Podcast appearances and mentions of darrin peppard

Meet friends Darrin Peppard and Katie Kinder, the co-authors of the new, great book Culture First Classrooms. Both Darrin and Kate are dynamic speakers and education leaders who came together professionally to write this book, which was released earlier this year. The book is filled with super usable ideas, guests, action steps, and reflective questions.You can learn more about Kate here: https://katie-kinder.com/ & more about Darrin here: https://roadtoawesome.net/You can find the book here: https://amzn.to/3H9xtXfJoin us LIVE for the podcast at 4:15 EST, tomorrow, Tuesday, May 27th! #survivethriveThis podcast is sponsored by IXL Personalized Learning. IXL is used by more than 1 million teachers each day. It is also the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K-12. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/ELBIXL

What happens when educators put classroom culture at the center of everything they do? In this engaging episode, I sit down with authors Katie Kinder and Darrin Peppard to explore their bold new book, Culture First Classroom. We unpack the mindset shifts teachers and leaders must make to prioritize culture over compliance, why laughter and relationships are essential to learning, and how the fusion of creativity and strategy can transform any classroom. Katie and Darrin share real-world examples, powerful takeaways, and small, actionable steps to help educators start building a thriving learning environment—one rooted in joy, connection, and purpose. Whether you're a classroom teacher, building leader, or passionate about improving school climate, this episode will equip you with the tools to lead with culture and create classrooms that inspire. About Darrin Peppard Darrin Peppard is a keynote speaker, author, publisher and consultant focused on what matters most in leadership. Darrin is an expert in school culture and climate as well as coaching and growing emerging leaders. He is known for his keen insight, culture-first leadership style, and dynamic personality. In 2016, Darrin was named Wyoming Secondary School Principal of the Year by WASSP/NASSP and was the 2015 Jostens Renaissance Educator of the Year. In 2017, Darrin earned his Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Wyoming. In the summer of 2019, Darrin was inducted into the Jostens Renaissance Hall of Fame.  Darrin shares his experiences from over 25 years in education, specifically those learned as an education leader during the past 13 years. As a ‘recovering' high school principal, Darrin talks about lessons learned and effective strategies to help leaders of all experience levels become more effective at their craft. Follow Darrin Peppard Website: www.darrinmpeppard.com & www.roadtoawesome.net Twitter: @DarrinMPeppard  Instagram: darrinmpeppard Facebook: Darrin M Peppard & Road to Awesome, LLC (page)  Linkedin: Darrin M Peppard YouTube: Darrin M Peppard About Katie Kinder Katie Kinder, author of Untold Teaching Truths,Hallway Leadership, and Culture First Classrooms, is a highly sought after professional learning facilitator and speaker; she has been an educator since 2006. She brings her message of hope, fun, and real strategies to educators all over the nation.  She believes that life is fun, and learning should most definitely be fun. Known for her signature teal glasses, Katie is an Education Award Winner, Speaker, Author, Professional Development Leader, a Mom, a Wife, and a Fierce Advocate for Education. She has learned a trick or two in the classroom, so come on in, and have some fun, and hook your students from day one! Follow Katie Kinder Website: www.katie-kinder.com 

Enjoy this crossover episode with the Road To Awesome Podcast. Chad joins Dr. Darrin Peppard to dive deep into one of the most important leadership tasks schools face: planning professional development that actually moves the needle.Darrin and Chad unpack the mistakes too many schools make—like treating PD as a day, not a movement—and offer a practical, strategic approach to make learning stick all year long. You'll hear about:- How to build clarity into every phase of your PD plan- The power of tiered professional development- Why leaders must model differentiated support- How to avoid turning your PD initiative into “the villain”- Planning walkthroughs, building internal capacity, and protecting your time as a leader- And how Teach Better + Road to Awesome are partnering to offer aligned leadership and instructional growthWhether you're a new principal or a veteran leader, this episode is packed with practical steps to help you develop PD that actually leads to instructional improvement.

Culture First Classrooms: Leadership, Relationships, and Practices that Transform Schools In this episode, we're joined by author, speaker and "recovering high school principal" Dr. Darrin Peppard, to talk about Culture First Classrooms. Creating a positive classroom culture is both an art and a science—and Darrin shares practical strategies and powerful stories that show how it's done. In his book, he shares examples of how to set and maintain expectations—covering everything from seating arrangements and modeling behaviors to creating daily routines that build relationships and set a positive tone. Dig into Darrin's work here. Get a copy of Culture First Classrooms  Get a signed copy of Culture First Classrooms

In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with the brilliant William D. Parker—an award-winning former principal, author, speaker, and executive coach. Will is the founder of Principal Matters, LLC and the host of Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast, with over 1.5 million downloads. Through his coaching, books, and virtual leadership academies, Will empowers school leaders to improve culture, communication, and student outcomes.Together, Darrin and Will dive deep into the real and raw experiences of school leadership. Will shares his journey from teacher to principal, including the moment he almost walked away from education—and the letter of resignation that changed his life. They explore the importance of reflection, well-being, and why leaders must pour into themselves before they can lead others.They also discuss Will's latest book, Whose Permission Are You Waiting For? An Educator's Guide to Doing What You Love, and how leaders can take back their autonomy by acting with clarity, curiosity, and intention.Key Takeaways:Leadership begins with personal wellness: Will's turning point came through a wake-up call at home, leading him to redefine how he approached leadership.The question every educator should ask: Whose permission are you waiting for?Leading with curiosity can unlock clarity and drive real school improvement.Scaling your influence is not about doing more—it's about sharing your expertise and elevating others.Reflection and coaching provide the safe space leaders need to grow.Quotes:"You become a better leader when you start pouring into yourself.""You don't need someone's permission to do what's right for kids.""Scaling your influence is an obligation. Don't keep your expertise to yourself.""Curiosity + Inquiry = Discovery. That's the formula for powerful leadership."Connect with William D. Parker:Website: williamdparker.comEmail: will@williamdparker.comLinkedIn: William D. ParkerInstagram: @william_d_parkerFacebook: William Davis ParkerResources Mentioned:Whose Permission Are You Waiting For? by William D. ParkerPause. Breathe. Flourish. by William D. ParkerThe Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay StanierPrincipal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast hosted by Will ParkerWant more? Visit roadtoawesome.net for leadership coaching, professional development, and keynote speaking that...

