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Episode #52 Staffing based on… personalities? Featuring Racheal Sewards, Founder of Solare Collegiate Charter School
SHOW NOTES
3 min read
SHOW NOTES
GUEST INFO
Episode Guest:
Dr. Richard Seigler-Carter, Managing Director at LeveragED Foundation
Connect with Keith Dr. Richard
Website:
https://www.leveragedfoundation.org/
EPISODE SUMMARY
In Episode 55 of The Charter School Insider Podcast, host Daniel Casselli sits down with Dr. Richard Seigler-Carter, Managing Director of the LeveragED Foundation, to unpack a powerful truth: schools don’t thrive on curriculum alone—they thrive on people.
Dr. Seigler-Carter shares his journey from dance teacher to principal to leading 14 high-performing schools, and now shaping leadership development nationwide. Together, they tackle one of the most overlooked elements of school success—people and performance management—and why investing in leaders is the ultimate investment in students.
This conversation explores how charter school executives can create a culture of feedback, differentiate leadership for diverse teams, and implement business-inspired management systems that still honor the relational nature of education.
If you’re a school leader wondering how to better develop your people while managing systems and performance without losing your soul—or your staff—this episode is your roadmap.
EPISODE TAKEAWAYS
- People teach students—not curriculums. Strong, supported leaders are the levers of change.
- Leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all. The same differentiated approach schools use for students should extend to teachers and staff.
- Performance management in schools is inconsistent. Annual reviews and blanket PD sessions aren’t enough to drive real growth.
- Fear is often the hidden barrier. Leaders may avoid conflict or tough conversations, reinforcing bad habits and missing chances to elevate performance.
- Business lessons matter in education. Adapted management frameworks can help schools balance mission with operational excellence.
- Self-awareness is step one. Leaders can’t manage others—or systems—until they can manage themselves.
- Practice makes confident leaders. Simulated experiences and feedback loops give school leaders the “at-bats” they need to improve.
- Community combats isolation. Building networks of support helps leaders reflect, grow, and sustain their work.
RESOURCES
Radical Candor by Kim Scott – a guide to building cultures of feedback and growth
Thanks for the Feedback by Douglas Stone & Sheila Heen – practical strategies for receiving and using feedback
The Main Idea (Kim Marshall) – a trusted resource for school leaders seeking distilled insights on leadership and management
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction to Leverage Ed Foundation
00:54 The Importance of People Development
04:34 Challenges in People Management
09:23 Common Objections to Performance Management
14:25 Bridging Education and Business Principles
17:08 Framework for Effective Performance Management
18:34 Understanding Leadership and Management
22:08 Diagnosing Performance Management
27:14 Real-World Examples of Leadership Challenges
31:19 Creating a Culture of Feedback
36:39 Resources for Leadership Development
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Dr. Richard Seigler-Carter
Richard's dedication to fostering exceptional school communities has defined his career in education. In 2018, LeveragED welcomed Richard, leveraging his expertise gained as Managing Director of Schools at Success Academy Charter Schools. There, he successfully steered a portfolio of 13 high-performing elementary and middle schools while pioneering an innovative teacher onboarding and training program that prepared over 700 educators for excellence. At Success Academy, Richard's diverse roles, including Teacher, Dean of Students, Blue Ribbon-awarded Principal, and Director of Culture, reflect his multifaceted talents. His background as a professional dancer and CT3 Education associate offers a fresh perspective, enriching professional development initiatives for schools across the nation. With a B.S. from SUNY College at Old Westbury, an M.B.A. from the University of Phoenix, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Management, Richard embodies the essence of a lifelong learner. At LeveragED, he partners with school leaders to transform educational ecosystems and cultivate compassionate, effective management. His keen eye for diverse perspectives, strategic planning, and unwavering commitment to results have become his hallmarks. Richard's impact extends to the Foundation Academy Charter School's Board of Trustees, where he chairs the Academic and Culture Committee, further solidifying his reputation as a trailblazer in the world 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.
You can listen to Charter School Insider: Lessons from the Nation's Top Charter School Operators on your favorite podcasting platform...
