14 - Leading with Heart: Elementary Leadership Reflects on the Year

This week on the Bulldog Pride Podcast, we're wrapping up the school year with Iola Elementary's leadership team! Host Amanda Rollert sits down with Principal Hollie Guillbeau and Assistant Principal Lauren Sanders during their final week of school to reflect on an incredible year.

These dedicated leaders share how they focused on celebrating students as individuals and bringing back beloved traditions like Grandparents' Breakfast, Vocabulary Parade, Color Run, and fun national days. They created a culture where families feel welcome and students feel valued.

Ms. Sanders reflects on her inaugural year and shares their innovative approach to STAR testing—sending students on field trips to the park, movies, and zoo to create a calm, focused environment for those taking the big test.

Ms. Guillbeau highlights celebrating staff through monthly teacher awards and newcomer recognition. She shares exciting news about implementing a new aligned K-5 curriculum next year that will raise the bar and better prepare students for their futures.

Their message to students: Be safe, make memories, find rest, and renew your spirit. To everyone: Find one thing you love to do this summer and do it every day.

School starts back August 12th with Meet the Teacher on August 10th. 

Learn more about Iola ISD on their website HERE

Follow Iola ISD on Facebook HERE

Got a tip, tale, or shoutout? Email us at podcast@iolaisd.net

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:03

You're looking through the whole dog. From the part of our whole community. From the platform to the lockdown. From the front office to the right-up lock. This is your place. Stay connected, stay informed, and be inspired. Let's get started. The Bulldog Pride Podcast begins right now. Welcome everyone to another episode of the Bulldog Pride Podcast. I am Amanda Rawler, your podcast host, and today we have a special episode for you. It's we're we're welcomed in today to Iola Elementary School during their final week of school. And we are going to be visiting with principal Holly Gilbo and her assistant principal Lauren Sanders. Welcome in, ladies. Hi, thanks for having us. Good afternoon. Hi, thank you so much for having a chat during probably one of the busiest weeks of the whole school year, right? Yes, absolutely. Wonderful. So, you know, as a leader of a campus, you have the opportunity to kind of see things sometimes from 35,000 foot level, and then you and then you're also rolling up your sleeves and digging into the dirt, you know, right alongside the the the teachers and the kids, and and you get this wonderful overview of you know the inner working. So how I want to ask the question to both of you how did the year go? Just give me your overall feel of you know some wonderful things that went went down this year for you at the elementary campus.

SPEAKER_00 1:44

Well, I feel like one of the things that we did really well is celebrating our children and selling the celebrating them as students, but also celebrating them as just individuals and things that they enjoy. This past week we celebrated some of our elementary students who have made all-star baseball for their little leagues. And so we celebrated them, had them come out and huddle, celebrating our students that participate in things outside of school. But also one thing that we really have just enjoyed this year is have bringing back some of the traditions and activities that I would say I remember being important, or things that I remember for when I was in school that we might have gotten away from, not necessarily in Iola, but just as a school community as a whole. We've shifted our focus. And so we definitely have worked really hard this year to bring back some of those important things and events of bringing families back into the schools, just celebrating the different national days, whether it's you know teddy bear day, rubber ducky day, things like that, just bringing those little fun things that don't take much time at all, but it gets the kids excited.

SPEAKER_01 3:07

So I love that. I I want to explore that a little bit more as we kind of go on, but let me let me shift to Lauren. How about you? How was your year? This was your inaugural year. This was your first year here on campus. So how how do you think the year went?

SPEAKER_02 3:22

The year, I think the year was great. I really enjoyed being here. I think the staff really helped me feel like I was at home and and welcomed. I think the biggest thing that I took away this year, I remember sitting in the office at the very beginning of the year, like maybe first or second day into school, and things had calmed down a little bit. And I remember telling Holly, I said, I feel like I should be doing something. I feel like I should be doing something. And she was like, Lauren, just wait. And I feel like that was the last thing I remember hearing, and it's like I blinked, and it's the end of the school year because it just gets crazy every day, and just learning to triage and finding what's important and doing that first, and but still maintaining excitement with the kids about learning and maintaining support for staff. So it's been a really good year.

SPEAKER_01 4:16

I love that, and you know, I I think when you're doing something with all your heart and it's fun, time flies. And I think what you just said, time time flew. It flew by this year, and all of a sudden here we are at the end. So, Miss Gilbo, back to you on some of those things that you said that we we kind of brought back into life, maybe events and stuff. Can you expound on that? Maybe was that besides like Teddy Bear Day or Rubber Ducky Day, or what were some of those those things that you kind of I I'm I'm in my mind, I'm thinking, were these like culture building things and just opportunities for for kiddos to get involved or teachers and kiddos and families?

