How Many Times Do I Have to Tell You?

Dean's guest is  Katherine MacIver, Director of Education at Hastings Prince Edward District School Board in Eastern Ontario, about leadership in education amid constant “noise” and competing demands. MacIver describes focusing on the “big rocks” and keeping conversations centered on students and achievement, while staying connected to classroom learning through tough, curious questions. She emphasizes a skill-based approach grounded in literacy and numeracy, notes qualitative community feedback and improving results in achievement and graduation, and highlights a simple, one-page strategic plan. The discussion explores building culture and trust through everyday interactions, de-siloing central teams, and communicating the “why” repeatedly and with purpose and audience in mind, including practical examples like cybersecurity password changes. MacIver also discusses buffering staff from rhetoric and governance challenges, developing leadership through opportunity and mentorship, and credits mentor Mary Ann Bishop for shaping her approach.00:00 Why Explain The Why01:28 Meet Director Katherine02:18 Blocking Out The Noise04:19 Staying Close To Classrooms06:40 Skills First Literacy Math07:38 Measuring Life After Graduation10:36 Keeping Talent Local12:57 Pride Strategic Plan Wins15:25 Building Trusting Culture18:49 Communicate Nine Times20:50 Purpose And Audience22:31 Parent Focused Messaging23:15 Staying On Mission27:32 Calm Under Pressure29:40 Developing Future Leaders32:21 Biggest Career Jump34:37 Mentor Who Shaped Me36:20 Quick Hitters And Wrap