December 1, 2025 • 45 mins
Are you just counting down the days until winter break, or are you actively building energy to carry your staff through it?In this episode of Control Shift Lead, we are joined by Jim Dutrow, Principal of Lake Ridge Middle School in Prince William County. Together, we explore how to shift the December mindset from "survival mode" to "thriving mode." We discuss the power of being mentally present at student performances, how to turn simple visibility into deep community connections, and creative ways to combat chronic absenteeism among both students and staff.Key Takeaways:
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Thank You for Listening!This has been an episode from The Edify Network—Where the Whole Education Community Listens and Learns. We are dedicated to supporting everyone invested in K-12 success: teachers, leaders, parents, and community advocates.Want to keep the conversation going?
This episode includes AI-generated content.
- Control: How to be truly present and visible during the busy holiday arts season.
- Shift: Fun, actionable strategies to boost staff morale, including "Wheel of Names" giveaways and the "Snowflake in Your Pocket" game.
- Lead: Building tangible support systems, such as school-based food pantries, to help families navigate holiday stressors.
Subscribe and share this episode to help other leaders shift their thinking!
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-edify-network-insights-for-every-education-stakeholder--6630377/support.
Thank You for Listening!This has been an episode from The Edify Network—Where the Whole Education Community Listens and Learns. We are dedicated to supporting everyone invested in K-12 success: teachers, leaders, parents, and community advocates.Want to keep the conversation going?
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- Share the Knowledge: If this episode provided value, please take a moment to rate and review us! Your five-star reviews help new teachers, parents, and leaders find our network.
- Explore the Network: This show is just one part of the Edify family. Head over to our network page to explore our full roster of interconnected podcasts, including CTRL Shift Lead, Vice Principal UnOfficed, and Your Morning Boost.
- Connect with Us: Have a question or an idea for a future episode? Reach out to us at adam@awbeducation.org or find us on social media using the tag #theedifynetwork.
This episode includes AI-generated content.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Are you a school leader striving for excellence?
Speaker 2 (00:07):
Do you crave actionable strategies and fresh perspectives to navigate
the challenges of education today?
Speaker 1 (00:15):
Get ready to take charge.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
This is Control Shift Lead, giving you something to control,
something to shift your thinking, and something concrete to help
you lead your school.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
With Jim Witchman of Inspired.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Edification and Adam Bush of AWB Education, your journey to
empowered leadership starts now.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
Welcome back to Control Shift Lead podcast, where we give
educators like you real, actionable information you can use as
early as tomorrow. I'm Jim Witchman from Inspired Edification. I'm
joined as always with my co host, the mister Adam
Bush from ADWB Education. Hey Adam, how are you doing?
Speaker 4 (00:57):
Uh?
Speaker 5 (00:57):
Great?
Speaker 3 (00:58):
Now?
Speaker 5 (00:58):
I don't know if my head will get back out
of the door after you just gave me that sucker,
But that's impressive. You've been playing out and for the
price since last month.
Speaker 3 (01:07):
I actually, you know, as you know, thinking about doing
podcasts and everything, and everybody talks about having the time
to do it or not, but they believe in it. Well,
when I've got a co host like you, Adam Bush,
it just makes things, just life a lot easier.
Speaker 4 (01:21):
Today.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
I appreciate it.
Speaker 6 (01:23):
Man.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
What have you been up to this last month?
Speaker 5 (01:26):
I'll tell you what. Just you know, we're already just
winding the year down. It's crazy. It seems like you
blink and another day has passed, and just trying to
kind of get to that that hump that we all feel,
you know, sometimes it's the low hump of the year,
but it's it's coming, And just trying to get our
staff through that and get everybody rocking and rolling so
(01:47):
we can lead right into the holidays. But how about you,
I tell you what.
Speaker 3 (01:51):
I've been to a lot of places that have been blessed,
from Virginia, West Virginia, California, Illinois, Minnesota, and just got
back from the Arkansas, which I gotta tell you, no
offense to our guest here today, but that's one of
the coolest middle schools I've been to. But we're gonna
get to We're gonna talk about Lakery's middle School here too,
(02:11):
and a little bit here.
Speaker 5 (02:12):
Yeah, speaking of our guests before you introduce him, though,
I got to mention something. I know you'll do the
formal introduction here, but as we were planning for this show,
it's something just dawned on me. This is the first
time that we're gonna have a guest that shares a
name with one of us. So this is a problem
for me. I'm trying to figure this out, Like do
I have to give you a nickname? Are you like
you know J Dubbs or like I don't know, or
(02:34):
just witch men or what this is? But this is
gonna cause some work tonight. I mean to get through this.
I can help you out with this. One of the
activities I do to force people to get to know
each other a little better and nothing like an ice breakaway,
but just kind of like who are we? So I say,
introduce yourself as a nickname you had in elementary school,
(02:55):
high school, college, or whatever the case is, but don't
tell the story, so the stories come out after words.
Speaker 3 (03:00):
I can launch it so forth. So I'll give you
three nicknames I've had over the years, all appropriate. Einstein
was my elementary one. Witchy isn't easy, it's easy to explain,
and then Ditchman is another one. Ditchman, So you've got Einstein, Witchie,
(03:21):
or Ditchman. You can come up with either one any
of those.
Speaker 5 (03:24):
Well, I'm just hoping that Einstein wasn't like a shot
from friends, you know, like you know, if I'm a
bigger guy, if somebody calls me tiny, you know, it's
not one of those type of things. But I hope.
Speaker 3 (03:36):
Actually it goes down to when my hair grows, it
grows out. And so a sixth grader when I was
in third grade is sixth grader. So my wild hair
blowing around, he called me Einstein. Yeah, that's a better reason.
That's better than what I was coming up with. So
you got you go ahead, you call whatever. We got
a guess that's gonna roll with it. Heck, he's laughing already,
and I gotta tell you before I introduce him, we
(03:56):
got something big because this guy can bring the energy
and he definitely brings the laughter. So when you're talking
about going into December, he's the guy. He's the guy
that we need for this right now. So yeah, so hey,
speaking of joining us in this episode is mister Jim Dutrow.
Jim is a middle school principal in Prince William County
(04:17):
Schools at Lake Ridge Middle School, where nobody, I mean
nobody has a building with the most beautiful artwork, the paintings,
the murals, everything is flat out amazing. Hey, welcome Jim
to control shift lead.
Speaker 5 (04:33):
All right, welcome down.
Speaker 4 (04:36):
And we've added to the murals since the last time
you've been. So we're gonna have to get to back out.
Speaker 3 (04:41):
My good I'll be I'll be back out. I'm not
sure where there. Yeah, you talk about My favorite one
is the one, not the one in the gym, but
the one above the threshold.
Speaker 5 (04:54):
Tell Adam to tell us this details here. This is good.
Speaker 4 (04:58):
It's just wolf eyes looking at you, making sure that
you're going to class on time, ready to learn. Yeah,
they're just just hurry at you. They're scary. Yeah, they're
meant to be.
Speaker 3 (05:12):
That's good.
Speaker 4 (05:14):
That's kids.
Speaker 3 (05:16):
I've got to I've been working. I started coaching out
of Prince William I think it was twenty eighteen nineteen
somewhere right. It was before COVID, right before COVID, I
know that. And so I got the opportunity to see
Jim and his leadership skills and how he's he navigates
not only just like through the trickiness of COVID, but
(05:36):
really just how he builds his staff. And he's one
of those leaders that slow and steady and subtle but
yet there's clear lines all the way through for student
behavior and the adult behavior as well. Awesome, it's not utopia,
but that school has really got it going on. And
I got to say he's got one of the best
(06:00):
assistant principles ever, multiple assistant principles. But Michelle knows who
I'm talking about. That's good. I got a great staff.
Not gonna lie.
Speaker 4 (06:08):
I uh yeah, we have a We have an amazing
staff which makes me live good sometimes.
Speaker 5 (06:13):
Turn right, turn right. That's good.
Speaker 3 (06:17):
Well, welcome to the control shift, Lead Jimmy, and we're
gonna get going and talking about your things that we
can control. That you got to offer us things that
maybe can shift our thinking a little bit, and then
how we can with some leadership tips we could have.
So right, if we take a break, we're gonna jump
right into what you can help us with what we
can control.
Speaker 5 (06:50):
All right, welcome back. So, whichmand that opening segment really
just hit home? I mean December right here, we feel
like we're just sometimes running a Maria. I kind of
felt like I was following you through that marathon right
there as we're getting into the break. But it's also
a great time for us to have some opportunities to
connect with people, and Jim, that's the part that brings
us right into our first segment, and that is control.
(07:13):
So this month we want to talk about being like
mentally present, and you're talking about like celebrating the arts
programming in the school and all of that wonderful stuff. So, Jim,
at Lakeridge Middle School, you've clearly made visibility at these
events a priority, as we've talked about getting ready for
the show today. So how do you do that? How
(07:34):
do you ensure that you're truly present? Your leadership team
isn't just there checking a box during these moments.
Speaker 4 (07:39):
Sure, I think I think you said it perfectly, be present,
And I think we always have administrators at our performances,
holiday programs, holiday music and even at times where if
I can't be there, And this is one of the
things I love about my admin team. We are getting
videos from the performances, but we partner with our local
(08:02):
high school, Woodbridge High School, home of the Vikings went
to Woodbridge.
Speaker 3 (08:07):
Nice shout out there all the schools I work at,
and so like partnering with them for some of those
performances where.
Speaker 4 (08:14):
You know, it's a great way for our kids to
see kind of that next level of work that they'll
see in high school. And for us as administrators, I
get to see our former students performing like awesome. I mean,
it is such a joy to be able to see
how far our kids have gone from sixth grade through
(08:36):
eighth grade and then to get to see them again
perform ninth, tenth, eleventh, and even twelfth grade. And so
I think that is a great way for you to
build community within your school, build community within the arts
programs for your school. And so that is something that
I've definitely we've tried to control. We set those schedules
(08:57):
up pretty much like a year in advance to make
sure that we can get space in the high school
on certain days, and so I think being present for
those performances is definitely something that we can control as
leaders and making sure our admin team is there that
sixth grade AP is in that sixth grade performance, seventh
(09:19):
grade AP is up grade performance, and just building those
relationships with our kids, with our families, they see us there,
and so I think that's very important.