Dr. Frank Rudnesky is a professional speaker, author, and educational leader known for his contagious energy and passion for leadership. He has penned several books, including Fired Up Leadership, Fired Up Student Leadership, and 50 Great Things Leaders Do: Let's Get Fired Up. Dr. Rudnesky draws on his extensive experience as a teacher and award-winning middle school principal to deliver transformative keynotes, workshops, and presentations.Episode Summary:In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Dr. Darrin Peppard welcomes his long-time friend and leadership expert, Dr. Frank Rudnesky. Together, they explore the critical role of student leadership in schools and how empowering students can profoundly impact school culture. Dr. Rudnesky shares personal stories, practical strategies, and lessons from his latest book, Igniting Students' Passions: Empowering Lifelong Leaders. The conversation touches on creating leadership opportunities for all students, fostering trust, and igniting passions that inspire lifelong leadership skills.Key Takeaways:Leadership is not confined to titles; it's a choice and a mindset.Creating intentional leadership opportunities for students helps them discover their potential and sets them on a path of lifelong leadership.Empowering students to step out of their comfort zones and take ownership of their learning fosters a positive and inclusive school culture.Practical strategies like leadership academies, service projects, and mentorship programs can help schools cultivate student leaders.Amplifying the voices of students and educators builds strong, connected communities and reinforces the importance of servant leadership.Connect with Dr. Rudnesky at FiredUpLeadership.org, via email at FrankRudnesky@gmail.com, or on X, Instagram, and TikTok @DrFrankRud.

On this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Darrin welcomes Chris Dormer, Superintendent of Norristown Area School District in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Chris brings nearly three decades of educational experience from diverse settings, including roles as a teacher, coach, principal, and superintendent.Chris shares powerful insights into shifting school leadership from crisis mode—something many leaders have felt stuck in since the pandemic—to a more proactive, intentional leadership approach. He emphasizes the importance of serving each and every student, rather than focusing broadly on “all students,” and how this subtle yet powerful shift in mission can transform school culture.Throughout the conversation, Chris offers practical strategies leaders can immediately implement, including prioritizing classroom visits, giving actionable and meaningful feedback, and ensuring leadership teams stay focused on what truly matters most—teaching and learning.Key takeaways from this episode:Why proactive leadership is crucial in moving beyond crisis-driven schools.How shifting from “all” students to “each and every” student can profoundly impact your school's culture.Practical ways to protect your calendar and prioritize instructional leadership.Strategies for developing and empowering leadership teams through intentional professional growth.This episode is packed with leadership wisdom and practical insights that will help you and your team refocus, reenergize, and recommit to the most important work in education.Connect with Chris Dormer:Email: cdormer@nasd.k12.pa.usLinkedIn: Christopher DormerWebsite: Norristown Area School DistrictBook Darrin for your next event!Darrin Peppard is currently booking keynotes and workshops for opening convocations, teacher and principal conferences, and leadership development events. If you want to set the stage for an unforgettable school year or inspire meaningful growth at your next conference, reach out to Darrin today!Website: roadtoawesome.netEmail: darrinmpeppard@roadtoawesome.netConnect on LinkedIn: Darrin PeppardListen, Subscribe, and Share!If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your network. Your feedback helps us bring you more incredible conversations!Leaning Into Leadership is available wherever you listen to podcasts—be sure to subscribe today!

In this milestone 200th episode of the Leaning Into Leadership podcast, host Dr. Darrin Peppard reflects deeply on the theme of commitment. Darrin shares personal insights and impactful stories highlighting how his commitment to delivering weekly episodes since January 2022 has shaped the podcast and his journey as a leadership speaker, coach, and author.He celebrates the community of listeners who have supported the podcast, discusses the evolution of guest selection towards more educational leaders based on audience feedback, and emphasizes how consistency, clarity, and credibility have become foundational values of his leadership philosophy. Throughout the episode, Darrin highlights the profound relationships and opportunities fostered through podcasting, including friendships, collaborations, and impactful professional growth.Key Topics Covered:The Value of Commitment:Inspiration drawn from a flight attendant's 30-year service pin story.The importance of consistently showing up and following through on commitments.Impactful Guests and Relationships:Reflecting on meaningful conversations with guests such as Katie Kinder, Dominic Armano, Todd Bloomer, Greg Bennick, Bradley Skinner, Luis Báez, Lauren Kaufman, Sean Gaillard, and Joshua Stamper.How these relationships evolved into friendships, business opportunities, and collaborative projects like co-authoring Culture First Classrooms.Listening and Responding to Audience Feedback:Observing analytics and listener communication to shift the podcast focus toward more educational leadership topics.Renewed commitment to align episodes closely with listeners' interests and needs.Personal and Professional Growth:The critical lesson learned about consistency driving clarity, trust, and credibility.How the podcast has enhanced Darrin's visibility, leading to speaking engagements, coaching opportunities, and deeper professional connections.Notable Moments:Darrin's personal story about missing only one Sunday episode due to emergency gallbladder surgery, highlighting his deep dedication to listeners.Revisiting Alex Sheen's "Because I Said I Would" story, emphasizing the power of promises and follow-through.Highlighting listener feedback about recent episodes and their impactful insights, such as Rae Hughart's email productivity tips.Pep Talk (Action Step):Darrin invites listeners to make a commitment today that positively impacts their leadership journey, whether personal, professional, or relational. He encourages reflection on empowering others, clarifying visions, and deepening commitment.Connect with Darrin:Engage on social media platforms.Leave a five-star review to help expand the podcast's reach and impact.Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment!Get your copy of Culture First Classrooms right here!!

Grab your copy of Culture First Classrooms: Leadership, Relationships, and Practices that Transform Schools from your favorite vendor: Amazon or Barnes & Noble or get your autographed copy here.In this episode, Darrin Peppard sits down with Rae Hughart, educator, TEDx speaker, and founder of the Teachers Deserve It (TDI) movement. Rae is passionate about empowering educators to reclaim their time, reduce burnout, and amplify their impact in the classroom.Rae shares the intriguing backstory behind the TDI movement, starting from an unexpected dinner conversation that led to co-authoring the book Teachers Deserve It with Adam Welcome. She emphasizes the importance of practical, sustainable teaching strategies that genuinely give teachers back their time and autonomy.Key highlights from this episode include:Origin Story of "Teachers Deserve It": How a dinner conversation with Adam Welcome sparked the creation of a movement and a bestselling book.Practical Tips to Save Time: Rae details a powerful email automation strategy that helped a teacher reclaim five hours of their week. This simple yet effective tip provides immediate value for educators overwhelmed by their inboxes.Supporting Paraprofessionals: Rae discusses the crucial role of paraprofessionals in schools and shares how the TDI team responded to community requests by creating dedicated training bundles specifically designed to uplift and support paraprofessional staff.Content Creation and Problem-Solving: Rae provides insights for educators interested in creating impactful content online. Her advice: clearly identify problems and offer actionable solutions.Leaning into Leadership: Rae reflects on her growth as a leader, specifically emphasizing the importance of active listening, facilitating reflection, and allowing time for solutions to emerge naturally.Connect with Rae Hughart:Website: TeachersDeserveIt.comSocial Media: @RaeHughartTikTok: @RaeHughartEDUFree Resource:Email Automation Download (available via TeachersDeserveIt.com)Tune in to learn practical strategies to save time, reduce burnout, and re-center your practice on what truly matters—because teachers deserve better.

