Small District, Strong Culture: Christopher Mason on Community at Quitman ISD

The Heartbeat of the Building: Stacey Green on Culture at Stockton Grade School

In this episode of Little Wins, host Karen Borchert talks with Stacey Green, Elementary Principal and longtime leader at Stockton Grade School in rural Kansas. Stacey has served her district for 36 years and has been principal for 13, leading a unique PreK–8 school where culture isn’t a strategy it’s the heartbeat of the building. Stacey shares practical, highly repeatable ways to build belonging for staff and students: a simple “tap out” support system for tough days, staff-to-staff celebration routines, a joy-fueled Hoopla Committee, and High Five Fridays that bring community members into the school day in a fun, welcoming way. You’ll also hear about Stockton’s Foster Grandparent Program (intergenerational classroom support), their mixed-age community groups that stay together from kindergarten through 8th grade, and the mindset shifts Stacey uses to keep culture strong—like noticing effort over compliance and turning complaining into curiosity. 💡 Little Wins in This Episode: 1. Culture as the heartbeat: Leading a PreK–8 building with presence and care 2. Tap-out support: Normalizing quick breaks for teachers on hard days 3. Foster Grandparent Program: Intergenerational support that builds belonging 4. The Power of Mattering: Noticing, affirming, and showing people they’re needed 5. Hoopla Committee: Staff-led fun that sustains morale and joy 6. High Five Fridays: Community members welcoming students into the day 7. Mixed-age community groups: Same group and leaders from kindergarten to 8th grade Key Moments 01:44 36 years in one district 03:30 Long-term relationships with families 05:54 Stacey’s leadership mindset 07:26 Navigating retirements and staffing transitions 09:50 Culture as the heartbeat of the building 11:56 Peer learning and staff celebrations 13:49 Foster Grandparent Program 15:30 The Power of Mattering 17:14 Intergenerational impact on students 18:23 Trauma-informed practices 21:04 CharacterStrong and mental health supports 23:25 Visibility and daily teacher support 25:07 Tap-out in action 28:27 Changes in the profession Connect with Stacey Green LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacey-green-35186283 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacey-green-35186283]Website: https://www.usd271.com/ [https://www.usd271.com/] Follow Us Karen’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenborchert [https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenborchert] Alpaca LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/get-alpaca [https://www.linkedin.com/company/get-alpaca] Alpaca Website: https://www.getalpaca.com/ [https://www.getalpaca.com/]Alpaca Resources Library: https://www.getalpaca.com/resources-library [https://www.getalpaca.com/resources-library]  🧵 About the Podcast: Little Wins is the podcast that digs into the small, deliberate actions school leaders are taking to build strong, human-centered cultures. Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Alpaca for more conversations on building powerful school cultures.

Leadership Must Be Present: Superintendent James Womack on Service, Culture, and Momentum

In this episode, host Karen Borchert sits down with James Womack, Superintendent of Valley View Independent School District in North Texas, a small but mighty district serving about 930 students with deep community ties and high expectations. James brings more than 20 years in education and 14 years in leadership to his work, grounded in servant leadership, presence, and relentless belief in people. Less than 18 months into his tenure, he stepped into leadership during one of the district’s hardest moments, arriving just after a devastating tornado impacted the community and families he was called to serve. From that moment forward, James has led Valley View with visible action and heart. Whether he is standing in car line on cold mornings, hand-delivering retention stipends to staff, chasing students to competitions late into the night, or building systems that support growth and accountability, James believes leadership must be present and actionable. Together, Karen and James explore how culture shifts through small, intentional wins, why servant leadership requires both humility and high standards, and how engaging, encouraging, and empowering people creates momentum that transforms schools.  💡 Little Wins in This Episode: 1. Leadership in Crisis: Showing up immediately after a tornado and serving alongside the community. 2. Servant Leadership Redefined: Why humility and high expectations go hand in hand. 3. Presence That Matters: Being visible in classrooms, car lines, games, and performances. 4. Retention with Dignity: Hand-delivering equitable retention stipends to all staff. 5. Celebrating People Creatively: Bobbleheads, Thor hammers, thank-you notes, and meaningful recognition. 6. Engage. Encourage. Empower.: The three principles driving culture change at Valley View. Key Moments 01:15 Life in a small but growing North Texas district 02:45 From criminal justice to education 05:01 Arriving in Valley View after a tornado 06:55 Leadership during crisis and community healing 09:59 “Being part of them, not them being part of me” 10:08 Servant leadership and common misconceptions 12:16 Friday Night Lights and everyday presence 14:52 Modeling leadership for staff 16:58 Weekly admin meetings and breaking silos 29:55 Academic progress and momentum 32:33 Celebrating students and staff creatively 34:25 The three Es: engage, encourage, empower 36:19 Core values and the “EAGLES” framework Connect with James Womack  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/c-james-womack-538445 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/c-james-womack-538445b7/?trk=public_post_feed-actor-name] Follow Us Karen’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenborchert [https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenborchert] Alpaca LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/get-alpaca [https://www.linkedin.com/company/get-alpaca] Alpaca Website: https://www.getalpaca.com/ [https://www.getalpaca.com/]Alpaca Resources Library: https://www.getalpaca.com/resources-library [https://www.getalpaca.com/resources-library]  🧵 About the Podcast: Little Wins is the podcast that digs into the small, deliberate actions school leaders are taking to build strong, human-centered cultures. Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Alpaca for more conversations on building powerful school cultures.

