In this episode, host Karen Borchert sits down with Wade Stanford, Superintendent of Westwood ISD in rural Texas, a “small but mighty” district of just over 1,300 students where trust, empowerment, and relationships drive every decision.
From navigating a 20–25% student mobility rate and growing homelessness to building a relational police department and a culture of “horizontal accountability,” Wade shows how a family atmosphere with a team spirit turns little wins into lasting change.
Together, Karen and Wade explore what it means to lead with positive intent, why every role is a leadership role, and how simple, consistent practices like no direct instruction the first three days of school and making sure no student goes hungry create deep, human-centered school culture.
💡 Little Wins in This Episode:
- Leading a “small but mighty” district: How Westwood ISD meets the needs of a highly mobile and often hidden homeless student population with wraparound care.
- Redefining school policing: Why Wade launched a district police department focused on relationships, soft uniforms, and early intervention instead of punishment.
- Horizontal accountability: How “everybody holds everybody accountable” creates trust—from students speaking up to assistant principals giving honest feedback to the superintendent.
- From coach to superintendent: The story of Coach Hagler’s biology class, a high school track meet, and the moment Wade knew he was called to education.
- No direct instruction the first three days: How Westwood uses the start of school to build relationships, ensure kids are fed and safe, and set a foundation for learning.
- “Everybody’s a leader”: The belief statement that empowers food service, admin assistants, and teachers alike to lead from where they are.
- Family atmosphere, team spirit: Why Westwood embraces the heart of family but the standards and accountability of a high-performing team.
Key Moments
00:01 Introducing Superintendent Wade Stanford and Westwood ISD
01:20 A rural district with high mobility—and why relationships matter more than ever
02:45 What a 20–25% mobility rate really means for kids and families
09:09 “Horizontal accountability” and students speaking up when something isn’t right
11:25 Building trust through vulnerability, positive intent, and honest feedback
13:14 Coach Hagler’s biology class and the moment Wade chose education
18:39 Knowing when you’re truly ready for the next stage of your career
20:51 No direct instruction the first three days—only relationships, safety, and care
27:23 “Everybody’s a leader; they lead from where they’re at”
31:17 A family atmosphere with a team spirit—and why teams don’t tolerate dysfunction
40:15 One thing any educator can do to strengthen culture right now
Connect with Wade Stanford
🧵 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.
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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.