SPEAKER_00 4:55

Absolutely. Um, definitely bringing events to school that brought families involved, but also just highlighting the students just opportunity to gather together for fun. I feel like almost every month we had something going on of allowing for parent involvement, parents to come in and help celebrate the kids and just be able to gather together as a community community from grandparents' breakfast to celebrating teachers on a teacher appreciation week, vocabulary parade. We had a nacho day for our staff and getting exciting, excited about making big old nachos and celebrating our students and our teachers, though. I feel like we did a really good job this year of celebrating our teachers from our monthly teacher celebrations, but also having the end of semester celebrations that we had with our teachers, had an assembly with all districts, staff and students, and celebrated each of the teachers that were selected as teacher of the month. But then also celebrated our newcomers. When you move to a new district, it's it's really challenging to try to find your place, find your voice, find out where you belong in the new school culture that you're moving into. And so we celebrated these teachers this semester, and we had a newcomer teacher this semester for the fall semester and then for the spring semester, and a newcomer paraprofessional for the fall and the spring. And this is one of one of the focuses that we had this past year was just celebrating our staff and making sure that they felt valued and appreciated. We had color run this year, and the students really enjoyed that. That was an exciting time. Never knew so so much chalk could get everywhere, everywhere, you know, sneezing, and then you realize that you're sneezing a different color, kind of making a skiggle a couple of times, you know, and just celebrating our our national just national important days as well. Bringing parents in for those breakfasts, the different breakfasts that we had of donuts and the muffins, and then also recognizing our community members that give back, whether it's our resource officers, our first responders, our veterans, bringing them in and letting them know that we appreciate them as well.

SPEAKER_01 7:42

I love that. Wow. I think you guys are really, really bringing grand culture. It's still still infusing it into everything that you do. That that's amazing when your doors are open, and that's really when you know the the walls break down. I I just love all the stories with Grandparents' Day and parent opportunities to come into and see what's going on. I just think that's wonderful. Lauren, talk to me a little bit about y'all. We ever every school in in Texas just finished the state testing, right? You guys as well. How how did that all go for you guys? Everybody seemed to rise up to the challenge.

SPEAKER_02 8:19

It was really smooth. I like the way that we schedule testing here in Iola. We give the students a break by making sure they take one test a week. I think the other really great thing that we can do here in Iola is we send the kids out to a field trip, the other kids that are not testing. And so it just creates a really quiet and calm environment on campus so that Holly and I can just focus on the kids that are testing because we, you know, we do tell them that this one test doesn't define them, but also at the same time, it is a big day. It's a big day for them academically, it's a big day for them emotionally. So trying to make sure that you know the campuses has a great environment where they can feel comfortable testing, and we we do that by supporting the students that aren't testing and sending them out to do something else while we can just focus on the ones here that that are taking that big test.

SPEAKER_01 9:15

What a great idea. I don't think I've ever heard that approach before. Can you share like where you where your little, you know, where your students went and some things they got to do?

SPEAKER_02 9:27

Uh I think one of the times they went to the park and the movie theater, and we actually also had another field trip planned where they were supposed to go to the zoo, but the weather, the weather gave them alternate plans that day, but they did, they got to do fun things, which is good too, to have those experiences. Pre-K students going to the movies, going to the park, riding the school bus. Those are all exciting things for them.

SPEAKER_00 9:52

Just being intentional about our scheduling. So looking ahead, knowing, okay, we're going to have the math star on this day. And so being intentional of making sure that we have a okay, these grade levels are going to take a field trip on this day. It helps with the amount of students, as Lauren was saying on campus, and it also just creates the calm and positive environment, just like Lauren was saying. It's it's it's beautiful, honestly, because it is a very stressful day for teachers and students. There's nothing we can do about it, right? That's our that's the norm that we're in. We have that's our accountability, but trying to make it the best environment. But then also knowing that those students who are taking the test that they will have the opportunity to have some type of fill trip either before or after, that they will then get to go have some fun, even though that they had to take a test on that day.

SPEAKER_01 10:52

So kudos to you guys for that. That's amazing. This is the first time I've ever heard that, and I'm sure others may do it, but that's that's really fantastic. And I do, I think that it does take planning. Everything that we do in in a school uh on a campus takes takes purposefully planned, you know, thinking heads and lots of collaboration. So that's that's outstanding. Did y'all do y'all have field day? Have y'all already had field day?

