Listen Now

Join Dr. Jackson as he seeks to apply his one-word to his personal and professional life through reflecting through the lens of a seminal book in the field of education.New Year's Resolutions have been around for a while. Over 4,000 years in fact. According to History.com, the Babylonians were the first to make resolutions as they planted their crops, launching a new year.  I have no idea how well the Babylonians did with sticking to their resolutions 4,000 years ago, but in modern history at least, it seems that resolutions are discarded and forgotten often before the calendar turns from January to February. Resolutions are lost much quicker than the weight loss that seems to be the focus of many a January First Proclamation of Intention.In this moment, I choose the same word as my #OneWord2023. My one word for 2023 is elevate.The next step is to begin consideration of the application of my one word. Early on in my one-word journey, I was content to simply reflect on my one word and then commit to continuing to reflect on it as the year went along. I am confident that I did not get the benefit from my one word that I might have. In recent years, I have really made an effort to move from being content to just hanging out in the adoption phase to purposefully and meaningfully moving into an implementation phase.  This brings me to 2023 and my selection of elevate as my one word. How do I elevate my work? How do I elevate our profession? How do I elevate kindness? On a recent run, I found myself pondering this question and found myself reminiscing back to a book I read many years ago, a book first published in 2001. In this Information Age, with writers suggesting that human knowledge is doubling every two years, what could a 22-year-old book possibly have to teach me or anyone else about elevating my work in 2023? Depending on the book, perhaps quite a bit. I’ll let you judge for yourself the timeliness and timelessness of the book’s lessons. The book I am referring to is the book titled, “Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap …and Others Don’t” by Jim Collins. For me, it is a touchstone text that continues to pop up in random discussions because of the power of the lessons. Perhaps one of the greatest takeaways from the book and one of the most repeated phrases that I have heard from others is Collins’ assertion that good is the enemy of great. He surmised that few people manage to achieve greatness in their lives as they settle too quickly for a comfortable life. We can probably all name an Edleader who seemed destined for greatness, on the fast track to ever-increasing responsibilities, who just seemed to fizzle out, or who reached a particular level and never moved beyond it. If we are not careful and if we do not actively seek continuous improvement, we stagnate.

The pathway to the principalship is paved with passion, purpose, planning, and practice. Dr. Carrie Tulbert, 2014 North Carolina State Principal of the Year, joins Dr. Jackson to share her journey to the principalship, how she supports Assistant Principals in their professional growth, and strategies for Principals in supporting their teammates in their own leadership journeys.Dr. Carrie Tulbert is currently in her 13th year as a middle school principal. She has led schools that truly run the gamut of student populations and sizes. A former North Carolina Teaching Fellow, Dr. Tulbert is a graduate of Meredith College with her Bachelor's Degree in English; a Master's Degree in School Administration from Gardner Webb University, and an Educational Specialist degree and Doctoral degree from Wingate University. Her greatest honor is being a mother of 2 sons. She passionately believes in public school and its power to transform students' lives. She also truly believes that being a principal is the BEST job in education! She is the 2014 North Carolina Principal of the Year, and she has served on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Principals and Assistant Principals' Association for 5 years. Dr. Tulbert previously joined Dr. Jackson along with three other State Principals of the Year on a special two-episode mini-series on the EdLeader podcast to discuss recent research on the impact of principals.Dr. Rob Jackson on TwitterEdLeader Podcast on TwitterDr. Carrie Tulbert on Twitter

