The Ruckus Maker Mastermind

Play-It-Safe Principals accept
permission-based
development.
Ruckus Makers do not.

You're already leading well. You don't have another round of sit-and-get PD to waste. The Mastermind is where principals who are done waiting build something worth showing up for — with weekly coaching, elite peers, and the tools to make it real.

A focused application. About 7 minutes. We respond within 48 hours.

Selfmentorship

The practice that changes everything

Play-It-Safe Principals accept permission-based development. Ruckus Makers do not. And therefore learn the art and science of Selfmentorship.

Most principals are already leading well — and they know exactly where the ceiling is. They're running strong campuses but losing their best teachers to burnout. They're showing up every day and wondering if the gap between what their school is and what it could be will ever close.

The problem isn't effort. It's that the development system built for principals was never designed to make you a self-directed leader. It was designed to make you compliant.

Selfmentorship is what happens when you decide that's no longer acceptable.

Ten years. Hundreds of Ruckus Makers. One result.

The Mastermind has been running since 2016. Not as a course. Not as a webinar series. As a weekly coaching community where principals do the actual work — and hold each other to it.

"I just finished my 7th year as principal. This was the first year I felt balanced. Confident. In control. And my teachers noticed."

Justin — High School Principal

The guidance at the very beginning of my mastermind experience helped me mature and set a clear vision of what I wanted — to build trust."

Demetrius Ball — Principal, California

"I put into practice what the Ruckus Makers taught and all my beginning of the year stress was gone."

John — Superintendent

"Self-criticism was getting in the way. The mastermind experience is incredibly validating. It has grown my confidence."

Stacey Green — Principal

Design awards winning

What you get

The Mastermind builds the muscle. Digital Danny keeps it sharp. Together they're the complete Selfmentorship practice.

Every week

Weekly coaching sessions

One hour on Zoom. Hot seats on your hardest challenge. Peers who are actually in the work.

The system

The Automatic School

A 3-part operating system — so your school runs on culture, not your constant presence.

Always on

Digital Danny

Your AI thought partner, trained on 10 years of school leadership coaching. Available at 11pm before the hardest conversation of your year.

Community

The Ruckus Maker Club

Principals who are done waiting for permission. No spam. No consultants. Just Ruckus Makers.

Resources

Courses when you need them

Delegation, ideal week design, and more — available when a challenge calls for it. Not a curriculum to get through.

Direct access

Monthly training with Danny

At least once a month, Danny hosts a live Thursday night training open to all Mastermind members.

THE COACH TEAM

Your coaches are Ruckus Makers

They're not facilitators reading from a script. They're principals, superintendents, and education leaders who have done this work — and stayed to help others do it.

COACH

Dan Watt

Canada · 15 years school leadership

COACH

Sofia Hughes

Argentina · Intl. Confederation of Principals

COACH

Jason Dropik

President, National Indian Education Assoc.

COACH

Gene Park

Principal, Cherry Hill NJ

Six cohorts. Find your fit.

Groups meet weekly. Choose the time that works for your schedule — all times Eastern.

Monday at noon ET
Monday at 8:30 pm ET
Tuesday at 6:00 pm ET
Tuesday at 7:30 pm ET
Wednesday at 6:00 pm ET
Wednesday at 7:30 pm ET

Your investment

Most members expense it. We'll help you make the case to your district. The answer is no unless you ask.

$3,500 / year

or $350/month — annual pricing saves you two months
  • Weekly live coaching sessions
  • The Automatic School system
  • Digital Danny — your AI thought partner, 24/7
  • The Ruckus Maker Club community
  • Courses and resources available when you need them
  • Monthly Thursday training with Danny

Ruckus Makers love the Mastermind

"This mastermind changed my life. I found a place to grow, belong, and lead different."

Lynn — High School Principal

"Before joining, I was ready to quit. After just a few sessions, I had a clear vision and real momentum. I didn't just survive this year. I thrived."

Dan — Principal & Current Mastermind Coach

"I wanted to build a school where kids come every single day and they feel loved and cared for and seen and heard."

Jessica Gamble — Principal

"The other day, I got a high five from a teacher during a walk-through. She told me, 'We did it.' That 'we' includes me."

John Tanner — Principal

"I just finished my 7th year as principal. This was the first year I felt balanced. Confident. In control."

Justin — High School Principal

"The mastermind experience is incredibly validating. It definitely has grown my confidence."

Stacey Green — Principal

Common questions

Is this right for me if I'm already a strong leader?

Yes — and especially so. The Mastermind is built for principals who are already leading well and know exactly where the ceiling is. If you're running a strong campus and ready to go further, this is where you belong.

How much time does it take?

One hour of weekly coaching. Another hour for reading and community engagement. Two to three hours per week total — less than most district PD requirements, with results that actually transfer to Monday morning.

Can my district pay for this?

Many members have successfully asked — and gotten yes. We provide two email templates to help you make the request: one ROI-focused, one using negotiation psychology. Title I and PD funds are common sources. Quote, PO, and invoice handled if needed.

When do groups meet?

Six cohorts are available Monday through Wednesday, with both daytime and evening options in Eastern time. See the schedule above and select the time that fits your week. Cohort availability is confirmed after your application is reviewed.

When you get better, everyone wins.

The principals who apply are done waiting for the system to develop them. If that's you — we have a seat with your name on it.
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