Episodes

  • From Panic to Purpose: How Kim Strobel Teaches Happiness in Schools

    From Panic to Purpose: How Kim Strobel Teaches Happiness in Schools
    Mar 4 2026
    🎯 The Ruckus Report Quick take: Kim Strobel's been attacked for teaching differently — and still chose joy. In this episode, she shows school leaders how happiness isn't fluff — it's the foundation. Learn how to fight for your fire, rewire your brain, and lead a school worth showing up for. 🎓 Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Kim Strobel is a former teacher and administrator turned global speaker, author, and happiness coach. After battling a debilitating panic disorder, she transformed her pain into purpose — helping educators reclaim joy, build resilience, and spark cultures of well-being in their schools. She's the author of Teach Happy: Small Steps to Big Joy and speaks on stages around the world, including events for the FBI and thousands of educators each year. 🔨 Breaking Down the Old Rules 🧨 Key Insight #1: You have to play it safe to survive school culture What's broken: Educators who do school different often get bullied or iced out.The shift: Kim modeled courage by refusing to dim her light — and found her people.Impact: Students got more than standards — they got voice, agency, and purpose through passion-driven projects like dog adoption campaigns. 🧰 Key Insight #2: Productivity means grinding, not growing What's broken: School leaders wear burnout as a badge and equate rest with weakness.The shift: Kim reframes happiness as a performance strategy, not a luxury.Impact: When teachers practice happiness habits, productivity rises 31% and engagement 10x. 🚀 Key Insight #3: You can't lead culture — you're not responsible for staff happiness What's broken: Leaders think culture is out of their hands.The shift: Kim teaches that school-wide joy starts with modeling and micro-habits.Impact: Schools that bake happiness into the fabric see better retention, morale, and results. 💬 Quotable Ruckus "If your classroom doesn't have joy, curiosity, or risk, then what exactly are you preparing kids for?" – Kim Strobel 📈 Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here: Tomorrow: Ask yourself and your staff: Are we choosing activities that drain us — or fuel us?This Month: Lead by example — commit to one daily happiness habit (movement, gratitude, meditation, social connection, or kindness)This Semester: Create a culture audit. Identify one system or meeting that could be redesigned for joy, not just compliance 🔗 Connect & Continue 🎯 Get the full episode transcript here 👩🏻‍💻 Follow Kim Strobel: Website: http://www.strobeleducation.com, https://strobeleducation.com/teach-happy/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-strobel/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimstrobeljoy/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1798779396858380Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/she-finds-joy/id1487739752 📌 Ruckus Makers Don't Just Listen — They Act If education ain't a bit disruptive, then what are your students really learning? This show isn't about doing school better. It's about Doing School Different — and joining a growing movement of bold, creative school leaders who reject legacy models and reimagine what's possible. 🧠 Here are four ways we can help you on your Do School Different journey: 📬 Subscribe to the Free Newsletter — An opportunity to Do School Different 3x a week. Tools, mindset shifts, and strategies that actually work: https://ruckusmakers.news/subscribe 🗞 Read Ruckus Maker Media — Exclusive content on Substack. Premium leadership insights, AI prompts and custom gpts, new books before the bookshelf: https://ruckusmakers.media/ 💥 Join The Ruckus Maker Club — Our private network + workshops, The Automatic School tools, AI Prompt Library, and more: https://ruckusmakers.club/join 🧨 Apply to the Mastermind — Weekly coaching, peer mentorship, and our proven leadership system (The Ruckus Maker Flywheel) to help you transform your campus: https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mastermind 🎙 Today's RUCKUS cast in Partnership With: ODP Business Solutions® For over 30 years, ODP Business Solutions® has helped schools transform from whiteboards to smartboards. Why? Because when you get the right tools, everyone wins. 🔍 Visit odpbusiness.com/education to revolutionize your school's learning spaces. IXL Over 1 million teachers rely on IXL because it is empowering, it helps them make better decisions with reliable data, and it adapts instruction based on student performance. 🔍 Get started today at ixl.com/leaders PLAY PIPER This episode is brought to you by Play Piper. At Piper, we believe STEM doesn't have to feel out of reach. Too many kids love gaming but give up on science and engineering because school doesn't spark their interest. That's where Piper comes in - They have hands-on STEM kits designed to turn curiosity into confidence and keep the pipeline of future innovators flowing strong. 🔍 Learn more at playpiper.com/ruckus © 2026 Twelve Practices LLC | ...
