SEEing to Lead

Mike McCarthy has been teaching for 15 years. 11 of those in a primary catholic school and 4 in a private school in Shanghai, China. He holds a strong belief that being human is very important when it comes to working with children in any setting at any age. After facing both ups and downs in his career, Mike came upon the concept of gratitude on his travels in Vietnam and realized how essential it is to practice to increase the amount of joyous moments you experience.Ups and downs in my career. As a result he tries to impress that thought on his students and those he meets. He is the creator of a newsletter focused on spreading gratitude and spends his time looking for connections with other people and enjoying the beauty of life.

Show Notes:
In this episode, Chris interviews Mike McCarthy, a teacher with 15 years of experience spanning primary Catholic schools and a private school in Shanghai. Mike shares his belief in the importance of being human in educational settings and the transformative power of practicing gratitude, a concept he embraced after a profound experience in Vietnam. Mike discusses his gratitude-focused newsletter and offers practical advice on incorporating gratitude into daily life and school environments. He emphasizes the significance of symbolic and reflective practices and the importance of humility and servant leadership for educators. Chris and Mike also discuss the positive impact of gratitude exercises on personal and professional lives.

Bookmarks:
00:00 Introduction to Mike McCarthy
00:14 The Power of Gratitude
00:31 Mike's Newsletter and Its Impact
01:04 Welcoming Mike to the Show
01:33 Discussing Gratitude in Education
04:54 Personal Reflections on Gratitude
08:23 Teaching Gratitude to Students
15:32 The Origin of Mike's Gratitude Journey
20:28 The Power of Personal Stories
20:56 Lessons from Unexpected Teachers
21:14 The Impact of a Simple Bracelet
21:42 Starting a Newsletter
22:05 The Philosophy Behind the Newsletter
23:05 Applying Gratitude in Schools
26:20 Practical Tips for Leaders
26:53 Reflecting on Life's Positive Moments
31:06 The Importance of Humility in Leadership
35:33 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

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I’ve been an educator in Massachusetts for 23 years.  I’m finishing my 16th year as a building leader.  I’m a teacher centered Principal and passionate about continuous improvement and the idea that success is not a destination, but a process. I’m active on social media, vlog about continuous improvement on a weekly basis, and wrote a book also called SEEing to Lead as a way to help everyone improve education as a whole by promoting my “just cause”: improving the educational experience for as many people as possible by being purposeful, acting with integrity, and building character. 

Like the content, want to be a guest, or know someone who would? Reach out to me on Twitter at @DrCSJones

Have you taken the time to order and read my latest book! Seeing to Lead is filled with practical resources and personal stories to help you support, engage, and empower those you lead no matter your position!

Jimmy Casas said, "If you are a leader who is looking to support, engage and empower your staff, then SEEing to Lead, by Dr. Chris Jones, is a book you will want to pick up and read. Dr. Jones reminds us that building capacity and helping others achieve personal success is the key to elevating your organization and leaving a lasting impact."

Subscribe to My Newsletter! We are all busy, often unsupported, and struggle to stay engaged! Here is a weekly resource that has something to support, engage, and empower you. Not to mention it saves you time by getting to the point! Increase your focus and become a better leader; no matter your position. Check it out here!

This show is part of the Be Podcast Network. Our podcasts go beyond education as we know it — in any learning environment, formal or informal — and help you be the change you want to see. Learn more about the network and all our shows at https://bepodcast.network

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