In an educational career that spans 50 years, Jacquelyn (Jackie) Owens Wilson has been a classroom teacher, literacy specialist and coach, school administrator, assistant professor, policy-maker, and author.  In this wide-ranging conversation with RBT Founder and Chairman Jon Saphier, she shares her perspectives, insights, and important lessons learned over the course of her remarkable career, reminding educators to teach and lead with compassion, curiosity, courage, and hope.

Jackie’s current work in leadership development takes her to school districts across the country. She also serves as Executive Director of the National Policy Board for Educational Administration, where she focuses on educational leadership and preparation. She shares her experience and strategies for developing instructional leaders’ skills and knowledge in the recently published (2023), Blended Coaching, 2^nd edition, co-authored with Gary Bloom.

In this interview with Jon Saphier, Jackie Wilson shares her journey from the classroom to school leadership and beyond. Use the timings below to identify the pieces you are most interested in learning more about.

• 00:00 - What got you interested in education?
• 04:00 - The primary job as principal is helping teachers get better.
• 05:10 - The relationship between the principal and the instructional coach?
• 06:45 - How principals support teacher growth.
• 10:14 - Helping leaders be thoughtful and reflective about the decisions they are making.
• 19:28 - The principal as a learner and a collaborative partner.
• 24:15 - Common Planning Teams Time.
• 32:15 - What to look for when hiring a principal.  
• 39:27 - Resolving problems with empathy, inquiry, curiosity, and, when necessary, firmness.
• 41:36 - The need for courage and resilience in leadership roles.
• 47:28 - Widening circles of influence in education.