SPEAKER_00 11:18

Yeah, so our field day was was yesterday and talk about pivoting. So we had field day, half of it was set up for outside with some inflatables and water slides for the students, and then the indoor was more of your traditional field day activities. And probably about 15, 15 to 20 minutes before fill day was starting for the first group. We saw there was a very high chance of rain. And so we made a pivot. And the company that sets set up our inflatables, they are local family, and so they came up and rolled everything up and adjusted it and put it in the gym. No water, but it ended up being a good thing because we didn't have to worry about changing clothes and things like that and all the mud all over the school. So I know our our beautiful custodians were probably happy about that, but we because of that, we also were able to just show our students that we truly are focusing on that gray scritten growth, and that sometimes when we have things, it doesn't mean that it's necessarily going to be a bad thing. We just have to shift and adjust and just make the most about most of it.

SPEAKER_01 12:36

So you know, you're right. Teaching that soft skill of you know, pivoting, you know, that which we originally plans do change, and sometimes we're out those those decisions are out of our control, but we survive. We're willow trees, right? We bend, we don't break. So that that's wonderful. That's outstanding. Did you guys already have your like award ceremonies or kindergraduation? Talk to me about that.

SPEAKER_02 12:59

We had pre-K graduation, kindergraduation, and fifth grade promotion. Miss Skilbow, she had a dual role this year. She got to present at pre-K graduation, but her son was also graduating pre-K. And so it was really sweet when she got up to present the kinder pre-K years because she got emotional because it wasn't just you know a group of students graduating, but it was also her son. So I think it was special for her. Fifth grade had their promotion, that was really great too. They got to kind of walk the stage similarly to what what you would do as a high school student, and they got to be promoted to the next grade level. We did have the president award for the for the first time for fifth grade. We chose, well, not we chose, but the students. All students in fifth grade were were selected, were looked at, and then the ones that had all A's all year long in every subject, they were received the presidential award. And we did that for the first time this year, which wasn't very many students, but it was, you know, it was a handful, and it it was really a really special award for them to get to honor all their hard work.

SPEAKER_00 14:11

We hope to continue that in the future. I I remember when I was in school, we had that, and it was always a really big deal to be able to get that, and so something that you look forward to, but then you also get to put it on your resume. So those those students when they're apply applying for like National Honor Society and things like that, that's you know, a little activity and something that they have earned, an honor that they have earned that then will go to their involvement and experiences when they're applying to be parts of other organizations while they're still in grade school.

SPEAKER_01 14:50

So oh, a hundred percent. Yes, you're you're so right. That that's wonderful for them, and they're building their little collection and their little resumes, right? Talk to me a little bit about I heard you mention because I know your theme this past year was, you know, grit, grace, and growth. Are you guys continuing with that theme? Are you changing, or what are you guys looking forward to for next school year?

SPEAKER_00 15:13

Absolutely. I'm not really a theme person. I know that some schools do themes every year, whether it's a sports theme, and then the next year they do something different. I last year we looked at the three words, we focused on having the staff vote on three words that they felt were really important to focus on. And that's where grace, grit, and growth might not have been the exact word that was chosen, but it encompassed the same idea. And so we that's where grace, grit, and growth came from, and we're gonna stick with it. Those are our words, and we are having that part of conversations with students and having conversations of, you know, I I understand that you're in a disagreement right now with someone, but it sounds like this kid might need a little bit of grace. And so when you're talking with your friend today, it sounds like they might be having a hard day. So we need to show them a little bit of grace. Also, going forward this coming year, especially we are going to most definitely be focusing on grace, grit, and growth as we move into a new curriculum. And we are excited about this opportunity. We feel like our students are are ready for this type of rigor that we're going to be holding them accountable to. So I feel like necessarily our bar might have been at a level four, and we were always expecting our students to be at a level four. Our curriculum might have been at a five, but we were at, you know, saying if you can make it to a four, then that's good enough. Well, when the standard is really at the 10. And so I feel like this curriculum will help us be able to bridge that and hold our students to a higher standard and help them get to reaching where the state expects our students to be. The state says that you know they need to be at this bar and they need to be at this standard to be ready to graduate. And we want to make sure that we're providing the best opportunity for our students to prepare them for post-secondary education, whether it's going to college or going to trade school, whatever it takes, even down to the elementary level, we're laying that foundation for them. So we're really looking forward to the new curriculum that we're using next year. And it's going to take a lot of grace, grit, and growth from teachers planning, preparing for teaching, whether it's this summer to our monthly meetings that we're having. Some sometimes it's almost once a week. We already have it all lined out for next year. And so I think that that's going to be really beneficial to our teachers, but also having that cross-grade level same curriculum will really help our students be able to know what to expect grade level to grade level because it's going to be the same. We didn't necessarily have the same curriculum, K5, and we feel like having that in a line will also help our students be able to fill in gaps based off of those things.

