{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Little Wins","title":"Culture That Wins: How Ben Meldrum Creates Belonging, Consistency, and Purpose at Blair Oaks","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2782,"description":"In this episode, host Karen Borchert sits down with Mr. Ben Meldrum, Superintendent of Blair Oaks R-II School District in Wardsville, Missouri, where excellence, pride, and community are not just words on a wall, but daily expectations.A former sales and marketing professional who found his way into education through a career center, Ben spent 13 years in the classroom before becoming an assistant principal, founding principal of Capital City High School, and now superintendent. Along the way, he became known for greeting every student at the door each morning, building new traditions from scratch, and holding adults to the same high standards he holds for kids.From “be a great teammate” to “prioritize what’s best for students” to “work with a purpose,” Ben’s leadership philosophy is simple and demanding. Whether he is out at elementary drop-off reassuring nervous parents, celebrating Falcon Fridays in Kelly green, or challenging his district not to settle for “above the state average,” Ben sees culture as the real engine behind any strategy.💡 Little Wins in This Episode:Fixing vs. Building vs. Honoring: How Ben approached three very different leadership roles: repairing a struggling 9th grade center, building Capital City High School from the ground up, and inheriting an already-strong culture at Blair Oaks.Three Simple Rules: Why “be a great teammate,” “prioritize what’s best for kids,” and “work with a purpose” anchor every conversation with staff.Front Door Fist Bumps: How greeting students every morning gave Ben a real-time read on student mood, staff energy, and building culture.Presence Over Perfection: Why Ben still does elementary drop-off and pickup as superintendent to reassure families and show students school is a safe, welcome place.Falcon Fridays & Kelly Green Pride: How weekly rituals and visible spirit connect four small communities into one shared identity.Key Moments02:16 Blair Oaks community pride and Friday night lights04:22 From sales to...","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}