Lacey Robinson is president and CEO of UnboundEd. A former teacher, principal, and professional development specialist who has focused on literacy, equity, and school leadership for more than 25 years, her life’s work aims to enable educators to disrupt systemic inequities in their school districts and classrooms.

She frequently serves as a featured keynote speaker, and her personal literacy journey is shared on Emily Hanford’s “Sold a Story” podcast. Today we’re discussing the science of reading:

• If we've known for decades about the science of reading, and its effectiveness as a model for literacy instruction, why have we deviated from it?
• Should schools of education change what they are teaching? Should K-12 be more directive toward teacher training programs?
• Why hasn't the science of reading been centered in teacher training?
• What specifically do students need from science-based reading instruction? What is the urgency?

Listen to my previous conversation with Lacey Robinson, about her book Justice Seekers, on episode 74 of The Authority. Learn more about UnboundEd and Lacey’s work at www.unbounded.org.

About today’s guest

Lacey Robinson is the president and CEO of UnboundEd, and the chair of the Board of CORE Learning. As CEO, Robinson sets the organization’s vision for transforming instruction for students at the margins. She is a former teacher, principal, and professional development specialist who has focused on literacy, equity, and school leadership for more than 25 years. Her life’s work aims to enable educators to disrupt systemic inequities in their school districts and classrooms. She led the merger of UnboundEd, Pivot Learning, and CORE Learning under the UnboundEd banner — creating the nation’s largest K–12 educator development organization focused on improving teaching and learning for underserved students.

Robinson is a leading national voice on disrupting the predictability of students’ educational outcomes, and was named to 2023’s Forbes 50 Over 50 list in recognition of her innovative leadership. She frequently serves as a keynote speaker and is featured on Emily Hanford’s 2022 “Sold a Story” podcast.

About the host

Ross Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies. He is a leadership development and performance coach for professionals in a range of industries and consults with organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry to help communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Twitter @RossBRomano and LinkedIn

Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket has earned a reputation as a strong instructional leader, passionate educational advocate, and dedicated mentor. As the Principal of a National Blue Ribbon school in Maryland, she is a lifelong learner who strives for excellence not only for herself, but also for everyone she serves.

Today, she joins the show to discuss Relational Intelligence: The Key Factor to Exceptional School Leadership.

We discuss:

• Relational Intelligence (RQ): the ability to build trust, communicate with empathy, and connect authentically
• How is RQ different from EQ?
• Why Trust is the first pillar
• Challenging the myth that leadership is about charisma or control
• Results: improved teacher retention, enhanced student outcomes, and increased community engagement.

Get Relational Intelligence on Amazon or wherever you get your books.

Our previous episode, with Jen Schwanke, also explored trust. Listen to it here: https://bit.ly/46pcCI5

About today’s guest

Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket is a wife, mother, principal, author, and speaker. With decades as a teacher and leader in public education, she has earned the reputation as a strong instructional leader, passionate educational advocate, and dedicated mentor. As the Principal of a National Blue Ribbon school in Maryland, she is a lifelong learner who strives for excellence not only for herself, but also for everyone she serves. Currently, she is President of the Maryland Association of Elementary School Principals and is an ASCD facility member.

About the host

Ross Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Bluesky or LinkedIn

I also host Sideline Sessions, a podcast for coaches and parents of student-athletes. The show features conversations with coaches and performance experts in the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Olympics, and more. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt

This week we welcome back Jen Schwanke, who previously joined the show to discuss The Principal’s Guide to Conflict Management.

Jen has been an educator for almost three decades, teaching or leading at all levels. She currently serves as a deputy superintendent in Ohio, is an instructor in educational administration at The Ohio State University, and is the co-host of the popular Principal Matters Podcast with our previous guest Will Parker (listen to his episode here).

Jen’s newest book is Trusted: Trust Pillars, Trust Killers, and the Secret to Successful Schools.

We discuss:

• Jen writes each of her books on a very specific topic — how did she decide on this one?
• Conflict Management and Trust
• Goals: What is trust and what does it look like? How to develop trust with staff, students, and parents.
• Can you be a good principal without it?
• How is trust broken?
• Reciprocal nature of trust
• How can you find out if you’re trusted?