The Science of Reading is undergirded by theories of how students learn to read and comprehend text. The theory most often cited is Scarborough's Reading Rope as conceived by Dr. Hollis S. Scarborough. Dr. Scarborough believed that the elements of Word Recognition and the elements of Language Comprehension all weave together into the rope of Reading Comprehension. Just like a true rope, the more strands present and the stronger each strand is, the stronger the rope is. It is surmised that if a student is weaker in one strand, the strength of the other strands can still help the student comprehend what she is reading. In this new podcast series on the Science of Reading - What Every EdLeader Should Know, Dr. Rob Jackson, host of the EdLeader podcast, has one goal, to peel apart the individual strands of reading comprehension and build our shared understanding of what EdLeaders need to know about learning to read.So metaphorically, we grab Scarborough’s reading rope and separate the strands of Word Recognition and Language Comprehension. Within the Language Comprehension strands, we find the strand of literacy knowledge. Literacy Knowledge encapsulates the understanding and mastery of print concepts, such as a book’s layout. This includes everything from pre-reading skills like turning pages from right to left, reading words on a page from left to right, and top-to-bottom. It also includes more advanced skills like understanding the text features of a nonfiction book like an index, table of contents, and list of exhibits in order to efficiently find information. It also includes concepts like genre and the author’s purpose. Join Dr. Jackson as he attempts to peel apart the individual strands of reading comprehension and build our shared understanding of what EdLeaders need to know about learning to read.Show notes are available at: www.drrobjackson.com@Dr_Rob_Jackson@EdLeaderPod

Chris Hadfield, a Canadian astronaut describes leadership this way, “Ultimately, leadership is not about glorious crowning acts. It's about keeping your team focused on a goal and motivated to do their best to achieve it, especially when the stakes are high and the consequences really matter. It is about laying the groundwork for others' success, and then standing back and letting them shine.” That quote really seems to capture the heart of Coast Guard Captain Jennifer Stockwell, Sector Commander of Coast Guard Sector Virginia. There are not many stakes higher than a person’s life when their boat has capsized or consequences any more intense than when preparing for the impact of a hurricane. Yet, the groundwork she puts in place helps to ensure that the team she leads is ready to respond in those big stressful moments.  Captain Jennifer Stockwell's Command Philosophy is titled, "People first, the rest will follow." She joins Dr. Jackson to discuss how her beliefs about leadership and the role of leadership transcend the organization and is applicable to all leaders, including EdLeaders. 

MTSS, or Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, is a framework for school improvement. From selecting materials to planning instructional activities to improving core instruction, to considering interventions for groups and individual students, MTSS guides teachers and administrators to focus clearly on process improvement and effective practices.  Dr. Tanya Turner serves as the Superintendent of the Perquimans County School System and is recognized as an effective and highly regarded instructional leader in the Northeastern Region of North Carolina and across the state. She began her career in education as a fifth-grade teacher prior to serving as an instructional facilitator. She served as a Middle School Assistant Principal, a Director of Teacher Development and Testing, and then served as a Middle School Principal leading school improvement efforts to move from a school that had not met growth in several years to meeting growth eight out of nine years, with seven of those years as high growth. After her successful tenure as a Middle School Principal, she was tapped as Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction with Edenton-Chowan Schools for four years before returning to lead the school system she attended as a student.Dr. Turner's presentations on EVAAS have been recognized at the state level and published on the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s regional website as well as the NC STAR website. Her knowledge and leadership in data-driven instruction have afforded her the opportunity to conduct numerous trainings across the state for many school districts. She is a former District Teacher of the Year, District Assistant Principal of the Year, and two-time District Principal of the Year.Last season, Dr. Turner joined Dr. Jackson on the EdLeader podcast to discuss Literacy as the one big thing in every classroom, every subject, every grade level, and every school.Dr. Rob Jackson on TwitterEdLeader Podcast on TwitterDr. Tanya Turner on Twitter

The Science of Reading is undergirded by theories of how students learn to read and comprehend text. The theory most often cited is Scarborough's Reading Rope as conceived by Dr. Hollis S. Scarborough. Dr. Scarborough believed that the elements of Word Recognition and the elements of Language Comprehension all weave together into the rope of Reading Comprehension. Just like a true rope, the more strands present and the stronger each strand is, the stronger the rope is. It is surmised that if a student is weaker in one strand, the strength of the other strands can still help the student comprehend what she is reading. In this new podcast series on the Science of Reading - What Every EdLeader Should Know, Dr. Rob Jackson, host of the EdLeader podcast has one goal, to peel apart the individual strands of reading comprehension and build our shared understanding of what EdLeaders need to know about learning to read.So metaphorically, we grab Scarborough’s reading rope and separate the strands of Word Recognition and Language Comprehension. Within the Language Comprehension strands, we find the strand of verbal reasoning. Verbal reasoning involves thinking about text, solving word problems, following written instructions to come up with a solution, spotting letter sequences, and cracking letter- and number-based codes. Verbal reasoning assessments measure a child’s ability to problem-solve and reason using words. These assessments are more a test of skill than of testing acquired knowledge. Join Dr. Jackson as he attempts to peel apart the individual strands of reading comprehension and build our shared understanding of what EdLeaders need to know about learning to read.Show notes are available at: www.drrobjackson.com@Dr_Rob_Jackson@EdLeaderPod