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    22 mins
  • The Hands-On Cure for Screen-Addicted Schools with Kris Rockwell

    The Hands-On Cure for Screen-Addicted Schools with Kris Rockwell
    Feb 25 2026
    📣 The Ruckus Report Quick take: What if the cure for disengagement isn't better apps, but real tools in real hands? In this episode, Kris Rockwell challenges the one-way screen model that dominates modern classrooms — and makes a powerful case for hands-on learning that sparks joy, confidence, and curiosity. 🤝 Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Kris Rockwell works at the intersection of venture capital, technology, and non-profit initiatives. After spending over fifteen years in the eLearning field, he went on to lead the S. Kent Rockwell Foundation, supporting initiatives in conservation, entrepreneurship, and addiction recovery. He currently serves as Head of Product Development at Play Piper Inc. an edtech company based in San Francisco, the founder of AoS Ventures, a Pittsburgh-based venture capital group, and the co-founder of Praxis Science, a company that focuses on blockchain applications for decentralized science. 🔨 Breaking Down the Old Rules In this episode, Kris Rockwell challenges traditional education paradigms: 🧠 Key Insight #1: The Tyranny of the One-Way Screen What's broken: One-way screens that keep kids passive and addicted.The shift: From screen consumption to hands-on creation and feedback loops.Impact: Students build confidence and competence through real-world tinkering and tech. 🧰 Key Insight #2: Tools Aren't Enough Without Freedom to Try What's broken: Classrooms full of unused tech due to lack of support or fear.The shift: Providing kids with approachable tools, open-ended projects, and the psychological safety to fail forward.Impact: One student went from bullied and silent to proudly presenting her own 3D-printed dragon — and finding her voice. 🚀 Key Insight #3: Preparing Kids for the Jobs That Don't Exist Yet What's broken: Teaching only for predictable answers and standardized tests.The shift: Making infotech and digital literacy foundational, just like math.Impact: Students learn coding, robotics, and cybersecurity by building their own devices — laying the groundwork for creative, tech-enabled futures. 💬 Quotable Ruckus "Confidence doesn't come from clicking — it comes from building." – Kris Rockwell 🧗‍♂️ Your Do School Different Challenge 👉 Ready to implement these ideas? Start here: Tomorrow: Ask one student what they'd build if they could learn anything. Then listen.This Month: Introduce one hands-on STEM project that doesn't require a final grade.This Semester: Reframe screen time — swap passive clicks for real-world tinkering. 🔗 Connect & Continue 📌 Get the full episode transcript here 👩🏻‍💻 Follow Kris Rockwell: Website: www.playpiper.comLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/krisrockwellFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/StartWithPiperX: https://x.com/StartWithPiperInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/startwithpiperYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PlayPiperLLCTikTok: @play.piper 📌 Ruckus Makers Don't Just Listen — They Act If education ain't a bit disruptive, then what are your students really learning? This show isn't about doing school better. It's about Doing School Different — and joining a growing movement of bold, creative school leaders who reject legacy models and reimagine what's possible. 🧠 Here are four ways we can help you on your Do School Different journey: 📬 Subscribe to the Free Newsletter — Tools, mindset shifts, and strategies that actually work: https://ruckusmakers.news 🗞 Read Ruckus Maker Media — Premium insights and early book drops: https://ruckusmakers.media 💥 Join The Ruckus Maker Club — Private network, AI Prompt Library, and more: https://ruckusmakers.club/join 🧨 Apply to the Mastermind — Coaching + The Ruckus Maker Flywheel: https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mastermind 🎙 Today's RUCKUS cast in Partnership With: ODP Business Solutions® For over 30 years, ODP Business Solutions® has helped schools transform from whiteboards to smartboards. Why? Because when you get the right tools, everyone wins. 🔍 Visit odpbusiness.com/education to revolutionize your school's learning spaces. IXL Over 1 million teachers rely on IXL because it is empowering, it helps them make better decisions with reliable data, and it adapts instruction based on student performance. 🔍 Get started today at ixl.com/leaders PLAY PIPER This episode is brought to you by Play Piper. At Piper, we believe STEM doesn't have to feel out of reach. Too many kids love gaming but give up on science and engineering because school doesn't spark their interest. That's where Piper comes in - They have hands-on STEM kits designed to turn curiosity into confidence and keep the pipeline of future innovators flowing strong. 🔍 Learn more at playpiper.com/ruckus © 2026 Twelve Practices LLC | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?
