Once invisible, this leader now is making waves
👋 Hey Ruckus Maker, I’m Danny and welcome to a 🔓 free 🔓 edition of The Ruckus Maker Newsletter. You can learn more about this newsletter here. When you become a paid subscriber you receive these benefits:
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What is a Ruckus Maker? Since it’s ingrained in the vision of BLBS, it’s as simple as ABC.
A stands Authentic. A leader who shows up as their true self and has the best interests of everyone around them in mind. They do what they say they’ll do and this builds trust.
B stands for Belonging. By prioritizing the best interests of the staff they serve, a Ruckus Maker is able to create an environment of Belonging. When a staff feels like they belong, they are on the road to peak performance.
C stands for Challenge. Today’s protagonist knows Challenge a little too well. As a kid he felt that he had to hide his Native American heritage, and now as a Ruckus Maker, he is doing something about that.
Meet Jason P. Dropik.
In addition to being a long time member of The Ruckus Maker Mastermind™, get this:
He is the School Administrator at the Indian Community School in Franklin, Wisconsin.
He has served on the Milwaukee Indian Education Committee, the Wisconsin Association of Environmental Education Board.
A proud husband and father of three.
And Jason was the President of the National Indian Education Association.
This is exemplary RUCKUS making!
Jason always had spirit and drive, yet to grow as a leader, he needed a support network.
When asked what life was like before connecting with The Ruckus Maker Mastermind™, he stated this all too familiar sentiment:
“I was literally running around like my pants were on fire, being reactive, instead of proactive. This led to a feeling of isolation.”
A study done by The Learning Policy Institute and NAESP found that less than 25% of leaders had access to a coach or mentor within the last two years. In high poverty schools the stat is worse – only 10% of leaders had access to a coach or mentor in the last two years.
As Greg Salciccioli writes, “the number one enemy of excellence is isolation.”
Jason was isolated and when he heard the mastermind experience shared on the BLBS podcast, something clicked:
“I like the idea of growing through connection and sharing authentic experiences with other Ruckus Makers. I figured we would help expand each other’s knowledge and grow from that connection. I wanted to share ideas. I craved that collective strength.”
And just like that Jason chose to join The Ruckus Maker Mastermind™. He’s one of our original members!
As a young educator Jason had uncertainties about the supervisors at his own schools, so he made it his quest to change this for everyone else.
“I want to make sure that every one of my students, staff, and family members know that I care, and that I’m doing my best so they can have the best experience possible.”
Imagine having this perspective in your weekly network!
The Ruckus Maker Mastermind™ has grown with Jason. Together, we are figuring out how to change the world through building leadership capacity via our weekly mastermind sessions.
But moving from isolated to connected leadership is not always enough.
Jason recognizes another factor that is invisible to his white colleagues:
“Going to conferences, I didn’t see many others that looked like me. It made it harder to feel comfortable knowing others wouldn’t have similar shared experiences.”
Being a leader is tough enough; yet, doing this as a Black, Indigenous, or Person of Color adds a layer of Challenge that Jason is ready to face next.
That’s why we are thrilled to offer our first BIPOC cohort of The Ruckus Maker Mastermind™ and honored that Jason is the head coach.
Are you ready to Make a Ruckus?
When you’re ready to become an even more effective leader, here’s what to do next …
Learn more about The Ruckus Maker Mastermind™ and apply to our leadership development program today » https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mastermind