“Accountability.” It’s a buzzword that usually makes educators tense up, fearing punishment or judgment. But what if holding someone accountable was actually an act of care?
In this episode, I chat with two phenomenal leaders from a unique Vermont town academy: Meg Kenny, Associate Head of School, and Jen Hyatt, Academic Dean. We hear about their journeys to senior administration, daily challenges, and the fine balance between accountability and human connection. Listen for a real conversation about how to build thriving school cultures.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
We discuss:
Culture over compliance: How to cultivate real belonging, care, and trust in a school setting.
The art of “bad” news: The power (and necessity) of giving honest, negative feedback without shame.
Gender & leadership: Navigating gender dynamics in school administration.
Leading with love: Why courage and presence are better tools than control.
Hate Conflict? For my non-teachers out there, you can hear two good humans talk about having difficult conversations in effective, honest, caring ways.
Connect & Share
Got a story to share? I know there is a lot of conflict-avoidance out there! Holding anyone accountable, holding the line, can be scary because we fear the consequences. People will consider us rude or bossy or controlling or mean. We won’t be liked. If you’ve had a negative experience with holding someone at your school (or any other place) accountable, leave us a message about it. 413.239.4158. Or share a positive experience you’ve had. We can play it on the air — confidentially — and maybe add a comment or two that might be helpful.
Support the Show: If this conversation resonated, please consider leaving a rating or review on your podcast app. Your feedback helps others find us.
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External links
Join me on Substack: Teaching Through Emotions.
Credits
Founder and Host: Betsy Burris
Co-Host: Joe Johnson
Producer: Jullian Androkae of PodVision
Audience Development: Andreea Coscai of PodVision
Music: Tom Burris/Jabbering Trout
