When she arrived at Valley View Middle School in El Paso, the campus was in transition, low morale, academic underperformance, and faculty uncertainty. What happened next was a multi-year journey of trust-building, vulnerability, and alignment around purpose.

Dr. Kennedy shares the foundational principles she used to shift culture and outcomes, from greeting staff each morning to knowing the name of every student. If you’re searching for a model of courageous, servant-led leadership that leads to real transformation, this conversation is a must-listen.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Daily visibility matters, but presence is what transforms
• Faculty buy-in starts with vulnerability and consistency
• Greeting staff every day created an emotional shift
• Knowing your teachers beyond their job titles builds trust
• Students flourish when faculty know them by name
• Ambassadors programs give voice to shy and struggling students
• Alignment of values leads to alignment in culture
• Creating a shared mission can unify a campus in transition
• Academic success followed emotional connection and structure
• Legacy is built when students feel known and seen

BEST MOMENTS

00:01:34. “So it was a big culture shock for me having to learn stuff like from learning the importance of a good master schedule.”
00:03:01. “Good teachers, good teaching, regardless of the grade level.”
00:05:12. “I wanted to know them as a person, and then I wanted to know their families, too.”
00:07:32. “So choose your attitude. Be present. Have fun. Make their day.”
00:10:54. “It’s the team that really become the heroes because they’re the ones that are going to do the work.”
00:12:19. “So it was first in pride, first in character, and first on the path to higher education.”
00:17:05. “To see them evolve and then become leaders, it was just amazing to see.”

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 really happens when a new principal walks into a struggling school just two weeks before the year starts? Dr. Katrise Perera did exactly that, and what followed became a case study in transformational leadership grounded in faith, trust, and purpose.

In this episode of Transformational Educators, host Matthew Flippen sits down with Dr. Perera, now a superintendent, to unpack the story of how she led one of her district’s most challenged campuses through a culture shift that redefined belief, expectations, and outcomes. From building credibility as a first-time principal to leading with vulnerability and purpose, Dr. Perera offers a masterclass in what it takes to change school culture from the inside out.

Whether you're facing resistance, burnout, or the weight of schoolwide challenges, this story will remind you that transformation is possible, and it begins with trust.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Why Dr. Perera refuses to use the phrase “at-risk” for students
• The role of faith and purpose in leadership
• How to identify key influencers inside your building
• Why student voice must be part of school improvement
• Creating buy-in without top-down mandates
• The link between trust and accountability
• A real story of teacher transformation and redemption
• How shared vision builds sustainable change
• The emotional reality of school leadership
• What Dr. Perera still does every semester to stay grounded

BEST MOMENTS

00:03:36. “It’s kind of where I started this whole thing with student voice and having a student committee.”
00:04:15. “God has a way of putting you in a place where you really need to be.”
00:06:20. “I leaned on my faith… and my coaching ability to identify the influencers in the building.”
00:08:22. “That phrase ‘at-risk’… to me that puts the ownership on the kid to get better.”
00:13:12. “Had I listened to my predecessor about this individual, my students would have lost out on an amazing teacher.”
00:17:50. “What I can say to my board and the communities where I serve is that I gave my very best.”

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

Rebuilding Trust, Reclaiming Hope: Dr. Paula Patterson’s Journey at Crosby ISD

What happens when a leader steps into a district facing crisis, fear, and financial turmoil, during a pandemic? In this powerful episode of Transformational Educators, Dr. Paula Patterson, Superintendent of Crosby ISD, reveals how she rebuilt a fractured district with a leadership style rooted in visibility, compassion, and deep community connection. Hosted by Dr. Matthew Flippen, this conversation dives into how trust can be restored after cultural and organizational wounds, and how courageous leadership can help schools not just survive, but thrive.

