This special “50-in-50” panel was recorded live at the Innovative Schools Summit in Las Vegas (2025) and moderated by Kevin Stewart from the Innovative Schools Summit team.👥 Featured SpeakersErnesto Mejia – CoolSpeak family member and motivational educatorCharles Williams – CPS administrator & founder of C.W. ConsultingJobi Lawrence – Director of Product Development & Strategic Partnerships, UCLA CrestConnie Hamilton – Author, consultant, and former teacher, principal, and curriculum directorTracie Berry-McGhee – Founder of the I Define Me Movement, focusing on girl empowerment🧠 Key Takeaways✔️ “At-risk” is a label, not a destiny—reframe it as “promise scholars” or “students of potential.”✔️ Connection precedes instruction. Build authentic relationships before focusing on academics.✔️ Engagement thrives when students have voice, choice, and purpose in their learning.✔️ Real-world relevance, creativity, and emotional safety are essential for classroom belonging.✔️ Family and community partnerships are critical for sustained student success.💬 Memorable Quotes from the Episode🗣️“No one rises to low expectations.”🗣️“Stop calling them at-risk unless they introduce themselves that way.”🗣️“Use your story as a mirror, not a spotlight.”🗣️“Our students can’t be what they can’t see—create experiences, not just field trips.”🗣️“Normalize under-committing. Students don’t have to be 100% sure to participate.”🗣️“If you want to engage your classroom, read the room’s energy first.”🗣️“Don’t teach at students—let them teach you what they love.”🎯 50 Strategies to Engage At-Risk Students00:00 - Intro02:11 - Stop calling them “at-risk”02:45 - Shadow their futureselves03:23 - The Two-by-Ten Strategy04:16 - Hire your students as consultants04:43 - Lyric Therapy05:05 - Create a Fix-It File05:40 - Silent Graffiti Wall06:24 - Hyper-Local Real World Problem Labs07:09 - Use your story as a mirror, not a spotlight07:57 - Ask-Me-Anything Box08:44 - Home Visits & Phone-a-Family Fridays09:35 - Backstage Passes10:30 - Create a No-Judgment Zone10:55 - Create a Game Lab11:28 - Real-Talk Exit Tickets11:57 - Relevance Challenge12:33 - Stop asking “What do you want to be?”13:14 - Change Field Trips into Experiences14:02 - Podcast Their Passion14:44 - Pre-Teaching instead of Re-Teaching15:38 - Week of Mindfulness16:44 - Normalize Under-Committing17:45 - Create-a-Class Challenge18:47 - Choose-Your-Own Detention (or Consequence)19:45 - Teacher Trading Cards & Life-Skills Challenges20:33 - Replace Homework with Home Impact21:20 - Give-Back Projects22:28 - Tattoo Summary23:10 - Paint What You Can’t Say Day23:39 - Gamify a Worksheet24:25 - Vision Boards / Future-Me Fridays25:29 - Build a Personal Brand Portfolio26:12 - Read the Classroom’s Energy27:35 - Let Students Teach You28:30 - Time-Capsule Letters29:29 - Encouragement & Celebration Envelopes30:29 - Prescriptions for the Soul31:03 - Low-Stakes Quizzes31:59 - Whisper Help Desk32:58 - Enroll the Family34:00 - Discover Intrinsic Motivation (The “Three Whys”)35:10 - AI Mentorship36:06 - Shadow a Student37:18 - Kick the “I Don’t Know” Bucket38:34 - Dear Little Sister / Dear Little Brother Letters39:28 - Celebrate Questions, Don’t Shame Them40:27 - Level Up Academic Language41:34 - Redefine “At-Risk”42:21 - Don’t Assume Family Dynamics43:34 Outro / Innovative Schools Summit📚 Resources and Links🔗 Learn more about the Innovative Schools Summit at www.innovativeschoolssummit.com❤️ Love This Episode?✅ Share it with a fellow educator!⭐ Rate & Review to help more teachers find this show💬 Join the Conversation on social media or in your next staff meeting!💡 Innovative Schools Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/innovativeschoolspodcast/💡Listen on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovative-schools-podcast/id1502414943💡Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Lbw553jnDXuG08IZ43Kb5💡Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@innovativeschoolspodcast

In this episode of the Innovative Schools Podcast, Jordan and Will sit down with Principal Baruti Kafele—educator, author of 14 books, and national education leader—to discuss the journey from classroom teacher to principal to renowned speaker. With over 35 years in education and more than 3,000 presentations, Principal Kafele shares his philosophy of self-reflection, attitude, and leadership. From starting as a fifth-grade teacher in Brooklyn to transforming schools as a principal to launching the AP & New Principals Academy, he emphasizes being "comfortable with being uncomfortable" as the foundation of growth.🔑 Key Takeaways✔️ Attitude before achievement: Changing student and staff mindsets creates conditions where achievement follows naturally.✔️ Leadership is visible everywhere: The culture, cleanliness, energy, and interactions in a school all reflect its leadership.✔️ Self-reflection is non-negotiable: Educators must analyze their own "game film" daily to improve incrementally.✔️ Instructional leadership matters most: Principals can’t hide behind paperwork—coaching teachers is the core of school leadership.