{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Unlock 360","title":"S.5 | Ep. 17: Growing Stronger Schools Through Culture, Grit, and Leadership with Dr. Eichelberger","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2077,"description":"In this episode of Unlock 360, host Wendy York Davoud welcomes Dr. Drew Eichelberger, Superintendent of Piedmont Public Schools in Oklahoma. With leadership experience spanning the classroom, campus administration, and two superintendencies, Drew shares how a focus on relationships, strong culture, and continuous improvement has helped guide one of Oklahoma's fastest-growing school districts.\nDrew discusses how Piedmont has balanced rapid enrollment growth while maintaining a strong commitment to academic excellence, teacher support, and student success. He explains why developing grit, empathy, and integrity alongside strong academic performance prepares students for success long after graduation, and how investing in teachers remains the district's greatest strategy for improving outcomes.\nThe conversation also explores collaborative leadership, professional learning communities, leadership development, Capturing Kids' Hearts, and creating systems that empower educators to lead. Drew shares practical lessons on building district culture, engaging stakeholders in shared decision-making, and ensuring every student benefits from caring, highly effective teachers.\nKey Moments\n00:20 Drew's Journey into Education\n03:13 Leading a Fast-Growing School District\n05:51 Why Grit and Empathy Matter\n09:15 Building a Shared District Vision\n11:36 Turning Core Values into Daily Practice\n13:29 Supporting Teachers for Student Success\n14:46 Professional Learning Communities in Action\n16:39 Collaborative Leadership Systems\n18:48 Research on Teacher-Student Relationships\n23:25 Building a Strong District Culture\n26:22 Developing Future School Leaders\n31:32 Preparing Every Student for Success\n35:21 The Mentor Who Shaped Drew's Leadership\nWhy You'll Love This Episode\nDr. Eichelberger shares thoughtful leadership strategies for creating positive school culture, supporting educators, and building collaborative systems that improve student outcomes. His practical insights on leadership...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/cNqF3jSAGeObZtB8q6Pl2slNau9sCDYLUTBh6wENuzU/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9hYjlk/YmIwNjIyZjk2ZTk4/MDUzMmEwNTZjMWNj/OWNjNy5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}