Whether you're navigating change, rebuilding trust, or searching for hope as a leader, this story is for you.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Trust is rebuilt through presence, relationships, and consistency
• Leadership during crisis requires calm, encouragement, and visibility
• Culture is harder to heal than finances, and must be addressed intentionally
• Servant leadership begins with humility and community connection
• Four-day week implementation helped attract and retain quality teachers
• Listening and adjusting plans based on community feedback builds trust
• Rebounding from academic and financial decline requires long-term strategy
• Creating student and staff advisory groups fosters shared ownership
• Balanced budgeting and strategic planning are key to district stability
• Leadership is sustained through faith, reflection, and daily spiritual grounding

BEST MOMENTS

00:03:10. “The financial difficulties resulted in a layoff of 120 employees.”
00:05:21. “You build trust by building relationships.”
00:06:04. “I really just tried to be that calm and that sense of peace and also joy.”
00:08:58. “Servant leadership often starts with a position of humility.”
00:13:03. “Really what I needed was a four day week to recruit and retain exceptional teachers.”
00:16:06. “From that, we created Cougar News Now… that came directly from a student recommendation.”
00:27:35. “I could not do this without God.”

🔗 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 happens when a high school dropout becomes the principal of one of the top-performing schools in the state?

In this powerful episode of Transformational Educators, Dr. Matthew Flippen sits down with Dr. Al Johnson, former principal of Two Rivers High School and current Dean of MYP at Uplift Education Ascend High School. Dr. Johnson’s story is one of radical transformation, servant leadership, and deep healing.

From walking into a grieving school community to building one of Minnesota’s top-ranked campuses, Dr. Johnson shares how vulnerability, prayer, and authentic relationship-building changed everything. You’ll hear how a school coffee shop run by students with special needs became a campus hub, how empathy reshaped staff culture, and why faith led him every step of the way.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• How Dr. Johnson transformed a school ranked 4500+ nationally into a top 30 state leader
• The power of servant leadership in rebuilding school culture
• How to gain teacher trust and raise retention to 98%
• Creating space for vulnerable conversations in leadership
• Why reaching out to special populations changed the entire school dynamic
• How a student-run coffee shop generated $20K and changed lives
• What it means to lead with both empathy and accountability
• How trauma-informed leadership strategies foster healing
• Insights on balancing faith in public education settings
• The impact of affinity groups and student leadership teams

BEST MOMENTS

00:03:03. “There were some videos you could see that there was some hurt. Maybe there's an opportunity for me to do something there.”
00:04:20. “I come in now as the first African-American administrator in the school's history, which was founded in 1954.”
00:05:27. “The West Saint Paul reader said, This roller skating principal is coming into your school.”
00:08:53. “Teacher retention over those four years was about 98%.”
00:12:00. “I really want to know individually who you are, what's important to you, what are your hopes and dreams.”
00:15:01. “It talked about me being a minister. It talked about my faith. So that was known.”
00:22:02. “Students are learning real skills. Jobs. Real world customer service.”
00:27:00. “It's shifted from me staying on. I stand where I stand as fearful inside as I am, but I still have to stand when I stand.”

🔗 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 does it really take to turn around a hurting school, without losing your soul in the process?

In this episode of Transformational Educators, host Matthew Flippen sits down with Jim Vasquez, now Superintendent of Socorro ISD, to uncover the leadership journey that began at Horizon Heights Elementary, a campus with five principals in ten years. Jim shares how he built trust through one-on-one conversations, why culture must always come before strategy, and how he led with both courage and care to create sustainable change. This is a must-listen for any leader navigating a struggling school or wondering how to bring healing to a fractured culture.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Horizon Heights had five principals in ten years before Jim arrived
• Jim’s first step was meeting with every single staff member, custodians included
• Listening to staff revealed both pain points and hidden opportunities
• Small wins built early trust and momentum
• Jim believes "culture trumps strategy every time"
• Not everyone was a fit for the new culture, and that was okay
• Hiring for values, not just test scores, led to long-term growth
• Consistent communication with staff and parents prevented backlash
• Leading through resistance required courage, clarity and collaboration
• A program inspired by Sandy Hook is still running a decade later

BEST MOMENTS
00:02:18. “I was the fifth principal in ten years.”
00:03:24. “Tell me all the great things going on at this school... tell me where some of the challenges are.”
00:04:32. “Not only did I listen to them and speak to them, but I'm taking their advice.”
00:05:41. “Culture trumps strategy. Every strategy.”
00:06:50. “I might get a rookie teacher… I knew they would be a great fit.”
00:09:27. “They may not like it, but at least they understand where we're headed.”
00:10:33. “That's where I get the confidence. What I was seeing was right.”
00:12:14. “She came to me in tears and said, ‘We're moving too fast.’”
00:14:05. “That program is still going strong today… ten years after I left.”

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