William D. Parker from the Principal Matters Podcast reveals his school leadership strategies, insights from other leaders, and practical tips so that you can have the tools to achieve your own goals. Rediscover healthy motivation, resolve conflicts and challenges, maximize your communication, grow your instructional abilities, and learn to streamline responsibilities—all while building positive communities among your team members, students, parents, and patrons. A former teacher of the year and Oklahoma assistant principal of the year, he is also an author, blogger, speaker and education consultant. The former Principal of Skiatook High School, near Tulsa, Oklahoma and the Founder of Principal Matters, LLC, he also serves as the Executive Director for OASSP/OMLEA - state associations proudly supporting secondary leaders and middle level educators. He and his wife Missy are the proud parents of four children: 3 girls and 1 boy. When he is not serving his members and family, he is a sought-after keynote speaker for principal conferences and leadership seminars. He has learned to leverage his lessons through growing in-person and online communities. Listen in for motivation to create incredible momentum in your school community.
PMP382: Profoundly Impacting Learning Culture with Dan Kelley
Daniel Kelley is an Associate Teaching Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy at the University of Rhode Island. He previously served as the principal of Smithfield High School in Smithfield, RI. During his tenure, he successfully implemented sustainable change initiatives that profoundly impacted the school’s learning culture. Dan’s contributions to education extend to national leadership […]
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2/7/2024 • 40 minutes, 19 seconds
PMP381: Maximizing the Superpowers of each Individual with Jim Wichman
Jim Wichman is the founder of Inspired Edification, LLC, a seasoned educational administrator with over 25 years of experience. Jim has a rich history of service in both urban and rural public school settings. Coming from a background of poverty and even experiencing homelessness, Jim is a strong advocate for centered, respectful, and value-driven education. […]
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1/31/2024 • 40 minutes, 49 seconds
PMP380: Dynamics of Building Leaders vs District Leaders with Will Parker and Jen Schwanke
This week Jen Schwanke and Will Parker discuss the dynamics involved in building leadership vs district leadership. Although still a principal at heart, Jen has served in the role of Deputy Superintendent now for three years. Will asked her to reflect on the following: A few highlights include: We also discuss some takeaways from Patrick […]
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1/24/2024 • 31 minutes, 42 seconds
PMP379: Systems Leader vs People Leader with Will Parker and Jen Schwanke
In this week’s episode, Jen Schwanke and Will Parker discuss the difference between systems leadership and people leadership. Here’s a quick summary: Leaders need to understand both. As one of Jen’s advisors told her, “If there is no route for the bus, it doesn’t really matter what people are on it.” In other words, we […]
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1/17/2024 • 30 minutes, 36 seconds
PMP378: Surfing the Crest of New Waves with Mark Geraets
Mark Geraets, is an education leader with a career spanning 40 impactful years. Born in New Zealand as the youngest of seven to Dutch immigrant parents, Mark’s university education journey began at 16, as the youngest student at Teacher’s College. By 30, he assumed his first principal role in Whakatane, NZ. Venturing abroad, he taught […]
1/10/2024 • 39 minutes, 27 seconds
PMP377: Conversations that Matter with Jennifer Abrams
Jennifer Abrams is an international educational and communications consultant for public and independent schools, universities, and nonprofits. She trains and coaches teachers, administrators, and others on new teacher/employee support, having hard conversations, collaboration skills, and being your best adult self at work. In her over two decades at Palo Alto Unified School District (Palo Alto, […]
1/3/2024 • 40 minutes, 33 seconds
PMP376: Year in Review – Where Are You Growing? with Will Parker and Jen Schwanke
In this week’s episode, Will and Jen flip the mic, and Jen interviews Will about his experiences with Principal Matters as his full time work in the past six months of 2023. They discuss the emotional ups and downs of the new work, the stats from the previous year, and lessons learned in goal setting […]
12/27/2023 • 38 minutes, 3 seconds
PMP375: She Leads with Dr. Rachael George and Dr. Jen Schwanke
A few quick words from Will Parker: Hi, Friends! You’re going to be listening to an interview hosted by Jen Schwanke with our guest, Rachel George, the author of the book, She Leads: The Woman’s Guide to a Career in Educational Leadership, co-authored with Majalise Tolan. You’re going to love this conversation about Rachel’s background […]
12/20/2023 • 41 minutes, 35 seconds
PMP374: Accelerating Student Voice with Dr. James Flynn
Dr. James Flynn has been a teacher, coach, Assistant Principal, Principal of the Grades 3-6 Intermediate School in Burlington City, Principal of Burlington City High School, and is currently the Director of Planning/Research, Evaluation, Operations, and State and Federal Programs for the Burlington City School District, Burlington, New Jersey. Jim’s principal practice included a number […]
12/13/2023 • 39 minutes, 59 seconds
PMP373: Increasing Your Impact with Donna Hayward
Donna Hayward began her professional career as a high school mathematics teacher after earning her Bachelors and Masters degrees from Smith College. Inspired by her own high school principal, Donna completed her Sixth Year through UCONN and served as Assistant Principal/ Principal of Rocky Hill High School for a decade. During this time, she markedly […]
12/6/2023 • 40 minutes
PMP372: The Power of Principal Mindfulness with Dr. Rob Russell and Dr. Dustin Miller
In this week’s episode, Dr. Jen Schwanke hosts an episode interviewing Drs. Rob Russell and Dustin Miller, with lessons from a recent article they authored on The Power of Principal Mindfulness. Rob Russell, Ed. D., is an assistant principal at New Albany High School in New Albany, Ohio. He is a former science teacher. His […]
11/29/2023 • 41 minutes, 27 seconds
PMP 371: Simplicity in Leadership Does Not Equal Easier with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker
As a child, I had the privilege of observing my grandparent’s farming responsibilities, so this week’s conversation with Jen Schwanke is important to me personally and professionally. In it, we discuss a documentary about traditional farming methods, and we draw connections between producing healthy soil and cultivating strong school cultures. How might the story of […]
11/22/2023 • 34 minutes, 16 seconds
PMP370: Middle School Superpowers with Phyllis Fagell
Phyllis L. Fagell, LCPC, is a school counselor in Washington, DC, a therapist who works with children and teens in private practice, and an author and journalist. She is the author of Middle School Matters: The 10 Key Skills Kids Need to Thrive in Middle School and Beyond – and How Parents Can Help, and […]
11/15/2023 • 39 minutes, 16 seconds
PMP369: Connecting Through Conversation with Erika Bare and Tiffany Burns
Erika Bare has been an educator for over 20 years, currently serving as the Assistant Superintendent in the Ashland School District in Oregon. A special education teacher by training, she is passionate about supporting all students through individual supports to reach their limitless potential. Tiffany Burns loves working with kids. In her two decades in […]
11/8/2023 • 42 minutes, 27 seconds
PMP368: Buildership with Robyn Jackson and Jen Schwanke
Hi, Friends. Will Parker here. A quick shout-out to Dr. Jen Schwanke and Dr. Robyn Jackson who agreed to record this special edition of Principal Matters where Jen hosts the show. In this conversation, you’ll find helpful lessons for your leadership as they discuss topics like: I heard Robyn Jackson present this summer at the […]
11/1/2023 • 45 minutes, 37 seconds
PMP367: Head and Heart, A Principal’s Tools with Jen Schwanke
In this episode, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke, talk about her recent article, “Heart and head: A Principal’s Essential Tools,” written for the ASCD Education Leadership magazine. Check it out here. Jen started the conversation by sharing a piece she read about chefs and their essential tools. Many chefs pointed to gadgets, but one chef’s […]
10/25/2023 • 27 minutes, 19 seconds
PMP366: Navigating Leadership Drift with Cale Birk
Cale Birk is a former teacher, high school principal, and District Head of Innovation from British Columbia, Canada. In 2015, one of his schools was named one of the first Model PLC Schools in Canada. Feeling like he was only scratching the surface with collaboration, Cale wrote the book PLC 2.0 – Collaborating for Observable […]
10/18/2023 • 36 minutes, 10 seconds
PMP365: Likable Leadership with Lisa Parry
Lisa Parry is a veteran English teacher (1994-present) and K-12 principal (2018-present) who is proud to lead a 2021 National Blue Ribbon Elementary School and a 2020 ESEA Distinguished Elementary School. In 2022, her colleagues recognized her as South Dakota Region 1 Principal of the Year. Some of the most gratifying work she has done […]
10/11/2023 • 47 minutes, 29 seconds
PMP364: Not Missing Out on Your Best Kept Secrets with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker
In today’s episode, Will Parker shares poignant takeaways from a summer hiking trip with his son, Jack, applying those insights to the realm of school leadership. The discussion centers on the importance of being present, connecting with students, and celebrating even the small moments. Afterward, Will and co-host Jen Schwanke talk about applying those lessons […]
10/4/2023 • 32 minutes, 28 seconds
PMP363: Building Stronger, Authentic Relationships with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker
This week Will Parker and Jen Schwanke respond to a listener question submitted several months ago but still relevant today for leaders: “I’ve been a loyal listener of the Principal Matters podcast and value the insights from both William and Jen. As a new principal of a small school with 125 students and 9 teachers, […]
9/27/2023 • 32 minutes, 20 seconds
PMP362: Be The Driving Force with Dr. Don Parker
Dr. Don Parker is a leading voice in professional development and educational transformation. Since beginning his educational journey in 1997, Dr. Parker has served in diverse roles, from teaching in Chicago’s inner-city schools to mentoring future educators as an Adjunct Professor at National-Louis University. As a former principal at both Posen School and Lincoln Avenue […]
9/20/2023 • 48 minutes, 5 seconds
PMP361: Coaching Questions for Leaders with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker
In this week's episode of the PMP, Jen Schwanke asks Will Parker Michael Bungay Stanier's coaching questions.
9/13/2023 • 31 minutes, 17 seconds
PMP360: Creating Resilience in Learning and Leadership with Cheryl Step
Will Parker interviews guest Cheryl Step on her knowledge of creating resilience in students and leaders on this week's episode of the PMP. … Continue readingPMP360: Creating Resilience in Learning and Leadership with Cheryl Step
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9/6/2023 • 46 minutes, 23 seconds
PMP360: Creating Resilience in Learning and Leadership with Cheryl Step
Will Parker interviews guest Cheryl Step on her knowledge of creating resilience in students and leaders on this week's episode of the PMP.
9/6/2023 • 46 minutes, 23 seconds
PMP359: Building Trust & Thriving as an Assistant Principal with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker
Will Parker and co-host Jen Schwanke tackle a listener question geared towards assistant principals in this week's episode of the PMP. … Continue readingPMP359: Building Trust & Thriving as an Assistant Principal with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker
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8/30/2023 • 34 minutes, 22 seconds
PMP359: Building Trust & Thriving as an Assistant Principal with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker
Will Parker and co-host Jen Schwanke tackle a listener question geared towards assistant principals in this week's episode of the PMP.
