The Power of Principals: Dr. Justin Henry on Leadership and Community Engagement

In this episode of Superintendents Unplugged, host Addison Davis interviews Dr. Justin Henry, Superintendent of Goddard Public Schools in Kansas. Dr. Henry, who has led the district since 2011, shares his experience overseeing one of the state’s fastest-growing school districts, now serving over 6,200 students. With a focus on community engagement and strong school-board relationships, he highlights how these elements have contributed to his district's sustained success.Dr. Henry discusses the importance of strategic planning and how Goddard’s plan, built with input from stakeholders, has been a critical tool during challenging times, including the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasizes the role of hiring excellent principals as the foundation for a thriving school system, explaining how great leadership at the school level creates a ripple effect throughout the district.Listeners will also hear Dr. Henry reflect on leadership qualities such as humility and vulnerability. He shares how embracing mistakes and learning from them can strengthen trust and drive improvements across the district. This episode offers valuable insights for aspiring educational leaders on fostering community, building strong teams, and navigating change in education.Timestamps00:00 Exploring educational leadership with Superintendents Unplugged.06:08 Hiring great principals leads to great teachers.08:31 Collaborating with the community, a strategic plan guides decisions.10:32 Adaptation during the pandemic revealed unexpected learning opportunities.13:10 Change involves relationships and daily care.Connect with Dr. Justin HenryWebsite: https://macnjake.com/consultant/dr-justin-henry/=============================Learn more about Strategos Group: https://www.strategosgroup.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/strategos-group-public-affairs/Subscribe to the Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@strategospodcastnetwork=============================PODCASTS🎧 Capital Class with Adam Giery: https://www.strategosgroup.com/podcast🎧 On the Clock with Todd Dallas Lamb: https://www.strategosgroup.com/podcast-on-the-clock🎧 Swimming Upstream with Tom Luna: https://swimming-upstream.captivate.fm/listen🎧 On Balance with Dr. Rod Berger: https://www.strategosgroup.com/podcast-on-balance🎧 To the Point with Jim Horne and Doug Mesecar: https://to-the-point.captivate.fm/Produced by Old Soul: https://bit.ly/3KuYfrD=============================#educationmanagement #educationleadership #education