Closing Achievement Gaps Through Relationships, Mindset, and Targeted Instruction with Graham Aderholt

Servant Leadership, Teacher Trust, and Data That Drives Growth with Abigail Celli

In this episode of Lumos Lens, host Richard Katz, Superintendent-in-Residence with Lumos Learning, sits down with Abigail Celli, Principal of Friendship Elementary School in Beaufort, Georgia. Abigail shares her path from Spanish teacher to school leader and explains how an educator’s encouragement helped her discover that education was exactly where she was meant to be. Richard and Abigail explore what servant leadership looks like in practice, and why she sees her role as serving teachers so they can serve students well. Abigail also breaks down her “lead learner” mindset, including how she filters initiatives, seeks the right research, and protects teachers from constant pendulum swings that can overwhelm schools. They dig into how Friendship Elementary uses data in a way that builds confidence instead of fear, how shared responsibility shows up in everyday routines, and why collective efficacy is more than a slogan. Abigail also shares real examples of teacher-led problem solving, strategies to support staff sustainability, and how the school is building a culture where students take pride in their learning and growth. Key Moments 03:21 "Committed to Serving Community" 08:07 Feedback Rooted in Care 12:02 Strategic Transition and Growth Focus 13:38 "Addressing Growth and Team Trust" 17:51 Data Insights for Student Growth 20:17 Empowering Growth Through Leadership 24:33 Teacher Retention and Staff Turnover 27:19 Supporting Educators During Holidays 29:17 Recognizing Teachers' Impact Daily 34:05 "Balancing PLCs and Lesson Planning" Why You’ll Love This Episode This conversation highlights what it looks like to lead with clarity, humility, and deep respect for teachers. You will hear how servant leadership becomes a practical strategy for school improvement, not just an inspiring phrase, and how strong culture and strong instruction can live together without competing. If you care about building collective efficacy, using data to drive better classroom practice, and creating a school environment where teachers feel trusted and students take pride in their growth, this episode offers real examples and leadership moves you can apply immediately. Connect with Abigail Celli | Principal, Friendship Elementary School LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abigail-celli-16280b31 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/abigail-celli-16280b31] Website: https://fes.hallco.org/web/ [https://fes.hallco.org/web/]  Connect with Richard Katz and Lumos Learning Richard Katz Superintendent-in-Residence LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-katz/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-katz/] Lumos Learning Website: https://www.lumoslearning.com/llwp/ [https://www.lumoslearning.com/llwp/]LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lumos-learning/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/lumos-learning/] About Lumos Lens Lumos Lens is a podcast where education leaders share how schools are helping students feel more confident and prepared for state assessments, and how district leaders are using data and technology to close learning gaps and improve student achievement. If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to Lumos Lens for more conversations with leaders strengthening teaching, learning, and student outcomes.

Closing Achievement Gaps Through Relationships, Mindset, and Targeted Instruction with Graham Aderholt

