The Groundbreaking Plan to Stop Teachers From Being Priced Out of Their Own Communities

In part one of my S5E31 Schoolutions conversation, Dr. Fabi Bagula, Superintendent of San Diego Unified School District, discusses her authentic approach to leadership and its impact on education. She shares insights into critical teacher retention issues and the innovative, affordable housing solutions her team is implementing in San Diego, California. Fabi's commitment to equity and school improvement strategies is evident as she addresses the challenges and triumphs of leading with an open heart. Fabi also speaks to why she refuses to call it an "achievement gap" (it's a support gap) and how she's avoided hardening in response to public criticism. This episode is essential listening for school administrators, instructional leaders, new teachers, teacher mentors, instructional coaches, families, and anyone invested in school improvement and education transformation.Some Episode Mentions:➡️Otto Scharmer, author of Presencing➡️Marshall Elementary School➡️Yale Broad Leadership Fellowship ➡️Monday 02/26 & Tuesday 02/27 board meetings, when they chose the final proposals for more information📌 Part 2 drops Friday, where Fabi illuminates what emancipatory leadership looks and feels like in practice📑 CHAPTERS0:00 Introduction — Dr. Fabi Bagula, First Latina Superintendent of San Diego Unified1:45 The researcher Fabi is leaning on: Otto Scharmer's Presencing3:00 How they met 26 years ago at Marshall Elementary4:30 Schools belong to the communities they serve5:50 Stepping into unsteady terrain: building trust as a new superintendent7:00 Why honest, hard conversations move schools AND people8:00 The weight of carrying everyone's 10-year-old problems9:30 Laying off 69 while creating 86, and why no one heard the good news10:40 "Don't armor up" - the hardest part of leading with an open heart12:30 The affordable housing crisis for San Diego educators13:45 How the district turned 5 vacant properties into 30 developer bids16:00 $4 billion in long-term revenue with zero taxpayer dollars17:45 Why educators living in the communities they teach matters19:00 Whole child AND whole adult education20:30 Lightning Round: school culture, the support gap, and what teachers need to know22:00 Teaser for Part 2🎧 New episodes every Monday & Friday with bite-sized Wednesday reel bonus content.📧 Connect with me if you’d like a thought partner to help you cultivate curious learners who advocate for what they believe in.🎵 Music: Benjamin WahlDon't forget to🔔SUBSCRIBE for more teaching tips, and 💬SHARE with fellow educators! When teachers, coaches, administrators, and families grow together, they create schools where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged, supported, and ready to thrive.