Terry Grier's guest appearances

Terry Grier

Getting Smart Podcast

The Ripple Effect Podcast with Steve Harper

Jo Boaler

Keller Williams

Diane Tavenner

Sal Khan

Angela Duckworth

Greg Smith

Abby Falik

Ed Hess

Paul Johnson

Esther Wojcicki

Michael Horn

Glenn Frey

Gregory Diehl

Ryan Craig

David Price

OwlTail

This week, Tom is speaking with Terry Grier! Terry is known as America’s Superintendent coach and was a big district superintendent for over 20 years in four different states. He made Houston the best big urban district in the country. And as Tom says, has done more to develop educational talent than anyone in history! But, his most important legacy is that, to-date, 81 women and men who have worked for him have gone on to lead school districts themselves.   In this episode, Terry takes listeners through his journey in each of these large systems he led and recounts some of his biggest leadership lessons from each of them. Tom and Terry also discuss his hiring philosophy, the keys to developing talent, and some of his proudest moments during his time in education.   Key Takeaways: [:14] About today’s episode! [:42] Tom welcomes Terry on to the podcast! [:51] Terry speaks about where he went to high school. [1:19] When and why did Terry decide to become a biology teacher? [2:52] After teaching, when and why did Terry decide to lead a school and then a system? [5:52] Terry recounts his time as Superintendent of Williamson County Schools from ’96 to 2000. [10:17] Tom and Terry speak about a prominent figure in education, Cecilia "CeCe" Cunningham. [10:51] Tom and Terry reiterate the lessons learned from Williamson County Schools. [12:40] Terry speaks about his time spent as Superintendent at Guilford County Schools in North Carolina from 2000-2008 and shares some of the lessons that he learned. [16:10] Next up in Terry’s superintendent journey, he speaks about his time leading the San Diego Unified School District, and recalls the challenges he faced and the lessons learned. [8:27] In his last role as superintendent, Terry reflects on his time spent at Houston ISD and shares some of the lessons that he learned. [24:21] Terry and Tom discuss the change of Houston state taking over Houston ISD. [28:11] Terry elaborates on his hiring philosophy; what it is that he looks for when he’s trying to hire someone in a leadership role in a district. [36:17] Terry speaks about his ‘talent first’ approach in hiring. [39:42] Terry speaks about what he is most proud of during his time in education: the 81 women and men who have worked for him that have gone on to lead school districts for themselves. [42:29] Tom thanks Terry for joining the podcast!   Mentioned in This Episode: Terry Grier  Williamson  County  Schools  Cecilia  "CeCe"  Cunningham Guilford County Schools San Diego Unified School District Houston Independent School District (Houston ISD)  Terry  Grier’s  Twitter: @TGrierHISD Union County Public Schools Spring Independent School District (Spring ISD)   Want to Learn More? Listen to Getting Smart Ep. 218:  “Michael  Hinojosa  on  Making  Dallas  Schools  Work”   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the  Getting  Smart  Podcast  on  iTunes, leave a review and subscribe.   Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include ‘Podcast’ in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!

