S.4 | Ep 14: Building Strong Instruction, Culture, and Consistency — Harrison Gillaspy

In this episode of Unlock 360°, host Wendy R. York Davoud sits down with Harrison Gillaspy, Principal of Piney Woods Elementary School in Splendora ISD.Harrison’s leadership journey moved quickly to four schools in one year giving him a unique, on-the-ground understanding of how systems, culture, and clarity impact student learning. Now in his second year as principal, he shares how Piney Woods is strengthening instruction, building alignment, and ensuring every student grows.From lesson design days to student goal-setting, from culture-building to consistent expectations, Harrison offers a grounded look at what it takes to accelerate improvement while caring deeply for the humans doing the work.Key Moments00:00 Welcome + Harrison’s whirlwind path to principalship01:17 From coaching to the classroom — and into leadership06:18 Remembering year one — blur, strength, and support17:22 Understanding the school’s data journey19:08 Refocusing from “bubble kids” to every student’s growth21:37 Rebuilding grade-level teams for balance and collaboration22:26 Culture: trust, transparency, and treating teachers as professionals24:07 Rotating awards that celebrate staff strengths25:11 The next step: consistency through every season26:19 “Shocktober” and staying steady during tough months27:22 How the district calendar supports rest and effectiveness29:17 Where to learn more about Piney Woods and Splendora ISDWhy You’ll Love This EpisodeHarrison brings humility, clarity, and practical insight from a fast-paced leadership journey. You’ll hear how Piney Woods Elementary is:Strengthening instruction through intentional lesson designEmpowering students to understand and track their own progressBuilding teacher trust and collaborationImproving culture through transparency and meaningful recognitionStaying aligned with district expectations while honoring teacher voiceThis episode offers a refreshingly honest look at leading a campus through growth, reset, and renewed momentum.Connect with Harrison GillaspyLinkedIn :https://www.linkedin.com/in/harrison-gillaspy-0a3201247Website: https://pineywoods.splendoraisd.org/Follow Us:Wendy York Davoud LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyryork Lead Teach Learn 360 Website: https://leadteachlearn360.comLead Teach Learn 360 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lead-teach-learn-360%C2%B0/ About Unlock 360°Unlock 360° is the podcast where school leaders and instructional trailblazers reveal how they’re turning bold vision into sustainable action. Powered by Lead Teach Learn 360, each episode brings you inside the systems, strategies, and human stories that drive school improvement one leader, one learner, one breakthrough at a time.Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Unlock 360° for more conversations.