Listen to episode 110, The Principal’s Guide to Conflict Management with Jen Schwanke.

Get the book Trusted from ASCD.

About today’s guest

Jen Schwanke, Ed.D., is a longtime educator, teaching and leading at all levels. She is the author of four ASCD books, including the recently-released The Principal’s Guide to Conflict Management, and has published hundreds of articles for various educational publishers. She has written and presented for multiple state and local education organizations, and has provided professional development to various districts in the areas of school climate, personnel, and instructional leadership. An instructor in educational administration at Miami University of Ohio, Dr. Schwanke currently serves as a Deputy Superintendent in Ohio. You can find her at jenschwanke.com.

About the host

Ross Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Bluesky or LinkedIn

I also host Sideline Sessions, a podcast for coaches and parents of student-athletes. The show features conversations with coaches and performance experts in the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Olympics, and more. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt

Today’s guest is likely quite familiar to our audience here. Will Parker is host of Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast, with more than 1.5 million downloads to date.

An Oklahoma educator since 1993, Will won a teacher of the year award in 1998, was named Oklahoma Assistant Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary Principals in 2012, was principal of a Title I school, and served as executive director of the Oklahoma Association of Secondary School Principals and the Oklahoma Middle Level Education Association for six years.

His new book is Whose Permission Are You Waiting For?: An Educator’s Guide to Doing What You Love.

We discuss:

• What motivated this new book
• “An Educator’s Guide to Doing What You Love”
• Understanding your pathways in education: “Do I choose A or B?” or “What’s next for me?”
• Why and how to be coached
• The importance of avoiding the binary in decision-making
• Keys for new ideas: Thinking, Planning, Experimenting, Executing
• Executing with intention
• Why is it important for leaders to give themselves permission for growth?
• Value of becoming a mentor

Connect with Will or listen to his podcast here: https://williamdparker.com. Learn more about all of his books here: https://williamdparker.com/books

About today’s guest

William D. Parker is the founder of Principal Matters, LLC—an educator, author, speaker, and executive coach who leverages his expertise in school culture, leadership, and communication to equip educators with strategies for motivating students, inspiring teachers, and reaching communities.

He is also the host of Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast, with more than 1.5 million downloads to date. Will supports schools through professional development and leadership coaching.

An Oklahoma educator since 1993, Will was named South Intermediate High School Teacher of the Year for Broken Arrow Public Schools in 1998. He became an assistant principal in 2004 and was named Oklahoma Assistant Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary Principals in 2012. As a principal of a Title I school, he helped lead initiatives in collaboration, remediation, and mentoring that significantly improved student achievement. For six years, Will served as executive director of the Oklahoma Association of Secondary School Principals and the Oklahoma Middle Level Education Association.

Find out more about his leadership academies, masterminds, executive coaching, books, and keynote presentations at williamdparker.com.

About the host

Ross Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Bluesky or LinkedIn

I also host Sideline Sessions, a podcast for coaches and parents of student-athletes. The show features conversations with coaches and performance experts in the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Olympics, and more. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt

Today I'm pleased to share an episode from my friend Dr. Karen Dudek-Brannan, a previous guest on The Authority and host of De Facto Leaders, a popular show on the Be Podcast Network.

Ever feel like your school is trying all the “right” strategies—social skills groups, planners, behavior charts—but students still struggle with time management, motivation, and peer relationships?

You’re not alone—and there’s a reason why, says Dr. Karen.

This episode is a clip from her free training, “Create a Research-Based Implementation Plan for your School Team.”

It’s designed for school leaders who want to guide their teams in embedding executive functioning support across both general and special education settings—without burning out staff.

This episode is for you if you’re ready to:
✔️ Help students truly benefit from academic instruction
✔️ Support social-emotional growth alongside learning
✔️ Avoid overwhelming your team with another “initiative”

This episode is the first half of the training in audio format, but to view the whole training with the video, you can go to drkarendudekbrannan.com/efteams.