Small District, Strong Culture: Christopher Mason on Community at Quitman ISD

In this episode, host Karen Borchert sits down with Christopher Mason, Superintendent of Schools at Quitman ISD in East Texas, a district serving about 1,200 students with a deep sense of connection, pride, and belonging. With nearly two decades in education and a background that includes coaching, teaching history, and pastoral ministry, Christopher leads with empathy, deep listening, and a long-term view of stewardship. At Quitman ISD, culture is built intentionally through trust, presence, and a shared mission that guides daily decisions. That mission, “Every child. Every chance. Every day.”, is more than a phrase. It serves as a decision-making filter for hiring, budgeting, leadership development, and classroom practice. From staff listening tours to leadership-focused meetings and the BUILD committee, Christopher shows how consistent, human-centered leadership creates a culture where people feel seen, supported, and proud to serve. Together, Karen and Christopher explore how relational trust, intentional leadership development, and a focus on stewardship shape a district culture rooted in service, integrity, and joy.  💡 Little Wins in This Episode: 1. Start and End Together: Why Quitman ISD now always kicks off and closes the year with the whole staff in one room. 2. Real Transparency: How a simple budget comparison and regular updates calmed fears after pay cuts. 3. The 13th Check: Returning the 2% reduction in a single end-of-year payment and what it signaled to staff. 4. Designing for Autonomy: Restructuring buildings, principals’ roles, and a 6–12 activities director to shrink workloads and sharpen focus. 5. Presence Without Micromanaging: Visiting every building weekly, staying in hallways, and letting principals lead instruction. Key Moments  01:14 First impressions of Quitman ISD culture  02:03 “Every child, every chance, every day”  04:57 Christopher’s path into education  08:06 Mentorship and leadership growth  10:28 Identifying leaders “on the bubble”  13:53 Relational trust and visibility  16:00 Leadership meetings focused on growth  18:19 Listening tours and staff voice  21:10 Small changes with big impact  24:08 Stewardship and legacy  27:18 Culture in a small rural district  30:41 Three culture words: service, integrity, fun  34:01 Little win: the BUILD committee  36:11 Advice for educators right now Connect with Christopher Mason LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-mason-424723a8 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-mason-424723a8]Website : https://www.quitmanisd.net/ [https://www.quitmanisd.net/] Follow Us Karen’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenborchert [https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenborchert] Alpaca LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/get-alpaca [https://www.linkedin.com/company/get-alpaca] Alpaca Website: https://www.getalpaca.com/ [https://www.getalpaca.com/]Alpaca Resources Library: https://www.getalpaca.com/resources-library [https://www.getalpaca.com/resources-library]  🧵 About the Podcast: Little Wins is the podcast that digs into the small, deliberate actions school leaders are taking to build strong, human-centered cultures. Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Alpaca for more conversations on building powerful school cultures.

Leading from the Court and the Classroom: Jordan Perez on Community-Centered Schools

