Reimagining School with WIN Time: Stephanie McConnell on Transforming Student Success
The Ruckus Report
Quick take: The factory model of education is dead. This school leader transformed a failing campus into a Blue Ribbon award winner by reimagining intervention through WIN Time – and now she’s showing thousands of leaders worldwide how to do the same.
Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker
Stephanie is a veteran school leader, author, and owner of Principal Principles. With 18 years as a principal and now serving as an assistant superintendent of schools she’s passionate about leadership, student success, and innovative school solutions. She’s also the creator of WIN Time, helping schools implement data-driven interventions. Connect with her at PrincipalPrinciples.net!
In this episode, Stephanie McConnell challenges traditional education paradigms:
Key Insight #1: Intervention Without Interruption
- What’s broken: The old pull-out model where students leave class for intervention and miss core instruction
- The shift: WIN Time – built into the master schedule where every student gets intervention AND enrichment without missing anything
- Impact: Transformed McConnell’s school from an F-rated campus to a National Blue Ribbon Award winner in just two years
Key Insight #2: Flexible Grouping Based on Real-Time Data
- What’s broken: Static intervention groups that trap students in remediation all year
- The shift: Data-driven regrouping every 2-4 weeks based on student progress
- Impact: Students can receive double-blocked reading intervention AND math enrichment based on individual needs
Key Insight #3: Culture of Ownership > Compliance
- What’s broken: Teachers following prescribed programs without investment in outcomes
- The shift: Challenging the “why” behind every practice and building true teacher ownership
- Impact: Teachers shift from “I taught it” to “students learned it” mindset, driving real results
Quotable Ruckus
“Since the things that matter the most should never be at the mercy of the things that matter the least.”
– Stephanie McConnell
Your Do School Different Challenge
Ready to implement these ideas? Start here:
- Tomorrow: Ask yourself “why” about one existing intervention practice in your school
- This Month: Audit your master schedule to find where WIN Time could fit
- This Semester: Visit a school using WIN Time or bring Stephanie’s framework to your team
Follow Stephanie McConnell: Instagram
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If education ain’t a bit disruptive, then what are your students really learning?
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