In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, host Darrin Peppard welcomes back David James, a 7th-grade social studies teacher at Harold E. Winkler Middle School in Concord, North Carolina. Known for his leadership both in the classroom and through his work with the North Carolina Association for Middle Level Education (NCMLE), David shares powerful insights into what it takes to lead effectively as a teacher. He discusses the importance of building leadership capacity within schools, the impact of teacher-led professional development, and how setting high expectations transforms school culture.David also offers a sneak peek into his contribution to Culture First Classrooms: Leadership, Relationships, and Practices that Transform Schools, the new book by Darrin Peppard and Katie Kinder, launching on March 17th. In his chapter, David explores how establishing clear expectations from day one leads to a positive and sustainable culture, both inside and outside the classroom.Key Takeaways:Building Capacity: The importance of teacher leadership in maintaining school culture, especially with the frequent turnover of school administrators.Wolfpack Workshop: How this in-house professional development model at Winkler Middle School empowers teachers and drives student achievement.Culture First Classrooms: Insights from David's chapter on setting expectations and building a culture of trust and accountability.NCMLE 2025 Conference: An overview of the upcoming conference and its evolution into a national-level event for middle school educators.Leadership Advice: Practical tips for teachers looking to take on more leadership roles in their schools.Mentioned in This Episode:Culture First Classrooms – Launching March 17th!The Wolfpack Workshop at Winkler Middle School.NCMLE 2025 Conference – March 23rd-25th in Charlotte, NC.Book: Culturize by Jimmy Casas.Connect with David James:Twitter/X: @HeroicHistory22 | @NCMiddleInstagram: @HeroicHistory22 | @NCMiddleTikTok: @HeroicHistory22 | @NCMiddleFacebook: @NCMLEWebsite: www.ncmle.orgConnect with Darrin Peppard:Twitter/X: @DarrinMPeppardLinkedIn: Darrin PeppardWebsite: roadtoawesome.netCall to Action:If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Make sure to grab your copy of Culture First Classrooms when it launches on March 17th and check out the NCMLE 2025 Conference for more amazing professional learning...

In this powerful episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with longtime friend and educational thought leader Bradlee W. Skinner to discuss the journey through failure, teacher retention, and the importance of empowering educators. Bradlee opens up about his personal struggles with burnout, stepping away from education, and the pivotal moments that brought him back—stronger and more purpose-driven than ever.Together, Darrin and Bradlee explore the role of teacher leadership, the dangers of the "just a teacher" mindset, and how school leaders can create environments that encourage collaboration, trust, and professional growth. They also discuss Bradlee's impactful contribution to the upcoming book Culture First Classrooms, where he challenges the concept of classroom management in favor of classroom leadership.If you've ever felt the weight of burnout or questioned your path in education, this episode will leave you inspired to own your story, embrace failure as a stepping stone, and create a culture where teachers and students thrive.Key Takeaways:✅ Teacher burnout vs. teacher beatdown – Understanding the emotional toll of teaching and what really drives educators to leave the profession.✅ The power of second chances – Bradlee shares how mentorship, self-reflection, and leadership opportunities helped him rediscover his purpose.✅ Shifting from classroom management to classroom leadership – Why building relationships and empowering students is more effective than simply managing behavior.✅ Teacher leadership matters – Practical ways teachers can lead without leaving the classroom, and how administrators can create space for leadership to flourish.✅ Culture and climate in schools – How small actions from school leaders, such as eliminating the "just a teacher" mentality, can transform staff engagement.✅ Failing forward – Why embracing failure is crucial for student growth, teacher development, and leadership success.Connect with Bradlee W. Skinner:

In this episode, returning guest Katie Kinder joins Dr. Darrin Peppard for a behind-the-scenes look at their upcoming book, Culture First Classrooms: Leadership, Relationships, and Practices that Transform Schools. They dive into the journey of co-authoring a book, the power of classroom culture, and how fostering strong relationships transformsschools.Katie and Darrin share personal stories about their paths as educators, what led them to co-write this book, and how they selected 21 amazing contributors to share their insights. They also explore why great teaching is an art, not a formula, and how school leaders can support teachers in building a culture-first approach to education.Key Takeaways:✅ Culture comes first—without strong relationships and a supportive environment, no initiative will thrive.✅ Teaching is artistry—there's no single way to be effective, and great educators bring energy, fun, and connection to their work.✅ Leadership impacts everything—when educators feel empowered and valued, they take more risks and push students to succeed.✅ This book is a lifeline—it's filled with real, actionable insights from educators leading the way in post-pandemic classrooms.About Katie Kinder:Katie Kinder, author of Untold Teaching Truths and Hallway Leadership, is a passionate professional learning facilitator and education advocate. With nearly two decades in education, she inspires and equips teachers with real strategies to hook students from day one. A former Teacher of the Year and Top Five District Finalist, Katie brings energy, authenticity, and a deep love for educators everywhere.Connect with Katie Kinder:

In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with Dr. Joe Famularo, a veteran educator and superintendent, to explore his IOU Leadership framework. Dr. Famularo shares his journey from classroom teacher to district leader, the principles that guide his leadership, and how the IOU model—Inward, Outward, and Upward Leadership—helps leaders build a thriving culture rooted in trust and continuous improvement.Key Topics Covered:✅ The IOU Leadership Framework: What it means to lead inward, outward, and upward.✅ The Role of Self-Awareness in Leadership: Why knowing yourself is the foundation for effective leadership.✅ Building a Culture of Trust: The impact of relationships and shared leadership in schools.✅ Living with Intention vs. Living by Default: How to shift from reactive to proactive leadership.✅ PH2E Life Propeller Assessment: A tool to evaluate personal and professional growth.✅ The Importance of Clear Vision and Common Language: How defining values and mission creates sustainable success in schools.✅ Leader in Me & The 7 Habits: How Covey's principles influenced his district's transformation.About Dr. Joe FamularoDr. Joe Famularo is a lifelong educator with over 34 years in the same district, including 18 as superintendent. Passionate about leadership and continuous improvement, he developed the IOU Leadership framework to help individuals and organizations create cultures of trust, purpose, and excellence. He is the author of IOU Life Leadershipand the upcoming book IOU School Leadership.

