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The Baylor Center for School Leadership hosted Culture of JOY on Monday, September 9, at the Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center for more than 250 education leaders from Central Texas to Madrid, Spain. The half-day professional learning event focused on, as you might expect, joy! But not just in how to find joy in one’s profession – to truly understand that “joy is not freedom from struggle,” Dr. Jon Eckert, co-executive director of the BCSL said. “Joy is the fuel to struggle well.”

The Baylor Center for School Leadership (BCSL) strives to be the most effective Christian leadership catalyst for educators worldwide. Now that Pro Mundo is officially part of Baylor’s seal, we are excited to accelerate this life-giving that allows us to come alongside educators who are serving each student in remarkable ways.

They are living out their calling that goes beyond mere happiness—it's fueled by the deep joy found in a life lived for others, out of an overflow of God's abundant love. 

This summer, the Baylor Center for School Leadership engaged with public school administrators and teachers all over Texas. “We want to serve our Texas schools well, and through them, serve each student well,” Dr. Jon Eckert said. “While we also serve the 4.7 million students in private schools, 49.6 million students attend public elementary and secondary schools. Our public schools are partners in so much of the work that we do, and this is where we need to be if we want to catalyze leadership that supports each student.”

Katie Ahmadzai is the principal of NorthStar Academy, an international online Christian school and an alumna of the Baylor Master of Arts in School Leadership (MASL) program. She didn’t start her career with that title in mind though. She studied electrical engineering at Baylor, and Ahmadzai said her professors noticed the joy she had when teaching others. 

At the Baylor Center for School Leadership (BCSL), we strive to be the most effective Christian leadership catalyst for educators worldwide. But this work cannot be done alone. This is why we brought experts into the fold to do this incredible work with us. Our BCSL Fellows are practitioners who currently serve in the PK-12 space and are skilled facilitators who provide professional learning focused on role-specific leadership development. 

Two incredible women, across the world from each other, came together to inspire change and impact communities this summer. 

In this episode of the Just Schools Podcast, Jon Eckert interviews Dr. Bobby Ott, superintendent of Temple ISD and 2022 Texas Superintendent of the Year. They discuss integrating mental health services, special education needs, and innovative teaching practices.

Dr. Ott highlights the importance of developing a mental health services model in schools, addressing funding and expertise limitations. He also stresses retaining specialized teachers and improving preparatory models for special education and English language learner programs

In this episode of the Just Schools Podcast, Jon Eckert interviews Allison Posey. The discussion covers the importance of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and the role of neuroscience in education. Allison emphasizes the need for a shift from a deficit mindset to one that recognizes the variability and potential in all learners.

n this episode of the Just Schools Podcast, Jon Eckert interviews Joel Satterly, head of school at Westminster Academy in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The discussion covers Joel's diverse career journey, from teaching in an inner-city middle school in Lexington, Kentucky, to leading various Christian schools across the United States. Joel emphasizes the importance of integrating academic rigor with faith formation, highlighting Westminster Academy's commitment to this philosophy since its founding.

Baylor University's Master of Arts in School Leadership (MASL) program is thrilled to announce the commencement of cohort four's journey into educational leadership. After completing their first immersive week and on the precipice of diving into their faith class, cohort four is set to embark on a transformative educational experience. 

In this episode of the Just Schools Podcast, Jon Eckert interviews Dr. Ann Marie Taylor. The discussion covers various aspects of educational leadership and the unique approaches taken at Horse Creek Academy. Ann Marie emphasizes the importance of celebrating and honoring teachers to prevent the profession from declining and shares innovative practices at her school, such as on-site daycare and providing amenities like a coffee bar for staff.

A chance encounter led to a strong friendship and Ben Dirksen’s involvement in leading networks with the Baylor Center for School Leadership (BCSL).   

In this episode of the Just Schools Podcast, Jon Eckert engages with Ted Cockle, a colleague and educator at Baylor University. Cockle shares insights from his experiences and philosophies on what it means to be human and how to foster meaningful education.