8/30/2023 • 34 minutes, 22 seconds
Bonus: Principal Matters Update from Will Parker
Hi, Friends. Will Parker here. I am sharing this bonus episode to inform Principal Matters listeners about some new updates. First of all, we have a new website. For 10 years, I have been using the same website, and this week we are excited to launch a new place where you can find all the […]
8/27/2023 • 3 minutes, 47 seconds
PMP358: Inspired to Be Faithful with Timothy Alexander
This week Will Parker interviews Timothy Alexander as he shares his inspiring story and how he uses it to reach students. … Continue readingPMP358: Inspired to Be Faithful with Timothy Alexander
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8/23/2023 • 34 minutes, 9 seconds
PMP357: Leading Your Hometown School with John Boyd
Will Parker and guest John Boyd discuss school management and leading your hometown high school in this week's episode of PMP. … Continue readingPMP357: Leading Your Hometown School with John Boyd
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8/16/2023 • 36 minutes, 26 seconds
PMP356: Escaping the Black Hole of Urgency with Dr. Frederick Buskey
Frederick Buskey lives in Cullowhee, North Carolina, and helps assistant principals live and lead better by teaching them how to
Continue readingPMP356: Escaping the Black Hole of Urgency with Dr. Frederick Buskey
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8/9/2023 • 46 minutes, 26 seconds
PMP355: Using Reflective Questions with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker
Will Parker runs through a series of reflective questions by author Michael Bugay Stanier in this week's episode of the PMP. … Continue readingPMP355: Using Reflective Questions with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker
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8/2/2023 • 33 minutes, 33 seconds
PMP354: Questions on Allocation of Support with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker
Will Parker and co-host Jen Schwanke tackle a listener question about leadership and resource allocation on this week's episode of the PMP. … Continue readingPMP354: Questions on Allocation of Support with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker
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7/26/2023 • 34 minutes, 2 seconds
PMP353: How to Provide Meaningful Feedback in Observations with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker
Will Parker and co-host Jen Schwanke discuss ways to provide thoughtful and helpful feedback to teachers in this week's episode of the PMP. … Continue readingPMP353: How to Provide Meaningful Feedback in Observations with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker
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7/19/2023 • 35 minutes, 27 seconds
PMP353: How to Provide Meaningful Feedback in Observations with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker
In this episode, Jen Schwanke shares insights from a new Quick Reference Guide she authored for ASCD on Teacher Observation and Feedback. You can find the resource here. As the author of this new guide, Jen explains why she chose to focus on growth, positivity and relationship building as motivations for better observation feedback. As […]
7/18/2023 • 35 minutes, 27 seconds
PMP352: Grow Your Leadership with the Palo Alto High School Admin Team
Will Parker sits down with the admin team of Palo Alto High School to discuss the Grow Leadership Academy, a mastermind lead by Will. … Continue readingPMP352: Grow Your Leadership with the Palo Alto High School Admin Team
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7/12/2023 • 43 minutes, 30 seconds
PMP351: Understanding How to Serve Generations with Will Parker and Jen Schwanke
Will Parker and co-host Jen Schwanke discuss how to reach and best serve younger generations in this week's episode of PMP. … Continue readingPMP351: Understanding How to Serve Generations with Will Parker and Jen Schwanke
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7/5/2023 • 35 minutes, 54 seconds
PMP350: T.E.A.M: Together Everyone Achieves More with Bryan Miltenberg & Gary Karlson
Bryan Miltenberg is the proud principal of Aquebogue Elementary School in Riverhead, New York. He’s been a teacher, dean, and
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6/28/2023 • 44 minutes, 20 seconds
PMP349: Helping Graduates Be Life Ready with Jarrod Johnson
Will Parker talks to guest Jarrod Johnson about his Senior Culmination Series in this week's episode of the Principal Matters Podcast. … Continue readingPMP349: Helping Graduates Be Life Ready with Jarrod Johnson
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6/21/2023 • 32 minutes, 34 seconds
PMP348: Staying on the Path with Will Parker & Jen Schwanke
This week Jen Schwanke joins Will Parker as they explore what happens when we lose focus on the important goals and outcomes involved in serving others … Continue readingPMP348: Staying on the Path with Will Parker & Jen Schwanke
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6/14/2023 • 25 minutes, 46 seconds
PMP347: Becoming Better Leaders with Robyn Hamasaki
Will Parker and guest Robyn Hamasaki discuss ways that school principals can be better leaders to their school communities in this week's episode of the PMP. … Continue readingPMP347: Becoming Better Leaders with Robyn Hamasaki
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6/7/2023 • 37 minutes, 23 seconds
PMP346: Equity for Multilingual Learners, Part 2 with Carlene Thomas
Last week, we met Carlene Thomas. This week, she returns to answer more questions from school leaders searching for solutions
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5/31/2023 • 32 minutes, 4 seconds
PMP345: Equity for Multilingual Learners with Carlene Thomas
Carlene Thomas is the CEO and founder of an educational consulting company that advocates for equity for multilingual learners (MLs)
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5/24/2023 • 31 minutes, 36 seconds
PMP344: Refocusing When Exhausted with Will Parker & Jen Schwanke
Will Parker and co-host Jen Schwanke discuss wrapping up the school year and the importance of rest in this week's episode of the PMP. … Continue readingPMP344: Refocusing When Exhausted with Will Parker & Jen Schwanke
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5/17/2023 • 29 minutes, 58 seconds
PMP343: Supporting Resilience with Dr. Brooke Tuttle
William D. Parker and guest Dr. Brooke Tuttle discuss supporting students and staff through difficult times in this week's episode of the PMP. … Continue readingPMP343: Supporting Resilience with Dr. Brooke Tuttle
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5/10/2023 • 43 minutes, 21 seconds
PMP342: Never Stop Learning with Dr. Nick Davies
Will Parker and guest Dr. Nick Davies discuss what it means to never stop learning and the lessons learned from unending learning. … Continue readingPMP342: Never Stop Learning with Dr. Nick Davies
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5/3/2023 • 37 minutes, 34 seconds
PMP341: The Power of Shared Leadership with Cissy Goodridge and Deirdre Timusk
Will Parker and guests Cissy Goodridge and Deirdre Timusk discuss shared leadership in this week's episode of the PMP. … Continue readingPMP341: The Power of Shared Leadership with Cissy Goodridge and Deirdre Timusk
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4/26/2023 • 39 minutes, 38 seconds
PMP340: Prioritizing Work with Dr. Scott Beck
Will Parker and guest Dr. Scott Beck discuss ways to prioritize work and transitions in leadership roles in this week's episode of PMP. … Continue readingPMP340: Prioritizing Work with Dr. Scott Beck
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4/19/2023 • 37 minutes, 54 seconds
PMP339: Digging Deeper into the 3 R’s with Jen Schwanke
This week Will and Jen share updates from their work, travel, and lives. They also discuss lessons related to the three R's in this week's episode of the PMP. … Continue readingPMP339: Digging Deeper into the 3 R’s with Jen Schwanke
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4/12/2023 • 39 minutes, 19 seconds
PMP338: Supporting RTI with Jen Schwanke & Will Parker
This week’s discussion topic came to us in a question from a listener: As a prospective administrator (and someone who
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4/5/2023 • 35 minutes, 2 seconds
PMP337: Helping Leaders Improve Wellbeing with Dr. Helen Kelly
Will Parker and guest Dr. Hellen Kelly discuss the importance of taking care of oneself as a school leader in this week's episode of the PMP. … Continue readingPMP337: Helping Leaders Improve Wellbeing with Dr. Helen Kelly
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3/29/2023 • 37 minutes, 43 seconds
PMP336: Lessons in Influencing Change with Pete Dunlap
Will Parker and guest Pete Dunlap discuss how leaders can influence change in their schools and Pete's business, Better Learning Education. … Continue readingPMP336: Lessons in Influencing Change with Pete Dunlap
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3/22/2023 • 35 minutes, 38 seconds
PMP335: Branding & Marketing Your Schools with Tyler Vawser and Britanny Keil
Will Parker is joined by guests Tyler Hawser and Brittany Keil on this week's episode to discuss how school leaders can market their schools. … Continue readingPMP335: Branding & Marketing Your Schools with Tyler Vawser and Britanny Keil
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3/15/2023 • 34 minutes, 23 seconds
PMP334: Questions on Student Behavior with Jen Schwanke
Will Parker and co-host Jen Schwanke tackle a listener question about student discipline in this weeks episode of the PMP. … Continue readingPMP334: Questions on Student Behavior with Jen Schwanke
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3/8/2023 • 33 minutes, 22 seconds
PMP333: Understanding ChatGPT with Naheed Bardai
Will Parker and guest Naheed Bardai discuss the use of an AI called ChatGPT in schools in this week's episode. … Continue readingPMP333: Understanding ChatGPT with Naheed Bardai
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3/1/2023 • 39 minutes, 6 seconds
PMP332: Transformational Leadership with Joshua Spikes
Will Parker discusses transformational leadership in AP's with guest Joshua Spike on this week's episode. … Continue readingPMP332: Transformational Leadership with Joshua Spikes
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2/22/2023 • 38 minutes, 34 seconds
PMP331: How to Help Others Grow with Mary Beth Bowling and Amy Nall, Part 2
In this episode, Mary Beth and Amy continue to share ways they have engaged their teachers and leaders with ongoing learning, including with Principal Matters. … Continue readingPMP331: How to Help Others Grow with Mary Beth Bowling and Amy Nall, Part 2
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2/15/2023 • 35 minutes, 57 seconds
PMP330: How to Help Others Grow with Mary Beth Bowling and Amy Nall
Will Parker discusses ways to help leaders grow with guests Mary Beth Bowling and Amy Nall in this week's episode of the PMP. … Continue readingPMP330: How to Help Others Grow with Mary Beth Bowling and Amy Nall
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2/8/2023 • 35 minutes, 37 seconds
PMP329: How do you set and reach goals? with Jen Schwanke
Setting goals is a practice that I’ve used to help me grow in my own work. Not only is goal
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2/1/2023 • 36 minutes, 44 seconds
PMP328: Peer Driven PD with Michael Alpert
Michael Alpert is a Crystal Apple Award Winning educator, and has worked in both small, rural districts and large, suburban
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1/25/2023 • 38 minutes, 39 seconds
PMP327: Candid Conversations about Education with Dr. Eric H. Tornfelt
Will Parker and guest Dr. Eric Tornfelt discuss the state of U.S education and ways to care for those in your schools. … Continue readingPMP327: Candid Conversations about Education with Dr. Eric H. Tornfelt
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1/18/2023 • 37 minutes, 9 seconds
PMP326: The 7 Levels of Intimacy in Leading with Jason Jedamski
Will Parker discusses the seven levels of intimacy in leading and the importance of connectedness with guest Jason Jedamski in this weeks episode of PMP. … Continue readingPMP326: The 7 Levels of Intimacy in Leading with Jason Jedamski
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1/11/2023 • 37 minutes, 45 seconds
PMP325: How Do Others See Me? Listener Questions with Dr. Jen Schwanke
In this week's episode, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke answer a listener question about seeking feedback. … Continue readingPMP325: How Do Others See Me? Listener Questions with Dr. Jen Schwanke
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1/4/2023 • 33 minutes, 5 seconds
Bonus Episode: Making Every Moment a Learning Moment – Year in Review and Big News for 2023!
Will Parker wraps up 2022, shares personal stories, and reveals some exciting news for 2023 in this week's episode of PMP. … Continue readingBonus Episode: Making Every Moment a Learning Moment – Year in Review and Big News for 2023!
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12/21/2022 • 29 minutes, 20 seconds
PMP324: How Do I Learn Subject Areas Not My Own? Listener Questions with Jen Schwanke
This week, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke are tackling some listener questions. The question they are covering this week is: "Do you have any tips on becoming well versed in becoming knowledgeable about content areas other than my own and scheduling classroom observations?" … Continue readingPMP324: How Do I Learn Subject Areas Not My Own? Listener Questions with Jen Schwanke
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12/14/2022 • 30 minutes, 44 seconds
PMP323: Lessons for New Leaders, Part 2 with Dr. Lute Croy
Will Parker and Dr. Lute Croy continue their discussion from last week's episode, talking about lessons for new and aspiring leaders. … Continue readingPMP323: Lessons for New Leaders, Part 2 with Dr. Lute Croy
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12/7/2022 • 37 minutes, 20 seconds
PMP322: Lessons in Leadership Transition with Dr. Lute Croy
This week, Will Parker and Dr. Lute Croy will be discussing ways that leaders can transition in administration roles. … Continue readingPMP322: Lessons in Leadership Transition with Dr. Lute Croy
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11/30/2022 • 28 minutes, 52 seconds
PMP321: Lessons in the Leadership Journey with Shenita Perry
Will Parker and Shenita Perry share with listeners one leader’s lessons in the journey of finding the right fit in leadership in this weeks episode. … Continue readingPMP321: Lessons in the Leadership Journey with Shenita Perry
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11/23/2022 • 34 minutes, 18 seconds
PMP320: Tips for Seeking an New Education Position With Jen Schwanke (Part 2)
This week, Will and Jen discuss six more tips and practical ways to plan for a job transition. … Continue readingPMP320: Tips for Seeking an New Education Position With Jen Schwanke (Part 2)
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11/16/2022 • 25 minutes, 10 seconds
PMP319: Tips for Seeking a New Education Position With Jen Schwanke
Whenever leaders are looking for new opportunities, each situation is unique. Not everyone lives in the same setting, history or opportunity. … Continue readingPMP319: Tips for Seeking a New Education Position With Jen Schwanke
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11/9/2022 • 29 minutes, 51 seconds
PMP318: Returning the joy to teaching, learning and leading with Jen Schwanke
This week Will Parker is joined by Jen Schwanke to talk about returning the joy to teaching in learning and leading. As the year winds down, … Continue readingPMP318: Returning the joy to teaching, learning and leading with Jen Schwanke
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11/2/2022 • 24 minutes, 57 seconds
PMP317: Discipline with Dignity with Jen Schwanke
This week, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke tackle the topic of discipline in schools. Specifically, they discuss how to discipline with dignity as school leaders. … Continue readingPMP317: Discipline with Dignity with Jen Schwanke
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10/26/2022 • 32 minutes, 35 seconds
PMP316: Recalibrate Your Culture with Jimmy Casas (Part 2)
This week, Will Parker and Jimmy Casas continue their conversation about Jimmy’s newest book, Recalibrate the Culture: Our Why...Our Work...Our Values. … Continue readingPMP316: Recalibrate Your Culture with Jimmy Casas (Part 2)
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10/19/2022 • 31 minutes, 10 seconds
PMP315: Recalibrate Your Culture with Jimmy Casas
In this weeks episode of Principal Matters Podcast, Will and Jimmy Casas discuss Casas' newest book is Recalibrate the Culture: Our Why...Our Work...Our Values. … Continue readingPMP315: Recalibrate Your Culture with Jimmy Casas
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10/12/2022 • 33 minutes, 46 seconds
PMP314: A New Kind of Diversity with Dr. Tim Elmore
This week Will discusses the book A New Kind of Diversity: Making Different Generations on Your Team a Competitive Advantage with author Tim Elmore. … Continue readingPMP314: A New Kind of Diversity with Dr. Tim Elmore
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10/5/2022 • 30 minutes, 53 seconds
PMP 313: Ideas for Teacher Recruitment and Retention with Kristi Kirschner and Danny Massey (Part 2)
This week Kristi and Danny share more ideas about teacher recruitment with Will as well as ways they are working for retention of highly effective teachers. … Continue readingPMP 313: Ideas for Teacher Recruitment and Retention with Kristi Kirschner and Danny Massey (Part 2)
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9/28/2022 • 33 minutes, 3 seconds
PMP312: Ideas for Teacher Recruitment and Retention with Kristi Kirschner and Danny Massey
Schools across the U.S. continue to respond to teacher shortages. On September 1, the White House announced recruitment partnerships to
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9/21/2022 • 33 minutes, 41 seconds
PMP311: Politics and Advocacy for School Leaders with Jen Schwanke
In this week’s episode, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke share some thoughts on how to remain focused on service to your school communities while also remaining aware of what is happening in politics and advocacy that may also be affecting your school.