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    54 mins
  • Linking Learning to Life: Dr. Annalies Corbin's 5 Power Strategies

    Linking Learning to Life: Dr. Annalies Corbin's 5 Power Strategies
    Feb 18 2026
    📣 The Ruckus Report Quick take: What if the best learning doesn't happen in a classroom? Dr. Annalies Corbin shares 5 proven strategies to design schools that actually connect learning to real life. 🎓 Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Dr. Annalies Corbin is the Founder & CEO of the PAST Foundation, a trailblazing organization transforming education for the 21st century. A relentless innovator, Dr. Corbin has been reshaping how we connect learning to life for the past 25 years, bridging the gap between scientific research, real-world problem-solving, and classroom experiences. 🔨 Breaking Down the Old Rules In this episode, Dr. Corbin challenges traditional education paradigms: 🎯 Key Insight #1: Student Agency What's broken: Teacher-centered control that strips students of voice and choice.The shift: Design learning environments that start with student agency.Impact: Students become self-directed, engaged, and deeply invested in their learning journey. 🎯 Key Insight #2: Cultural Relevancy What's broken: Curriculum that doesn't reflect students' identities or lived experiences.The shift: Make learning culturally relevant so students see themselves in the material.Impact: Increased connection, confidence, and comprehension. 🎯 Key Insight #3: Mastery over Time What's broken: Time-based pacing guides and one-size-fits-all assessments.The shift: Competency-based learning that honors student readiness.Impact: Deeper understanding and real application beyond test scores. 🎯 Key Insight #4: Transdisciplinary Learning What's broken: Artificial silos separating math, science, English, and real life.The shift: Learning that blends disciplines around authentic context and problems.Impact: Greater engagement and relevance across all content areas. 🎯 Key Insight #5: Problem-Based Learning What's broken: Projects done "for the grade" rather than solving something real.The shift: Start with real-world problems and design learning around solving them.Impact: Students learn how to think critically and contribute meaningfully to their communities. 💬 Quotable Ruckus "Say Yes! Too many great ideas die before they start because we begin with all the reasons why not." ** — Dr. Annalies Corbin** 📈 Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here: Tomorrow: Ask your students what they want to learn this week — and act on one idea.This Month: Audit your lessons for cultural relevancy. Where are students missing?This Semester: Launch one real-world, problem-based project that connects to your local community. 🔗 Connect & Continue 🎯 Get the full episode transcript here 👩🏻‍💻 Follow Dr. Annalies Corbin: Website: https://www.pastfoundation.org/annalies-corbin pastfoundation.org/hackingschool | pastfoundation.org/learning-unboxed \LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annalies-corbin-4016121 📌 Ruckus Makers Don't Just Listen — They Act If education ain't a bit disruptive, then what are your students really learning? This show isn't about doing school better. It's about Doing School Different — and joining a growing movement of bold, creative school leaders who reject legacy models and reimagine what's possible. 🧠 Here are four ways we can help you on your Do School Different journey: 📬 Subscribe to the Free Newsletter — Tools, mindset shifts, and strategies that actually work: ruckusmakers.news 🗞️ Read Ruckus Maker Media — Premium Substack content, AI prompts, book previews: ruckusmakers.media 💥 Join The Ruckus Maker Club — Private network, workshops, The Automatic School toolkit, and more: ruckusmakers.club 🧨 Apply to the Mastermind — Weekly coaching, peer mentorship, and our proven leadership system: Apply Now 🎙 Today's RUCKUS cast in Partnership With: ODP Business Solutions® For over 30 years, ODP Business Solutions® has helped schools transform from whiteboards to smartboards. Why? Because when you get the right tools, everyone wins. 🔍 Visit odpbusiness.com/education to revolutionize your school's learning spaces. IXL Over 1 million teachers rely on IXL because it is empowering, it helps them make better decisions with reliable data, and it adapts instruction based on student performance. 🔍 Get started today at ixl.com/leaders PLAY PIPER This episode is brought to you by Play Piper. At Piper, we believe STEM doesn't have to feel out of reach. Too many kids love gaming but give up on science and engineering because school doesn't spark their interest. That's where Piper comes in - They have hands-on STEM kits designed to turn curiosity into confidence and keep the pipeline of future innovators flowing strong. 🔍 Learn more at playpiper.com/ruckus © 2026 Twelve Practices LLC | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?
