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PODCAST

Leading Out The Woods

Matthew Woods - Education Podcast Network

This podcast is dedicated to all my fellow K-12 educators as I reflect on my experiences & best practices working in K-12 education as a former teacher & current administrator.New episodes are released bi-weekly on Friday"s at 5 PM (excluding special bonus episodes). Subscribe so you don"t miss any new episodes! Additionally, feel free to leave a review!Contact Information:Email-> leadingoutthewoods@gmail.comTwitter-> @woodfromawoodsWebsite-> leadingoutthewoods.com

education self-improvement

All Episodes

17:03

Anchor Chat #34: Who Owns the Problem?

Leading Out The Woods ·

2026/10/09

Anchor Chat #34: Who Owns the Problem?In this episode of Anchor Chats, Dr. Woods reflects on Who Owns the Problem? and the tendency for leaders to take on every challenge brought their way. He explores the difference between supporting someone through a problem and assuming responsibility for solving it. Dr. Woods challenges leaders to pause, clarify ownership, ask the right questions, and empower others to develop solutions—because effective leadership isn’t about carrying every problem; it’s about

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35:07

Throwback Thursday! Building Bridges: School Boards,...

Leading Out The Woods ·

2026/10/08

Throwback Thursday! Building Bridges: School Boards, Communities, and Administrators UniteOriginally Released On: 11-15-24This week, we’re revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode, Special Guest Ja'Quez D. Taylor, Former School Board Chair and active School Board Member in NC, joins Dr. Woods to discuss how effective collaboration among these key stakeholders can drive student success and strengthen school communities.

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44:28

Throwback Thursday! Started from the Bottom, Now I'm...

Leading Out The Woods ·

2026/10/02

Throwback Thursday! Started from the Bottom, Now I'm HereOriginally Released On: 6-18-21This week, we’re revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode:✅ Darrion discusses how he motivates and inspires his students and school community.✅ Darrion shares advice with other educators trying to make a positive impact with students at-risk.Whether you’re hearing it for the first time or revisiting a classic, this conversation is packed with insights that still resonate

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36:37

Episode #137: Roaches in My Cereal - And the Moral...

Leading Out The Woods ·

2026/09/26

🎙️ Episode #137 – Roaches in My Cereal: And the Moral Imperative to Reimagine SchoolWhat if some of the things we've accepted as "just the way school works" are the very things we need to rethink? I'm excited to welcome Dr. Melvin J. Brown, Superintendent in Residence at Defined, LLC, longtime educational leader, and author of Roaches in My Cereal: And the Moral Imperative to Reimagine School, to Leading Out The Woods.In this episode, we challenge ourselves to think differently about the systems

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59:31

Throwback Thursday! Is Financial Literacy Working?

Leading Out The Woods ·

2026/09/17

Throwback Thursday! Is Financial Literacy Working?Originally Released On: 7-15-2022This week, we’re revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode:✅ Dr. Thomas shares how we should conceptualize financial literacy.✅ Dr. Thomas discusses barriers students and families routinely encounter when learning about financial literacy.Whether you’re hearing it for the first time or revisiting a classic, this conversation is packed with insights that still resonate

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17:51

Anchor Chat #33: The Leadership Pause

Leading Out The Woods ·

2026/09/12

Anchor Chat #33: The Leadership PauseIn this episode of Anchor Chats, Dr. Woods reflects on The Leadership Pause and the importance of creating space between a situation and our response. He explores how leaders can resist the pressure to react immediately, instead taking time to listen, gather context, and think intentionally before making decisions. Dr. Woods reminds leaders that being responsive doesn’t mean being reactive—and sometimes the most effective leadership move is simply knowing when to

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36:23

Giving Grammar Instruction a Glow Up

Leading Out The Woods ·

2026/08/29

Episode #136 is live! Check it out!Special Guest Patty McGee, nationally recognized literacy consultant, author, and educator, joins Dr. Woods on episode #136 of Leading Out The Woods to discuss Giving Grammar Instruction a Glow Up. In this episode, they explore why grammar instruction matters, the limitations of traditional approaches, and the mindshifts educators can make to bring grammar learning to life. Patty also shares innovative strategies from her book Not Your Granny’s Grammar, including

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48:26

Throwback Thursday! Staff Motivation & Morale

Leading Out The Woods ·

2026/08/27

Throwback Thursday!Title: Episode #27_Staff Motivation & Morale featuring Dr. Todd Whitaker Originally Released On: 2-26-21This week, we’re revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode, we:✅ discuss the importance of staff motivation and morale in school management,✅ provide tips on what you can do to ensure this is happening in your school.Whether you’re hearing it for the first time or revisiting a classic, this conversation is packed with insights that

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42:32

Throwback Thursday! Inside the Schoolhouse: What...

Leading Out The Woods ·

2026/08/20

Throwback Thursday! Inside the Schoolhouse: What Great Principals Know and Do featuring Dr. John GrattoOriginally Released On: 8-13-2021This week, we’re revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode:✅ Dr. Gratto shares an overview of his book, “Inside the Schoolhouse: What Great Principals Know and Do.”✅ Dr. Gratto discusses the key concepts that assistant principals and principals can take away from the book.Whether you’re hearing it for the first time or

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47:56

Throwback Thursday! Win the Morning

Leading Out The Woods ·

2026/08/13

🎙️ #ThrowbackThursday – Episode #103: Win the Morning!How we start the day can shape everything that follows. For this week's Leading Out The Woods Throwback Thursday, we're revisiting my conversation with Ryan Stein, principal and author of Lifeline 65: How Small Connections and Big Enthusiasm Can Change Education.In this episode, Ryan shares his inspiring “Win the Morning” philosophy and how intentionally starting each day with energy, connection, and purpose can have a lasting impact on

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62:31

Summer Leadership Recharge: Managing Transitions &...

