In this episode of Build Momentum, we are joined by Dr. Dan Cox, the Superintendent of Schools in Rochester Community Unit School District 3A in Rochester, Illinois. In his 16-year education career in the state, he led the Staunton Community Unit School District and the Jasper County Community Unit 1 School District. He also served as an Assistant Principal and Principal at East Richland Elementary School in Olney. He is active on many boards at the local, regional, and state levels, including the State Assessment Review Committee for the Illinois State Board of Education.

Some Questions We Ask:

• Can you tell us more about your career as a superintendent? (01:25)
• What aspect of your career is most rewarding? (02:18)
• What are your thoughts about the RAND research and how important wellness is to you in coping with stress? (04:04)
• How do you feel scrutiny of the superintendency has changed over the years? (05:45)
• What are key factors in unifying the community to support your vision? (09:34)
• How much do you think your experiences align with those of superintendents in your state or across the country? (07:11)
• How are you able to share and communicate your stories with the community? (12:39)
• What advice can you give to other school leaders who are struggling in building a community? (15:21)
• Why is it important for people to see superintendents as human beings? (18:23)
• How can the community support superintendents? (20:20)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Dr. Cox’s career in education (01:36)
• Rewarding aspects of his career (02:29)
• The importance of wellness in coping with stress (04:15)
• Scrutiny of the superintendency (05:53)
• Developing a single vision for the community (09:56)
• Thoughts on communication and storytelling (12:54)
• Advice on community-building for fellow school leaders (15:43)
• Humanizing the role of superintendents (18:35)
• Advocating for superintendents (20:26)

Quotes:

“We had a pandemic, and it was our responsibility as superintendents to bring a sense of hope, but also a sense of peace and calm and renewal—and then bring in joy and love: the joy of education and the love for what we do and who we serve, which is our kids and our communities.”

“If I was to break it down and just really be authentic and vulnerable about it, [my advice for wellness] is to know who you are at your core and don't identify yourself with your profession.”

Stay in touch with Dr. Dan Cox:

LinkedIn

Stay in touch with Sarah Williamson:
Free Case Study Guide
SWPR GROUP Website
LinkedIn

Stay in touch with Chad Bolser:
LinkedIn

About "The Secret to Transformational Leadership," which Sarah co-authored with Dr. Quintin Shepherd:
Transformational Leadership Secret website
Purchase the print or ebook

In this episode of Build Momentum, we are joined by Dr. Quintin Shepherd. Quintin has 19 years’ experience as a superintendent and currently holds that leadership role at Pflugerville Independent School District in Texas. He has a demonstrated history of improving school districts in both rural and urban areas in multiple states by being committed to transformational and collaborative leadership focused on doing what is best for the children in each district. Quintin is the co-author of the book “The Secret To Transformational Leadership,” together with podcast co-host Sarah Williamson, and his second book, “Transforming Education for Systemic Change and Empowered Communities,” was published in February 2024

Some Questions We Ask:

• Tell us more about your career as a superintendent. (01:20)
• What is most rewarding about being a superintendent? (04:21)
• What are your thoughts regarding the 2022 and 2023 RAND research, and how do you cope with stress in your career? (06:02)
• How has scrutiny of the superintendency changed over the years? (09:32)
• In what ways have you developed a shared vision for your district with your community? (11:57)
• How are your experiences similar to other K-12 school leaders across the nation? (15:09)
• What is the best way to illuminate the humanity of district leaders? (17:27)
• As advocates for K-12 education, how can we truly support superintendents today? (19:14)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• About Dr. Quintin Shepherd’s career in education (01:30)
• The joys of being a superintendent (04:27)
• The changing nature of stress in this job over time, and his strategies for coping with it (06:29)
• Changes in scrutiny of the superintendency with the rise of the internet (09:38)
• Developing a shared vision for the district and being the chief storyteller (12:17)
• His experiences as a superintendent compared to others across the nation (15:17)
• Humanizing superintendents and district leaders (17:48)
• How supporters can all advocate for superintendents (19:41)

Quotes:
“There are only two types of people who work in schools. There are those who teach and those who support teachers. And never forget that [as a principal] you are now the chief supporter of your teachers in your school. ”

“If I'm not my best self, I can't be an effective leader for the people who are counting on me.”

