JUST THINKING…Talking CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT with Lesli Laughter

 

Innovative planning and continuous improvement in education stands at the forefront of school improvement, a strategic linchpin that propels institutions toward a future of achievement and excellence. At the heart of this transformation is adopting a continuous improvement mindset, where educators and administrators constantly seek better strategies and outcomes for their students. Just Thinking offers a deep dive into the power and potential of innovative planning within the educational sector, underscoring its role in driving schools toward sustained progress and success.

Host Kevin Dougherty sits with Lesli Laughter, an Author and the Chief Academic Officer at 806 Technologies. Together, they unravel the layers of innovative planning, debating its impact and dissecting common misconceptions. Through their dialogue, the essence of continuous improvement in educational settings is brought to light, offering valuable insights for educators nationwide.

Laughter emphasizes that continuous improvement is more than a buzzword; it’s about a commitment to be better tomorrow than today. It’s about understanding the needs of students and integrating improvement into the school culture. They also tackle the concept of “strategic abandonment,” which is essential for schools to adapt and grow without becoming overburdened. Laughter’s approach to leadership and innovation in education stands out for its simplicity and clarity, striving to prevent the overcomplication of systems within schools.

The conversation extends beyond methodologies to the psychological and cultural aspects of implementing change, including the inevitable “implementation dip” and maintaining a positive outlook. They discuss the value of recognizing and building upon the strengths and assets within schools to bring joy back into the educational process for educators and students.

Laughter’s passionate belief in the power of continuous improvement as a means to reduce stress and enhance educational experiences resonates throughout the discussion. The forthcoming book, “Continuous Improvement without Continuous Stress,” promises to be a valuable resource for educators seeking to navigate the complexities of educational reform with grace and efficacy.

Recent Episodes

School Safety Today podcast, presented by Raptor Technologies. In this episode of School Safety Today, Dr. Amy Grosso speaks with Dr. Melissa Mariani to explore school bullying prevention strategies, highlighting whole-school approaches, early intervention, and the power of positive climate in creating safer learning environments. KEY POINTS: Bullying erodes both physical and emotional safety,…

In this episode of Secured, Mike Monsive, CEO of ASAP Security, sits down once again with Idan Koren, CMO of Verkada, for a deep dive into how cloud-native technology is transforming school security across the U.S. with live visibility. With Verkada now protecting over 20 million students nationwide, Idan shares why the company’s integrated…

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly reshaping how schools, educators, and policymakers think about the future of learning. With OECD shifting its emphasis from test-based rankings toward human flourishing, and governments debating how to integrate digital tools without overwhelming already strained systems, the stakes couldn’t be higher. A McKinsey study found that 20 to 40% of teacher…