We interview one of our keynote speakers for the NREA conference in Fall 2023, Dr. Joe Sanfelippo, Superintendent at Fall Creek, Wisconsin. We start by discussing the importance of elevating pride in schools and the initiatives to support the public image of schools. We discuss how a constructive, positive narrative regarding schools can only help the voting public understand the needs of school systems, even when most voters (estimated 80%) do not have kids in schools. We discussed Dr. Sanfelippo’s keynote message for the conference. He shares his work in recognition of teachers and schools to remind teachers and staff of the hard work they do for schools. By sharing wins with others, we help increase the emotional support of teachers and staff and, by extension, school improvements, empowerment, and uplifting educators in difficult times. Walking with purpose even in stressful times can help students build momentum. Teacher training should include process information. For example, how to run a meeting, run organizations, and recognize one’s perception of others. Working from a place of sincere ignorance helps humble us to meet and hear the needs of others. By building intentional interactions, we can meet people's needs and work to listen to others actively.
The Fall Creek School District was named an Innovative District in 2016 and 2017 by the International Center for Leadership in Education. Joe holds a BA in Elementary and Early Childhood Education, an MS in Educational Psychology, an MS in Educational Leadership, and a Ph.D. in Leadership, Learning, and Service. Joe co-hosts the Hacking Leadership Podcast and co-authored The Power of Branding: Telling Your School's Story, Principal Professional Development: Leading Learning in a Digital Age, and Hacking Leadership: 10 Ways Great Leaders Inspire Learning That Teachers, Students, and Parents Love. He was selected as 1 of 117 Future Ready Superintendents in 2014 and 1 of 50 Superintendents as a Personalized Learning Leader by the US Department of Education in 2016. Education Dive named Joe 1 of 5 K-12 Administrators to watch in 2018 and their National Superintendent of the Year in 2019.
Today’s episode is sponsored by my credential.