Episode Details

Stacey Green began her tenure at Stockton Grade School (SGS) as a new principal with an ambitious goal: transform the school's culture from an isolated, individual classroom focus to an integrated, responsive, and collaborative environment where teachers lead with the whole child and the whole school in mind. In just six years, Green has had remarkable success, not only because of her individual talents, but because of her belief that change happens when leaders "empower others to remove barriers and transform problems into opportunities." Green has used this approach to lead SGS through the Kansas School Redesign process, earning the distinction of being named a Kansas Mercury School in 2017. On the path toward personalizing student learning, Green has supported teachers in aligning with school vision and purpose through personalized professional development. SGS teachers have since embraced trauma-informed practices, increasing connection with students across experiences, and improving staff's capacity for mutual support, self-care, and vicarious trauma prevention. Today, SGS is known for high community and family engagement, regularly hosting visits and presenting at conferences on the power of redesigning instruction through research-based practices. Superintendent Roger Lowry notes Green's insatiable quest for knowledge of education and leadership, calling her the best principal he has observed in his 20 years as an administrator. Green holds an M.S. from Fort Hays State University and a B.A. from Bethany College.

Show Highlights

• A Design Thinking model that transforms the problem from being an obstacle, to a gift.

• Teacher voice is more prevalent when they have tools they can access and tangible data to provide ownership and impact.

• Make sure your school is "TIGER ready."

• Tips to create powerful shifts from identifying as a "math teacher" to a "teacher of students through math."

• Internal research teams that find purposeful activities for your community to avoid good things happening in silos,

• Build "community groups" to connect students to your vision and each other.

• Don't get tripped up by fear, but build confidence in yourself as a professional in education.

"The leadership piece is giving that permission to, 'Don't come ask me, go for it. And if you need me along the way or if there's any support I can give you, please ask.' I wanna stay out of their way because as professionals, they know their content best, they know their students best. I'm just here to give them the necessary tools they need to move forward or problem solve with them or, and just get out of the way."

-Stacey Green

Get the episode transcript here!!

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