Urban Principal: Leadership Lessons

This episode looks at a recent Educational Leadership article on Teaching for Belonging by Sheldon L. Eakins and how to improve classroom connections.

This episode discusses the expertise you have within your staff and the hidden strengths and talents that already exist within your culture. Finding ways to share this excellence can help your students grow.

This episode looks at what our largest state district just put into place to assist with defining the needs in attendance. Creating relationships and a sense of belonging can keep students in school.

What is your purpose as a leader? Creating a collaborative vision can bring people together. Foster ownership through developing a culture with purpose.

It is important for districts to have a philosophy that backs effective leadership. The principalship can be elevated with the right support. Hear more by listening to the podcast District Philosophy on Urban Principal Leadership Lessons.

This episode discusses the choice leaders have as they have the power to influence and build a positive culture.

Leaders who give voice can create a positive culture. Staff become empowered when they contribute and have ownership. Recognition can help acknowledge the work of everyone and keep staff motivated.

This episode is dedicated to the memory and life of Paco Fuentes. He has left a legacy of positive community support in South Omaha.

This episode reminds all of us in the importance of staying positive and always looking for the good.

Are people excited to come to work on a Monday? What can you do to turn your culture into a Friday Place where everyone is excited to be there!.

In 2025 there is still an unprecedented need for teachers across the nation. The right kind of culture can keep and motivate staff. As a leader it is important to provide support in many areas.

It is time for school to start! Many districts across the nation will be opening their doors to student in the coming weeks.

Leaders have the ability to impact the positivity of their culture. Emotions can spread like a cancer. Your most important job as a leader is to drive the culture and bring out the best in others!

As principals start thinking about the start of the year, one of the most important things you can do is to make sure your teachers have what they need to succeed.

Courageous leadership is about sticking to your convictions and maintaining a strong vision. The ability to take action, make decisions and take risks can help you lead the way!

Leaders must keep a positive mindset while working with those that would take your time and energy. It is important to keep a balance and not become discouraged.

A majority of leaders don't take the time away they need. This episode reviews the need for leaders to unplug and rejuvenate for both physical and mental wellbeing.

This episode emphasizes an effective leaders ability to take a break, reflect and reset for a new school year.

Empowerment can make the difference! Use the strengths, talents and motivation your staff has to supercharge your culture. Empowering your staff can be a way of opening the doors to success!

This episode discusses how a leader's ability to share can enhance transparency and help staff to get the “Big Picture' view of what is going on.

This is the time of year when many principals are having needed conversations. It could be around performance, class size or budget constraints. It is important to communicate well, be honest and caring when sharing needed decisions.

How do we keep educators? This episode wraps our dive into the book, “Meet Their Needs and They'll Succeed” by Salome Thomas-EL as we review ways to keep teachers in the profession.

This episode continues our unpacking of the book, “Meet Their Needs and They'll Succeed by Salome Thomas-EL. We specifically look at joyous, engaging classrooms and after-school support.

This episode draws from the recent ASCD book by Salome Thomas-EL “Meet Their Needs and They ‘ll Succeed” and looks at ways to support student success!

This episode looks at some insights from Warren Buffett that translate into effective leadership skills. His habits can help make you a better leader!

This episode discusses the significance of creating balance to perform at your best, Leaders need many types of rest in order to remain effective.

Leaders keep growing! It is important to continue to grow as a leader. What are strategies you can do to maximize your growth?

This episode looks at the original marshmallow experiment that was testing delayed gratification and the impulsivity of children and whether it predicted adult success.

As leaders we can't see the future . Education is constantly changing and will continue to do so. How do we stay motivated in uncertain times.

This episode looks at some recent legislation passed in my state and reviews some good news on SEL and student success! It

Conflict can be valuable. This episode is a good wrap to our previous discussions on challenging conversations and looks at a variety of advice by leaders on conflict.

This episode continues our discussion around addressing challenging conversations with staff and gives tips to assist in making these discussions constructive. If this is done well, leaders can set the tone for a positive culture.

Leaders must continually work with people and it can often be demanding. How do you handle challenging conversations?

This episode takes from a chapter in my book Urban Principal Leadership Lessons and shares lessons learned in one line statements.

This episode is full of practical tips principals can use to assist in building a positive culture and bringing out the best in staff. This translates into retaining teachers through the right support.

This episode highlights the number of leaders in top positions who do not have high emotional intelligence. As we develop as leaders, our EQ relationship skills must increase to cultivate a positive culture.

Enhance your leadership with emotional intelligence. This episode dives into the four emotional intelligence skills as described in Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradbury & Jean Greaves.

This episode looks at the impact you can have through developing your emotional intelligence as a leader. We look at Daniel Goleman's work on creating effective, positive leaders.

This episode quickly summarizes the many different leadership styles. Daniel Goleman's six leadership styles are also highlighted as we look to the most positive styles.

This episode continues to stress the importance of working with people. As leaders, what are things we can do when building a collaborative culture? We can learn from the tips of the successful CEO, Bill Campbell, and his ability to coach others.

This episode uses different resources to illustrate the importance of people. As leaders we develop a positive culture through taking care of people.

This episode talks about looking at your organization and what you are concentrating on while setting goals to make a hedgehog focus on needed practices.

Leaders, are you setting goals and getting ready for the last half of the year? It can often be overwhelming as we think of everything we want to improve. It is important to stay positive and keep moving forward. Your attitude can make a difference as you set the course.

This episode wraps up another successful year and looks at our Spotify wrapped data and growth of our podcast.

This episode continues our discussion around how leaders work to improve the status quo while making positive changes. More examples of things I did as a leader to promote effective needed change are given.

This episode talks about how leaders work to improve the status quo while making positive changes. I give examples of things I did as a leader to promote effective needed change.

This episode refers to a recent study on project-based learning. As educators, we have can increase academic scores while increasing student engagement and the joy of learning.

Leadership is about being grateful for those around you and on your team. This episode goes into the impact a simple “thank you” can make and discusses a leader's ability to influence others.

It is the time of year to remember to be grateful. Developing an attitude of gratitude can help you grow and survive as a leader. In fact, anyone can benefit from being grateful.

This episode talks about the dip in morale that usually occurs this time of year. As a leader it is important to keep pushing the positives to get through the hard months.

This episode talks about moving up the career ladder and making sure they are the right moves for you.