Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast with William D. Parker

Hello listeners! This Friday marks the first Friday that Principal Matters is starting to share out some archival content. We have over 400 episodes worth of content! That is a lot of content for listeners to work through, so we are sharing some old episodes in hopes that new and old listeners alike will find them helpful. This week’s encore episode is PMP197: 10 Tips for New Assistant Principals, from June 2020. Listen in to hear my conversation with D.J. Kline about how to navigate being a new assistant principal. Those who would like to learn more should follow this link to read the blog post from 2020.  If you have enjoyed this Encore Friday post, I would love to hear from you via email at will@williamdparker.com. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe so that you don’t miss any updates from Principal Matters! The post ENCORE FRIDAY – PMP197: 10 Tips for New Assistant Principals appeared first on Principal Matters.

A quick note to listeners:  Before this week’s interview, Jen Schwanke and Will Parker answered a listener question in a 5-minute response.  The question is: How can leaders feel heard and ensure that responses lead to meaningful change, rather than seeming like a waste of time? Listen in for our response and thank you for doing what matters! Meet 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. Cale has been a keynote speaker, breakout speaker, and TED Talker around North America and the Pacific Rim, and he truly loves to equip leaders and school teams on observable impact. Jimmy Casas is the owner and CEO of J Casas & Associates and has been an educator for over 30 years, serving twenty-two years as a school leader, including fourteen years as Principal at Bettendorf High School. Under his leadership, Bettendorf was named one of the Best High Schools in the country three times by Newsweek and US News & World Report. Jimmy was named the 2012 Iowa Secondary Principal of the Year, and in 2015, he received the Bammy Award for the National Principal of the Year. They have co-authored their new book, Words on the Wall: Culturizing Your Classroom for Observable Impact. Listeners might be surprised to learn that Jimmy and Cale met each other through Twitter back in 2010. More recently, the two decided they needed to write a book together after an hour and a half long phone call they had discussing school culture.  Measuring the Impact of Culture Will begins the interview by asking, “What motivated you to collaborate on the new book, and how can educators measure the impact of culture?”. Cale states that one of the motivations behind writing this book was the feeling that culture is being put to the test and that, as a result, leadership positions are becoming less attractive to people.  Their book pushes people to examine their own practices in classrooms and how classroom culture impacts how they teach. However, this book is not a blueprint for what school culture should look like; Cale stresses the importance of people developing their own culture throughout the interview.  Culture Checkpoints A key conversation that led to the development of Culture Checkpoints was one that Cale had with his teenage daughter. When he told her the title of the book he was working on, she said, “We have lots of words on the wall at our school, but we don’t do those things.” Cale realized that when having discussions about culture in schools, the culture has to be able to pass the teenager test in order for it to be effective.  Another helpful practice for developing school culture is defining common words and phrases. For example, if a teacher says they want to be a champion for their students, then what does being a champion for students really look like? Cale notes that when coming up with these definitions, it can be helpful to replace the word “all” with “each”.  In order to make the Culture Checkpoints happen, Cale asks leaders to ask themselves, “What is the leadership required to make this happen?” and “What does a staff meeting look like when developing our school culture?”.  Layering Change Another key to impactful change, highlighted in Words on the Wall: Culturizing Your Classroom for Observable Impact, is the concept of layering change. The book’s authors write that this can help educators “decrease the distance” between the ones implementing change and those experiencing it.  Cale challenges readers to actually look at the experience of change for adults. Furthermore, he states that layering change can look like changing the user experience of change by co-creating said change with people. This can look like asking the extra question, and can lead to change becoming doable while also making demonstrable progress towards change. Layering change can also look like figuring out what behaviors produce the results that you’re wanting, and then following through on those.  Staying Connected Cale hopes that his and Jimmy’s book provides people with thoughts, ideas, and practical applications for building school culture. Likewise, he hopes that it is accessible and fun to readers. For listeners who would like to pick up a copy of the book, they can purchase it through ConnectEDD, or birklearns.com. Thank you for learning together and for doing what matters! The post PMP430: Culturizing for Impact with Cale Birk appeared first on Principal Matters.

