A native of Philadelphia, Power previously served as the Principal of Upper Canada College in Toronto, serving in this role since 2004. Before his time at UCC, Power was the Headmaster of Georgetown Preparatory School near Washington, D.C., from 1993 until 2004.
Power holds a BA in English from the College of the Holy Cross. He also was awarded a Master of Arts Degree from Boston College in English and a doctorate (Ed.D.) from Boston University in Educational Leadership.
Jim has over 30 years in education. He and his wife have 5 kids, and he loves to read if he can find the time. (2:30)
How a British book most Americans have never heard of inspired Jim to choose education as his career (4:00)
What it’s like to teach and be Dean of Students at a private boarding school (5:10)
There are real difference between boys and girls, and how that affects education (8:14)
Culver Academies strive to build character and inculcate a sense of servant leadership in all their students (10:03)
Jim talks about his early years in strife-torn South Boston serving with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps at the height of the busing wars (11:00)
Teachers get to help students succeed, but admins get to help both students and teachers succeed (12:15)
Some of Jim’s reasons for moving from teaching into school administration (13:00)
How Jim almost got himself fired about ten years ago (with some help from social media) 15:48)
Jim explains how to use Steven Covey’s principles when writing emails, why it’s important to always keep in mind the timing, pacing, and dosage of change (17:44)
Jim explains “the 18 month bucket” all new admins should be aware of (18:30)
Paradoxically, the qualities that landed you the admin job can cause you all kinds of problems once you’re actually on the job (20:30)
The importance of always staying focused on human development (22:12)
Why you shouldn’t stay at one school for too long (24:30)
Two very unusual stories from Jim’s career (25:18)
The perfect is an obstacle to the good (31:04)
You need to learn to delegate to be a great admin (31:33)
A few of Jim’s favorite books for school leaders (32:00)
If you don’t like kids, don’t go into school administration! (33:20)
Teachers are the last idealists (33:58)
“We aren’t capable of great things; only small things with great love.” (34:20)
If Jim had a time machine, here’s the advice he would go back and give his younger self when he was just starting out in administration (35:02)
Books mentioned in this episode
To Serve Them All My Days by R. F. Delderfield
The Human Side of School Change: Reform, Resistance, and the Real-Life Problems of Innovation by Robert Evans
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink
Educating for Character: How Our Schools Can Teach Respect and Responsibility by Thomas Lickona
Connect with Jim Power
Jim.Power(at)Culver.org
About EducatorsLead:
Educators Lead is a podcast created to help launch educators into the next level of leadership. This show is for you if you are interested in educational leadership as an assistant principal, principal, superintendent, teacher or someone who hopes to be a school leader one day. Educators Lead offers inspiration and practical advice to help you lead more effectively. Jay Willis interviews school leaders weekly to discuss why and when these educators made the decision to move into school leadership, challenges along the journey, and stories that made it all worthwhile. Educators Lead is a great resource for any educator looking to make a greater impact.
Educate. Inspire. Lead.
