Realigning Education for Those Who Still Care: With Rob Macleod

📝 Episodic Synopsis

In this powerful conversation, Rob McLeod—educator, podcaster, and author of the forthcoming book Schools That Give a F—joins Joey to unpack the hidden forces that shape educational systems. From his international teaching experience to his deep dives into school culture and leadership, Rob explores how misalignment in values can lead to burnout, and how understanding the "types" of schools—Expert, Coach, Counselor, and Facilitator—can help educators reclaim purpose and direction. Whether you’re a first-year teacher or a veteran leader, this episode offers an actionable roadmap to find meaning and sustainability in your educational journey.

📚 Show Notes / Highlights

• Rob's journey: From rural Canada to international schools in Germany and Belgium.
• The origin story of his podcast and book, Schools That Give a F.
• Breakdown of the 4 school archetypes: Expert, Coach, Counselor, and the emerging Facilitator.
• How educators can use these archetypes to identify the environments where they thrive.
• The concept of alignment vs. misalignment in school culture and why it’s central to burnout and disengagement.
• Rob’s “Four Dimensions of a School”: Organizational, Relational, Actionable, and Personal.
• A helpful metaphor: The Blind Men and the Elephant Poem PDF
• The educator’s arc: from passion to disillusionment—and the possibility of renewal.
• Why passionate educators are afraid of schools that "don’t give an F"—and what to do about it.
• How systems thinking, integral theory, and school leadership intersect to create (or destroy) meaningful educational spaces.
• Bonus resources: Check out Reinventing Education Podcast episode #124 for a deeper dive.

🎧 Listen to more from Rob:

• Episode 124: Unpacking the 3 Types of Schools
• Full Reinventing Education Podcast 📖 Preorder or support the book: Schools That Give a F on Kickstarter