Let's Talk Books - Controlled Chaos - A Conversation with author Eric Hall

Let's Talk Books - Controlled Chaos - A Conversation with author Eric Hall

Let's Talk Books - Controlled Chaos A Conversation with author Eric Hall What if the most memorable lessons in school weren't found in a worksheet, but in an experience students never forgot? In this episode, Thomas sits down with retired teacher and author Eric Hall to discuss his book, Controlled Chaos, a collection of stories and lessons from 27 years in the classroom. Eric shares how creativity, humor, and meaningful relationships transformed everyday lessons into unforgettable learning experiences—and why engagement is one of the most powerful teaching tools we have. Together they explore: * How to create classrooms where students want to come to school * Building strong classroom communities through trust and connection * Practical ways to make ordinary lessons extraordinary * How small changes can create lasting memories and deeper learning Whether you're a classroom teacher, principal, or instructional leader, this conversation will inspire you to look at your school through your students' eyes and discover new ways to make learning meaningful, memorable, and full of joy. Eric Hall [https://mrhallwrites.com/about] is an award-winning educator, writer, and storyteller who has spent more than 27 years inspiring students in the classroom. A fifth-grade teacher in Cheboygan, Michigan, Hall is a three-time Teacher of the Year recipient, a winner of the American Red Cross Everyday Hero Award, was named one of the Top Educators of America, and has received a special teaching tribute from the Governor of Michigan. Known for his humor, creativity, and heart, Eric has built a career helping students see learning as both meaningful and fun.Beyond the classroom, Hall is a contributing writer for Edutopia, We Are Teachers, TEACH Magazine, and The Educator's Room. His reflections on teaching blend practical insight with laugh-out-loud storytelling, reaching educators and parents alike. His unique approach to education has even been featured on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, where his classroom adventures reached a national audience. If you want to see how the lessons of this book can influence your school, please schedule a time to talk with us today. https://bit.ly/Build-IT-Better-Together [https://bit.ly/Build-IT-Better-Together] The In Search of Catholic School Excellence Podcast is brought to you by I Love My Tech Team.  When technology doesn’t work, Catholic school leaders lose time, trust, and momentum. We partner with schools to restore reliable systems, empower teachers, and create the foundation for innovative learning centered on students. Lead Your School Into What’s Possible with I Love My Tech Team. Restoring What’s Broken. Advancing What’s Possible. Find out more at https://ilovemytechteam.com [https://ilovemytechteam.com/]

Let's Talk Books - The Dip by Seth Godin Conversation with Pete McPherson of PeteMcpherson.com

Let's Talk Books - The Dip by Seth Godin  Conversation with Pete McPherson of PeteMcpherson.com [http://petemcpherson.com] What separates successful schools from those that struggle to gain momentum? Sometimes, it's knowing what to keep pursuing—and what to let go. In this episode, Thomas is joined by entrepreneur Pete McPherson to discuss The Dip by Seth Godin [https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/6217b452-8686-48a9-a128-11181521da4e] and explore how its lessons apply to Catholic school leadership. Together, they unpack the difference between the temporary challenges that lead to growth and the dead-end initiatives that consume valuable time and resources. The conversation explores: * How to recognize when perseverance is the right choice—and when it's time to quit * Why defining what your school does best is essential to long-term success * The danger of trying to be everything to everyone * How leaders can continually reassess priorities and focus on what matters most * Practical ways to build a school culture that is intentional, distinctive, and always improving Whether you're evaluating a new initiative, refining your school's mission, or deciding where to invest your team's energy, this episode offers practical insights to help you focus on the work that truly moves your school forward. Pete McPherson [https://petemcpherson.com/] is an entrepreneur, app builder, podcaster, and content creator who helps people build meaningful businesses and creative projects. A former CPA, Pete left corporate accounting to pursue entrepreneurship and has since launched multiple apps, websites, and podcasts, including the award-winning Do You Even Blog. Today, he focuses on building useful tools, experimenting with new ideas, and helping others think differently about work, creativity, and business. If you want to see how the lessons of this book can influence your school, please schedule a time to talk with us today. https://bit.ly/Build-IT-Better-Together [https://bit.ly/Build-IT-Better-Together] The In Search of Catholic School Excellence Podcast is brought to you by I Love My Tech Team.  When technology doesn’t work, Catholic school leaders lose time, trust, and momentum. We partner with schools to restore reliable systems, empower teachers, and create the foundation for innovative learning centered on students. Lead Your School Into What’s Possible with I Love My Tech Team. Restoring What’s Broken. Advancing What’s Possible. Find out more at https://ilovemytechteam.com [https://ilovemytechteam.com/]

