In this powerful episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with longtime friend and educational thought leader Bradlee W. Skinner to discuss the journey through failure, teacher retention, and the importance of empowering educators. Bradlee opens up about his personal struggles with burnout, stepping away from education, and the pivotal moments that brought him back—stronger and more purpose-driven than ever.

Together, Darrin and Bradlee explore the role of teacher leadership, the dangers of the "just a teacher" mindset, and how school leaders can create environments that encourage collaboration, trust, and professional growth. They also discuss Bradlee’s impactful contribution to the upcoming book Culture First Classrooms, where he challenges the concept of classroom management in favor of classroom leadership.

If you've ever felt the weight of burnout or questioned your path in education, this episode will leave you inspired to own your story, embrace failure as a stepping stone, and create a culture where teachers and students thrive.

✅ Teacher burnout vs. teacher beatdown – Understanding the emotional toll of teaching and what really drives educators to leave the profession.

✅ The power of second chances – Bradlee shares how mentorship, self-reflection, and leadership opportunities helped him rediscover his purpose.

✅ Shifting from classroom management to classroom leadership – Why building relationships and empowering students is more effective than simply managing behavior.

✅ Teacher leadership matters – Practical ways teachers can lead without leaving the classroom, and how administrators can create space for leadership to flourish.

✅ Culture and climate in schools – How small actions from school leaders, such as eliminating the "just a teacher" mentality, can transform staff engagement.

✅ Failing forward – Why embracing failure is crucial for student growth, teacher development, and leadership success.

📲 Follow Bradlee on social media: @BradleeWSkinner on Instagram, Twitter (X), TikTok, and Facebook.

📩 Reach out to Bradlee for speaking, coaching, or leadership support.

📖 Culture First Classrooms: Leadership, Relationships, and Practices that Transform Schools (Coming Soon!)

🎙 Listen to past episodes of Leaning Into Leadership at RoadToAwesome.net

In this episode, returning guest Katie Kinder joins Dr. Darrin Peppard for a behind-the-scenes look at their upcoming book, Culture First Classrooms: Leadership, Relationships, and Practices that Transform Schools. They dive into the journey of co-authoring a book, the power of classroom culture, and how fostering strong relationships transformsschools.

Katie and Darrin share personal stories about their paths as educators, what led them to co-write this book, and how they selected 21 amazing contributors to share their insights. They also explore why great teaching is an art, not a formula, and how school leaders can support teachers in building a culture-first approach to education.

✅ Culture comes first—without strong relationships and a supportive environment, no initiative will thrive.

✅ Teaching is artistry—there’s no single way to be effective, and great educators bring energy, fun, and connection to their work.

✅ Leadership impacts everything—when educators feel empowered and valued, they take more risks and push students to succeed.

✅ This book is a lifeline—it’s filled with real, actionable insights from educators leading the way in post-pandemic classrooms.

Katie Kinder, author of Untold Teaching Truths and Hallway Leadership, is a passionate professional learning facilitator and education advocate. With nearly two decades in education, she inspires and equips teachers with real strategies to hook students from day one. A former Teacher of the Year and Top Five District Finalist, Katie brings energy, authenticity, and a deep love for educators everywhere.

🌐 Website | 📌 Twitter/X | 📷 Instagram | 🔗 LinkedIn

📖 Culture First Classrooms: Leadership, Relationships, and Practices that Transform Schools—Coming March 2025! Stay tuned for launch details and exclusive pre-order bonuses.

Darrin and Katie are developing Culture First Coaching & Consulting, bringing hands-on leadership and instructional coaching to schools nationwide. If you’re interested in bringing Culture First to your school, reach out to learn how they can support your educators.

📩 Contact Darrin and Katie to bring Culture First Coaching to your school!

In this solo episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the journey of writing Culture First Classrooms: Leadership, Relationships, and Practices that Transform Schools, my upcoming book co-authored with Katie Kinder!

We dive into:

✅ The writing process—what it’s like to co-author a book and how it differs from writing solo

✅ How we identified the 21 incredible educators who contributed their insights

✅ The highs, lows, and unexpected moments in bringing this book to life

✅ What Culture First Classrooms truly means and why this book is so important for educators

This is an episode for anyone curious about the book-writing process, thinking about writing their own, or simply wanting a deeper look into what’s coming in March! Plus, I share a few sneak peeks from some of the powerful stories inside the book.

💌 Join the Email List: Want updates on the book release, exclusive pre-order bonuses, and behind-the-scenes insights? Sign up here: roadtoawesome.net