Chief Strategy Officer · Just Thinking...
Kevin Dougherty
Kevin Dougherty is the Chief Strategy Officer for 806 Technologies. He has spent the past 39 years as an educator and serving educators. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts/Amherst, Kevin earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Multicultural Education. He later earned a Master of Education Degree in Education Administration from the University of Massachusetts/Lowell. Kevin was a classroom teacher for ten years in the Dallas, Boston, and Houston areas. He then served as an assistant principal/principal of Title I/Bilingual campuses in Fort Bend ISD and Irving ISD. For the past 22 years, Kevin has been serving educators throughout Texas and the nation in various roles supporting sales/marketing, professional learning, and overall company strategy. He has been married to his wife, Michelle, for 33 years. They have two grown children who both live in the DFW area.
Leadership authenticity and trust, not performance tactics, reverse educator burnout
Dougherty argues that authentic leadership grounded in personal self-work and genuine human connection is the only sustainable antidote to the systemic crisis of educator burnout and disengagement. He contends that leaders who prioritize building belief, modeling discipline, and earning trust through vulnerability and curiosity unlock transformative momentum in their teams—while performance-driven compliance tactics deepen isolation and erode the very trust they aim to restore.
31%
U.S. employee engagement in 2024, lowest in decade
“Many managers are still trying to fix a trust problem with performance tactics.”
The Strongest Leaders Build Belief, Model Discipline and Earn Trust
Core barriers to educator performance and retention
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Teachers embrace whole-child development in theory, but lack the practical tools and support systems needed to make it work.
Just Thinking… About the Role of Marketing, Advocacy & Storytelling in Holistic Education
Empathy and genuine curiosity transform how leaders navigate burnout and rebuild meaningful connections.
The Waymaker Approach: Leading with Purpose, Authenticity, and Curiosity
“Meeting students' basic needs must come before tackling academic material.”
Connect with Kevin Dougherty
Education Technology
The Strongest Leaders Build Belief, Model Discipline and Earn Trust
Workplace leadership is under pressure: employees are continuing to disengage, and many managers are still trying to fix a trust problem with performance tactics. Gallup reported that U.S. employee engagement fell to 31% in 2024, its lowest level in a decade, and its research has
Just Thinking… About Power Thinking and Authentic Leadership in the Age of AI
Education is facing seismic shifts as schools adapt to the realities of the fourth industrial revolution and prepare for the fifth—driven by AI and rapid technological change. With superintendents and school leaders under increasing pressure, conversations about how to cultivate authentic intelligence and wisdom, not just data-driven decision-making, have never been more urgent. One…
Just Thinking: How Metacognitive Teaching Strategies Build Critical Thinking and Transfer Knowledge
In today’s rapidly changing world, effective leadership in education is about more than managing schools—it’s about inspiring a culture of thinking that empowers both teachers and students. As classrooms adapt to new technologies, diverse learning needs, and shifting societal demands, leaders have the responsibility to guide not just the acquisition of knowledge but the…
JUST THINKING… About Bringing out the Best in Educators and Learners with Ross Kimball
As the educational landscape rapidly evolves—shaped by advances in communication technology, growing mental health awareness, and post-pandemic classroom dynamics—one key question persists: How can we better connect with and empower both educators and students in the classroom? The stakes are high: studies show that teacher-student relationships directly impact student motivation, academic success, and long-term…
Just Thinking… About the Role of Marketing, Advocacy & Storytelling in Holistic Education
Teachers embrace whole-child development in theory, but lack the practical tools and support systems needed to make it work in classrooms
Funding Crisis Hits California’s Rural Schools: Advocates Call for Action Now!