The Science of Reading is undergirded by theories of how students learn to read and comprehend text. The theory most often cited is Scarborough's Reading Rope as conceived by Dr. Hollis S. Scarborough. Dr. Scarborough believed that the elements of Word Recognition and the elements of Language Comprehension all weave together into the rope of Reading Comprehension. Just like a true rope, the more strands present and the stronger each strand is, the stronger the rope is. It is surmised that if a student is weaker in one strand, the strength of the other strands can still help the student comprehend what she is reading. In this new podcast series on the Science of Reading - What Every EdLeader Should Know, Dr. Rob Jackson, host of the EdLeader podcast has one goal, to peel apart the individual strands of reading comprehension and build our shared understanding of what EdLeaders need to know about learning to read.Striving readers clearly show visible relief when they encounter a sight word in the middle of a difficult string of words that have to be decoded. Sight Word Recognition, despite the simplistic name of the strand, is a powerful tool in a reader’s toolkit and must be purposefully taught by teachers. What, then, are sight words? Dr. Cheryl Lyon, a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Connecticut, defined sight words this way, “Sight words are words that students are expected to recognize instantly. With the right support, students can become so familiar with these words that they no longer need to pause and try to decode them. Join Dr. Jackson as he attempts to peel apart the individual strands of reading comprehension and build our shared understanding of what EdLeaders need to know about learning to read.Show notes are available at: www.drrobjackson.com@Dr_Rob_Jackson@EdLeaderPod

This latest episode in The Science of Reading series focuses on background knowledge, a crucial strand of Language Comprehension.  Once a reader has decoded the print into words, reading comprehension requires inferences that are built on background knowledge and not necessarily explicitly stated in the text. As the writers at BrainTrust define it, “Background knowledge is everything a child already knows about a topic prior to engaging in the lesson or activity. So for reading, background knowledge refers to all of the information and understanding that students already have that will help them gain deep meaning from whatever text they are reading.” Join Dr. Jackson as he attempts to peel apart the individual strands of reading comprehension and build our shared understanding of what EdLeaders need to know about learning to read.Show notes are available at: www.drrobjackson.com@Dr_Rob_Jackson@EdLeaderPod

Recently as Dr. Rob Jackson dove headfirst into attempting to understand The Science of Reading, he found himself immersed in The Reading Wars with Whole Language or Balanced Literacy on one side and The Science of Reading on the other.  As he researched the divide between the two, he encountered a side skirmish and made himself a note to come back to it. Lost in the vitriol over phonics instruction was the respect given to or denied to fluency as a metric to pay attention to.At a basic level, fluency is a reader's ability to read with speed, accuracy, and proper expression. If comprehending what they read is the goal, children must be able to read fluently. This is true in reading aloud and in reading silently. In many ways, fluency is the bridge between word recognition and reading comprehension. Join Dr. Jackson as he attempts to peel apart the individual strands of reading comprehension and build our shared understanding of what EdLeaders need to know about learning to read.www.drrobjackson.com@Dr_Rob_Jackson@EdLeaderPod

As an elementary teacher, elementary principal, and as a Superintendent, EdLeader podcast host Dr. Rob Jackson has watched the battle lines drawn and the theories, best practices, and curriculum shaming hurled back and forth in the "Reading Wars." Equating a war with the debate over the best way to teach children to read seems a bit excessive, but a quick glance over the blogs spewing nastiness about the thought-leaders on each side of the debate seems to give rise and credence to the name, "Reading Wars." On one side is whole-language or balanced literacy, an offshoot of whole language. On the other side is the Science of Reading. So... There is a Reading War that has been going on for a really long time and the Science of Reading has taken the upper hand.  But, what is the Science of Reading and what do EdLeaders need to know? Join Dr. Rob Jackson as he crosses the battlefield of the reading wars to share just what you need to know, whether you have a background in teaching children to read or not.www.drrobjackson.com@Dr_Rob_Jackson

