Transformative Leadership: Derek Mitchell on Building Successful School Cultures on the Better Leaders Better Schools Podcast
When we think about school improvement, the conversation often centers on strategies and programs. But as Derek Mitchell, CEO of Partners in School Innovation, shares in a recent episode of the Better Leaders Better Schools Podcast with Daniel Bauer, lasting transformation comes from something more foundational: the culture leaders cultivate in their schools.
For Derek, culture is not an abstract idea. It’s the trust between colleagues, the way decisions get made, the presence of equity in daily practice. Culture shapes whether strategies succeed or fade, and leaders carry the responsibility for creating conditions where culture can thrive.
Derek shares some key takeaways for school and district leaders:
Start with listening. Deep, authentic listening creates space for teachers and students to feel seen. Leaders who listen first lay the groundwork for collaboration and trust.
Build shared ownership. When leadership is distributed, the work becomes more sustainable. Teachers and staff step into the role of change agents when they feel supported and valued.
Center equity in daily practice. Equity cannot live only in vision statements. It must show up in classroom decisions, professional learning, and the relationships that drive school culture.
Value reflection alongside results. Success is measured not just in outcomes but in the strength of the systems and relationships that carry the work forward.
This vision of school leadership is practical and inspiring, offering a vision of leadership rooted in presence, care, and purpose. For educators navigating the complexities of today’s schools, it is a reminder that transformation happens through consistent, human-centered actions—not through quick fixes.
At Partners in School Innovation, we walk alongside school and district leaders to build these kinds of cultures. Our work helps leaders move from theory to practice, centering equity, reflection, and shared leadership so schools can grow in ways that last.
Listen to the full episode here.
The “Better Leaders Better Schools Podcast with Daniel Bauer” is a weekly conversation exploring education and leadership in depth.
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