Episodes

Jerry Jones

From "Don't let data be your Bible verse," disharmony bringing peace, and how trees can help us make decisions, in this episode, Brian and Kasey run through a list of thoughts that have been on their minds but not thought completely through. They're half-baked. Let us know which one piqued your interest! Show Sponsors: Schurtz and Ties is sponsored by PeerDrivenPD, a teacher training platform that brings "candid conversations from some of the best classroom educators in the country." You can ...

Are educators consumed by the abyss of seriousness? Is fear winning? It certainly seems so. In this episode, Brian and Kasey wrestle with why it seems education is struggling to find joy, teach with confidence, and see beyond failure. They also focus on what education is doing well and the things that get educators excited about this unique profession. Quotes: - "He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gaze...

Parent involvement has the greatest impact on the success of a student and school community. Yet, very little time is spent discussing, wrestling with, and learning how best to engage parents and close the relationship gap. In this episode, Kasey and Brian get honest about why parents and schools struggle to understand each other, and what we - schools and parents - can do about it. The solution isn't hard. But it isn't easy either. "Why? Because anyone who has ever done anything worth a damn,...

Education failed to prepare students for the Internet. With AI, we can't make the same mistake. In this episode, Brian and Kasey discuss ways in which educators can safely and holistically incorporate AI, which includes diving deeper into humanity. Plans that include: - Inviting local experts - Build career pathways with AI - Create a group of dedicated educators who will help develop guiding principles (political, social, economic, and emotional impact) Show Sponsors: Schurtz and Ties is s...

To celebrate 50 episodes, we check in and acknowledge the high and lows of the school year, reflect on what we've learned, and try our best to sound smarter than we are. Educational sayings that don't exist, but could: If you only top off your coffee with creamer, eventually all you have is a cup of creamer and no coffee. Even God needed a New Testament You can’t find a light switch in the dark without banging your shin. Time also puts out fires You can’t teeter totter alone. Even idiots ...

Should schools be systems-based or people-based? Can it be both? Based on the profound insight of William Denning, Kasey and Brian wrestle with the limitations and opportunities of systems in education. Do we manage failure or investigate its causes? Are our systems failing or our people struggling? Whose seat is missing at the table? Do numbers really matter? Let us know what you think! We're curious to hear your thoughts (schurtzandties@gmail.com) References: - Dr. W. Edwards Deming: Sy...

“People without dirty hands are wrong. Doing something makes you right.” In this episode, Brian and Kasey dive into the fears and realities of diving into the lives of the people around us, they acknowledge the difficulties and fears of doing so, and wrestle with real solutions that provide us with real outcomes. "Find the beauty in others. If all you see is the ugly, you're not looking close enough." References: - Farsighted by Steven Johnson - Paul Laurance Dunbar - Trea Turner story Why we...

Are we truly done, or merely exhausted? Are we ready to throw it away, or simply fearful of getting our hands dirty? In this episode, Brian and Kasey wrestle with what it truly means to be done with systems, processes, even people. References: The Cult of Done. Show Sponsors: Schurtz and Ties is sponsored by PeerDrivenPD, a teacher training platform that brings "candid conversations from some of the best classroom educators in the country." You can "get your training directly from the teache...

Mr. Moore has served in the education world for over 40 years as a teacher, principal , and superintendent. In this episode, he reflects on his time, this profession, and the foundational purpose of education. Thank you, Mr Moore, for your years of dedication, and for sharing your journey and wisdom with us. Show Sponsors: Schurtz and Ties is sponsored by PeerDrivenPD, a teacher training platform that brings "candid conversations from some of the best classroom educators in the country." You ...

As educators, we often feel isolated. Sometimes its because we feel less then others and are fearful we will be discovered as a fraud. Other times, we feel isolated because we are successful and we are afraid the spotlight will only isolate us more. Both are unfair. Both are destructive. In this episode, Brian and Kasey talk about the pitfalls of comparisons, the manifestations of its destructive nature, and how best to overcome and confidently lean into who we are as people, and as educators. ...

Are schools broken? Or do they simply need some change? In this episode, Kasey and Brian discuss the current condition of schools, what the future of schools could look like, and how we can cause a ruckus right now. Show Sponsors: Schurtz and Ties is sponsored by PeerDrivenPD, a teacher training platform that brings "candid conversations from some of the best classroom educators in the country." You can "get your training directly from the teachers in the trenches as current classroom teachers...

"Ideas are great but not the greatest." In this episode, Danny Bauer explains why Ruckus Makers have a bias for action and a passion for change. And they do so by telling stories. Mr. Danny Bauer is a principal development & retention expert, 2x best selling author, host of two of the world's most downloaded podcasts, and Chief Ruckus Maker. He founded Better Leaders Better Schools in 2015. Ruckus Makers play the infinite game by: Challenging the status quo Designing the future of schools r...

