Why Aren't We Having Fun? Leading with Joy in Education with Dr. Jon Bartelt

Quick take: Want to sleep well at night as a school leader?

Dr. Jon Bartelt shares how embracing joy, listening deeply to students, and staying true to core values helps him lead with confidence through 23 years as superintendent.

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🎧 LISTEN TO THE SHOW

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🏴‍☠️ BREAKING DOWN THE OLD RULES

In this episode, Dr. Bartelt challenges traditional education paradigms:

Leading with Joy Instead of Fear

• What's broken: Schools driven by anxiety, control, and "that's how we've always done it" mindsets

• The shift: Creating environments where students and staff find genuine joy in learning and teaching

• Impact: Students who cry on the last day of school because they don't want to leave

Embracing Student Voice

• What's broken: Adults making all decisions without student input

• The shift: Actively listening to students and implementing their ideas (like reviving competitive science programs)

• Impact: More engaged learners who feel ownership in their education

Making Bold Decisions

• What's broken: Leaders paralyzed by fear of public criticism

• The shift: Focusing on core values and student safety over public opinion

• Impact: Confident decision-making even when facing social media backlash

✌️ YOUR DO SCHOOL DIFFERENT CHALLENGE

Ready to implement these ideas? Start here:

1. Tomorrow: Take a walk through your school focusing only on moments of joy

2. This Month: Create regular opportunities for students to share ideas directly with leadership

3. This Semester: Evaluate major decisions through the lens of your core values

✅ CONNECT AND CONTINUE

• 🎯 Get the full episode transcript: [Link]

• 💪 Join the Ruckus Maker Movement: [Link]

Podcast created by Danny. Audio engineered by Dragan. Show notes written by Christina. Email sent by Soniya