In this episode of the Leaning Into Leadership podcast, Dr. Darrin Peppard is joined by Barb Flowers, Principal of the U.S. Elementary Division at Eastwood Global and a certified life coach specializing in leadership development for principals. Barb shares her journey from being a brick-and-mortar school leader to helping launch an innovative online school and homeschooling program while coaching principals to lead with clarity and confidence.Key Topics Discussed:Barb's unique leadership role at Eastwood Global, combining International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum with the science of reading.The parallels and contrasts between traditional school leadership and leading in a virtual environment.Proven strategies for managing time, reducing stress, and setting boundaries as a school leader.The importance of saying “no” to unnecessary initiatives and focusing on what truly matters.How principals can develop self-belief and avoid the trap of comparison.Barb's insights into the power of thought work and using affirmations to foster confidence and intentionality in leadership.Practical routines and habits for maintaining focus and avoiding overwhelm.Key Takeaways for Listeners:Why removing email from your phone is a game changer for work-life balance.How to set boundaries that protect your time and energy while modeling the same for your staff.The transformative impact of focusing on thought work to create more positive emotions and actions.Why limiting initiatives and prioritizing depth over breadth benefits your entire school community.Actionable steps to create routines that align with your leadership vision and values.About Barb Flowers:Barb brings 14 years of public education experience, including six years as a principal, to her role as a leadership coach and educational leader. She helps principals overcome stress, manage their time effectively, and lead with purpose, all while balancing the demands of professional and personal life.Connect with Barb Flowers:Podcast: The Principal's HandbookWebsite: barbflowerscoaching.comLinkedIn: Barb Flowers, PhDInstagram: @DrBarbFlowers

In this episode of The Brand Called You, Dr. Darrin Peppard, founder of Road to Awesome LLC, delves into leadership principles, the role of empathy, and how to build thriving, purpose-driven cultures. From his 26-year career in education to becoming a leadership coach and author, Darrin offers invaluable insights for leaders in all industries. 00:38- About Dr Darrin Peppard Darrin Peppard is the president and founder of Road to Awesome LLC. He is the author of a book titled "Road to Awesome”. He is also the host of a podcast titled “Leaning Into Leadership”, where he shares actionable insights on leadership team development and creating thriving, purpose driven cultures.

In this episode of the Leaning Into Leadership podcast, we're exploring the powerful metaphor of the lighthouse and how it relates to effective school leadership. Inspired by a visit to Martha's Vineyard, host Darrin Peppard reflects on the enduring purpose of lighthouses and the lessons they offer for guiding schools and teams in 2025. Discover five lighthouse-inspired principles—from guiding through challenges to creating a culture of hope and safety—and learn actionable strategies to shine brightly as a leader this year. Whether you're navigating staff burnout, shifting priorities, or the complexities of educational leadership, this episode will leave you inspired and ready to lead with purpose.What You'll Learn in This Episode:The five lighthouse-inspired principles of effective leadershipHow to provide clarity and focus for your team during uncertain timesThe importance of being a consistent and visible presence in your schoolHow to position yourself strategically to make the greatest impactThe power of empowering your team and fostering trustWhy creating a culture of hope and safety is essential for school successGuiding Through ChallengesLearn how to define your "true north" and guide your school community through obstacles with clear priorities and a shared vision.Steadfast PresenceDiscover why consistency and visibility are key to building trust and creating stability for your team.Strategic PositioningExplore how to focus your time and energy where it matters most to drive impactful outcomes for students and staff.Shining a Light for OthersFind out how empowering your team with clarity and support can create a culture of trust and shared ownership.Symbol of Hope and SafetyUnderstand how fostering a positive culture helps staff and students feel valued, supported, and ready to grow.Share Your Thoughts: Did this episode inspire you to embrace the lighthouse principles in your leadership? Let us know your thoughts! Leave a review or share the episode on social media with your biggest takeaway. Don't forget to tag us so we can join the conversation.Blogpost link referenced in the episode - Be a Lighthouse: Five Guiding Principles for School Leaders in 2025

Are you struggling to balance the many initiatives and responsibilities of school leadership? In this insightful conversation, leadership coach and former educator Darrin Peppard discusses essential organizational systems for school principals. Drawing from his 26 years of experience in education, Peppard shares strategies across three key areas:Teacher Support and Development:Emphasizes the importance of gaining clarity around leadership visionAdvocates for understanding where teachers are in their journeyRecommends the "Start, Stop, Continue, Consider" protocol for gathering feedbackSchool Culture and Climate:Shares his transformation from a discipline-focused to relationship-centered approachHighlights the importance of being visible and present in the schoolDiscusses implementing recognition systems to reinforce positive behaviorLeadership Operations and Reflection:Details practical systems for classroom walkthroughs and communication (911/411 system)Emphasizes the importance of protecting leadership timeIntroduces the concept of "balcony level leadership" for regular reflectionThroughout the discussion, Peppard emphasizes that successful school leadership requires clear systems, delegation, and regular reflection. He particularly stresses the value of getting clarity on vision and expectations, being visible in the school, and taking time to reflect on leadership priorities. The conversation concludes with both hosts advocating for the importance of leadership coaching in educational administration.Connect with Darrin HEREConnect with Barb on Linkedin HERE.Check out Barb's Instagram @BarbFlowersCoaching HERE for more tips and strategies!Sign up HERE for a FREE Consultation and learn more about how I can help you with one-on-one coaching.Tired of second-guessing your decisions as a principal? Download my free course! Access it here.Click HERE to get a Free Checklist for Disconnecting from School

In this insightful episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with Charlie Peck and Joshua Stamper to discuss their upcoming book, The Language of Behavior, and the accompanying podcast. Together, they explore strategies to decode student behaviors, build positive relationships, and implement proactive systems that empower educators and students alike. From creating the "Relationship Action Team" to implementing the push-in model, this conversation is packed with practical tools and actionable strategies for leaders at every level.What You'll Learn in This Episode:The origin story of The Language of Behavior book and podcast.Why traditional disciplinary measures often fail and how to shift toward relational approaches.Insights into the push-in model and its transformative impact on classrooms.The power of grassroots leadership initiatives in fostering systemic change.How to "lean into leadership" by staying true to your values and beliefs.Key Takeaways:Behavior as a Message: Understand that behaviors are a form of communication and decoding them requires curiosity and compassion.Team-Based Solutions: Building a collaborative team, like the Relationship Action Team, empowers educators to implement meaningful changes.Proactive Strategies: Tools like the push-in model help address low-level infractions without removing students from the learning environment.Invest in Teachers: Equipping teachers with practical strategies and fostering a sense of community can reignite their passion for education.Authentic Leadership: Embrace your values and lead with authenticity to inspire trust and joy in your team.Featured Quotes:"Behaviors are just the message. We can learn to decode them to better support our students." – Charlie Peck"When I stopped trying to meet others' expectations and leaned into who I am as a leader, everything changed for the better." – Joshua StamperResources Mentioned:The Language of Behavior book (coming soon)The Language of Behavior podcast (available on all major platforms)Previous episodes featuring Charlie Peck and Joshua StamperConnect with Our Guests:Charlie Peck: thrivingeducator.com @CharlePeck on all social mediaJoshua Stamper: joshuastamper.com @Joshua__Stamper on social media