Leading Out The Woods ·

2026/08/04

☀️ Summer Leadership Recharge: Principal Edition 🌲🎙️ Leading Through Change: Managing Transitions & ChallengesLeadership is tested most during seasons of change. This week, I'm joined by Dr. Shameka Gerald, Managing Director at 2Revolutions, to discuss how school leaders can successfully navigate transitions, overcome challenges, and build resilient school communities.Together, we discuss:✔️ Leading with confidence during uncertainty✔️ Supporting staff through periods of change✔️ Avoiding

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35:04

AI in K–12

Leading Out The Woods ·

2026/07/31

Episode #135 is up! Check it out!!!Special Guest Jeff McCoy, Chief Education Officer for the Education Research & Development Institute (ERDI), joins Dr. Woods on episode #135 of Leading Out The Woods to discuss AI in K–12. In this episode, they explore the growing impact of artificial intelligence on education, discussing how school leaders can embrace innovation, navigate emerging challenges, and responsibly prepare students and educators for the future.

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38:42

Throwback Thursday! Games & Simulations in the Classroom

Leading Out The Woods ·

2026/07/30

ThrowbackThursday! Episode #96: Games & Simulations in the ClassroomSpecial Guest Dr. Edmond Hally, Associate Professor of Political Science at Ferrum College, joins Matt to discuss the positive effects of games on student success.

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44:53

Summer Leadership Recharge: Meet Their Needs And...

Leading Out The Woods ·

2026/07/28

☀️ Summer Leadership Recharge: Principal Edition 🌲🎙️ Meet Their Needs And They'll SucceedStudent success begins with understanding students as individuals.This week, I'm joined by Salome Thomas-EL—principal, nationally recognized speaker, and author of Meet Their Needs And They'll Succeed—for a conversation about creating schools where every student has the opportunity to thrive.Together, we explore:✔️ Meeting students' individual needs through intentional leadership✔️ Building school cultures

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36:07

Summer Leadership Recharge: Creating Impactful...

Leading Out The Woods ·

2026/07/21

☀️ Summer Leadership Recharge: Principal Edition 🌲🎙️ Creating Impactful Professional Development PlansProfessional development shouldn't be something educators attend—it should be something that transforms practice.This week, I'm joined by Dr. Stephanie Burroughs, Assistant Superintendent, to discuss how school leaders can design meaningful professional learning that empowers teachers and improves student outcomes.Together, we explore:✔️ Building professional development with purpose✔️ Aligning

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14:58

Anchor Chat #32: The Middle Matters

Leading Out The Woods ·

2026/07/17

Anchor Chat #32: The Middle MattersIn this episode, Dr. Woods challenges educators to rethink where they focus their attention by highlighting a group of students who often go unnoticed—the ones in the middle. While schools naturally devote time and resources to students who are struggling and those who are excelling, there is tremendous potential among students who are quietly meeting expectations but may not be reaching their full potential. Dr. Woods explores how intentional instruction,

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36:33

Summer Leadership Recharge: Strategic Goal Setting...

Leading Out The Woods ·

2026/07/14

☀️ Summer Leadership Recharge: Principal Edition 🌲🎙️ Strategic Goal Setting for School SuccessEvery successful school begins with a clear vision—and intentional goals to bring that vision to life.This week, I'm joined by Dr. Donetrus Hill, High School Principal, to discuss how school leaders can create strategic goals that inspire action, build accountability, and drive meaningful improvement.Together, we discuss:✔️ Developing goals that are focused and measurable✔️ Aligning daily work with

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36:57

Throwback Thursday! Teacher Recruitment & Retention

Leading Out The Woods ·

2026/07/09

🎙️ #ThrowbackThursday – Episode #122: Teacher Recruitment & RetentionThis week, we're revisiting an important conversation with Dr. Lindsey Jensen, 2018 Illinois Teacher of the Year and Educators Rising Illinois State Coordinator, as we tackle one of the biggest challenges facing education today—recruiting, developing, and retaining great teachers. In this episode, Dr. Jensen shares practical insights on how we can strengthen the educator pipeline while creating the conditions that encourage

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28:30

Summer Leadership Recharge: Warm Demander

Leading Out The Woods ·

2026/07/07

Summer Leadership RechargeIn this episode of Summer Leadership Recharge: Principal Edition, Dr. Woods sits down with Dr. Alex Carter, Vice President of Field Implementation at the Colorado Education Initiative, for an insightful conversation on the concept of the “Warm Demander.”Together, they unpack how school leaders can balance high expectations with genuine care, creating an environment where students and staff are both challenged and supported. Designed for current and aspiring principals, this

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33:45

Growing Educator Practice with Strength-Focused...

Leading Out The Woods ·

2026/07/03

Episode #134 is up! Check it out!!!What if instructional improvement began by identifying what's working—not just what's missing?I'm excited to welcome Vicki Wilson—former principal, author, and consultant—to Leading Out The Woods for an engaging conversation on how strength-focused leadership can transform teaching, collaboration, and student achievement.In this episode, we explore:✨ How leaders can use strengths to foster sustainable growth✨ What a strengths-focused Professional Learning

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