How This Principal Fixed a Failing School Culture to Hit the Top 5% - Amy Galloway

In this episode of An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast, Peter Stiepleman sits down with Dr. Amy Galloway, former principal, state education leader, and co-founder of Pivot School Improvement Leaders. As a school leader, Amy led one of Tennessee’s most dramatic school turnarounds, moving a neighborhood school in Nashville from the bottom 5% to the top 5% in just four years. She later served at the Tennessee Department of Education, where she supported principals, assistant principals, and supervisors across the state.

Dr. Amy Galloway reflects on the challenges leaders face in times of transition, from navigating isolation and accountability to rebuilding school culture with clarity and purpose. She shares what happens when principals are left out of key initiatives and how leaders can better align their actions with their values.

If you're a school leader, educator, or someone thinking about how to lead change in schools, don’t miss this thoughtful and practical conversation with Dr. Amy Galloway.

Key Takeaways from the Episode:

• Why principal isolation is intensified in times of crisis and what to do about it.

• How to rethink evaluation systems as part of a leader’s growth journey.

• The importance of owning the school culture and involving students and families.

• Lessons from a hiring mistake that reshaped Amy’s leadership philosophy.

• How intentionality and honest reflection define an “imperfect” yet impactful leader.

Episode Breakdown with Suggested Timestamps:

•  [00:00] – Introduction & Host's Recent Experiences in Boston

• [01:04] – The Music Metaphor: Every Role is Essential in Leadership

• [02:47] – Going with Your Gut: What It Really Means

• [06:21] – Introduction of Amy Galloway: Background and Leadership Journey

• [08:17] – Post-COVID Challenges for Educators and School Leaders

• [12:44] – Evaluations vs. Continuous Development for Leaders

• [16:28] – Pivot Framework: Core Principles for School Improvement

• [20:38] – Urgency in Educational Leadership: Strategic Planning and Cultural Change

• [23:07] – Building Trust Through Relationships in Leadership

• [25:42] – Reflecting on Leadership Mistakes: A Hiring Decision

• [29:05] – Trust, Reflection, and Growth in Leadership

• [34:43] – Reflection on Leadership Mistakes and Key Learnings

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