… Continue readingPMP311: Politics and Advocacy for School Leaders with Jen Schwanke
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9/14/2022 • 27 minutes, 16 seconds
PMP310: Questions from Listeners on Teacher Shortage and Staff Development with Jen Schwanke
Will Parker and Jen Schwanke tackle questions from listeners in this weeks episode of the Principal Matters Podcast. … Continue readingPMP310: Questions from Listeners on Teacher Shortage and Staff Development with Jen Schwanke
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9/7/2022 • 30 minutes, 31 seconds
PMP309: Leadership that Matters with Jordan Master
As a long-time listener of Principal Matters, Jordan reached out to me this summer after reading a copy of my first book. … Continue readingPMP309: Leadership that Matters with Jordan Master
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8/31/2022 • 39 minutes, 36 seconds
PMP308: Leading with a Humble Heart with Zac Bauermaster
Zac Bauermaster currently serves as principal at Kissel Hill Elementary School, located in the Warwick School District in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. … Continue readingPMP308: Leading with a Humble Heart with Zac Bauermaster
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8/24/2022 • 30 minutes, 3 seconds
PMP307: The Stolen Year with Anya Kamenetz
Will Parker interviews Anya Kamenetz on this weeks episode of the Principal Matters Podcast. … Continue readingPMP307: The Stolen Year with Anya Kamenetz
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8/17/2022 • 29 minutes, 28 seconds
PMP306: Courageous Leadership with Sapna Hopkins
This week, Will interviews Principal Sapna Hopkins. Listen to the entire show for her inspiring personal story and journey in
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8/10/2022 • 39 minutes, 30 seconds
PMP305: You’re the Principal, Now What? Revisited Part 2
This week Jen Schwanke and Will Parker continue conversations about ways school leaders can prepare for the school year –
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8/3/2022 • 28 minutes, 57 seconds
PMP304: You’re the Principal, Now What? Revisited Part 1
What priorities must you keep in mind as you start a new school year? In this week’s episode, Will Parker
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7/27/2022 • 28 minutes, 57 seconds
PMP303: Intro to The Teacher’s Principal – How School Leaders Can Support and Motivate Their Teachers
This week Jen Schwanke gives a sneak-peek into her newest book, The Teacher’s Principal: How School Leaders Can Support and
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7/20/2022 • 27 minutes, 50 seconds
PMP302: Ideas for Principal Reboot Over Break
In this episode, Jen Schwanke and I discuss ways that principals can reflect over summer break. We begin with the
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7/13/2022 • 27 minutes, 22 seconds
PMP301: How to Respond to Negativity with Jen Schwanke
Jen Schwanke, ASCD author and veteran educator, joins me in this episode to answer listener questions. Question #1 “How do
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7/6/2022 • 0
PMP300: Celebrating a Milestone & Lessons Learned with Dr. Jeff Springer
In December 2015, Principal Matters: The School Leader’s Podcast began from my home on my laptop with a borrowed microphone
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6/29/2022 • 55 minutes, 23 seconds
PMP299: 10 Lessons from a 2nd Year in School Admin with DJ Klein
Daniel (DJ) Klein is an Assistant Principal at Ocean Springs High School, in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. For longtime Principal Matters
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6/22/2022 • 48 minutes, 4 seconds
PMP298: 5 Sticky Core Values for Leaders with Daniel Bauer
In this week’s episode, I am joined again by my friend Daniel Bauer, education leader, podcaster and author of the
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6/15/2022 • 28 minutes, 26 seconds
PMP297: Applying the Strangest Secret with Daniel Bauer
A couple of weeks ago, I was on a call with my friend Daniel Bauer, education leader, podcaster and author
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6/8/2022 • 36 minutes, 40 seconds
PMP296: The Post I Didn’t Want To Write
I enjoy the sounds of morning. Yesterday, as I sat on my back porch sipping coffee, I could hear the
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6/1/2022 • 22 minutes, 49 seconds
PMP295: A Mastermind on Leaving a Legacy
This school year I had the privilege of connecting with leaders from schools in the great state of Ohio through
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5/25/2022 • 44 minutes, 15 seconds
PMP294: Ensuring Staff and Student Voice with Brent Kline
Brent Kline is Principal of Palo Alto High School, in Palo Alto, California. His previous administration roles include four years
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5/18/2022 • 37 minutes, 19 seconds
PMP293: Lessons in Change, Bonus Episode with Garth Larson
Last week Garth Larson was a guest on episode 292 as he shared the Profile of a School Leader. During
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5/11/2022 • 24 minutes, 32 seconds
PMP292: The Profile of a School Leader with Dr. Garth Larson
Garth Larson, Ed.D is the Co-Founder and CEO of FIRST Educational Resources. Garth has previously worked as the Director of
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5/4/2022 • 35 minutes, 39 seconds
PMP291: Growing Leadership Teams with Dr. Keri Launius
Dr. Keri Launius has worked in PreK-16 education for over 22 years. With experiences from classroom teacher, campus principal and
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4/27/2022 • 30 minutes, 49 seconds
PMP290: Teacher Pipeline Ideas & Solutions with Jen Schwanke
This week Jen Schwanke and William D. Parker talk about how principals and education leaders can recruit and retain high
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4/20/2022 • 28 minutes, 20 seconds
PMP289: Supporting School Communities District-Wide with Jen Schwanke
In Jen Schwanke’s new role as an Deputy Superintendent and in dissertation work, she has been learning a lot about
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4/13/2022 • 34 minutes, 35 seconds
PMP288: Better Strategies for Drop-Out Recovery with Dr. Warren Glen
Warren J. Glen has twenty years of experience in post-secondary education. His journey in higher education has enhanced his expertise
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4/6/2022 • 36 minutes, 8 seconds
PMP287: Chasing the Show with Pete Hall
Veteran school administrator and educational consultant Pete Hall channels his experiences as a school principal, life coach, and small-business owner
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3/30/2022 • 0
PMP286: We’re Not Broken with Eric Garcia
Eric Garcia is a Washington, D.C.-based journalist focused on politics and policy and currently the senior Washington correspondent for The
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3/23/2022 • 30 minutes, 37 seconds
PMP: Spring Break Update 2022
This week I’m taking a break from posting so that I can enjoy more time with family during Spring Break.
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3/16/2022 • 2 minutes, 39 seconds
PMP285: Retention for a Change with Principal EL, Dr. TJ Vari and Dr. Joseph Jones
How do you transform school culture so that you keep high quality teachers? Today’s guest include three education leaders: Dr.
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3/9/2022 • 29 minutes, 15 seconds
PMP284: Triumph over Tragedy with Timothy Alexander
Timothy Alexander is a bestselling writer, award-winning speaker, and life coach who thrives at the intersection of character development, counseling,
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3/2/2022 • 31 minutes, 39 seconds
PMP283: How to Be a Transformative Principal with Jethro Jones
Jethro Jones is the founder of Transformative Principal, which provides leadership development, weekly masterminds, and one-on-one coaching for school leaders
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2/23/2022 • 36 minutes, 31 seconds
PMP282: Building ‘Parentships’ with Dr. Kyle Palmer
Kyle Palmer is currently Executive Director of Human Resources for the Center School District of South Kansas City, MO. Before
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2/16/2022 • 34 minutes, 32 seconds
PMP281: Paradoxes of Leadership with Dr. Tim Elmore
Dr. Tim Elmore is the founder and CEO of Growing Leaders. His work grew out of 20 years of serving
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2/9/2022 • 30 minutes, 52 seconds
PMP280: The Power of Your Messaging
Last month I had the privilege of presenting in a virtual event to a group of assistant principals and aspiring
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2/2/2022 • 30 minutes, 31 seconds
PMP279: Support, Empower, Engage with Chris Jones
Dr. Christopher Jones has been an educator in Massachusetts for 22 years. He has just finished his 14th year as
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1/26/2022 • 32 minutes, 7 seconds
PMP278: Encouraging & Motivating Staff with Jen Schwanke
In a recent article Jen Schwanke published with ASCD, First Engage Teachers: A Principal’s Role in Cultivating Staff Motivation, Jen
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1/19/2022 • 30 minutes, 37 seconds
PMP277: Lessons in Leadership from a Colonial Midwife
Last week a principal wrote to tell me he was short 25 teachers or staff as he ended his first
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1/12/2022 • 16 minutes, 54 seconds
PMP276: 2021 Year in Review & 2022 Goal Setting
This morning I read a gripping opinion post in Education Week by Lisa Mead, a principal in upstate New York,
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1/5/2022 • 19 minutes, 28 seconds
PMP275: 6 Literacy Levers, Part 2 with Brad Gustafson
What would happen if you asked your team, ‘What question would you predict I’m going to ask in a meeting?’
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12/22/2021 • 23 minutes, 59 seconds
PMP274: 6 Literacy Levers with Brad Gustafson
This week we share the first of a two-part series with Dr. Brad Gustafson. Listen-in as we discuss rethinking leadership
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12/15/2021 • 23 minutes, 59 seconds
PMPEncore197: 10 Tips for New Assistant Principals
This week I’m sharing one of the most popular episodes from the Principal Matters archives. If you know a new
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12/8/2021 • 39 minutes, 10 seconds
PMP273: How to Manage When Someone is ‘Stirring the Pot’
This week William D. Parker and Jen Schwanke answer the question: What do you do about a teacher who likes
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12/1/2021 • 25 minutes, 2 seconds
PMP272: Thankfulness & Answers about Emotional and Behavior Supports for Students
This week Jen Schwanke joins Will Parker to discuss stories of gratitude from former teachers and educators in their lives. Will
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11/24/2021 • 26 minutes, 42 seconds
PMP271: Answering Questions on School Discipline with Jen Schwanke
This week Jen Schwanke and Will Parker answer the principal question: “How do you structure discipline so that punishments fit
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11/17/2021 • 28 minutes, 22 seconds
PMP270: Gaining Buy-In & Building Leadership Teams with Jen Schwanke
This week Jen Schwanke and Will Parker answer principal questions: How do you gain ‘buy-in’ among staff vs just ‘setting
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11/10/2021 • 25 minutes, 47 seconds
PMP269: Leadership at Every Level with Janelle McLaughlin
Janelle McLaughlin, is an Education Consultant for Advanced Learning Partnerships working with districts all across the United States. She is
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11/3/2021 • 21 minutes, 48 seconds
PMP268: Equity, Equality and Systems with Enid Lee
Enid Lee is a front-line educator, an anti-racist professional development specialist, leadership coach, writer and community builder. She began her
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10/27/2021 • 35 minutes, 56 seconds
PMP267: Answering Questions on Grief and Behavior with Jen Schwanke
This week, Jen Schwanke, joins me as we respond to more listener questions. Jen Schwanke is an author and education
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10/20/2021 • 30 minutes, 55 seconds
PMP266: Principal Questions on Curriculum and Goals with Jen Schwanke
Jen Schwanke joins me this week as we respond to listener questions. Jen Schwanke is an author and education leader
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10/13/2021 • 33 minutes, 7 seconds
PMP265: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader with Daniel Bauer, Part 2
This week I have the privilege of sharing Part 2 of a conversation with Daniel Bauer about his new book,
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10/6/2021 • 21 minutes, 31 seconds
PMP264: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader with Daniel Bauer
This week I have the privilege of sharing a conversation with Daniel Bauer about his new book, His new book,
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9/29/2021 • 25 minutes, 43 seconds
PMP263: Cycles of Self-Reflection in Leadership
This past month, we sent our third daughter to college. More than a year ago, she began to explore the
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9/22/2021 • 19 minutes, 56 seconds
PMP262: Revisiting the Hats You Wear in School Leadership
A few weeks ago, I was invited to provide some virtual professional learning with a wonderful group of aspiring and
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9/15/2021 • 26 minutes, 44 seconds
PMP261: Your Friendships, Legacy, Laughter and Well-Being
In last week’s podcast episode, I shared the second part of a keynote presentation I provided on August 12, 2021,
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9/8/2021 • 24 minutes, 37 seconds
PMP260: Reflecting on Your Influence – Keynote Series #2
In last week’s podcast episode, I shared the first part of a keynote presentation I provided on August 12, 2021,
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9/1/2021 • 22 minutes, 9 seconds
PMP259: 10 Areas of Self-Care in the School Year Ahead
On Thursday, August 12, 2021, I had the privilege of providing a keynote from my book Pause. Breathe. Flourish.: Living
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8/25/2021 • 22 minutes
PMP258: Bridging Academic and Social Gaps with Trevor Goertzen
Trevor Goertzen was recognized in 2020 as a National Digital Principal of the Year. He currently serves as the Principal
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8/18/2021 • 29 minutes, 37 seconds
PMP257: Leading with SOUL for the New School Year
Seven year ago, our son Jack was diagnosed with a rare disease. Kawasaki causes an inflammation of blood cells in
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8/11/2021 • 11 minutes, 40 seconds
PMP 256: Disruptive Thinking with Eric Sheninger
Eric Sheninger is an Associate Partner with the International Center for Leadership in Education (ICLE). Prior to this, he was
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8/4/2021 • 24 minutes, 43 seconds
PMP255: Reconstructing Place and Space, Part 2 with Jen Schwanke
This week, Jen Schwanke, author and education leaders, shares the second half of a conversation on Reconstructing Place and Space.
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7/28/2021 • 30 minutes, 47 seconds
PMP254: Reconstructing Place and Space with Jen Schwanke
This week, Jen Schwanke, author and education leader, shares thoughts on why education leaders should consider how ‘place and space’
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7/21/2021 • 34 minutes, 8 seconds
PMP253: 10 Lessons from a First Year Assistant Principal with D.J. Klein
One year ago, June 4, 2020, D.J. Klein was a guest on the Principal Matters podcast when we shared advice
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7/14/2021 • 32 minutes, 2 seconds
PMP252: Bomb-Proof Constructive Feedback with Chris Zervas
Leadership requires relationships, understanding others, and negotiating through conflicts. This week I am privileged to share a conversation from Chris
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7/7/2021 • 31 minutes, 44 seconds
PMP251: You Can Do Hard Things, featuring Samantha Bartrom
This week marks the end of June 2021, and just today I heard from a principal friend, Andrew O’Farrell, West
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6/30/2021 • 12 minutes, 25 seconds
PMP250: Principal Reboot, Part 2 with Jen Schwanke and Mastermind Members
In this episode, Jen Schwanke, principal of Indian Run Elementary in Dublin, Ohio, and author of two books on school
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6/23/2021 • 30 minutes, 10 seconds
PMPEncore028: Four Reasons Your Vacation Matters
This week’s post is an encore episode I shared a few years ago. Since I’m hoping you can enjoy some
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6/16/2021 • 13 minutes, 56 seconds
PMP249: Principal Reboot with Jen Schwanke and Mastermind Members
On May 27, 2021, Jen Schwanke, principal of Indian Run Elementary in Dublin, Ohio, and author of two books on
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6/9/2021 • 22 minutes, 57 seconds
PMP248: Inspiring and Leading Learning with Latrese D. Younger
Latrese D. Younger is an instructional lead learner in Virginia. Her passion is English language arts and she believes that
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6/2/2021 • 26 minutes, 36 seconds
PMP247: Leading Through ‘Unfinished Learning’ with Kimberly Miles
Dr. Kimberly Miles is the Principal of East Gresham Elementary in Gresham, Oregon. A former elementary teacher and reading coach,
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5/26/2021 • 28 minutes, 44 seconds
PMP246: Challenges and Solutions Leading Post-Pandemic
During the fall semester, I invited listeners to some virtual meetings to share protocols for re-opening their schools. We formed
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5/19/2021 • 40 minutes, 2 seconds
PMP245: Handling Schools with Care with Joy Kelly
Joy Kelly is the co-author of the new book, Handle with Care: Managing Difficult Situations in Schools with Dignity and
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5/12/2021 • 36 minutes, 34 seconds
PMP244: Being a Hope Giver with Marita Diffenbaugh
Marita Diffenbaugh is honored to serve as principal of Elevate Academy North, a public Career Technical charter school for students
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5/5/2021 • 23 minutes, 36 seconds
PMP243: Grace in the Journey with Jessica Wee
Jessica Wee is the Principal of Rainbow Centre Yishun Park School in Singapore. She has previously served in the school
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4/28/2021 • 29 minutes, 46 seconds
PMP242: Leading from Xi’an International School with Brittainy Harris and Paul Wendler
Brittainy Harris has been working at Xi’an International School, located in China, since 2010. With her undergraduate degree in education,
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4/21/2021 • 34 minutes, 12 seconds
PMP241: Lessons from an All Girls School with Loredana Borello
Loredana Borello is the Principal of Brescia House Secondary School in Johannesburg, South Africa. Brescia House School is a Catholic
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4/14/2021 • 30 minutes, 16 seconds
PMP240: Self-Care Lessons with Seán Óg Ó Duinnín
Seán Óg Ó Duinnín is Principal of Scoil Mhuire, a small Irish language medium school in Ballingeary, Co. Cork, Ireland
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4/7/2021 • 39 minutes, 30 seconds
PMP239: The Principal Experience Here & Abroad with Toirdealbhach Ó Lionáird
As schools re-open across the globe, Principal Matters listeners have been sharing common experiences and lessons learned, including in Ireland.