In this episode of the Just Schools Podcast, Jon Eckert engages with Alyssa Gallagher to discuss the intricacies of educational leadership and the importance of creating a culture of feedback. Alyssa highlights the optimism that persists among educational leaders despite high stress levels, noting the concept of "gritty optimism" as a key trait for effective leadership.

What if we could lower anxiety, decrease depression, increase classroom engagement, enhance student cognitive endurance, decrease bullying, reduce coordination of substance abuse in unsupervised locations, and give students a chance to engage more deeply in relationships with students and educators? 

In this episode we flip the script and Jill Anderson interviews Dr. Jon Eckert. They engage in conversation about the profound impact of educators and the importance of recognizing their contributions. Jon tells us inspiring anecdotes of teachers who have made a lasting difference in students' lives, reflecting on the transformative power of kindness and support in education. He even recounts a personal experience from his own schooling, to emphasize the enduring influence of a compassionate teacher.

Krystle emphasizes the importance of addressing distractions and creating a sense of belonging in the classroom, regardless of the evolving landscape of technology. She shares her strategy of making science hands-on and exploratory, moving away from traditional labs towards phenomenon-based learning to spark wonder and curiosity in her students.

Jon interviews two guests from Australia, Darren Iselin and his daughter Beck, about the concept of wellbeing in schools. Beck, a teacher, discusses the increase in mental health issues among her students, such as anxiety and depression, as well as the rise in neurodivergent behaviors. She also shares her observations about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on student wellbeing. The conversation highlights the importance of relationships, trust, and cultural norms in fostering student wellbeing and flourishing. They conclude by expressing their hopes for the future of education, including a focus on connection and a joyful hope for student flourishing.

250 million school-aged children do not have access to schools. 

44 million teachers are needed globally. 

These were sobering numbers shared at the International Forums of Inclusion Practitioners to gather a delegation of educators to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris for the Global Inclusive Schools Forum: From Practitioners to Policymakers.

They discuss trends in education, including increased parental engagement and the growth of alternative forms of education. They also touch on the work of Cardus, a think tank focused on education for the common good, and the importance of using industry best practices in education. Van Pelt highlights the ideas of Charlotte Mason, an educator from the early 20th century, who emphasized the importance of relationships and the development of the whole person in education.

The recent sessions by Dr. Jon Eckert, Dr. Erik Carter, and Dr. Kelly Johnston at Baylor University's School of Education left a mark on the Class of 2024, sparking profound reflections and inspiring insights into the intersection of faith and education. As students eagerly absorbed the wisdom imparted by these distinguished educators, they found themselves enriched by their experiences, anecdotes, and transformative ideas.

The Baylor Center for School Leadership (BCSL) strives to create professional learning experiences designed to catalyze improvement in public and independent schools. Excitement built in February for the first Just Leadership event and the recurring Just Schools Academy, two immersive leadership development experiences.  

Mitch Weathers, the founder of Organized Binder, discusses his work and the importance of teaching executive functioning skills in schools. He explains that his program, Organized Binder, helps students develop organization and executive functioning skills, which are crucial for academic success. Weathers emphasizes the need for explicit instruction and modeling of these skills, as well as the importance of creating safe and predictable learning environments.

John shares his nontraditional journey into education, emphasizing the importance of building a supportive community of leaders around him, and we delve into the challenges he faces as a school leader and how he leads with vulnerability, inviting others into messy conversations to solve problems and make decisions.

Lauren shares her journey from unexpected twists, like taking a year off after graduation, to finding her true calling in education. We also dive deep into topics like the power of building relationships through looping (did you know Finland does it for up to six years?), the importance of failing forward in education, and how to lead well even when values clash. Plus, we even explore Lauren's unique perspective on discipline as the "playground of life" and why creating a culture of trust is at the heart of overcoming challenges.

A team of Baylor Center for School Leadership (BCSL) faculty and staff is paving the way to build thriving learning communities in partnership with the William Magee institute at the University of Mississippi, and teacher leaders from 10 Mississippi public schools that have been impacted by the opioid crisis. 

