Quick take: In this special coaching episode, a K-4 principal shares his honest struggles and breakthroughs in implementing project-based learning, revealing why communication and teacher buy-in are crucial for meaningful educational change.

Dan is a K-4 principal with an art education background, bringing a unique creative perspective to his leadership role. As a solo administrator in his building, he's passionate about transforming education through project-based learning while maintaining strong relationships with his staff.

In this episode, Dan challenges traditional education paradigms:

Key Insight #1: Consistent Communication

• What's broken: Sporadic communication about new initiatives, assuming teachers will automatically buy in

• The shift: Consistently discussing and reinforcing PBL benefits while giving teachers autonomy to experiment

• Impact: Teachers feel more supported and are more likely to take risks with new teaching methods

Key Insight #2: Building Authentic Relationships

• What's broken: Traditional top-down mandate approach to implementing new programs

• The shift: Building genuine relationships and understanding teachers' individual goals and aspirations

• Impact: Increased teacher engagement and willingness to try new approaches

Key Insight #3: Meaningful Feedback Systems

• What's broken: Complex, jargon-filled evaluation systems that don't drive real improvement

• The shift: Simple, meaningful feedback focused on growth and celebrating small wins

• Impact: More authentic professional development and risk-taking in the classroom

"You have to have the mentality that everybody you meet is going through something that you don't know anything about. We have a saying here: 'Sweep the sheds.' It sounds kind of weird, but it's about humility and doing the work that needs to be done." -Principal Dan

Ready to implement these ideas? Start here:

1. Tomorrow: Ask your teachers what's stopping them from trying something new in their classrooms

2. This Month: Create a weekly roundup to celebrate teachers taking risks and trying new approaches

3. This Semester: Develop an implementation plan based on teacher feedback and goals

• 🎯 Get the full episode transcript: Link

• 🔗 Join The Ruckus Maker Club waitlist: https://ruckusmakers.club/join

💪 Apply to the Ruckus Maker Mastermind: https://www.betterleadersbetterschools.com/mastermind-application

Learn how to Do School Different 3x a Week. Join for FREE here.

IXL Meet your students where they are and take them where they need to go. Join over 1 million teachers who trust IXL to drive data-informed excellence in their classrooms. 🔍 Learn more here.

Class Composer Is your elementary school still creating class lists with colored index cards or sticky notes? Class Composer offers a streamlined solution for making well-informed student placement decisions in less time. 🔍 https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7625546/b577a4c88ce8.

ODP: ODP Business Solutions® formerly Office Depot® Business Solutions Division has been a trusted partner for schools for over 30 years. At ODP Business Solutions, we’re by your side to meet your evolving education needs.🔍 Learn more here.

Twelve Practices LLC © 2025 | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?

The Ruckus Report Quick take: As California mandates AI literacy in schools, education leaders face a critical choice between teaching basic AI operation and empowering students to reimagine what's possible with AI fluency.

Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Hannah Grady Williams is the Chief Rebel at d'Skills, where she helps students transform their passions into real-world projects using AI. Starting college at 14 and graduating with her bachelor's at 18, Hannah brings a fresh perspective to education innovation. Chris Lochhead calls her "one of the most important voices in education today."

Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨 In this episode, Hannah challenges traditional education paradigms:

Key Insight #1: AI Literacy Isn't Enough

• What's broken: Schools focusing only on basic AI efficiency like email writing and lesson planning

• The shift: Moving toward true AI fluency where students apply AI across all aspects of learning

• Impact: Students who can creatively innovate and think beyond what AI alone can accomplish

Key Insight #2: Integration Over Isolation

• What's broken: Adding standalone AI clubs or career pathways as a checkbox solution

• The shift: Embedding AI project-based learning into every core subject

• Impact: Students developing real-world AI applications across all disciplines

Key Insight #3: Authentic AI Experience

• What's broken: Using "sterilized" educational versions of AI tools that limit real learning

• The shift: Teaching students to work with actual AI tools they'll use in their careers

• Impact: Graduates prepared for the true demands of an AI-transformed workplace

Quotable Ruckus "If our response as leaders is to go with sterilized versions of tools to satisfy a mandate, we're not doing our kids a service for their future." - Hannah Grady Williams

Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here:

1. Tomorrow: Evaluate how your school currently uses AI - is it for efficiency or empowerment?

2. This Month: Identify one core subject where you can integrate AI project-based learning

3. This Semester: Develop a comprehensive AI fluency strategy across all grade levels

Connect & Continue

• 🎯 Get the full episode transcript: [Link]

• 🔗 Follow Hannah: hannah@dskills.io

• 🌐 Explore d'Skills: https://www.dskills.io/

• 💪 Join the Ruckus Maker Movement: https://rucku

Do you Subscribe to the Ruckus Maker Newsletter? Do School Different 3x a Week. Join for FREE here

Today's RUCKUScast in Partnership with: IXL: Meet your students where they are and take them where they need to go. Join over 1 million teachers who trust IXL to drive data-informed excellence in their classrooms. 🔍 Learn more: IXL.com/leaders

Class Composer: Want to know why Ruckus Makers love Class Composer? Because it turns the dreaded end-of-year class placement meetings into a streamlined, data-driven process. Your teachers will save hours of time while ensuring that nothing is overlooked, including student separations. 🔍 Learn more here.

ODP Business Solutions®: Want to know how top schools create collaborative learning environments that actually work? ODP Business Solutions®, formerly Office Depot Business Solutions Division, has equipped innovative educators for over three decades. 🔍 Visit www.odpbusiness.com/education and let's make a ruckus together.

Twelve Practices LLC © 2025 | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?

The Ruckus Report

Quick take: In this transformative session, Danny Bauer shares the powerful RISE method to help school leaders move from playing it safe to creating meaningful change in their schools.

Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Danny Bauer is the founder of Better Leaders Better Schools, author of multiple bestselling books, and host of one of the world's top 0.5% podcasts. He helps school leaders "Do School Different" through coaching, mentorship, and building communities of innovative educators.

Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨

In this episode, Danny challenges traditional education paradigms:

Key Insight #1: From Reactive to Reimagining

• What's broken: Leaders getting stuck in day-to-day reactive mode

• The shift: Using the RISE method (Reimagine, Identify, Select Strategic Strikes, Execute)

• Impact: Creates clear path from current reality to reimagined future

Key Insight #2: From Overwhelm to Strategic Focus

• What's broken: Trying to tackle too many initiatives at once

• The shift: Using the 80/20 principle and "The One Thing" question

• Impact: Identify highest leverage actions that make other things easier/unnecessary

Key Insight #3: From Planning to Execution

• What's broken: Analysis paralysis and lack of momentum

• The shift: Breaking goals into first day/week/month actions

• Impact: Building momentum through quick wins and strategic progress

Quotable Ruckus "Ideas are great, but not the greatest. Taking action is really important." - Danny Bauer

Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here:

1. Tomorrow: Use the Do School Different Scorecard to assess your current reality

2. This Month: Identify your "One Thing" that makes everything else easier

3. This Semester: Implement strategic strikes using the 80/20 principle

Ready to Do School Different?

Take the next step: https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/win

*Offer expires January 27th, 2025

The Ruckus Report Quick take: From surviving childhood trauma to revolutionizing student mental health, Dr. Watson reveals how schools can transform their approach to student wellbeing from crisis response to proactive skill-building.

Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Dr. Hayley Watson is the founder and CEO of Open Parachute, a Tier 1 K-12 curriculum program supporting mental health for students, teachers, and parents. A Clinical Psychologist with a PhD in school bullying interventions, she's spent 20 years developing youth programs that turn challenges into opportunities for growth.

Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨 In this episode, Dr. Watson challenges traditional mental health paradigms:

Key Insight #1: Mental Health Belongs in Tier One

• What's broken: Relegating mental health support to counseling offices and crisis intervention

• The shift: Teaching core mental health skills to all students as fundamental curriculum

• Impact: Reduced pressure on Tier 2/3 services; students develop essential life skills early

Key Insight #2: Four Steps to Emotional Intelligence

• What's broken: Reactive responses to emotional challenges without systematic approach

• The shift: Feel, Pause, Think, Act framework for processing emotions

• Impact: Students learn to recognize triggers and choose constructive responses

Key Insight #3: Student Voice Drives Transformation

• What's broken: Adults lecturing about mental health without authentic connection

• The shift: Real student stories and experiences guide learning

• Impact: Increased engagement and relatability in mental health education

Quotable Ruckus "Don't be afraid to bring mental health into the classroom. This is the ruckus making that we need to really create generational change for the future." – Dr. Hayley Watson

Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here:

1. Tomorrow: Practice the Feel-Pause-Think-Act framework yourself in a challenging situation

2. This Month: Create safe spaces for students to share their stories and experiences

3. This Semester: Implement a tier one mental health curriculum across grade levels

Connect & Continue

• 🌐 Website: https://openparachuteschools.com/

• 📚 Get "Finding the Words": https://openparachuteschools.com/finding-the-words/

• 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-hayley-watson-2b249a16/

• 📧 Email: hayley@openparachuteschools.com

• 💪 Join the Ruckus Maker Movement: https://ruckusmakers.club/join

Do you Subscribe to the Ruckus Maker Newsletter? Do School Different 3x a Week. Join for FREE here

Today's RUCKUScast in Partnership with: IXL: Meet your students where they are and take them where they need to go. Join over 1 million teachers who trust IXL to drive data-informed excellence in their classrooms. 🔍 Learn more: IXL.com/leaders

Class Composer: Want to know why Ruckus Makers love Class Composer? Because it turns the dreaded end-of-year class placement meetings into a streamlined, data-driven process. Your teachers will save hours of time while ensuring that nothing is overlooked, including student separations. 🔍 Learn more here.

ODP Business Solutions®: Want to know how top schools create collaborative learning environments that actually work? ODP Business Solutions®, formerly Office Depot Business Solutions Division, has equipped innovative educators for over three decades. 🔍 Visit www.odpbusiness.com/education and let's make a ruckus together.

Twelve Practices LLC © 2025 | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?

The Ruckus Report Quick take: From middle school gum empire to innovative children's author, Mr. B reveals how embracing uniqueness and real-world learning can transform education from standardized to remarkable.

Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Mr. B is a multi-faceted creative and entrepreneur, blending Hip-Hop music, live-streaming, and children's storytelling into his unique brand. Known for his viral rhymes and as the creator of What Rhymes With Orange?, Mr. B brings fans into real-world experiences with his innovative 'Find Me IRL' live-streamed events and music concerts. He's on a mission to connect people, both in-person and online, with a fresh mix of freestyle rap, humor, and creative flair.

Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨 In this episode, Mr. B challenges traditional education paradigms:

Key Insight #1: Real-World Learning Beats Standardization

• What's broken: Schools focus on standardized formats and rigid rubrics

• The shift: Enable students to engage in real-world business and creative projects

• Impact: Mr. B's middle school gum business generated over $1,000 in 2.5 months, teaching vital lessons about supply, demand, and credit

Key Insight #2: Pattern Breaking Creates Opportunities

• What's broken: Traditional teaching methods crush creativity and innovation

• The shift: Encourage unique approaches and celebrate different ways of learning

• Impact: Students develop confidence in their uniqueness and learn to innovate

Key Insight #3: Beauty, Innovation, and Respect Transform Learning

• What's broken: Sterile environments and hierarchical relationships

• The shift: Create beautiful spaces and authentic connections between staff and students

• Impact: Students take themselves more seriously and operate at a higher level

Quotable Ruckus "Change is going to come from the kids, not the adults." – Mr. B

Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here:

1. Tomorrow: Sit with students at lunch and engage in genuine conversation

2. This Month: Create opportunities for students to publish or monetize their school work

3. This Semester: Design a program that lets students explore entrepreneurship within your school

Connect & Continue

• 📚 Get Mr. B's book "What Rhymes With Orange?": https://a.co/d/cPcq47B

• 📷 Follow Mr. B on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrbinspire

• 📧 Contact: mrbinspire@gmail.com

• 💪 Join the Ruckus Maker Movement: https://ruckusmakers.club/join

Do you Subscribe to the Ruckus Maker Newsletter? Do School Different 3x a Week. Join for FREE here.