In this week’s episode, Jen Schwanke and Will Parker discuss the new weekly show providing listeners some current updates on professional development they are offering to educators. They also discuss topics they come across when coaching or serving education leaders.  In the weeks ahead, they plan to talk about topics like: Legislative issues influencing schools AI and how leaders and principals can manage its use The use of technology and how to leverage it Impression versus impact in helping others And so much more… What’s Coming Up in the Show We will continue sharing a Wednesday episode as our flagship show, and we are also sharing Friday Encore Episodes for archived content for those new to the podcast or for those who want to dig into learning from the archive of more than 400 shows. Upcoming Events If you’re going to be in St George, Utah, February 12-14, 2025, let Jen know as she’s speaking at the Utah Association of Elementary School Principals.  Will is scheduled in Miami, Florida, January 15-18, 2024, at the SAM’s National Conference, and also at two Assistant Principal conferences with CLAS on January 22 and January 28, 2025, in Alabama.  Give either of them a shoutout if you are in those areas as they’d love to touch base with listeners! The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen and Will – What is Monday Matters? appeared first on Principal Matters.

A quick note to listeners:  Before this week’s interview, Jen Schwanke and Will Parker answered a listener question in a 5-minute response.  The question is: What strategies help maintain focus on long-term vision and direction in the face of daily challenges? Listen in for our response and thank you for doing what matters! Meet Jeff Jones Jeffrey C. Jones of Bloomington, Indiana, is a graduate of the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University and is CEO and Chairman of Solution Tree, Inc. which delivers comprehensive professional development to PreK-12 educators around the world.  Jeff and his business partner DG Elmore purchased Solution Tree in 1998, established Solution Tree Canada in 2004, Marzano Research in 2008, and acquired Results Coaching Global in 2021.  Jeff is also Chairman of Sarge Property Management and Hoosier Acres LLC.  Jeff sits on the Board of Directors of Rachel’s Challenge and Marzano Academies and serves as Board Chairman for Trans World Radio.  Jeff is a founding partner and Board Chair for Cynisca Cycling, a not-for-profit professional women’s cycling team.  He and his wife Margaret have been married since 1996 and have been blessed with four children. In response to the opening question, Jeffrey shares the fascinating story of Cynisca Cycling, which he co-founded with a friend — a not-for-profit professional women’s cycling team named after a female Olympic medalist from ancient Greece. In this episode, Jeff discusses his background and his journey to becoming the CEO of Solution Tree, highlighting its origins and relationships with key figures like Rick Dufour and Bob Acre. The conversation covers Solution Tree’s global impact, commitment to professional learning communities, and the importance of integrity in business. Jeff shares leadership insights, especially during the COVID-19 crisis, emphasizing servant leadership and effective delegation. Strategies for managing a growing organization are also discussed, focusing on clear communication and maintaining company values.  Jeff’s Background and Career Journey Jeffrey’s journey into the education sector began in 1996 when his friend DG Elmore approached him with the idea of purchasing an education company after Jeff officiated his wedding. Despite its small size, Jeff saw potential in the company, with the initial team consisting of himself and seven women handling office responsibilities. His encounter with Rick Dufour and Bob Acre in Canada inspired him to delve into the concept of professional learning communities (PLCs). The first conference they hosted attracted 90 attendees, and PLCs soon became a significant part of their business. Growth and Impact of Solution Tree Under Jeffrey’s leadership, Solution Tree expanded significantly, initially focusing on conferences before diversifying into online professional development and portable event packages. The company has seen consistent growth every year except in 2012 and 2020, the latter due to the COVID-19 crisis. Solution Tree’s commitment to professional learning communities has made a global impact, underscoring the importance of integrity and keeping promises in business. Values and Leadership Insights Jeffrey emphasizes the importance of integrity and the principle of making promises you can keep, drawing inspiration from Rick Dufour’s work at Adelaide Stevenson High School. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Solution Tree successfully transitioned to online services, continuing to meet educators’ needs despite the challenges. Jeffrey’s leadership philosophy centers on servant leadership, encouraging leaders to trust, guide, be clear, and verify their team’s work. Advice for Leaders Jeffrey offers several key pieces of advice for leaders: Become an expert in your field. Identify and develop your unique skills. Create a mission and vision, and live by those values. Practice servant leadership by trusting and guiding others while being clear and verifying their work. Managing a Growing Organization With nearly 400 employees, Solution Tree’s growth necessitates a reliance on team members to be experts in their areas, allowing Jeffrey to focus on leading the company. The company’s guiding philosophy is to “Advance the work of our authors,” ensuring that high-quality professional development is delivered consistently. Final Thoughts Jeffrey advises educational leaders to seek providers with proven track records and to ensure they can trust and verify the quality of professional development services brought into their schools. This ensures the highest value and quality for their educational initiatives. You can find out more about Solution Tree resources at https://www.solutiontree.com/our-solutions/overview?utm_medium=ppc or connect with Jeff Jones via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-c-jones-8a8268a/ The post PMP429: Finding Solutions with Jeff Jones appeared first on Principal Matters.

Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year! We are sharing our weekly episode early this week to avoid intruding on your holidays. In this episode, Will and Jen both share some favorite Christmas memories. Listen to the end, however, for some heartfelt aspirations and hopes for the New Year. We would love to hear from you. Feel free to share your thoughts or photos from the season with us by emailing: Jen@jenschwanke.com or Will@williamdparker.com. Or you can text me (Will) with quick thoughts and Christmas photos at 1-918-698-3770. Thank you, Guests and Listeners! This year on Principal Matters, we had the privilege of hosting an incredible lineup of educational leaders and experts who shared insights vital to today’s schools. We began with Mark Geraets, who taught us to ride the waves of new ideas, and enjoyed discussions on leadership dynamics with Jen Schwanke, my regular co-host this year. We dove deep into conflict management, building student connections, accountability, and decision-making—Jen even released a new book on conflict management! We were honored to have Flip Flippen, who shared his work on Capturing Kids’ Hearts, and Melissa Barlow, an Oklahoma Principal of the Year, who emphasized the importance of connecting every student to caring adults. As the year progressed, we discussed transformative leadership paths with Naheed Bardai and expanded perspectives on principal mindfulness with Dr. Rob Russell and Dr. Dustin Miller. Turnaround leader Dr. Tameka Hyland brought insights into understanding middle schoolers and school development. Later, we embraced “messy” leadership approaches with Alyssa Gallagher, focused on boundary-setting, and celebrated ten years of Principal Matters. The year was filled with powerful lessons on inclusivity from Tim Villegas, capacity building with Anne-Marie Maw, and effective feedback techniques with Molly Dexter and her team. Leaders like Bobby Dodd and Dr. Todd Dain shared innovative approaches, and we closed out the fall with lessons on energy and passion, featuring Dr. Jim Van Allan discussing The Energy Bus and David Yeager on mentoring. We wrapped up with final episodes featuring Danielle Nuhfer, Garth Larson, Kenny Rodriguez, and George Couros. It’s been a year of unforgettable learning. I’m grateful for each guest’s contribution, as we continue to learn and grow together as school leaders. Scroll to the end of this post to see a complete list of shows from the 2024 archives! What Did Will’s Engagement Look Like in 2024? A typical month of professional development for me (Will) is a mix of in-person events, virtual masterminds, and coaching sessions that keep me engaged with school leaders from all over. It starts with in-person sessions, like the one I had this fall with Owasso Public Schools, where I had a chance to connect face-to-face with their leadership cabinet. However, most of my sessions are virtual, which allows me to reach a wide range of educational communities. For instance, early in the month, I lead Grow Academy sessions with the Ohio School Sponsorship Program and mastermind sessions with the Archdiocese of Louisville. These virtual gatherings provide a chance for leaders to share challenges and strategies, and build strong professional relationships even from a distance. I also lead an ongoing Executive Coaching Series through Principal Matters, which provides reflective leadership development for principals and administrators. In between these virtual series, I get back on the ground for walkthrough visits, like one I did in Tulsa Public Schools at McClain High School with Principal Rob Kaiser. I also give keynote presentations, such as a recent one for the Louisiana Association of Principals in Baton Rouge. Each of these settings—whether I’m coaching virtually, participating in masterminds, or presenting in person—offers a unique perspective on the challenges and successes educators are facing. By the end of each month, I’ve been part of sessions from New York to Ohio, from Kentucky to California, all from my own home or office, and I’m always struck by the variety and depth of insight I gain from each group. It’s a blend of sharing knowledge, learning new strategies, and recharging through meaningful connections, all of which help me stay on top of what’s most important to leaders