This week, Tom is speaking with Terry Grier! Terry is known as America’s Superintendent coach and was a big district superintendent for over 20 years in four different states. He made Houston the best big urban district in the country. And as Tom says, has done more to develop educational talent than anyone in history! But, his most important legacy is that, to-date, 81 women and men who have worked for him have gone on to lead school districts themselves. In this episode, Terry takes listeners through his journey in each of these large systems he led and recounts some of his biggest leadership lessons from each of them. Tom and Terry also discuss his hiring philosophy, the keys to developing talent, and some of his proudest moments during his time in education. Key Takeaways: [:14] About today’s episode! [:42] Tom welcomes Terry on to the podcast! [:51] Terry speaks about where he went to high school. [1:19] When and why did Terry decide to become a biology teacher? [2:52] After teaching, when and why did Terry decide to lead a school and then a system? [5:52] Terry recounts his time as Superintendent of Williamson County Schools from ’96 to 2000. [10:17] Tom and Terry speak about a prominent figure in education, Cecilia "CeCe" Cunningham. [10:51] Tom and Terry reiterate the lessons learned from Williamson County Schools. [12:40] Terry speaks about his time spent as Superintendent at Guilford County Schools in North Carolina from 2000-2008 and shares some of the lessons that he learned. [16:10] Next up in Terry’s superintendent journey, he speaks about his time leading the San Diego Unified School District, and recalls the challenges he faced and the lessons learned. [8:27] In his last role as superintendent, Terry reflects on his time spent at Houston ISD and shares some of the lessons that he learned. [24:21] Terry and Tom discuss the change of Houston state taking over Houston ISD. [28:11] Terry elaborates on his hiring philosophy; what it is that he looks for when he’s trying to hire someone in a leadership role in a district. [36:17] Terry speaks about his ‘talent first’ approach in hiring. [39:42] Terry speaks about what he is most proud of during his time in education: the 81 women and men who have worked for him that have gone on to lead school districts for themselves. [42:29] Tom thanks Terry for joining the podcast! Mentioned in This Episode: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Grier_(superintendent)" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Terry</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Grier_(superintendent)" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Grier</a> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/williamson-county-schools/?originalSubdomain=ca" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Williamson</a> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/williamson-county-schools/?originalSubdomain=ca" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> County</a> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/williamson-county-schools/?originalSubdomain=ca" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Schools</a> <a href="https://eochorg.wordpress.com/caritas-award-2/cecelia-cece-cunningham/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Cecilia</a> <a href="https://eochorg.wordpress.com/caritas-award-2/cecelia-cece-cunningham/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> "</a><a href="https://eochorg.wordpress.com/caritas-award-2/cecelia-cece-cunningham/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CeCe</a><a href="https://eochorg.wordpress.com/caritas-award-2/cecelia-cece-cunningham/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">"</a> <a href="https://eochorg.wordpress.com/caritas-award-2/cecelia-cece-cunningham/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Cunningham</a> <a href="https://www.gcsnc.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Guilford</a> <a href="https://www.gcsnc.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">County</a> <a href="https://www.gcsnc.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Schools</a> <a href="https://www.sandiegounified.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">San</a> <a href="https://www.sandiegounified.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Diego</a> <a href="https://www.sandiegounified.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Unified</a> <a href="https://www.sandiegounified.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">School</a> <a href="https://www.sandiegounified.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">District</a> <a href="https://www.houstonisd.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Houston</a> <a href="https://www.houstonisd.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Independent</a> <a href="https://www.houstonisd.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">School</a> <a href="https://www.houstonisd.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">District</a> <a href="https://www.houstonisd.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">(</a><a href="https://www.houstonisd.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Houston</a> <a href="https://www.houstonisd.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ISD</a><a href="https://www.houstonisd.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">)</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/tgrierhisd?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Terry</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/tgrierhisd?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Grier</a><a href="https://twitter.com/tgrierhisd?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">’</a><a href="https://twitter.com/tgrierhisd?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">s</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/tgrierhisd?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Twitter</a><a href="https://twitter.com/tgrierhisd?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">: @</a><a href="https://twitter.com/tgrierhisd?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TGrierHISD</a> <a href="https://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Union</a> <a href="https://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">County</a> <a href="https://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Public</a> <a href="https://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Schools</a> <a href="https://www.springisd.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Spring</a> <a href="https://www.springisd.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Independent</a> <a href="https://www.springisd.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">School</a> <a href="https://www.springisd.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">District</a> <a href="https://www.springisd.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">(</a><a href="https://www.springisd.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Spring</a> <a href="https://www.springisd.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ISD</a><a href="https://www.springisd.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">)</a> Want to Learn More? Listen to Getting Smart Ep. 218: <a href="https://www.gettingsmart.com/2019/08/podcast-michael-hinojosa-on-making-dallas-schools-work/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> “</a><a href="https://www.gettingsmart.com/2019/08/podcast-michael-hinojosa-on-making-dallas-schools-work/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Michael</a> <a href="https://www.gettingsmart.com/2019/08/podcast-michael-hinojosa-on-making-dallas-schools-work/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Hinojosa</a> <a href="https://www.gettingsmart.com/2019/08/podcast-michael-hinojosa-on-making-dallas-schools-work/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> on</a> <a href="https://www.gettingsmart.com/2019/08/podcast-michael-hinojosa-on-making-dallas-schools-work/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Making</a> <a href="https://www.gettingsmart.com/2019/08/podcast-michael-hinojosa-on-making-dallas-schools-work/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Dallas</a> <a href="https://www.gettingsmart.com/2019/08/podcast-michael-hinojosa-on-making-dallas-schools-work/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Schools</a> <a href="https://www.gettingsmart.com/2019/08/podcast-michael-hinojosa-on-making-dallas-schools-work/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Work</a><a href="https://www.gettingsmart.com/2019/08/podcast-michael-hinojosa-on-making-dallas-schools-work/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">”</a> Get Involved: Check out the blog at <a href="http://www.gettingsmart.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">GettingSmart</a><a href="http://www.gettingsmart.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">.</a><a href="http://www.gettingsmart.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">com</a>. Find the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/getting-smart-podcast/id1017984086?mt=2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Getting</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/getting-smart-podcast/id1017984086?mt=2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Smart</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/getting-smart-podcast/id1017984086?mt=2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Podcast</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/getting-smart-podcast/id1017984086?mt=2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> on</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/getting-smart-podcast/id1017984086?mt=2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> iTunes</a>, leave a review and subscribe. Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email <a href="mailto:Editor@GettingSmart.com">Editor</a><a href="mailto:Editor@GettingSmart.com">@</a><a href="mailto:Editor@GettingSmart.com">GettingSmart</a><a href="mailto:Editor@GettingSmart.com">.</a><a href="mailto:Editor@GettingSmart.com">com</a> and include ‘Podcast’ in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!

234 - Terry Grier on Developing More than 80 System Leaders

In this episode Steve interviews "damn nice guy" Terry Grier. Terry is an inspiring, motivational guy that has leveraged the power of career pivot and following his passion to discover he has always been an entrepreneur at heart. Learn how Terry manages his day using a Bullet Journal and merges a digital and analog strategy for staying focused. Also why negotiating with his wife actually led to developing a committed strategy for discovering his entrepreneurial   success.

In this episode Steve interviews "damn nice guy" Terry Grier. Terry is an inspiring, motivational guy that has leveraged the power of career pivot and following his passion to discover he has always been an entrepreneur at heart. Learn how Terry manages his day using a Bullet Journal and merges a digital and analog strategy for staying focused. Also why negotiating with his wife actually led to developing a committed strategy for discovering his entrepreneurial   success.

Terry Grier Career Pivot + Bullet Journal + Entrepreneurial Passion