S02 EP12 - Leadership and Labels with Ken Williams

Guest Bio -

Kenneth C. Williams shares his experience and expertise as a nationally recognized trainer, speaker, coach, and consultant in leadership and education. He is the Chief Visionary Officer of Unfold the Soul, Inc., an organization dedicated to helping schools live their posters. Skilled in joining the why of the work to the how of the work, Ken is known for his powerful and engaging combinations of "heart, humor, and hammer." He is an expert at helping schools build capacity in the collective commitments required of learning for all cultures. Ken is a distinguished teacher, mentor, public speaker, school leader and the author of two books. His latest best- seller, co-authored by Tom Hierck, is Starting a Movement: Building Culture from the Inside Out in Professional Learning Communities.

Summary -

In this episode Ken and Natalie talk about the importance of belonging and inclusion for real change to take place in a school and for students to truly feel welcomed and valued. They discuss how labels can be helpful and how they can be excuses for shortcomings. You'll learn how to think differently about the students before you this year and your obligation as an artist of education.

Timestamps -

What fuels Ken's passion? [2:21]

Why Unfold the Soul? [3:12]

Top-down and bottom-up moves to change a school [5:55]

The spiritual side of equity and school change [6:52]

Culture is always fluid [8:13]

If belongingness is about achievement then…? [9:20]

Doing the hard work, especially online [10:04]

Learning for all and learning outcomes [15:07]

Getting away from labels defining students [16:17]

The one thing only the principal can do [19:48]

What's Loose and What's Tight? [21:35]

Setting teachers up to do the right work [23:50]

Excuses and context [26:39]

Labels are fine until they change our expectations [28:48]

Are you a Thermometer or Thermostat? [30:23]

Who was Ken's favorite teacher? [35:48]

Resources -

Ken's Unfold The Soul Website

Natalie's Medium Article on Labels

This week's Freebie

Rick DeFour Article In Praise of Top-Down Leadership

Books Mentioned in this Episode

Learning by Doing