Leading the Way - March 12, 2026

Leading Moments From Across the District

Developing the Next Generation of Educational Leaders

It was an honor and a pleasure presenting at the BASA Emerging Leaders Conference alongside an outstanding group of former superintendents and experienced school leaders who continue to invest in the next generation of educational leadership.

This year’s cohort included over four dozen educators committed to growing in their own leadership so they can make a lasting impact on the students, staff, and communities they serve. Throughout the day, the conversations reinforced a powerful message: effective leadership is essential for the future of our schools. Sessions focused on building trust, connecting the 4 Essential Roles of Leadership with the 7 Habits framework, and modeling the professional behaviors that strengthen our organizations.

Through my session, “Turning Strategy into Practice: Aligning Systems, Priorities, and Ideas into Action,” we explored how leadership must move beyond vision statements and strategic plans and into the daily practices that shape culture, experiences, and outcomes for students and staff. We discussed how strong systems focus not only on what students achieve but also on who they become, and how leadership development must be intentionally embedded across the entire K–12 experience rather than treated as a single initiative.

When districts intentionally align their mission, vision, and core beliefs with the work happening in classrooms, professional learning, and student experiences, leadership becomes part of the organization’s operating system.

The result is stronger culture, clearer priorities, and greater impact for students and staff. It was an honor to learn and collaborate with a group of leaders so dedicated to growing themselves in order to serve and elevate others.

Flexing our Leadership Muscles Together So We Can be Better Leaders and Role Models for our Students and Staff!

This past week, another group of incredible Brave Teacher Leaders became Leadership Excellence Certified! This two day workshop provided our team with dedicated time and space to deeply explore the 5 Exemplary Practices of Effective Leadership. Through purposeful conversation, guided self-assessment, and moments of quiet reflection, staff members were able to examine their own leadership philosophies, celebrating strengths while identifying meaningful areas for growth.

The time spent together reinforced the idea that leadership is an ongoing journey, one that requires intentional reflection and a commitment to continuous improvement. By engaging in thoughtful dialogue and personal reflection, participants strengthened their sense of self-awareness and ownership, recognizing the impact their leadership has not only on students, but on colleagues and the broader school community.

This shared experience supported our collective growth as leaders, mirroring the same intentional development we strive to provide for our students every day. Ultimately, the workshop helped build greater personal ownership, clarity of purpose, and a renewed commitment to leading with integrity, collaboration, and care, for one another and for every student we serve.

Incredible Opportunities Right Here in Our Backyard!

Last Thursday, our students had the incredible opportunity to visit Fifth Third Bank’s headquarters, thanks to the generosity of Dan Feldmann, President of the Greater Cincinnati Region and IH Parent. Experiencing the inner workings of a Fortune 500 company firsthand, from the technology and multimedia design teams to the Fifth Third museum, cash vault, and lockbox operations, gave students a powerful perspective that simply can’t be replicated in the classroom.

The visit helped students see the scale, innovation, and impact of work happening right here in Cincinnati. It served as an important reminder that world-class career opportunities don’t only exist on the coasts, many of them are happening in our own community, with organizations driving meaningful innovation and growth.

Equally impactful was the candid advice shared by the Fifth Third team about what truly drives long-term success. They emphasized the importance of teamwork over ego, maintaining curiosity and a willingness to learn, understanding the “why” behind solutions, and intentionally building a personal brand early in one’s career. These insights gave students a clearer picture of the mindset and skills that will help them thrive in the professional world.

SAVE THE DATE

IH Big Pitch: Where Student Innovation Takes Center Stage

Get ready for one of the most exciting nights of the year at Indian Hill High School! The IH Big Pitch is a high-energy, community-wide event where entrepreneurship, leadership, creativity, and a little “Shark Tank” excitement collide.

On Tuesday, March 24th from 6:00–8:00 PM, the entire IH community is invited to watch as Indian Hill High School students step onto the stage to pitch bold ideas designed to make our school, our community, and the student experience even better.

Rooted in the design thinking process, Big Pitch challenges our Braves to identify real needs, develop innovative solutions, and present their ideas to a panel of respected community leaders and professionals. After weeks of preparation, collaboration, and refinement, the top student teams advance to the Big Pitch Finale, where they will present their concepts in front of a live audience and expert judges.

The stakes are real. Through the generous support of the Indian Hill Foundation, winning teams have received thousands of dollars in seed funding to turn their ideas into reality, many of which have already begun making a meaningful impact across Indian Hill.

Expect an evening filled with:

Inspiring student innovation

Dynamic live pitches

Real-time feedback from community leaders

Big ideas with the potential to shape the future of Indian Hill

This event is not just a competition, it’s a celebration of student leadership, creativity, and the power of community support. Whether you're a parent, student, educator, or community member, you’re invited to be part of the energy and excitement as the next generation of innovators takes the stage.

Come support our Braves, hear incredible ideas, and witness firsthand how student leadership and entrepreneurial thinking are helping shape the future of Indian Hill. The event will take place in the Sue Harder Memorial Performings Arts Center!

Join us for the IH Big Pitch Finale on March 24th and see what happens when big ideas meet big opportunity. ALL are Welcome!

Jeff Damadeo, Director of K-12 Leadership & Career Development

Jeff.Damadeo@ihsd.us

Twitter: @indianhillEC

My #IHPromise - to work tirelessly for our students, providing them with the most exceptional educational opportunities & experiences to help ensure that they develop into outstanding academic students and future ready individuals!