Listen in as we explore Shaun's journey into education, driven by his experiences at youth camps and his love for motivating students to push their limits. Shaun sheds light on his role in developing user-friendly systems for teachers, emphasizing the importance of meaningful engagement over mere busy work.

In this engaging conversation, we explore their unique approaches to creating a vibrant school culture, from multicultural clubs to innovative events like multicultural weeks. Matt, the Vice Principal and International Student Coordinator at Woodland Christian High School, shares his insights into redefining the narrative around international students, emphasizing the importance of fostering genuine relationships and a sense of belonging. Meanwhile, Eric, Athletic Director and teacher at King's Christian Collegiate, sheds light on the collective efforts to prioritize student well-being, especially in the post-pandemic landscape.

Dr. Bill Sterrett and Dr. Mar Magnuson, built partnerships with three universities in the Lahore and Faisalabad regions of Pakistan to help meet the call to support the inclusive development of all aspects of Pakistani society, fostering diversity and inclusion in civil society, empowering women and girls, and promoting interfaith and intra-faith harmony.

We discuss the transformative power of engagement and how it resonates through the pages of my book Just Teaching, and we enthuse over a favorite school visit featuring fifth graders in England joyfully embracing hands-on learning despite the constant rain. As we look ahead to 2024, we ponder the importance of becoming more human in our work, emphasizing the value of genuine connection and collaboration in an era dominated by technological advancements.

The Baylor Center for School Leadership (BCSL) is offering a day of learning and networking that focuses on catalyzing change within school leadership teams at the new Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center on Baylor’s campus on Monday, February 12, 2024.

The idea of “investment” is generally to turn something into more, according to Baylor University’s chief investment officer, David Morehead, who is certainly an expert, after decades of senior-level experience at large financial institutions. Morehead and his wife, Sara, also consider “investment potential” when they choose targets for their charitable giving. That strategy — along with an appreciation for the value of education and educators — led the Moreheads to make an investment in Baylor School of Education’s MA in School Leadership program through scholarship donations.

The School of Education’s Department of Educational Leadership graduated its first cohort in a new master’s program, the MA in School Leadership, in December 2022.

The presentation was dramatic. Everyone waited anxiously in a jam-packed but hushed elementary school gymnasium in Beaumont, Texas, as the governor spoke: “A teacher who has shown excellence, who has helped you learn more, and done a great job, and this teacher’s name is Jenna Dean.” The crowd erupted with applause, and the surprised teacher walked to the front of the assembly.

Baylor professor Bill Sterrett stood behind a large check made out to Ms. Dean for $25,000. While he serves as the educational leadership department chair in Baylor’s School of Education, Sterrett is also part of a unique group of K12 educators, as a previous recipient of the Milken Educator Award, known as the “Oscars of Teaching.”

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Dr. Bill Sterrett, Professor and Chair, Department of Educational Leadership

In this introductory episode of Just Schools, Jon Eckert and Erik Ellefsen highlight some of the key elements of how "Just Schools" are supported by "Just Teaching." And we unpack the importance of focusing on the F.E.W. core elements of teaching to simplify increasingly complex work. F.E.W stands for feedback, engagement, and well-being. When we begin to address these F.E.W elements for each student, we can truly begin to teach for justice.

Dr. Jon Eckert, professor of Educational Leadership and the Lynda and Robert Copple Endowed Chair for Christians in School Leadership, received the Baylor Outstanding Faculty Award for Teaching for Tenured Faculty. Eckert completed his doctorate at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College, and then worked in both the Bush and Obama administrations on teaching quality issues. Before coming to Baylor in 2019, Eckert taught and coached intermediate and middle school students outside of Chicago and Nashville for 12 years and spent 10 years on the faculty of Wheaton College teaching education majors.

Eckert teaches Baylor students at all levels — undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral. He teaches undergraduates in Baylor’s Leadership Minor, master’s students in the MA in School Leadership program, and doctoral students pursuing degrees in K12 Educational Leadership — all programs in the Department of Educational Leadership.