Are safe spaces coddling the young mind? Are brave spaces empowering the fringe? And is there a healthy marriage of the two? In this episode, Brian and Kasey wrestle through the history of safe spaces, discuss its flaws, and consider a better, braver, and more appropriate way to raise up the current and future generations. References: - The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure - Moving from Safe Classrooms to Brave Classrooms S...

Graduate of Georgetown and the University of Colorado, President and founder of the Frederick Mountain Group, and a wilderness guide for seven years, Jennifer Ford brings the good and powerful word! Speaking truth into public school marketing strategies and how best to engage in difficult conversations with passionate or politically charged parents, Jenn Ford breaks down how public educators can push through difficult times. Kasey and Brian also consider alternative podcast partners. Show Spon...

Education is an exhausting profession. It is a service profession. And if we're not careful, it can get the best of us and steal our ability to give our best. In this episode, Kasey and Brian talk about how we can stay healthy, be mindful, and "sharpen our ax." What dulls the ax? Physical Exhaustion Emotional Suppression Social Demands Mental Performance How can we sharpen the ax? Physical - Shut down the things that stimulate you (phones, grading, planning) - Go for a walk, find a worko...

Being a member of a community, a tribe, is a basic human need. In this episode, Brian and Kasey discuss how to build a culture of belonging by emphasizing the key components of healthy community, namely: acknowledging the unique selves, providing an opportunity to serve, and emphasizing the importance of now. References: Building Belonging with Superintendent Kristi Dominguez, Outliars in Education Podcast Beyond Diversity: How Firms Are Cultivating a Sense of Belonging, Wharton "When you sh...

How we start the year will set the tone for the year. In this episode, Brian and Kasey share some of their strategies for starting the year of strong with intentionality and authenticity. Light up the room: Be optimistic, lean into who you are, and shape the narrative. Make the intangible, tangible: Help staff and students remember Why we are here and what we're about. Make people feel at home: Give voice, give food. Wrestle with the question, "How are we going to resolve conflict?" Provide ...

Welcome back! Hopefully you have found ways to disconnect and recharge for the coming year. We also hope (and anticipate) that you are getting excited for the coming year! In this episode, Kasey and Brian share what they are "hankerin' for" this coming year. From eliminating "friction points," working on student behaviors, to engaging in the Six Working Geniuses, we are ready for our students to enter the building! Reach out and let us know what you are excited to try this year! We'd love to h...

From Mr. Feeny to Mr. Holland and Mrs Johnson, Kasey and Brian discuss a variety of fictional (and nonfictional) teachers who have inspired them to be better teachers, educators, and people. Let us know who we missed and what you think of our list! Teachers Mentioned: Mr. Feeny (Boy Meets World) Mr Rogers (The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers) Mr Keeting (Dead Poets Society) Mr Holland (Mr Holland's Opus) Mrs Johnson (Dangerous Minds) Atticus Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird) ...

Continuing our summer theme of lighter and quicker topics, in this episode, Brian and Kasey cover a range of "under cooked topics" from an update on ChatGPT, should public education be free?, whether teachers be held accountable for posting grievances on TikTok, and more. Episodes Referenced: Ep. 15: ChatGPT is going to disrupt education. Here's how we can (and should) embrace it. Ep 31: Education is a Wicked Problem, which means it is impossible to solve. We tried anyway. References: The Psyc...

As educators, summer is an important time for us to refresh, renew, and regroup. This summer playlist can help! Whether you're on a road trip, hanging out by the pool, or enjoying an evening with family and friends, check out these songs and allow them to inspire your summer, relax your mind, and renew your spirit. Happy Summer! Enjoy. And happy birthday to Kasey! He turns 45 today. Songs: I Love It, by Icona Pop Vices, by Sarah and the Sundays Sunroof, by Nicky Youre and Daisy Step Out, ...

It's okay to give up on systems - even healthy. It's never okay to give up on people - keep knocking! In this episode, Brian and Kasey discuss the complexity of being persistent, why it matters, and how it plays out in difficult situations. Sadly, Kasey doesn't have an acronym. What Persistence Looks Like: - Be visible and available - Be friendly - it can't always feel like you need something - Engage in the work with them - Know what's worth being persistent for - avoid fads! Things Wort...

*Warning, there are curse words that are unbleeped in this episode Remove ants and bees from the planet and the whole system will collapse. Remove humans and the world improves. Why is that? And how does it relate to leadership? In this episode, Brian and Kasey work through the unique difficulties of educational leadershi* and why - at times - it is the most difficult form of leadership. From frustrated parents, unengaged students, combative staff members, and all the pressures of a demanding ...