SHOW NOTES — Episode 1

Schools Don’t Rise on Teaching. They Rise on Systems.

In the very first episode of Making Great Education Happen™, Shanté Brown Major opens the conversation about the invisible engine of every great school: academic operations.

We explore why strong systems make teaching possible, what burnout really signals inside a school, and why the work behind the work matters more than ever.

This episode is for educators, leaders, operations staff, and anyone who’s ever felt the weight of unclear calendars, chaotic communication, weak structures, or the relief of strong ones.

IN THIS EPISODE:

You’ll hear Shanté dive into:

• The foundational truth behind great schools:

  Schools don’t rise on teaching. They rise on the systems that support teaching.

• Why burnout isn’t about passion — it’s about systems that fail the people working within them.

• The difference between “working hard” and “working in a system that allows you to thrive.”

• Her origin story with academic operations — and how she learned to see the gaps, patterns, and inefficiencies others overlooked.

• Why academic operations remains undervalued, understaffed, under-researched, and misunderstood.

• What academic ops actually includes:

  schedules • budgets • calendars • onboarding • communication • family partnership • safety • data • facilities care • discipline systems • leadership rhythms • and more.

• Why academic operations is its own skill set, not an extra duty or administrative afterthought.

• What it will take for schools to build systems that are aligned, intentional, compassionate, and sustainable.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Strong operations create room for strong teaching.

• Burnout is a systems problem — not a passion problem.

• Academic ops is the hidden backbone of school success.

• Every great school is intentionally built, not accidentally excellent.

• Systems shape culture, equity, clarity, and care.

RESOURCES & LINKS:

Access free tools, resources, and every episode at:

makinggreateducationhappen.com

Follow the show on YouTube for weekly episodes and future video content:

YouTube.com/@MakingGreatEducationHappen

Join the conversation:

• LinkedIn: Follow Shanté Brown Major for insights, reflections, and the human side of academic operations.

• LinkedIn: Follow Making Great Education Happen™ for episode releases, resources, frameworks, and movement-building content.

Also on:

• Facebook: Making Great Education Happen™

• Instagram: @MakingGreatEducationHappen

• TikTok: @Making.Great.Edu

If this episode resonated or gave you language for what you’ve been experiencing, share it with another educator or leader who needs it.

Subscribe for a new episode every week.

And remember — great education doesn’t happen by accident.

It’s built with intention and purpose.

Let’s make great education happen — together.