Episode Summary: In this deeply personal solo episode, Dr. Darrin Peppard shares a pivotal story from his leadership journey that became a wake-up call about the importance of self-care. Reflecting on an experience during his second year as a principal—missing his best friend's wedding due to burnout and exhaustion—Dr. Peppard delves into the lessons he learned about prioritizing health and well-being as a leader. He provides practical strategies for leaders to avoid burnout, set boundaries, and invest in themselves, so they can lead with clarity, focus, and purpose.Whether you're a school leader or any professional striving to balance the demands of leadership, this episode will leave you inspired and equipped with actionable steps to show up as your best self in 2025.What You'll Learn in This Episode:A Personal Leadership Wake-Up Call: Dr. Peppard recounts how missing his best friend's wedding due to illness and overwhelm served as a life-changing moment.The Cost of Neglecting Self-Care: How a “superhero” mindset can lead to burnout and missed opportunities.Practical Changes for Leaders:Creating systems for healthy eating and exercise.Setting boundaries for work and personal time.Building clarity around priorities as a school leader.Why Self-Care is Essential for Leadership: Learn how taking care of yourself positively impacts your effectiveness as a leader and your ability to inspire those around you.Actionable Steps for 2025: Tips to reflect, adjust, and prioritize self-care and high-leverage leadership activities in the new year.Resources Mentioned:Blog Post: The Turning Point: Why Leaders Must Take Care of Themselves Free Webinar: Join Dr. Peppard on December 30, 2024, at 4 PM ET for a free webinar on priorities, time management, and intentional leadership. Register here: https://www.theprincipalacademy.com/realresultsTake Action:Reflect on your leadership practices over the past year. Are you showing up as your best self? What can you change?Implement one of the strategies shared in this episode to improve your self-care and leadership in 2025.Share this episode with a fellow leader who might need the reminder to prioritize themselves.Let's Connect:Website: Road to AwesomeLinkedIn: Dr. Darrin PeppardHelp the Podcast Grow: If you enjoy the Leaning Into Leadership Podcast, please leave a five-star review on your favorite podcast app. Your feedback helps us reach more leaders and continue providing valuable content.Happy New Year! Thank you for joining me for this special episode. Wishing you clarity, purpose, and an incredible year ahead. Let's make 2025 the year of intentional leadership!

Are you ready to lead with clarity and purpose in 2025? Join me on Monday, December 30, at 3 PM ET for a FREE webinar: Take Control of Your Leadership: Clear Priorities, Real Results. In just one hour, you'll learn actionable strategies to define your priorities, recognize and reinforce values, and reclaim your time for the work that truly matters.Save your spot today at www.theprincipalacademy.com/realresults—let's kick off 2025 as your best leadership year yet!Are you feeling overwhelmed and struggling to prioritize your time as a school leader? In this episode, I share some exciting news about my upcoming digital course, Take Control of Your Leadership:. This course is designed to help you overcome overwhelm, focus on what truly matters, and lead with clarity, and it's LIVE - go to theprincipalacademy.com and check out Take Control of Your Leadership.In this engaging conversation, Dr. Darrin Peppard and Barbara Gruener explore the journey of entrepreneurship, the importance of relationships in education, and the therapeutic power of writing. Barbara shares her inspiring background, her transition back to teaching, and the significance of self-care for educators. They also discuss Barbara's latest book, Birdie and Mipps, which reflects on the themes of nicknames and relationships, and the feedback it has received from readers. The conversation concludes with Barbara's insights on leaning into leadership and supporting others in their journeys.TakeawaysEntrepreneurship can lead to meaningful connections.Teaching experiences shape our understanding of education.Relationships are at the core of effective teaching.Self-care is essential for educators to thrive.Writing serves as a therapeutic outlet for emotions.Birdie and Mips explores the significance of nicknames.Feedback from readers can highlight the impact of a book.Mentorship plays a crucial role in leadership.Inspiration and kindness can transform lives.Everyone is fighting their own battles, and empathy is key.Find Barbara at:corneroncharacter.combarbaragruenerauthor.com

Episode 182 is a special episode, in which Todd Bloomer, Dominic Armano, and your regular host, Darrin Peppard, dedicate an entire episode to new principal Candace Pearson. We are excited for Candace to take on her first principalship, and so we decided to share our insights, experience, and expertise to help set her, and anyone else new to the role, up for success.Are you feeling overwhelmed and struggling to prioritize your time as a school leader? In this episode, I share some exciting news about my upcoming digital course, Take Control of Your Leadership:. This course is designed to help you overcome overwhelm, focus on what truly matters, and lead with clarity, and it's LIVE - go to theprincipalacademy.com and check out Take Control of Your Leadership.Got a question for us? Submit it here or hit us up on social mediaTodd Bloomer was born and raised in New York, Todd Bloomer got to Texas as soon as he could to start his educational career. As a teacher and coach, Todd fell in love (literally) in Texas with public education, high school football, and his wife, Sharon. After moving to San Antonio, Texas, Todd transitioned to the assistant principalship at a middle school in 2007. In 2010, he became a high school assistant principal and in 2014 Todd was named a middle school principal. In 2019, Todd was named a high school principal. In 2020, Todd was name the Texas Region 20 Secondary Principal of the year, During his journey as an administrator, Todd benefited from strong mentors and developed a blueprint to being successful. Through trial and error, and some luck, Todd has developed into a widely respected administrator in the state of Texas. Todd also served as a high school principal during and after COVID. Learning a school of 2,500 students during uncertainty has made his voice, his insight, and his advice all the more relevant. Through humor, storytelling, and being vulnerable, Todd shares his soul on what has worked and what hasn't. Todd and his wife Sharon have been married for 24 years. They have five wonderful children. Todd and his wife reside in beautiful San Antonio, Texas. Todd is very active on social media. You can follow him @bloomer_sa on Twitter and Todd Bloomer on LinkedIn. Todd is also very active as an advocate at the state level with elected officials as he works to defend the profession he loves.Dominic Armano is a loving husband and father, a proud educator, an innovative principal a speaker and author. Over the course of his career, Dominic has served as an elementary and middle school teacher, assistant principal and currently he is serving as an elementary school principal. In all of these roles, he has made it his priority to promote a positive culture for students, staff, and the community.Dominic has an undergraduate degree in elementary education and graduate degrees in both special education and school district leadership. Through his years in education, Dominic has become passionate about social-emotional learning and has developed programs that encourage education through a whole child approach. This pathway strengthens the core of instruction and helps to build a community of eager, enthusiastic, and passionate learners. In addition to his work as an educator, Dominic is a motivational speaker and blogger. He is the President of the Education Chapter of the Dowling College Alumni Association. In 2019, he was inducted into the New York Academy of Public Education, and he is a member of the New York City Elementary School Principals Association.He has previously served with the Long Island Coalition Against Bullying as both a member of the...