Listen and subscribe at https://defactoleaders.com

For over 20 years, Tony Chatman has partnered with some of the most successful organizations in the world—including Chase Bank, the U.S. Secret Service, Phillips 66, Clear Channel, and St. Joseph’s Health. He specializes in bridging differences in perspectives, communication styles, and experiences by addressing the universal need we all share: to feel valued and seen.

As a scientist and chemical engineer, as well as a husband, father, and former leader of a nonprofit dedicated to community upliftment, Tony combines intellect with humanity. He is equal parts head and heart.

Tony’s book is The Force Multiplier: How to Lead Teams Where Everyone Wins.

We discuss:

• The mission statement of leadership
• What is a Force Multiplier?
• What makes relationship-based leadership effective?
• Relationship deposits and relationship withdrawals
• Seven keys to being a force multiplier
• Ross: “I earned it, but now I have to learn it.”

Learn more about Tony Chatman: www.tonychatman.com

About the host

Ross Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Bluesky or LinkedIn

I also host Sideline Sessions, a podcast for coaches and parents of student-athletes. The show features conversations with coaches and performance experts in the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Olympics, and more. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt

Kimberly Spencer is an award-winning high-performance, trauma-informed coach and trainer, Amazon best-selling author, TEDx speaker, and the founder of CrownYourself.com, helping visionary leaders transform their self-limiting stories, build their empire, stand out fearlessly, and make the income and the impact they deserve.

Her book is Make Every Podcast Want You: How to be so Radically Interesting You'll Barely Keep from Interviewing Yourself.

We talk about:

• Why should leaders want to be on podcasts?
• What matters when deciding which shows to target?
• How to find the right shows
• How to be an interesting guest and how to prepare
• Visibility, messaging, and presence
• What to do after you’re on a podcast

Get the book or connect with Kimberly’s podcasts:

• Get the book: https://www.communicationqueens.com/book
• Listen to the Crown Yourself Podcast: https://www.crownyourself/com/podcast
• Listen to the Communication Queen Podcast: https://www.communicationqueens.com/podcast
• Get booked & coached LIVE on the Communication Queen Podcast: https://bit.ly/get-on-communication-queen-podcast

About the host

Ross Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Bluesky or LinkedIn

I also host Sideline Sessions, a podcast for coaches and parents of student-athletes. The show features conversations with coaches and performance experts in the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Olympics, and more. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt

My guests Charle Peck and Josh Stamper are co-authors of The Language of Behavior: A Framework to Elevate Student Success, winner of the 2025 Firebird Educational Book Award.

We talk about:

• Like our last episode with Dr. Bill Penuel, co-author of Creating Compassionate Change in School Communities, this book also refers to a compassionate approach to school culture and student behavior.
• Discussing student behavior as a form of communication
• Trauma-informed framework, 3 core tenets: Consider the Environment, Explore the Root Causes of Behavior, Respond with Intentionality
• How improving student behavior with this framework affects other areas, like academic performance or classroom culture
• What would the authors say to educators or school administrators who might be skeptical about trying a new approach?

Find The Language of Behavior on Amazon or wherever you get your books.

About today’s guests

Charle Peck holds an MS in Education and an MS in Social Work as a 20+ year veteran in education (K-12). As a global keynote speaker, she delivers powerful messages of hope to educators and facilitates meaningful professional learning sessions to equip adults with tools that integrate into everyday practice. Her unique lens as a high school teacher turned clinical therapist, and her work with adolescents and families in crisis, makes her stories relevant and captivating to those struggling in today’s system. You can purchase her books on Amazon and connect with her via her website CharlePeck.com and on LinkedIn @CharlePeck

Joshua Stamper is a dedicated educator, speaker, author, and creator of Aspire to Lead. With a rich background in teaching and school administration, Joshua brings invaluable insight into the challenges and opportunities within the education system. His personal journey as a struggling student, combined with nine years of experience as a middle school administrator, fuels his passion for creating supportive and transformative learning environments. Joshua is committed to helping educators and leaders unlock their full potential, fostering growth, and inspiring lasting change in education.

About the host

Ross Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Bluesky or LinkedIn

I also host Sideline Sessions, a podcast for coaches and parents of student-athletes. The show features conversations with coaches and performance experts in the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Olympics, and more. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt