In this episode of Little Wins, Karen Borchert sits down with Sarah Harless, principal of Bear Lake School in Michigan, where the entire K–12 community is housed under one roof. With 24 years of experience at Bear Lake—serving in roles from Title I aide to teacher to principal—Sarah brings a rare depth of perspective on what it takes to cultivate trust, resilience, and respect in a small but mighty school.

Sarah shares the story of how her staff turned a tough setback into a defining moment of growth, building a culture where vulnerability, courage, and collaboration thrive. From facing down the challenges of being labeled a “priority school” to celebrating statewide recognition, Sarah reflects on the power of shared goals, hard conversations, and showing up for one another.

Whether you lead in a small school, a large district, or simply want to see what it looks like when educators rally around each other, this episode offers inspiration for how consistent, intentional culture-building can transform schools from the inside out.

💡 Little Wins in This Episode:

• All-Staff Professional Development: Teachers across all grade levels gather to learn together, strengthening alignment and relationships between elementary and secondary staff.

• From Priority to Progress: Bear Lake rebounded from being placed on Michigan’s “priority school” list to earning statewide recognition—proving that resilience and teamwork can flip a narrative in record time.

• Celebrating Data with “Data Digs”: Staff turn test results into collaborative growth moments, asking “What are you doing that’s working?” and sharing strategies openly.

• Hard Conversations, Courageously Led: A culture where trust and care allow staff to challenge one another honestly, knowing the shared goal is student success.

• Welcoming New Staff Like Family: Veteran teachers personally reach out to new hires—even in the summer—to ensure they feel supported and part of the community from day one.

Key Moments

04:19 Navigating Leadership and Succession

08:16 Evolving School Recognition Programs

11:54 Fostering Communication Among Educators

15:16 Building Team Culture in Schools

18:55 Facing Test Scores and Reflection

22:55 Navigating Difficult Conversations Among Teachers

26:09 Embracing Hard Conversations for Unity

27:10 Career-Reviving Decision

32:58 "Celebrating Success Through Collaboration"

35:29 "Resilient School Community"

37:40 Celebrating Wins and Hard Conversations

Connect with Sarah Harless

Website: https://bllakers.org/

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🧵 About the Podcast:

Little Wins is the podcast that digs into the small, deliberate actions school leaders are taking to build strong, human-centered cultures, one meaningful win at a time.

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