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3/31/2021 • 25 minutes, 46 seconds
PMP238: Lessons from an Australian Primary School with Anne-Marie Maw
“Students are at the heart of all we do,” says Principal Anne-Marie Maw. “If you’re ever struggling with what to
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3/24/2021 • 29 minutes, 23 seconds
PMP237: Tips for Finding the Right Fit in Your Leadership
As co-host and Principal Jen Schwanke explains, the system we live in requires us to make some of the biggest
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3/17/2021 • 32 minutes, 49 seconds
PMP236: What to do When You Feel Restless in Leadership
Spring time brings new opportunities. For some educators, it is a time of year when you may start feeling a
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3/10/2021 • 29 minutes, 45 seconds
PMP235: Leading Re-Entry in a Pandemic with Andrew O’Farrell
Andrew O’Farrell has been the Principal of Beach Street Middle School in West Islip, New York since 2009. Prior to
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3/3/2021 • 29 minutes, 43 seconds
PMP234: Connecting Students to Caring Adults with TJ Warren
This week, I had the privilege to interview TJ Warren, Director of Programs for Stand in the Gap Ministries. Located
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2/24/2021 • 30 minutes, 53 seconds
PMP233: Multiplying Excellence in Your School with Emily Paschall
This week I have the privilege of interviewing Emily Paschall about her new book, Eyes on Culture: Multiply Excellence in
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2/17/2021 • 30 minutes, 18 seconds
PMP232: Looking for a New Education Position
Winter is a time of year for frigid temperatures across much of the U.S. It is also a time of
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2/10/2021 • 29 minutes, 23 seconds
PMP231: Keeping Your Promises on Your Anti-Racism Journey
When I was a little boy, I remember sitting in a small theater with my family where we watched the
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2/3/2021 • 27 minutes, 7 seconds
PMP230: Managing Decision-Fatigue with Jen Schwanke
What do you do when every decision is a new one? How do you keep perspective amidst decision-fatigue? This week,
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1/27/2021 • 24 minutes, 55 seconds
PMP229: Facing Your Giants with Samantha Bartrom
In the book David and Goliath (Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants) by Malcolm Gladwell, the author presents
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1/20/2021 • 37 minutes, 46 seconds
PMP228: Strategic Leadership During Times of Uncertainty
Years ago, when I was transitioning from assistant principal to high school principal, my superintendent gave me an assignment to
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1/13/2021 • 19 minutes, 37 seconds
PMP227: Me, Myself and Bob. 7 Lessons from the Rise and Fall of VeggieTales
Have you ever had a dream you’ve been unable to fulfill? Phil Vischer was born in Muscatine, Iowa, in 1967.
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1/6/2021 • 19 minutes, 49 seconds
PMP226: Year in Review and Power of Masterminds with Jeff Springer, Part 2
This past semester, Dr. Jeff Springer has helped me facilitate the weekly book study portion of our Principal Matters Mastermind.
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12/30/2020 • 30 minutes, 42 seconds
PMP225: 4 Wishes for Your Much-Deserved Break (Plus Will’s Bonus Christmas Hymns)
As you are wrapping up the semester, I wanted to send this note of encouragement. This semester you have managed
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12/22/2020 • 21 minutes, 35 seconds
PMP224: The Power of a Mastermind with Jeff Springer
This past semester, I had the honor of leading a Mastermind with principals from across the U.S. Like eating a
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12/16/2020 • 23 minutes, 37 seconds
PMP223: A Fighter Pilot’s Lessons for Leaders, Part 2
In last week’s episode, Colonel Brad Ruttman shared lessons from his military experience that may also apply to education leaders.
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12/9/2020 • 38 minutes, 55 seconds
PMP222: A Fighter Pilot’s Lessons for Leaders
Leadership is tactical, operational and strategic. These are three words Colonel Brad Ruttman has learned as the framework for understanding
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12/2/2020 • 42 minutes, 39 seconds
PMP221: Designing Leadership Outcomes with Jethro Jones
This week I’m honored to talk to Jethro Jones about his new book, SchoolX: How principals can design a transformative school
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11/25/2020 • 48 minutes, 34 seconds
PMP220: Aspire in Leadership with Joshua Stamper
This week I had the privilege of being interviewed by Joshua Stamper for his podcast, Aspire: The Leadership Development Podcast.
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11/19/2020 • 38 minutes
PMP219: Pause. Breathe. Flourish. Part 2 with Jen Schwanke
This week Jen Schwanke continues asking me questions about my new book Pause. Breathe. Flourish. Living Your Best Life as
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11/11/2020 • 29 minutes, 59 seconds
PMP218: Reflections on Pause. Breathe. Flourish. with Jen Schwanke
When Jen Schwanke and I sat down to talk about my new book this week, Jen turned the microphone to
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11/4/2020 • 29 minutes, 41 seconds
PMP217: 57 Years Together, A Tribute to My Parents
This year’s pandemic has made it difficult to see my parents as they live a long distance and are both
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10/28/2020 • 13 minutes, 32 seconds
PMP216: A Principal’s Toolbox with Justin Thomas
Although it is so important to understand your “why” in leadership, it is also imperative to understand “how” to effectively
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10/21/2020 • 33 minutes, 43 seconds
PMP215: Reflections from Pause. Breathe. Flourish. with Sonia Lopez-Morales
During the summer, several principals from across the nation joined me for a Re-Opening Mastermind to collaborate, explore, brainstorm and
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10/14/2020 • 33 minutes, 9 seconds
PMP214: Pause. Breathe. Flourish. Part 2, Review with Dr. Jeff Springer
This week I was interviewed again by Dr. Jeff A. Springer, Ed.D., Educational Leadership Coach – Spring Strategies, LLC, and
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10/7/2020 • 27 minutes, 56 seconds
PMP213: Pause. Breathe. Flourish. A Review with Dr. Jeff Springer
This week I talk with Jeff A. Springer, Ed.D., Educational Leadership Coach from Spring Strategies, LLC, and 2013 TASSP Texas
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9/30/2020 • 36 minutes, 12 seconds
PMP212: Strategies for Helping Gen Z Students with Dr. Tim Elmore
When this pandemic began, many of us were asking what lessons we may learn from something none of us ever
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9/23/2020 • 20 minutes, 14 seconds
PMP211: Reflections on Reopening Schools, Part 2, with Jen Schwanke
As you are re-engaging with your school community, what lessons are you learning as you walk through this new journey
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9/17/2020 • 33 minutes, 6 seconds
PMP210: Re-opening Reflections with Jen Schwanke
This week I reconnected with Principal Jen Schwanke, Principal of Indian Run Elementary, author and education consultant, for reflections on
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9/10/2020 • 33 minutes, 28 seconds
PMP209: Supporting Students from Immigrant Families in a Pandemic
Last week I talked a high school principal who told me she has already referred more students than normal to
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9/3/2020 • 29 minutes, 57 seconds
PMP208: New School Year Celebrations and Challenges
This is the time of year when the green stalks of corn begin to brown and yellow, and the once
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8/27/2020 • 12 minutes, 46 seconds
PMP207: Equity in Education During a Pandemic
Last week I was in a conversation with a principal from South Carolina, a member of a Mastermind for Reopening
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8/20/2020 • 18 minutes, 25 seconds
PMP206: Growing Through a Mastermind with Anthony Fisher
Especially during difficult times, leaders need support from other leaders. Each week this past year, I have been hosting virtual
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8/13/2020 • 37 minutes, 55 seconds
PMP205: Preparing the Start-of-School Year in a Pandemic
Jenny is a returning student at her high school. She has a part-time job which keeps her up late most
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8/6/2020 • 25 minutes, 38 seconds
PMP204: We are all Pioneers and Tweeners this school year!
This week I did my first in-person meeting with a group of fellow-school leaders as they plan for the beginning
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7/30/2020 • 19 minutes, 54 seconds
PMP203: Cultivating PLAY in Leadership with Jeff Springer
One of the biggest challenges for the a new school year is deciding how to mitigate concerns for safety while
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7/23/2020 • 42 minutes, 14 seconds
PMP202: Transforming School Cultures with Dr. Anthony Muhammad
As you think about your own leadership, I’m curious if you give yourself the kind of scrutiny you may give
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7/16/2020 • 36 minutes, 47 seconds
PMP201: Rebooting for the Summer with Jen Schwanke
On March 17, 2020, many schools across the U.S. began responding to the global pandemic of COVID-19 with school closures.
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7/9/2020 • 25 minutes, 20 seconds
PMP200: Looking Back at Distance Learning with Jen Schwanke
Now that the dust has settled from distance learning, school leaders are asking: what worked, and what didn’t work? How
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6/25/2020 • 27 minutes, 42 seconds
PMP199: Panel Discussion on Equity & Racism, Part 2
Last week, my guests William Stubbs, Marlena Gross-Taylor, and Don Parker shared feedback on their personal and professional reflections around
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6/18/2020 • 40 minutes, 31 seconds
PMP198: Panel Discussion on Equity and Racism, Part 1
No community has been immune to conversations surrounding equity, racism, and inequalities. As Marlena Gross-Taylor, one of the guests on
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6/11/2020 • 38 minutes, 49 seconds
PMP197: 10 Tips for New Assistant Principals
Starting a new school year is like preparing for a marathon. The journey begins with training long before the race
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6/4/2020 • 39 minutes, 10 seconds
PMP196: Generation Optimism with Juan David Campolargo
Even in uncertain times, it is good to remember that positive ideas can come from even the most difficult situations.
