EPISODE SUMMARY

SchoolCEO interviews Jamie Vollmer, a now enthusiastic defender of public education. A former business leader and skeptic of public schools, Vollmer turned into an advocate for educators and schools. His presentations show the power of communities that value, support, and champion their local schools. He provides practical advice and field-tested tools that educators and their allies can use to increase understanding, trust, and support for their schools.

EPISODE NOTES

Decades ago Jamie Vollmer’s career was transformed when he was invited to speak to a group of teachers. His three big assumptions about what is wrong with schools were turned upside down. The result of that presentation and Jamie’s willingness to change his mind is a lesson for everyone. Since that day Jamie has gone on to present and entertain tens of thousands of educators, board members, parents, and community leaders from coast to coast.

His enthusiastic defense of public education, educators, and superintendents has been praised. He is insistent and confident that schools cannot do it alone. In particular, Jamie provides insights that can help school leaders change the false narratives that persist about public education.

Toward the end of the episode, Jamie Vollmer presents two frameworks to help schools shift the conversation within their schools and in their communities: the first framework is “every day evidence”  and the second is “The Five S’s.”

The Five S’s

1. Stop
2. Shift
3. Share
4. Sustain
5. Start Now

We also discuss the importance of brand representation by teachers and staff, and cite SchoolCEO’s research from January 2022 on Who Speaks for Your Brand.

Learn more about Jamie Vollmer’s work and presentations here: https://www.jamievollmer.com/

Learn more about SchoolCEO’s work, magazine, podcast, and other resources here: https://www.schoolceo.com/