55: Leading vs. Lagging Indicators: The Key to Continuous School Improvement

Integrating social-emotional learning (SEL), behavior, and academics helps schools move beyond reacting to challenging behaviors and focus on teaching the skills students need to succeed. In this episode of System Shift, Dr. Gail, Dr. Leesa, and Dr. Mary Beth discuss how schools can integrate SEL into PBIS expectations and tiered supports to create more consistent, supportive learning environments. In this episode: How SEL, behavior, and academics work together to support student success. Practical ways to integrate SEL skills into PBIS and tiered interventions. How identifying lagging SEL skills can help address behavior challenges proactively. Resources Mention: CASEL Competencies Harvard SEL Skills Framework Have a question or a challenge you'd like us to discuss on a future episode? Share your problem of practice here. Visit us at navigatedu.com!

Professional development can provide great information, but information alone doesn’t change practice. In this episode, Dr. Gail, Dr. Mary Beth, and Dr. Leesa explore the difference between professional development and true professional learning and what leaders can do to help adults apply, integrate, and sustain what they learn. The conversation examines adult learning, relevance, coaching, collaboration, and the importance of connecting professional learning to a school’s larger purpose and priorities. The goal isn’t more training. It’s creating learning experiences that actually change practice and build capacity across the system. In This Episode: Why professional development doesn’t always translate into changed practice The difference between professional development and professional learning How adult learning theory can reshape the way we support educators How coaching, collaboration, and integration turn training into lasting change Submit your problem of practice of question here: Podcast Submission   Visit us at navigatedu.com!

Communication is one of the biggest challenges in schools and districts, but the problem often isn't a lack of communication. It's a lack of clear, consistent, and purposeful communication. In this episode, Drs. Gail, Mary Beth, and Leesa revisit the 7 C’s of effective communication and explore how leaders can build a stronger communication system that keeps staff informed, aligned, and connected to the bigger purpose. In This Episode Why schools often over-communicate but under-inform The 7 C’s for building a stronger communication system How clarity and consistency help everyone stay aligned One simple shift you can make to strengthen communication this year Get your copy of the 7 C's of Communication Guidebook here!   Visit us at navigatedu.com!

What happens when educators are constantly making decisions, taking on more, and trying to be the person everyone can count on? In this episode, the System Shift team explores the depletion cycle and “superhero syndrome” and how they impact educator effectiveness, school culture, and the conditions for learning. They discuss how decision fatigue and competing priorities contribute to depletion, why self-care alone can't fix an unsustainable system, and what leaders can do to recognize and address depletion before burnout. In This Episode: What the depletion cycle and “superhero syndrome” look like How decision fatigue and competing priorities impact effectiveness Why adult conditions for learning matter How leaders can address depletion before burnout   Visit us at navigatedu.com!

Are your systems identifying students early, or are they running on a WTF model where you wait for students to fail before providing support? In this episode, the System Shift team calls out the “WTF” model and explores how schools can shift from reactive intervention to proactive prevention by using early warning data, identifying student strengths, and responding sooner. In This Episode Why the “Wait to Fail” model is common in schools How early warning data can help identify students sooner Shifting from “wait and see” to finding students early Building proactive, preventative systems that help students thrive   Visit us at navigatedu.com!

Setting school goals is only half the equation. In this episode, the System Shift team explores why the most successful schools don't wait until the end of the year to measure success. They identify leading indicators that help them monitor progress, adjust strategies, and continuously improve along the way. Learn how focusing on adult actions, collective ownership, and ongoing reflection creates stronger conditions for learning and better outcomes for students. In This Episode: What leading indicators really measure Why every goal needs more than an end-of-year outcome How continuous improvement keeps teams on track The role of adult actions in improving student success   Visit us at navigatedu.com!

School safety is more than locks, cameras, and physical security. In this episode, the System Shift team explores research from the Learning Policy Institute showing that the strongest foundations for safe schools are built through relationships, trust, positive school climate, and integrated systems. Learn how proactive Tier 1 practices can help create schools where students feel seen, supported, and safe every day. In this Episode: Why school safety is more than locks and cameras Four research-backed ways to create safer schools How Tier 1 and relationships work together Simple leadership strategies that strengthen school climate Article Discussed in Episode: Districts Are Investing Billions in School Safety: Here’s What Actually Keeps Students Safe | Learning Policy Institute   Visit us at navigatedu.com!

A strong school year begins with a strong Tier 1. In this episode, the System Shift team explores what it really means to have an effective Tier 1 within an integrated MTSS framework. They discuss why academics, behavior, and social-emotional learning must work together, how leaders can identify gaps in their systems, and the importance of auditing Tier 1 throughout the year to ensure all students and staff are supported. In This Episode: What makes a strong Tier 1 and why academics, behavior, and SEL must be integrated. Key questions leaders should ask to assess and strengthen their Tier 1 systems. Why ongoing Tier 1 audits and data reviews are essential for continuous improvement. Visit us at navigatedu.com!

As a new school year approaches, many educators focus on restarting but what if schools need a reset instead? In this episode, Gail, Leesa, and Mary Beth explore the difference between restarting and resetting, why reflection matters for continuous improvement, and how leaders can carry forward what worked while making intentional adjustments for the year ahead. They share practical strategies for rest, reflection, and creating stronger, more sustainable systems for students and staff. In This Episode: Why resetting is more powerful than simply starting over each school year Reflection strategies leaders can use How intentional pauses help schools strengthen systems, support adults, and improve outcomes for students Visit us at navigatedu.com!

Every school experiences transitions—retirements, promotions, leadership changes, and staff departures. In this episode, Dr. Gail, Dr. Leesa, and Dr. Mary Beth discuss how leaders can protect school culture, preserve momentum, and sustain effective systems through change. Learn how collective efficacy, reflection, and intentional planning can help ensure your school remains strong, no matter who comes or goes. In This Episode: How staff and leadership transitions impact culture and sustainability Why collective efficacy is critical for long-term success Strategies for preserving systems and institutional knowledge The role of reflection in preparing for a successful new school year Visit us at navigatedu.com!