in education today. Jen’s Innovative Offerings This Past Year In addition to her position as a Deputy Superintendent, Jen Schwanke has been equipping educators and leaders with the tools they need to thrive in today’s school environments. By specializing in conflict management, facilitation, and mediation, Jen’s work ranges in leadership topics. From “Rethinking Data Usage” to help leaders see data with fresh eyes, to “Leading Forward with Courage” which helps leaders face challenges head-on, her sessions are both insightful and practical. Jen’s training on “Public Speaking for School Leaders” builds essential communication skills, while “Women in Leadership” explores the unique experiences of women in education.  Her sessions on “Principal Impact on Teacher Morale” and “Having Difficult Conversations” address the pivotal role leaders play in school climate and communication. Finally, “Professionalism and Self Care” reminds educators of the importance of well-being in professional growth. With an eye for interaction and collaboration, Jen’s professional development creates space for educators to engage in meaningful problem-solving and innovation. What’s In Store for Principal Matters in 2025? We are expanding our content, including work from 15 Principal Matters Associates, besides Jen Schwanke and me. These include Don Parker, Timothy Alexander, Jason Jedamski, Lisa Parry, Erika Bare, Tiffany Burns, Jeff Springer, Nick Davies, Rachel Edho-Eket, Tameka Hyland, Frederick Buskey, Anne-Marie Maw, Dan Kelly, Donna Hayward, and Beau Brannon. See their profiles here: https://williamdparker.com/associates/ For podcast listeners, we are running a new schedule in the Spring by including shows on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: Monday Matters will be a short update from Will or Jen on what’s happening in our work and the lessons we are learning directly from our time with education leaders. Wednesdays will remain the day for our flagship Principal Matters episode which includes our Q&A’s and interviews with guests. On Fridays, we will be sharing Encore Episodes of the most popular content from the past archives of more than 400+ shows. Stay tuned, and tell us what you like, or send us suggestions if you have ideas for content, guests, or other topics you’d like addressed. Will’s newest book, is coming in 2025 Finally, I’m excited to share my newest book with listeners and leaders. This is a book, Whose Permission Are You Waiting For? An Educator’s Guide to Doing What You Love is born from the often hard conversations I have with educators who are wrestling with decision-making, especially when it comes to transitions in their careers as educators. In my new book, I will walk you through a journey of disrupting your thinking about traditional pathways and embracing multiple, flexible routes to success. I start by challenging the notion that there’s only one path, sharing how my experiences as a teacher, principal, executive director, and business owner have taught me the importance of creating innovative pathways.  I talk about the power of consistent action, developing curiosity, and the critical role of reflection and coaching. I tackle the big question: Whose permission are you waiting for?  This book is all about helping you realize that your growth, skills, and dreams are within reach—whether through building systems, monetizing your talents, or developing supportive habits.  Finally, I explore the importance of masterminds, mentorships, pitching yourself, and showcasing your profile. I provide reflection questions for building a path that’s uniquely yours and mapping it backward to reach big goals. In every chapter, I offer practical steps, share personal stories, and challenge you to imagine—and create—a future that aligns with who you truly want to be. 2024 Shows List – Take A Deep Dive in the Archives  PMP378: Surfing the Crest of New Waves with Mark Geraets (January 10, 2024) PMP379: Systems Leader vs People Leader with Will Parker and Jen Schwanke (January 17, 2024) PMP380: Dynamics of Building Leaders vs District Leaders with Will Parker and Jen Schwanke (January 24, 2024) PMP381: Maximizing the Superpowers of Each Individual with Jim Wichman (January 31, 2024) PMP382: Profoundly Impacting Learning Culture with Dan Kelley (February 7, 