In this episode of Little Wins, host Karen Borchert sits down with Jennifer Rosenblum, the founding Head of School at the Academy of Blanchard, part of the Academies of Oklahoma. Jennifer is doing something rare and powerful: building a school—and its culture—from the ground up.
From incorporating nature-based learning and place-based design, to fostering trust through deep community involvement, Jennifer shares the bold vision behind a school that puts joy, autonomy, and connection at the center of everything. Her reflections on what it takes to transform rural education, build a dream team, and reimagine childhood learning are honest, practical, and profoundly inspiring.
💡 Little Wins in This Episode:
- Planning Year with Purpose: Jennifer spent a full year listening, learning, and building trust—through town halls, community visits, and deep partnership with families.
- Culture Starts at the Interview: Hiring at the Academy isn’t just about credentials—it’s about heart, alignment, and the ability to dream big with kids at the center.
- Joy Is the Blueprint: At Blanchard, joy isn’t a reward—it’s the strategy. Every learning experience is designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and connection.
- From Arborist to Outdoor Classroom: A conversation about trees turned into plans for student-run farms, outdoor learning labs, and a campus that embraces nature.
- “I See You” as Leadership Practice: Jennifer believes recognition is culture-building—and starts with simply acknowledging the people who show up every day.
Key Moments
03:12 Seminole Academy's Educational Impact
08:01 Visionary Leadership in Rural Education
10:03 "Collaborative Hiring and Leadership Approach"
12:59 "Overloaded Standards Undermine Learning"
18:10 Play-Based Learning Foundations
19:55 Innovative School Planning Challenges
22:59 "Cell Phones: School Life Impact"
28:53 Innovative Educational Planning Team
30:49 March Lottery for Student Enrollment
35:31 Finding Belonging in School
38:51 "Prioritize Soft Skills in Education"
41:16 Tree Management Partnership for Education
43:27 "Recognition and Validation"
Connect with Jennifer Rosenbloom
Follow Us
🧵 About the Podcast:
Little Wins is the podcast that digs into the small, deliberate actions school leaders are taking to build strong, human-centered cultures.
Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Alpaca for more conversations on building powerful school cultures.
What is Little Wins?
Little Wins is a podcast that shines a light on the small moments making a big impact in schools. Hosted by Karen Borchert, each episode features courageous conversations with principals, heads of school, and superintendents who are building trust, sparking belonging, and shaping culture—one hallway celebration, heartfelt gesture, or coffee-fueled conversation at a time.
Because in education, it’s the little things that often matter most—and they’re the reason people stay.