This week we’re sitting down with someone who has walked the walk for nearly four decades: Terrie Morgan, 2024 Kentucky Superintendent of the Year and a truly humble, student-centered leader from Hardin County Schools.
Terrie brings warmth, honesty, and hard-earned wisdom from 36 years of service – and she doesn’t hold back. If you care about leading with heart and systems-level clarity, this is an episode you’ll want to save and share.
🌟 Here are some standout lessons you’ll hear:
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Put Students First – Every Time. Terrie’s guiding question: Can I defend this as best for kids? It shaped everything from sibling placement to trauma-informed decisions under the McKinney-Vento Act.
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Spot the Systemic Ripples. Missing staff input on a PreK–8 center created community “angst.” Terrie talks candidly about what she learned, and how leaders can avoid preventable unintended consequences.
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Communication is a System. Terrie starts with the Board and “boots on the road” (teachers, principals, staff) at the same time. Everyone deserves to feel informed and valued.
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Include All Stakeholders. Bus drivers, custodians, facilities teams (everyone!) needs to be in the loop, especially when it comes to safety channels and emergency communication.
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Model What Learning Looks Like. Terrie draws a sharp distinction between “not knowing yet” and “choosing not to learn.” Humility is the foundation of leadership growth.
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Plan, Check, Adjust. Repeat. Instead of a static strategic plan, she uses a scorecard and 45-day action cycles to stay responsive to students’ real needs.
Terrie offers a masterclass in leading with humility while keeping your fiscal, human, and systemic responsibilities aligned. It’s real talk from a real leader.
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Follow Host Peter Stiepleman on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-stiepleman-76004819a/ Website: https://imperfectleader.com/
YouTube (video of conversation):
https://www.youtube.com/@animperfectleaderleadershi5144/featured
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animperfectleader/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@animperfectleader
Follow Co-host Jamie Almanzán on:
Connect with APC Leadership Collaborative for support in navigating complex leadership situations: https://www.apccollab.com
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An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by Yondr.
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The Mosaic Project, one of our favorite organizations, has over 25 years of experience empowering students to celebrate differences, communicate assertively, and resolve conflicts peacefully at their outdoor school. Their innovative SEL curriculum is now available to An Imperfect Leader listeners at a 10% discount through their new documentary film-based Mosaic Classroom Project!
The Project’s ready-to-use lesson plans include film, original music, “gametivities”, and real conversations. We’re proud to partner with The Mosaic Project in helping educators build inclusive, peaceful learning communities! Just mention An Imperfect Leader during the onboarding process to receive the 10% discount.
Learn more about The Mosaic Classroom Project.
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Think differently. Think in systems. Reach out to The Waters Center for Systems Thinking to learn more about how systems thinking capacity building can strengthen your team and organization.
Homepage: http://www.waterscenterst.org
Thinking Tools Studio: https://thinkingtoolsstudio.waterscenterst.org
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An Imperfect Leader: Leadership in (After) Action is supported by ILAA, LLC, a firm dedicated to supporting aspiring, new, and established leaders. For more information, please find them at imperfectleader.com.
Music for An Imperfect Leader was written and arranged by Ian Varley.
Sam Falbo created our artwork, a wood-print inspired daruma doll butterfly.