Speaker 3 (09:27):
Yeah, you hear you talking about really taking the emotions
of I'm running out of energy, but then building it
back up because we know that if you would have
any of your elementary feeder system teachers come into this school,
they walk down the hallways and the kids at the
middle school are going to swamp them. Same concept when
the high school kids come in. And so now you're
(09:49):
taking this energy that's draining and now we're like getting
it back up to we have a community that's bigger
than Lake Ridge Middle School. We're bringing in the vikings,
the Woodbridge High School vikings, and then just kind of
partnering within that. And I love that how you said that.
And then along with that is it's not just about
being physically present, it's about being mentally present with the
kids and the families. And now we really do have
(10:11):
a community.
Speaker 5 (10:12):
Yeah. No, that's a great point there, whichmand I mean,
if you think about that, that gives you that opportunity
to really see the whole child. We talk about that
all the time. But it's not just all because I
was your third grade teacher or I was your you know,
elementary principle that I only care about you during that time, no, no, no, no,
I care about you from start to finish to life
to everything else really gives you that opportunity to do that,
(10:35):
and you know, Jim, is your bringing that up, it
just brings back a memory. I remember a few years
back when I was at a concert and happened to
just run into the kid in the hallway, which for
me now is a little bit more difficult from the
district office administrator role. You know, I just don't see
kids as often as further detached, but happen to see
a kid, I recognize them, like, hey, a nice job
(10:55):
at the concert last night, and they stopped real quickly.
You were there, well, yeah, yeah, you know, and it
was it was just a little moment, a little moment,
but that that's a good moment. And just by taking
that opportunity, I would never be able to have that
conversation had I not been there in the first place.
Speaker 3 (11:12):
Hey, Jim, go ahead, Hey Jim, do you talk about
an experience maybe that you had in the one of
the concerts or one of the kids, or the moment
of just seeing them perform. And I think, like Adam says,
is if we see him in the whole child versus
that kid who maybe is struggling a little bit through
the day or pushing the buttons of teachers, just talk
about some of those experiences you had.
Speaker 4 (11:35):
I think one of my favorite experiences is I will
usually go out or whichever administrators there will go out
and do a little introduction and then being behind the curtain.
It's kind of that stage. We don't normally get backstage passes.
I'm not I'm not at a concert getting backstage passes,
but I'll tell you what. At Woodbridgs High School for
the orchestra concert, I get a backstage pass. And so
(11:58):
getting to see our kids perform, getting to see our
teachers on that stage and how they command that entire
audience at a in a high school venue is just
it's an amazing experience and it's something that I think
only as an administrator you really feel how great that is.
(12:21):
And I think sometimes when we're performing with the high
school students, it's even better because you get to see
that growth and our kids love it, our teachers love it,
and so it's been it's been for me.
Speaker 5 (12:37):
So I want to go back to something you just
said there, Jim. So you you mentioned about saying something
like are you starting the concert or giving an introduction
or anything else?
Speaker 4 (12:47):
Introduction?
Speaker 5 (12:48):
Yeah, see that isn't done enough. I mean, I can
I can think of the many years I've been doing this.
A couple times I've been asked to do a quick introduction,
and yeah, I've always says reading, I do podcasting. I've
got a voice for it, probably have a face for
radio two. But you know, I knew you guys say that. Yeah,
because that's true. I mean, it is what it is.
I can own that. But what it makes me think
of is why not? Because that's a great opportunity for visibility.
(13:10):
So it's a quick win for your community's like, oh,
there's that guy up there, there's that gual up there.
She cares about my kid that's on this stage, putting
all of that time and effort and energy to perform
and show their talents.
Speaker 4 (13:23):
What an easy way.
Speaker 5 (13:25):
I don't know why we don't do that more often,
Like Jim, serious, this is like why haven't we done that?
Speaker 3 (13:29):
Yeah? I think we got to also be mindful. Sometimes
when ministries don't know how to do that, they start
talking about things that aren't really valid and important. So
if you keep it tight and then you can do
some amazing things Like you're standing up there, you're looking
at the parents, You're like connecting with them. That ways, well,
And here's one thing I know that and Jim kind
of alluded to a little bit, is when you are backstage,
(13:53):
you see the nerves and you see the excitement. This
is a big the pride of all those kids and
they're coming off backstage, Adam, I saw it in show choir,
and I saw it when I was a principal at
Prairidge Middle School. It is so powerful and it's like, gosh,
there's purpose right there.
Speaker 5 (14:12):
No, you can take that a step further too. You
get to you know, you're going to watch a baseball game.
If the coach was okay with it, I suppose by
going to watch a baseball game, go sit on the
end of the bench. Let's go sit down there for
a little bit. If you can. Why not see kids
in action? See this?
Speaker 3 (14:27):
I love that idea. That's a great administrator. But not
as a parent.
Speaker 5 (14:30):
Well yeah that too. Yeah, probably shouldn't do that. One
might be a little different, but yeah, darn right. If
you're a principal of that build, it doesn't.
Speaker 4 (14:37):
Why not? Why not?
Speaker 5 (14:38):
It shows that you care about them, not just because
they're in the classroom at that one moment in time.
They're the whole child.
Speaker 3 (14:45):
Now Jim, I know you guys do announcements and you're
you're out and about in the hallways with kids, and
so tell us a little bit about the connection of
the day after a performance in December.
Speaker 4 (14:55):
Sure, I think it's it's talking to the kids and saying, hey,
great job last night, making sure that they know that
you appreciate what they do. Another thing that we do
in our hallways again, another thing that we can control
as we get closer to the end of December and
getting closer to winter break. Our kids perform in the building,
whether it is in our mixing bowl which is kind
(15:18):
of our open area, our cafeteria. We will have different
groups perform nice for the student body in the morning
as they're getting ready to go to first period. And
we've even had faculty come in and perform with them,
and not just the music teachers. And so what a
(15:39):
great way to find out that, hey, that that English
teacher that you have that's down the hallway. Yeah, they
also play guitar, the wow Dure and that's played that
played trumpet all their life and now they get an
opportunity to perform with kids. They make connection with the
kids that they may not even have or ever have,
and you're now again building some worknnections within your building
(16:02):
between students and adults. Well at the same time having
a great time. And yeah, for that end of December timeframe,
what instrument do you play with him?
Speaker 3 (16:13):
Jim?
Speaker 4 (16:14):
I play the stand there and clip.
Speaker 3 (16:18):
An instrument that works. Yeah, Adam, Adam, what do you play?
Speaker 5 (16:22):
Adam? I hate to say this because I have not
touched in a long time, but you know I was.
I was blessed enough to be an all state trombonist
back in the day.
Speaker 3 (16:33):
I thought you had something to be your sleeve.
Speaker 5 (16:35):
Yeah, yeah, I do. I do. It's been a long time,
but tell you what, Jim, this was a great start
for control. I mean, I'm getting all excited, and usually
that's Witchman's job during this podcast is to get all
that energy coming out. So you've got me going already.
This is awesome. I can I just can't wait and
see what we still got coming. So yeah, stay with
us for a little bit. We're gonna take a quick
(16:56):
break so we can pay some bills, and when we
get back, we will shift our focus to shift as
we talk about some things. I can really shift your
thinking about some staff and students recharge things that we
can do in the month of December. So hang on,
everybody will be right back here.
Speaker 4 (17:11):
In just a second.
Speaker 3 (17:23):
Welcome back to control Shift lead everyone. Before the break,
Jim talked about what we can control right now in
our celebrations and actually the emotional ties that come with
it for not just the students but also the adults.
The shift we're going to discuss this month is moving
from simply surviving until break to actively ensuring our staff
have energy going into break so that when they are
(17:45):
at break, they have the energy to really enjoy their families.
Speaker 5 (17:49):
The concept concept, but we love it.
Speaker 3 (17:53):
Screw that up somehow, and I don't understand it. It's
it's like, this is our time to celebrate, right Well,
here's the good news is Adam, our main man, Jimmy
here is going to take us through.
Speaker 4 (18:05):
Jim help us shift our thinking a little bit here. Sure,
I think that's a huge thing. I think too many
times end of the year, coming up on breaks, it's
always how many how many Dayst'll break? How what do
I gotta get through?
Speaker 3 (18:20):
It's like, yeah, thirteen to fifteen, Yeah, we're.
Speaker 4 (18:22):
Going to count him down right absolutely, And so really
we try to as much as we can build the
momentum to break, give our staff our students things to
look forward to leading into break, so that one truancy
is an issue across our chronic apps and teeism is
(18:43):
a nationwide issue post COVID, and so we are always
trying to find ways to make sure our kids want
to be in school. Same thing with our staff. Yeah,
we found our staff sometimes struggle with chronic absenteeism. And
so one of the things that we have done the
(19:04):
last couple of years is and I'm wearing my sweatshirt today.
We have some swag giveaways every week, usually on days
where we've got a lot of teachers out and the
one caveat to that is must be present to win,
to win, And so this sweatshirt and Jim has one,
(19:28):
which man has one?
Speaker 3 (19:30):
I should have wore it today?
Speaker 4 (19:31):
Yes, yeah, to get one out to you. So we'll
make sure we get one out to you. It is
the most shirt you've ever worn in your entire life.
I don't know what you need. It's great and our
staff loves it. Like we call it the Wheel of Names.
So every usually it's on Fridays, but not always on Fridays,
(19:51):
we spend the wheel set number of names come up,
but you have to be present to win, and our
absenteeism for staff has gone down since we've since we've
started this, and so you know, perfect example, I was
in Indianapolis a little bit ago for a conference, presenting
at a conference and I couldn't do the Wheel of
Names on that Friday, and the amount of text that
(20:13):
I got on age, I was like, We're going to
do it on Monday, which everything's going to be fine.
Sweatshirts are going out. But you know, our staff has
really gotten into it and it's it's something that they
look forward to, and so you know, that's something My
goal was to have all of them out by winter break,
(20:34):
and we started this at the beginning of the year.
So that's something that we love to do. Just fun activities,
giveaways for stuff.
