{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Little Wins","title":"Leadership Must Be Present: Superintendent James Womack on Service, Culture, and Momentum","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2839,"description":"In this episode, host Karen Borchert sits down with James Womack, Superintendent of Valley View Independent School District in North Texas, a small but mighty district serving about 930 students with deep community ties and high expectations.\nJames brings more than 20 years in education and 14 years in leadership to his work, grounded in servant leadership, presence, and relentless belief in people. Less than 18 months into his tenure, he stepped into leadership during one of the district’s hardest moments, arriving just after a devastating tornado impacted the community and families he was called to serve.\nFrom that moment forward, James has led Valley View with visible action and heart. Whether he is standing in car line on cold mornings, hand-delivering retention stipends to staff, chasing students to competitions late into the night, or building systems that support growth and accountability, James believes leadership must be present and actionable.\nTogether, Karen and James explore how culture shifts through small, intentional wins, why servant leadership requires both humility and high standards, and how engaging, encouraging, and empowering people creates momentum that transforms schools. \n\n\n💡 Little Wins in This Episode:\n\nLeadership in Crisis: Showing up immediately after a tornado and serving alongside the community.\nServant Leadership Redefined: Why humility and high expectations go hand in hand.\nPresence That Matters: Being visible in classrooms, car lines, games, and performances.\nRetention with Dignity: Hand-delivering equitable retention stipends to all staff.\nCelebrating People Creatively: Bobbleheads, Thor hammers, thank-you notes, and meaningful recognition.\nEngage. Encourage. Empower.: The three principles driving culture change at Valley View.\nKey Moments\n\n01:15 Life in a small but growing North Texas district\n02:45 From criminal justice to education\n05:01 Arriving in Valley View after a tornado\n06:55 Leadership during crisis and community...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/3MAppP9ieU1pRh-q8xrCvhiFtlkYsqh64Ioo6m8axZY/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9hOWFl/NDIzZDQ4NDc0M2Uy/ZDRhNzBlYzcyOGY1/ZGNjMi5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}