Description

In this episode of Innovating Education, Dr. Riley Williams sits down with Dr. Jason Williamson—leadership expert, author, and founder of the Second Mile Initiative—for a powerful conversation about what it means to lead with purpose, accountability, and heart. From growing up in a town of 81 people to serving as a principal, military officer, and leadership consultant, Dr. Williamson shares how the Second Mile Mentality helps leaders move beyond obligation into intentional choice—and build cultures where excellence is not just expected, but embraced.​

Listeners will gain practical strategies from his P.A.C.E. Framework, real-world stories of leadership under pressure, and a renewed vision for servant leadership in today’s schools. The conversation touches on crafting collective commitments, balancing high expectations with empathy, and why public schools are not broken so much as broken-hearted—and what it looks like to restore belief and hope.​​

Key takeaways:

• The origins of the Second Mile Mentality and how “going above the job description” reshapes culture and ownership.​​
• How to build and sustain collective commitments that drive team behavior, even in challenging seasons.​​
• Ways to balance excellence with empathy, combining clear standards with genuine care and affirmation.
• Why reframing the narrative around public schools is essential for attracting, supporting, and retaining great educators.

Connect with Dr. Jason Williamson:

• Website: https://iamjasonwilliamson.com​
• Social: @IAmJasonWilliamson​
• Book: Second Mile Encouragement – available on Amazon and other major platforms.