Today's RUCKUScast in Partnership with: IXL: Meet your students where they are and take them where they need to go. Join over 1 million teachers who trust IXL to drive data-informed excellence in their classrooms. 🔍 Learn more: IXL.com/leaders

Class Composer: Want to know why Ruckus Makers love Class Composer? Because it turns the dreaded end-of-year class placement meetings into a streamlined, data-driven process. Your teachers will save hours of time while ensuring that nothing is overlooked, including student separations. 🔍 Learn more here.

Twelve Practices LLC © 2025 | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?

The Ruckus Report Quick take: Start 2025 strong with three game-changing frameworks that help school leaders move from traditional planning to actionable transformation.

Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Danny Bauer is the founder of Better Leaders Better Schools and host of the top 1% education leadership podcast worldwide. His mission is helping Ruckus Makers "Do School Different" by reimagining education even within traditional systems.

Breaking Down the Old Rules 🔨 In this episode, Danny challenges traditional education paradigms:

Key Insight #1: Simplicity is Velocity

• What's broken: 28-page improvement plans that gather dust and don't guide real work

• The shift: The RISE Method (Reimagine the possible, Identify current reality, Select strategic strikes, Execute with energy)

• Impact: Clear, actionable one-page strategies that excite stakeholders and drive real change

Key Insight #2: Staff Success Requires Differentiation

• What's broken: Generic hiring checklists and standard operating procedures

• The shift: Creating unique Staff Success Scorecards that define excellence in your context

• Impact: Attract and retain top talent by clearly articulating your school's unique value proposition

Key Insight #3: Reflection Drives Innovation

• What's broken: Reinventing the wheel each year without learning from experience

• The shift: Regular reflection using tools like the Year in Review framework

• Impact: Breakthrough insights that help leaders work smarter, not harder

Quotable Ruckus "Strategy answers three fundamental questions: Where are we now? Where do we aspire to go? And how can we credibly get there?" – Danny Bauer

Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here:

1. Tomorrow: Download the Do School Different Scorecard and honestly assess your current reality

2. This Month: Create your school's Staff Success Scorecard with your leadership team

3. This Semester: Implement the RISE Method to transform your strategic planning

Connect & Continue

• 🎯 Get the Principal Checklist: betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist

• 🔗 Subscribe to the newsletter: ruckusmakers.news

• 💪 Join the Ruckus Maker Movement: https://ruckusmakers.club/join

Do you Subscribe to the Ruckus Maker Newsletter? Do School Different 3x a Week. Join for FREE here.

Today's RUCKUScast in Partnership with: Quest Food Management Services: Creating joyful learning environments starts in the cafeteria. Quest brings 40 years of expertise in crafting scratch-made meals that nurture both body and community spirit through innovative student engagement programs. 🔍 Learn more: www.questfms.com

IXL: Meet your students where they are and take them where they need to go. Join over 1 million teachers who trust IXL to drive data-informed excellence in their classrooms. 🔍 Learn more: IXL.com/leaders

Twelve Practices LLC © 2025 | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?

Quick take: From humble beginnings in Greenfield to becoming an award-winning superintendent, Dr. Galván shares powerful insights on leading with empathy, building authentic relationships, and preparing students for an AI-driven future.

Dr. Zandra Jo Galván serves as Superintendent of Salinas UHSD, is CALSA Immediate Past President (California Assoc Latinx Sups & Admin), was named ALAS National Superintendent of the Year 2023-2024, and recognized as a Top 100 National Influencer for District Administration 2024.

In this episode, Dr. Galván challenges traditional education paradigms:

Key Insight #1: Authentic Leadership Transforms School Culture

• What's broken: Traditional hierarchical leadership creating barriers between administrators and staff

• The shift: Leading with vulnerability, genuine presence, and intentional relationship-building

• Impact: Staff feel valued, seen, and supported, leading to stronger engagement and better student outcomes

Key Insight #2: Wellness Must Be Systemic

• What's broken: Stigma around self-care and mental health in education

• The shift: Implementing district-wide wellness initiatives including mental health days, beach cruiser bikes, and blender bikes

• Impact: Created a culture where taking care of oneself is celebrated and supported

Key Insight #3: Future-Ready Education Requires Innovation

• What's broken: Preparing students for jobs that won't exist

• The shift: Embracing AI, creating innovative pathways, and focusing on future skills

• Impact: Students develop entrepreneurial mindsets and are better prepared for emerging careers

"I'm a very authentic person and vulnerable, and I'm okay with that. And a title is not going to change who I am for the virtue of position." – Dr. Zandra Jo Galván

Ready to implement these ideas? Start here:

1. Tomorrow: Start your day in classrooms, connecting with students and teachers

2. This Month: Implement one wellness initiative for your staff

3. This Semester: Identify future-ready skills and begin planning innovative pathways

• 🎯 Get the full episode transcript: [Link]

• 🔗 Follow Zandra on LinkedIn

• 💪 Join the Ruckus Maker Movement: https://ruckusmakers.club/join

Do School Different 3x a Week. Join for FREE here.

Quest Food Management Services: Creating joyful learning environments starts in the cafeteria. Quest brings 40 years of expertise in crafting scratch-made meals that nurture both body and community spirit through innovative student engagement programs. 🔍 Learn more: www.questfms.com

IXL: Meet your students where they are and take them where they need to go. Join over 1 million teachers who trust IXL to drive data-informed excellence in their classrooms. 🔍 Learn more: IXL.com/leaders

Twelve Practices LLC © 2024| If Education Ain’t a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?

Quick take: Discover how a veteran superintendent transforms traditional power structures into collaborative leadership, proving that giving away authority actually strengthens your impact as a leader.

Dr. Tricia Mooney brings 30 years of educational experience to her role as Superintendent of Hermiston School District. A relentless advocate for student achievement, she's dedicated to creating multiple education pathways for students both in the classroom and beyond graduation.

In this episode, Dr. Mooney challenges traditional education paradigms:

Key Insight #1: Reimagining Positional Power

• What's broken: Traditional hierarchy where titles create barriers and centralize decision-making

• The shift: Intentionally giving away power and maintaining approachability ("I'm still just Tricia")

• Impact: Created a more collaborative culture where team members feel empowered to innovate and take ownership

Key Insight #2: Trust-Based Leadership

• What's broken: Micromanagement and the superintendent's need to "know everything"

• The shift: Building strong teams and trusting specialists to lead in their areas of expertise

• Impact: Developed a system that runs smoothly even in leader's absence, with increased innovation and specialized excellence

Key Insight #3: Strategic Resource Allocation

• What's broken: Prioritizing budgets over community needs

• The shift: "We budget our priorities, we don't prioritize our budget"

• Impact: Successful implementation of innovative programs like the Think Big Space and comprehensive summer programs serving the community's unique needs

"Your job is to develop another leader. If a sniper takes me out tomorrow, what's going to happen? The system should run so well that you don't notice whether or not I'm here." – Dr. Tricia Mooney

Ready to implement these ideas? Start here:

1. Tomorrow: Identify one decision you can delegate to empower your team

2. This Month: Map out your team's strengths and begin aligning roles with natural abilities rather than traditional expectations

3. This Semester: Launch one innovative partnership program, starting small and building based on community needs

• 🎯 Get the full episode transcript: Link

• 🔗 Follow Dr. Mooney: LinkedIn | Email: tricia.mooney@hermistonsd.org

• 💪 Join the Ruckus Maker Movement: https://ruckusmakers.club/join

Learn how to Do School Different 3x a Week. Join for FREE here. ruckusmakers.news/subscribe

Quest Food Management Services: Creating joyful learning environments starts in the cafeteria. Quest brings 40 years of expertise in crafting scratch-made meals that nurture both body and community spirit through innovative student engagement programs. 🔍 Learn more: www.questfms.com

IXL: Meet your students where they are and take them where they need to go. Join over 1 million teachers who trust IXL to drive data-informed excellence in their classrooms. 🔍 Learn more: IXL.com/leaders

Twelve Practices LLC © 2024 | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?