THE MAIN IDEA Podcast: Books for the Busy School Leader

AI will replace tasks, not teachers with Peter Nilsson

I appreciated talking to Peter Nilsson about the book he co-wrote with Maya Bialik, Irreplaceable: How AI Changes Everything (and Nothing) in Teaching and Learning. Why? Because he’s an extremely thoughtful educator who knows what matters most: teaching, learning, and the deeply human work educators do every day. AI comes after that.  Peter says that AI may change how educators work, but it does not change the fundamental realities of teaching and learning. Great teaching is still relational, creative, emotional, and deeply human — and that’s exactly what makes it irreplaceable. This episode is ultimately less about technology — and more about what great teaching has always been.  In our conversation Peter describes the secondary AI can play for teachers as a Research Assistant, Planning Assistant, and Feedback Assistant. If you’re skeptical about AI (as I am!) it’s worth listening to this and also reading the book.   Walk away with MAIN IDEAs… 1 MAIN IDEA: This book is about teaching and learning first, and about AI as it supports that. 1 HIGH-LEVERAGE ACTION: Research shows the best PL for teachers involves providing ongoing structures for teachers to try things out and talk with each other and share what they find. So create a space for teachers to talk about pedagogy and how AI can support their pedagogy. 1 RESOURCE: To dive deeply into the tech side the podcast The AI Daily Brief [https://aidailybrief.ai/]     Connect with Peter Nilsson [https://peternilsson.us/] or Maya Bialik [https://www.mayabialik.com/] or check out Peter’s newsletter, Educator’s Notebook [https://educatorsnotebook.com/] Book: Irreplaceable: How AI Changes Everything (and Nothing) in Teaching and Learning [https://www.solutiontree.com/irreplaceable.html]   Connect with Jenn: Jenn@TheMainIdea.net [Jenn@TheMainIdea.net] Get monthly book summaries from Jenn (The Main Idea [https://www.themainidea.net/subscribe/]) Join an outstanding PL experience for leaders: Jenn’s Mastermind [https://www.themainidea.net/school-leadership-mastermind/] My 1-pager for this book: 3 Ways AI Can Assist Teachers [https://www.themainidea.net/wp-content/uploads/1-pager-3-Ways-AI-Can-Assist-Teachers.pdf]   If you have a colleague who is skeptical about AI, or a teacher who would like to learn more, I hope you’ll share this podcast with them. Thanks!

From Behaving to Belonging with Julie Causton and Kate MacLeod

Punishing students just doesn’t work. I think anyone who works in schools can see that this doesn’t change student behavior. And teachers are feeling beaten down by challenging student behaviors that seem to be on the rise. That’s why I appreciated chatting with Julie Causton and Kate MacLeod, co-authors of From Behaving to Belonging. They deeply believe we need to rethink how we address student behavior and instead approach it from a lens of love, connection, and inclusion. Together, they share why traditional discipline systems often fail students, how behavior is actually communication, and what schools can do instead to create environments where every student feels safe, valued, and connected. Our conversation is full of practical strategies for teachers and leaders that include mindset shifts, relationship-building practices, de-escalation techniques, and collaborative problem-solving approaches.   Walk away with MAIN IDEAs… 1 MAIN IDEA: We’ve been wrong about behavior. It’s essential to feel belonging to behave in ways that are prosocial. 1 HIGH-LEVERAGE ACTION: Take this book and do a book study with staff. Spend meaningful time with staff cultivating community and care so you can reframe and help staff understand that behavior is communication and that belonging is the foundation.  1 RESOURCE:  A book about inclusion specifically for school leaders by the same authors: The Way to Inclusion: How Leaders Create Schools Where Every Student Belongs [https://www.ascd.org/books/the-way-to-inclusion?variant=123001]   Connect with Julie and Kate: Julie (inclusiveschooling.com [http://inclusiveschooling.com]) and Kate (kate.macleod@maine.edu) Book: From Behaving to Belonging: The Inclusive Art of Supporting Students Who Challenge Us [https://www.ascd.org/books/from-behaving-to-belonging?variant=121011] The 4 books I recommend for teachers for summer reading: https://www.themainidea.net/wp-content/uploads/Teacher-Handout-4-Summer-Books-for-Teachers.pdf [https://www.themainidea.net/wp-content/uploads/Teacher-Handout-4-Summer-Books-for-Teachers.pdf] Connect with Jenn: Jenn@TheMainIdea.net [Jenn@TheMainIdea.net] Get monthly book summaries from Jenn (The Main Idea [https://www.themainidea.net/subscribe/]) Join an outstanding PL experience for leaders: Jenn’s Mastermind [https://www.themainidea.net/school-leadership-mastermind/] If you know other school leaders who want help in meeting the needs of students with challenging behaviors in a more productive way, I hope you’ll share this podcast. Thanks!

