Episode 260: Leading with Heart, Hustle, and Pride" with Mark Bagley

By Kelly Croy

This is the Wired Educator Podcast, Episode 260! I am so excited for you to hear this conversation. I’m sitting down with a good friend, a colleague, and a truly great leader in Ohio: Mark Bagley, the Superintendent of Van Wert City Schools.

In this episode, we learn exactly what it takes to lead a district with authenticity and how to make a real difference in the lives of both colleagues and children. Mark is a "servant leader" in the truest sense of the word. Whether it’s picking up trash, helping in a classroom when there are no subs, or standing out at the bus hub every single morning, Mark leads from the trenches.

You are going to love this interview. Buckle up!

A Great Week to be a Wired Educator

Before we dive into the interview, I have to tell you—it has been an amazing week.

I was recently invited to Gibsonburg Schools to share my book, Unthink Before Bed, for their Literacy Night. It was a blast. I shared the books I loved as a kid, talked about the "why" behind reading, and even did some live drawing of the characters. But the real star was my dog, Jedi. He showed up in a tie, met the kids, and did a few tricks! Gibsonburg even pre-ordered copies for the families. It’s moments like these that remind me why we do what we do.

I also want to give a huge shout-out to Joe Miller for organizing the third annual SEL Symposium at Port Clinton City Schools. We had world-class speakers, and the energy was incredible. If you haven't heard it yet, go back a few episodes and listen to my interview with Joe about how he built that event.

Coming Soon to the Podcast:

Casey Cooney: We recorded a live broadcast about Rigor and Relationships in the Age of AI.
Mark Perna: Author of Answering Why, talking about career and life skills.
Ben Johnson & Bobby Dodd: Discussing their book Intentional Influence and cultural mapping.

Key Takeaways from Mark Bagley

Mark and I covered a lot of ground in this interview. Here are a few "nuggets" that every educator needs to hear:

The Power of "E + R = O": Mark is a firm believer in the Focus 3 system: Event + Response = Outcome. We can’t always control the events, but we can control our response. That response dictates the outcome for our students and staff.
"What Happened to You?": Instead of asking "What is wrong with you?", we must ask "What happened to you?" Understanding trauma is the first step toward regulation and learning.
The CEO Program: Van Wert is doing something revolutionary with their seniors through the Career Education Opportunities program, getting kids into the workforce to learn real-world skills.
The "Thankfulness Walk": Mark starts his day with gratitude. In a job that is 24/7, finding that space to be grateful is essential for longevity.

"The culture of your school will never be higher than the highest adult. We have to make sure we keep on raising our adults." — Mark Bagley

Work with Kelly Croy

Leadership matters, and let’s give the world something worth following! If you enjoyed what you heard today and would like to bring some of these conversations to your campus, I am available to speak at your next event, your kickoff, or your opening day. I love working directly with teachers, staff, and administrators to help you level up.

Reach out to me at: kelly@kellycroy.com or visit www.KellyCroy.com

Support the Show

Partnerships: If you’d like your book, product, service, or website highlighted in the pre-roll, email me at kelly@kellycroy.com.
Reviews: I love them! Please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. I read every single one and might share yours on the next episode.
Share: Please share this podcast with your staff, colleagues, and family.

Thank you for taking time from your busy week to listen and make a difference in the lives of students. You're awesome. Have a great week!

Mentioned in this Episode

Books & Authors

Unthink Before Bed by Kelly Croy
Along Came a Leader by Kelly Croy
What Happened to You? by Dr. Bruce Perry & Oprah Winfrey
Answering Why by Mark Perna
Intentional Influence by Ben Johnson & Bobby Dodd

Websites & Resources

Wired Educator Official Website – Your hub for all things level-up.
KellyCroy.com – Book Kelly for your next speaking event.
Van Wert City Schools – Learn more about Mark Bagley’s district.
Focus 3 (E+R=O) – The leadership system mentioned by Mark.
Project Lead The Way (PLTW) – The engineering and computer science curriculum discussed.

To learn more about having Kelly Croy speak at your event, visit his website to connect.

Thank you for listening and for being part of this community. It is always a great day to be a Wired Educator.

You are awesome!

Kelly

I would like to speak at your event!

Do you like what you heard? Invite Kelly to speak at your school.

Interested in booking Kelly for your Next Event?

Yes! Let's Make it happen right HERE!

I love opening day keynotes to school districts and conferences, workshops with leaders and any opportunity to help educators reignite their passion, build stronger connections with students and colleagues, improve instruction, and level up as leaders. I hope YOU will reach out to ME!