2024) PMP383: The Principal’s Guide to Conflict Management – Jen’s new book! (February 14, 2024) PMP384: Anticipate, Analyze, and Act with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker (February 21, 2024) PMP385: Capturing Kids’ Hearts with Flip Flippen (February 28, 2024) PMP386: Connecting Every Student to Caring Adults with Melissa Barlow (March 6, 2024) PMP387: Accountability – A Dirty Word or Essential? with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker (March 13, 2024) PMP388: How Do You Know if You’re Making the Right Decision? – with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker (March 20, 2024) PMP389: Building a Systems Transformation Pathway with Naheed Bardai (March 27, 2024) PMP390: Mindshifts for Leaders with Dr. T.J. Vari (April 3, 2024) PMP391: Hiring Tips from the Field with Principal Beau Brannon (April 10, 2024) PMP392: Small Steps to Big Joy with Kim Strobel and Jen Schwanke (April 17, 2024) PMP393: Turnaround Leadership with Dr. Tameka Hyland (April 24, 2024) PMP394: Lessons from a First Year Principal with Tomas Macaluso (May 1, 2024) PMP395: Embracing MESSY Leadership with Alyssa Gallagher and Jen Schwanke (May 8, 2024) PMP396: Leadership Approaches to Conflict Resolution with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker (May 15, 2024) PMP397: Maximizing Feedback to Teachers with Molly Dexter, Brandon Mawhorter, and Kathleen Beckham (May 22, 2024) PMP398: Leveraging Executive Internal Communication for Stronger Brands with Brittany Keil (May 29, 2024) PMP399: Boundary Setting for Leaders and Educators with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker (June 5, 2024) PMP400: Celebrating 10+ Years of Principal Matters (June 12, 2024) PMP401: Inspiring and Developing Others with Northwest Rankin High School Admin Team (June 19, 2024) PMP402: Building Trust with Dr. Todd Dain (June 26, 2024) PMP403: Be the Change with Principal Baruti Kafele and Dr. Jen Schwanke (July 3, 2024) PMP404: Managing Expectations and Accountability with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker (July 10, 2024) PMP405: Building Capacity in Your Leadership with Anne-Marie Maw (July 17, 2024) PMP406: Thinking Inclusive with Tim Villegas (July 24, 2024) PMP407: Supporting Teacher Growth with Justin Baeder and Jen Schwanke (July 31, 2024) PMP408: De Facto Leadership with Dr. Karen Dudek-Brannan and Dr. Jen Schwanke (August 7, 2024) PMP409: Ready for Real Life with Andrew McPeak (August 14, 2024) PMP410: Innovation in Leadership with Bobby Dodd (August 21, 2024) PMP411: Collaborative Response with Kurtis Hewson (August 28, 2024) PMP412: The Principal’s Journey with Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket (September 4, 2024) PMP413: The Art of Transformational Coaching with Elena Aguilar and Jen Schwanke (September 11, 2024) PMP414: Managing Your Priorities with Mark Shellinger (September 18, 2024) PMP415: Reclaiming Purpose with Frederick Buskey (September 25, 2024) PMP416: Every Student Has a Name with Will Parker and Jen Schwanke (October 2, 2024) PMP417: How to Design Smarter Schedules with David James and Jen Schwanke (October 9, 2024) PMP418: Maintaining Your Passion with Wes Cottongim (October 16, 2024) PMP419: Energy Bus for Schools with Dr. Jim Van Allan (October 23, 2024) PMP420: Mentoring Mindset with David Yeager (October 30, 2024) PMP421: Smarter Budgets, Smarter Schools with Nate Levenson and Jen Schwanke (November 6, 2024) PMP422: Pathway for Mindful Teachers with Danielle Nuhfer (November 13, 2024) PMP423: Extinguishing Fires Within Assessment and Grading Reform with Garth Larson (November 20, 2024) PMP424: Principal as Mentor and Coach with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker (November 27, 2024) PMP425: The Power of Engagement with Dr. Kenny Rodrequez (December 4, 2024) PMP426: What Makes a Great Principal with George Couros (December 11, 2024) PMP427: The Fulcrum Position in Education with Olina Banerji (December 18, 2024) Wishing you a great holiday season. You can stay connected with us in many ways: Jen@jenschwanke.com Will@williamdparker.com Text Will with quick thoughts and Christmas photos at 1-918-698-3770. Thank you again for doing what matters! The post PMP428: What’s Happened in 2024 and What’s Next for Principal Matters? appeared first on Principal Matters.