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5/28/2020 • 27 minutes, 41 seconds
PMP195: Instruction from a Distance with Jena Nelson
During school closures and remote learning, maintaining connection with students has been an enormous puzzle to solve. When 8th grade
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5/21/2020 • 25 minutes, 59 seconds
PMP194: Lessons from Leading in New York with Principal Patrick McLaughlin
School leaders share a common bond – whether you lead in an urban, suburban or rural setting. During the last
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5/14/2020 • 28 minutes, 17 seconds
PMP193: Taking a Music Break from COVID-19
I don’t know about you, but it seems like every waking hour has been spent adjusting to a new normal,
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5/7/2020 • 26 minutes, 6 seconds
PMP192: Leading from a Distance, Part 2 with Jen Schwanke
When storms roll across my home state of Oklahoma, residents here have a few common reactions. First, we listen to
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4/30/2020 • 24 minutes, 38 seconds
PMP191: Reflections on Leading from a Distance
If you’re like me, you’re probably still adjusting to a new normal. Each morning I still wake up, walk the
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4/23/2020 • 31 minutes, 8 seconds
PMP190: 5 Tips for Running the Uncertain Leadership Roads Ahead
This morning I was running a three-mile track around my neighborhood. As I passed the houses and occasional drivers, I
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4/16/2020 • 29 minutes, 47 seconds
PMP189: Building Bridges to Reach Students with Dr. Don Parker
When Don Parker was a Dean of Students, he knew his students were struggling – especially those with high risk
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4/8/2020 • 32 minutes, 55 seconds
PMP188: COVID-19 Update, Principal Reboot, Finding Balance Continued
This week I had the privilege of capturing a few minutes with Chris Legleiter, Principal of Leawood Middle School, Blue
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4/1/2020 • 47 minutes, 10 seconds
PMP187: Reboot for Principals, Part 2
As schools across the nation continue closures because of the Coronavirus pandemic, this week’s episode includes an update from listener,
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3/25/2020 • 38 minutes, 31 seconds
PMP186: Reboot for Principals with Jen Schwanke
Throughout the world, schools are managing the challenges of school closures in response to news of the spreading corona virus
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3/18/2020 • 30 minutes, 30 seconds
PMP185: The Power of Sharing Your Own Story
What stories have shaped your own leadership journey? I recently finished reading, Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover. If you’re
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3/11/2020 • 20 minutes, 50 seconds
PMPEncore151: Hiring High Quality Educators, Part 2
Why is hiring such an important part of your responsibility as a principal? First and foremost, because the students, teachers,
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3/5/2020 • 32 minutes, 3 seconds
PMPEncore150: Hiring High Quality Educators, Part 1
One day the teachers at Indian Run Elementary, in Dublin, Ohio, organized a “Flash TACO bar” – a spontaneous buffet
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2/27/2020 • 34 minutes, 8 seconds
PMP184: 5 Voices for Leading Teams with Jeremie Kubicek
It goes without saying that in order to lead you must have followers. But taking others to a destination doesn’t
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2/20/2020 • 25 minutes, 38 seconds
PMP183: Gen Z Unfiltered, Part 2 with Andrew McPeak
“When is a time you have used grit, and what lesson did you learn?” This is just one of 100
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2/12/2020 • 26 minutes, 48 seconds
PMP182: Generation Z Unfiltered with Andrew McPeak
Students today face newer and different challenges than students of the past. Although many of the skills or values they
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2/6/2020 • 32 minutes, 16 seconds
Encore099: Collaborating for Results – Interview with Dr. Judi Barber
I am digging into the archives of Principal Matters to bring you an episode from January 2018, when I had
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1/30/2020 • 34 minutes, 54 seconds
PMP181: Finding Your Swing – How Leadership & Teamwork Go Hand-in-Hand
This week I had the privilege of spending an afternoon with a team of new assistant principals. As we talked
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1/23/2020 • 13 minutes, 30 seconds
PMP180: Tipping Points and Why Small Things Matter
What does it take for small actions to produce big results? Over Christmas break, I listened to the audio-version of
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1/16/2020 • 16 minutes, 56 seconds
PMP179: Special Edition – Principal Matters 2019 Year In Review
Last week my family and I traveled back to Tennessee to see my parents and extended family. My parents both
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1/8/2020 • 14 minutes, 29 seconds
PMP178: 10 Positive Takeaways from the Past Decade
Just like you, I can think of many reasons to worry about the future or raise concerns about trends that
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12/24/2019 • 11 minutes, 34 seconds
PMP177: Cha Cha’s for Making Learning Stick with LeAnn Nickelsen
A few weeks ago, I was sharing with a group of principals one of my favorite video-clips from the movie,
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12/18/2019 • 30 minutes, 3 seconds
Encore146: Balancing Priorities with Jen Schwanke
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12/12/2019 • 32 minutes, 21 seconds
PMP176: Leading Through Equity with William Stubbs
In October 2018, William Stubbs, an instructional leadership director at Oklahoma City Public Schools at the time, entered and won
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12/4/2019 • 30 minutes, 41 seconds
PMP175: Middle School Matters with Phyllis Fagell
Do you remember what is was like to be a middle school student? For many people, memories of those years
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11/27/2019 • 29 minutes, 1 second
PMP174: 10 Areas to Focus on for Growth as a Leader with Chris Legleiter
Every person in your school is at a different level of growth. Not just students, but teachers are also at
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11/21/2019 • 32 minutes, 25 seconds
PMP173: Lessons in Leadership from Your Scars
When I was in college, I had a blue 1981 Toyota Celica that overheated on the long trip to Oklahoma,
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11/13/2019 • 14 minutes, 29 seconds
PMP172: Learning and Leading with John Wink
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11/7/2019 • 33 minutes, 31 seconds
PMP:170 Four Lessons in Teamwork from my Son’s Hospital Stay
Six years ago, on October 31, 2013, my son Jack was eight years old. We had just finished an amazing
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10/31/2019 • 11 minutes, 12 seconds
PMP169: Leading into the Wind – Lessons from Dave Sandowich
A few weeks ago, I had the privilege to spend a few hours sailing on the Chesapeake Bay with Dave
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10/24/2019 • 23 minutes, 56 seconds
PMP168: Managing Your Day with Kim Marshall and Jenn David-Lang
If you are like most school leaders, time management can be one of the most difficult parts of your work.
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10/17/2019 • 31 minutes, 39 seconds
PMP167: Keeping Your Leadership Focused on Service, Not Self
Last week was the first time (except for a rare Christmas holiday) that I have not shared a blog post
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10/9/2019 • 14 minutes, 44 seconds
PMP166: Unique Challenges of Rural Principals and Why Your Story Matters
This week I’m sharing another episode from the road as I have been traveling across my state, Oklahoma, visiting principals
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9/25/2019 • 24 minutes, 2 seconds
PMP165: Three Lessons in Decision Making from Malcolm Gladwell’s Blink
Several years ago, I was standing in our school lunchroom watching hundreds of students eat breakfast. I was positioned in
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9/19/2019 • 20 minutes, 24 seconds
PMP164: On the Road – Thoughts for New School Leaders
These last couple of week, I’ve been on the road a lot visiting schools and principals across my state. For
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9/12/2019 • 24 minutes, 14 seconds
PMP163: Encouraging an Environment of Growth – Questions and Answers with Jethro Jones
Thank you @jethrojones for collaborating together to answer principal questions! #education #leadership #principalmatters #transformativeprincipals … Continue readingPMP163: Encouraging an Environment of Growth – Questions and Answers with Jethro Jones
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9/5/2019 • 35 minutes, 1 second
PMP162: Go! Community – How to Harness the Power of the Room with Danny Bauer
Author David Weinberger once said: “The smartest person in the room is the room itself.” In other words, the collective
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8/28/2019 • 30 minutes, 22 seconds
PMP161: Answers to Principal Matters Questions, Part 2
Last week Jen Schwanke and I answered questions from podcast listeners. Listen to Part 1 here. This week we take
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8/15/2019 • 32 minutes, 46 seconds
PMP160: Answers to Principal Matters Questions, Part 1
Recently, several questions came from Principal Matters community members. This week, Jen Schwanke, principal and author, joined me to answer
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8/8/2019 • 30 minutes, 47 seconds
PMP159: Engaging Students in Shaping Their Own Stories with Jesse Haynes
Jesse Haynes is one of those rare people you meet in life who has dared to make his dreams come
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8/1/2019 • 28 minutes, 15 seconds
PMP:Encore076 Messaging Matters – How to Inspire Teachers, Motivate Students and Reach Communities
In 2017, Justin Baeder, from Principal Center Radio, invited me as a guest on his show to talk to me about
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7/25/2019 • 30 minutes, 56 seconds
PMP158: Why Telling Your Own Story Matters
A few nights ago I was sitting in a theater with my wife watching the movie, Yesterday, starring Himesh Patel
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7/18/2019 • 16 minutes, 27 seconds
PMP157: Preparing for the Start-of-School Year
Jenny is a returning student at her high school. She has a part-time job which keeps her up late most
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7/10/2019 • 29 minutes, 23 seconds
PMP156: 6 Tips for Managing School-Wide Changes
When my family recently visited the Rocky Mountain National Park, we enjoyed drives through snow-peaked mountains. But my 13-year old
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7/3/2019 • 26 minutes, 16 seconds
PMPEncore077: Four Tips for Parents as Principals
Two years ago, my oldest daughter graduated from the high school where I was principal. When she headed off to
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6/26/2019 • 16 minutes, 13 seconds
PMPEncore028: Four Reasons Your Vacation Matters
This week’s post is an encore episode I shared a couple of years ago. Since I’m enjoying some vacation, I
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6/19/2019 • 13 minutes, 56 seconds
PMP:Encore090 Branding Your School with Marlena Gross-Taylor
When I was in junior high school, everyone on my basketball team wore Converse high-tops. Yes, that means I’m officially from
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6/12/2019 • 26 minutes, 22 seconds
PMP155: Parenting as Principals – Do’s and Don’ts, Part 2
A few years ago, we had a lockdown drill at the high school where I was principal. Local police had
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6/5/2019 • 29 minutes, 43 seconds
PMP154: Parenting as Principals – Do’s and Don’ts, Part 1
Oklahoma has experienced its share of storms and severe weather this spring. The other day, our family was sitting in
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5/30/2019 • 28 minutes, 14 seconds
PMP153: Maintaining Balance and Focusing on What Matters, Part 2
When Principal Jen Schwanke was talking to one of her teachers about the importance of balance, her teacher asked an
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5/22/2019 • 29 minutes, 53 seconds
PMP152: Maintaining Balance and Staying Focused on What Matters
We just celebrated Mother’s Day. This time of year is a good reminder that our families play such an important
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5/15/2019 • 27 minutes, 52 seconds
PMP151: Hiring & Retaining High Quality Teachers, Part 2
Several weeks ago, I had the privilege of visiting Norman High School, in Norman, Oklahoma. Dr. Scott Beck was recently
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5/8/2019 • 31 minutes, 30 seconds
PMP:150 Hiring High Quality Educators, Part 1
Recently, the teachers at Indian Run Elementary, in Dublin, Ohio, organized a “Flash TACO bar” – a spontaneous buffet meal
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4/24/2019 • 33 minutes, 35 seconds
PMPEncore109: The Power of One Caring Adult with Josh Shipp
A few years ago, I sat across my desk from a student whose father had abandoned him and left the
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4/17/2019 • 32 minutes, 38 seconds
PMP:149 Managing Adult Conflicts, Part 2
Spring time is here, and the landscape is green with new growth. Ironically, my wife told me that by the
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4/10/2019 • 29 minutes, 49 seconds
PMP:148 The “Why’s” and “How’s” of Managing Adult Conflict
One of the biggest surprises for school new school leaders may be the conflicts that arise with adults. Whether you
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4/3/2019 • 31 minutes, 44 seconds
PMP:147 Providing Focused Professional Development
When you think about providing professional development, do you feel stressed or excited? For many principals, providing professional development can
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3/27/2019 • 30 minutes, 33 seconds
PMP:146 Good Habits for Balancing Priorities
Have you ever felt overwhelmed in trying to balance priorities? If you’re like me, you can probably think of more
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3/20/2019 • 31 minutes, 21 seconds
PMP:145 Promoting a Culture of Trust – Part 2
When is the last time you heard the following words? “We do what’s best for kids.” Of course, we want
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3/13/2019 • 26 minutes, 19 seconds
PMP:144 Building and Maintaining Positive School Culture
Cultivating a positive school culture is a lot like tending a garden. When you have tilled the soil, pulled the
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3/6/2019 • 28 minutes, 39 seconds
PMP:143 Learning for ALL with Dr. Garth Larson
When Garth Larson was asked to move from secondary administration to become an elementary principal, he was curious if he
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2/27/2019 • 30 minutes, 34 seconds
PMP:Encore027 Ten Tips for Interviewing for an Education Opening
It’s that time of year again for hiring and job searches! Whether you are conducting an interview or being interviewed,
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2/21/2019 • 14 minutes, 3 seconds
PMP:142 Preventing Student Athlete Injury or Sudden Death – Interview with Dr. Douglas Casa
Dr. Douglas Casa began his study of student athletic safety in 1985 when he suffered an exertional heat stroke while
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2/13/2019 • 29 minutes, 58 seconds
PMP141: How Culture Drives Successful Learning Communities – Interview with Dr. Kyle Palmer
Recently, I had the privilege of talking to Dr. Kyle Palmer about the lessons he has learned in his years
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2/6/2019 • 22 minutes, 28 seconds
PMP:Encore079 Whose Permission Are You Waiting For?
Next week, I have the privilege of gathering together with educators and school leaders for a Leadership & Learning Conference
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1/31/2019 • 15 minutes, 19 seconds
PMP:140 Strategies and Solutions for New School Leaders – Interview with Jen Schwanke
I’ll never forget the semester I transitioned from assistant principal to principal. Even though I had been in school administration
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1/25/2019 • 19 minutes, 31 seconds
PMP:139 Building Stronger Collaboration – Interview with Diana Lebsack
Great teams understand the importance of depending on one another. With the many roles of a school leader, one of
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1/17/2019 • 32 minutes, 52 seconds
PMP:138 Middle Level Kindness Challenge – Interview with Daniel O’Donnell
Recently, Education Week shared a post, A Look at How Principals Really Drive School Improvement, with a summary of a
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1/10/2019 • 25 minutes, 41 seconds
PMP:137 Reaching and Teaching Students Exposed to Trauma with Dr. Barbara Sorrels
One day I was walking through one of my high school buildings, when I heard the sound of a teacher
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12/20/2018 • 27 minutes, 34 seconds
PMP:136 Crucial Conversations for Reaching Targeted Destinations
I’ve been on the road a lot lately. And as I travel, I often think about how to reach my
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12/13/2018 • 16 minutes, 26 seconds
PMP:135 Using FOMO for Positive School Culture with Kim Coody
In a recent conversation with author and generation expert Dr. Tim Elmore, he shared how many students are affected by
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12/5/2018 • 0
PMP:134 Creating Engaging Cultures with Dr. Tim Elmore
How do engage students while also understanding the unique challenges and strengths of Generation Z students? Several years ago, I
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11/29/2018 • 34 minutes, 9 seconds
PMP:133 Three Reasons to be Thankful
Five years ago this month, our son Jack was diagnosed with a rare disease called Kawasaki that brought our normal
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11/22/2018 • 13 minutes, 58 seconds
PMP:Encore043 What Can You Accomplish Together?
The European Space Agency’s historical comet landing of the spacecraft Rosetta in 2014 was an amazing feat. Imagine organizing a
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11/15/2018 • 12 minutes, 26 seconds
PMP:132 Frameworks for Managing Student Discipline
During my second year as a high school assistant principal, I received notice one morning that a number of students
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11/8/2018 • 17 minutes, 19 seconds
PMP:131 School Without Walls – Interview with Richard Trogisch
On Tuesday, September 25, 2018, I walked into a D.C. high school called School Without Walls, a four-story building interspersed
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11/1/2018 • 25 minutes, 54 seconds
PMP:130 Five Lessons in Resilience – Reflections from Unbroken
Several years ago, Oklahoma received one of the worst blizzards I had ever seen in a state that sometimes has
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10/25/2018 • 14 minutes, 21 seconds
PMP:129 Why School Culture Matters – Interview with Heather Shaffery
This time of year, I’m on the road a lot visiting schools across my state. As I drive across Oklahoma,
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10/17/2018 • 25 minutes, 3 seconds
PMP:128 Integrating Technology School-wide with Janalyn Taylor
How can schools integrate technology across all classrooms? Janalyn Taylor, Principal of Nance Elementary in Clinton, Oklahoma, believes that school
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10/10/2018 • 25 minutes, 40 seconds
PMP:Encore053 How Do You Respond Under Pressure?
