🎯 The Ruckus Report Quick take: What happens when two rival schools — with decades of “us vs. them” history — are forced to become one? Derek Cantrell didn’t just merge Alleghany and Covington into a single high school. He built a “Better Together” culture while weaving in AI tools that are reshaping instruction and leadership. This episode is a blueprint for rethinking school culture in the age of disruption. 🤝 Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Derek Cantrell is the principal of Alleghany High School, where he led the merger of two rival schools into one unified community through a “Better Together” culture. Alongside culture-building, he integrates AI-driven tools like custom chatbots and Julius AI to streamline leadership tasks and improve instruction. Derek is redefining school leadership by honoring tradition while embracing innovation. 🔨 Breaking Down the Old Rules In this episode, Derek Cantrell challenges traditional education paradigms: 🧠 Key Insight #1: Culture eats consolidation for breakfast. <ul> <li>What’s broken: Forced mergers often leave communities divided, with morale and identity lost.</li> <li>The shift: Derek built a roadmap of intentional relationship-building — open houses, student forums, teacher mingles, and community events like cornhole nights and bonfires.</li> <li>Impact: Instead of resentment, Alleghany High became a place where rival traditions fused into a proud new identity.</li> </ul> 🧠 Key Insight #2: Data disaggregation doesn’t have to take weeks. <ul> <li>What’s broken: Teachers drowning in endless spreadsheets and meetings just to analyze test scores.</li> <li>The shift: Julius AI and custom chatbots cut through the noise, turning state test data into actionable two-page reports per strand.</li> <li>Impact: Teachers save time, get clarity, and can focus on engaging instruction — not manual number-crunching.</li> </ul> 🧠 Key Insight #3: AI can make learning more relevant — and fun. <ul> <li>What’s broken: Lesson plans that feel stuck in the past, disconnected from students’ real-world experiences.</li> <li>The shift: Teachers plug lessons into Derek’s bots to generate hooks, engagement strategies, and real-world applications.</li> <li>Impact: Students see math, science, and core subjects through a lens that matters to them, boosting both interest and outcomes.</li> </ul> Quotable Ruckus "Culture doesn’t happen by accident. Lead it, shape it, and live it every day."                   – Derek Cantrell 📌 Your Do School Different Challenge Ready to implement these ideas? Start here: <ul> <li>Tomorrow: Ask students and staff one simple question: What excites you, and what concerns you? Use the answers to guide your next decision.</li> <li>This Month: Build a small win — repaint lockers, host a community night, or launch a mini-podcast — and celebrate it loudly.</li> <li>This Semester: Experiment with AI tools (like Julius or a custom GPT) to cut down on data drudgery and make lessons more engaging.</li> </ul> Connect & Continue 🎯 Get the full episode transcript <a href= "https://www.notion.so/Rethinking-School-Culture-with-Derek-Cantrell-and-AI-271229bf615380a98114e810a63876c7?pvs=21"> here</a> 🔗 Follow Derek Cantrell: <ul> <li>Website: <a href= "https://www.ahps.k12.va.us/">https://www.ahps.k12.va.us/</a></li> <li>Twitter/ X: <a href= "https://twitter.com/Derekcatch19">X/Twitter</a></li> <li>LinkedIn: <a href= "http://linkedin.com/in/derek-cantrell-b4242318a">LinkedIn</a></li> <li>Email: <a href= "mailto:Derek.Cantrell@ahps.k12.va.us">Email</a></li> </ul> 📣 Ruckus Makers Don’t Just Listen — They Act If education ain’t a bit disruptive, then what are your students really learning? This show isn’t about doing school better. It’s about Doing School Different — and joining a growing movement of bold, creative school leaders who reject legacy models and reimagine what’s possible. 🧠 Here are four ways we can help you on your Do School Different journey: <ul> <li> 📬 Subscribe to the Free Newsletter Tools, mindset shifts, and strategies that actually work — delivered 3x/week. → <a href= "https://ruckusmakers.news/subscribe">ruckusmakers.news</a> </li> <li> 🗞 Read Ruckus Makers on Substack Premium leadership insights, AI prompts & GPTs, early access to new books. → <a href= "https://ruckusmakers.media">ruckusmakers.media</a> </li> <li> 💥 Join the Ruckus Maker Club Private network + workshops, AI Prompt Library, and more. → <a href="https://ruckusmakers.club/">ruckusmakers.club</a> </li> </ul> <ul> <li> 🧨 Apply to the Mastermind Weekly coaching + peer mentorship using the Ruckus Maker Flywheel. → <a href= "https://www.betterleadersbetterschools.com/mastermind-application"> betterleadersbetterschools.com/mastermind-application</a> </li> </ul> 🎙 Today’s RUCKUS cast in Partnership With: ODP Business Solutions®  Looking to create the kind of campus experience students never forget? <a class= "notion-link-token notion-focusable-token notion-enable-hover" tabindex="0" href="http://odpbusiness.com/education" rel= "noopener noreferrer" data-token-index="1">ODP Business Solutions®</a> transforms ordinary spaces into extraordinary learning environments. Visit <a href= "http://odpbusiness.com/education">odpbusiness.com/education</a> and let's Do School Different. IXL Over 1 million teachers rely on <a href= "http://ixl.com/leaders">IXL</a> because it is empowering, it helps them make better decisions with reliable data, and it adapts instruction based on student performance. Get started today at <a href= "http://ixl.com/leaders">ixl.com/leaders </a> PLAY PIPER Kids love gaming and computers, but are disengaged from Math and Science at school. Play Piper changes that with hands-on STEM kits and a coding curriculum. Learn more at <a href= "http://playpiper.com/">playpiper.com</a> Twelve Practices LLC © 2025 | If Education Ain’t a Bit Disruptive, Then What Are Your Students Learning?

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