A quick note to listeners:  Before this week’s interview, Jen Schwanke and Will Parker answered a listener question in a 5-minute response.  The question is: How do leaders know when to protect staff from initiatives (buffer) and when to connect to initiatives that are handed down to them? Listen in for our response and thank you for doing what matters! Meet Olina Banerji Olina Banerji is an award-winning journalist and writer. She spent ten years in international newsrooms and global non-profits and then shifted to five years leading editorial coverage on education for The Ken, an Indian business news website. For the past eighteen months, she has been a reporter for Education Week, where she has focused on the experiences and stories of principals.  Her experience spans two sectors—journalism and social change— both of which provide insight and perspective valuable to educators.  From Jen Schwanke:  It’s not often we have an education reporter on the podcast, but this one makes the wait well worth it! Olina is a reporter for Education Week, an online publication popular among teachers and leaders. I met her at the NASSP United Conference this summer and couldn’t wait to share her with our listeners. We found one another because she was researching a story about principals and conflict management— a topic on which I was presenting in response to my book, The Principal’s Guide to Conflict Management.  Before the presentation, Olina and I had a short but intense conversation about common conflicts and how the fundamental issues of school leadership require skilled and disciplined responses to conflicts.  Afterwards, taken by her intelligence and thoughtful response to the role of the principal, I asked if she might join us on the “Principal Matters Podcast.” Our conversation did not disappoint; in fact, it opened my mind to some of the fundamental similarities in a principal’s work and gave us a preview of some of the challenges principals will face in the coming years. But let’s back up. Why— and how— does someone become an education reporter? Olina followed a path of journalism that led her to understanding the vast potential of young people. She was— and is— inspired by their ideas, their potential, and their innovative spirit. This inspiration led her to think about the education system and how it both challenges and inhibits the people involved in it. At Education Week, she says, “Principals are my beat, and they are my bread and butter.”  She has spoken to hundreds of principals through her reporting and noted how school leadership is a uniquely “fulcrum” position— so much flows through them, yet so much of that flow is out of their control. Principals are, she says, some of the strongest people she knows, because they are always “bracing for impact.” They must stay on top of trends and training but also remain fundamentally grounded in their purpose.  Three topics that are on the front of Olina’s mind for the future work of principals are technology, instructional leadership, and the navigation of political environments.  “We have to think about the levers in the system,” she says, and notes the important role principals play in providing guidance for teachers, students, parents, and community.  Principals are expected to implement and oversee many structures, but they also need support and training to help navigate some of the problems coming toward us— problems we might not even know about yet.  This interview is intelligent, insightful, and provides a guiding perspective for all principals, and we’re so excited to bring Olina into your learning journey.  Stay Connected: Email: obanerji@educationweek.org X: https://x.com/OBanerji LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olina-banerji-57865927/ Thank you for learning together, and for doing what matters! The post PMP427: The Fulcrum Position in Education with Olina Banerji appeared first on Principal Matters.

A quick note to listeners:  Before this week’s interview, Jen Schwanke and Will Parker answered a listener question in a 5-minute response.  The question is: How do you navigate bureaucracy, especially with frequent shifts in focus that make previous efforts seem irrelevant? Listen in for our response and thank you for doing what matters! Meet George Couros George Couros is a worldwide leader in the area of innovative teaching, learning, and leading, and has a focus on innovation as a human endeavor. Most importantly, he is a proud father and husband. His belief that meaningful change happens when you first connect to people’s hearts, is modeled in his writing and speaking.  In his 20-plus years in the field of education, he has worked at all levels of school, from K-12 as a teacher, technology facilitator, and school and district administrator, and is currently an Adjunct Instructor with the Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania. George is also the author of the books, The Innovator’s Mindset; Empower Learning, Unleash Talent, and Lead a Culture of Creativity, Innovate Inside the Box, and Because of a Teacher and Because of a Teacher 2. His newest book is What Makes a Great Principal: The Five Pillars of Effective School Leadership by George Couros and Allyson Apsey. In this week’s episode of Principal Matters Podcast I had an enlightening conversation with George Couros about his latest book, “What Makes a Great Principal,” which he co-authored. Our discussion wasn’t just about the book; we delved into various topics, reflecting George’s deep-seated philosophy about leaving a legacy his children can be proud of. This philosophy has guided his evolution as an educator, leader, author, and speaker, particularly in his commitment to being present and focused, especially over the last few years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a brief period when educators were widely celebrated, but this appreciation was quickly overshadowed by the chaos and outcry on social media. George applied the same celebratory writing model he used in his previous work, “Because of Teachers,” to his new book. Alongside Allyson Apsey, he explored effective school leadership practices not only in the U.S. and Canada but globally, identifying five key pillars:  Relationship Builder Continuous Learner Talent Cultivator Resource Maximizer Visionary Our conversation touched on several of these pillars, starting with the crucial role of being a Relationship Builder. Effective educators and leaders must excel in communication and listening, but it’s also vital to understand the underlying principles of leadership without prescribing specific actions.  