Speaker 3 (20:41):
What a great way because I know that, you know,
Gene Day used to be that kind of like a
cupon for Gen Day or things like that, and we
kind of had to evolve a little bit and I
did something similar. I didn't have the coolest white shirts
or anything like that, but I remember giving away like
a dinner for two and that got a lot of cheers,
so did everything else, like a pencil. I mean, I
(21:04):
was giving away all these things and they all get
equal cheers. I think it's just shaking it up a
little bit throughout the mundane part of it.
Speaker 5 (21:11):
Well, and I think to which when you're talking about, yeah,
it's giving away, that's good. You know, people like swag,
they like all that stuff. That's great, But it's also
just think about the camaraderie that happens during the moment.
That's really what people are getting to, right, It's that. Yeah,
it's kind of like when we you know, I was
always talking about with coaching, where you'd hide conditioning, right,
(21:32):
I need people to condition. They don't like to condition
by hide it in other things and people they just
get into it, they have fun. Well, it's the same thing.
Speaker 4 (21:39):
Really.
Speaker 5 (21:39):
The goal you're trying to do is get that ownership
piece with the school and wanting to be there and
that desire to be there. You just got to hide
it within some giveaways or which I think that's an
awesome idea by the way, but again it's you know,
it's kind of might have a different purpose and if
we just say it, does that really you know the
we need you here at school. E. I don't know
(22:00):
I was gonna do a whole lot, but having something
we do as a team like that is gonna that's
just gonna have a bigger impact on I think that's
a great idea.
Speaker 3 (22:10):
What's the feedback you've been getting from that, Jimmy?
Speaker 4 (22:13):
I love it. And I think you see more and
more sweatshirts throughout the year as more and more people
win them. And so again there's that you talk about,
that camaraderie of yep, we've got them, and they all
know they're eventually gonna get them. That's the other piece
I think is important. They know that they're going to
get it at some point, and it's just kind of
(22:35):
the bracking rates before if you get it early versus
later on in the year.
Speaker 3 (22:40):
So I know some of the staff members, now are
they when they win, are they like strutting around a
little bit, or are they just yeah.
Speaker 4 (22:47):
Oh yeah, that would be there higher staff got it?
Speaker 5 (22:52):
Yeah, yeah, yep.
Speaker 3 (22:53):
I like that. So, Adam, I think I might have
picked up on one of your each each week or
each month, I try to grab an atomism along the way.
I've never heard of hide conditioning or hide pride or
you're kind of like you're being savvy with it, but
it but it just kind of makes it more of
a natural. So often we do things like an icebreaker.
Nobody likes icebreakers, but we do them. However, you could
(23:15):
do the same thing, and if there's intention into it,
no longer it is to become an icebreaker. It becomes
like something with purpose. And what I what I think
about it is when we do things to check it
off and think it's going to change the world, we
really miss everything. So if if the email you talked about,
if Jim would have sent out an email to Lake
Ride staff, that not only would it drowned out the
(23:36):
we're not going to really okay whatever, but all emails
from him Yep, outside of this time of the year,
it would drown it out too and have that. So
now we're like making it a like purposeful. So it's
not just about winning a sweatshirt, or's just about being present.
It's like we're a wolf pack. I mean, man, I
gotta tell you what's your what's your? What's the phrase
(23:57):
at the end you guys have with the wolf pack
hashtag pack mentality, pac mentality, that's it. That's it is.
Speaker 5 (24:04):
I love that you're getting people out of the classrooms.
You're getting everybody out there together to celebrate the fact
that we're together. I mean, that's really what it boils
down to. That's that's awesome pack mentality.
Speaker 3 (24:16):
I love that. I love that.
Speaker 4 (24:18):
And speaking of getting staff out, another thing that we
do usually that last week before break, we call it
snowflake in your pocket, and so we high not eight
snowflakes throughout to us to eight staff members each morning,
and so they put it in their pocket. Every staff
(24:40):
member can then say, do you have a snowflake in
your pocket? If you do, you have to give it
to whoever asked. This goes on all day until two fifty,
and at two point fifty, which is the end of
our day, whoever has those eight snowflakes in their pocket
again get some type of price. And so our staff
(25:02):
like fun. You know, oftentimes your teachers, you know, they
hang out with their math people, they hang out with
their language artspeoper, they're science there. They don't necessarily com
mingle throughout the building. You're giving them a reason to
com mingle super into it. They want to be there
those days again, it's getting your staff present for present
(25:25):
in the building and a great story I have for
this because and Jim will tell you, I'm probably one
of the most competitive people you'll ever meet. Like I'm
gonna win. I already have everything that we're gonna win.
I don't even care about getting anything new.
Speaker 3 (25:42):
I want to win.
Speaker 4 (25:43):
And so I had a meeting one day during the
snowflake in your pocket. I had gotten a snowflake right
before the meeting. So I'm like, this is perfect. I'm
going in my office. I'm putting the show. Everybody's getting
my snowflake. Staff member comes to my office slides a
(26:03):
piece of paper under the door. I love it.
Speaker 5 (26:07):
Lay snowflake in your pocket.
Speaker 3 (26:14):
I have to give up my snip flake underneath the.
Speaker 4 (26:17):
Door or I opened the door handed.
Speaker 3 (26:21):
And I was very angry for the rest.
Speaker 4 (26:23):
Of the meeting.
Speaker 5 (26:24):
That is hilarious, even though what the meeting is about
or were you just mad?
Speaker 4 (26:28):
I was just mad. I was angry. Who is it?
Speaker 3 (26:32):
I gotta tell you next time. That's a I don't
need to know the name, but that's brilliant. Yeah, and
I gotta tell you that story that you just said
right there, probably got song.
Speaker 5 (26:41):
I mean, people were probably talking about that for a while.
Speaker 3 (26:44):
And so when they're talking about something like that, they're
not talking about that kid, that parent, that principle, that's you,
that board member, that legislator, that governor, that that that
that that they're talking about a time when we laughed.
We're talking about the time when I got the principal.
They're talking about that time when we came together. And
that's the memories we want going into break. Hey, I
(27:05):
got to tell you this is a perfect, perfect shift
in our mindset. Give them the energy, shake it up
a little bit. We're going to take a break here,
and when we come back, our guest Jim is going
to talk to us a little bit about a lead
segment of our control shift.
Speaker 5 (27:20):
Lead.
Speaker 3 (27:21):
Stick with us everyone.
Speaker 6 (27:24):
Hi, I'm doctor Lisa Hill, a longtime educator of nearly
forty years as a teacher, counselor, professor, and vice principal.
And I've seen just about everything public schools can throw
at you, and now I'm sharing my tales on my
comedy podcast, Vice Principle Unofficed. It's where school leadership meets
laugh out loud stories from underwear required parent teacher conferences.
(27:46):
Yes really, two staff launch confessions and more. You won't believe.
I'm telling it all with humor and a whole lot
of heart. I also tackle the serious stuff too, like
what schools really need to change and those behind the
scenes moments no one talks about. So if you're ready
to laugh, learn, and maybe even prior little but mostly laugh,
join me and my ninety year old mom my unofficial
(28:08):
co host on Vice Principal unofficed. New episodes drop bi
weekly on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your
podcast picks. Trust me, this is one detention you'll actually
look forward to.
Speaker 5 (28:33):
All right, welcome back everybody. The final segment, of course,
is Lead and Jim. Just to let you know, this
is where we typically we discuss like the system, structures,
cultural moves, any of that other stuff that we can
do that's going to help lead your classroom or lead
your school, lead your building. There's a lot of people
that are involved, obviously in educating our youth every single day.
(28:55):
So I think we're planning on talking a little bit
about here. Talked about the energy into the break, We've
talked about being visible and all that wonderful stuff that's
going on. But we also know that this is also
a time of year where people struggle a little bit
and there's there's just a lot of that that goes on.
It's our parents, our families, staff, students. Holidays can make
(29:17):
things kind of tough. And Jim, I know your school
has prioritized some tangible support systems that can really help
people during this time. So can you can you walk
us through how your leadership team organizes that stuff and
what this is and some of those ideas that we
also can take back to our schools to help lead
our communities.
Speaker 4 (29:37):
Through this time. Absolutely, and we are we're close to Washington, DC,
so the government shut down like that's real for us.
And so there's several things that we have done this year,
several things we've done every year to really help our
(29:57):
families are struggling. One of the of things we started
this year is a food pantry for our community. There
are ten schools in our division that are piloting these
food pantries.
Speaker 3 (30:09):
Are apparent liaison and school social worker.
Speaker 4 (30:12):
I have done a tremendous job with making sure that
our food pantry is stocked, getting the information out to
our families that are in need. And so that is
something that I'm really proud of of being able to
help our families in need, not just during the holidays.
This is something that's going to be open year round.
(30:32):
Our National Junior Honor Society, they just had their induction
a month or so ago, and so their first thing
was a food drive. The students were able to They
have to do community service hours, and so for ten
cans of food, ten items, they get an hour of service.
And so our students buy into it, our families have
(30:54):
bought into it, and so that has been something that's
been really great for us. It's going to be something
throughout the year.
Speaker 3 (31:03):
So I sit here and I think about this as
just as you're kind of going through it today. We
talked about like the students first, you know, with the
with the what we could control the celebration. Then we
started talking about the staff and the celebrations you're doing
to kind of shift our thinking about how we want
our staff going in to break. But now you're bringing
a full circle. We're talking about how you guys are
pouring into the community. And I got to tell you,
(31:26):
you know, Christmas was a very hard time for me
growing up because we didn't have any money. We didn't
do We just didn't. And when we got that knock
on the door and you open up the door and
there was a box of food, it was like we
had We were able to have a feast for Thanksgiving,
we were able to have a feast for Christmas. And
(31:47):
without that, I don't know if we would have been
able to do so. At least it wouldn't have been
to that level. And when I know that people really
can see everybody and we're not judging it, we're not
saying anything about it's the poor people. We're taken care
of at all. Now, it's like humans were taken care of.
And it's so powerful that you I really do believe,
And I'm a middle school person at heart. I believe
(32:10):
the hearts of middle school kids. When they get behind
something and they can really see the purpose of it,
they get crazy, They get right after it, and they
pour right into it, very intentional.
Speaker 5 (32:21):
The other part about that, Jim, I really like is
that you know a lot of times communities like the
town might take up that exact thing you're talking about.
