On The Way To School

Dr. Chris Dennis reminds educators and school leaders that while organizations move on, individual influence endures. Using a real campus example, he emphasizes that your daily consistency and presence matter to students, parents, and colleagues; even those who never say thank you.

He encourages listeners to save notes of appreciation, reflect on the positive effects of their work, and continue to show up with authenticity and stea...

This morning, I’m recording live from my car! Literally on the way to school. I had a plan for today’s episode, but I decided to pivot. Lately, I’ve been thinking about what I call political fret and worry; how the government shutdown, activism, and civic anxiety are showing up in our classrooms and communities.

Students are asking deeper questions, colleagues are rethinking their work, and I’m reflecting on how all of this shapes ...

Dr. Chris Dennis reflects on a winning week and shares a classroom lesson that used protest music to teach equity, justice, and leadership. Students brought meaningful songs, examined them through interpersonal, institutional, internalized, and ideological lenses, and found renewed connection and purpose.

For homework, listeners are asked to choose two favorite songs, reflect on why they matter and how they shape mood and relations...

In this episode, I remind K–12 leaders to model and promote workplace benefits, prioritize staff check-ins, and provide meaningful feedback and professional development to support our colleagues. I share brief stories about the impact of small gestures and encourage everyone to practice self-care by utilizing physicals and fitness programs. I emphasize that as leaders, we can create a healthier school community by leveraging and ad...

Welcome back to "On the Way to School," Today, I reflect on the impact of Coach Tuck! How his encouragement to sprint the 400 and join relays helped me discover speed, win championships, and shape my athletic path.

I connect coaching to leadership by guiding staff, parents, and students, explaining the purpose of voluntary affinity spaces, and handling pushback with patience and clarity.

As equity practitioners and leaders, keep th...

Happy Tuesday on the way to school!

As I reflect on my journey, I can't help but recognize the profound impact that coaching has had on my life. From my high school track coach who identified my potential early on to the executive coaches who have helped me refine my professional edge, I've learned invaluable lessons along the way.

One key takeaway has been the importance of being coachable. Accepting guidance and striving to meet ...

Welcome to another episode of "On the Way to School." As I share my thoughts today, I want to discuss with you the importance of clearing both physical and mental clutter. It's all too easy to let distractions multiply; those junk drawers, tasks piling up, and goals that no longer align with our vision can weigh us down. 

I encourage each of you to take a step back and re-evaluate your priorities. This means purging obsolete task...

In this Friday episode, I reflect on making it through a short but full week in schools, capped by the excitement of homecoming weekend. A real highlight for me was seeing my son recognized on the homecoming court, which gave me the chance to discuss the difference between leadership and stewardship and what it means to be seen and celebrated by one's community.

I also share some takeaways from our recent board meeting and why enga...

In this episode of "On the Way to School", I continue the conversation about my book Lonely Graduation, sharing personal stories from my own college nights and a student-athlete's signing day. I explore the emotional transition that follows major achievements and how celebrations can sometimes feel draining or isolating. I emphasize the importance of giving ourselves space to process both the joy and the loneliness that can come af...

Welcome to "On the Way to School" with Dr. Dennis. In this episode, I open up about my upcoming book, Lonely Graduation: The Journey After the Milestone. September has always felt like a month of calibration to me, and as I get deeper into writing, I wanted to share some of that process with you.

I discuss where the book began with my own experience as a first-generation college graduate and the unexpected loneliness I felt on the ...

Good morning! Welcome to "On the way to School." I'm Dr. Dennis, and I'm excited to share my reflections on our recent high school back-to-school night. It was heartwarming to see so many parents returning to campus, and I loved hearing the stories that emerged from those interactions. The passion our teachers have for their roles truly shines through, and it's inspiring.

I'm also thinking about the concept of a "reverse back-to-...

Welcome to another episode of "On The Way To School!" As I reflect on the first days of the school year, I keep coming back to the importance of "calibration", adjusting my pace and energy across classrooms, meetings, and responsibilities.

In class today, I checked in with students using a Beyoncé mood meter. In my calendar, I've worked on scheduling strategies that create space for both urgency and pause. In staff meetings and eve...

Welcome back to a new season of On the Way to School! I’m Dr. Dennis, and I’m thrilled to share my reflections on the first week back at school. Join me as I recount memorable moments from carline drop-offs, inspiring classroom interactions, and the joys of family life.

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