In this episode of Little Wins, Karen Borchert sits down with Dr. Jeremy Davidson, Superintendent of Elsberry R-II School District in rural Missouri. Leading a district of just over 800 students, Jeremy brings a steady and deeply relational approach to leadership, where visibility, respect, and care are non-negotiables.
Jeremy shares how his district’s move to a four-day school week has supported both student wellbeing and teacher retention—giving families breathing room and protecting time for educators. He reflects on how three-year mentoring programs and peer-to-peer observations help new teachers grow with confidence and connection, while initiatives like steering committees give teachers a voice in big decisions about finance and strategy.
From his own story of once struggling in school to now leading with empathy and purpose, Jeremy’s journey is a reminder that culture isn’t built through programs alone, but through consistency, trust, and everyday actions—like high fives in the hallway and phone calls home.
💡 Little Wins in This Episode:
- Four Days, Big Impact: Elsberry’s four-day school week protects time for teachers, improves mental health, and gives families space to breathe.
- Three-Year Mentoring: New teachers are paired with mentors far beyond year one, ensuring long-term support and belonging.
- Peer-to-Peer Learning: Teachers observe each other’s classrooms during planning periods, sparking growth, reflection, and trust.
- Phone Calls Over Emails: A district-wide 24-hour callback practice keeps parent communication personal and relational.
- Steering Committee Voice: Teachers and staff now weigh in on district priorities like finance and improvement plans, aligning everyone to row in the same direction.
Key Moments
05:53 Exploring the Four-Day School Week
09:15 "Student-Centric School Leadership Values"
11:22 Unified Team Communication
14:06 New Staff Orientation Day
16:39 Positive Reinforcement in Teaching
23:04 Leadership Committee Establishment
24:15 "Baseball's Journey to Self-Discovery"
28:20 Building Visibility and Recognition
30:43 "Purposeful Education Through Collaboration"
34:06 Building Positive School Connections
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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.