On The Way To School

Memorial Day Musings: Community, Sacrifice, and School Planning

Dr. Chris Dennis opens this episode with Memorial Day reflections, honoring those who served while sharing a lighthearted community story about an epic Continuous Uno game. He then shifts to school leadership advice: use the quiet review week to plan and prepare for a productive summer so your fall can be calm and focused. Finish May strong and take time to rest and appreciate your community.

Five Signs a Leader Needs Executive Coaching — A School Leader's Guide

In this episode Dr. Chris Dennis discusses a Forbes article outlining five signs a leader may need executive coaching—tolerating visible low performers, high performers burning out or quitting, lack of promotions, defensiveness when challenged, and teams afraid to speak the truth. He explains how coaching supports better change management, accountability, and retention, and encourages educators to identify trusted executive coaches to support their leaders.

9 a.m.–7 p.m.: Your Ideas Belong to the Job — After 7 They're Yours

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.

The Loneliness of Leadership: Finding Support in Your Professional Community

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.

Trust Your Systems: A Midday Boost for Educators

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.