PMP425: The Power of Engagement with Dr. Kenny Rodrequez

A quick note to listeners: 

Before this week’s interview, Jen Schwanke and Will Parker answered a listener question in a 5-minute response. 

The question is: How do you handle the tendency to catastrophize, which can drain energy and focus?

Listen in for our response and thank you for doing what matters!

Meet Kenny Rodrequez

Dr. Kenny Rodrequez became Superintendent of the Grandview C-4 School District in July 2016. Before this role, he was the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction for two years, overseeing K-12 curriculum programs and leading all schools in the district. Dr. Rodrequez has a diverse career, starting as a music educator for 8 years, and then moving into school administration over a decade ago, serving as assistant principal, principal, director, and assistant superintendent. He was also named the 2024 Missouri Superintendent of the Year by the Missouri Association of School Administrators (MASA).

In this week’s interview, we kicked off by talking about some of our mutual connections in the field, including Dr. Keith Ballard, an Oklahoma legend in school leadership. We also discussed our mutual collaboration with Matt Wenzel from LebraHQ.com, a podcast sponsor. LebraHQ provides helpful tools that Kenny uses for engagement and communication.

When I asked him about his work in the Grandview C-4 School District, Kenny shared how he focuses on engagement and relationship-building, especially through social-emotional support initiatives. For example, he developed screenings for third-to-fifth-graders and worked on expanding the staff’s cultural competence to create stronger bonds within the school community. He emphasized how essential it is to hold meaningful conversations about race and backgrounds to build those relationships.

Kenny and I also dove into how he navigated the challenges of the pandemic, which included supporting curriculum development and maintaining student engagement. These efforts ultimately helped Grandview C-4 surpass academic goals in 2022 and strengthen their strategic position for the future.

We touched on leadership consistency, too. Kenny’s commitment as superintendent has brought continuity to the district even with changes in the school board. He explained how his style of connecting one-on-one, whether with staff, students, or parents, has its roots in his experiences as a waiter, band director, and administrator. He even gave a great example of using LebraHQ.com to stay in touch with over 650 employees by acknowledging birthdays and achievements—though he’s always sure to personalize each message.

Wrapping up, Kenny offered advice for new leaders: take time to reflect, keep a journal, and think long-term. He recommends a three-year approach to new roles—focus on relationship-building in year one, make changes in year two, and see the impact by year three.

To connect with Dr. Kenny Rodrequez, you can find him on X (Twitter) at @KRodrequez or reach out via email at kenny.rodrequez@grandviewc4.net, or visit his district’s website at grandviewc4.net

Thank you for being a part of Principal Matters and for doing what matters!

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William D. Parker
William D. Parker