In this episode, host Karen Borchert sits down with Jordan Perez, Superintendent of Russell USD 407 in Russell, Kansas, to talk about what it really means to lead with presence, purpose, and care. Jordan leads a small rural district serving about 750 students, where leadership stretches far beyond classrooms. From guiding a major bond election and facilities redesign to driving bus routes and coaching junior high volleyball, Jordan believes trust is built by showing up and doing the work alongside others. A former elementary teacher and coach, Jordan brings a “kids first, invested” mindset to every decision. Whether it’s celebrating staff birthdays, sending daily morning emails to keep everyone connected, recognizing students at board meetings, or building career pathways through CTE programs like welding and CNA, his focus stays rooted in relationships, opportunity, and community pride. Together, Karen and Jordan explore how modeling commitment, celebrating people, and staying close to students can transform school culture and strengthen retention, trust, and joy in a district.  Little Wins in This Episode * Leading the Bond Process: How open steering committees and community voice shaped a needs-based bond proposal. * Right-Sizing the District: Closing buildings, improving efficiency, and making hard decisions rooted in data and care. * Still a Coach: Why Jordan coaches junior high volleyball and how it deepens trust with students and families. * Everyday Visibility: Driving bus routes, filling in where needed, and being present in schools daily. * Celebration Culture: Daily emails, birthday notes, staff recognition, and student shout-outs that build morale. * Career Pathways: Launching welding and CNA programs tied directly to local workforce needs. Key Moments 00:58 Inside Russell USD 407 02:37 What a superintendent really does during a bond election 06:14 Studying systems and district efficiency 08:12 Closing buildings and right-sizing the district 09:34 From classroom teacher to superintendent 11:22 Creating access through youth sports opportunities 13:17 Coaching as leadership 23:00 Celebrating staff and recognition at board meetings 26:00 Daily communication and morning emails 29:03 Creating a family feel across schools 31:16 Launching CTE programs 33:10 Welding, CNA, and workforce alignment 36:23 Lightning Round: culture words, little win, advice Connect with Jordan Perez Website: https://www.usd407.org/ [https://www.mohonasen.org/] Follow Us Karen’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenborchert [https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenborchert] Alpaca LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/get-alpaca [https://www.linkedin.com/company/get-alpaca] Alpaca Website: https://www.getalpaca.com/ [https://www.getalpaca.com/]Alpaca Resources Library: https://www.getalpaca.com/resources-library [https://www.getalpaca.com/resources-library]  🧵 About the Podcast: Little Wins is the podcast that digs into the small, deliberate actions school leaders are taking to build strong, human-centered cultures. Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Alpaca for more conversations on building powerful school cultures.

Start and End Together: Superintendent Jamie Rumford on Trust and Culture in Scott County

In this episode, host Karen Borchert heads to western Kansas to talk with Superintendent Jamie Rumford of USD 466 Scott County Schools, where 4,000 people, 6,000 county residents, and more than 20,000 head of cattle define truly rural school life. Jamie has spent 30+ years in education and more than a decade as a superintendent, centering his leadership on trust, transparency, autonomy, and taking care of people. When he arrived in Scott City in 2014, the district was coming out of a serious budget crisis and had just cut salaries by 2%. What followed was a long, thoughtful process of rebuilding: simple budget “dashboards,” honest updates, reorganizing leadership roles to give principals smaller spans of control, and eventually paying back that 2% in a surprise “13th check.” Along the way, Jamie and his team built traditions like districtwide state send-offs and handwritten birthday cards for every staff member that knit together a culture he describes as connected, loyal, and motivated. 💡 Little Wins in This Episode: 1. Start and End Together: Why USD 466 now always kicks off and closes the year with the whole staff in one room. 2. Real Transparency: How a simple budget comparison and regular updates calmed fears after pay cuts. 3. The 13th Check: Returning the 2% reduction in a single end-of-year payment and what it signaled to staff. 4. Designing for Autonomy: Restructuring buildings, principals’ roles, and a 6–12 activities director to shrink workloads and sharpen focus. 5. Presence Without Micromanaging: Visiting every building weekly, staying in hallways, and letting principals lead instruction. 6. Birthday Cards & Send-Offs: Handwritten notes and whole-district state send-offs that build connection from PreK to 12. Key Moments 02:16 Western Kansas roots and choosing rural life for his family 03:19 Jamie’s father, the lifelong “educator,” and what real reward means 05:14 Stepping into USD 466 during a budget crisis and 2% salary cuts 08:27 Practicing transparency with a simple budget “dashboard” 10:18 Paying back the 2% in a surprise “13th check” 12:09 Realizing staff were disconnected across buildings 13:03 “We always start together and end together” as a rallying cry 23:26 State send-offs: cross-country team walking all three buildings 25:17 Handwritten birthday cards for every staff member 26:59 Three words for culture: connected, loyal, motivated 29:54 A little win: Boss’s Day surprise from the central office team Connect with Jamie Rumford LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-rumford-41790667 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-rumford-41790667] Follow Us Karen’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenborchert [https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenborchert] Alpaca LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/get-alpaca [https://www.linkedin.com/company/get-alpaca] Alpaca Website: https://www.getalpaca.com/ [https://www.getalpaca.com/]Alpaca Resources Library: https://www.getalpaca.com/resources-library [https://www.getalpaca.com/resources-library]  🧵 About the Podcast: Little Wins is the podcast that digs into the small, deliberate actions school leaders are taking to build strong, human-centered cultures. Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Alpaca for more conversations on building powerful school cultures. Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Alpaca for more conversations on building powerful school cultures.