Beyond the Bell - Leading with Purpose

Beyond the Bell - Leading with Purpose Episode #14 Renee Cummins & Laura Watkins

In this episode of Beyond the Bell: Leading with Purpose, Nathan Manley and Jim Cummins welcome Renee Cummins and Laura Watkins, experienced educators, instructional coaches, and co-owners of Realtime PD. With over 60 years of combined experience, they share practical, proven strategies for transforming classrooms through strong management, high engagement, and clear expectations.
Drawing from real classroom experiences, Renee and Laura break down common misconceptions about classroom management, emphasizing that it’s not a one-time lesson—but a continuous, intentional practice woven into daily instruction. They highlight powerful strategies such as SLANT, silent signals, structured expectations, and student ownership of learning, all designed to create safe, engaging environments where students thrive.
The conversation also explores how culture, consistency, and teacher mindset directly impact student achievement and teacher wellness. Through real coaching stories, they demonstrate how the right systems can reduce chaos, restore confidence, and reignite joy in teaching.
At its core, this episode is a reminder that great teaching starts with strong foundations—and when done well, it not only improves outcomes but transforms both classrooms and lives.

Beyond the Bell - Leading with Purpose Episode# 13 Hardin Bartley

Beyond the Bell (Leading with Purpose) features Dr. Hardin-Bartley, a passionate educational leader known for championing people-first leadership and meaningful school transformation. In this episode, Dr. Hardin-Bartley shares insights on leading with authenticity, building strong relationships, and creating systems that empower both educators and students to thrive.
The conversation explores the importance of culture, trust, and communication, along with practical leadership strategies for navigating challenges while staying grounded in purpose. Dr. Hardin-Bartley emphasizes that true impact in education comes from valuing people, fostering connection, and leading with both courage and compassion—a message that resonates for leaders at every level.

Beyond the Bell - Leading with Purpose #12 - Josh Chastain

Beyond the Bell (Leading with Purpose) features Dr. Josh Chastain, superintendent of Harrisonville Schools, as he shares his journey from classroom teacher to district leadership and his passion for building strong academic systems. Dr. Chastain discusses the importance of professional learning communities (PLCs), developing instructional leadership in principals, and focusing on standards, pacing, and unit planning to create sustainable academic improvement. He emphasizes building leadership capacity, creating a clear long-term academic plan, and fostering meaningful collaboration that improves both student learning and teacher fulfillment.

Beyond the Bell - Leading with Purpose Episode#11_Pam Hedgpeth

Beyond the Bell (Leading with Purpose) features Dr. Pam Hedgpeth, a respected Missouri education leader and former superintendent, now serving as Director of the Greater Ozarks Cooperating School Districts. Dr. Hedgpeth shares why she continues the work with passion—championing real-world learning and competency-based education through the Success Ready Student Network—and offers practical wisdom for leaders on building trust, sustaining change, setting healthy boundaries, and “being where your feet are.” The episode closes with a hopeful reminder: educators’ work matters, even when the impact isn’t immediately visible.

Beyond the Bell - Leading with Purpose Episode#10 - Dr. Will Darter

Beyond the Bell (Leading with Purpose) welcomes Dr. Will Darter, superintendent of the Everton R-3 School District in Missouri and author of The Empowered Rural Educator: Big Things Come From Small Schools. Dr. Darter shares his journey from “assistant to the custodian” as a kid to rural superintendency, then unpacks what makes rural leadership both challenging and powerful—tight resources, deep community ownership, and relationships that make the work personal. The conversation highlights building culture through trust and integrity, creating systems that reduce burnout (clarity of roles, fewer-but-better initiatives), and using AI as a practical time-saver for small-district leaders. The episode closes with a call to lead for significance over status, loving people well and stewarding schools with purpose.

Beyond the Bell - Leading with Purpose #9 - Mario Acosta

Beyond the Bell (Leading with Purpose) features an encouraging conversation with Dr. Mario Acosta—award-winning educator, author, and national consultant—on what it really takes to build and sustain a strong school culture. Drawing from turnaround leadership, Dr. Acosta explains how leaders can diagnose culture before trying to change it, develop staff through the “scouts, sprouts, and sentinels” framework, and balance high expectations with genuine care by understanding the difference between culture vs. climate. Practical takeaways highlight trust-building, value alignment, accountability, and creating conditions where both students and staff can thrive.

Beyond the Bell - Leading with Purpose Episode #8 - Dr. Travis Bracht

What happens when a Portrait of a Graduate becomes more than a poster—and actually drives classroom practice, culture, and community trust?
In this episode of Beyond the Bell: Leading with Purpose, we sit down with Dr. Travis Bracht, Superintendent of the Affton School District and Missouri’s 2026 Superintendent of the Year, to explore how vision turns into sustained action.
Dr. Bracht shares how Affton’s community-driven Portrait of a Graduate shaped competency-based learning, aligned staff practices, strengthened student recognition, and built the trust needed to pass a major bond issue with overwhelming support. He also reflects on leadership well-being, staff culture, and why listening may be the most underrated leadership skill.
This conversation is packed with practical insight for superintendents, principals, and leadership teams seeking to align vision, systems, and people—while leading change with purpose and sustainability.

Beyond the Bell - Leading with Purpose Episode #7 LiftED Associate Dr. Amanda Boyer

In this episode of Beyond the Bell – Leading with Purpose, we spotlight Dr. Amanda Boyer, a LiftED associate with extensive experience in special education leadership, co-teaching, inclusive practices, and behavior systems.
At LiftED, our work is grounded in sustained coaching over time—partnering with school districts as they build aligned systems that strengthen Tier 1 instruction, support inclusive practices, and address student behavior in meaningful, lasting ways.
This conversation is part of an ongoing associate spotlight series designed to share best practices and introduce the educators who support districts through LiftED’s coaching model. Dr. Boyer brings a practitioner’s perspective and a systems mindset to the work, offering insights especially relevant for superintendents, principals, and district leadership teams.
If you’re looking for practical leadership conversations focused on long-term impact—not quick fixes—this episode delivers.

Beyond the Bell - Leading with Purpose Episode #6 Dr. Ron Lankford

In this powerful episode of Beyond the Bell – Leading with Purpose, Jim Cummins and Dr. Nathan Manley sit down with Ron Lankford, a legendary Missouri education leader whose nearly 50-year career shaped schools, communities, and statewide policy.
Dr. Lankford reflects on servant leadership, building trust with communities, navigating school finance reform, and mentoring the next generation of leaders. He also shares personal insights from his ongoing health journey and how it has deepened his sense of purpose, legacy, and faith.
This conversation is rich with wisdom for superintendents, principals, aspiring leaders, and anyone committed to leading with integrity and heart.
🔔 Topics include:
Leadership grounded in service
Community trust and long-term vision
Lessons from Missouri school finance reform
Mentorship and legacy
Leading with purpose through adversity
 

Beyond the Bell - Leading with Purpose Episode #5 - Dr. Traci Mitchell

In this episode of Beyond the Bell – Leading with Purpose, Dr. Nathan Manley and Dr. Jim Cummins welcome Dr. Tracy Mitchell, Assistant Superintendent at Cassville Schools, for a thoughtful conversation on leadership, humility, and balance. Dr. Mitchell shares her journey from accounting to education, emphasizing servant leadership, strong work ethic, confidentiality, and clear communication. She reflects on the unique role of assistant superintendents, supporting principals, navigating superintendent transitions, and leading with empathy while maintaining consistency. The discussion also highlights sustaining joy in leadership, setting healthy work-life boundaries, and remembering the “why” behind serving students and communities.