(VIDEO) Winning Screen Time: Patrick Green on Curiosity, Creativity, and Student Agency

Описание: In the latest episode of An Imperfect Leader, I sat down with Patrick Green, author of Classroom Management in the Digital Age, to explore how schools can move beyond compliance and toward deeper focus, connection, and self-management in the digital age.

Here are three ideas that really stood out during our conversation:

1️⃣ From compliance to self-management: We often say we want creativity and collaboration, yet we still design systems around compliance. Patrick challenges that mismatch. The real goal isn’t control. It’s helping students develop self-management.

2️⃣ Leading with curiosity, not “tech panic”: How we approach students about technology matters. Patrick shared a moment when his initial reaction to students gaming caused them to scatter. They sensed fear, not curiosity. His takeaway was powerful: validate the student before questioning the behavior.

3️⃣ The underrated skill of being alone with your thoughts: In a world of constant consumption, students are losing opportunities for quiet reflection. Patrick reframes what we often call “boredom” as unstructured thinking time and sees it as the kind that sparks creativity and problem-solving.

As leaders, the question becomes: What are we saying and what are students actually hearing?


When our “why” aligns with students’ need for autonomy and connection, we move from a culture of banning to one of thriving.

🎧 Listen to the full episode here!

#AnImperfectLeader #EducationLeadership #DigitalWellness #StudentEngagement #SchoolCulture #FocusAndBelonging #SelfManagement #EdLeadership #PhoneFreeSchools

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Website: https://imperfectleader.com/

YouTube (video of conversation):

https://youtu.be/VkKiXpczSEAhttps://w...

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An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by IXL. Boost learning with a platform proven to deliver results. IXL gives educators a complete K–12 curriculum and personalized learning plans that adapt to every student.

Trusted by over 1 million teachers and 96 of the top 100 school districts, IXL helps schools outperform on state tests, and helps teachers focus on what matters most.

IXL: Powerful data. Personalized learning. Real progress.

Discover what IXL can do for your school at IXL.com/imperfect

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Schools around the world are seeing the damaging effects of phones on student engagement, social development, and mental health.

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Go to overyondr.com to learn more.
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The Mosaic Project, one of our favorite organizations, has over 25 years of experience empowering students to celebrate differences, communicate assertively, and resolve conflicts peacefully at their outdoor school. Their innovative SEL curriculum is now available to An Imperfect Leader listeners at a 10% discount through their new documentary film-based Mosaic Classroom Project!

The Project’s ready-to-use lesson plans include film, original music, “gametivities”, and real conversations. We’re proud to partner with The Mosaic Project in helping educators build inclusive, peaceful learning communities! Just mention An Imperfect Leader during the onboarding process to receive the 10% discount.

👉 Learn more about The Mosaic Classroom Project.

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Think differently. Think in systems. Reach out to The Waters Center for Systems Thinking to learn more about how systems thinking capacity building can strengthen your team and organization.

Homepage: www.waterscenterst.org

Thinking Tools Studio: https://thinkingtoolsstudio.waterscen...

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An Imperfect Leader: Leadership in (After) Action is supported by ILAA, LLC, a firm dedicated to supporting aspiring, new, and established leaders. For more information, please find them at imperfectleader.com.

Music for An Imperfect Leader was written and arranged by Ian Varley.

Sam Falbo created our artwork, a wood-print inspired daruma doll butterfly.