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    46 mins
  • The Whiteboard on Every Desk: Anthony Beckett's Vision for Inclusive Learning

    The Whiteboard on Every Desk: Anthony Beckett's Vision for Inclusive Learning
    Feb 11 2026
    🎙 The Ruckus Report Quick Take: What happens when a high school sophomore builds the tool he wishes his teacher had? You get Markify — a collaborative, accessible classroom platform now used by 20,000+ students. In this episode, Anthony Beckett shares how a missed note sparked a movement and what school leaders can learn from a student-led disruption. 👋 Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Anthony Beckett is the founder of Markify, an EdTech startup transforming classrooms into collaborative learning environments. After building the prototype while still in high school, Anthony scaled Markify to 1,500+ schools and continues to grow the company as a college student. He's presented at ISTE, FETC, and speaks nationally about accessibility, student agency, and rethinking how classrooms operate. 🔨 Breaking Down the Old Rules 🧠 Key Insight #1 — Make Classrooms More Accessible What's broken: Teachers lecture. Students copy notes. And if you miss it, you're out of luck.The shift: Markify puts the whiteboard on every student's desk — live, editable, and archived.Impact: All students — even those in the back row or with attention challenges — can review, interact, and participate at their own pace. 🧠 Key Insight #2 — Design for Collaboration Without Chaos What's broken: Classrooms are still built for compliance, not contribution. Group work is rare, and many tools are either clunky or chaotic.The shift: Markify allows controlled collaboration with real-time editing, permissions, and engagement features.Impact: Shy students speak up. Peer feedback flows. Classwide documents become shared artifacts — not worksheets in isolation. 🧠 Key Insight #3 — Fight Fire With Fire (Engagement > Distraction) What's broken: Schools treat phones and tech as threats instead of opportunities.The shift: Build experiences so engaging, students choose learning over scrolling.Impact: One student hid in the janitor's closet to avoid speaking in class — until Markify gave her a voice. Two weeks later, she was leading a group project. 💬 Quotable Ruckus "The real challenge isn't distraction — it's disinterest. If school isn't more engaging than TikTok, we've already lost." — Anthony Beckett 🎯 Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here: Tomorrow: Ask students how they would redesign one traditional lesson. Try one of their suggestions.This Month: Pilot a collaborative tool like Markify in one unit or course.This Semester: Launch a student-led innovation — let learners solve a real campus problem with tech, process, or design. 🔗 Connect & Continue 🎯 Get the full episode transcript here 👩🏻‍💻 Follow Anthony Beckett: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckett-anthonyMarkify LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/markifyappMarkify Twitter/X: https://x.com/markifytoolMarkify Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markifytoolMarkify YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@markifyexotekMarkify Website: https://markifyapp.com 📌 Ruckus Makers Don't Just Listen — They Act If education ain't a bit disruptive, then what are your students really learning? This show isn't about doing school better. It's about Doing School Different — and joining a movement of bold, creative school leaders who reject legacy models and reimagine what's possible. 🧠 Here Are Four Ways We Can Help You on Your Do School Different Journey 📬 Subscribe to the Free Newsletter — Tools, mindset shifts, and strategies that actually work: ruckusmakers.news 🗞️ Read Ruckus Maker Media — Premium Substack content, AI prompts, book previews: ruckusmakers.media 💥 Join The Ruckus Maker Club — Private network, workshops, The Automatic School toolkit, and more: ruckusmakers.club 🧨 Apply to the Mastermind — Weekly coaching, peer mentorship, and our proven leadership system: Apply Now 🎙 Today's RUCKUS cast in Partnership With: ODP Business Solutions® For over 30 years, ODP Business Solutions® has helped schools transform from whiteboards to smartboards. Why? Because when you get the right tools, everyone wins. 🔍 Visit odpbusiness.com/education to revolutionize your school's learning spaces. IXL Over 1 million teachers rely on IXL because it is empowering, it helps them make better decisions with reliable data, and it adapts instruction based on student performance. 🔍 Get started today at ixl.com/leaders PLAY PIPER This episode is brought to you by Play Piper. At Piper, we believe STEM doesn't have to feel out of reach. Too many kids love gaming but give up on science and engineering because school doesn't spark their interest. That's where Piper comes in - They have hands-on STEM kits designed to turn curiosity into confidence and keep the pipeline of future innovators flowing strong. 🔍 Learn more at playpiper.com/ruckus © 2026 Twelve Practices LLC | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Lead Yourself First: The Awakening Every Principal Needs with Joël McLean