In this final episode of the EdLeader special series "Leadership Lessons from the GOAT," LockedOn Blue Devils host and lifelong fan, JJ Jackson, joins his Dad one more time to wrap a special season and a special book, "Leading With the Heart" by the GOAT, Coach Mike Krzyzewski. After a recap of the season's final game, JJ and Dr. Jackson share a special story from courtside of another memorable NCAA National Tournament, one that did end with a National Championship.  Coach K's final leadership tenets are explored as he reminds us to "Stop the Success Express once in a while to enjoy the journey." Coach K's book and journey as a coach ends with the words, "Please, God, help me do my best, help me be myself, and help me lead with my heart."  May we all lead with our hearts.

In Part 2 of an incredible conversation with Stephanie Harvey and Annie Ward, co-authors of From Striving to Thriving and Intervention Reinvention, the rubber hits the road as Stephanie and Annie bring the research alive and give practical advice for making a difference for students. In the conversation in Part 1, they defined “reading volume” and discussed “tabling the labels” that become self-fulfilling prophecies for striving readers. Dr. Jackson highlights the book for its readability and for the depth of research presented in an easily readable format that underpins the work. If nothing else, when a superhero like Dav Pilkey, author of the Captain Underpants books, writes and illustrates the introduction, you know that you are in for fun. EdLeaders are instructional leaders who are charged with making decisions daily about the teaching and learning taking place in classrooms, schools, and school districts. "Children learn to read by reading and need access to books they want to read; time to read; and loving, knowledgeable teachers who trust them as powerful learners and know how to build on their strengths. An affirming approach rooted in love yields powerful results and turns striving readers into thriving readers." - Stephanie Harvey and Annie Ward, co-authors of From Striving to Thriving and Intervention Reinvention. Stephanie Harvey is co-author of numerous books for teachers, including Strategies that Work, and Inquiry Illuminated. Her many resources co-authored with Anne Goudvis include The Comprehension Toolkit series, Short Nonfiction for American History, and a wide range of classroom videos. An elementary and special education teacher for 18 years, Stephanie currently serves as a literacy consultant to schools and districts around the world. She specializes in comprehension, content literacy, inquiry-based learning, collaboration, striving learners, and the role of passion and wonder in teaching and learning. As a teacher first and foremost, Stephanie relishes learning and savors any time spent in classrooms working with kids. Annie Ward is Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction for the Mamaroneck Public Schools in Westchester County, NY. Prior to that, she was a Local Instructional Superintendent for the New York City Department of Education, Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction for the Ridgewood, NJ, Public Schools, and a middle school English teacher. She is in this work every single day and offers practical insight into bringing to scale positive growth in literacy for every single student. As the amazing poet, Maya Angelou, wrote, “The best part of life is not just surviving, but thriving, with passion and compassion and humor and style and generosity and kindness.” She must have been watching a teacher as she wrote this. 

EdLeaders are instructional leaders who are charged with making decisions daily about the teaching and learning taking place in classrooms, schools, and school districts. "Children learn to read by reading and need access to books they want to read; time to read; and loving, knowledgeable teachers who trust them as powerful learners and know how to build on their strengths. An affirming approach rooted in love yields powerful results and turns striving readers into thriving readers." - Stephanie Harvey and Annie Ward, co-authors of From Striving to Thriving and Intervention Reinvention. Stephanie Harvey is co-author of numerous books for teachers, including Strategies that Work, and Inquiry Illuminated. Her many resources co-authored with Anne Goudvis include The Comprehension Toolkit series, Short Nonfiction for American History, and a wide range of classroom videos. An elementary and special education teacher for 18 years, Stephanie currently serves as a literacy consultant to schools and districts around the world. She specializes in comprehension, content literacy, inquiry-based learning, collaboration, striving learners, and the role of passion and wonder in teaching and learning. As a teacher first and foremost, Stephanie relishes learning and savors any time spent in classrooms working with kids. Annie Ward is Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction for the Mamaroneck Public Schools in Westchester County, NY. Prior to that, she was a Local Instructional Superintendent for the New York City Department of Education, Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction for the Ridgewood, NJ, Public Schools, and a middle school English teacher. She is in this work every single day and offers practical insight into bringing to scale positive growth in literacy for every single student. As the amazing poet, Maya Angelou, wrote, “The best part of life is not just surviving, but thriving, with passion and compassion and humor and style and generosity and kindness.” She must have been watching a teacher as she wrote this. 