✔️ Never stop growing: Comfort halts progress; discomfort sparks innovation and impact.✔️ Legacy of influence: Great leaders create schools where students and teachers believe in themselves and each other.💬 Memorable Quotes🗣️ "If I can change the attitude, the achievement will take care of itself."🗣️ "Leadership is everything that happens in a school—even the graffiti in the bathroom."🗣️ "Be comfortable with being uncomfortable, and uncomfortable with being comfortable."🗣️ "Your leadership is the number one determinant of the success or failure of your school."🗣️ "When I visit a school, I want to see the leadership without seeing the leader."🗣️ "Bring your best self every time—you never know when your opportunity will knock."🧠 Strategies You’ll LearnThe Mirror MethodDaily self-reflection: What went well? What didn’t?Brutal honesty in self-assessment.Write goals and adjustments for tomorrow.Preserve longevity through intentional self-care.Closing the Attitude GapDefine it for students: will to achieve vs. lack of will.Define it for staff: educators striving to be excellent vs. those who don’t.Shift attitudes first—achievement will follow.Instructional Leadership in ActionBe in classrooms consistently, not just during evaluations.Coach teachers like athletes are coached—daily, consistently, relentlessly.Remember: observation ≠ coaching.Building Visible LeadershipGreet every student at the door.Launch each day with a morning message.Ensure custodial, front office, and culture details align with high expectations.Creating Discomfort for GrowthPush beyond familiar routines.Model vulnerability and willingness to stretch.Encourage staff to embrace challenges and risk-taking.👁️‍🗨️Additional PracticesDaily Journaling: Write reflections and goals tied to your mirror practice.Principal Walkthroughs: Roam the building intentionally, noticing culture cues.Staff Buy-In: Anchor staff meetings around attitude, self-reflection, and growth.Mentorship for Leaders: Participate in or create accountability partnerships for principals and APs.Community Connection: Anchor school culture in authentic relationships with students and families.Leadership Mindset: Remember—leadership is not a title, it’s a mindset shown in every detail of a school.📚 Resources and Links🔗 Principal Baruti Kafele’s website: https://principalkafele.com/🔗 AP & New Principals Academy: https://www.youtube.com/c/VirtualAPLeadershipAcademy🔗 Principal Baruti Kafele Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/principalkafele/?hl=en❤️ Love This Episode?✅ Share it with a fellow educator!⭐ Rate & Review to help more teachers find this show💬 Join the Conversation on social media or in your next staff meeting!💡 Innovative Schools Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/innovativeschoolspodcast/💡Listen on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovative-schools-podcast/id1502414943💡Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Lbw553jnDXuG08IZ43Kb5💡Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@innovativeschoolspodcast

Instructional coach, author, and PD presenter Katie Kinder joins Will and Liz to unpack the phrase “digital heroin”—how excessive screen time can dysregulate kids, erode attention, and crowd out real-world learning. Katie argues for balance: leverage powerful tools like AI with clear boundaries, then deliberately pivot to paper-and-pen, dialogue, and play. She shares classroom moves and home routines that rebuild focus, language, and social skills.🔑 Key Takeaways✔️ Balance over ban: Tech and AI are valuable when used with intent, not as default entertainment or digital worksheets.✔️ Explain the “why”: Students comply more when they understand how devices affect learning and why boundaries exist.✔️ Paper boosts retention: Handwriting notes/assignments tends to support long-term memory better than typing on devices.✔️ Teach talk, not just tasks: Structured dialogue (e.g., Socratic seminar) grows executive function, empathy, and academic language.✔️ Start early at home: Simple routines—like three tech-free family meals per week—can meaningfully support developing brains.✔️ Model digital citizenship: Have students compare sources, spot bias, and understand online permanence/consequences.✔️ Support “baby teachers”: New educators need concrete procedures and engaging plans to avoid relying on screens.💬 Memorable Quotes🗣️ “Our kids are growing up in a digital playground—and no one’s on recess duty.”🗣️ “Putting a worksheet on an iPad isn’t innovative—it’s still a worksheet.”🗣️ “If you’re getting dumber in my presence, how could I sleep at night?”🗣️ “Teach kids to say, ‘I respectfully disagree—and here’s why.’”🗣️ “We’re not anti-tech—we’re pro-intentionality.”