“Leaders are tremendously adept at filling space. We can create it and fill it all day long, but it's a totally different skill set to be able to create the space and then just hold it for others, to be able to fill that space—and do so in a way that's respectful."

“I'm just a big advocate of going to the community first. It requires tremendous vulnerability, tremendous humility. But if you lead that way, the community will actually step up and help you solve the problem.”

Connect with Quintin Shepherd:
Dr. Quintin Shepherd's LinkedIn
Dr. Quintin Shepherd’s Twitter

Stay in touch with Sarah Williamson:
Free Case Study Guide
SWPR GROUP Website
LinkedIn

Stay in touch with Chad Bolser:
LinkedIn

About "The Secret to Transformational Leadership," which Sarah co-authored with Dr. Quintin Shepherd:
Transformational Leadership Secret website
Purchase the print or ebook

In this episode of Build Momentum, we are joined by Dr. George Philhower, Superintendent of Eastern Hancock Schools in Indiana since 2021. Previously he was an administrator for 13 years at Western Wayne Schools, another rural Indiana district. He holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education from Cardinal Stritch University, a master’s in educational leadership and administration from the University of Indianapolis, and both an Ed.S. and Ph.D. from Indiana State University.

Some Questions We Ask:

• Tell us more about your career as a superintendent. (01:33)
• What brings you joy in being a superintendent? (03:32)
• What are your thoughts regarding the 2022 and 2023 RAND research, and how do you cope with stress in your career? (05:01)
• How has scrutiny of the superintendency changed over the years? (07:02)
• How are your experiences similar to other K-12 school leaders across the nation? (08:52)
• What is the best way to illuminate the humanity of district leaders? (10:16)
• In what ways have you developed a shared vision for your district with your community? (12:02)
• What is your advice for someone who’s just starting as a superintendent, and how can they build their community? (14:54)
• What advice can you give to superintendents who might be struggling with that? (15:51)
• As advocates for K-12 education, how can we truly support superintendents today? (17:12)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Dr. Philhower’s career in education (01:45)
• The joys of being a superintendent (03:42)
• His point of view on the RAND research and his strategies for coping with stress (05:25)
• Change in scrutiny of the superintendency (07:08)
• His experiences as a superintendent compared to others across the nation (09:16)
• Developing a shared vision for the district (12:07)
• His advice for superintendents who are just starting to build their communities of support (15:13)
• Different ways of rallying a community through storytelling (16:24)
• Advice for struggling superintendents (16:00)
• How supporters can all advocate for superintendents (17:28)

Quotes:

“I just really believe that if we do nothing, the gravity of the work we're doing, the gravity of the world, is not pulling us towards a place of joy. So if we're going to get there, it's got to be intentional. And that intentionality comes from just looking for things that bring you joy and looking for opportunities to cause moments of joy.”

“A face-to-face conversation or a phone call when you have questions or concerns is 100% the best way to resolve an issue.”

“We do what we call CAFE meetings. It stands for community and family engagement. We do those quarterly. We've got a network of employee partners and community leaders and anybody that's willing to sit down and chat with us that we meet with. And we'll get over 100 people at those meetings sometimes.”

Stay in touch with Dr. George Philhower:
Eastern Hancock Schools
LinkedI

Stay in touch with Sarah Williamson:
Free Case Study Guide
SWPR GROUP Website
LinkedIn

Stay in touch with Chad Bolser:
LinkedIn

About "The Secret to Transformational Leadership," which Sarah co-authored with Dr. Quintin Shepherd:
Transformational Leadership Secret website
Purchase the print or ebook