SHOW NOTES
GUEST INFO
Episode Guest:
Dr. Sarper Turker, Superintendent at Arkansas Lighthouse Charter Schools
Connect with Dr. Turker on LinkedIn
Website:
EPISODE SUMMARY
In this captivating episode of The Charter School Insider Podcast, Daniel Casselli, President at BuyQ, sits down with Dr. Sarper Turker, a visionary leader in education, to discuss his impressive turnaround story at Arkansas Lighthouse Charter Schools. Dr. Turker shares how he took a struggling school with a 15% staff retention rate and transformed it into a thriving institution with an astonishing 95% retention rate. With a focus on leadership and shifting mindsets, this episode dives deep into the strategies and tactics that led to a cultural transformation, improved staff morale, and better overall school performance. If you're a charter school leader looking for actionable advice to elevate your institution, this episode is a must-listen.
EPISODE TAKEAWAYS
Dr. Turker explains how changing the mindset of both staff and leadership was a pivotal factor in improving school performance and staff retention.
Effective leadership can directly impact a school's culture, creating an environment that fosters trust, collaboration, and engagement among teachers and staff.
Dr. Turker emphasizes the importance of using data to inform decision-making, helping school leaders track progress and adjust strategies as needed.
Open, transparent communication between school leadership and staff is critical in building a supportive and positive work environment.
Achieving and maintaining a 95% retention rate is not a one-time effort but an ongoing commitment to developing people, processes, and systems.
RESOURCES
Book: The Oz Principle
Educational resources: Robert J. Marzano
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction to Dr. Sarper Turker and Arkansas Lighthouse Charter Schools
05:11 Challenges and Transformations in Education
10:08 Root Cause Analysis and Teacher Retention
20:04 Building a Supportive School Culture
24:09 Transforming Team Dynamics
25:59 Coaching vs. Rescuing
27:39 Identifying Performance Gaps
29:32 Fostering Ownership and Accountability
30:49 Navigating Tough Conversations
32:51 Building a Culture of Trust
37:50 Celebrating Success and Progress
43:20 Leadership Insights and Recommendations
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Dr. Sarper Turker is a dedicated educational leader with a unique blend of expertise in Mathematics, Physics, and leadership practices. Holding a Master’s in Education and a Doctorate in Leadership and Administration, Dr. Turker possesses a deep understanding of academic systems, curricula, and leadership dynamics. He is also certified in Building Level Administration and Supervision, further enhancing his ability to lead and inspire.
Throughout his career, Dr. Turker has demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering academic excellence, building robust educational communities, and promoting innovative leadership. His passion for education drives him to collaborate with fellow educators, leaders, and thinkers to advance the future of education.
ABOUT OUR HOST
Daniel Casselli is a life-long learner whose passion for education has driven his professional endeavors. He is a former classroom teacher and youth ministry director whose entrepreneurial spirit landed him in the world of education technology. At EVERFI Inc., Daniel helped run the business development efforts for EVERFI’s Financial Education Program and the company was eventually sold to Blackbaud for $750M in 2021. Shortly before EVERFI’s acquisition, Daniel joined Class Technologies as one of the earliest sales hires and went on to lead K12 Enterprise Sales and helped the company land its first 100+ K12 customers across public, charter, and private schools. Daniel brings his unique experiences to BuyQ where he is focused on growth, operational excellence, business strategy, and client satisfaction. He is a graduate of Grove City College where he studied Religion and History.
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