🧠 Strategies You’ll LearnBoundaries with a WhyBegin the year by annotating short, age-appropriate articles on attention, screens, and learning.Post a one-pager: “Phones away because…” (attention, memory, community).Socratic Seminar, ScaffoldedPrework: students draft level-3/4 questions.In-room norms: “I respectfully disagree…,” “I insist that you go first.”Participation target: each student contributes 3 times; the teacher tracks with a simple checklist.Speed Discussions (3-minute rounds)Pairs rotate; handshakes, eye contact, and academic stems are required.Gradually lengthen time and complexity.Paper-First for Core ThinkingNotes, outlines, and draft writing by hand; devices for research, drafting, and collaboration afterward.Purposeful AI UseTeacher prep: Use tools (e.g., Slides add-ons, quiz generators) to save time.Student use: brainstorm, outline, and compare AI outputs—then verify sources and revise.Hands-On AlternativesMath on sidewalk chalk, physical puzzles in primary grades, gallery walks, manipulatives, and making.Phone-Free RoutinesClear signals (e.g., “bell-to-bell phone park”), visible storage, and consistent follow-through.👁️‍🗨️ Additional PracticesConversation Starters Jar (home or advisory): quick prompts to build language and reflection during tech-free meals or circles.Bias Detective mini-lesson: bring two short articles with opposite claims; have students investigate author, funding, and intent.Online Footprint Case Studies: analyze real examples of posts that resurfaced and discuss “future-proof” posting habits.Detox Moments: plan micro-breaks—2–3 minutes of movement, breathing, or peer talk between device tasks.Parent Communication: share a one-page guide: “3 Family Habits to Balance Tech This Month” (meals, bedtime charging station, weekend outdoor challenge).Staff PD Sprint: 30-minute share-out of one AI tool that saved planning time + one low-tech engagement move that same week.📚 Resources and Links🔗 Katie Kinder Website: https://katie-kinder.com/🔗 Katie Kinder Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/untoldteachingtruths/?hl=en❤️ Love This Episode?✅ Share it with a fellow educator!⭐ Rate & Review to help more teachers find this show💬 Join the Conversation on social media or in your next staff meeting!💡 Innovative Schools Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/innovativeschoolspodcast/💡 Listen on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovative-schools-podcast/id1502414943💡 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Lbw553jnDXuG08IZ43Kb5💡 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@innovativeschoolspodcast

Hosts Will and Jordan talk with Ernesto Mejia (CoolSpeak) about moving from family involvement to true engagement. Ernesto shares why relationships—not just meetings—unlock student success, how to remove barriers for busy or multilingual families, and practical, low-cost ways schools can make engagement fun, inclusive and sustainable across all grade levels.🔑 Key Takeaways✔️ Involvement ≠ Engagement: Attendance is not the goal—relationship-building is.✔️ Lead with positives: Routine positive phone calls build trust for tougher conversations later.✔️ Meet families where they are: Consider work schedules, language, tech comfort, and transportation.✔️ If it could be an email, it’s not engagement: Use meetings for interaction, not one-way info dumps.✔️ The “Golden Triangle”: Students + caregivers + school staff working together multiplies impact.✔️ Hybrid wins: Pair short videos/virtual touchpoints with purposeful in-person experiences.✔️ Talk like humans: Replace acronyms with needs-based titles (e.g., “How to Pay for College” vs. “FAFSA Night”).✔️ Iterate boldly: Try, learn, and improve—stop doing the same meeting and expecting new results.💬 Memorable Quotes🗣️“If it could have been an email, it’s not family engagement.”🗣️“Don’t ask of families without giving first.”🗣️“Once we become professionals at failing, we’ll become excellent at succeeding.”🗣️“The Golden Triangle—students, families, and schools—raises the odds of success.”🧠 Strategies You’ll LearnDesign for engagement: Turn info into activities (e.g., app sign-up stations, bingo cards that require conversations, quick wins families complete on-site).Make it positive & predictable: Schedule “good news” calls/texts every 4–8 weeks per student.Reframe events: Rename with outcomes families actually want (“Paying for College,” “Launch Your Trade Career,” “Math Night: Parent–Student Challenges”).Use hybrid formats: 2–3 minute explainer videos or student-made TikToks/podcasts for info; in-person for relationship building.Activate internal talent: Students as media teams; staff who excel at MC’ing, Canva, or social lead segments.Culturally responsive touches: Bilingual messaging, name pronunciation, student/family voice at the mic.