In this episode of Lumos Lens, host Rich Katz, Superintendent-in-Residence with Lumos Learning, sits down with Graham Aderholt, Principal of Elkmont High School in Alabama. Graham shares his 18-year journey in education, from college basketball player and high school coach to classroom teacher, assistant principal, and now school leader in the community he calls home. Throughout the conversation, he explains why closing achievement gaps requires more than programs and interventions. It starts with relationships, belief, and a culture where students and teachers feel seen, supported, and challenged to grow. Rich and Graham dive into why traditional approaches to remediation often fall short, and how intentional relationship-building, better questioning strategies, and student-owned data conversations are helping shift both mindset and outcomes. Graham also shares how Elkmont is using targeted, individualized instruction for key subgroups, while still maintaining high expectations and expanding opportunities for all learners. Key Moments 01:04 Graham’s path into education through athletics and coaching 02:17 Returning home and stepping into leadership at Elkmont High School 03:03 Launching Lead Full Circle and connecting leadership at work and home 05:43 Why relationships are foundational to closing achievement gaps 06:44 A 23% science growth story driven by teacher-student trust 08:09 Using questioning strategies and technology to support assessment readiness 08:49 Student-owned data conversations and building skill awareness 10:48 Early signs of growth and shifting student effort 11:28 Individualized instruction for students with disabilities and English learners 13:34 Supporting teachers through simplicity, trust, and protected time 16:05 Character education and modeling leadership for students 17:45 Engaging families through Parent University and curriculum nights 19:46 Why mindset and belief separate stagnant schools from growing ones 23:10 Navigating social media concerns through face-to-face relationships 24:31 Leadership resilience, routines, and the importance of strong teams Why You’ll Love This Episode This episode offers a grounded, practical look at what it really takes to close learning gaps without lowering expectations. You’ll hear how culture, consistency, and relationships can drive academic growth just as powerfully as any intervention program. If you are a school or district leader looking to strengthen student ownership, support teachers without burning them out, and engage families as partners in learning, this conversation provides clear insights and real-world strategies you can apply in your own context. Connect with Graham Aderholt | Principal, Elkmont High School Website: https://www.leadfullcircle.net/https://www.elkmonthigh.org/ [https://www.elkmonthigh.org/]  Connect with Rich Katz and Lumos Learning Rich Katz Superintendent-in-Residence LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-katz/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-katz/] Lumos Learning Website: https://www.lumoslearning.com/llwp/ [https://www.lumoslearning.com/llwp/]LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lumos-learning/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/lumos-learning/] About Lumos Lens Lumos Lens is a podcast where education leaders share how schools are helping students feel more confident and prepared for state assessments, and how district leaders are using data, culture, and technology to close learning gaps and improve student achievement. If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to Lumos Lens for more conversations with leaders strengthening teaching, learning, and student outcomes.

Early Childhood Leadership, Whole-Child Culture, and Data-Driven Growth with Trish Baggett

In this episode of Lumos Lens, host Rich Katz, Superintendent-in-Residence with Lumos Learning, sits down with Trish Baggett, Principal of Richfield Early Learning Center in Flint, Michigan. Trish shares her 20+ year journey through early childhood classrooms, curriculum leadership, coaching, and administration, and why she believes early learning is where the foundation for everything else is built. Rich and Trish explore what it takes to create a school culture where staff feel valued, students feel safe and supported, and families feel welcomed as true partners. Trish explains how Richfield’s whole-child approach shows up in real, observable ways, from restorative practices and PBIS celebrations to practical supports like food backpacks and community partnerships. They also dig into how data can be used without creating fear, including student-owned tracking, growth-focused grouping, and stress-reducing classroom routines that help learners stay regulated and ready to learn. Key Moments 01:29 Finding the “right fit” school culture and why it matters in leadership 02:11 Trish’s path into education and why early childhood is her home 04:14 Whole-child values in action and why governance matters for schools 06:09 How staff support shapes student readiness and classroom culture 07:32 Building safety and belonging through routines and community support 08:39 What visitors notice right away when they walk into the building 11:36 Culture builders: PBIS leader celebrations, visibility, and recognition 12:42 Restorative practices as a daily strategy, not a one-time response 14:32 Using data to drive growth without losing the human side of learning 17:33 Reducing student stress with calming corners, brain breaks, and movement 21:16 Current patterns: physical aggression, defiance, and SEL supports 24:19 Districtwide training and aligned strategies for consistent support 26:00 A turnaround story: behavior plans, family partnership, and student growth Why You’ll Love This Episode This conversation is a concrete example of how to create trust with staff, build a welcoming school environment, and develop consistent systems that support student behavior and learning over time. You will also hear a refreshingly honest view of what is hard right now in early childhood, and how schools can respond with both empathy and structure. If you care about creating calmer classrooms, strengthening school culture, and using data to guide instruction in a way that motivates students instead of pressuring them, this episode delivers clear takeaways you can use right away. Connect with Trish Baggett | Principal, Richfield Public School Academy Website: https://www.richfieldpsa.net/ [https://www.richfieldpsa.net/] Connect with Richard Katz and Lumos Learning Richard Katz Superintendent-in-Residence LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-katz/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-katz/] Lumos Learning Website: https://www.lumoslearning.com/llwp/ [https://www.lumoslearning.com/llwp/]LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lumos-learning/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/lumos-learning/] About Lumos Lens Lumos Lens is a podcast where education leaders share how schools are helping students feel more confident and prepared for state assessments, and how district leaders are using data and technology to close learning gaps and improve student achievement. If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to Lumos Lens for more conversations with leaders strengthening teaching, learning, and student outcomes.