Jennifer McDowell talks with Mark Bea, principal in Kentwood, Michigan, and Gabi Coty, community school coordinator at Endeavour Elementary, about what community schools look like in practice and why shared leadership is central to making the strategy work. The conversation focuses on how they structure teams, distribute responsibility, and keep the work aligned with mission so the strategy stays transformational rather than becoming a side program.

In this episode

• Mark Bea shares how a community school strategy differs from a traditional school model by embedding supports for students, families, staff, and the broader community into the core of the school.
• Gabi Coty explains her path from elementary teacher to community school coordinator and how her background shaped her focus on the whole child.
• Mark and Gabi describe community schools as a strategy, not just a list of extra services, field trips, or volunteers.
• They unpack the relationship between the principal and coordinator as the key driver of shared leadership.
• They explain Endeavour’s action team structure, including MTSS, academic extension, belonging and connection, and family engagement.
• Gabi describes how she leads the belonging and connection team and uses survey data to set goals and plan initiatives.
• Mark explains how the inverted leadership structure works, with the principal and assistant principal supporting team leaders rather than controlling every detail.
• They discuss how open invitations, aligned goals, and staff passion help develop more leaders across the building.
• They talk candidly about the risks of shared leadership without systems, including confusion, misalignment, and initiatives getting out of hand.
• Both reflect on the common good as serving people well, including students, families, and the community.

• 00:00 — First Michigan community schools conversation and introductions
• 01:25 — Gabi Coty’s path from teacher to community school coordinator
• 04:39 — Mark Bea’s leadership background and mission-driven approach
• 09:43 — Community schools as a strategy, not just extra services
• 11:20 — What a community school looks like in everyday practice
• 14:24 — Why shared leadership is a core part of the strategy
• 15:41 — What shared leadership means in a school setting
• 20:01 — Why the strategy cannot live on the sidelines
• 23:16 — The five action teams at Endeavour
• 24:13 — How the belonging and connection team uses data and initiatives
• 27:11 — The inverted triangle model and distributed leadership
• 29:23 — Why the team structure was designed this way
• 31:31 — Gabi’s experience stepping into a new leadership role
• 35:33 — Why the coordinator must be part of the core strategy
• 39:29 — District alignment and why it matters for community schools
• 42:09 — How Gabi helps identify and develop other leaders
• 46:56 — Concerns about decision-making in shared leadership
• 47:33 — Planning, approval, and keeping initiatives aligned
• 52:27 — Lessons learned from an initiative that got too far ahead
• 56:21 — Why leadership systems matter more than individual heroics
• 59:40 — Gabi on trying new things and building capacity
• 61:17 — Leadership training as essential to the community school coordinator role
• 62:19 — Closing reflections on the common good

Timestamps

🎙️ Listen to the full conversation and discover how coaching can strengthen schools, support educators, and advance leadership for the common good.

Learn more about Jennifer's coaching work at Common Good Coaching.

Connect with Jennifer McDowell on LinkedIn.

#LeadershipForTheCommonGood #LeadershipPodcast #CommunitySchools #InstructionalCoaching #EducationalLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #CoachingForLeaders #SchoolTransformation

This panel explores the transformative power of relational leadership, emphasizing how relationships shape effective leadership and community building. The speakers share personal journeys, practical practices, and insights on fostering relational cultures in schools and organizations.

🎙️ Listen to the full conversation and discover how coaching can strengthen schools, support educators, and advance leadership for the common good.

Learn more about Jennifer's coaching work at Common Good Coaching.

Connect with Jennifer McDowell on LinkedIn.

#LeadershipForTheCommonGood #LeadershipPodcast #CommunitySchools #InstructionalCoaching #EducationalLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #CoachingForLeaders #SchoolTransformation

What does it take to build a coaching culture that helps educators thrive—and creates better outcomes for students?

In this episode, Jennifer McDowell sits down with Esperanza Martinez and Cora Watkins, leaders who have helped shape the Community Schools movement within the Los Angeles Unified School District. Together, they explore how coaching can become a powerful driver of school transformation, strengthening leadership, supporting educators, and creating the conditions for every student to succeed.

Drawing on decades of experience, Esperanza and Cora share the lessons they've learned about building systems that prioritize collaboration, trust, and continuous learning. They also discuss the realities of implementing this work—from navigating limited resources to shifting long-held beliefs about what coaching is and why it matters.

Whether you're a school leader, coach, educator, or anyone committed to building stronger learning communities, this conversation offers practical insights and inspiration for creating sustainable change.

• The history and evolution of the Community Schools movement
• Why coaching is essential to lasting school improvement
• How coaching builds leadership capacity and strengthens educator practice
• Creating cultures of collaboration, trust, and continuous growth
• The connection between educator support and student success
• Common challenges in building coaching infrastructure—and strategies for overcoming them
• Lessons for district leaders committed to long-term, systems-level change

• Community schools succeed when they invest in both people and systems.
• Coaching empowers educators to grow, collaborate, and lead with confidence.
• Sustainable school transformation requires intentional leadership, ongoing support, and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Investing in educators ultimately creates better experiences and outcomes for students and families.

