Bethany Wilson, principal of the #1 ranked middle school in Wilson County, Tennessee, joins the podcast to share the secrets behind five consecutive years of Level 5 TVAAS growth. From opening a new school just months before COVID to being named Tennessee’s Principal of the Year, Wilson discusses the shift from doing to leading and how intentional culture-building turns data from a boogeyman into a life-changing tool for students. 

Key Takeaways

• Demystifying TVAAS: Understanding student growth as a statistical model for progress rather than a stressor for teachers. 
• The AP Grind vs. Principal Leadership: Why leading a school requires building capacity and an attitude of “We Work” rather than “I Work.”
• Actionable Data: How to simplify complex statistical models into actionable, color-coded spreadsheets that teachers can actually use. 
• Collective Teacher Efficacy: Why the best PLCs are based on trust, vulnerability and a shared drive of lesson designs. 
• Normalizing Failure: Creating a culture where risk-taking is encouraged and growth mindsets are applied to both students and staff. 
• The Power of Success Criteria: A three-year journey to move beyond simple learning objectives to authentic, student-centered criteria.

You can find this episode on Apple, Spotify, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music or wherever you listen to your podcasts.