On this brand-new EdLeader special series, Leadership Lessons from the G.O.A.T., Dr. Rob Jackson is joined by his son JJ Jackson, host of the Locked On Blue Devils podcast and the daily radio show SportsCall Auburn, as well as a Division 1 radio and television play-by-play announcer. Together, they delve into Coach K's book, Leading with the Heart, to share the leadership lessons of the basketball coach considered to be the G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time!)In this episode, Dr. Jackson and JJ discuss Coach K's leadership in guiding the Blue Devils to his thirteenth Final Four. Following a tournament run through the West, a region the Blue Devils had never won on the way to a Final Four, facing college basketball's strongest defenses this year, Duke punched their ticket to New Orleans. Coach K said, "Game Day is not a time for long, drawn-out speeches. It is a time for interaction. Interacting with Coach K's writing and current season success, JJ and Dr. Jackson pull out leadership tenets ready for each of us to employ in our work. Coach K has served as the head men's basketball coach at Duke University since 1980, where he has led the Blue Devils to five NCAA Division I titles, 13 Final Fours, 15 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament championships, and 12 ACC regular-season titles. Coach K has also coached the US men's national basketball team to three gold medals and served as the head coach of the American team that won two FIBA World Cup gold medals. He is widely regarded as one of the best college basketball coaches of all time.

On this brand-new EdLeader special series, Leadership Lessons from the G.O.A.T., Dr. Rob Jackson is joined by his son JJ Jackson, host of the Locked On Blue Devils podcast and the daily radio show SportsCall Auburn, as well as a Division 1 radio and television play-by-play announcer. Together, they delve into Coach K's book, Leading with the Heart, to share the leadership lessons of the basketball coach considered to be the G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time!)In this episode, Dr. Jackson and JJ discuss Coach K's encouragement for leaders to focus on the task at hand. With an update on Coach K's final season following the ACC Tournament, the lessons come alive in the context of the current season and flashbacks to the 1990 season where Duke lost in the championship game by the largest margin ever only to come back the next year to win the National Championship.Coach K has served as the head men's basketball coach at Duke University since 1980, where he has led the Blue Devils to five NCAA Division I titles, 12 Final Fours, 15 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament championships, and 12 ACC regular-season titles. Coach K has also coached the US men's national basketball team to three gold medals and served as the head coach of the American team that won two FIBA World Cup gold medals. He is widely regarded as one of the best college basketball coaches of all time.

On this much-anticipated episode of the EdLeader podcast, Dr. Jackson is joined by Steve Pemberton, the author of the books “A Chance in the World” and “The Lighthouse Effect.” The first book, an autobiography, was made into a major motion picture, sharing the remarkable story of his life. The title of his book comes from a note left by a babysitter who wrote of him as a toddler: “This little boy doesn’t have a chance in the world.”Soon after, at age 3, Pemberton was taken away from his mother, who was an alcoholic and placed with foster parents, who abused him for the next 13 years. That family trauma went back three generations. His mother was raised by an alcoholic father. His paternal grandmother died at 40 leaving 13 children orphans. No one knew what to do with his father so he was placed in a juvenile detention center. Steve was the third generation to be orphaned.Mr. Pemberton defied the early prediction that he did not have a chance in the world. The native of New Bedford, Massachusetts went on to graduate from college, showed corporations how to diversify their workforces, broke the cycle of family trauma by raising three adult children with his wife of many years, and eventually authored the book that propelled him into national acclaim.He is now a Best Selling Author, Philanthropist, Acclaimed Speaker, and Senior Level Executive. He achieved all this through the guidance of “lighthouses,” those people who stepped up and helped him despite what seemed as his poor prospects. He calls on each of us to be human lighthouses like those he introduces us to through his books. As he says, “Let your life be a lighthouse. There are so many lives out there that need the power and the gift of your example.”Steve Pemberton on TwitterDr. Rob Jackson on TwitterEdLeader on Twitter