Hundreds of California districts brace for funding cuts as a decades-old timber revenue program faces an uncertain future
The Future of Education Technology Relies on Responsible Technology Use
Schools must balance digital learning benefits with the growing concerns about excessive screen time to shape sustainable educational outcomes
Just Thinking… About Breaking Educator Isolation Through Trust and Collaboration
When nearly half of K-12 teachers report constant burnout, isolation becomes the hidden crisis threatening schools from within
Just Thinking…How Networking, Advocacy and Innovation Fuels Success in Small School Districts
Strategic collaboration and forward-thinking leadership help rural education systems overcome resource constraints and deliver quality learning outcomes
Just Thinking…How Meaningful Innovation Can Redefine Education
Schools face pressure to prepare students for careers that don't yet exist, forcing educators to rethink what innovation in the classroom really means
Just Thinking…About Principal Coaching, Planning, and Engagement for Stronger Schools and Better Outcomes with Dr. Jordan Goines
Strategic support systems help school leaders balance operational demands while driving academic growth and teacher retention
The Waymaker Approach: Leading with Purpose, Authenticity, and Curiosity
Education leaders discover that empathy and genuine curiosity transform how they navigate burnout and rebuild meaningful connections with their teams
Education Sector Needs to Focus on Tailoring Solutions to Meet Student and Teacher Needs
Addressing educator burnout requires solutions built around what teachers and students actually need, not what vendors think they should have
Using Data for Continuous Improvement in Student Learning and Development
Large districts are leveraging analytics platforms to align improvement strategies across hundreds of schools and thousands of students
Building Strong Leadership in the Education Landscape: Harnessing Effort, Focus, and the Power of a Great Team
Effective leaders can combat educator burnout by prioritizing team support and strategic focus amid mounting workplace pressures
Just Thinking…About the Impact of AI on Continuous Improvement in Education
AI is reshaping how schools analyze data and improve outcomes, but human judgment remains irreplaceable in the process
Just Thinking…About The Importance of Being Future-Forward Educators
Teachers must rethink their role to prepare students for a world that doesn't yet exist
Just Thinking…About Focusing on Kindness in Education
Educators are rediscovering how compassion and human connection transform classroom outcomes more than traditional metrics alone
Just Thinking…About the Focus on Kids Before Content
A superintendent explains why meeting students' basic needs must come before tackling academic material
Just Thinking…About the Educational Perspective From Down Under with Brett Salakas
An Australian education leader shares how his region is reimagining classrooms in the age of artificial intelligence
Prioritizing School Safety: The Value of Two-Way Radios in School Administration
Instant communication devices prove essential for coordinating emergency response and daily operations across school campuses
EdTech Companies Revolutionizes Global Education with Flexible and Tailored Learning Solutions
Global education platforms are reshaping how students learn by adapting to individual needs across diverse markets and circumstances
Schools Must Dig Deep with Root Cause Analysis to Truly Tackle Absenteeism
Behind rising absenteeism lies a deeper problem that surface-level fixes won't solve
Thoughts on Effectively Equipping Educators for Impact
School leaders reveal how mentorship and community support transform educators' capacity to drive student outcomes
Just Thinking…About Edgar. Effective Grant Management in Education with Cory Green
A state education official reveals how schools can navigate the complex web of grant compliance and unlock resources for student success
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT and COMPLIANCE in LOUISIANA SCHOOLS
How Louisiana schools are redefining success by aligning compliance requirements with measurable student growth
JUST THINKING…Talking CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT with Lesli Laughter
Leaders who embed constant refinement into their institutions unlock transformative momentum that reshapes student outcomes and school culture
Empowering the Future: Attleboro’s Student-Led Court System Boosts Engagement and Real-World Learning
Student-led courts in one Massachusetts district are reducing suspensions while teaching teenagers how the justice system actually works
Just Thinking’s Latest Episode: A Refined Focus on Simplicity in EdTech for Modern Education
EdTech leaders are ditching complexity to focus on what actually transforms classrooms
Unleashing Educator Brilliance: Transformative Thought Leadership in Education
Visionary educators are reshaping modern learning by centering trust and compassion in their approach to systemic change
Redefining Readiness: Charting The Course for Education in a Post-Pandemic World
Schools must fundamentally rethink their approach as pandemic learning losses collide with evolving workforce demands
Healthcare
Just Thinking… About the Role of Critical Thinking in Cardiac Care With Dr. Minh Tran
As cardiovascular disease continues to rank as the leading cause of death globally, the importance of expert cardiac care has never been more evident. The American Heart Association reports that over 800,000 Americans experience a heart attack each year, and many rely on the fast, critical thinking of cardiac specialists to survive. In an…
Just Thinking… About Why Self-Work Is the Foundation of Great Leadership
Leaders who prioritize personal development unlock stronger team performance and sustainable growth
Beyond the Game: How Educators Influence Personal Growth and Healing, Insights from Former NFL Star Caleb Campbell
A former NFL linebacker reveals how mentors shaped his path from athletic success to emotional healing and self-discovery
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