When I was in high school and college, my brothers and I worked part-time diving for mussel shells in the
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10/4/2018 • 14 minutes, 31 seconds
PMP:127 Why Social Emotional Learning Matters – Interview with Tamara Fyke
Educators are talking a lot about students in trauma. Although you may not always know when students are stressed or
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9/26/2018 • 30 minutes, 58 seconds
PMPEncore046: 5 Ways to Respond to Resistance
One of my favorite college education professors would often start class with a provoking question. As we would grapple with
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9/20/2018 • 13 minutes, 35 seconds
PMP:125 Leaving A Legacy – What Will Others Say About You?
Recently, the United States mourned the passing of Arizona Senator John McCain. Before his death, Senator McCain was asked by
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9/12/2018 • 18 minutes, 4 seconds
PMP:124 Six Tips for Investing in Future Leaders
When I was a Language Arts teacher, I would walk my students through a series of practices on identifying their
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9/6/2018 • 22 minutes, 19 seconds
PMP:123 Rowing Together – Why Your Marriage Matters for Your Leadership
This summer my wife and I enjoyed time away celebrating our twenty fifth wedding anniversary in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. One
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8/30/2018 • 18 minutes, 38 seconds
PMP:122 Packing Parachutes – Why Your Money Management Matters
The other day I was talking to a friend of mine who ran track in high school. When he was
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8/23/2018 • 18 minutes, 48 seconds
PMP:121 The Power of Play – 7 Tips for Education Leaders
When I spotted the mud puddle, I thought it would be fun to jump it. The dirt road that ran
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8/16/2018 • 23 minutes, 45 seconds
PMP:Encore06 – Essential Questions for a New School Year (& Predicting the Weather)
How are you anticipating the start of a new school year? This week I wanted to share some thoughts from a previous
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8/8/2018 • 10 minutes, 12 seconds
PMP:120 A Leader’s Spiritual Growth – Four Reasons Your Faith Matters
A few weeks ago, I was on an airplane with my oldest daughter, Emily, who just finished her first year
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8/1/2018 • 17 minutes, 23 seconds
PMP:Bonus03 – Answers to Listener Questions + Thoughts from the Road
I’ve been on the road (and in planes) a lot the summer, and I have been thinking about issues and
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7/19/2018 • 31 minutes, 49 seconds
PMP:119 Your Friendships – Learning to Climb Together
When I was in college, I had my first experience in mountain climbing. I was traveling in Guatemala for a
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7/4/2018 • 16 minutes, 33 seconds
PMP:118 Growing Leaders Takeaways – Crucial Conversations About Students
The other morning, I woke up early in a hotel room in Atlanta, Georgia. For a moment, I couldn’t remember
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6/27/2018 • 17 minutes, 10 seconds
PMP:117 Your Time – Are you Making the Most of Each Moment?
Balance is a popular word among life coaches and leadership authors. As important as it is to remember to invest
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6/20/2018 • 17 minutes, 34 seconds
PMP:116 The Starbucks Story – Three Lessons for School Leaders
Recently, Howard Schultz, the owner and CEO of Starbucks announced he will be retiring as CEO of the company. This
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6/13/2018 • 15 minutes, 36 seconds
PMP:115 A Leader’s Influence – How is the Air You Breathe?
In 2010, I had the privilege of traveling to China for ten days on an education tour. One morning in
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6/6/2018 • 15 minutes, 25 seconds
PMP:Encore027 Ten Tips for Interviewing for an Education Opening
Last week I was on the phone with a teacher who will soon be interviewing for an assistant principal opening.
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5/30/2018 • 14 minutes, 3 seconds
PMP:114 Reflections on Your Learning: What’s on Your Playlist?
My mother-in-law has Alzheimer’s. The condition began about ten years ago when we thought she was simply becoming more forgetful.
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5/23/2018 • 16 minutes, 45 seconds
PMP:113 Building Positive School Communities – Interview with Principal Mike Crase
When I drove into the parking lot at East Central High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, I was greeted by bright
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5/16/2018 • 26 minutes, 36 seconds
PMP:112 Reflections for Education Leaders – How Are You Tending Your Body?
When I was little, I loved to stand in the garden as my grandparents tilled soil and put out spring
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5/9/2018 • 15 minutes, 34 seconds
PMP:111 Reflections for Education Leaders & Wearing Your Air Mask
I’m a frequent flyer. The more I fly, the harder I find it is to stay focused when flight attendants
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5/2/2018 • 14 minutes, 50 seconds
PMPEncore065: Ending the School Year with Celebration
Last year my student council members came to see me about an idea they had for finishing the year with
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4/25/2018 • 15 minutes, 12 seconds
PMP:110 Six Tips for Education Advocacy
Last week I was walking back to my car from a visit to Oklahoma’s state capitol, when I saw a
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4/18/2018 • 16 minutes, 21 seconds
PMP:109 The Power of One Caring Adult with Josh Shipp
Last year I sat across my desk from a student whose father had abandoned him and left the state. A
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4/11/2018 • 32 minutes, 41 seconds
PMP:108 Using Technology to Message with Parents, the Community, and Beyond
In 2016, a Pew Research report showed 62% of adults receive news via social media – a 49% increase from
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4/4/2018 • 31 minutes, 37 seconds
PMP:Encore045 “Teach Like Me” Interview with Shawn Sheehan
On November 30, 2016, I sat down for a conversation with Oklahoma’s 2016 Teacher of the Year, Shawn Sheehan. That
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3/21/2018 • 20 minutes, 23 seconds
PMP:106 Rethinking How School Leaders Help Teachers Grow
What kind of school environment encourages teachers to race tricycles down the hallways while also engaging in deep conversations about
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3/14/2018 • 22 minutes, 59 seconds
PMP:105 Using Technology to Message with Students
In Tim Elmore’s book Generation IY, he shares data from his 2015 research showing the following trends among youth. •
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3/7/2018 • 33 minutes, 25 seconds
PMP:104 Messaging with Students — Environment, Celebration, and Communication
Recently, Rachel Simmons wrote an article in the Washington Post called Perfectionism among teens is rampant (and we’re not helping). It
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2/28/2018 • 31 minutes, 37 seconds
PMP:103 Standing Back Up When You Feel Knocked Down
Last Sunday my family and I were watching the Winter Olympics when the men’s 30km Skiathlon began. As the race
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2/21/2018 • 15 minutes, 6 seconds
PMP:102 Four Essentials for Advancing in Your Leadership
Last week I was speaking to a group of Assistant Principals near Montgomery, Alabama, when I noticed a familiar face
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2/14/2018 • 15 minutes, 25 seconds
PMP:101 Strategies for Messaging with Teachers
This summer my wife and I will celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. For some reason, I’ve never thought of myself
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2/7/2018 • 31 minutes, 28 seconds
PMP:100 Celebrating One Hundred Episodes of Storytelling
When I was ten years old, I had an old tape cassette player. It was the kind that had a
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1/31/2018 • 15 minutes, 32 seconds
PMP:099 Collaborating for Results – Interview with Dr. Judi Barber
This Christmas break, I took the family to see the newest Star Wars movie. If you haven’t seen it, please
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1/24/2018 • 34 minutes, 26 seconds
PMP098: Messaging with Teachers – The Foundations, Models, and Framework for Strong Instructional Leadership
When I was in high school and college, I spent a lot of time diving for shells in the lakes
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1/17/2018 • 33 minutes, 31 seconds
PMP:097 Building a Community of Messaging with Entanglement, Engagement, and Mission
Last month I enjoyed some time away with family in West Tennessee. When I was there, my son Jack and
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1/10/2018 • 33 minutes, 54 seconds
PMP:096 Wrapping up Another Year of Principal Matters + Bonus Takeaways
Happy New Year! As I look at the past year I am grateful for the connections, relationships and opportunities to
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1/3/2018 • 43 minutes, 21 seconds
PMP:095 Encouraging Childlike Wonder in Learning
A few years ago, I sat in a gymnasium with bleachers filled with middle schoolers while I watched high school
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12/20/2017 • 31 minutes, 31 seconds
PMP:094 Ten Takeaways on Communication & Lessons in Teamwork
Just a few days ago I was presenting to principals in Wichita, Kansas. I was a little nervous because I
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12/13/2017 • 31 minutes, 51 seconds
PMP:093 Why are You Leading? 4 Questions for Refocusing on Your Destination
When I was in college I climbed my first mountain which was an active volcano near Guatemala City. We loaded
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12/6/2017 • 16 minutes, 36 seconds
PMP:092 Making ‘First Days’ Every Day, Using Key Responsibility Areas, and Helping Students Flourish
One of my favorite illustrations of the brain is not from a science magazine. It is from a Mercedes Benz
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11/29/2017 • 32 minutes, 53 seconds
PMP:091 Reflecting on Lessons in Leadership
One of my favorite ways to enjoy a long drive is by listening to podcasts or audio-books. And I especially
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11/22/2017 • 30 minutes, 35 seconds
PMP:090 Why You Should Brand Your School with Marlena Gross-Taylor
When I was in junior high school, everyone on my basketball team wore Converse high-tops. I’ll never forget mine: they
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11/15/2017 • 25 minutes, 43 seconds
PMP:089 Marching off the Map with Andrew McPeak
Recently, on a trip to Philadelphia, I was sitting in airport gate seating area, which gave me a view of
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11/8/2017 • 40 minutes, 15 seconds
PMP:088 Moving from Average to Excellence in School Relationships
When I was in college, I was a resident advisor in the dormitory where I lived. My dorm director, Scott
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11/1/2017 • 14 minutes, 21 seconds
PMP:087 Reflections on Disciplining with Dignity, Remembering Teachers, and Maintaining Sanity During Stressful Times
Recently, my twelve-year-old son, Jack, and I took a long road trip from Oklahoma to West Tennessee to visit my
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10/25/2017 • 30 minutes, 53 seconds
PMP:086 Now We’re Talking – Interview with Justin Baeder
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if you walked into your child’s room at home, looked around,
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10/18/2017 • 35 minutes, 15 seconds
PMP:085 Managing Demands, Dealing with Difficult People, and Promoting Positive Morale
When I was a boy, I loved to walk the garden where my grandparents grew summer vegetables. My grandfather had
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10/11/2017 • 30 minutes, 2 seconds
PMP:084 Adapting to the Changing Winds of Education
I’ve been reading an excellent book by Tim Elmore and Andrew McPeak, Marching Off the Map: Inspire Students to Navigate
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10/4/2017 • 13 minutes, 53 seconds
PMP: 083 The Importance of Mindset, Motivation, and Modeling for Education Leaders
A few days ago I was at airport security when I ran into a parent from my previous school. We
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9/27/2017 • 28 minutes, 25 seconds
PMP:082 How Can You Accomplish a Mission?
This past weekend, NASA broadcasted the final transmission of the spacecraft, Cassini, as it plunged into the atmosphere of the
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9/20/2017 • 16 minutes, 9 seconds
PMP:081 Leadership, Courage and Caution Lights for Principals
This past week I hosted a webinar for principals as a part of a book study over Principal Matters: The
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9/13/2017 • 31 minutes, 28 seconds
PMP:080 A Reality Check for New or Aspiring Principals—10 Takeaways for the Road Ahead
The other night I was invited to visit a university classroom with sixteen educators who are working on graduate degrees in educational leadership. I listened to each of them present vision and mission statements related to their work with students. It was obvious they had a strong understanding of the road ahead–they understood the “why” […]
9/6/2017 • 18 minutes, 32 seconds
PMP:079 Whose Permission Are You Waiting For?
Last week I heard a presentation by Will Richardson, educator and author, who shared stories about new ways students are interacting with learning today. Here are three examples he shared: He talked about Nate Butkus, a 7-year-old boy who has started his own science podcast. He shared the story of a young man in India, […]
8/30/2017 • 15 minutes, 21 seconds
PMP:078 How To Respond to Resistance
The other day, a principal friend emailed me this question: >>Will, I’d like your thoughts on something I grapple with: that is the importance I place on staff approval of what I do or present…the need to be liked I know is crazy and irrational, but how do you deal with the knock back, hearing […]
8/23/2017 • 13 minutes, 45 seconds
PMP:077 Four Tips for #DadsAsPrincipals
I’ve noticed a group of principals trending on Twitter lately using the hashtag #dadsasprincipals. And my friend Daniel Bauer recently interviewed a group of these dedicated dads at last month’s National Principal Conference. You can hear their talk here. These dads have picked up on the #momsasprincipals movement they saw happening among their female colleagues, […]
8/16/2017 • 16 minutes, 36 seconds
PMP:076 Messaging Matters–How to Inspire Teachers, Motivate Students and Reach Communities
Last month, Justin Baeder, from Principal Center Radio, invited me as a guest on his show to talk to me about my new book Messaging Matters: How to Inspire Teachers, Motivate Students, and Reach Communities. He was gracious enough to allow me to repost the interview here. Here are some takeaways from our conversation: Why […]
8/9/2017 • 29 minutes, 1 second
PMP:075 Learning from Mistakes with Jon Harper
Reflection is such an important part of growth — whether that involves your own growth or the growth of your school or team. Jon Harper from BAM Radio’s podcast “My Bad” is a school leader who explores how our mistakes can teach us important lessons. In this interview, we explore how reflecting on your own […]
8/2/2017 • 34 minutes, 49 seconds
PMP:074 Growing Your Digital Leadership with Jethro Jones
Jethro Jones is principal of Tanana Middle School in Fairbanks, Alaska. He is also the host of Transformative Principal Podcast. As NASSP’s Principal 2017 National Digital Principal of the Year, he was honored this month at the National Principal Conference in Philadelphia. I’ve known Jethro for years from connecting online and have had the privilege […]
7/26/2017 • 35 minutes, 17 seconds
PMP:073 Three Takeaways for Your Leadership Journey
Recently I was speaking to school leaders at Okaloosa County Schools’ Summer Leadership Academy in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. I decided to combine my travels there with an opportunity for my family to stay at the beach. My wife and I loaded up all four kids in a Dodge Caravan, and we hit the road. […]
7/19/2017 • 15 minutes, 29 seconds
PMP:072 Predicting Your School Climate
Sometimes my left elbow aches. I have a scar there from when I broke it falling from a horse almost twenty years ago. When it starts hurting, I can usually be certain the weather will turn stormy. My aching elbow reminds me of another story. When I was a boy, I often helped on my […]
7/12/2017 • 11 minutes, 38 seconds
PMP:Encore 028 Why Your Vacation Matters
This week’s post is an encore episode I shared a year ago. Have you thought why your time away from school can help you better serve your school? Regardless of whether someone is an educator or not, or whether your vacation time is long or short, taking time away from work is healthy for a […]
7/5/2017 • 0
PMP:071 Daniel Bauer Interview – How Masterminds Help You Grow
School leader and podcaster Danny Bauer shared a conversation with me about his education journey as well as how leaders are collaborating together to keep growing personally and professionally. Danny “Sunshine” Bauer is the founder of Better Leaders Better Schools and facilitates weekly mastermind groups to support leadership growth. His podcast has hosted a hundred […]
6/28/2017 • 0
PMP:070 How Your Brain Resists Change
When I was in high school, my dad reenlisted in the Navy and we moved to New York where he was stationed while his ship was in dry-dock. For a country boy from West Tennessee, New York was a culture shock. I remember being so afraid to speak because I didn’t want others making fun […]
6/21/2017 • 0
PMP:069 Entanglement & Why Messaging Matters
Invisibilia is a fascinating podcast about the invisible forces that affect us without us being aware. In a January 29, 2015 episode, the reporters narrating the episode were talking about a phenomenon known as “entanglement.” They began by describing a physics experiment where scientists have been able to isolate particle atoms in separate locations, change […]
6/14/2017 • 0
PMP:068 Choose To Run The Race Anyway
One summer when our oldest daughter, Emily, was beginning to run track, she signed up to run her first 5k with her younger sister during the July 4th holiday. Unfortunately, our younger daughter ended up unable to run it with her. When I drove Emily to the race downtown to run her race alone, I […]
6/7/2017 • 0
PMP:067 Wrapping Up Your School Year—Planning for Summer Break
Occasionally my wife will remind me when it’s been awhile since I’ve cleaned out my closet. So I’ll take time to sort out what I don’t need anymore. I can easily fill a couple of trash bags with items to donate to the local Goodwill store. Summer break is a great time to “clean the […]
5/31/2017 • 0
PMP: 066 What Factors Predict Student Success?
