In this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast, I interview Pat Adkins, a veteran superintendent whose leadership, culture work, and views on education are sought out by educational leaders across the nation. Pat and I talk about leading a school district in a time of crisis, such as this pandemic, the importance of building a maintaining a dynamic culture and coaching others to become better leaders. This is a fun and worthy episode I know you will enjoy and benefit from. 

Pat Adkins is the Superintendent of the Port Clinton City Schools in Port Clinton, Ohio.  Port Clinton Schools have been recognized as a National Forum School to Watch and selected as a Model School by the International Center for Leadership.  Pat’s thirty years in education include roles as a high school teacher, director of technology, coach, building principal, and Superintendent. He has not only survived but has thrived as Superintendent in Port Clinton for 15 years. He is an adjunct professor for Ashland University where he teaches administrative leadership courses. Pat has spoken at schools and conferences across the country about building dynamic school culture and was a featured speaker at the What Great Educators Do Differently conference in Houston, Texas this past October.

Pat serves as a mentor and coach to new Superintendents and school leaders and has been recognized for his work in creating an elite culture that invests in people over programs.  Pat also provides coaching and consulting to school districts, and individuals, seeking disciplined strategies to help them achieve an elite culture and get results. Pat has been recognized as Port Clinton’s Citizen of the Year and OMEA’s Outstanding Administrator of the Year. 

Great Educators Build Dynamic Cultures by Investing in People First!

~Pat Adkins

Learn how to build an elite culture by investing in people every day. Every school budgets for textbooks, online programs, and technology initiatives. Every calendar schedules time for professional development and data meetings.  However, the crucial interpersonal connections and bond-building are an afterthought for many. It is relationship building and intentional focus on the culture that drives the success of any district. You win with people when you put people first. Don’t let your culture be built by chance, learn how to build it day by day with intention. 

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out Pat's blog, where he shares insight and culture, leadership and education: www.patadkins.com

Focus 3: www.focus3.com

One of the most influential reads Pat shares is the book The Servant by James Hunter, and he is currently reading Live Your Excellence: Bring Your Best Self to School Every Day by Jimmy Casas.

Check out Kelly being interviewed on The Leader of Learning Podcast, episode 73: Authentic Innovation and Leadership, hosted by Dan Kreiness, that was just published.

Listen to Kelly being interviewed this past week on the Ashland University Professional Learning Podcast, Pandemic Response for Education Series

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