In this episode of Little Wins, Karen Borchert sits down with Dr. Jeremy Davidson, Superintendent of Elsberry R-II School District in rural Missouri. Leading a district of just over 800 students, Jeremy brings a steady and deeply relational approach to leadership, where visibility, respect, and care are non-negotiables.

Jeremy shares how his district’s move to a four-day school week has supported both student wellbeing and teacher retention—giving families breathing room and protecting time for educators. He reflects on how three-year mentoring programs and peer-to-peer observations help new teachers grow with confidence and connection, while initiatives like steering committees give teachers a voice in big decisions about finance and strategy.

From his own story of once struggling in school to now leading with empathy and purpose, Jeremy’s journey is a reminder that culture isn’t built through programs alone, but through consistency, trust, and everyday actions—like high fives in the hallway and phone calls home.

💡 Little Wins in This Episode:

• Four Days, Big Impact: Elsberry’s four-day school week protects time for teachers, improves mental health, and gives families space to breathe.

• Three-Year Mentoring: New teachers are paired with mentors far beyond year one, ensuring long-term support and belonging.

• Peer-to-Peer Learning: Teachers observe each other’s classrooms during planning periods, sparking growth, reflection, and trust.

• Phone Calls Over Emails: A district-wide 24-hour callback practice keeps parent communication personal and relational.

• Steering Committee Voice: Teachers and staff now weigh in on district priorities like finance and improvement plans, aligning everyone to row in the same direction.

Key Moments

05:53 Exploring the Four-Day School Week

09:15 "Student-Centric School Leadership Values"

11:22 Unified Team Communication

14:06 New Staff Orientation Day

16:39 Positive Reinforcement in Teaching

23:04 Leadership Committee Establishment

24:15 "Baseball's Journey to Self-Discovery"

28:20 Building Visibility and Recognition

30:43 "Purposeful Education Through Collaboration"

34:06 Building Positive School Connections

Connect with Dr. Jeremy Davidson

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jeremy-davidson-081123a1 

Website:https://www.elsberryschools.com/ 

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🧵 About the Podcast:

Little Wins is the podcast that digs into the small, deliberate actions school leaders are taking to build strong, human-centered cultures, one meaningful win at a time.

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