But what you're saying is maybe it's great, maybe it's not.
I don't know. You're not gonna you're not going to
take that risk. The district to the school building is
saying no, no, no, no, no. We see this as something
(32:43):
very important, so we want to make sure that it's
done the right way. We want to make sure that
our families are taken care of. You know, I've heard
some other schools that will do and we've done this
actually in some of the offices that I've worked in
in the past. You know where you trade gifts back
and forth. I mean, I love the people I work with.
I don't need a Christmas gift from them. I don't
write they don't need one from me. But there's a
(33:03):
lot of kids out there that could certainly under stand
a clause this year, and so instead of doing the
little trade things, go in on a package that you
can do that that delivery to the door like you
talk about there. But really the point is what I'm
hearing you say is that you want to get it done.
So you make sure it gets done and take care
(33:24):
of that thing that's going to be able to serve
your community. And I think that's really admirable because it'd
be really easy just to say, well that's the town
will do that, or here's where you can go go
down here. No, We're going to make sure you've got it.
That's important to us. That's that's really cool.
Speaker 4 (33:39):
And speaking of your you know, there are some families
that would really need Santa or need gifts around this time.
We also do an Angel Tree that our school worker
works with local churches with our staff. And I will
say I never owned a pair of Jordans. I never
bought a pair of Jordans until a couple of years ago.
(34:01):
There was an Angel Tree gifts and it was a
student that I knew, and his his request was Jordan's
and so I have purchased one pair of Jordans in
my life. Uh. And it was for that student, and
I know I know how much that meant to him,
(34:22):
know how much all of the gifts that and our
are our staff is so generous, uh. And so we're
able to support multiple families and just being like you said,
being able to know that we're providing some things that
that may not have been provided otherwise. It is it's
what community is about, it's what a school is about.
(34:43):
And so I think that that Angel Tree and then
also providing food support for whether it's Thanksgiving where there
it's a holiday meal over Christmas. Just being able to
support our families that are in that are in need
is awesome.
Speaker 5 (34:59):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (34:59):
I remember getting those gifts and it was very homely
because I hated people doing those things for me. But
as I gotten older, I see how valuable and important
it was for me, and it just there's something about
a nice pair of jeans, or a nice shirt or
the Jordan's which I can't believe that with your kids,
that that's the first pair you bought, but I could
(35:21):
be I could also see you being stubborn enough that
that could be true. Ali probably bought them. But seeing that,
what I love about that is you knew that kid,
that student, that middle school soul who entered your building,
and you saw them as a human first and thought,
this is my target. I got to help this kid out.
You went through each of the segments today, and each
(35:44):
one of them talked about the human. It wasn't necessarily
about the test scores or anything else. That was about
the human seeing them first. And I think that really
says a testament to your leadership. And I think it
also says a testament to the folks at lake Bridge
Middle School. For sure, that's true pac mentality right there.
Speaker 4 (36:03):
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (36:04):
So we're gonna head into our final break here and
we come back, we're gonna kind of summarize everything along
the way. Hopefully we're walking away with a little bit
more energy coming into the winter break here and kind
of wrapping things up. So thanks a lot and stick
with us everyone.
Speaker 5 (36:28):
All right, here we go back for our last segment
here in Jim, this has been awesome. I really think
thank you for joining us today and giving us some
great advice for everybody to take take from this show
and help lead their buildings every single day. It's just awesome, great,
great stuff. All right. So before we get to our
final little talk here with Jim and wrap this show
(36:48):
up today, Jim Witchman, how about you give us a
quick recap of what we've talked about today. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (36:55):
I thought this is really great though when I hear
the think of the control shift lead and how Jim
I kind of let us through each of the segments
and that is again he talked about the students and
so it's about be present mentally and physically. I love
how he brings in the alumni and how they can
reconnect so we can see the family, right, It's greater
than one place, Lake Ridge Middle School. It's like a
(37:15):
system all the way through, and then we're seeing the
whole child because we're not going to just celebrate him
at the night of the concerts. We're going to have
them perform again throughout the day. And I love the
fact that we're getting staff involved with that. So I
really think that that control is that we could schedule
it out, we can really get involved with that, which
led right into the shift part about you know, we're
(37:37):
looking at the staff and we're no longer I think
you mentioned on break there about we're no longer ripping
off the hoops and talking about countdown. We're talking about
how do we shake things up and really keep people
engaged all the way through. It's like finishing strong and sure,
we're going to have fun doing it. Why are we
doing that throughout the year? Well, he was, he has been.
I go, he's still here with us. They are connecting
(37:59):
all the way through through the year, and it's like
a really neat engagement. And I love how the staff
can really get it after him just as much because,
like he said, very competitive, So think outside the box,
keep people engaged all the way through, and then the
last part about how we're coming together and we're doing
the food pantry and kind of leaning into to the
(38:19):
people the Angel Tree really shoot man. The people of
lake Ridge Middle School, they know their people, they know
their community, and I think that sometimes can get lost
because it's not a small town, but it kind of
does have a small town feel when you're thinking about
how they know each other in their community. I mean
there's a lot of people in that community. Yet lake
(38:40):
Ridge is seeing it and they're working with their partners
in the community and really kind of leaning into what's needed.
So it's know your people.
Speaker 5 (38:48):
Yeah, that is every kid deserves to be a kid,
and you guys are making sure that that happens. I
think that is beyond just admirable. All right, So before
we close off today, I did catch Jim the other
gym told me that you got some news or some
things with your own kiddos at home. That's certainly worth Sharon,
and what dad doesn't need a chance to brag about
(39:10):
their kids. So here it is, right, this is your chance,
go for it. But what is this news. I don't
know what this is about.
Speaker 4 (39:17):
Absolutely. I have twin daughters who are amazing. They're just
turned seventeen, and so one Samantha just committed not too
long ago to play soccer at Seaton Hall.
Speaker 3 (39:29):
Cool.
Speaker 4 (39:29):
No, no, yeah, we're very excited to see her journey
into college. And then my other daughter is the second
in command of her JROTC.
Speaker 5 (39:40):
That's cool too.
Speaker 4 (39:41):
At Woodbridge and so they're right across the street, which
I love so close. She's on the Raiders team and
so get to see her compete as well. Is just
they keep me busy, but they definitely keep me blessed
to be able to watch them do their thing and
excel at it.
Speaker 3 (39:58):
So, yeah, you know, one of the things that I
just want to put out there as well. I know, Adam,
you and I both are blessed to have spouses that
are in education and and actually kind of support us
along the way. I gotta we gotta throw a shout
out on a second, Hold on a second. They do
more than just support us. I mean there's there's heavy
(40:20):
lifting that's done a lot, Yes there is, and they
deserve they Yeah, absolutely, there's more than just support. So Adam,
as we go back into the show, what do you got?
What do you got planned? Adam coming up with in
you know, the rest of the month of December and
your break, what's it break? Your break look like?
Speaker 5 (40:38):
Well, you know, so I we've talked about this before.
I like to stay busy. So I'm here a week
from well, you know, here real soon. We're in a
basketball season and I'm roughing and so that's a couple
of nights a week, which is good because I need
the exercise. And it's a different group of people being
mad at me for decisions I make right versus other things.
(40:59):
But now that and that's that's you know, that's really
not even true because honestly, the people that I work
with and work for every day, they're they're awesome. So
that might be the thing we talk about from an
administrative lands, but that's like this big of the job.
So yeah, the job is amazing, but yeah, I get
to do that. And I'm still wrapping up first semester
of grad school for me as I'm going for that
(41:20):
old doctorate. So and I'll be glad to get this
class done. This one's testing me, this one's making me
question whether or not this was a good decision. And
so far, so good. But having to work, that's all right,
it's good to good to really have to learn and
really get yourself diving into that. So that's that's me
right there. I get the kids back home, they'll be fun,
get to see some people.
Speaker 4 (41:40):
But how about you.
Speaker 3 (41:41):
I'm definitely looking forward to having some time with my
college son. He's been I mean he's he's been back
for a total of maybe eight hours since August, which
is great because he's been busy. I mean busy as
in social, busy as in some other endeavors. I mean
he's in the the business called the Tippy Business School
(42:03):
here at the University of Iowa, and he's involved with
the business fraternities. He's definitely staying busy and having a
good time in college, which is what you should. But
I'm looking forward to having him back. And it actually
just there's one tradition. There's two durations we do here
that I really like, and one of them is the
Christmas Eve with every kid gets a present which is
(42:24):
a book, but they have to find the book and
I set up a little scavenger hunt for him. So
a former teacher, librarian Joel Hake, taught me this one
shared it with me. So they go on a scavenger
hunt every Christmas Eve for their book. But then they
all spend the night in the basement. And one of
the things we talked about is doing something different, and
(42:46):
they all three looked at me, like, why why go
on a trip versus gifts. They're like, that's fine, but
we still get to spend the night in the basement
on Christmas Eve, right, you know, like, all right, I
get yes, I guess we'll do that. Yeah. So just
having those little things, and of course are family tradition
of watching a Christmas vacation.
Speaker 5 (43:08):
Yeah, you know, elf, it's for us. That's the Christmas
Eve after we go on our own scavenger hunt, but
it's Christmas light. We have a list, try to check
them all off. We've done that for you. It's fun.
I love it, and there's a reason that they want
to continue to do it, because that's that's why it's
called a tradition. Yeah, you're right, you're right, absolutely right,
you're right. Well, I'll tell you what, guys, this has
(43:28):
been an awesome show. This has been fun. Jim. I
hope this was worth your time coming on here as well.
And maybe you got enough of a warning about when
you come on with the two of us that it
has a little bit of a risk that's involved with
that too, But you've been awesome. You've been a great guest.
Really appreciate you coming on the show today and just
a wealth of knowledge. Before we go, though, I want
(43:50):
to make sure people have an opportunity to if they
want to connect with you, learn more about your work.
How do they do So, what's the best way to
get to you?
Speaker 4 (43:58):
Sure at Jim detro on Twitter, it's probably your best way.
Also on Instagram Jim Dutrow, So that's your best way
to get a hold of me. And I really thank
you guys for being a part of this. I love
what you guys are doing. I love your shows. It's
a great format and I was just excited to be
asked to be on here. So thank you.