🎙️ Listen to the full conversation and discover how coaching can strengthen schools, support educators, and advance leadership for the common good.

Learn more about Jennifer's coaching work at Common Good Coaching.

Connect with Jennifer McDowell on LinkedIn.

#LeadershipForTheCommonGood #LeadershipPodcast #CommunitySchools #InstructionalCoaching #EducationalLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #CoachingForLeaders #SchoolTransformation

The insights shared by Jennifer McDowell and David Osta highlight the transformative power of community organizing and effective leadership in education. As they explore the gradual release of responsibility and the importance of building relationships within school communities, it becomes evident that empowering others to lead is essential for fostering a thriving educational environment. Key takeaways include the value of betting on oneself, the significance of gradual responsibility release, and the enduring legacy of community organizing.

Tags: community schools, education, leadership development, community organizing, gradual release of responsibility, Jane Addams, relational organizing, coaching, empowerment.

In this conversation, Jennifer McDowell and Danna Thomas discuss the evolution of their friendship and the importance of supporting educators' mental health through the Happy Teacher Revolution. They explore themes of gratitude, the impact of small gestures, the need for safe spaces, and the significance of collective care in education. The discussion highlights the challenges teachers face, the importance of self-care, and the role of parents in fostering a supportive environment for children. They emphasize the need to shift focus from problems to solutions and the importance of data-driven insights in understanding teacher well-being.

🎙️ Tune in to the episode and join a community of leaders committed to making a difference for the common good.

🌐 Learn more about Jennifer’s coaching work at ⁠⁠Common Good Coaching⁠⁠.

Follow Jennifer McDowell on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Jennifer McDowell⁠⁠

#LeadershipForTheCommonGood #LeadershipPodcast #LeadershipDevelopment #PurposeDrivenLeadership #CoachingForLeaders

In this conversation, Jennifer McDowell and Zach Mercurio explore the concept of mattering, emphasizing its importance in personal and professional contexts. Zach shares his journey and research on how feeling valued impacts individuals' ability to contribute meaningfully to society. They discuss practical strategies for fostering connections, the role of curiosity, and the significance of intentional interactions in combating feelings of insignificance. The conversation highlights the cyclical nature of mattering, where giving and receiving value enhances relationships and contribute to the common good.

🎙️ Tune in to the episode and join a community of leaders committed to making a difference for the common good.

🌐 Learn more about Jennifer’s coaching work at ⁠⁠Common Good Coaching⁠⁠.

Follow Jennifer McDowell on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Jennifer McDowell⁠⁠

#LeadershipForTheCommonGood #LeadershipPodcast #LeadershipDevelopment #PurposeDrivenLeadership #CoachingForLeaders

In this inspiring episode of Leadership For The Common Good, host Jennifer sits down with Arica Gonzalez, Executive Director of Urban Oasis—a Baltimore-based organization dedicated to creating spaces of healing, belonging, and empowerment for youth and families.

Arica shares her journey as a community leader and advocate, discussing how Urban Oasis integrates mindfulness, social-emotional learning, and community partnerships to help people thrive in urban environments. Together, Jennifer and Arica explore what it means to lead with authenticity, build sustainable support networks, and nurture collective well-being in the face of systemic challenges.

Whether you’re a community builder, educator, or nonprofit professional, this episode offers rich insights into the power of healing-centered leadership and the importance of creating spaces where everyone can be seen and supported.

Learn more about Arica’s work at theurbanoasis.org and explore Jennifer’s coaching and leadership resources at commongoodcoaching.com.

🎙️ Tune in to the episode and join a community of leaders committed to making a difference for the common good.

🌐 Learn more about Jennifer’s coaching work at ⁠⁠Common Good Coaching⁠⁠.

Follow Jennifer McDowell on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Jennifer McDowell⁠⁠

#LeadershipForTheCommonGood #LeadershipPodcast #LeadershipDevelopment #PurposeDrivenLeadership #CoachingForLeaders

In this heartfelt conversation, Gwendolyn opens up about her remarkable journey through a tapestry of leadership roles, vividly illustrating the transformative power of personal growth and the deep, lasting impact of community. She delves into the essential traits that characterize effective leadership, shining a light on the importance of encouragement like a beacon of hope, and the unwavering need for compassion and honesty in our connections. Gwendolyn reflects on the indelible influence of her family and the nurturing embrace of her community, painting a picture of the uncomplicated joys of childhood experiences. She emphasizes the profound responsibility that leaders bear to create a brighter, more understanding world founded on respect and empathy.

🎙️ Tune in to the episode and join a community of leaders committed to making a difference for the common good.

🌐 Learn more about Jennifer’s coaching work at ⁠⁠Common Good Coaching⁠⁠.

Follow Jennifer McDowell on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Jennifer McDowell⁠⁠

#LeadershipForTheCommonGood #LeadershipPodcast #LeadershipDevelopment #PurposeDrivenLeadership #CoachingForLeaders