#330: Email Sucks Show Description:Last week, Darrin Peppard and I went over some of our favorite time hacks. Towards the end of the show, we talked about email. Today, I'm devoting a whole show to email. I'll share some tips and tricks, but how we manage email is as much about our mindset as it is the clock. As we get going, I want you to seriously play with an idea: what if email went away? What would your leadership and life be like? Celebrations:Recognizing the fragility and impermanence of this life The Big IdeaMy history with email:·      1988: no such thing·      1993: first “real” computer in my room·      1999: Few emails each day as district EC Coordinator·      2006: PC for online program·      2018: HE exit leads to lack of email·      2025: the slow creep Take what you want from today's show…·      Be serious in playing with the ideas·      Consider what is realistic·      Push the boundary What if the principal did not respond to email? Priority management versus time management: 1.     Turn off alerts; email is not an instant communication tool! If email is being used for time-sensitive communications, then it is being misused. 2.     Don't respond to “urgent” emails via email. Pick up the phone. At the end of the call, tell the person to call you next time it is urgent.3.     Teach and condition others regarding reasonable response times.4.     Do not answer email outside of business hours! If you need to work on email at off times, use an autoresponder to send out replies during working hours. This is critical for conditioning and teaching people to use email wisely.5.     Don't look at email after work hours. If you must, then adhere to the following:a.     Only specific timesb.     Only when you are in a specific location (like a desk, not your couch)c.     Only from certain people6.     Stop caring about your inbox. Everyone gets too much email. Many people just don't respond to 90% of what they get and they don't care anymore. You can join them.7.     Post in a prominent area where you do your email, a note that says “If I spent 10 minutes less on email each day, I would invest that time doing…” and fill in the blank. Read it every day, multiple times. Was going to call this show “Email Time Hacks” but… Summarizing (The big takeaway)Email isn't as important as you think it is. Sponsorship:I want to thank IXL for sponsoring this podcast… Everyone talks about the power of data-driven instruction. But what does that actually look like? Look no further than IXL, the ultimate online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. IXL gives you meaningful insights that drive real progress, and research can prove it. Studies across 45 states show that schools who use IXL outperform other schools on state tests. Educators who use IXL love that they can easily see how their school is performing in real-time to make better instructional decisions.  And IXL doesn't stop at just data. IXL also brings an entire ecosystem of resources for your teachers, with a complete curriculum, personalized learning plans, and so much more. It's no wonder that IXL is used in 95 of the top 100 school districts. Ready to join them? Visit http://ixl.com/assistant to get started.   Close·      Leadership is a journey and thank you for choosing to walk some of this magical path with me.·      You can find links to all sorts of stuff in the show notes, including my website https://www.frederickbuskey.com/·      I love hearing from you. If you have comments or questions, or are interested in having me speak at your school or conference, email me at frederick@frederickbuskey.com or connect with me on LinkedIn.·      If you are tired of spending time putting out fires and would rather invest time supporting and growing teachers, consider reading my book, A School Leader's Guide to Reclaiming Purpose. The book is available on Amazon. You can find links to it, as well as free book study materials on my website at https://www.frederickbuskey.com/reclaiming-purpose.html·      Please remember to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.·      Remember the secret to good leadership:o   Be intentional in choosing how you will show up for otherso   Be fully presento   Ask reflective questionso   And then just listeno   Don't overcomplicate it, the value is in the listening.·      Have a great rest of the week!·      Cheers!  Frederick's Links:Email: frederick@frederickbuskey.comWebsite: https://www.frederickbuskey.com/LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/strategicleadershipconsultingDaily Email subscribe: https://adept-experimenter-3588.ck.page/fdf37cbf3aThe Strategic Leader's Guide to Reclaiming Purpose: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CWRS2F6N?ref_=pe_93986420_774957520 Email tips: https://www.frederickbuskey.com/email.html

#229 Outline and Show Notes Show Title: 10 Awesome Time Hacks with Darrin Peppard Power Quote: Description:Time. The most limited resource (along with attention). Many leaders feel if they can better manage their time, they can become better leaders. Yes… and no. The big secret to time management isn't actually about time. In today's episode, my good friend Darrin Peppard and I discuss about 10 different tips for managing your time. We lead with the previously mentioned “big secret” so you don't need to wait long for that. Also, near the end of this episode, Darrin is going to share a couple of complimentary resources that I think you are going to want to have. Okay, let's go! Guest Bio:Dr. Darrin Peppard is a dynamic keynote speaker, leadership expert, and consultant with a passion for transforming organizational culture and developing the next generation of leaders. As a former high school principal turned leadership coach, Darrin draws from nearly 30 years of experience in education to inspire leaders to embrace clarity, purpose, and joy in their work. He is the best-selling author of Road to Awesome and hosts the popular Leaning Into Leadership podcast, where he shares actionable insights on leadership, team development, and creating thriving, purpose-driven cultures. With his engaging and authentic approach, Darrin helps organizations reimagine their culture, cultivate strong leadership, and foster environments where people and teams can truly excel. Note: Darrin appeared previously on Ep 139, July 4, 2023 Warmup questions:·      We always like to start with a celebration. What are you celebrating today?·      Is there a story that will help listeners understand why you are doing what you do?  Questions/Topics/Prompts·      Our favorite time hacks:·      Fredericko   Manage your priorities before managing your time§  Every yes is a no to something else§  Priority list versus to-do list§  Time block your calendar§  Three essential priorities (safety, legal, grow people)§  The only way to create a great school is to grow your teachers (priorities)o   Be fully present§  Allows you to be proactive§  Builds relationships§  Improves cultureo   End the day right§  Reflect on today (celebrate)§  Plan for tomorrowo   Begin the day right§  Move§  Ground§  Set an intentiono   Develop your SOPs to offload/improve common tasks (especially discipline)o   Email:§  Archive (don't file) your email§  Block time to check (attention cost)  Closing questions:·      What part of your own leadership are you still trying to get better at?·      If listeners could take just one thing away from today's podcast, what would it be?·      Before we go, is there anything else that you'd like to share with our listeners?·      Where can people learn more about you and your work… Sponsorship:I want to thank IXL for sponsoring this podcast… Everyone talks about the power of data-driven instruction. But what does that actually look like? Look no further than IXL, the ultimate online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. IXL gives you meaningful insights that drive real progress, and research can prove it. Studies across 45 states show that schools who use IXL outperform other schools on state tests. Educators who use IXL love that they can easily see how their school is performing in real-time to make better instructional decisions.  And IXL doesn't stop at just data. IXL also brings an entire ecosystem of resources for your teachers, with a complete curriculum, personalized learning plans, and so much more. It's no wonder that IXL is used in 95 of the top 100 school districts. Ready to join them? Visit http://ixl.com/assistant to get started.   Close·      Leadership is a journey and thank you for choosing to walk some of this magical path with me.·      You can find links to all sorts of stuff in the show notes, including my website https://www.frederickbuskey.com/·      I love hearing from you. If you have comments or questions, or are interested in having me speak at your school or conference, email me at frederick@frederickbuskey.com or connect with me on LinkedIn.·      If you are tired of spending time putting out fires and would rather invest time supporting and growing teachers, consider reading my book, A School Leader's Guide to Reclaiming Purpose. The book is available on Amazon. You can find links to it, as well as free book study materials on my website at https://www.frederickbuskey.com/reclaiming-purpose.html·      Please remember to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.·      Remember the secret to good leadership:o   Be intentional in choosing how you will show up for otherso   Be fully presento   Ask reflective questionso   And then just listeno   Don't overcomplicate it, the value is in the listening.·      Have a great rest of the week!·      Cheers! Darrin's links:Principal Academy Link: https://www.theprincipalacademy.com/     **Discount Code for $100 off APPODCAST Principal Planner link: https://mailchi.mp/roadtoawesome.net/principalplannerOur website: roadtoawesome.netSocial Media: Facebook X TikTok Instagram LinkedIn ...