As an example of a continuous learner, George shared how he developed his own digital portfolio to encourage students and teachers to do the same, illustrating the importance of practicing what you preach. We also discussed the role of technology in education. George stressed the need to use technology redemptively, sharing a humorous anecdote from a spin class to highlight how adults often contradict the behaviors they expect from children. He practices what he preaches by managing his digital interactions, ensuring they don’t interfere with his daily routines. George recounted a conversation with his editor, Katie Martin, about why he chose to address the ‘Visionary’ pillar last in his book. He believes that defining a vision requires a deep understanding of your team, the working context, and available resources. This holistic understanding enables leaders to develop robust visions tailored to their specific environments. We also highlighted the contributions of practicing educators who wrote illustrations for each chapter, including Marcus Belin, Ryan Daniel, Vicki Davis, David Domena, Emily Freeland, Liz Garden, Brad Gustafson, Mary Hemphill, Mike Kleba, Kari Lacny, and Abby Ramos Stanutz, CJ Reynolds, Shane Saeed, Vincent Taylor, and Taylor Teamann.  This conversation with George was truly enriching, and I hope listeners will find it as insightful as I did. For more from George Couros, visit his website at georgecouros.com, follow him on social media at @gcouros, or reach him via email at georgecouros@gmail.com. Thank you for listening, and thank you for doing what matters! The post PMP426: What Makes a Great Principal with George Couros appeared first on Principal Matters.

A quick note to listeners:  Before this week’s interview, Jen Schwanke and Will Parker answered a listener question in a 5-minute response.  The question is: How do you handle the tendency to catastrophize, which can drain energy and focus? Listen in for our response and thank you for doing what matters! Meet Kenny Rodrequez Dr. Kenny Rodrequez became Superintendent of the Grandview C-4 School District in July 2016. Before this role, he was the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction for two years, overseeing K-12 curriculum programs and leading all schools in the district. Dr. Rodrequez has a diverse career, starting as a music educator for 8 years, and then moving into school administration over a decade ago, serving as assistant principal, principal, director, and assistant superintendent. He was also named the 2024 Missouri Superintendent of the Year by the Missouri Association of School Administrators (MASA). In this week’s interview, we kicked off by talking about some of our mutual connections in the field, including Dr. Keith Ballard, an Oklahoma legend in school leadership. We also discussed our mutual collaboration with Matt Wenzel from LebraHQ.com, a podcast sponsor. LebraHQ provides helpful tools that Kenny uses for engagement and communication. When I asked him about his work in the Grandview C-4 School District, Kenny shared how he focuses on engagement and relationship-building, especially through social-emotional support initiatives. For example, he developed screenings for third-to-fifth-graders and worked on expanding the staff’s cultural competence to create stronger bonds within the school community. He emphasized how essential it is to hold meaningful conversations about race and backgrounds to build those relationships. Kenny and I also dove into how he navigated the challenges of the pandemic, which included supporting curriculum development and maintaining student engagement. These efforts ultimately helped Grandview C-4 surpass academic goals in 2022 and strengthen their strategic position for the future. We touched on leadership consistency, too. Kenny’s commitment as superintendent has brought continuity to the district even with changes in the school board. He explained how his style of connecting one-on-one, whether with staff, students, or parents, has its roots in his experiences as a waiter, band director, and administrator. He even gave a great example of using LebraHQ.com to stay in touch with over 650 employees by acknowledging birthdays and achievements—though he’s always sure to personalize each message. Wrapping up, Kenny offered advice for new leaders: take time to reflect, keep a journal, and think long-term. He recommends a three-year approach to new roles—focus on relationship-building in year one, make changes in year two, and see the impact by year three. To connect with Dr. Kenny Rodrequez, you can find him on X (Twitter) at @KRodrequez or reach out via email at kenny.rodrequez@grandviewc4.net, or visit his district’s website at grandviewc4.net.  Thank you for being a part of Principal Matters and for doing what matters! The post PMP425: The Power of Engagement with Dr. Kenny Rodrequez appeared first on Principal Matters.

