On The Way To School

Welcome to "On The Way To School!" In this special Thanksgiving break episode, we explore the concept of decisiveness in leadership, featuring a new video setup for a richer experience. Join me as we dive into the challenges and strategies for making impactful decisions.
Discover the pivotal role of a leader's decision-making process and why being decisive is essential. We'll discuss the importance of thorough preparation, understanding team dynamics, and integrating feedback to make informed choices. Uncover leadership's emotional and mental toll and why patience and understanding are vital for leaders and their teams.
Whether you're a long-time listener or tuning in for the first time, we hope you find this exploration of decisive leadership engaging and thought-provoking. Enjoy the journey as we aim to refine our approach and create meaningful content for you!

Welcome to "On The Way To School," your six-minute daily boost for educators and administrators with Christopher S. Dennis. As we approach Thanksgiving, Christopher shares a light-hearted discussion on how long Thanksgiving leftovers should last and their unique shelf life compared to regular meals.
In this episode, Christopher emphasizes clearing your workspace before the holiday break. He encourages educators to tidy their desks, discard old Post-it notes, and ensure a fresh start upon returning. This simple act is likened to returning home to a clean space after a vacation, which can significantly reduce stress and enhance productivity.
Christopher wraps up by expressing gratitude to his listeners and reflecting on the podcasting journey. He wishes everyone a fantastic Thanksgiving break and looks forward to reconnecting after the holiday.

Welcome to the Thursday edition of "On The Way To School" with Christopher S. Dennis, your daily boost for educators and administrators. As we approach the break, Christopher explores the often-overlooked topic of work travel for conferences, workshops, and training. He highlights the benefits of stepping out of the routine and the bubble of your school community to embrace learning opportunities elsewhere.
Christopher discusses some educators' anxieties when attending conferences, especially when traveling alone. He encourages those in management to offer these opportunities to a diverse group of staff members and suggests alternative professional development options for those unable to attend multi-day events.
Furthermore, Christopher addresses the importance of networking beyond familiar circles at conferences and the value of bringing new insights back to your school community. He reminds attendees to professionally represent themselves and their institutions, including monitoring consumption during work travel.
Join us as we explore how to enhance your professional journey through meaningful work travel experiences. Happy Thursday, and see you tomorrow on the way to school!

Welcome to the third episode of "On The Way To School," your daily six-minute boost for educators and administrators, hosted by Christopher S. Dennis. In this episode, Christopher delves into the intricate hiring process for executive and administrative roles within educational institutions.
Many educators contemplate their career paths and upcoming opportunities as the holiday season approaches. Christopher explores the search process, offering insights into the different hiring strategies, from in-house searches to working with placement agencies and retained search firms.
Join Christopher as he discusses the importance of having a structured interview process to ensure fairness and eliminate bias. He also highlights the collaborative aspect of forming a search committee, which brings diverse perspectives across the campus, fostering connections among colleagues.
Whether you're part of a hiring committee or meeting candidates, this episode sheds light on the crucial role you play in shaping the future leadership of your school. Tune in and be inspired to elevate your journey in education. Happy hump day!

Welcome to the Tuesday edition of "On The Way To School," your daily six-minute boost for educators and administrators. Join Christopher S. Dennis as he explores the timely topic of smartphone use in educational settings.
In this episode, Christopher discusses the ongoing debate about allowing smartphones in schools, sharing insights from his institution's approach. While student engagement data doesn't indicate negative impacts, the conversation shifts to a broader perspective on adult smartphone use.
Christopher delves into a study published by Frontiers in Public Health, examining the relationship between parental smartphone addiction and adolescent behaviors. The research highlights the need for self-reflection among parents and educators, encouraging them to model healthier tech habits.
As you head to school, consider your connection to technology and how it affects your life and the lives of the students you guide. Tune in tomorrow for more thought-provoking discussions.

