Tell Me: Episode #8 Jimmy Casas: How to Pause and Be A Merchant of Hope To Others

In times of social distancing, how do we both retain and  maintain the relationships and the culture of positivity, mentorship and leadership we have worked so hard to cultivate and develop in our classrooms and beyond?

Jimmy Casas believes it comes down to our Core Values.  The foundation that makes up the  core values upon which our relationships are based shouldn't change regardless of whether we are engaging with students and parents in a bricks and mortar building or on the sidewalk or driveways of our student's homes.  With a little resourcefulness, while one can't replace the other, both can be just as effective.

In Chapter Five of Culturize, one of his six best-selling books, Jimmy Casas discusses what it means to be a merchant of hope. This is a teacher or administrator who supports, inspires, and believes in all students (especially those who are struggling to see the hope themselves).  Moreover, he says that we are all "directors of first impressions" and every one of us has something to contribute, no matter our age or background, to our students, peers and most of all, each other.

Walk with us as he shares fascinating and touching personal stories of the human spirit...learn about those he has had the privilege and honor of mentoring, and those special Power of One Merchants of Hope who have paused along the way to mentor him. 

Jimmy Casas served twenty-two years as a school leader, including fourteen years as Principal at Bettendorf High School. Under his leadership, Bettendorf was named one of the Best High Schools in the country three times by Newsweek and US News & World Report. 

Jimmy was named the 2012 Iowa Secondary Principal of the Year and was selected as one of three finalists for NASSP 2013 National Secondary Principal of the Year. In 2014, Jimmy was invited to the White House to speak on the Future Ready Schools pledge. Jimmy is also the author of six books, “What Connected Educators Do Differently,” “Start. Right. Now. - Teach and Lead for Excellence,” the best-selling book “Culturize – Every Student. Every Day. Whatever it Takes,” “Stop. Right. Now. – The 39 Stops to Making Schools Better,” Live Your Excellence: Bring Your Best Self to School Every Day and his latest release, “Daily Inspiration for Educators – Positive Thoughts for Every Day of the Year.”

Finally, Jimmy is the owner and CEO of J Casas & Associates, an educational leadership company aimed at organizing and providing world class professional coaching and learning services for educators across the country.

If you would like to contact Jimmy, he can be reached through his website at https://www.jimmycasas.com.  You can follow him on Twitter https://twitter.com/casas_jimmy and on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JCasasandAssociates.

Our show would not be possible without Hardenbergh Insurance Group (HIG).  Hardenbergh is a family owned and operated company tat truly walks the talk in terms of their commitment to their community.  That being said, they have been kind enough to sponsor our series which we hope will continue to inspire many to reach out and make a difference in the lives of others.  From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU.  HIG is a full-service risk management firm servicing the Philadelphia Region (although conducting business across the country).  HIG specializes in Business along with Group Medical Insurance.  For more information on what they can do for your business and personal needs, you can find them on their website at https://www.hig.net or by calling 856.489.9100.

I would also be remiss if I didn't give a huge shout out to my son, Liam Graham, fo