Alone With Our Principals

On this episode, Chris talks with presenters and participants at the Model Schools Conference in Nashville, TN.  From Decherd Elementary School in Decherd, TN we have principal Chris Hawkersmith, assistant principal Megan Geer, and 4th grade teacher Amber Steele.  From Ness City Junior/Senior HS in Ness City, KS, we talk with principal Tom Flax and teacher Dawn Flax.  And to close the episode, our guests are principal Boyd Marley and assistant principal Kelly Thornhill from East End Community School in Portland, ME.

On this bonus episode, we have collected some highlights from previous episodes where our guests talk about funny and memorable experiences they had as students. you'll hear from Kingston Elementary School Principal Ben Skinner, City of Hesperia Assistant Manager Mike Blay, Superintendent of Fall Creek, WI schools Dr. Joe Sanfelippo, first grade teacher Renee McAnulty, Maple Elementary Principal Mike Ponce de Leon, and HUSD Director of Student Services Isaac Newman-Gomez.

Chris, Eric, and Carrie discuss what we've learned from working through the COVID-19 pandemic, and how we'll use what we've learned as we return to full-time instruction.  We also share stories from when we were students, including the wit and wisdom of Chris's 9th grade World Cultures teacher, "Rocky" LaNunziata.

Katie Kistner is the president of the Ryan Kistner Foundation, an organization devoted to increasing awareness of Ewing's Sarcoma.  She is also an executive secretary in the Hesperia Unified School District's personnel department.  

Our guest is Valerie Turpen, the Director of Elementary Education for the Hesperia Unified School District.  Among her responsibilities is working with elementary school principals and providing support for them in their duties.  We talk about the challenges and rewards of her job, and of course, we have some fun deciding which fictional characters would make good principals.

Damon West is a nationally-known speaker and author of the books The Change Agent, The Coffee Bean, and The Coffee Bean for Kids.  He has shared his message with schools, companies, and sports teams throughout the country.  During our conversation, we talk about Damon's background and what it takes to "be a coffee bean."

Amazing first grade teacher Renee McAnulty joins us to talk about the creative ways she inspires students, particularly in the area of writing. We discuss the adventures of Sparkle the Elf, leprechaun traps, and school mascots.  In the "extra credit" segment, we decide which Marvel characters would make the best (and worst) first grade students.

Dr. Joe Sanfelippo is the superintendent of school in Fall Creek, Wisconsin, and is a nationally-known author and speaker.  On this episode, we talk about his book "Hacking Leadership," his "One Minute Walk to Work" social media series, and which NFL rules could use adjustment.

Our guest this time is Jeff Roth, a Senior RN Clinical Stroke Program Manager with Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center in Sun City, AZ.  We discuss his role in working with stroke patients, their families, and other healthcare professionals.  Also: How would the characters in some of our favorite TV shows handle the Covid-19 pandemic?

Author/speaker Mike Robbins joins us this week to talk about his latest book, "We're All in This Together."  We also chat about Mike's minor league baseball career, and offer advice to Cameron from Ferris Bueller's Day Off about how to approach his father about the wrecked Ferrari.

Eric and Chris talk with two elementary school teachers who bring their outside interests into their classrooms to engage with students in fun and creative ways.  Preschool teacher Mary Sue Cox teaches yoga to her students, and 4th grade teacher Ellie Garcia sings and plays guitar and generally "rocks out" with kids!

On this guest-free episode, Eric, Carrie, and Chris discuss fun activities they've developed to help build a positive school culture.  

Eric and Chris talk with Special Education Director Matt Fedders and Coordinator Teri McCollum about a variety of special ed. topics.  In the "Extra Credit" segment, we discuss the merits and pitfalls of Mother's Circus Animal Cookies and Oreos.

Eric and Chris are joined by elementary principal Renee Singer and elementary assistant principal Christie Cuevas to discuss ways to manage change -- especially as we adjust to teaching during a pandemic.  

Every week, we ask our guests an "extra credit" question -- something like "Which muppet would make the best kindergarten teacher?" or "What's the biggest animal you think you could beat up?"  It's always a lot of fun, so we put together a collection of some of our best moments from these conversations.

All administrators know that our secretary can make or break us.  On this episode, Eric and Chris talk with Lori Mente and Brenda Hawk, the executive secretaries for Hesperia Unified School District's Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent.  

Eric and Chris sit down with Hesperia USD Assistant Superintendent Robert McCollum and Hesperia Jr. High Principal Faysel Bell to talk about the importance of hiring the right people to build a positive culture.  Also, which characters from The Wizard of Oz would make the best school employees?

In this re-run of Episode 4, we discuss positivity and relationships with Hesperia High School Principal Mike Everett.  

Alone With Our Principals is on Christmas Break, but we hope you enjoy this rebroadcast of Episode 2, where we discussed social media and branding with elementary principal Theresa Kallenberger.

Eric, Chris, and Carrie share some of their oddest experiences as teachers and administrators.  Other topics on this episode include "skitching," the "everybody gets a trophy" debate, and we determine how many chickens it would take to kill an elephant.

Eric and Chris talk with Chief Steve Hinojos and Corporal Kevin Bacor of the Hesperia School Police Department about their function and impact on the students, staff, and community.

Eric and Chris are joined by Jennifer Calderon and Mike Ponce de Leon to discuss the role of assistant principals in the school culture and community.  Also, if animals could talk, which would be the rudest?

Superintendent Dave Olney and City of Hesperia Assistant City Manager Mike Blay join Eric and Chris to talk about leadership strategies.  Also: Pranks we've been victims of.

Student discipline is the main topic on this episode, as Eric and Chris talk with Elementary Principal Ryan Plescia and Director of Student Services Isaac Newman-Gomez.  It's a mirth-filled episode for sure, as we wander off into topics like time travel and cheeseburgers.

In this "guest-free" episode, Chris and Eric break down teachable moments in classic movies like "Top Gun," "It's a Wonderful Life," and "The Karate Kid." 

Eric and Chris talk parent communication and relationships with Mesa Grande Elementary principal and wood-working enthusiast Tom Kirk and Kingston Elementary principal/guitarist Ben Skinner.  We also have some fun with movie mashups.

Alone With Our Principals has added a producer, editor, and fact-checker!  Meet Carrie Lewis, one of our district's Assistant Principals.

Ranchero Middle School principal Alicia Bonnett and Krystal Elementary principal Shannon Garibay sit down with Eric and Chris to talk about the challenges and mistakes new principals have to navigate. Also, which fictional characters would make the best middle school principals?

What makes a good principal?  On this episode, Eric and Chris are joined by Hesperia Unified School District Deputy Superintendent Jovy Yankaskas and Director of Secondary Education Michelle Smith to discuss qualities and skills principals need to be successful.  We also evaluate the job performance of Principal Edward Rooney from "Ferris Bueller's Day Off."

In honor of the MLB playoffs, in this episode Eric and Chris talk about their experiences in baseball and the lessons they've learned along the way.  Also, why the heck should you get to run to first on a strikeout?

Eric and Chris visit with Hesperia High School principal Mike Everett to talk about positivity and building relationships. Disclaimer: No sloths, sheep, or fainting goats were harmed in the recording of this episode.

Eric and Chris are joined by Theresa Kallenberger, principal of Juniper Elementary School in Hesperia, Ca. to discuss social media, branding, and to decide which Muppet would be the best kindergarten teacher.

On the debut episode of "Alone With Our Principals," Elementary school principals Eric and Chris discuss what they enjoy about their job, and get into a conversation about how principals are depicted in film.