298: Spark! Let's Develop More Student-Centered Schools
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Guest
Dr. Donya Ball is a leader, author, and keynote speaker. She currently serves as superintendent of schools in California. Dr. Ball is a professor of both educational leadership and teacher education and is passionate about studying, writing, and speaking about overcoming leadership hardships. She published her first book of the leadership series, Adjusting the Sails: Weathering the Storms of Administrative Leadership, in 2022, followed by Against the Wind: Leadership at 36,000 Feet in December 2023.
Summary
Dr. Donya Ball’s journey from studying communications to discovering her passion for education was sparked by her curiosity, cultivated through tutoring with the America Reads program. This experience led her to prioritize people development over technical skills in school leadership, emphasizing the significance of listening and inviting input to build trust and involvement. Donya highlighted the evolving purpose of education, advocating for personalized learning experiences beyond standardized tests. She also underscored the benefits and challenges of connecting with diverse perspectives, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and growth through exposure to varied viewpoints across industries and communities.
Social Media / Referenced
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/donya-ball-ed-d-314bb011/
X- @SuptDonya
Instagram - @dr__d__
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SuptDonya
Lyle Kirtman - 7 Competencies of Highly Effective School Leaders
About Jeff
Jeff Ikler is the Director of Quetico Leadership and Career Coaching. “Quetico” (KWEH-teh-co). He works with leaders in all aspects of life to identify and overcome obstacles in their desired future. He came to the field of coaching after a 35-year career in educational publishing. Prior to his career in educational publishing, Jeff taught high school U.S. history and government.
Jeff has hosted the “Getting Unstuck—Cultivating Curiosity” podcast for 5 years. The guests and topics he explores are designed to help listeners think differently about the familiar and welcome the new as something to consider. He is also the co-host of the Cultivating Resilience – A Whole Community Approach to Alleviating Trauma in Schools, which promotes mental health and overall wellness.
Jeff co-authored Shifting: How School Leaders Can Create a Culture of Change. Shifting integrates leadership development and change mechanics in a three-part change framework to help guide school leaders and their teams toward productive change.
Show Credits
"Getting Unstuck" is commercial-free. It’s brought to you by Jeff Ikler, his amazing guests, and Neil Hughes, the best engineer a podcaster could ask for.
"Getting Unstuck" theme music: Original composition of "Allegro ben ritmato e deciso" by George Gershwin. Arrangement and recording courtesy of Bruno Lecoeur.