SPEAKER_01 18:27

So I agree. Anytime that you can align vertically, you know, is so important for you know the receiving teacher versus the sending teacher, because we've all been there, right? In our in our past. So I think that's great. I wish you all the best in in the planning and the the the purposeful, you know, professional development planning, too, for all that that has to go in behind the scenes to get teachers ready and kind of you know, step by step. And and and you're you're so right. Your your theme of grace, you know, just you know, the elephant, you can't eat the elephant one bite at, you know, you gotta, you know, do one bite at a time. So, you know, good luck with all of that. That's amazing. It's a it's a deep and big undertaking, but congratulations for accepting that that challenge too. Have have grace with yourselves too, because you know, you're gonna have to do that as well. Because you know, no, nobody's perfect, it's progress, not perfection, right? What about growth? That's right, we're all gonna be growing, right? We're you know, getting pruned a little bit, but we're it's it all you know, all the growth is gonna be beautiful. Do you guys have any summer programs or things that kids get involved with over the summer? And what what what does that look like, Mud? Any camps or something?

SPEAKER_03 19:40

We have uh several summer camps for students. We have basketball camp, volleyball camp, which is a big deal here because we are state champs here. And we have like an agility camp, a track like agility.

SPEAKER_02 19:54

And then, of course, we will do like a small little summer school for students that need to have some accelerated instruction. But we we're big on sports camps.

SPEAKER_01 20:04

Love that. Yes, and you guys are you know rock stars on this on the sports field, and and but I'm gonna give you kudos on the academic field too. You guys are doing it, it's it's it's happening. When does school start up again?

SPEAKER_00 20:18

Our first day of school will be August 12th, and we're looking at scheduling our Meet the Teacher on August 10th. And so we're we're really we're already planning. It's so funny. We're already planning and the days are filling up, thinking about where we're going to be for next school year, and I just I think I thank God for this opportunity to be able to serve this community and just be able to prepare, but then also just learn alongside these students and staff.

SPEAKER_01 20:54

So thank you for that. So as we're rounding out our time together today, if you could give a message, each one of you, a message to your students to think about over the summer and to be ready when they come back. And for those fifth graders that are marching on after after you know their experience and their time here with you, what what would that message be? And I'll I'll ask each one of you to share. And Holly, we'll start with you.

SPEAKER_00 21:24

First to the the fifth graders, thank you for just allowing us the opportunity to shape your lives. I know that this is only my second year here, but I've seen so much growth in them and just coming out of their shells and just being ready for the next chapter of their life. But we're only right across the little parking lot, little driveway. So their their home will always be here as well. Open door, big hugs. Can't wait to see all the amazing things that they do when they move over to secondary. And I just I hope that all of our students are safe and have a good time. This summer, I hope that they find rest and that they are able to make some special memories, whether it's playing in the water sprinkler or you know, going on a trip somewhere. I hope that they take that time to invest in their heart and their mind. And that way that just helps restore them to be able to be ready for next school year. So that's what I want them to focus on being safe, but also just renewing their spirit to be able to be ready to hit the ground running come August. Love that.

SPEAKER_01 22:37

Very, very beautifully put. How about you, Lauren?

SPEAKER_02 22:41

I think I I would really want to see, especially for the staff, not just the students, but the students and staff, just to find one thing this summer that they really like to do and just try and do it every day, whether it's drawing or reading or riding your bike or taking a walk or cooking a new recipe. But the school year can be hard. And whether you're a student or an adult, just take some time this summer to relax and connect with yourself and find what you like and try and keep doing that so that you can have a little outlet during the school year.

SPEAKER_01 23:17

And I'll take a spoonful of that. That's a mess. That is great. No, note to self. Well, you ladies, as always, you're exceptional leaders. I've gotten a chance to get to know you on a little more personal, you know, playing field. And I just I just think the world of you guys, you guys are leading a great campus. It it shows in in the hallways, it shows in the culture, and it shows in those kiddos what you're pouring into them. So thank you for sharing this time with me and wrapping up your school year. So I just wish you guys all the best in the summer, as you're planning, as you're getting, you know, gonna take a little respite, a little, you know, time for yourselves as well, so you can be ready full force again. So thank you for joining me today. Thank you, Amanda. I appreciate it. Thank you. Really appreciate that. Well, this concludes our episode with Iola's elementary leadership team. Thank you for tuning in and thank you for joining us today. Hi, have a good summer, guys. Bye. That's it for this round of the Bulldog Pride Podcast. If you laughed, learned, or just followed along with us, be sure to subscribe and share and spread the Bulldog Pride. You got a tip, a tail, or a shadow, slide it on already by emailing us at podcast at iovaisd.net. Until next time, stay proud, stay strong, and go!