In this episode of Little Wins, host Karen Borchert sits down with Grant W. Gellert, Assistant Principal at MaST Community Charter School in Philadelphia. With nearly two decades at MaST, beginning as an English teacher and now leading the high school. Grant shares how deep roots and responsive leadership shape a culture where students and teachers thrive.
From innovative learning spaces and student-led town halls to the school’s daily Flex program, Grant reveals how MaST builds a sense of pride and community that keeps students and even alumni returning as staff. His leadership style anchored in visibility, responsiveness, and grace, models what it means to build trust and inspire both teachers and students.
If you’ve ever wondered how small daily choices add up to a strong, joyful school culture, this conversation is full of insight and inspiration.
💡 Little Wins in This Episode:
- Creating Community Through Design: From updated buildings to innovative learning spaces, MaST prioritizes pride in the physical environment as a foundation for pride in learning.
- Elevating Teacher Voice: Grant builds culture by making sure teachers are heard—through committees, hallway conversations, and everyday visibility.
- Town Halls & Pods: Revamping student-led forums and cross-grade groups to foster dialogue, mentoring, and shared responsibility.
- The Flex Program: Daily choice-based sessions that mix remediation, clubs, and creative electives—from Hamilton deep-dives to dorm-room cooking—keeping student learning fresh, personal, and fun.
- Culture in Three Words: Pride, grace, and inspiration—Grant’s personal compass for school culture and growth.
Key Moments
03:47 Innovative Learning and Community Spirit
08:49 Career Change Leads to Long Teaching Tenure
10:17 Cultivating Leadership and Culture
14:32 Encouraging Responsiveness in Education
16:18 Proactive Note-Taking and Meetings
20:49 Random Pod Meetings in Education
23:45 Balancing Activity Variety in Programs
27:13 Weekly Flex Period Planning
31:03 Impact of School Expansion
35:18 "IKEA's Impact on Community Pride"
35:52 Creating Pride Through Innovative Spaces
39:25 Challenges of a High School Principal
Connect with Mr Grant W Gellert
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🧵 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, one meaningful win at a time.
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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.