Speaker 3 (44:18):
Hey, we're probably gonna have to bring you back on
and see how you close out the school year too.
We might have to do something. You keep them engaged
all the way through.
Speaker 4 (44:25):
I think I like that.
Speaker 3 (44:26):
I used to also like to hear the stories of
how the staff get you and went up you. Those
those are things I like. So, Hey, Jim, thanks for
being a friend over the years, and I appreciate you
being here and I look forward to continue partnership through you.
Just the friendship as well as the educational collegiality absolutely awesome.
Speaker 5 (44:44):
Thank you guys, appreciate you all being here tonight. Thank
you listeners. We'll talk with you again next time.
Speaker 2 (44:53):
You've been listening to Control Shift Lead, brought to you
by Inspired Edification and AWB Education. We're glad you joined
us for today's discussion on empowering school leadership to dive
deeper and explore more of Jim and adams work. Find
us at www dot AWB education dot org. Thanks for listening.
(45:21):
We look forward to connecting with you again soon
Are you a school leader striving for excellence?
Speaker 2 (00:07):
Do you crave actionable strategies and fresh perspectives to navigate
the challenges of education today?
Speaker 1 (00:15):
Get ready to take charge.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
This is Control Shift Lead, giving you something to control,
something to shift your thinking, and something concrete to help
you lead your school.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
With Jim Witchman of Inspired.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Edification and Adam Bush of AWB Education, your journey to
empowered leadership starts now.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
Welcome back to Control Shift Lead podcast, where we give
educators like you real, actionable information you can use as
early as tomorrow. I'm Jim Witchman from Inspired Edification. I'm
joined as always with my co host, the mister Adam
Bush from ADWB Education. Hey Adam, how are you doing?
Speaker 4 (00:57):
Uh?
Speaker 5 (00:57):
Great?
Speaker 3 (00:58):
Now?
Speaker 5 (00:58):
I don't know if my head will get back out
of the door after you just gave me that sucker,
But that's impressive. You've been playing out and for the
price since last month.
Speaker 3 (01:07):
I actually, you know, as you know, thinking about doing
podcasts and everything, and everybody talks about having the time
to do it or not, but they believe in it. Well,
when I've got a co host like you, Adam Bush,
it just makes things, just life a lot easier.
Speaker 4 (01:21):
Today.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
I appreciate it.
Speaker 6 (01:23):
Man.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
What have you been up to this last month?
Speaker 5 (01:26):
I'll tell you what. Just you know, we're already just
winding the year down. It's crazy. It seems like you
blink and another day has passed, and just trying to
kind of get to that that hump that we all feel,
you know, sometimes it's the low hump of the year,
but it's it's coming, And just trying to get our
staff through that and get everybody rocking and rolling so
(01:47):
we can lead right into the holidays. But how about you,
I tell you what.
Speaker 3 (01:51):
I've been to a lot of places that have been blessed,
from Virginia, West Virginia, California, Illinois, Minnesota, and just got
back from the Arkansas, which I gotta tell you, no
offense to our guest here today, but that's one of
the coolest middle schools I've been to. But we're gonna
get to We're gonna talk about Lakery's middle School here too,
(02:11):
and a little bit here.
Speaker 5 (02:12):
Yeah, speaking of our guests before you introduce him, though,
I got to mention something. I know you'll do the
formal introduction here, but as we were planning for this show,
it's something just dawned on me. This is the first
time that we're gonna have a guest that shares a
name with one of us. So this is a problem
for me. I'm trying to figure this out, Like do
I have to give you a nickname? Are you like
you know J Dubbs or like I don't know, or
(02:34):
just witch men or what this is? But this is
gonna cause some work tonight. I mean to get through this.
I can help you out with this. One of the
activities I do to force people to get to know
each other a little better and nothing like an ice breakaway,
but just kind of like who are we? So I say,
introduce yourself as a nickname you had in elementary school,
(02:55):
high school, college, or whatever the case is, but don't
tell the story, so the stories come out after words.
Speaker 3 (03:00):
I can launch it so forth. So I'll give you
three nicknames I've had over the years, all appropriate. Einstein
was my elementary one. Witchy isn't easy, it's easy to explain,
and then Ditchman is another one. Ditchman, So you've got Einstein, Witchie,
(03:21):
or Ditchman. You can come up with either one any
of those.
Speaker 5 (03:24):
Well, I'm just hoping that Einstein wasn't like a shot
from friends, you know, like you know, if I'm a
bigger guy, if somebody calls me tiny, you know, it's
not one of those type of things. But I hope.
Speaker 3 (03:36):
Actually it goes down to when my hair grows, it
grows out. And so a sixth grader when I was
in third grade is sixth grader. So my wild hair
blowing around, he called me Einstein. Yeah, that's a better reason.
That's better than what I was coming up with. So
you got you go ahead, you call whatever. We got
a guess that's gonna roll with it. Heck, he's laughing already,
and I gotta tell you before I introduce him, we
(03:56):
got something big because this guy can bring the energy
and he definitely brings the laughter. So when you're talking
about going into December, he's the guy. He's the guy
that we need for this right now. So yeah, so hey,
speaking of joining us in this episode is mister Jim Dutrow.
Jim is a middle school principal in Prince William County
(04:17):
Schools at Lake Ridge Middle School, where nobody, I mean
nobody has a building with the most beautiful artwork, the paintings,
the murals, everything is flat out amazing. Hey, welcome Jim
to control shift lead.
Speaker 5 (04:33):
All right, welcome down.
Speaker 4 (04:36):
And we've added to the murals since the last time
you've been. So we're gonna have to get to back out.
Speaker 3 (04:41):
My good I'll be I'll be back out. I'm not
sure where there. Yeah, you talk about My favorite one
is the one, not the one in the gym, but
the one above the threshold.
Speaker 5 (04:54):
Tell Adam to tell us this details here. This is good.
Speaker 4 (04:58):
It's just wolf eyes looking at you, making sure that
you're going to class on time, ready to learn. Yeah,
they're just just hurry at you. They're scary. Yeah, they're
meant to be.
Speaker 3 (05:12):
That's good.
Speaker 4 (05:14):
That's kids.
Speaker 3 (05:16):
I've got to I've been working. I started coaching out
of Prince William I think it was twenty eighteen nineteen
somewhere right. It was before COVID, right before COVID, I
know that. And so I got the opportunity to see
Jim and his leadership skills and how he's he navigates
not only just like through the trickiness of COVID, but
(05:36):
really just how he builds his staff. And he's one
of those leaders that slow and steady and subtle but
yet there's clear lines all the way through for student
behavior and the adult behavior as well. Awesome, it's not utopia,
but that school has really got it going on. And
I got to say he's got one of the best
(06:00):
assistant principles ever, multiple assistant principles. But Michelle knows who
I'm talking about. That's good. I got a great staff.
Not gonna lie.
Speaker 4 (06:08):
I uh yeah, we have a We have an amazing
staff which makes me live good sometimes.
Speaker 5 (06:13):
Turn right, turn right. That's good.
Speaker 3 (06:17):
Well, welcome to the control shift, Lead Jimmy, and we're
gonna get going and talking about your things that we
can control. That you got to offer us things that
maybe can shift our thinking a little bit, and then
how we can with some leadership tips we could have.
So right, if we take a break, we're gonna jump
right into what you can help us with what we
can control.
Speaker 5 (06:50):
All right, welcome back. So, whichmand that opening segment really
just hit home? I mean December right here, we feel
like we're just sometimes running a Maria. I kind of
felt like I was following you through that marathon right
there as we're getting into the break. But it's also
a great time for us to have some opportunities to
connect with people, and Jim, that's the part that brings
us right into our first segment, and that is control.
(07:13):
So this month we want to talk about being like
mentally present, and you're talking about like celebrating the arts
programming in the school and all of that wonderful stuff. So, Jim,
at Lakeridge Middle School, you've clearly made visibility at these
events a priority, as we've talked about getting ready for
the show today. So how do you do that? How
(07:34):
do you ensure that you're truly present? Your leadership team
isn't just there checking a box during these moments.
Speaker 4 (07:39):
Sure, I think I think you said it perfectly, be present,
And I think we always have administrators at our performances,
holiday programs, holiday music and even at times where if
I can't be there, And this is one of the
things I love about my admin team. We are getting
videos from the performances, but we partner with our local
(08:02):
high school, Woodbridge High School, home of the Vikings went
to Woodbridge.
Speaker 3 (08:07):
Nice shout out there all the schools I work at,
and so like partnering with them for some of those
performances where.
Speaker 4 (08:14):
You know, it's a great way for our kids to
see kind of that next level of work that they'll
see in high school. And for us as administrators, I
get to see our former students performing like awesome. I mean,
it is such a joy to be able to see
how far our kids have gone from sixth grade through
(08:36):
eighth grade and then to get to see them again
perform ninth, tenth, eleventh, and even twelfth grade. And so
I think that is a great way for you to
build community within your school, build community within the arts
programs for your school. And so that is something that
I've definitely we've tried to control. We set those schedules
(08:57):
up pretty much like a year in advance to make
sure that we can get space in the high school
on certain days, and so I think being present for
those performances is definitely something that we can control as
leaders and making sure our admin team is there that
sixth grade AP is in that sixth grade performance, seventh
(09:19):
grade AP is up grade performance, and just building those
relationships with our kids, with our families, they see us there,
and so I think that's very important.
Speaker 3 (09:27):
Yeah, you hear you talking about really taking the emotions
of I'm running out of energy, but then building it
back up because we know that if you would have
any of your elementary feeder system teachers come into this school,
they walk down the hallways and the kids at the
middle school are going to swamp them. Same concept when
the high school kids come in. And so now you're
(09:49):
taking this energy that's draining and now we're like getting
it back up to we have a community that's bigger
than Lake Ridge Middle School. We're bringing in the vikings,
the Woodbridge High School vikings, and then just kind of
partnering within that. And I love that how you said that.
And then along with that is it's not just about
being physically present, it's about being mentally present with the
kids and the families. And now we really do have
(10:11):
a community.
