Dr. Todd Schmidt is the lead learner at Harbor View Elementary in Corona del Mar, CA.  He is a proud husband, and proud father of two beautiful daughters.  He received his doctorate from University of Southern California in K-12 Leadership.  Prior to administration, he was a middle school history and English teacher!  An edtech enthusiast, a mediocre golfer, and a long-suffering San Diego Chargers and Padres fan, Dr. Schmidt is a big believer in the power of personalized professional development and an Innovator’s Mindset.

 

Todd discusses his background, teaching everything from 4^th grade to AP US history, spending two years teaching in Taiwan, and knowing that he wanted to be a teacher from when he was a child, and his love of performing karaoke (1:55)

When he was a kid, Todd would take home his teacher’s extra worksheets, and teach them to his stuffed animals (5:48)

Todd’s career path, from graduating from college with a history degree, learning how to teach science from Bill Nye the Science Guy, teaching in Taiwan, moving into administration, and getting his doctoral degree, to where he is today (7:52)

His biggest struggle when moving from teaching to admin was the catch 22 -trying to land an admin job without experience, but unable to get experience without getting an admin job, and how he solved the problem (16:02)

One of the tasks new administrators dread the most is dealing with parents, but it’s a skill you’ll have to cultivate to grow as an admin (21:08)

Not everyone on staff is able or willing to move at the same speed you’re capable of, and a good administrator accepts this fact of life and adjusts to it (22:08)

How teaching two years at the American School in Taiwan helped shape Todd’s career (28:09)

Todd recalls some of his favorite moments from his career in school leadership (30:57)

How Todd has stayed connected to students after moving into administration – by being fully present and being intentional (36:06)

The best leadership advice Todd has ever been given – don’t reinvent the wheel (41:17)

The ability to build relationships is one of the most important skills a school leader needs (41:38)

Three books Todd thinks all school leaders should read (42:50)

Always remember what it felt like to be a student (43:55)

Meet your teachers where they’re at and support them in the journey (46:31)

Kahoot and Nearpod are two great tools for engaging kids in our digital age (48:20)

Every child deserves a champion, and you can be that champion (51:56)

If Todd 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 (52:48)

 

Books mentioned in this episode

What Great Principals Do Differently: Eighteen Things That Matter Most

The Innovator’s Mindset: Empower Learning, Unleash Talent, and Lead a Culture of Creativity

What Connected Educators Do Differently

 

Apps mentioned in this episode

Kahoot

Nearpod

 

Connect with Todd Schmidt

Twitter

Voxer: tsschmidty

 

 

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 three days a week 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.

www.educatorslead.com