Let's Talk Books - Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck - A Conversation with Erika Bryant of Piece of Cake Marketing

Let's Talk Books - Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck Conversation with Erika Bryant of Piece of Cake Marketing This is our summer series where we talk about a book that all teachers should know and use to shape their strategies for the coming year. Read, Re-read, Recharge and Recommit to your students.  This episode explores the ideas in the book Mindset [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40745.Mindset?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=LXGDLLw14K&rank=1] and how adopting a growth mindset can transform the way educators, leaders, parents, and business owners approach challenges, learning, and success. Thomas is joined by Erika Bryant [https://pieceofcakemarketing.com/] for a conversation about recognizing fixed mindset thinking, celebrating progress instead of outcomes, and creating environments where people feel safe to learn and grow.  They discuss practical strategies such as praising effort, embracing small experiments, replacing labels with curiosity, and viewing setbacks as opportunities to improve rather than signs of failure. The episode concludes with practical advice for school leaders on fostering a culture where students, teachers, and staff continually grow by focusing on the learning process rather than perfection.  Piece of Cake Marketing [https://pieceofcakemarketing.com/] is your guide to marketing and business advisory services that turn great ideas into actionable steps. We help you find (and keep) your customers so you can get back to focusing on the parts of the business you love.  I’VE ALWAYS LOVED LEARNING AND HAVE A NATURAL KNACK FOR PROBLEM SOLVING. That means I’ve spent the majority of my life consuming every strategic marketing resource out there, building a collection of tools and strategies I can leverage at any time. I’ve tried, failed, and succeeded countless times in the last 20 years – so I know exactly which resource to pull out to help you get unstuck… no matter the business challenge you’re facing. I’ve spent the last five years specifically helping B2B service providers and other marketing experts reassess their businesses, create new revenue streams, and adjust their messaging and strategy to gain bigger market share – and now I want to help you too. Here are a couple of links discussed by Erika.  * Choose again method by Gabby Bernstein  [https://gabbybernstein.com/choose-again/] * 10 Forms of Twisted Thinking [https://bayareahealthpsychology.com/forms/10FormsOfTwistedThinking.pdf] If you want to see how the lessons of this book can influence your school, please schedule a time to talk with us today. https://bit.ly/Build-IT-Better-Together [https://bit.ly/Build-IT-Better-Together] The In Search of Catholic School Excellence Podcast is brought to you by I Love My Tech Team.  When technology doesn’t work, Catholic school leaders lose time, trust, and momentum. We partner with schools to restore reliable systems, empower teachers, and create the foundation for innovative learning centered on students. Lead Your School Into What’s Possible with I Love My Tech Team. Restoring What’s Broken. Advancing What’s Possible. Find out more at https://ilovemytechteam.com [https://ilovemytechteam.com/]

18 - Walking With Families – with Theresa Flynn Houghton Building Community Through Long-Term Support

