Name: Dr. Corey Throckmorton

Title: Principal

Organisation: Concord Schools

Corey Throckmorton is an educator with 25 years of experience as a mentor, teacher, coach, and administrator. He has earned his BSE, MSE- Building Level Educational Leadership, Ed.S.- District Level Educational Leadership, and Ed.D.- Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University.

Corey’s research topics include school social culture and climate, how current cognitive research impacts learning, and alternative learning environments. As a Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Pilot School Leader, Corey has presented to and impacted students, educators, stakeholders, and lawmakers in Arkansas and has taken his passion for high-yield SEL strategies to the national stage.

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

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

Cheers,

Jonno White

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

The greatest challenge I face as an Educational Leader is finding the proper balance between focusing on culture and climate while continuing a proper emphasis on curriculum and standards.

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

I became an Educational Leader through a natural path led by mentors who identified qualities and characteristics in my practice that could be honed and grown in order to have a great impact on others within the profession. These mentors added value to me and challenged me to multiply that value to others in order to have an exponential impact on our world.

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

Rise early (5:00 AM), get ready, have coffee, and drive to work- 1 hour 20 min. On the drive I listen to podcasts on leadership or current pedagogical practices. 7:30 to 8:00 Morning Duty- Greet all students arriving on campus. 8:00 Morning announcements- tell the students and staff they are loved.

Mornings consist of answering emails, district-level cabinet meetings, classroom observations, and mentorship meetings with aspiring leaders in the building. Lunch duty Afternoons are filled with addressing student discipline and conducting meetings on policy/systems/structure/strategic planning.

Drive home, cook supper, make a few family/friend calls, and head to sleep as early as possible.

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

A strong, positive organizational culture has the greatest impact on student achievement and organizational success.

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?

The Motive- Patrick Lencioni. Leadership takes courage, and consistently calls for evaluation of what we are doing and why. Full disclosure, I started the journey of leadership because I wanted a position and success, now I understand that proper leadership is chiefly sacrifice.

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?

Read The Motive and consider WHY you aspire to lead.

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

Recently, a transfer student came to me and talked about the bullying she experienced at her previous school. I explained to her that here at our school, there are many adults who can be found to be trustworthy in dealing with any incidents of bullying that may happen on campus. The following week, the student came to me and reported being picked on about her body and appearance.

I went and addressed the incident with the offending student immediately and assured the young lady once again that behaviors like this would not be ignored or tolerated on our campus. For Christmas, she gave me a plaque that defined my name as a "Difference Maker".