Leadership Laps
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.
Leadership Laps
Building from the Ground Up w/Principal Josh Cooley
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In this episode of Leadership Laps, we sit down with Josh Cooley, Principal of Aurora Highlands P-8, who brings a unique perspective to educational leadership as someone who opened a brand new school from scratch. Josh has extensive leadership experience from within APS as well as outside the district. He shares his journey from high school administration to guiding students from preschool through eighth grade. He discusses the rare opportunity of having a 'year zero' planning year, the challenges and rewards of building school culture and community systems from the ground up, and leading in one of Aurora's fastest-developing areas. His story offers valuable insights for leaders navigating startup environments, building new traditions, and adapting leadership skills across vastly different age groups.