Reading the Word & Reading the World in Turbulent Times: with Michele Caracappa

I appreciated this powerful conversation with education leader Michelle Caracappa about the deeper purpose of literacy in today’s complex and often turbulent world. Drawing on her Substack Reading to Lead and her work in literacy and leadership, Michele challenges educators to rethink literacy — not just as a set of skills, but as a tool for understanding, agency, and transformation. In the podcast we explore what it means for school leaders to “stay awake” during times of social change, and how literacy can help both students and educators make sense of, and shape, the world around them. A Few Key Takeaways: 1. Literacy is more than reading — it’s about power and purpose Michelle emphasizes that literacy is not just about decoding text (“reading the word”), but also about interpreting and engaging with the world (“reading the world”). Both are important. 2. The question leaders must ask: “Literacy for what?” Beyond test scores and proficiency, leaders should reflect on the ultimate goal of literacy instruction. Is it just to “play the game”or to empower students to change it? 3. Staying “awake” as leaders matters more than ever Referencing Rip Van Winkle and Martin Luther King Jr.’s idea of “remaining awake through a great revolution,” Michele challenges leaders to stay conscious and responsive to the realities shaping their communities. 4. Literacy builds agency, and agency reduces overwhelm When students (and adults) use literacy to process, respond, and act, they move from feeling powerless to empowered. Writing, speaking, and reading become tools for action—not just academics. Walk away with MAIN IDEAs… 1 MAIN IDEA: Literacy isn’t just a skill — it’s a form of agency. And supporting teachers to teach it well may be one of the most powerful acts of leadership we have.  1 HIGH-LEVERAGE ACTION: · Reflect on your school’s current approach to literacy: Does it prepare students to both read the word and read the world? RESOURCES: Gloria Ladson-Billings — Culturally Relevant Pedagogy: Asking a Different Question [https://www.tcpress.com/products/culturally-relevant-pedagogy_9780807765913] Michele’s Framework for Equity-Focused Literacy Improvement [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Gev54MJ2dIyyTLKOXHfd6B2udyYqHwh8/view?usp=sharing] Connect with Michele Caracappa [http://www.weleadlearning.org] Michele’s Substack: Reading to Lead [https://michelecaracappa.substack.com/]     Connect with Jenn: Jenn@TheMainIdea.net [Jenn@TheMainIdea.net] Get monthly book summaries from Jenn (The Main Idea [https://www.themainidea.net/subscribe/]) Join an outstanding PL experience for leaders: Jenn’s Mastermind [https://www.themainidea.net/school-leadership-mastermind/] If you got something out of this podcast, I hope you’ll share it with a colleague. Thanks!