18 - Walking With Families – with Theresa Flynn Houghton  Building Community Through Long-Term Support In this episode, Thomas sits down with De Marillac Academy [https://www.demarillac.org/] President Theresa Flynn Houghton to explore how one school in San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood has built a deeply relational model of Catholic education centered on accompaniment, trust, and long-term support. De Marillac Academy’s unique approach includes a tuition-free middle school experience, extensive family partnerships, graduate support programs, and a commitment to helping students thrive well beyond graduation. But this conversation is about more than a specialized model — it is about what happens when schools intentionally create communities where students and families feel truly known. Theresa shares: * How De Marillac builds strong family partnerships from the very beginning * Why long-term relationships matter in student success * The importance of neighborhood and nonprofit partnerships * How schools can support the whole child academically, socially, and emotionally * Ways alumni remain connected and continue shaping the school community * Practical lessons any principal can apply to strengthen belonging and trust Whether your school serves 40 students or 400, this episode offers a powerful reminder that education is not just about programs or academics — it is about walking with families, building authentic community, and helping students discover their purpose and dignity along the way. About De Marillac Academy [https://www.demarillac.org/]: Inspired by the inherent and unique gifts of our students and graduates, De Marillac Academy, located in the Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco, ignites academic, spiritual, and social emotional growth through a Lasallian Vincentian Catholic educational experience. In partnership with families and community, through an all-scholarship 4th-8th grade Academy and Graduate Support Program, we accompany our students through middle school, high school and into early adulthood, as they develop a strong sense of self, purpose, and service to others. To get your Walking With Families Reflection Guide please visit us here. [https://b440b745.sibforms.com/serve/MUIFAC1iuuDXtW31m-mt_SYn3c1OhXsf9BWreobME3nf-Z6h2PqdS03q1f4AAt25hv21TUXDrys92B3KQq1TmvCGyaSOBTwuL4LT6uP5ukEbAXjW74PdsTEVU7HO5vGgKOVx0AbeElzsbCaLC2vlOIaRPZFbpujNj1jPrRxOTsYad2_9387TiQB8Pi1MQm9wSPn60QcJmwb3O4JX] If you want to build better support for your current and past families, please schedule a time to talk with us today. https://bit.ly/Build-IT-Better-Together [https://bit.ly/Build-IT-Better-Together] The In Search of Catholic School Excellence Podcast is brought to you by I Love My Tech Team.  When technology doesn’t work, Catholic school leaders lose time, trust, and momentum. We partner with schools to restore reliable systems, empower teachers, and create the foundation for innovative learning centered on students. Lead Your School Into What’s Possible with I Love My Tech Team. Restoring What’s Broken. Advancing What’s Possible. Find out more at https://ilovemytechteam.com [https://ilovemytechteam.com/]

School Marketing the Right Way – with Brendan Schneider Why Identity Matters More Than Buzzwords

School Marketing the Right Way – with Brendan Schneider  Why Identity Matters More Than Buzzwords In this episode, Thomas sits down with marketing strategist and former school administrator Brendan Schneider of SnyderB Consulting [https://www.schneiderb.com/] to discuss one of the biggest challenges facing Catholic schools today: how to clearly communicate what makes a school worth choosing. From websites that try to say too much to schools that struggle to define their identity, Brendan shares practical insights on how principals can rethink enrollment, retention, and school marketing in a rapidly changing educational landscape. The conversation explores: * Why schools must identify what truly makes them different * How generic messaging hurts enrollment * Why retention may matter more than recruitment * The importance of defining a clear school identity * Simple exercises principals can use immediately with staff and families * How AI and strategic conversations can support school leadership Whether your school is thriving, struggling with enrollment, or simply trying to clarify its mission, this episode offers practical and encouraging ideas for building a school culture and message that families genuinely connect with. About Schneider B Media: You Were Hired to Build Relationships with Families. Not to Become a Google Ads Expert. I spent 28 years working inside schools in admissions, marketing, and enrollment. I know what it is like to be told to "increase inquiries" while also managing tours, writing newsletters, driving the van, and cleaning up after a sick kid at lunch. That is why I built the Fractional Digital Marketer program. You get a full digital marketing team without hiring anyone. We handle the strategy, execution, and optimization. You focus on what you do best: connecting with families. School Marketing the Right Way [https://www.schneiderb.com/school-marketing-the-right-way] - Book  Read more of Brendan’s work on Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanschneider/] To get your School Identity & Marketing Reflection Toolkit, please visit us here [https://b440b745.sibforms.com/serve/MUIFALiR-WTkg3ejWZ1Cb9d-qN9VjrEXlZ1kwCk1dgf90XrJLFRhwpC2FFsHdCXr93ZhXVqj6kZKd575Iq5421d0CkiFexKqiblW15FfMt9W5461B5tjYr-VwfCJJxgJkMO_siYXpVOZr-xhEk_JCjD-rCcwlogFfQZ3xZ4wH8LaXCEfT9UKtSwCq7JwoV7mIxsTxmpK2DZnYMHX].   If you need help implementing your marketing strategy, please schedule a time to talk with us today. https://bit.ly/Build-IT-Better-Together [https://bit.ly/Build-IT-Better-Together] The In Search of Catholic School Excellence Podcast is brought to you by I Love My Tech Team.  When technology doesn’t work, Catholic school leaders lose time, trust, and momentum. We partner with schools to restore reliable systems, empower teachers, and create the foundation for innovative learning centered on students. Lead Your School Into What’s Possible with I Love My Tech Team. Restoring What’s Broken. Advancing What’s Possible. Find out more at https://ilovemytechteam.com [https://ilovemytechteam.com/]