I hope that you will join me for this episode as I sit down with Anna Surratt, a remarkable educator with nearly two decades of teaching experience in both public and Christian schools. We delve into her expertise in empathy-based leadership and design thinking, exploring how these tools contribute to fostering strong relationships and creating positive change in the education landscape.Anna shares insightful stories from her journey, highlighting the importance of vulnerability and trust in building a culture of improvement. We...
I hope that you will join me for this episode as I sit down with Anna Surratt, a remarkable educator with nearly two decades of teaching experience in both public and Christian schools. We delve into her expertise in empathy-based leadership and design thinking, exploring how these tools contribute to fostering strong relationships and creating positive change in the education landscape.
Anna shares insightful stories from her journey, highlighting the importance of vulnerability and trust in building a culture of improvement. We also touch on the power of improvement networks, where schools come together to address shared challenges, emphasizing the courage that arises from vulnerability.
As we navigate the complexities of education, our conversation reveals the transformative impact of focusing on relationships, understanding perspectives, and striving for continuous improvement. Please listen in for a conversation filled with wisdom and inspiration as we explore the heart of education and the pursuit of positive change!
To learn more, order Jon's book, Just Teaching: Feedback, Engagement, and Well-Being for Each Student.
The Just Schools Podcast is brought to you by the Baylor Center for School Leadership. Each week, we'll talk to catalytic educators who are doing amazing work.
Be encouraged.
Timestamps:
[0:37] - Learn a bit about today’s guest, Anna Surratt.
[2:05] - Anna dives deeper into her background.
[4:40] - Anna describes a challenging hotel experience, highlighting discomfort and safety concerns during a work trip.
[7:17] - Hear how Anna champions design thinking.
[9:35] - Anna identifies clarity as crucial to fostering innovation.
[12:52] - Anna strongly emphasizes the importance of trust.
[14:27] - Vulnerability sparks courage, fostering deep empathy and collaborative progress toward shared goals.
[16:23] - Anna highlights how a heartbreaking tale of an educator craving impactful feedback spurred a leadership quest for change.
[18:16] - What is the best advice and worst advice that Anna has ever received?
[19:47] - Staffing is what concerns Anna the most about the upcoming year.
[21:32] - Anna argues that teachers need to be empowered by connecting actions to real student outcomes.
Connect on Social Media:
Baylor MA in School Leadership
Baylor Doctorate in Education
Jon Eckert: @eckertjon
Center for School Leadership at Baylor University: @baylorcsl