Becoming an Influential School Leader with John D’Auria

School leaders today are navigating a level of complexity we couldn’t have predicted, from a pandemic to political instability to rapid technological change (especially AI!) I was glad I got to speak with longtime educator and leadership coach John D’Auria, co-author of The Influential School Leader. In this episode, we talk about a lot, and these two areas stick out: Before solving a problem, leaders must first understand it. John suggests leaders use a systems-thinking lens and consider four perspectives: 1. Senior Leadership (district / central office) 2. Middle Management (principals) 3. Line Workers (teachers) 4. Clients (students and families) John also says leaders can’t just jump into addressing complex change. Instead, we need to create these 4 conditions that allow meaningful change to take root. 1. Psychological Safety — Educators must feel safe to disagree, make mistakes, and be honest. 2. A Sense of Belonging — Everyone must feel heard and believe they have a role. 3. Open and Honest Communication — John emphasizes that to improve the health of the school, teams need to be able to discuss “undiscussables” (what people only talk about privately) even if that starts with anonymous surveys. 4. Encouraging Experimentation — Educators must view themselves as “scientists of learning,” experimenting with lessons, accepting failure is part of the process, and collaborating to improve.   Walk away with MAIN IDEAs… 1 MAIN IDEA: Complex change isn’t going away. But by shifting from authority to influence — and by building cultures grounded in safety, belonging, honest communication, and experimentation — school leaders can create systems that don’t just survive change, but learn from it. RESOURCES: The Skilled Facilitator [https://www.amazon.com/Skilled-Facilitator-Comprehensive-Consultants-Facilitators/dp/1119064392/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1484673606&sr=1-2&keywords=skilled+facilitator] by Roger Schwarz and Teaming [https://www.amazon.com/Teaming-Organizations-Innovate-Compete-Knowledge/dp/078797093X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=344Z623RR8JYS&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.jBouOeiCUQBS3uZo7X98XxINDGFRSCMNnmuVVrN2DgmBhfK7QK8XZErSFOcRiaNB0cXXBnX4q-LsaEiKx23mmARZpx2qhmcQkQbbuWNYa1JKk1dFKCJq6J6Ma4f-NDL0V6k1nh9sHWDPlbf-U6egehwCYK2qNOuirAF2H3RcRLh1YJfwzm6EhYsCkXAfaYTrM5bm9iBwOdssD4tJWIoh4DwSVk6hUo9a0bY4BlK2YIA.wbRIaome91QQDUMM6151r9bvfiZiObqSFwZVbtywxIk&dib_tag=se&keywords=teaming+amy+edmondson&qid=1776445883&sprefix=teaming+amy+%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-1]  by Amy Edmondson   Connect with John D’Auria: dauriaj@upenn.edu [dauriaj@upenn.edu] Book: The Influential School Leader [https://www.routledge.com/The-Influential-School-Leader-Inspiring-Teachers-Students-and-Families-Through-Social-and-Organizational-Psychology/Murphy-DAuria/p/book/9780367415112] Jenn’s 1-pager for this book [https://www.themainidea.net/wp-content/uploads/1-pager-for-The-Influential-Leader.pdf]   Connect with Jenn: Jenn@TheMainIdea.net [Jenn@TheMainIdea.net] Get monthly book summaries from Jenn (The Main Idea [https://www.themainidea.net/subscribe/]) Join an outstanding PD experience for leaders: Jenn’s Mastermind [https://www.themainidea.net/school-leadership-mastermind/] If you got something out of this podcast, I hope you’ll share it with a colleague. Thanks!

When Teachers Believe, Students Achieve with Jenni Donohoo and Glenn Forbes

What has the biggest impact on student achievement? According to John Hattie’s massive research synthesis, the answer isn’t a program, curriculum, or strategy. It’s collective teacher efficacy — the shared belief among educators that together, they can positively influence student outcomes. In this episode, I was thrilled to be joined by Jenni Donohoo and Glenn Forbes, international gurus on teacher efficacy! They break down what collective efficacy really is — and more importantly, how school leaders can actively build it. Walk away with MAIN IDEAs… 1 MAIN IDEA This book is a practical guide that explains the 12 barriers to teacher efficacy and what leaders can do to overcome them and build collective teacher efficacy. 1 HIGH-LEVERAGE ACTION A simple activity you can do with a team right now is to have them answer this question, “In 100 words or less, what is the story of our school’s belief in our impact?” and then discuss how the team would grow that collective efficacy. 1 RESOURCE There’s a strong link between instructional leadership and collective teacher efficacy so check out Glenn’s new book, Instructional Leadership: 15 High-Impact Practices to Develop Instructional Leaders [https://ambapress.com.au/products/instructional-leadership?srsltid=AfmBOooyyzz-jaoNAr0XqNV2fxUrNM6SLuvG40dNU9IUKsj44RVNIPkk]   Connect with Jenni Donohoo [https://jennidonohoo.com/] and Glenn Forbes [https://www.solutiontree.com/glenn-forbes.html] Book: Collective Impact: Overcoming the 12 Enemies of Teacher Efficacy [https://www.solutiontree.com/collective-impact.html]   Connect with Jenn: Jenn@TheMainIdea.net [Jenn@TheMainIdea.net] Get monthly book summaries from Jenn (The Main Idea [https://www.themainidea.net/subscribe/]) Join an outstanding PL experience for leaders: Jenn’s Mastermind [https://www.themainidea.net/school-leadership-mastermind/] My 1-pager for this book: How to Build Teacher Efficacy [https://www.themainidea.net/wp-content/uploads/1-pager-How-to-build-teachers-belief-that-they-can-improve-student-achievement.pdf] If you got something out of this podcast, I’d love it if you would share it. Thanks!