A quick note to listeners:  Before this week’s interview, Jen Schwanke and Will Parker answered a listener question in a 5-minute response.  The question is: What strategies work best when dealing with others who are resistant to growth? Listen in for our response and thank you for doing what matters! The Principal as a Mentor and Coach In this week’s episode, I interviewed Jen about an article she wrote, Principal as Mentor and Coach, published in ASCD’s Education Leadership, September 2024 edition. Remember what it was like to be a new teacher or educator? You probably can think of the feelings of enthusiasm, anxiety, and adrenalin. Most of us also cringe when we think about what did wrong in those first days, weeks, or months of our new role.  Now, think about how much you appreciated the patience, wisdom, and input of others who took the time to listen or to invest in your growth. Everyone deserves a good coach or mentor in the work they do, and principals have a significant responsibility to provide that kind of feedback to their teachers and teammates. In the conversation, we talk about what it feels like to be new in the role of teaching or education, and how leaders can navigate the roles of evaluation, coaching, and mentoring. Then we unpack the ten tips Jen provides in the article by exploring her feedback on the following: Learn what coaching looks like. Focus on new teachers. Provide balance. Don’t assume they know. Listen to their ideas. Highlight the good things. Address small worries. Encourage reflection. Focus on your outcome. Remember patience. Just as we want to help others reflect on ways they can grow in their craft, we must also be willing to reflect on our own learning. We cannot expect something from others that we are practicing ourselves.  Why You Need Coaching and Mentoring Too The tips that Jen provides for coaching and mentoring others also apply to you. If you’re looking for someone to provide you with reflection and coaching, Jen and I both offer opportunities for leaders to connect with us. If you’d like to learn more about executive coaching options, visit williamdparker.com/services or jenschwanke.com, reach out to either of us by email at will@williamdparker or jen@jenschwanke.com to learn more. Listen to the entire episode for more takeaways or read the article in its entirety for even more helpful tips and ideas.  Thank you for learning together, and thank you for doing what matters! The post PMP424: Principal as Mentor and Coach with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker appeared first on Principal Matters.

A quick note to listeners:  Before this week’s interview, Jen Schwanke and Will Parker answered a listener question in a 5-minute response.  The question is: What are the best practices for improving communication and fostering a sense of ownership among staff? Listen in for our response and thank you for doing what matters! Meet Garth Larson Garth Larson, Ed.D, is the Co-Founder and CEO of FIRST Educational Resources. He started his career as a high school speech and English teacher, later becoming an elementary principal and then the Director of Learning for the Winneconne Community School District in northeast Wisconsin. In 2015, he co-founded FIRST Educational Resources to enhance student achievement nationwide. Since then, over 2,000 global school districts have partnered with his company. Garth consults internationally, offering professional development on key educational topics like Professional Learning Communities 2.0 and Learning-Centered Grading Practices. He has authored four books, including “Grading for Impact” and “PLC 2.0: Collaborating for Observable Impact in Today’s Schools.  Garth has been doing some incredible work in educational reform and recently co-authored a book titled Extinguishing the Fires Within Assessment and Grading Reform. As we dove into a conversation about the evolution of standards-based grading, Garth shared how this approach represents a significant shift in how we assess student learning. He mentioned influential figures like Tom Guskey, Rick Wormeli, and Ken O’Connor. In particular, Ken O’Connor’s CALM framework—Consistent, Accurate, Learning-focused, and Meaningful—really stood out. If you’re interested in learning more about this, O’Connor’s book A Repair Kit for Grading is a fantastic resource. Garth offered some valuable advice for educational leaders. For those just starting with standards-based grading, he emphasized the importance of truly understanding what this system is—and what it isn’t. For leaders facing resistance or mixed messages within their communities, he stressed clear communication and proactive engagement with all stakeholders. We also tackled some common hurdles, like the misconception that standards-based grading doesn’t prepare students for “the real world.” Garth flipped that notion on its head, urging us to focus on preparing students for life beyond school. He advocated for policies that align with our school’s mission and highlighted the necessity of allowing retakes and reassessments to give students real opportunities to learn from their mistakes. One story that really resonated was about a school that shifted to proficiency-based grading, leading to multiple valedictorians. This change fostered a collaborative spirit among students, emphasizing learning and growth over competition. If you’d like to learn more, feel free to reach out to Garth at garth@firsteducation-us.com or visit the FIRST Educational Resources website at firsteducation-us.com. Thank you for learning together, and for doing what matters! The post PMP423: Extinguishing Fires Within Assessment and Grading Reform with Garth Larson appeared first on Principal Matters.