Speaker 5 (10:12):
Yeah. No, that's a great point there, whichmand I mean,
if you think about that, that gives you that opportunity
to really see the whole child. We talk about that
all the time. But it's not just all because I
was your third grade teacher or I was your you know,
elementary principle that I only care about you during that time, no, no, no, no,
I care about you from start to finish to life
to everything else really gives you that opportunity to do that,
(10:35):
and you know, Jim, is your bringing that up, it
just brings back a memory. I remember a few years
back when I was at a concert and happened to
just run into the kid in the hallway, which for
me now is a little bit more difficult from the
district office administrator role. You know, I just don't see
kids as often as further detached, but happen to see
a kid, I recognize them, like, hey, a nice job
(10:55):
at the concert last night, and they stopped real quickly.
You were there, well, yeah, yeah, you know, and it
was it was just a little moment, a little moment,
but that that's a good moment. And just by taking
that opportunity, I would never be able to have that
conversation had I not been there in the first place.
Speaker 3 (11:12):
Hey, Jim, go ahead, Hey Jim, do you talk about
an experience maybe that you had in the one of
the concerts or one of the kids, or the moment
of just seeing them perform. And I think, like Adam says,
is if we see him in the whole child versus
that kid who maybe is struggling a little bit through
the day or pushing the buttons of teachers, just talk
about some of those experiences you had.
Speaker 4 (11:35):
I think one of my favorite experiences is I will
usually go out or whichever administrators there will go out
and do a little introduction and then being behind the curtain.
It's kind of that stage. We don't normally get backstage passes.
I'm not I'm not at a concert getting backstage passes,
but I'll tell you what. At Woodbridgs High School for
the orchestra concert, I get a backstage pass. And so
(11:58):
getting to see our kids perform, getting to see our
teachers on that stage and how they command that entire
audience at a in a high school venue is just
it's an amazing experience and it's something that I think
only as an administrator you really feel how great that is.
(12:21):
And I think sometimes when we're performing with the high
school students, it's even better because you get to see
that growth and our kids love it, our teachers love it,
and so it's been it's been for me.
Speaker 5 (12:37):
So I want to go back to something you just
said there, Jim. So you you mentioned about saying something
like are you starting the concert or giving an introduction
or anything else?
Speaker 4 (12:47):
Introduction?
Speaker 5 (12:48):
Yeah, see that isn't done enough. I mean, I can
I can think of the many years I've been doing this.
A couple times I've been asked to do a quick introduction,
and yeah, I've always says reading, I do podcasting. I've
got a voice for it, probably have a face for
radio two. But you know, I knew you guys say that. Yeah,
because that's true. I mean, it is what it is.
I can own that. But what it makes me think
of is why not? Because that's a great opportunity for visibility.
(13:10):
So it's a quick win for your community's like, oh,
there's that guy up there, there's that gual up there.
She cares about my kid that's on this stage, putting
all of that time and effort and energy to perform
and show their talents.
Speaker 4 (13:23):
What an easy way.
Speaker 5 (13:25):
I don't know why we don't do that more often,
Like Jim, serious, this is like why haven't we done that?
Speaker 3 (13:29):
Yeah? I think we got to also be mindful. Sometimes
when ministries don't know how to do that, they start
talking about things that aren't really valid and important. So
if you keep it tight and then you can do
some amazing things Like you're standing up there, you're looking
at the parents, You're like connecting with them. That ways, well,
And here's one thing I know that and Jim kind
of alluded to a little bit, is when you are backstage,
(13:53):
you see the nerves and you see the excitement. This
is a big the pride of all those kids and
they're coming off backstage, Adam, I saw it in show choir,
and I saw it when I was a principal at
Prairidge Middle School. It is so powerful and it's like, gosh,
there's purpose right there.
Speaker 5 (14:12):
No, you can take that a step further too. You
get to you know, you're going to watch a baseball game.
If the coach was okay with it, I suppose by
going to watch a baseball game, go sit on the
end of the bench. Let's go sit down there for
a little bit. If you can. Why not see kids
in action? See this?
Speaker 3 (14:27):
I love that idea. That's a great administrator. But not
as a parent.
Speaker 5 (14:30):
Well yeah that too. Yeah, probably shouldn't do that. One
might be a little different, but yeah, darn right. If
you're a principal of that build, it doesn't.
Speaker 4 (14:37):
Why not? Why not?
Speaker 5 (14:38):
It shows that you care about them, not just because
they're in the classroom at that one moment in time.
They're the whole child.
Speaker 3 (14:45):
Now Jim, I know you guys do announcements and you're
you're out and about in the hallways with kids, and
so tell us a little bit about the connection of
the day after a performance in December.
Speaker 4 (14:55):
Sure, I think it's it's talking to the kids and saying, hey,
great job last night, making sure that they know that
you appreciate what they do. Another thing that we do
in our hallways again, another thing that we can control
as we get closer to the end of December and
getting closer to winter break. Our kids perform in the building,
whether it is in our mixing bowl which is kind
(15:18):
of our open area, our cafeteria. We will have different
groups perform nice for the student body in the morning
as they're getting ready to go to first period. And
we've even had faculty come in and perform with them,
and not just the music teachers. And so what a
(15:39):
great way to find out that, hey, that that English
teacher that you have that's down the hallway. Yeah, they
also play guitar, the wow Dure and that's played that
played trumpet all their life and now they get an
opportunity to perform with kids. They make connection with the
kids that they may not even have or ever have,
and you're now again building some worknnections within your building
(16:02):
between students and adults. Well at the same time having
a great time. And yeah, for that end of December timeframe,
what instrument do you play with him?
Speaker 3 (16:13):
Jim?
Speaker 4 (16:14):
I play the stand there and clip.
Speaker 3 (16:18):
An instrument that works. Yeah, Adam, Adam, what do you play?
Speaker 5 (16:22):
Adam? I hate to say this because I have not
touched in a long time, but you know I was.
I was blessed enough to be an all state trombonist
back in the day.
Speaker 3 (16:33):
I thought you had something to be your sleeve.
Speaker 5 (16:35):
Yeah, yeah, I do. I do. It's been a long time,
but tell you what, Jim, this was a great start
for control. I mean, I'm getting all excited, and usually
that's Witchman's job during this podcast is to get all
that energy coming out. So you've got me going already.
This is awesome. I can I just can't wait and
see what we still got coming. So yeah, stay with
us for a little bit. We're gonna take a quick
(16:56):
break so we can pay some bills, and when we
get back, we will shift our focus to shift as
we talk about some things. I can really shift your
thinking about some staff and students recharge things that we
can do in the month of December. So hang on,
everybody will be right back here.
Speaker 4 (17:11):
In just a second.
Speaker 3 (17:23):
Welcome back to control Shift lead everyone. Before the break,
Jim talked about what we can control right now in
our celebrations and actually the emotional ties that come with
it for not just the students but also the adults.
The shift we're going to discuss this month is moving
from simply surviving until break to actively ensuring our staff
have energy going into break so that when they are
(17:45):
at break, they have the energy to really enjoy their families.
Speaker 5 (17:49):
The concept concept, but we love it.
Speaker 3 (17:53):
Screw that up somehow, and I don't understand it. It's
it's like, this is our time to celebrate, right Well,
here's the good news is Adam, our main man, Jimmy
here is going to take us through.
Speaker 4 (18:05):
Jim help us shift our thinking a little bit here. Sure,
I think that's a huge thing. I think too many
times end of the year, coming up on breaks, it's
always how many how many Dayst'll break? How what do
I gotta get through?
Speaker 3 (18:20):
It's like, yeah, thirteen to fifteen, Yeah, we're.
Speaker 4 (18:22):
Going to count him down right absolutely, And so really
we try to as much as we can build the
momentum to break, give our staff our students things to
look forward to leading into break, so that one truancy
is an issue across our chronic apps and teeism is
(18:43):
a nationwide issue post COVID, and so we are always
trying to find ways to make sure our kids want
to be in school. Same thing with our staff. Yeah,
we found our staff sometimes struggle with chronic absenteeism. And
so one of the things that we have done the
(19:04):
last couple of years is and I'm wearing my sweatshirt today.
We have some swag giveaways every week, usually on days
where we've got a lot of teachers out and the
one caveat to that is must be present to win,
to win, And so this sweatshirt and Jim has one,
(19:28):
which man has one?
Speaker 3 (19:30):
I should have wore it today?
Speaker 4 (19:31):
Yes, yeah, to get one out to you. So we'll
make sure we get one out to you. It is
the most shirt you've ever worn in your entire life.
I don't know what you need. It's great and our
staff loves it. Like we call it the Wheel of Names.
So every usually it's on Fridays, but not always on Fridays,
(19:51):
we spend the wheel set number of names come up,
but you have to be present to win, and our
absenteeism for staff has gone down since we've since we've
started this, and so you know, perfect example, I was
in Indianapolis a little bit ago for a conference, presenting
at a conference and I couldn't do the Wheel of
Names on that Friday, and the amount of text that
(20:13):
I got on age, I was like, We're going to
do it on Monday, which everything's going to be fine.
Sweatshirts are going out. But you know, our staff has
really gotten into it and it's it's something that they
look forward to, and so you know, that's something My
goal was to have all of them out by winter break,
(20:34):
and we started this at the beginning of the year.
So that's something that we love to do. Just fun activities,
giveaways for stuff.
Speaker 3 (20:41):
What a great way because I know that, you know,
Gene Day used to be that kind of like a
cupon for Gen Day or things like that, and we
kind of had to evolve a little bit and I
did something similar. I didn't have the coolest white shirts
or anything like that, but I remember giving away like
a dinner for two and that got a lot of cheers,
so did everything else, like a pencil. I mean, I
(21:04):
was giving away all these things and they all get
equal cheers. I think it's just shaking it up a
little bit throughout the mundane part of it.
Speaker 5 (21:11):
Well, and I think to which when you're talking about, yeah,
it's giving away, that's good. You know, people like swag,
they like all that stuff. That's great, But it's also
just think about the camaraderie that happens during the moment.
That's really what people are getting to, right, It's that. Yeah,
it's kind of like when we you know, I was
always talking about with coaching, where you'd hide conditioning, right,
(21:32):
I need people to condition. They don't like to condition
by hide it in other things and people they just
get into it, they have fun. Well, it's the same thing.
Speaker 4 (21:39):
Really.
