On The Way To School

Dr. Chris Dennis shares a morning anecdote about reconnecting with a former student and a mentor's advice: "Between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., your ideas belong to your employer—after 7 p.m., they're yours."The episode encourages educators to protect their private time, pursue personal goals, and be accountable to their own timelines instead of letting work hours consume creative energy.

Dr. Chris Dennis reflects on end-of-year school traditions and the bittersweet milestones of graduation, then explores the dual nature of leadership—public applause and private loneliness.He urges educators to lean on professional networks, affinity groups, and associations for support, and encourages listeners to update memberships, volunteer, or lead so they can both receive and give guidance during challenging times.

Host Dr. Chris Dennis drops a short, uplifting message from inside the school day, encouraging educators to trust the systems they’ve put in place and to find moments of joy amid end-of-year stress.With a live backdrop of students rehearsing and practical reminders to have hard conversations and prepare, this episode offers a calm, reassuring boost to finish the day strong.

Dr. Chris Dennis reflects on recovering from an accreditation visit and offers concise leadership advice for closing the school year and preparing for the next one. He discusses scheduling, staffing, summer prep, and keeping work aligned with your school's mission.He urges leaders to check in with staff, value differing perspectives that may challenge the status quo, and pay attention to small signals—the "constellations"—so you can make timely adjustments rather than major course corrections.

Dr. Chris Dennis encourages educators to stay focused as the school year reaches its midpoint: resist distractions, avoid negative narratives, and remember the intentions you set in December.Take time to rest, review your plans, course-correct if needed, and re-engage with renewed energy—there's still plenty of 2026 left to finish strong.

Hello, and welcome to another episode of On the Way to School. In this episode, Dr. Chris Dennis demystifies school board governance — explaining the board’s fiduciary role, strategic responsibilities, and how educators can engage with or even serve on boards — while emphasizing discretion and the importance of healthy board-school relationships.
He also celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week, honoring both veteran and early-career teachers, encouraging educators to stay in the classroom, and closes with a relaxed personal sign-off.

Dr. Chris Dennis discusses the importance of treating your professional growth like a school accreditation: perform a self-study, measure your leadership against your organizations mission, and seek feedback to improve.He also encourages educators to volunteer for accreditation visiting teams as a hands-on way to learn about their institutions and advance their careers.

Good morning, and welcome to another episode of On the Way to School. Host Dr. Chris Dennis celebrates College Tuition Deposit Day, shares excitement about visiting his alma mater after 25 years to speak with students, and reflects on personal stories, from being a teenage parent to playing college football, to inspire young people. He also marks the podcast's 200th episode and thanks listeners for their support.

Episode 200!  Dr. Dennis celebrates a personal family milestone, reflects on end-of-year school rhythms, and then focuses on the importance of authentic recognition and rewards for faculty.
Using survey findings and classroom visit anecdotes, he emphasizes low-cost, meaningful practices—sincere thank-yous, supervisor acknowledgment, and intentional presence—and urges schools to include recognition in strategic planning and budgets.

On The Way To School host Dr. Chris Dennis breaks down how to approach raises and promotions, especially for educators navigating step scales and limited negotiation windows.Learn what percentage counts as a good raise, how to identify the exact number you want, use industry comparables, and weigh whether a job change is worth the disruption.