    Lead Yourself First: The Awakening Every Principal Needs with Joël McLean
    Feb 4 2026
    🎯 The Ruckus Report Quick take: If you're leading from an empty tank, you're not leading at all. Joël McLean learned the hard way that transformational leadership starts within — and he built a roadmap any school leader can follow. 🎓 Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Joël McLean is a former principal turned certified leadership coach, committed to helping leaders at every level develop skills and confidence to thrive. With 27+ years in education and founder of Inspire Leadership Coaching, he's on a mission to spark transformation from the inside out. 🔨 Breaking Down the Old Rules In this episode, Joël McLean challenges traditional education paradigms: 🤯 Key Insight #1: Self-Leadership Over More Initiatives What's broken: More hours, more meetings, and more pressure are seen as the solution to underperformance.The shift: Joël argues that success starts with self-leadership and intentional reflection.Impact: Leaders who focus inward show up with clarity, energy, and stronger school-wide influence. 🤯Key Insight #2: Leadership Is Human, Not Just Measurable What's broken: Leadership is treated as purely results-driven, often ignoring the personal development of the leader.The shift: Joël reframes leadership as a human-centered, values-based journey.Impact: Schools thrive when principals build themselves first, then build others. 🤯 Key Insight #3: Cross-Discipline Growth Builds Better Leaders What's broken: Rigid leadership paths discourage creative growth and perspective-taking outside education.The shift: Joël models how borrowing from business, coaching, and mindfulness unlocks new leadership capacity.Impact: Innovative thinking and intentional design create empowered, future-ready campuses. 💬 Quotable Ruckus "If people are depending on me as a leader, then I need to make sure I'm at my best." – Joël McLean 🧗‍♂️ Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here: Tomorrow: Block 15 minutes for uninterrupted reflection. Ask yourself: "Who do I want to be as a leader this week?"This Month: Write your own Leader's Code. Define your values, vision, and what success looks like for you.This Semester: Begin building systems to support adult learning and staff development aligned with your leadership code. 🔗 Connect & Continue 🌟 Get the full episode transcript here 👩🏻‍💻 Follow Joël McLean: My website: inspireleadership.caFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/inspirelifeleadershipcoachingInstagram: @inspireleadershipcoaching 📕 Buy Transcending Your Leadership here. 📌 Ruckus Makers Don't Just Listen — They Act If education ain't a bit disruptive, then what are your students really learning? This show isn't about doing school better. It's about Doing School Different — and joining a growing movement of bold, creative school leaders who reject legacy models and reimagine what's possible. 🧠 Here are four ways we can help you on your Do School Different journey 📬 Subscribe to the Free Newsletter — An opportunity to Do School Different 3x a week. Tools, mindset shifts, and strategies that actually work: https://ruckusmakers.news 🗳 Read Ruckus Maker Media — Exclusive content on Substack. Premium leadership insights, AI prompts and custom gpts, new books before the bookshelf. https://ruckusmakers.media 💥 Join The Ruckus Maker Club — Our private network + workshops, The Automatic School tools, AI Prompt Library, and more: https://ruckusmakers.club 🫸 Apply to the Mastermind — Weekly coaching, peer mentorship, and our proven leadership system (The Ruckus Maker Flywheel) to help you transform your campus: https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mastermind 🎙 Today's RUCKUS cast in Partnership With: ODP Business Solutions® Looking to create the kind of campus experience students never forget? ODP Business Solutions® transforms ordinary spaces into extraordinary learning environments. 🔍 Visit **odpbusiness.com/education** and let's Do School Different. IXL IXL takes the guesswork out of lesson planning for teachers. IXL's ready-made lesson plans are aligned to your textbooks and state standards, so teachers can turn to IXL for the exact content they need to help their students. 🔍 Get started today at ixl.com/leaders PLAY PIPER This episode of Better Leaders Better Schools is sponsored by Play Piper. Every student starts with curiosity - Piper keeps it alive. Our hands-on STEM kits turn gaming passion into real engineering skills. 🔍 Spark confidence in your students at https://www.playpiper.com/ruckus © 2026 Twelve Practices LLC | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?