One weekend I was having lunch with a friend who works in petroleum engineering. We talked about the kind of research and data that he uses to determine which sites are best for drilling or exploration. Investors are especially interested in the ability of a company to substantiate the reason they should commit to providing […]
5/24/2017 • 0
PMP:065 Celebration Ideas for Finishing The School Year
Last month I was asked to share a webinar on how to prepare for our state’s accreditation visits. I decided to begin the conversation with the practical steps we take with my school team on sharing, planning, scheduling, and compiling for accountability. Half way through the webinar, however, I switched gears and talked about celebration […]
5/10/2017 • 0
PMP:064 Five Tips For Finishing Strong
During my daughter’s first year in high school, I drove to the local lake dam spillway to meet her teammates for a weekend track workout. After twenty minutes of warm-up running on the grassy path to the spillway and back, they lined up for drills. These included twelve sprints up an intimidatingly steep grassy incline […]
5/3/2017 • 0
PMP:063 Reflecting on Regrets & Rewards
I was listening to an interview between Daniel Bauer and Jethro Jones the other day on Daniel’s Better Leaders, Better Schools podcast. Daniel asked Jethro, an Alaska principal, “What is one of your regrets from your time at your school?” I really liked Jethro’s response because he focused on how relationships were such an important […]
4/26/2017 • 0
PMP:062 Setting the Record Straight & School Advocacy
A few years ago, I had the privilege to participate in a ten-day tour of four cities in China. On one leg of the trip, I sat by a Mongolian woman who was fluent in English and on her way home after completing graduate studies at Boston University. We enjoyed trading stories about our families, […]
4/19/2017 • 0
PMP:061 Six Ways To Showcase Your Great School
Yesterday John Wink hosted a Twitter challenge called #LoveMySchoolDay where he invited educators across the country and around the world to celebrate their schools and share out moments, ideas, photos, etc. of why they love their schools. In many ways, educators have lost the battle of public relations when it comes to our schools. Part […]
4/12/2017 • 0
PMP:060 How Mindfulness Influences Leadership
A few nights ago, I was sitting on the couch with my wife, Missy, when our four children slowly made their way into the living room. Our lives are so busy with three teenage girls and an eleven-year-old boy that we rarely find time to all be together these days. Emily, our oldest, came and […]
4/5/2017 • 0
PMP:059 How Does Scarcity Affect Your Mindset?
The other morning, on my drive to school with my daughter, I was listening to a story on NPR called The Scarcity Trap: Why We Keep Digging When We’re Stuck in a Hole by Shankar Vedantam. Researchers have determined that when people find themselves consumed with trying to simply survive, they often instinctively operate with […]
3/29/2017 • 0
PMP:058 Triggering the Brain with Wonder
The other day I was talking to our high school choir teacher, when she told me about a fascinating brain study involving music. MIT neuroscientists have discovered that music triggers an auditory cortex of the brain that doesn’t appear to respond to other basic auditory sounds like speech. If our brains have portions that only react […]
3/22/2017 • 0
PMP: Encore 05 Caution Lights for the Leadership Journey
Each of us faces different challenges in leadership, and it is important to reflect on the caution lights along the way. This week I wanted to take you back to a podcast episode I shared over a year ago that others have found helpful as they reflect on their own leadership journeys: Caution Lights for […]
3/15/2017 • 0
PMP 057: Why Self-Reflection Matters (Questions to Ask Yourself)
A couple of weeks ago, my wife and I took our oldest daughter, Emily, out to dinner. She turned 18 this year, and we wanted to encourage her in the opportunities and challenges she will be facing as a graduating senior and soon-to-be college student. Previously, I had been reading Tim Elmore’s Generation iY where he shares […]
3/8/2017 • 0
PMP 056: Reaching Generation iY and iGen Students
A few years ago, I was talking to a senior student, Jesse, who was publishing his first book. He shared with me that he had a great opportunity to speak at a gathering of authors at a book conference. Later, he was invited to a number of middle schools to share with younger students his […]
3/1/2017 • 0
PMP 055: Spring Semester & Beta-Testing
When I was boy, my parents would often stop by a decrepit farmhouse where they had first lived after being married. My great-grandfather had built it in the early 1900’s with a big front porch, two chimneys, and a tin roof. A large pear tree grew in the front yard, and in the spring, yellow […]
2/22/2017 • 0
PMP 054: 7 Tips on Rest & Rejuvenation
During my first two years in school admin, I barely slept, rarely exercised, and seldom had time for my family. I’ll never forget the night I was up late after my wife and I had put our four kids to bed. I had my laptop open when my wife sat down beside me. “Will,” she […]
2/15/2017 • 0
PMP 053: 3 Tips for Responding Under Pressure
When I was in high school and college, my brothers and I worked part-time diving for mussel shells in the Kentucky Lake area. We would sell them by the pound at local markets, and those shells would in turn be sold to Japanese markets. Apparently, the pearly-white cuts from those shells are unique implants for […]
2/8/2017 • 0
PMP 052: Starting a Movement of Kindness
Although I grew up in West Tennessee, I was born in San Diego, California when my dad was stationed there in the Navy. Some of my earliest toddler memories include playing on the beach while my dad and older brothers swam in the waves. Even though I was three or four years old, I still […]
2/1/2017 • 0
PMP 051: The Shocking Truth About Your Decision-Making
When I was going to graduate school for my Master’s Degree in Education Leadership, I decided to conduct my own informal research. Over a number of weeks, I talked to current and retired principals about what they considered to be the lessons they had learned from their years in school leadership. I remember one man […]
1/25/2017 • 0
PMP 050: The 5 Marks of a Learning Culture
After living in Oklahoma for more than twenty years, I’ve become keenly aware that our state’s economy is intricately related to oil and gas. In addition to our rich Native American heritage, almost every major city or town in our state has its roots in the oil fields and exploration that brought workers who in […]
1/18/2017 • 0
PMP 049: Why Self-Control Matters–5 Benefits for Leaders
A couple of months ago, I enjoyed some special time away with my son, Jack. He had turned 11, and when his older sisters reached that age, my wife took each of them away for a special weekend. Now it was my turn with Jack, and we had fun weekend in historic Eureka Springs, Arkansas. […]
1/11/2017 • 0
PMP 048: Looking at 2017–Let’s Stay Connected!
One of my first superintendents had been an elementary teacher. Sometimes she would begin our leadership meetings by bringing a shopping bag full of hands-on materials (paper, scissors, glue, popsicle sticks) as demonstrations for a lesson or an idea she wanted us to understand. No matter what your age, you never outgrow the need for […]
1/4/2017 • 0
PMP Bonus 02: “Bee Stings” And Thoughts on Life & Death
This week’s post is more personal than school leadership related. Recently, my wife’s father-in-law, David L. Fulbright, passed away. He was a former teacher, minister, and counselor. He was also a great story-teller and Papa. As the family sat by his bedside in his remaining hours, I had some quiet moments that brought back memories […]
12/28/2016 • 0
PMP 047: Interview with Adam Beauchamp, Oklahoma Digital Principal
This is a dual-post including a podcast interview with Principal Adam Beauchamp who shares the digital tools his school is using for enhancing communication. Adam shared with me via a recent webinar on Communication Strategies that Work. If you want to see the Webinar, you can watch it here. I’m also including a companion blog […]
12/21/2016 • 0
PMP 046: 5 Tips for Responding to Resistance
One of my favorite college education professors would often start class with a provoking question. As we would grapple with how to answer and/or support our positions, he would stand there with his large hands lifted in the air, his voice booming, “Disequilibrium is the beginning of education!” It took me a while to figure […]
12/14/2016 • 0
PMP:045 Shawn Sheehan “Teach Like Me” (Lessons in Risk, Failure and Wow)
In this episode, I sit down with Shawn Sheehan and talk about the lessons from his life, teaching, and advocacy for education. Shawn is the 2016 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year and was a finalist for National Teacher of the Year. He is an Algebra I teacher from Norman High School in Norman, Oklahoma. He […]
12/7/2016 • 0
PMP Bonus Track: Focusing on the Simple Joys of Life
Today I’ve decided to take a break from a focus on school leadership and share some simple joys of life. During Thanksgiving Break, I took time to record a couple of songs that I decided to include in today’s bonus podcast track. My wife and I have four children: 3 girls and 1 boy. This […]
11/30/2016 • 0
PMP: Encore 04 Thankfulness (And the Bacon Story)
This week’s podcast episode is an encore recording of one of my favorite growing-up stories. As you listen, I hope you take time to remember your own good memories. As we approach Thanksgiving, I hope you are taking time to recharge your batteries and invest time with friends and family. Thanks for doing what matters! […]
11/22/2016 • 0
PMP:044 How Challenges Help You Grow
I remember my first year of teaching when I walked into a boy’s bathroom that was reeking of smoke. A couple of boys were standing at the urinals when one of them dropped a lit cigarette at his feet. I didn’t know his name, but I told him to grab his bag and follow me […]
11/16/2016 • 0
PMP:043 Lessons from a Comet Landing (What Can We Accomplish Together?)
The European Space Agency’s historical comet landing of the spacecraft Rosetta in 2014 was an amazing feat I share about in this week’s podcast. First of all, imagine organizing a team of scientists and space engineers who design and launch a spacecraft with the goal of intersecting with a comet 500 million kilometers from Earth. […]
11/9/2016 • 0
PMP:042 The Future of Education (A Conversation with Undergraduates)
Recently I was asked to be a guest presenter for an undergraduate education class at Bartlesville Wesleyan University, a college not too far from my high school. At the end of my presentation, I asked four students if I could interview them for a podcast episode. I had two goals in this conversation: 1. I […]
11/2/2016 • 0
PMP:041 What Makes a Productive Team?
When I was boy, my dad bought a long, green Pontiac station wagon. Long before the creation of the mini-van, it was the car of choice for a large family. We spent countless of hours of my childhood driving from the West Coast to the Mississippi River and back during his Navy years. After we […]
10/26/2016 • 0
PMP:040 How Do You Positively Respond to Apathy?
Last week when I was hosting a webinar for school leaders, an overwhelming number of responses were made about the challenges of overcoming apathy. How does a leader initiate positive changes when others resist, don’t seem to care, or only comply half-heartedly? There’s so much to unpack in that question. In this podcast, I try […]
10/19/2016 • 19 minutes, 24 seconds
Becoming Better: How You Influence Growth
Last weekend I traveled with my son, Jack, and his Cub Scout pack to a joint campout with an older Boy Scout troop. It was a perfect October weekend: 70’s with sun and breeze; evening temperatures in the 50’s—cold enough that a sleeping bag was the perfect cocoon for tent sleeping. Although Jack and I […]
10/5/2016 • 14 minutes, 38 seconds
PMP:038 Celebrating Good Deeds with a Class Cup
I know a lot of schools have creative ways to celebrate the positive behaviors they want students showing on a daily basis. This school year, our student council and their sponsor, Ms. Franklin, launched plans to award a Class Cup to the grade of students who show the most participation in good deeds and school […]
9/28/2016 • 13 minutes, 55 seconds
PMP:037 Are You Growing? Learning to Celebrate the Small Wins
Last week I left school early so that I could watch our cross-country teams run at a local race. It was one of those days where the sun and clouds kept alternating in the sky. My oldest daughter, Emily ran in the first race. When it ended, clouds moved in and a heavy shower began […]
9/21/2016 • 14 minutes, 28 seconds
PMP:036 Four Suggestions on Providing Meaningful Feedback from Observations and Evaluations
I have a lot of friends who are good golfers. I am not one of them. But I recognize a good golfer when I see one. He or she is usually the one who gets the ball in the hole with the fewest strokes. One observation I’ve made about great golfers, however, is that most […]
9/14/2016 • 13 minutes, 26 seconds
PMP:035 Are You Growing? 5 Questions to Ask Yourself
I remember when my daughter began taking clarinet lessons from a private tutor in junior high. When I picked her up from her first session, she said, “I have been playing for three years, but I learned today that I wasn’t putting the mouth piece in far enough. That one tip has helped me hit […]
9/7/2016 • 12 minutes, 39 seconds
PMP:034 Six Ways to Avoid Making Wrong Calls
I once knew a teaching couple who told me a funny story. They lived right across the street from a man who never seemed to go to work. During their breaks from school, the neighbor always seemed to be home; they would usually see him in cut-offs, working in his yard. They began to suspect […]
8/31/2016 • 12 minutes, 26 seconds
PMP:033 What Motivates Your Learning? A Better Alternative…
When I was a junior high student, I remember feeling pretty clueless about what to expect in high school. Sometimes my teachers would tell me to expect to be treated like a number. At other times, they would warn us that if we were unprepared, we could expect a dismal future. Over the years, I’ve […]
8/24/2016 • 0
PMP:032 Olympic Lessons in Collaboration for Educators
Last Saturday my children were watching the Olympics throughout the day. I was walking through the living room when I glanced up at the screen and saw men’s cycling. After six and half hours of racing, the final five kilometers lay ahead, and Poland’s Rafal Majka appeared a certain winner as he was leading the […]
8/17/2016 • 0
PMP:031 Creating a Sense of Ownership for Students
Today’s episode is in response to a listener question, “How can we create a sense of ownership for students into today’s education system?” Although answering this question could be very long, let me ask three questions connected to mindsets I believe are important for any school: 1. As a school leader, how have you envisioned […]
8/9/2016 • 0
PMP:030 Three Simple Ways to Respond to Negativity
In PMP Episode 30, I continue responding to listener and reader questions. This week’s question was: What’s one of the biggest leadership challenges you face right now? One principal wrote back, “How can I respond to negativity among teachers about their students, colleagues or the community?” The answer to that question comes in three parts. […]
8/2/2016 • 0
PMP:029 How Can I Have a Bigger Leadership Role as an Assistant?
