In this episode of Little Wins, Karen Borchert sits down with Dr. Albert Lee Byrom, superintendent of Poth ISD in rural Texas. A former San Antonio police officer turned educator, Dr. Byrom brings a servant-leadership mindset to his district of fewer than 1,000 students. His journey from patrol car to principal to superintendent is grounded in one belief: visibility, empowerment, and trust are the keys to lasting culture.

Dr. Byrom shares insights from his doctoral research on teacher retention in rural schools, revealing six key drivers that keep educators rooted in their communities. He explains how situational leadership allows him to adapt his style to each staff member, why parent-led storytelling is the best branding a district can ask for, and how empowering teachers with autonomy, data, and growth opportunities fosters both pride and humanity in schools.

Whether you’re leading in a rural district, balancing tight budgets, or simply looking for ways to create a culture people want to be part of, this episode offers powerful lessons on how small, intentional acts of visibility and care can transform a district from the inside out.

💡 Little Wins in This Episode:

• From Police Beat to School Hallways: Dr. Byrom’s unique path from law enforcement to education instilled his belief in catching kids before you have to catch them—building trust through presence and consistency.

• Six Drivers of Retention: Pay may matter most, but Dr. Byrom’s research shows culture, administrative support, branding, flexibility, and strong district decisions are equally critical to keeping teachers.

• Branding Through Parents’ Voices: By celebrating wins on Facebook and inviting parents into classrooms, Poth ISD lets its community—not just the district—tell the story of pride and safety.

• Situational Leadership in Action: Knowing staff well enough to adjust how feedback is delivered (without changing the message) has transformed trust and approachability across the district.

• Promoting From Within: By identifying and encouraging leadership potential, Dr. Byrom builds a pipeline of principals and directors from his own teaching staff—proving that growth doesn’t always have to come from outside.

Key Moments

05:18 "From Fugitive to Mentor"

06:53 From Teacher to Education Leader

10:52 Teacher Retention Crisis in Texas

13:38 School Budget Challenges and Constraints

18:01 Inconsistent Educational Leadership Decisions

20:21 Boosting Branding Through Community Involvement

24:45 Memorable Interactions in Education

26:04 Adaptive Leadership Communication Strategies

30:39 Collaborative Peer Mentorship Approach

33:01 Empowering Teachers Through Manageable Class Sizes

41:00 Administrative Triumph and Contract Renewal

43:39 "Empowering Educators through Autonomy"

Connect with Dr. Albert Lee Byrom

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/albert-lee-byrom-ed-d-3543219a 

Website: https://www.pothisd.us/ 

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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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