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    54 mins
  • Trade Fear for Courage: Ryan Hennessey's Grand Finale to Teachin

    Trade Fear for Courage: Ryan Hennessey's Grand Finale to Teachin
    Jan 28 2026
    📣 The Ruckus Report Quick take: Ryan Hennessey didn't just walk away from teaching — he dropped the mic. In this episode, he reveals how to leave on your own terms, build brave spaces that spark curiosity, and model vulnerability without losing yourself in the process. 🎓 Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Ryan Hennessey is a former award-winning educator turned heart-led entrepreneur who refuses to accept "good enough." A science teacher by training and disruptor by design, he equips leaders to build spaces (and lives) that are brave, human, and wildly effective. Ryan believes in trading fear for courage, autopilot for true agency, and busy work for inspiring learning that sticks. 🔨 Breaking Down the Old Rules In this episode, Ryan Hennessey challenges traditional education paradigms: 🧠 Key Insight #1: From Compliance to Curiosity What's broken: Classrooms designed for control, not connection.The shift: Ditch the worksheet culture and build can't-miss learning experiences.Impact: Students re-engage, show up with energy, and begin asking better questions. 🧠 Key Insight #2: From Burnout to Wholeness What's broken: The myth that great teachers must sacrifice everything.The shift: Choose integrity and presence — even if it means leaving.Impact: Greater sustainability and joy for teachers, deeper impact on students. 🧠 Key Insight #3: From Fear to Vulnerability What's broken: Hyper-vigilant environments that punish risk-taking.The shift: Lead with humanity and model failure.Impact: Classrooms become brave spaces where trust, growth, and agency thrive. 🎙️ Quotable Ruckus "Find the courage to fail spectacularly today." – Ryan Hennessey 🧩 Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here: Tomorrow: Ask yourself: Do students want to be in this space? Then do one thing to make the answer "yes."This Month: Build one immersive lesson that ditches the script and leans into curiosity.This Semester: Model vulnerability. Tell students when you're trying something new — and invite them to do the same. 🔗 Connect & Continue 🎯 Get the full episode transcript: Read here 👩🏻‍💻 Follow Ryan Hennessey: Website: www.ryan-hennessey.com/Substack: Handle: @IAMRYANHENNESSEY | Link: substack.com/@iamryanhennesseyInstagram: Handle: @IAMRYANHENNESSEY | Link: www.instagram.com/iamryanhennesseyLinkedIn: Link: www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-hennessey 📌 Ruckus Makers Don't Just Listen — They Act If education ain't a bit disruptive, then what are your students really learning? This show isn't about doing school better. It's about Doing School Different — and joining a growing movement of bold, creative school leaders who reject legacy models and reimagine what's possible. 🧠 Here are four ways we can help you on your Do School Different journey: 📬 Subscribe to the Free Newsletter — An opportunity to Do School Different 3x a week. Tools, mindset shifts, and strategies that actually work: ruckusmakers.news 🗞 Read Ruckus Maker Media — Exclusive content on Substack. Premium leadership insights, AI prompts and custom GPTs, new books before the bookshelf. ruckusmakers.media 💥 Join The Ruckus Maker Club — Our private network + workshops, The Automatic School tools, AI Prompt Library, and more: ruckusmakers.club 🧨 Apply to the Mastermind — Weekly coaching, peer mentorship, and our proven leadership system (The Ruckus Maker Flywheel): Apply here 🎙 Today's RUCKUS cast in Partnership With: ODP Business Solutions® Looking to create the kind of campus experience students never forget? ODP Business Solutions® transforms ordinary spaces into extraordinary learning environments. 🔍 Visit **odpbusiness.com/education** and let's Do School Different. IXL IXL takes the guesswork out of lesson planning for teachers. IXL's ready-made lesson plans are aligned to your textbooks and state standards, so teachers can turn to IXL for the exact content they need to help their students. 🔍 Get started today at ixl.com/leaders PLAY PIPER This episode of Better Leaders Better Schools is sponsored by Play Piper. Every student starts with curiosity - Piper keeps it alive. Our hands-on STEM kits turn gaming passion into real engineering skills. 🔍 Spark confidence in your students at https://www.playpiper.com/ruckus © 2026 Twelve Practices LLC | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?
