Leaning into Leadership

On this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Darrin welcomes Chris Dormer, Superintendent of Norristown Area School District in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Chris brings nearly three decades of educational experience from diverse settings, including roles as a teacher, coach, principal, and superintendent.

Chris shares powerful insights into shifting school leadership from crisis mode—something many leaders have felt stuck in since the pandemic—to a more proactive, intentional leadership approach. He emphasizes the importance of serving each and every student, rather than focusing broadly on “all students,” and how this subtle yet powerful shift in mission can transform school culture.

Throughout the conversation, Chris offers practical strategies leaders can immediately implement, including prioritizing classroom visits, giving actionable and meaningful feedback, and ensuring leadership teams stay focused on what truly matters most—teaching and learning.

Key takeaways from this episode:

• Why proactive leadership is crucial in moving beyond crisis-driven schools.
• How shifting from “all” students to “each and every” student can profoundly impact your school’s culture.
• Practical ways to protect your calendar and prioritize instructional leadership.
• Strategies for developing and empowering leadership teams through intentional professional growth.

This episode is packed with leadership wisdom and practical insights that will help you and your team refocus, reenergize, and recommit to the most important work in education.

Connect with Chris Dormer:

In this milestone 200th episode of the Leaning Into Leadership podcast, host Dr. Darrin Peppard reflects deeply on the theme of commitment. Darrin shares personal insights and impactful stories highlighting how his commitment to delivering weekly episodes since January 2022 has shaped the podcast and his journey as a leadership speaker, coach, and author.

He celebrates the community of listeners who have supported the podcast, discusses the evolution of guest selection towards more educational leaders based on audience feedback, and emphasizes how consistency, clarity, and credibility have become foundational values of his leadership philosophy. Throughout the episode, Darrin highlights the profound relationships and opportunities fostered through podcasting, including friendships, collaborations, and impactful professional growth.

Key Topics Covered:

• The Value of Commitment:
• Inspiration drawn from a flight attendant’s 30-year service pin story.
• The importance of consistently showing up and following through on commitments.
• Impactful Guests and Relationships:
• Reflecting on meaningful conversations with guests such as Katie Kinder, Dominic Armano, Todd Bloomer, Greg Bennick, Bradley Skinner, Luis Báez, Lauren Kaufman, Sean Gaillard, and Joshua Stamper.
• How these relationships evolved into friendships, business opportunities, and collaborative projects like co-authoring Culture First Classrooms.
• Listening and Responding to Audience Feedback:
• Observing analytics and listener communication to shift the podcast focus toward more educational leadership topics.
• Renewed commitment to align episodes closely with listeners' interests and needs.
• Personal and Professional Growth:
• The critical lesson learned about consistency driving clarity, trust, and credibility.
• How the podcast has enhanced Darrin’s visibility, leading to speaking engagements, coaching opportunities, and deeper professional connections.

Notable Moments:

• Darrin’s personal story about missing only one Sunday episode due to emergency gallbladder surgery, highlighting his deep dedication to listeners.
• Revisiting Alex Sheen’s "Because I Said I Would" story, emphasizing the power of promises and follow-through.
• Highlighting listener feedback about recent episodes and their impactful insights, such as Rae Hughart's email productivity tips.

Pep Talk (Action Step):

• Darrin invites listeners to make a commitment today that positively impacts their leadership journey, whether personal, professional, or relational. He encourages reflection on empowering others, clarifying visions, and deepening commitment.

Connect with Darrin:

• Engage on social media platforms.
• Leave a five-star review to help expand the podcast’s reach and impact.

Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment!

Get Your Copy of Culture First Classrooms!

Culture First Classrooms: Leadership, Relationships, and Practices that Transform Schools launches tomorrow, March 17! This book is packed with insights from educators across the country on how to build a thriving school culture. Don’t miss out!