Kids First, Always: How Rusty Taylor Is Aligning Lakeland for Success
In today’s episode, host Nate Lichte sits down with Rusty Taylor, Superintendent of Lakeland Joint School District (ID). New to the role yet seasoned across nearly every seat in a school system, Rusty shares how he’s centering relationships, aligning teams, and rebuilding momentum with a simple north star: kids first.
From launching a districtwide TRUST statement (Trust, Respect, Unify, Succeed, Transparency) to empowering principals and elevating classified staff, Rusty explains how clear expectations and consistent presence can transform culture and performance.
Nate and Rusty also explore turning strategy into action, connecting ambitious goals to everyday behaviors, and using data with heart while modeling the work that inspires teams to follow.
Timestamps
00:00 Welcome and why service work shapes servant leadership
00:39 Path to Lakeland and “read and react” leadership in the first months
04:04 From hospitality to education and what skills transferred
08:01 Early classroom lessons, coaching, and learning from losses
11:18 Reading district culture and context after leadership transitions
14:28 Building the TRUST framework and defining each element
18:55 Principals as culture carriers and speaking a common language
21:38 Strategy into practice, district support, empowerment, and classified staff
27:33 Competitive goals, data use, and continuous improvement
41:16 Leadership legacy, advice for aspiring superintendents
Timestamps
00:00 Welcome and why service work shapes servant leadership
00:39 Path to Lakeland and “read and react” leadership in the first months
04:04 From hospitality to education and what skills transferred
08:01 Early classroom lessons, coaching, and learning from losses
11:18 Reading district culture and context after leadership transitions
14:28 Building the TRUST framework and defining each element
18:55 Principals as culture carriers and speaking a common language
21:38 Strategy into practice, district support, empowerment, and classified staff
27:33 Competitive goals, data use, and continuous improvement
41:16 Leadership legacy, advice for aspiring superintendents
Why You’ll Love This Episode
If you’re a district leader focused on culture, clarity, and execution, Rusty’s approach offers practical guidance. You’ll hear how a simple shared framework anchors behavior, why presence and relationships matter, and how to connect big goals to meaningful daily action. It’s a grounded, optimistic blueprint for building a district where students thrive because the adults align.
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Nate Lichte LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-lichte/
Lebra Website: https://www.lebrahq.com/
Lebra LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lebrahq
Nate Lichte LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-lichte/
Lebra Website: https://www.lebrahq.com/
Lebra LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lebrahq
About Lebra Podcast
The Lebra Podcast is where host Nate Lichte speaks with education leaders and innovators about the future of schools, uncovering stories and strategies that create meaningful impact.
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