The role of a school counselor has evolved over time. From providing vocational guidance to some students in the early 1900's to providing more comprehensive, collaborative programs based on identified needs and inclusive of prevention and early intervention services for every student in career, academic, and social-emotional growth and skills, modern school counselors have important roles serving students and families as members of student support teams. On this latest episode of the EdLeader podcast, Dr. Jackson is joined by Brittany Norman, President of the North Carolina School Counselor Association, to discuss the comprehensive role of school counselors, including their important role as Purveyors of Hope. Brittany Norman is a professional school counselor. She has spent the majority of her career serving military students and families in the Onslow County School System which is home to USMC Camp Lejeune. She has worked to provide students with the knowledge and skills to be healthy and successful in the 21st century. Brittany has served on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina School Counseling Association for several years and currently serves as President of the association. Brittany completed her M.S in Counselor Education as well as Master of School Administration at East Carolina University. She frequently presents on school counseling practice and leadership.EdLeader on TwitterBrittany Norman on TwitterDr. Rob Jackson on Twitter

On this brand-new EdLeader special series, Leadership Lessons from the G.O.A.T., Dr. Rob Jackson is joined by his son JJ Jackson, host of the Locked On Blue Devils podcast and the daily radio show SportsCall Auburn, as well as Division 1 radio and television play-by-play announcer. Together, they delve into Coach K's book, Leading with the Heart, to share the leadership lessons of the basketball coach considered to be the G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time!)In this episode, Dr. Jackson and JJ discuss Coach K's strategies for growing leaders. With stories about Christian Laettner, Steve Wojciechowski, Wendell Moore Jr., and AJ Griffin to illustrate Coach K's teachings, this is an episode you do not want to miss.Coach K has served as the head men's basketball coach at Duke University since 1980, where he has led the Blue Devils to five NCAA Division I titles, 12 Final Fours, 15 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament championships, and 12 ACC regular-season titles. Coach K has also coached the US men's national basketball team to three gold medals and served as the head coach of the American team that won two FIBA World Cup gold medals. He is widely regarded as one of the best college basketball coaches of all time.

The EdLeader podcast is back as Dr. Jackson sits down with Mrs. Mollie Mayse to discuss the role of School Psychologists. In a time when the need to support the social, emotional, and mental health of students is more recognized than ever, School Psychologists are called upon for sage advice and wise counsel as they serve alongside educators. Working directly with students, families, and school support team members, school psychologists serve a vital role.Mollie Mayse is a 16-year veteran School Psychologist serving in the Carteret County Public School system.  She earned both her Master of Arts degree in School Psychology and her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Appalachian State University. Mrs. Mayse says that her biggest assets and the "best" psychology" training she has ever received are her three sons, an eighth-grader, a sixth-grader, and a first-grader, and her husband, a Director of Admissions at a Rehabilitation Center.@Dr_Rob_Jackson@EdLeaderPod

On this brand-new EdLeader special series, Leadership Lessons from the G.O.A.T., Dr. Rob Jackson is joined by his son JJ Jackson, host of the Locked On Blue Devils podcast, host of the daily radio show SportsCall Auburn, and Division 1 radio and television play-by-play announcer. Together, they delve into Coach K's book, Leading with the Heart, to share the leadership lessons of the basketball coach considered to be the G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time!)In this episode, Dr. Jackson and JJ discuss Coach K's tenet that we need to give others our time and attention.Coach K has served as the head men's basketball coach at Duke University since 1980, where he has led the Blue Devils to five NCAA Division I titles, 12 Final Fours, 15 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament championships, and 12 ACC regular-season titles. Coach K has also coached the US men's national basketball team to three gold medals and served as the head coach of the American team that won two FIBA World Cup gold medals. He is widely regarded as one of the best college basketball coaches of all time.