Order Kelly’s books, Along Came a Leader and Unthink Before Bed: A Children’s Book on Mindfulness for your personal library.

Educator, Author, Keynote Speaker

Instagram: @kcroy
Website: kellycroy.com and wirededucator.com

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kelly_croy
Podcast: The Wired Educator Podcast Twitter: @kellycroy and of course: Facebook.

Download this Episode

WEP 259: Lifted to Lead: Resilience and Advocacy with Dr. Stefan Bean Hosted by Kelly Croy 0

Mar 13, 2026

WEP 259: Lifted to Lead: Resilience and Advocacy with Dr. Stefan Bean Hosted by Kelly Croy

Episode Description:

In this episode of the Wired Educator Podcast, Kelly Croy sits down with Dr. Stefan Bean, Superintendent of Orange County, California, to discuss a journey of resilience that is unlike anything you’ve ever heard.
Dr. Bean oversees the education of over 450,000 students, but his story begins as a refugee of the Vietnam War. Stricken with polio and brought to the U.S. during Operation Babylift, Dr. Bean shares how a single teacher’s belief in his potential transformed his life. This is a powerful conversation about moving from a "deficit mindset" to an "asset mindset," leading with empathy, and the profound impact of lifting others so they can lead. Dr. Bean's new book Lifted to Lead is available now. Click HERE!
You are going to love this episode.

About Dr. Stefan Bean:
Dr. Stefan Bean has dedicated the past 28 years to serving Southern California communities and students as a teacher, principal, and school administrator. In June 2024, the Orange County Board of Education unanimously appointed him as Orange County’s 12th superintendent of schools—a position that dates back to 1889.
Dr. Bean’s personal experiences as an English language learner and a student with a disability have deeply influenced his educational philosophy. He is a passionate advocate for English learners and marginalized students, using his own story as a living example of what is possible when a community rallies around a child.

Lifted to Lead
Dr. Bean’s new book, Lifted to Lead, explores his journey from a Saigon orphanage to the superintendent’s office. It details his "Lifted Leadership" framework, showing how leaders can cultivate hope and unlock the potential in others through authentic relationship-building and support.

Key Takeaways
* The Power of Asset-Based Thinking: Educators must stop measuring what is "lacking" and start looking for what is "locked inside."
* Relationships are the Key: You cannot unlock a student's potential without first building a relationship with them.
* Resilience and Agency: How to overcome trauma and physical challenges through the support of a "lifting" community.
* The LIFTED Framework: A sneak peek into the L and I: Listen and Inspire.
* The Trades and Career Readiness: Why meeting students where they are means valuing the trades and technical education as much as college tracks.
* Artificial Intelligence as an Assistant: How we can lead the way in using AI ethically and responsibly to support student creativity.
Words of Wisdom for Educators

Dr. Bean reminds us:
"Education will unlock the potential in you, but more powerful, education will unlock the potential of others through you."

No matter what challenges your students face—disability, language barriers, or trauma—they need to know you have their back. Just like Mr. Geisinger did for Dr. Bean, you have the power to whisper potential into a student's ear and change their life forever.

Books Mentioned
Lifted to Lead by Dr. Stefan Bean (Connected with CASA and Associates)

Episode Chapters
* 00:00 – Introduction to Dr. Stefan Bean and his 450,000 students
* 01:11 – The incredible story of Operation Babylift and surviving the crash
* 03:20 – How Dr. Bean’s father influenced his path into education
* 04:58 – The "Gift of Gab": How Mr. Geisinger changed everything
* 08:16 – Overcoming bullying and finding a voice in Washington, D.C.
* 11:04 – Advice for educators: Finding potential in non-verbal students
* 14:02 – Addressing chronic absenteeism and literacy challenges
* 18:15 – The LIFTED Leadership Framework
* 23:03 – Re-examining learning in the age of Artificial Intelligence

Connect and Learn More
To learn more about Dr. Stefan Bean and his work in Orange County, visit:
OCDE.us

If you would like your book, product, service, conference, or website mentioned or highlighted in the pre-roll of the Wired Educator Podcast, email Kelly at kelly@kellycroy.com.

About the Host
Kelly Croy is the host of the Wired Educator Podcast, a speaker, author, and Director of Innovation and Instruction. Kelly works with schools and districts across the country on leadership, culture, and growth.

Thank you for listening and for being part of this community. It is always a great day to be a Wired Educator.