Leadership Laps
Podcast Description
Leadership Laps explores the journeys and stories of educational leaders within Aurora Public Schools, Colorado's most diverse school district. Like a marathon, leadership requires training, perseverance, and a long-term vision. In each episode, we'll hear from those who are helping guide our district toward #DestinationAPS, sharing their personal stories, challenges overcome, leadership lessons learned, and what keeps them motivated along the way. From superintendents to principals, district leaders to classroom innovators, these conversations reveal the passion, purpose, and people behind APS's commitment to excellence. Join us as we discover how these educational leaders pace themselves through the leadership marathon while creating positive change for our 40,000 students from 130 countries of origin.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on themes such as leadership journeys, community impact, and educational innovation, with episodes covering topics like the unique challenges faced by school leaders, the implementation of project-based learning, and strategies for building strong school communities, exemplified by episodes featuring diverse leaders discussing their roots, successes, and philosophies.
Leadership Laps explores the journeys and stories of educational leaders within Aurora Public Schools, Colorado’s most diverse school district. Like a marathon, leadership requires training, perseverance, and a long-term vision. In each episode, we’ll hear from those who are helping guide our district toward #DestinationAPS, sharing their personal stories, challenges overcome, leadership lessons learned, and what keeps them motivated along the way. From superintendents to principals, district leaders to classroom innovators, these conversations reveal the passion, purpose, and people behind APS’s commitment to excellence. Join us as we discover how these educational leaders pace themselves through the leadership marathon while creating positive change for our 40,000 students from 130 countries of origin.
In this special edition of Leadership Laps, host Jesús Rodríguez shares insights from an unrecorded conversation with Dr. Kelsey Haddock, Principal of Aurora Quest K-8. Despite technical difficulties preventing the planned interview, Jesús reflects on the valuable leadership lessons learned from their discussion.
For eight years, Dr. Haddock has led Aurora Quest to become the most diverse, highest-performing school in Colorado. Jesús explores how her leadership creates conditions where both staff and students thrive in an environment focused on access, opportunity, and growth rather than gatekeeping. From her journey into education sparked by a life-changing book to her approach to nurturing the whole child, Kelsey's story demonstrates how deep commitment translates to educational excellence.
The episode highlights the unique aspects of K-8 leadership, the importance of balancing equity with gifted education, and Kelsey's personal touchstones – from punk music to Brené Brown's work on vulnerability and courage. Whether you're an aspiring school leader or interested in how excellence can be sustained through connection, this reflective conversation offers valuable perspective on what's possible when leadership centers both achievement and belonging.
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