Welcome to "On The Way To School," your six-minute daily boost for educators and administrators. Join Christopher S. Dennis as he shares insights and experiences from his recent visit to Astro Camp with fifth graders, highlighting the joys of connecting with students outside the classroom.
In today's episode, Christopher delves into the importance of self-care for educators. He discusses the challenges of constantly giving to students and colleagues without taking time to address personal needs. Drawing from a conversation with a professor, he emphasizes the necessity of self-coaching and finding ways to recharge and maintain balance.
Christopher offers practical advice on reflecting and reconnecting with past moments of personal growth to help manage current stressors. He encourages listeners to find ways to affirm and process their feelings through journaling, creating video notes, or simply taking time to reflect. Tune in for thoughtful guidance on nurturing your well-being amidst the demands of the educational journey.

Join Christopher S. Dennis on this Thursday edition of "On The Way To School" as he shares his morning indulgence at Jack-in-the-Box and prepares for an exciting day at AstroCamp with fifth graders. Reflecting on his childhood experiences, Christopher highlights the importance of such trips in broadening students' horizons and fostering community spirit.
In this episode, Christopher delves into the art of "reading the room" and adapting leadership styles to meet a group's dynamic needs. He illustrates how responsive leadership can lead to more effective and meaningful meetings through personal anecdotes. Whether it's adjusting the agenda to match the energy in the room or recognizing when to give back the gift of time, Christopher emphasizes the importance of flexibility and trust in leadership.
So grab your coffee and tune in for insights that can elevate your journey as an educator or administrator. See you tomorrow for another six-minute boost on the way to school!

Welcome to "On The Way To School," your six-minute daily boost for educators and administrators with Christopher S. Dennis. In today's episode, we delve into the challenges and emotional complexities of decision-making in the educational environment.
Christopher shares his experiences from a busy day visiting classrooms and engaging with students, emphasizing the importance of adapting and learning from each interaction. He reflects on the emotional weight that administrators carry when making impactful decisions, often without public recognition.
As we approach critical periods in the academic year, Christopher encourages educators and families to extend grace and understanding to those in leadership roles. He highlights the importance of self-care and support within the community to navigate these challenging times.
Join us for an insightful discussion on balancing empathy, fairness, and policy while acknowledging the human side of educational administration. Please tune in for more engaging content as we progress through the week.

Welcome to "On The Way To School," your daily six-minute boost for educators and administrators, hosted by Christopher S. Dennis. In today's episode, Christopher shares his experiences as an administrator navigating a busy Tuesday, from supporting transgender students to engaging in strategic planning.
Continuing the series on community cultural wealth, Christopher delves into navigational and resistant capital. He explores the skills needed to maneuver through institutions not designed for communities of color and the power of challenging inequity. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on which forms of capital they rely on most in their personal and professional lives.
Join Christopher as he provides valuable insights and frameworks from Tara Yosso's work to empower educators to create inclusive and equitable spaces. Enjoy your Tuesday, and take care on the way to school!

Join host Christopher S. Dennis on today's episode of On The Way To School, your daily six-minute motivational boost for educators and administrators. As we gear up for the end of the year, Christopher shares insights on the importance of intentional planning using a unique tool called the "big ass calendar." This tool helps visualize milestones and enhance productivity for an amazing year ahead.Continuing the exploration of community cultural wealth, the focus shifts to understanding familial and social capital. Discover how familial capital, which encompasses the skills and wisdom passed down through generations, serves as a powerful asset for navigating life's challenges. Christopher illustrates this concept with personal anecdotes, highlighting how these inherited skills can be leveraged in everyday situations.The episode also delves into social capital, the network of relationships and resources available within one's community. Learn how effectively utilizing social capital can open doors to new opportunities, especially for those from marginalized backgrounds. Christopher encourages listeners to honor their cultural traditions and embrace their networks, fostering meaningful connections that can lead to productive outcomes.Tune in to gain valuable insights on how educators and leaders can harness the power of familial and social capital to create enriching environments in their professional and personal lives. Don't miss tomorrow's episode as we continue this enlightening journey together, on the way to school.