#30 Lead from the Middle: How Teachers Drive Change with Danelle Almaraz

In this episode of Make It Mindful, host Seth Fleischauer is joined by Danelle Almaraz, Chief Impact Officer for Innovate Ed, who brings over a decade of experience in the field of continuous improvement in education. Together, they explore the universal challenges faced by educators, including the leadership pipeline shortage and the necessity of fostering student empowerment and future readiness amidst rapidly evolving educational demands.Danelle discusses the importance of defining what "future ready" actually means and insists on a clear focus to help schools adapt and thrive. She emphasizes the role of continuous improvement processes and shared leadership in achieving substantive, sustainable changes in schools. The conversation also covers the strategies for building trust and buy-in among educators, which are critical for implementing successful changes.Key insights include the need for clarity in goals, the empowerment of teachers through shared decision-making, and the creation of supportive environments that encourage innovative practices and continuous learning. Danelle and Seth discuss practical steps for schools to become future-ready—emphasizing student-centered learning, flexibility in approaches, and the importance of community and collaboration among educators.Listeners will gain valuable perspectives on making meaningful and lasting impacts in educational settings, understanding the complexities of system-wide changes, and the importance of aligning with core values and clear objectives to effectively prepare students for the future.Guest Links:1. Innovate Ed - https://innovateed.com/2. LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/danelle-almaraz/Co-Host Links:Seth FleischauerFounder and President of Banyan Global LearningLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-fleischauer/Website: https://banyangloballearning.com/Lauren PintoCofounder of Ambitious Ed, Educational Technology SpecialistLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-s-pinto/Website: https://www.ambitioused.com/