Name: Brandon Lindly

Title: Middle School Principal

Organisation: DeQueen Public Schools

Brandon Lindly is an accomplished educator with 28 years of experience, including 13 years in educational leadership. Passionate about fostering an inspiring learning environment, he has dedicated his career to shaping the minds of future generations. A proud graduate of Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Brandon holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and further advanced his expertise with a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Southern Nazarene University. He balances his professional life with his personal joys, sharing 20 fulfilling years of marriage with his wife, Angela, and raising their two sons, Caden and Cale.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Educational Leadership!

I hope Brandon's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as an Educational Leader?

In my opinion kids are kids, and people are people. That has not changed over the years. I do believe students these days, because of the internet and social media, are introduced to more things at an earlier age. With that being said, I feel like the most challenging thing we face, is the different legislation that comes down from the national and state levels. Most of these decisions are being made by individuals that have never been in education.

2. How did you become an Educational Leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

I always loved sports. The values of teamwork, the competition, and the life lessons that came from sports. I started my career as a teacher/coach. I went back and attained a masters in educational leadership. I had a superintendent at a neighboring school that had a high school principal job opening. He had known me through coaching, and liked the way I carried myself, and how disciplined my teams had been. He ended up offering me the job, and after prayers and conversations with my wife, I accepted.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

I wake up every morning at 5:30. It spend time doing a daily devotional and trying to get in a little exercise before getting ready for the day. I usually arrive on campus anywhere between 6:50 am and 7:00 am. I will walk the halls, check emails, and visit with my assistant about the agenda for the day. At 7:20 am, I will go outside while busses are arriving until the first bell rings at 7:55 am. From 8:00 am to 11:00 am, depending on what the day brings, I will do walkthroughs or observations. Between classes I am always in the hallways trying to interact with staff and students. From 11:00 am to 11:45 am, I am outside on lunch duty. If I get the opportunity, I will eat lunch between 12:00 pm and 12:30 pm. If I haven't already had a leadership meeting at the central office, I will go over to that office around 1:00 pm and retrieve any files or documents that need to be picked up, or have conversations with the leaders at the district level. From 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm, I am back to walkthroughs and observations. At 3:00 pm, I go outside for dismissal and bus loadings. I am usually here until 4:00 pm finishing up the day and making sure every student made it home. Depending on whether I have an extra curricular event to attend, church on Wednesday nights, or something with my family, I am usually home trying to wind down, by watching TV or reading. I try to be in bed by 9:30 pm if all possible.

4. What's a recent lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of as an Educational Leader?

It is something that I have known for a long time, and that is "the little things matter". If you take care of the little details from the beginning, they do not become big things in the end.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your journey as an Educational Leader so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted you?

LEAD...for God's Sake! It brought in the perspective that having dreams and passion are great, but they should come with what are true purpose is as an individual. Whether you are the boss or a custodian.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young educator who aspires to be an Educational Leader, what would you say to them?

Build and foster meaningful relationships with your staff. If they know that you truly care, they will not want to let you down, and they will accept constructive advice or criticism they give to them.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as an Educational Leader, so far?

I have many stories that I could tell, but the one that comes to mind, is about a lady who came to work for us as a paraprofessional. She was also going to school to get her degree in elementary education. When she first came, she was nervous and worried about being in a room full of students, especially middle school kids. After two years with us, she finished her degree, past all her tests to become certified, and is now teaching kindergarten in our school district. Just to see her grow and gain confidence and learn from not only me, but my whole staff, was amazing.