Brent wanted to be a computer programmer, but hated calculus, so programming’s loss is education’s gain (1:50)

Brent loved being a teacher, and had absolutely no interest in becoming a school administrator, but several of his admins encouraged him to pursue it (5:42)

Brent’s first job in school leadership was supposed to be just for a few months, filling in for the assistant principal, who was filling in for a sick principal while she recuperated, but when the principal died unexpectedly, Brent’s temporary position suddenly became full time (9:47)

Making the risky decision to turn down the offer to become the official assistant principal to spend a few more years in the classroom (12:20)

Some lessons Brent learned dealing with multiple tragedies in a few short years after becoming an administrator (21:25)

Your ability to build good relationships with parents will grow over time (26:00)

One of Brent’s favorite stories from his career involves a water bottle, and the other is about a student who was mumbling something and Brent had to ask him what he’d said (28:42)

Titles mean nothing without relationships (42:59)

A few books Brent highly recommends (45:00)

Don’t let demographics define your students’ abilities and potential (47:45)

Let your teachers know they shouldn’t be afraid to take risks and that it’s OK to fail (50:10)

If Brent 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 (51:21)

Books mentioned in this episode

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck

Mindsets in the Classroom: Building a Culture of Success and Student Achievement in Schools by Mary Cay Ricci

The Homework Myth: Why Our Kids Get Too Much of a Bad Thing by Alfie Kohn

High Five! The Magic of Working Together by Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles

Connect with Brent Coley

@brentcoley

Watch Brent doing the Whip/Nae Nae

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