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    44 mins
  • Compton Is What the Future Looks Like - Leading with Ethics, Vision, and Results with Micah Ali

    Compton Is What the Future Looks Like - Leading with Ethics, Vision, and Results with Micah Ali
    Jan 21 2026
    😎 The Ruckus Report Quick take: Micah Ali dismantles outdated mindsets about urban education and shares how Compton Unified went from a district people had written off to one that's setting the pace for California. Learn what it takes to build trust, flip expectations, and drive equity by doing what's ethical. 🙌 Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Micah Ali is the longest-serving President in the history of the Compton Unified School District Board of Trustees. A lifelong Compton resident and education advocate, he has championed transformational change in public education, equity in opportunity, and investments that uplift Black and Brown communities in California and across the nation. 🔨 Breaking Down the Old Rules 🧠 Key Insight #1: Focus on Students, Not Adult Comfort What's broken: Urban education blamed for failing because of zip codes and funding gapsThe shift: Real issue is adult comfort — not student successImpact: Compton Unified refocused priorities, bucked the failure narrative, and rebuilt community trust 🧠 Key Insight #2: From Expectations to Examples What's broken: Low expectations for Black and Brown communitiesThe shift: Redefining students as examples, not expectationsImpact: 90%+ student participation in STEAM, national recognition, and record-breaking graduation rates 🧠 Key Insight #3: Replace Equity Buzzwords with Ethics What's broken: DEI as a buzzword without substanceThe shift: Replace diversity and equity with ethicsImpact: Every student gets what they need — not because it's politically correct, but because it's morally required 🗣 Quotable Ruckus "Compton is what the future looks like. And Compton students are not expectations, they are examples." — Micah Ali 🎒Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here: Tomorrow: Audit one adult-centered practice and replace it with a student-focused oneThis Month: Reach out to one potential partner outside your zip code — think big (DLR, Apple, Zoom)This Semester: Launch one initiative that proves belief in students — housing, pathways, real opportunities 🔗 Connect & Continue 🎯 Get the full episode transcript here 👩🏻‍💻 Follow Micah Ali: https://www.compton.k12.ca.us/https://www.dlrgroup.com/work/compton-high-school/https://www.linkedin.com/in/micah-ali-54503823/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/compton-unified-school-district/posts/?feedView=allhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/dlrgroup/posts/?feedView=all 📌 Ruckus Makers Don't Just Listen — They Act If education ain't a bit disruptive, then what are your students really learning? This show isn't about doing school better. It's about Doing School Different — and joining a growing movement of bold, creative school leaders who reject legacy models and reimagine what's possible. 🧠 Here are four ways we can help you on your Do School Different journey: 📬 Subscribe to the Free Newsletter — An opportunity to Do School Different 3x a week. Tools, mindset shifts, and strategies that actually work: https://ruckusmakers.news/subscribe 🗞 Read Ruckus Maker Media — Exclusive content on Substack. Premium leadership insights, AI prompts and custom gpts, new books before the bookshelf. https://ruckusmakers.media 💥 Join The Ruckus Maker Club — Our private network + workshops, The Automatic School tools, AI Prompt Library, and more: https://ruckusmakers.club/join 🧨 Apply to the Mastermind — Weekly coaching, peer mentorship, and our proven leadership system (The Ruckus Maker Flywheel) to help you transform your campus: https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mastermind 🎙 Today's RUCKUS cast in Partnership With: ODP Business Solutions® Looking to create the kind of campus experience students never forget? ODP Business Solutions® transforms ordinary spaces into extraordinary learning environments. 🔍 Visit odpbusiness.com/education and let's Do School Different. IXL Over 1 million teachers rely on IXL because it is empowering, it helps them make better decisions with reliable data, and it adapts instruction based on student performance. 🔍 Get started today at ixl.com/leaders PLAY PIPER Kids love gaming and computers, but are disengaged from Math and Science at school. Play Piper changes that with hands-on STEM kits and a coding curriculum. 🔍 Learn more at playpiper.com © 2026 Twelve Practices LLC | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?