Speaker 5 (21:39):
The goal you're trying to do is get that ownership
piece with the school and wanting to be there and
that desire to be there. You just got to hide
it within some giveaways or which I think that's an
awesome idea by the way, but again it's you know,
it's kind of might have a different purpose and if
we just say it, does that really you know the
we need you here at school. E. I don't know
(22:00):
I was gonna do a whole lot, but having something
we do as a team like that is gonna that's
just gonna have a bigger impact on I think that's
a great idea.
Speaker 3 (22:10):
What's the feedback you've been getting from that, Jimmy?
Speaker 4 (22:13):
I love it. And I think you see more and
more sweatshirts throughout the year as more and more people
win them. And so again there's that you talk about,
that camaraderie of yep, we've got them, and they all
know they're eventually gonna get them. That's the other piece
I think is important. They know that they're going to
get it at some point, and it's just kind of
(22:35):
the bracking rates before if you get it early versus
later on in the year.
Speaker 3 (22:40):
So I know some of the staff members, now are
they when they win, are they like strutting around a
little bit, or are they just yeah.
Speaker 4 (22:47):
Oh yeah, that would be there higher staff got it?
Speaker 5 (22:52):
Yeah, yeah, yep.
Speaker 3 (22:53):
I like that. So, Adam, I think I might have
picked up on one of your each each week or
each month, I try to grab an atomism along the way.
I've never heard of hide conditioning or hide pride or
you're kind of like you're being savvy with it, but
it but it just kind of makes it more of
a natural. So often we do things like an icebreaker.
Nobody likes icebreakers, but we do them. However, you could
(23:15):
do the same thing, and if there's intention into it,
no longer it is to become an icebreaker. It becomes
like something with purpose. And what I what I think
about it is when we do things to check it
off and think it's going to change the world, we
really miss everything. So if if the email you talked about,
if Jim would have sent out an email to Lake
Ride staff, that not only would it drowned out the
(23:36):
we're not going to really okay whatever, but all emails
from him Yep, outside of this time of the year,
it would drown it out too and have that. So
now we're like making it a like purposeful. So it's
not just about winning a sweatshirt, or's just about being present.
It's like we're a wolf pack. I mean, man, I
gotta tell you what's your what's your? What's the phrase
(23:57):
at the end you guys have with the wolf pack
hashtag pack mentality, pac mentality, that's it. That's it is.
Speaker 5 (24:04):
I love that you're getting people out of the classrooms.
You're getting everybody out there together to celebrate the fact
that we're together. I mean, that's really what it boils
down to. That's that's awesome pack mentality.
Speaker 3 (24:16):
I love that. I love that.
Speaker 4 (24:18):
And speaking of getting staff out, another thing that we
do usually that last week before break, we call it
snowflake in your pocket, and so we high not eight
snowflakes throughout to us to eight staff members each morning,
and so they put it in their pocket. Every staff
(24:40):
member can then say, do you have a snowflake in
your pocket? If you do, you have to give it
to whoever asked. This goes on all day until two fifty,
and at two point fifty, which is the end of
our day, whoever has those eight snowflakes in their pocket
again get some type of price. And so our staff
(25:02):
like fun. You know, oftentimes your teachers, you know, they
hang out with their math people, they hang out with
their language artspeoper, they're science there. They don't necessarily com
mingle throughout the building. You're giving them a reason to
com mingle super into it. They want to be there
those days again, it's getting your staff present for present
(25:25):
in the building and a great story I have for
this because and Jim will tell you, I'm probably one
of the most competitive people you'll ever meet. Like I'm
gonna win. I already have everything that we're gonna win.
I don't even care about getting anything new.
Speaker 3 (25:42):
I want to win.
Speaker 4 (25:43):
And so I had a meeting one day during the
snowflake in your pocket. I had gotten a snowflake right
before the meeting. So I'm like, this is perfect. I'm
going in my office. I'm putting the show. Everybody's getting
my snowflake. Staff member comes to my office slides a
(26:03):
piece of paper under the door. I love it.
Speaker 5 (26:07):
Lay snowflake in your pocket.
Speaker 3 (26:14):
I have to give up my snip flake underneath the.
Speaker 4 (26:17):
Door or I opened the door handed.
Speaker 3 (26:21):
And I was very angry for the rest.
Speaker 4 (26:23):
Of the meeting.
Speaker 5 (26:24):
That is hilarious, even though what the meeting is about
or were you just mad?
Speaker 4 (26:28):
I was just mad. I was angry. Who is it?
Speaker 3 (26:32):
I gotta tell you next time. That's a I don't
need to know the name, but that's brilliant. Yeah, and
I gotta tell you that story that you just said
right there, probably got song.
Speaker 5 (26:41):
I mean, people were probably talking about that for a while.
Speaker 3 (26:44):
And so when they're talking about something like that, they're
not talking about that kid, that parent, that principle, that's you,
that board member, that legislator, that governor, that that that
that that they're talking about a time when we laughed.
We're talking about the time when I got the principal.
They're talking about that time when we came together. And
that's the memories we want going into break. Hey, I
(27:05):
got to tell you this is a perfect, perfect shift
in our mindset. Give them the energy, shake it up
a little bit. We're going to take a break here,
and when we come back, our guest Jim is going
to talk to us a little bit about a lead
segment of our control shift.
Speaker 5 (27:20):
Lead.
Speaker 3 (27:21):
Stick with us everyone.
Speaker 6 (27:24):
Hi, I'm doctor Lisa Hill, a longtime educator of nearly
forty years as a teacher, counselor, professor, and vice principal.
And I've seen just about everything public schools can throw
at you, and now I'm sharing my tales on my
comedy podcast, Vice Principle Unofficed. It's where school leadership meets
laugh out loud stories from underwear required parent teacher conferences.
(27:46):
Yes really, two staff launch confessions and more. You won't believe.
I'm telling it all with humor and a whole lot
of heart. I also tackle the serious stuff too, like
what schools really need to change and those behind the
scenes moments no one talks about. So if you're ready
to laugh, learn, and maybe even prior little but mostly laugh,
join me and my ninety year old mom my unofficial
(28:08):
co host on Vice Principal unofficed. New episodes drop bi
weekly on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your
podcast picks. Trust me, this is one detention you'll actually
look forward to.
Speaker 5 (28:33):
All right, welcome back everybody. The final segment, of course,
is Lead and Jim. Just to let you know, this
is where we typically we discuss like the system, structures,
cultural moves, any of that other stuff that we can
do that's going to help lead your classroom or lead
your school, lead your building. There's a lot of people
that are involved, obviously in educating our youth every single day.
(28:55):
So I think we're planning on talking a little bit
about here. Talked about the energy into the break, We've
talked about being visible and all that wonderful stuff that's
going on. But we also know that this is also
a time of year where people struggle a little bit
and there's there's just a lot of that that goes on.
It's our parents, our families, staff, students. Holidays can make
(29:17):
things kind of tough. And Jim, I know your school
has prioritized some tangible support systems that can really help
people during this time. So can you can you walk
us through how your leadership team organizes that stuff and
what this is and some of those ideas that we
also can take back to our schools to help lead
our communities.
Speaker 4 (29:37):
Through this time. Absolutely, and we are we're close to Washington, DC,
so the government shut down like that's real for us.
And so there's several things that we have done this year,
several things we've done every year to really help our
(29:57):
families are struggling. One of the of things we started
this year is a food pantry for our community. There
are ten schools in our division that are piloting these
food pantries.
Speaker 3 (30:09):
Are apparent liaison and school social worker.
Speaker 4 (30:12):
I have done a tremendous job with making sure that
our food pantry is stocked, getting the information out to
our families that are in need. And so that is
something that I'm really proud of of being able to
help our families in need, not just during the holidays.
This is something that's going to be open year round.
(30:32):
Our National Junior Honor Society, they just had their induction
a month or so ago, and so their first thing
was a food drive. The students were able to They
have to do community service hours, and so for ten
cans of food, ten items, they get an hour of service.
And so our students buy into it, our families have
(30:54):
bought into it, and so that has been something that's
been really great for us. It's going to be something
throughout the year.
Speaker 3 (31:03):
So I sit here and I think about this as
just as you're kind of going through it today. We
talked about like the students first, you know, with the
with the what we could control the celebration. Then we
started talking about the staff and the celebrations you're doing
to kind of shift our thinking about how we want
our staff going in to break. But now you're bringing
a full circle. We're talking about how you guys are
pouring into the community. And I got to tell you,
(31:26):
you know, Christmas was a very hard time for me
growing up because we didn't have any money. We didn't
do We just didn't. And when we got that knock
on the door and you open up the door and
there was a box of food, it was like we
had We were able to have a feast for Thanksgiving,
we were able to have a feast for Christmas. And
(31:47):
without that, I don't know if we would have been
able to do so. At least it wouldn't have been
to that level. And when I know that people really
can see everybody and we're not judging it, we're not
saying anything about it's the poor people. We're taken care
of at all. Now, it's like humans were taken care of.
And it's so powerful that you I really do believe,
And I'm a middle school person at heart. I believe
(32:10):
the hearts of middle school kids. When they get behind
something and they can really see the purpose of it,
they get crazy, They get right after it, and they
pour right into it, very intentional.
Speaker 5 (32:21):
The other part about that, Jim, I really like is
that you know a lot of times communities like the
town might take up that exact thing you're talking about.
But what you're saying is maybe it's great, maybe it's not.
I don't know. You're not gonna you're not going to
take that risk. The district to the school building is
saying no, no, no, no, no. We see this as something
(32:43):
very important, so we want to make sure that it's
done the right way. We want to make sure that
our families are taken care of. You know, I've heard
some other schools that will do and we've done this
actually in some of the offices that I've worked in
in the past. You know where you trade gifts back
and forth. I mean, I love the people I work with.
I don't need a Christmas gift from them. I don't
write they don't need one from me. But there's a
(33:03):
lot of kids out there that could certainly under stand
a clause this year, and so instead of doing the
little trade things, go in on a package that you
can do that that delivery to the door like you
talk about there. But really the point is what I'm
hearing you say is that you want to get it done.
So you make sure it gets done and take care
(33:24):
of that thing that's going to be able to serve
your community. And I think that's really admirable because it'd
be really easy just to say, well that's the town
will do that, or here's where you can go go
down here. No, We're going to make sure you've got it.
