{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"M-TIP","title":"From Crisis to Triumph: Selma Middle School's Remarkable Turnaround","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":4216,"description":"\nIn this episode of the M-TIP Podcast, Dr. Tamara Thomas sits down with Principal of Selma Middle School, Stephen Baker to unpack one of the most inspiring school turnaround stories in North Carolina. Once ranked the 10th lowest performing school in the state and designated a Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) school, Selma Middle has not only defied the odds—it’s redefined them.\nStephen shares his decision to step into the role at Selma in 2019, just before the pandemic struck, and how he led his team through a journey marked by urgency, intentionality, and an unwavering focus on culture. Under his leadership, Selma Middle moved from the bottom 5% to the top 10% in student growth by 2022 and again exceeded growth in 2024.\nKey Moments\n00:00 Selma Community Impact and Challenges\n08:11 \"Aiming Beyond Average for Growth\"\n10:53 Testing Strategy Backfired, Growth Met\n20:31 \"Fake It Until You Become It\"\n25:24 \"Effective Organizational Strategies and Partnerships\"\n27:52 Culture: The Secret to Sustained Success\n33:57 Enhancing Intelligence Through Vocabulary Teaching\n39:32 Cortisol's Impact on Learning\n47:11 \"Balancing Support and Challenges in Education\"\n50:26 Building Leadership and Ownership\n53:56 Classroom Struggles and Coaching Solutions\n01:02:45 Aligning with School Improvement Strategy\n01:07:12 Contextual Evidence-Based Education\n01:09:47 Tailored Evidence-Based Solutions\n\nWhy You’ll Love This Episode\n\nIf you’ve ever wondered what real school turnaround looks like, this episode delivers. Principal Stephen Baker doesn’t just talk theory—he walks us through the exact steps his team took to lead Selma Middle from crisis to confidence. It’s a masterclass in leadership, culture, and the power of doing the hard things well.\n\nConnect with Guest - Stephen Baker\n\nLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-baker-8107905b/Website: https://www.johnston.k12.nc.us/\nConnect with Host - Dr. Tamara Thomas\n\nLinkedIn:...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/Q9RY8ZKpYnj_iFA6f_u3RVMZ9tdnUMt78aUyu76PkKY/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS85ZWFh/MGJiYzE3MDZmYWFm/MzA1ZDAwM2I2NGE0/MjA5My5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}