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    46 mins
  • Build Trust First, Curriculum Second with Joe LaTorre

    Build Trust First, Curriculum Second with Joe LaTorre
    Jan 14 2026
    📣 The Ruckus Report Quick take: What if the key to student achievement wasn't curriculum coverage or test prep, but trust? Joe LaTorre's classroom proves that when you lead with relationships, kids show up, lean in, and thrive. 🤝 Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Joe LaTorre is a nationally recognized middle school teacher from Oceanside, NY. Known for building powerful classroom culture and eliminating discipline referrals, Joe helps students read 10–15 books a year, double the average. He's also the co-creator of the Bridges program, uniting students across racially and socioeconomically segregated communities. Joe is an award-winning educator, speaker, and proud Ruckus Maker. 🔨 Breaking Down the Old Rules 🧠 Key Insight #1: The Trust Shortcut What's broken: Prioritizing procedures and curriculum in week one.The shift: Start with community, vulnerability, and visible trust.Impact: Students buy in early, behavior issues drop to nearly zero, and academic outcomes skyrocket. 🧠 Key Insight #2: Coaching Over Commanding What's broken: Teachers as compliance officers.The shift: Teachers act as coaches, tailoring experiences to student needs.Impact: More student ownership, deeper engagement, and drastically reduced AI misuse. 🧠 Key Insight #3: Cross-District Segregation Busters What's broken: Racial and economic isolation between school communities.The shift: The Bridges program partners students across districts for shared learning and leadership.Impact: Authentic friendships, empathy, and real-world leadership skills built over years. 💬 Quotable Ruckus "Start with the stretching. Trust is the classroom version of that. If you build it first, you go farther." – Joe LaTorre 📈 Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here: Tomorrow: Begin your class by explaining why today's learning matters — in their terms.This Month: Run a trust-building circle with authentic, scaffolded questions.This Semester: Pilot a cross-classroom or cross-campus exchange to build bridges. 🔗 Connect & Continue 🌟 Get the full episode transcript: Read it here 👩🏻‍💻 Follow Joe LaTorre: Links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2X7LDuBcPMw,Website: www.JosephLaTorre.comInstagram: @thejoelatorreLinktree: linktr.ee/TheJoeLaTorre 📌 Ruckus Makers Don't Just Listen — They Act If education ain't a bit disruptive, then what are your students really learning? This show isn't about doing school better. It's about Doing School Different — and joining a growing movement of bold, creative school leaders who reject legacy models and reimagine what's possible. 🧠 Here are four ways we can help you on your Do School Different journey 📌 Subscribe to the Free Newsletter — Get tools, mindset shifts, and strategies that actually work 3x a week: ruckusmakers.news 🗖 Read Ruckus Maker Media — Exclusive content, AI prompts, new books before the bookshelf: ruckusmakers.media 💥 Join The Ruckus Maker Club — Our private network, workshops, AI tools, and more: ruckusmakers.club 🧨 Apply to The Mastermind — Weekly coaching, peer mentorship, and our proven Ruckus Maker Flywheel: betterleadersbetterschools.com/mastermind 🎧 Today's RUCKUScast in Partnership With: ODP Business Solutions® Looking to create the kind of campus experience students never forget? ODP Business Solutions® transforms ordinary spaces into extraordinary learning environments. 🔍 Visit odpbusiness.com/education and let's Do School Different. IXL Over 1 million teachers rely on IXL because it is empowering, it helps them make better decisions with reliable data, and it adapts instruction based on student performance. 🔍 Get started today at ixl.com/leaders PLAY PIPER Kids love gaming and computers, but are disengaged from Math and Science at school. Play Piper changes that with hands-on STEM kits and a coding curriculum. 🔍 Learn more at playpiper.com © 2026 Twelve Practices LLC | If Education Ain't a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?
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    54 mins