That's important to us. That's that's really cool.
Speaker 4 (33:39):
And speaking of your you know, there are some families
that would really need Santa or need gifts around this time.
We also do an Angel Tree that our school worker
works with local churches with our staff. And I will
say I never owned a pair of Jordans. I never
bought a pair of Jordans until a couple of years ago.
(34:01):
There was an Angel Tree gifts and it was a
student that I knew, and his his request was Jordan's
and so I have purchased one pair of Jordans in
my life. Uh. And it was for that student, and
I know I know how much that meant to him,
(34:22):
know how much all of the gifts that and our
are our staff is so generous, uh. And so we're
able to support multiple families and just being like you said,
being able to know that we're providing some things that
that may not have been provided otherwise. It is it's
what community is about, it's what a school is about.
(34:43):
And so I think that that Angel Tree and then
also providing food support for whether it's Thanksgiving where there
it's a holiday meal over Christmas. Just being able to
support our families that are in that are in need
is awesome.
Speaker 5 (34:59):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (34:59):
I remember getting those gifts and it was very homely
because I hated people doing those things for me. But
as I gotten older, I see how valuable and important
it was for me, and it just there's something about
a nice pair of jeans, or a nice shirt or
the Jordan's which I can't believe that with your kids,
that that's the first pair you bought, but I could
(35:21):
be I could also see you being stubborn enough that
that could be true. Ali probably bought them. But seeing that,
what I love about that is you knew that kid,
that student, that middle school soul who entered your building,
and you saw them as a human first and thought,
this is my target. I got to help this kid out.
You went through each of the segments today, and each
(35:44):
one of them talked about the human. It wasn't necessarily
about the test scores or anything else. That was about
the human seeing them first. And I think that really
says a testament to your leadership. And I think it
also says a testament to the folks at lake Bridge
Middle School. For sure, that's true pac mentality right there.
Speaker 4 (36:03):
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (36:04):
So we're gonna head into our final break here and
we come back, we're gonna kind of summarize everything along
the way. Hopefully we're walking away with a little bit
more energy coming into the winter break here and kind
of wrapping things up. So thanks a lot and stick
with us everyone.
Speaker 5 (36:28):
All right, here we go back for our last segment
here in Jim, this has been awesome. I really think
thank you for joining us today and giving us some
great advice for everybody to take take from this show
and help lead their buildings every single day. It's just awesome, great,
great stuff. All right. So before we get to our
final little talk here with Jim and wrap this show
(36:48):
up today, Jim Witchman, how about you give us a
quick recap of what we've talked about today. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (36:55):
I thought this is really great though when I hear
the think of the control shift lead and how Jim
I kind of let us through each of the segments
and that is again he talked about the students and
so it's about be present mentally and physically. I love
how he brings in the alumni and how they can
reconnect so we can see the family, right, It's greater
than one place, Lake Ridge Middle School. It's like a
(37:15):
system all the way through, and then we're seeing the
whole child because we're not going to just celebrate him
at the night of the concerts. We're going to have
them perform again throughout the day. And I love the
fact that we're getting staff involved with that. So I
really think that that control is that we could schedule
it out, we can really get involved with that, which
led right into the shift part about you know, we're
(37:37):
looking at the staff and we're no longer I think
you mentioned on break there about we're no longer ripping
off the hoops and talking about countdown. We're talking about
how do we shake things up and really keep people
engaged all the way through. It's like finishing strong and sure,
we're going to have fun doing it. Why are we
doing that throughout the year? Well, he was, he has been.
I go, he's still here with us. They are connecting
(37:59):
all the way through through the year, and it's like
a really neat engagement. And I love how the staff
can really get it after him just as much because,
like he said, very competitive, So think outside the box,
keep people engaged all the way through, and then the
last part about how we're coming together and we're doing
the food pantry and kind of leaning into to the
(38:19):
people the Angel Tree really shoot man. The people of
lake Ridge Middle School, they know their people, they know
their community, and I think that sometimes can get lost
because it's not a small town, but it kind of
does have a small town feel when you're thinking about
how they know each other in their community. I mean
there's a lot of people in that community. Yet lake
(38:40):
Ridge is seeing it and they're working with their partners
in the community and really kind of leaning into what's needed.
So it's know your people.
Speaker 5 (38:48):
Yeah, that is every kid deserves to be a kid,
and you guys are making sure that that happens. I
think that is beyond just admirable. All right, So before
we close off today, I did catch Jim the other
gym told me that you got some news or some
things with your own kiddos at home. That's certainly worth Sharon,
and what dad doesn't need a chance to brag about
(39:10):
their kids. So here it is, right, this is your chance,
go for it. But what is this news. I don't
know what this is about.
Speaker 4 (39:17):
Absolutely. I have twin daughters who are amazing. They're just
turned seventeen, and so one Samantha just committed not too
long ago to play soccer at Seaton Hall.
Speaker 3 (39:29):
Cool.
Speaker 4 (39:29):
No, no, yeah, we're very excited to see her journey
into college. And then my other daughter is the second
in command of her JROTC.
Speaker 5 (39:40):
That's cool too.
Speaker 4 (39:41):
At Woodbridge and so they're right across the street, which
I love so close. She's on the Raiders team and
so get to see her compete as well. Is just
they keep me busy, but they definitely keep me blessed
to be able to watch them do their thing and
excel at it.
Speaker 3 (39:58):
So, yeah, you know, one of the things that I
just want to put out there as well. I know, Adam,
you and I both are blessed to have spouses that
are in education and and actually kind of support us
along the way. I gotta we gotta throw a shout
out on a second, Hold on a second. They do
more than just support us. I mean there's there's heavy
(40:20):
lifting that's done a lot, Yes there is, and they
deserve they Yeah, absolutely, there's more than just support. So Adam,
as we go back into the show, what do you got?
What do you got planned? Adam coming up with in
you know, the rest of the month of December and
your break, what's it break? Your break look like?
Speaker 5 (40:38):
Well, you know, so I we've talked about this before.
I like to stay busy. So I'm here a week
from well, you know, here real soon. We're in a
basketball season and I'm roughing and so that's a couple
of nights a week, which is good because I need
the exercise. And it's a different group of people being
mad at me for decisions I make right versus other things.
(40:59):
But now that and that's that's you know, that's really
not even true because honestly, the people that I work
with and work for every day, they're they're awesome. So
that might be the thing we talk about from an
administrative lands, but that's like this big of the job.
So yeah, the job is amazing, but yeah, I get
to do that. And I'm still wrapping up first semester
of grad school for me as I'm going for that
(41:20):
old doctorate. So and I'll be glad to get this
class done. This one's testing me, this one's making me
question whether or not this was a good decision. And
so far, so good. But having to work, that's all right,
it's good to good to really have to learn and
really get yourself diving into that. So that's that's me
right there. I get the kids back home, they'll be fun,
get to see some people.
Speaker 4 (41:40):
But how about you.
Speaker 3 (41:41):
I'm definitely looking forward to having some time with my
college son. He's been I mean he's he's been back
for a total of maybe eight hours since August, which
is great because he's been busy. I mean busy as
in social, busy as in some other endeavors. I mean
he's in the the business called the Tippy Business School
(42:03):
here at the University of Iowa, and he's involved with
the business fraternities. He's definitely staying busy and having a
good time in college, which is what you should. But
I'm looking forward to having him back. And it actually
just there's one tradition. There's two durations we do here
that I really like, and one of them is the
Christmas Eve with every kid gets a present which is
(42:24):
a book, but they have to find the book and
I set up a little scavenger hunt for him. So
a former teacher, librarian Joel Hake, taught me this one
shared it with me. So they go on a scavenger
hunt every Christmas Eve for their book. But then they
all spend the night in the basement. And one of
the things we talked about is doing something different, and
(42:46):
they all three looked at me, like, why why go
on a trip versus gifts. They're like, that's fine, but
we still get to spend the night in the basement
on Christmas Eve, right, you know, like, all right, I
get yes, I guess we'll do that. Yeah. So just
having those little things, and of course are family tradition
of watching a Christmas vacation.
Speaker 5 (43:08):
Yeah, you know, elf, it's for us. That's the Christmas
Eve after we go on our own scavenger hunt, but
it's Christmas light. We have a list, try to check
them all off. We've done that for you. It's fun.
I love it, and there's a reason that they want
to continue to do it, because that's that's why it's
called a tradition. Yeah, you're right, you're right, absolutely right,
you're right. Well, I'll tell you what, guys, this has
(43:28):
been an awesome show. This has been fun. Jim. I
hope this was worth your time coming on here as well.
And maybe you got enough of a warning about when
you come on with the two of us that it
has a little bit of a risk that's involved with
that too, But you've been awesome. You've been a great guest.
Really appreciate you coming on the show today and just
a wealth of knowledge. Before we go, though, I want
(43:50):
to make sure people have an opportunity to if they
want to connect with you, learn more about your work.
How do they do So, what's the best way to
get to you?
Speaker 4 (43:58):
Sure at Jim detro on Twitter, it's probably your best way.
Also on Instagram Jim Dutrow, So that's your best way
to get a hold of me. And I really thank
you guys for being a part of this. I love
what you guys are doing. I love your shows. It's
a great format and I was just excited to be
asked to be on here. So thank you.
Speaker 3 (44:18):
Hey, we're probably gonna have to bring you back on
and see how you close out the school year too.
We might have to do something. You keep them engaged
all the way through.
Speaker 4 (44:25):
I think I like that.
Speaker 3 (44:26):
I used to also like to hear the stories of
how the staff get you and went up you. Those
those are things I like. So, Hey, Jim, thanks for
being a friend over the years, and I appreciate you
being here and I look forward to continue partnership through you.
Just the friendship as well as the educational collegiality absolutely awesome.
Speaker 5 (44:44):
Thank you guys, appreciate you all being here tonight. Thank
you listeners. We'll talk with you again next time.
Speaker 2 (44:53):
You've been listening to Control Shift Lead, brought to you
by Inspired Edification and AWB Education. We're glad you joined
us for today's discussion on empowering school leadership to dive
deeper and explore more of Jim and adams work. Find
us at www dot AWB education dot org. Thanks for listening.
(45:21):
We look forward to connecting with you again soon
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