Before I get into who Dr. Darrin is, I want to introduce you to a life-changing course from Dr. Akilah Willery.The Midlife Educator's Job Search Blueprint is your personalized roadmap to navigating career transitions confidently. Whether you're seeking a leadership role in K12 education or exploring new paths beyond the classroom, this beginner-friendly, 6-module support program equips you with the actionable steps you need to shine.You can learn more about the course here: https://upskillservices.mykajabi.com/a/2147852369/pCgXU4WdMeet Dr. Darrin PeppardDr. Darrin Peppard is an author, leadership coach, consultant, and speaker focused on organizational culture and climate, and growing emerging leaders. Darrin is the best-selling author of the book Road to Awesome, and is the host of the Leaning into Leadership podcast. As a ‘recovering high school principal', Darrin shares strategies and lessons learned from 26 years in public education to help leaders gain clarity, find joy in their work, and walk in their purpose.Website: roadtoawesome.netTwitter @DarrinMPeppard Facebook @Darrin M Peppard LinkedIn Darrin M Peppard EdD Instagram @darrin_m_peppard TikTok @darrinmpeppard YouTube @DarrinMPeppard  

In this enlightening episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper collaborates with leadership expert Darrin Peppard to explore essential strategies for avoiding burnout and overcoming superhero syndrome in the field of education. Together, they delve into the importance of creating systems of collaboration that foster a supportive and efficient work environment. Discover how focusing on what truly matters can transform your approach to leadership, helping you manage the busyness of your role and maintain a healthy balance. Tune in for actionable insights and practical advice that will empower you to lead with resilience and purpose. About Darrin Peppard: Darrin Peppard is a keynote speaker, author, publisher and consultant focused on what matters most in leadership. Darrin is an expert in school culture and climate as well as coaching and growing emerging leaders. He is known for his keen insight, culture-first leadership style, and dynamic personality. In 2016, Darrin was named Wyoming Secondary School Principal of the Year by WASSP/NASSP and was the 2015 Jostens Renaissance Educator of the Year. In 2017, Darrin earned his Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Wyoming. In the summer of 2019, Darrin was inducted into the Jostens Renaissance Hall of Fame.  Darrin shares his experiences from over 25 years in education, specifically those learned as an education leader during the past 13 years. As a ‘recovering' high school principal, Darrin talks about lessons learned and effective strategies to help leaders of all experience levels become more effective at their craft. Follow Darrin Peppard Website: www.darrinmpeppard.com & www.roadtoawesome.net  Twitter: https://twitter.com/DarrinMPeppard (@DarrinMPeppard)  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darrinmpeppard/?hl=en (@darrinmpeppard) Facebook: Darrin M Peppard & Road to Awesome, LLC (page)  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrin-m-peppard-ed-d-29a7a147/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6WkYpIkcDAAItdZdM02wRg  ...

We'd love to hear from you. What are your thoughts and questions?In this episode, Allen Lomax interviews Darrin Peppard, an author, leadership coach, consultant, and speaker focused on organizational culture and growing emerging leaders. Darrin shares his journey from being a high school principal to becoming a leadership coach. They discuss the importance of finding passion in leadership, the pitfalls of constantly putting out fires, and the need for leaders to focus on what truly matters. Darrin offers virtual and in-person coaching, as well as team facilitation to help leaders gain clarity and achieve their goals. The key takeaway is that leaders must be clear about their values, be intentional in their actions, and communicate effectively to get everyone moving in the same direction.Main Points: Find passion in leadership to truly excel in your role.Avoid constantly putting out fires and focus on what truly matters.Be clear about your values and be intentional in your actions.Effective communication is key to getting everyone moving in the same direction.I am giving a free ebook to all listeners of the show by going to this link: https://walkinyourpurpose.roadtoawesome.net/ebookConnect with Darrin Peppard:darrinmpeppard@roadtoawesome.nethttps://www.facebook.com/darrin.peppardhttps://www.instagram.com/darrin_m_peppard/https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrin-m-peppard-ed-d-29a7a147/https://www.tiktok.com/@darrinmpeppardhttps://twitter.com/DarrinMPeppardhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvSqwcmCOMCFGehJTUlmC3Q

Send us a Text Message.In the second part of the conversation with Dr. Darrin Peppard, Dr. Mel and Darrin explore the intricacies of building and maintaining high-functioning leadership teams in educational settings. They explore the importance of leadership clarity, leveraging individual strengths within a team, and fostering a collaborative culture that aligns with a clear, compelling vision.Darrin shares his journey from focusing on individual leaders to working extensively with entire leadership teams, offering valuable lessons learned along the way. Discover the common pitfalls that can hinder team effectiveness and learn strategies to overcome them. From understanding the roles within a leadership team to aligning personal values with organizational goals, this conversation is packed with practical advice for both new and experienced leaders.Key Takeaways:The importance of leadership clarity and how it impacts team success.Strategies for leveraging the diverse talents within your leadership team.How to foster a collaborative culture that aligns with your school or district's vision.The role of curiosity and questioning in effective leadership.Practical steps for new leaders to establish and communicate a clear vision.Tune in for an engaging discussion that will inspire you to lead with intention and clarity, empowering your team to achieve great results.Connect with Dr. Darrin Peppard:Website: Road To AwesomeSocial Media: LinkedIn | TwitterIntern Interest FormEducator to Entrepreneur AcademyBook: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance SuccessLet me help you determine the next steps in your career!Grab a complimentary POWER SessionWith Rubi.ai, you'll experience cutting-edge technology, research-driven insights, and efficient content delivery.email: melinda@empowereducator.comWebsite: www.empowereducator.com Join the PowerED Up Educator Facebook Group

