Ep 109 — If You Add Something New, You Must Remove Something with Allison Rodman

More initiatives won’t fix burnout if the real problem is overload. We sit down with returning guest Allison Rodman, founder of The Learning Loop (https://www.thelearningloop.com/) and author of Still Learning (https://www.thelearningloop.com/publi...) , to talk about what schools can do when student needs keep rising and educator capacity keeps shrinking. The centerpiece is simple and hard: if we add a new focus, we have to take something away, and we have to be brave enough to decide what is a want versus a need. We also dig into why change feels so messy between teachers and school leaders and how to stop the constant ping pong. Allison shares what she sees working in districts that redesign systems like observation and evaluation practices: bring mixed role groups to the table early, set norms for growth instead of judgment, and make the conversation transparent from the start. Then we zoom out to professional development and instructional coaching, exploring how to design professional learning that matches real needs using student data, teacher survey data, and observation evidence, plus a practical “learning loop” that helps new learning actually land in team practice. Finally, we get specific about AI in education. Allison explains how she uses an AI tool as an accountability mirror by feeding it authentic goals and reflections, and why context, privacy, and professional judgment still matter. If you are trying to simplify school systems, protect teacher wellness, and keep the focus on what matters most for students, this one will help you reset. Subscribe for more minimalist education conversations, share this with a colleague who is drowning in “one more thing,” and leave a review so more educators can find the show. Send us Fan Mail (https://www.buzzsprout.com/2189953/fa...) Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/2189953/su...)  Find our book The Minimalist Teacher (https://a.co/d/fmS6LwN)   and Your School Leadership Edit: A Minimalist Approach to Rethinking Your School's Ecosystem (https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/m...) at the links! Follow on Instagram (  / planzpls  ) @PlanZEducation and @minimalist_ed_podcast. The Minimalist Educator Podcast is a Plan Z Education Services (https://planzeducation.com/resources) adventure.