Today’s podcast episode is the first in a series responding to listener and reader questions. One assistant principal wrote me to ask, “How can I have a bigger leadership role as an assistant?” This week I wanted to share the response with Principal Matters listeners. If you have other questions you’d like responses to about […]
7/26/2016 • 0
PMP: Encore 03 Purpose-Driven Leadership
In this encore episode of Principal Matters Podcast, I talk about the reason behind why some people find meaning in their work. Research confirms that when you understand the meaning behind your work, you actually serve with more effectiveness. Listen in for reminders on how your work matters! Sign-Up For Free Updates and Ebook When […]
7/19/2016 • 0
PMP: Encore 02 Courage, Teamwork, and Purpose
This week is another encore episode of Principal Matters Podcast. You can link here see the original post accompanying this episode and all the show notes. Thanks for everything you do in serving schools and for doing what matters! Sign-Up For Free Updates and Ebook When you enter your email address below, you will automatically […]
7/12/2016 • 0
PMP: Encore 01 Three C’s For a Great School Year
The weeks of summer are a good time to revisit some original Principal Matters content. This week is an encore episode of the very first episode of Principal Matters Podcast. Listen in for reminders on 3 essential to-do’s for providing a great school year for your students and teachers. For the original blog post accompanying […]
7/5/2016 • 0
PMP:028 Why Vacation Matters
This week’s episode is a reminder of four reasons why your time away from school can help you better serve your school. Regardless of whether someone is an educator or not, or whether your vacation time is long or short, taking time away from work is healthy for a number of reasons. Also, if you […]
6/28/2016 • 14 minutes, 25 seconds
PMP:027 10 Tips for Education Interviews
Whether you are conducting an interview or being interviewed, I have found some common expectations anyone should have when walking into an education interview. This week’s podcast covers 10 tips anyone can use when interviewing for an education position. Also, I mention a resource at the end: 30 Questions from Principal Interviews, if you want […]
6/21/2016 • 14 minutes, 2 seconds
PMP:026 The 8 Hats of a School Leader
This past week I enjoyed speaking to principal organizations in Georgia and Kansas. We explored the various hats that school leaders wear in serving their schools. Today’s podcast is a fourteen-minute version of one of my 90-minute presentations. The keynote is interspersed with examples, resources, and lots of stories, but this summary touches on the […]
6/14/2016 • 14 minutes, 41 seconds
PMP:025 8 Tips for Helping Your School Manage Grief
One of the most difficult parts of school leadership is knowing how to manage the loss of a student. As a high school teacher and administrator, I have experienced this many times over the years. My first year as a site principal, we lost a senior student in a car accident. She was one of […]
6/7/2016 • 14 minutes, 57 seconds
PMP:024 Lessons from my Son’s Hospital Stay
When bad things happen, it is sometimes hard to see the good in our difficulties. A couple of years ago, I posted about my son’s battle and recovery from an infectious disease known as Kawasaki. In addition to the amazing support of our friends, church and community, during that time, I was astounded at the […]
5/31/2016 • 12 minutes, 24 seconds
PMP:023 Five Simple Ways to Support Others
In episode 23, I share a story from a local 10-year old boy who inspired others by his willingness to “be the legs” of his little brother in a 5K run. Listen in for reminders on 5 ways you can provide “legs” to those in your building. Here are the show notes for Episode 23 […]
5/24/2016 • 10 minutes, 44 seconds
PMP:022 Lessons in Leadership from a Cross-Walk Guard
In Episode 22, I share lessons in leadership I learned from a school crosswalk guard. I also tell a story of how a simple phrase can powerfully influence students, how attitude encourages others, and some ways to help students communicate positive expectations. Listen in for motivation in the ways you communicate to others–no matter what […]
5/17/2016 • 11 minutes, 31 seconds
PMP:021 10 Ways to Positively Communicate About Your School
I once heard someone say, “Communication is 100% of what a principal does.” I couldn’t agree more. Of all the areas you manage as a school leader, the way you communicate is one of the most powerful determiners for what people will think about your school. In episode 21 of the podcast, I share 10 […]
5/10/2016 • 12 minutes, 23 seconds
PMP:020 Planting, Growing, and Flourishing
It’s easy to become distracted in school leadership, and often my biggest distraction is myself. That’s why it’s so important to keep your focus on serving others. When you do, you’ll find yourself celebrating student learning and remembering why school leadership matters. In episode 20, I share some ideas inspired from author and speaker Jon […]
5/3/2016 • 11 minutes, 1 second
PMP:019 Key Responsibility Areas for Your School Team
When I transitioned from teaching to school admin, I was surprised at the many moving parts outside the classroom that keep schools running smoothly. Even with all the ways I prepared, it still took me a long time to begin understanding for the multiple job descriptions I was responsible to oversee. Over time, I discovered […]
4/26/2016 • 11 minutes, 4 seconds
PMP:018 First Days of School Questions that Work All Year Long
My school is preparing for the last days of school, but Episode 18 of the PMPodcast shares ideas from Harry Wong’s First Days of School–ideas that work all year long. Communication about the basics is essential for healthy school communities. Go here to check out the original blog post that accompanies this podcast. Here are […]
4/19/2016 • 11 minutes, 21 seconds
PMP:017 Leadership Lessons from the Rise of Theodore Roosevelt
Studying other leaders can help give us insights and lessons that influence our own. From another great historic read, Episode 17 looks at the life of the legendary Theodore Roosevelt, taken from Edmund Morris’s biography, The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt. Listen in for 8 inspiring takeaways from his early life! Here’s a link to the […]
4/12/2016 • 13 minutes, 1 second
PMP016: Learning from the Expertise of Others
Do you ever think about areas in work or life where you wish you had more insight? In episode 16, we talk about learning to lean on the expertise of others. Here are four quick tips on easily connecting and growing to improve your school leadership. For my original companion post to this audio version, […]
4/5/2016 • 11 minutes, 18 seconds
PMP:015 Lessons in Leadership from a Champion Racehorse Team
In episode 15, I share leadership lessons from a championship team. In this case, the team is three men and horse found in Laura Hillenbrand’s classic biography, Seabiscuit. The lessons from this amazing book also apply to any team–including your school teams: principals, counselors, teachers, staff, etc. To see the original post that accompanies this […]
3/29/2016 • 13 minutes, 51 seconds
PMP:014 Five Tips for Maintaining Sanity During Stressful Times
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by your to-do’s? Sometimes you hit seasons where your work can be more stressful than at others. As I’ve hit these seasons at different points in my leadership, I’ve learned a few ways to stay focused even when it feels impossible to do so. Listen in to learn how you […]
3/22/2016 • 12 minutes, 57 seconds
PMP:013 And Then I Met a Teacher (The Power of a Caring Adult)
In this episode, I share reminders why educators are such a powerful influence in the lives of children. I start with stories from two men who lives were significantly shaped by a teacher and a principal. Go here for the companion blog post to this episode. Here are show-notes for this episode 1. Jim and […]
3/15/2016 • 11 minutes, 27 seconds
PMP:012 Disciplining with Dignity
If you view school discipline simply as punishment, you’ll be limited in your effectiveness. If you view it as a way to measure and redirect student behavior, then you may experience more meaningful results. How do you treat others with dignity even when handing out discipline? Listen to Episode 12 to find out! Here are […]
3/8/2016 • 14 minutes, 52 seconds
PMP:011 Tips for Showing Appreciation for Teachers
Because one good deed is worth more than a thousand good intentions, you can never overestimate the power of showing others they are appreciated. In episode 11, learn seven simple ways to show appreciation to teachers, build confidence in your team members, and encourage high expectations school wide. Check out the companion blog post to […]
3/1/2016 • 13 minutes, 24 seconds
PMP:010 Tips for Dealing with Difficult People
In episode 10 of Principal Matters Podcast, we dive into some of the practical ways to make school leadership more effective. Dealing with difficult people is often one of the hardest and most frequent challenges you will face, but you don’t have to be overwhelmed. No one can learn to manage difficulties perfectly, but you […]
2/23/2016 • 13 minutes, 33 seconds
PMP:09 Better Managing Requests
In episode 9 of Principal Matters Podcast, we jump into the “nuts and bolts” of school leadership by talking about how to manage requests. School leaders can easily be overwhelmed with the number of fires they are asked to put out on a daily basis. In this episode, I share three quick tips on ways […]
2/16/2016 • 12 minutes, 39 seconds
PMP:08 Making Each Day Count
In episode 8 of Principal Matters Podcast, I continue a conversation on the importance of understanding your motivations for why you lead. Based on an original blog post, 3 Tips for Making Each Day Count, I share some insights inspired by Robert Smith’s 20,000 Days and Counting–the lessons of a 50 year old when he […]
2/9/2016 • 12 minutes, 39 seconds
PMP:07 Motivation by Wonder & Purpose
Your deepest motivations determine whether you will lead effectively or not. In this podcast episode, I explore how fear and pride are both counterproductive motivations for school leadership. So what is a healthier motivation? Listen in for a conversation that school leaders often never have with one another, but one that may prevent you from […]
2/2/2016 • 11 minutes, 28 seconds
PMP:06 Focusing on the Positives
School leadership is not for the weak-kneed or thin-skinned. But no matter how long you are in leadership, it is still easy to feel overwhelmed. In this podcast episode, I share some of the more difficult moments school leaders face. Then we explore specific actions you can take to keep perspective on the positive elements […]
1/26/2016 • 13 minutes, 24 seconds
PMP:05 Caution Lights for School Leaders
In Episode 5 of Principal Matters Podcast, I share “Caution Lights For Your Leadership Journey.” Learn lessons from my earliest years in school leadership and how burning out almost led me to abandoning the profession. Discover ways to refocus your priorities so that you can lead with effectiveness and fulfillment–without burning out! Here are the […]
1/19/2016 • 12 minutes, 11 seconds
PMP:04 How Your Story Influences Others
In Episode 4 of Principal Matters Podcast, I share some of my own background growing up in rural West Tennessee. Learn how your own story can inform and influence your leadership today, and how thankfulness is a powerful motivator for giving back through helping others. Here are the shownotes for Episode 4: Listen to the infamous […]
1/12/2016 • 14 minutes, 28 seconds
PMP:03 Purpose-Driven Leadership
In this podcast episode, I share some helpful research on how business strategy is more profitable when you understand the meaning in your product. How does this relate to education? And how can school leaders benefit when you take a closer look at your own motivations? This audio post was originally based on my blog […]
1/5/2016 • 11 minutes, 36 seconds
PMP:02 One Day In The Life of a Principal
In the 2nd episode of Principal Matters Podcast, I share an inspiring story from a world-record swimmer and discuss the essential elements leaders need for serving others. Then I run through a typical day in the life of a principal. This is a great introduction for aspiring school leaders or for seasoned ones who want […]
12/30/2015 • 14 minutes, 20 seconds
Principal Matters: The School Leader’s Podcast, Episode 1
I recorded this first episode at the beginning of school so that I could remember that important steps to take all-year-long for a successful school year. I describe two separate scenarios for students during their first day of school and the important cues educators must recognize and create. Also, I talk about three C’s: Communication, […]
12/23/2015 • 0
Need Some Inspiration?
As we wrap up the last days of our school year, it helps me to keep things in perspective so I wanted to share the following video clip of one of my favorite educators, the late Rita Pierson. If you’ve seen Rita Pierson’s TedTalk before, watch it again to be re-inspired. If you haven’t seen […]
5/13/2015 • 0
Jazzing Up Announcements: 5 Steps To Publishing a Powtoon
Our school has a large screen in the commons area where we keep a slideshow going of our latest school announcements. I know some great programs exist for creating cool slides, but I have been impressed with the free program available through powtoon.com. On the site, you can create your own username/password and follow their […]
1/21/2015 • 0
Chasing Dreams And Catching Moons
During Christmas break, we visited my Tennessee family. Our kids enjoyed cousins, and we reveled in time together and making new memories. When I was growing up, I loved the quiet adventures of roaming through the backwoods behind our house. One of the joys of having a nine-year-old son is recapturing my own moments of […]
1/7/2015 • 0
5 Lessons From My First Year As Site Principal
Just a few days ago, we celebrated graduation. The next day we wrapped up with professional development and teacher check-out. When I arrived home that night, I felt both exhausted and exhilarated. It was a few hours later when I received the call that two of our students had been in a wreck. When I […]