👁️‍🗨️ Additional PracticesFamily History Quiz: Send home 5–7 prompts (e.g., “What were you like at my age?”) to deepen connection and surface college/career insights.Golden Triangle Nights: Plan events that include students, caregivers, and multiple school roles (e.g., bonfire/info night, club fair + mini-workshops).Earned Incentives (no extra budget): Priority access to giveaways (backpacks, supplies) for families who volunteer or attend 2–3 events.Two-Solutions Rule: When a barrier arises (“Families aren’t coming”), require two tested solutions before the next meeting.Show Up First: Short personalized video/text to caregivers (or quick sideline/church/park hello) before asking them to come to you.Rename & Clarify: Ban unexplained acronyms on flyers; add “What you’ll get” bullets to every invite.Short, Shareable Media: Weekly 60–120 sec student-hosted update or 10-minute podcast for caregivers’ commutes.Positive Mail Drop: Occasional postcard home celebrating a specific behavior or contribution.On-Ramp Stations: At events, set up guided stations (log into the app, send a test message, complete one career/FAFSA step).Feedback that Works: Replace broad surveys with 3-question, QR-based pulse checks at the door and exit.📚 Resources and Links🔗 CoolSpeak: https://coolspeak.com/youth-motivational-speakers/ernesto-mejia/🔗 Ernesto Mejia’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ernmejia/?hl=en🔗 Check out Ernesto at the next Innovative Schools Summit: https://innovativeschoolssummit.com/san-antonio❤️ Love This Episode?✅ Share it with a fellow educator!⭐ Rate & Review to help more teachers find this show💬 Join the Conversation on social media or in your next staff meeting!💡 Innovative Schools Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/innovativeschoolspodcast/💡 Listen on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovative-schools-podcast/id1502414943💡 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Lbw553jnDXuG08IZ43Kb5💡 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@innovativeschoolspodcast

In this episode of the Innovative Schools Podcast, Jordan and Liz sit down with Dr. Tracey Severns to explore the power of joy, humor, and high expectations in education. Broadcasting from Las Vegas at the Innovative Schools Summit, the conversation blends heartfelt storytelling with practical strategies—unpacking how laughter, connection, and the Warm Demander approach can transform classrooms and leadership spaces alike.🔑 Key Takeaways✔️ Joy is Essential, Not Optional: Joy and humor help create memorable learning moments and build stronger relationships.✔️ Warm Demander Pedagogy: High expectations combined with genuine care help students rise to their full potential.✔️ The Power of Perspective: Shifting from a witch hunt to a treasure hunt mentality fosters positivity and resilience.✔️ Productive Struggle Matters: Students need room to fail, persevere, and celebrate real accomplishments.✔️ Use Humor Wisely: Humor should build up, never tear down—keep it inclusive and appropriate for the audience.💬 Memorable Quotes🗣️ “Every day you leave a mark. Is it a scar or a smile?”🗣️ “Joy is essential, not optional.”🗣️ “We can do serious work without taking ourselves so seriously.”🗣️ “High expectations are the greatest compliment you can give anyone.” 🗣️ “Every day, you decide whether to go on a witch hunt or a treasure hunt.”🧠 Strategies You’ll LearnWarm Demander in Action: How to combine caring relationships with academic rigor.Bringing Humor Into Lessons: From student greeters to fun assessments, discover simple ways to add joy.Handling Struggling Students: Using inquiry and encouragement to keep expectations high while offering support.Shaping School Narratives: Encouraging staff to share success stories to cultivate a positive culture.Balancing Humor & Sensitivity: Understanding humor boundaries to keep classrooms safe and welcoming.👁️‍🗨️ Additional PracticesStart with a Smile: Research shows smiling boosts mood for both teachers and students.Assign a “Greeter” Role: Let students start class with positivity and warmth.Celebrate Breakthroughs: Recognize progress, not just outcomes, to build confidence and perseverance.Lead with Laughter in Meetings: Encourage faculty to share positive or funny moments before diving into business.Model Resilience: Show students that productive struggle leads to growth and pride.📚 Resources and Links🔗 Check out Dr. Tracey Severns’ Book: https://www.amazon.com/Mistakes-Missteps-Missed-Opportunities-Severns/dp/1598502808🔗 Audio Version: https://www.audible.com/pd/Mistakes-Missteps-Missed-Opportunities-Audiobook/B0FHBK7WVD?qid=1756478962&sr=1-1&ref_pageloadid=not_applicable&pf_rd_p=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf_rd_r=M0PH8XC9NTE53575YJA8&plink=ZGZ0TrM2AwlmHlAy&pageLoadId=gYe3sGWNAVGuxQoP&creativeId=0d6f6720-f41c-457e-a42b-8c8dceb62f2c&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1❤️ Love This Episode?✅ Share it with a fellow educator!⭐ Rate & Review to help more teachers find this show💬 Join the Conversation on social media or in your next staff meeting!💡 Innovative Schools Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/innovativeschoolspodcast/💡Listen on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovative-schools-podcast/id1502414943💡Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Lbw553jnDXuG08IZ43Kb5💡Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@innovativeschoolspodcast