This is Season 3, Episode 14 of FocusED, and it features our guest, Joe Sanfelippo. It was originally recorded live for a studio audience in Delaware, provided as a professional development experience for Delaware teachers and leaders. Don’t miss what Dr. Sanfelippo says about what it means to lead from anywhere and how leaders build intention, connection, and direction in schools.
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Joe Sanfelippo Brings Tons of Experience to FocusED Listeners
Dr. Joe Sanfelippo is the Superintendent of the Fall Creek School District in Fall Creek, WI. The Fall Creek School District was named an Innovative District in 2016 and 2017 by the International Center for Leadership in Education. Joe holds a BA in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from St. Norbert College, a MS in Educational Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, a MS in Educational Leadership, and a PhD in Leadership, Learning, and Service from Cardinal Stritch University.
Joe is also an adjunct professor in the Educational Leadership Department at Viterbo University. Joe has taught Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, and 5th Grade. He was a school counselor and high school coach prior to taking on an elementary principal position in 2005. He has served as a principal in suburban and rural Wisconsin.
Joe started the #1minwalk2work Leadership Challenge, and co-authored
The Power of Branding-Telling Your School's Story,
Principal Professional Development: Leading Learning in a Digital Age,
Hacking Leadership: 10 Ways Great Leaders Inspire Learning That Teachers, Students and Parents Love,
and his new book is Lead From Where You Are: Building Intention, Connection, and Direction in Our Schools.
He was selected as 1 of 117 Future Ready Superintendents in 2014 and 1 of 50 Superintendents as a Personalized Learning Leader in 2016 by the US Department of Education. He attended summits at the White House for both distinctions. Education Dive named Joe 1 of 5 K-12 administrators to watch in 2018 and their National Superintendent of the Year in 2019.
He has been a featured speaker in multiple states in the areas of Advancing the Use of Social Media for School Leaders, Telling Your School Story, Creating a Culture of Yes, and Personalized Professional Growth for Staff.
Go Crickets!!
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FocusED Show Notes with Joe Sanfelippo
Joe wrote his new book as a legacy piece. Listen to what he says about his kids and leaving something behind.
His insight about leading from a position of isolation is powerful.
Joe sees a lot of leaders asking the same questions, that often have answers, but that everyone is asking in their own bubbles.
Joe recommends balance in your emotional state when making decisions. You have to hear what he says about the highs and lows of school leadership.
Joe talked about better student ownership through adult learning. When adults like what they’re learning, they’re more likely to translate that for kids.
When it comes to “resources,” Joe says that teachers and leaders should have a core group to go to for reflection and support.
Don’t miss what Joe says about amplifying your school's message.
Joe’s final message about treating everything like it matters is inspiring.
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FocusED is your educational leadership podcast where our mission is to dissect a particular focus for teachers and school leaders so that you can learn to lead better and grow faster in your school or district with more knowledge, better understanding, and clear direction on what to do next.