Send us a Text Message.Today, Dr. Mel sits down with Dr. Darrin Peppard, a former educator turned leadership coach and entrepreneur. Darrin shares his journey from being a middle school teacher to a high school principal and eventually a superintendent. He highlights the challenges he faced and how leadership coaching transformed his career.Dr. Darrin and Dr. Mel highlight the importance of mentorship, coaching, and collaboration in education and entrepreneurship. They discuss how leadership development systems, like Missouri's MLDS, provide critical support for new principals and help build lasting professional relationships.The conversation then shifts to educator entrepreneurship. Darrin, a true educator entrepreneur, shares insights on how to grow an educational consultancy through content marketing, leveraging relationships, and providing valuable resources. Dr. Mel adds her experiences, emphasizing the role of books as powerful tools for building a coaching business.Key Takeaways:Darrin's career progression from middle school teacher to leadership coach and the impact of leadership coaching.The role of state leadership development systems in supporting new principals.Strategies for finding clients and growing an educational consultancy.The importance of content marketing and sharing knowledge to build a consultancy business.How books can serve as powerful business cards and tools for expanding reach and influence.Connect with Darrin Peppard:Website: Road to AwesomeTwitter: @DarrinPeppardLinkedIn: Darrin PeppardBook: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance SuccessLet me help you determine the next steps in your career!Grab a complimentary POWER SessionWith Rubi.ai, you'll experience cutting-edge technology, research-driven insights, and efficient content delivery.email: melinda@empowereducator.comWebsite: www.empowereducator.com Join the PowerED Up Educator Facebook Group Become a Curriculum and Instructional Designer 3-Course Bundle 4-Course Bundle: Curriculum and Instructional Design, Customer Success, Training & Ed Consulting, Freelancing

Darrin Peppard, former high school principal and superintendent, joins me for a connected conversation on leadership. We delve into the essential aspects of clarity and intentionality being key characteristics for a leader to demonstrate. We also talk about the importance of nurturing and facilitating a leadership team. Darrin is a dynamic speaker, author, and leadership coach! Follow Darin on X: https://x.com/DarrinMPeppard Order a copy of Darrin's book and link up with his website: https://linktr.ee/darrinmpeppard

This week on the Lead to Win Podcast, we visit with Darrin Peppard Ed.D--former school superintendent. Currently working as a leadership coach at Road to Awesome LLC, Darrin helps leaders on their journey to gain clarity, walk in purpose, and find joy in their professional lives. With over 10 years of experience in educational leadership and administration, Darrin has a passion for mentoring, developing, and supporting educators and administrators at all levels. Darrin is also a professional speaker and the author of Road To Awesome: The Journey of a Leader, a book that shares insights and strategies on how to create a positive culture, build trust, and lead with impact. He has been recognized as the 2015 Jostens National Educator of the Year, the Wyoming Principal of the Year in 2016, and is a member of the Renaissance Hall of Fame 2019. Takeaways: Creating a positive culture and providing career progression opportunities contribute to employee retention. Personalized professional development and recognizing outstanding performance are essential for employee satisfaction. Fostering work-life balance and modeling it as a leader helps retain employees. Building professional relationships is crucial in education leadership and fosters a sense of trust and collaboration. Creating an environment that encourages honest feedback requires building strong relationships and following through on feedback received. Stable leadership is a pressing need in education, as it contributes to recruitment and retention of high-quality employees. Seeking leadership coaching can provide valuable insights and support for educational leaders. Darrin's Links: X (Twitter) LinkedIn Website - Road to Awesome, LLC *Music by Alex Grohl on Pixabay --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lead2win/support

I am joined by Road to Awesome founder and author, Darrin Peppard. Darrin Peppard is a school district superintendent, speaker, author, publisher and consultant focused on what matters most in leadership. Darrin's an expert in school culture and climate as well as coaching and growing emerging leaders. He is known for his keen insight, culture-first leadership style, and dynamic personality. We talk about how effective strategies help leaders of all experience levels become more effective at their craft. You can connect with Darrin on his website Road to Awesome. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pixelclassroom/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pixelclassroom/support

In this episode I connect with Dr. Darrin Peppard from the Leaning Into Leadership Podcast. In this collaboration we dive into a variety of topics. Be sure to check out Dr. Darrin Peppard's phenomenal podcast "Leaning Into Leadership". Be sure to check out Dr. Darrin Peppard's Leaning Into Leadership Podcast.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-114-a-holiday-collaboration-with/id1605493835?i=1000639582344Road to Awesome: https://roadtoawesome.netConnect with Darrin:X: @DarrinMPeppardInstagram: darrin_m_peppardBook: https://www.amazon.com/Road-Awesome-Journey-Darrin-Peppard/dp/B0BTVJ8NPR/ref=sr_1_1?crid=26CJP5939US5D&keywords=road+to+awesome&qid=1703429408&sprefix=road+to+awesome%2Caps%2C114&sr=8-1

This year I have gathered a group of edurockstars who have fully dedicated their time to improving educational spaces. Join me as I reflect on holiday memories and explore current traditions with Laquanta "BOSS" Nelson, Darrin Peppard, Katie Kinder, and Joe Brummer. -- Click here to register for "From Stage Fright to Spotlight" Use promo code "COUNTER" for an extra 10% off --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thecounternarrative/support

This episode is part of the Summer of AI Series, brought to you by SchoolAI, Scrible, and FocalPointK12.Darrin Peppard is a school district superintendent, speaker, author, publisher, and consultant focused on what matters most in leadership. Darrin's an expert in school culture and climate as well as coaching and growing emerging leaders. He is known for his keen insight, culture-first leadership style, and dynamic personality.  In 2016, Darrin was named Wyoming Secondary School Principal of the Year by WASSP/NASSP and was the 2015 Jostens Renaissance Educator of the Year. In 2017, Darrin earned his Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Wyoming. This past summer, Darrin was inducted into the  Jostens Renaissance Hall of Fame. On today's episode, we discuss school culture and the road to awesome.  Darrin describes the moment he knew his school had a culture problem and how he started down the road less traveled instead of the “gotcha” road.  He started by changing what he controlled, himself, and then focused on empowering the students and staff to join him and take ownership in their school's journey. www.roadtoawesome.net307-371-89447  Support our SponsorsSchoolAI: The Classroom Operating System: Help your teachers save 10 hours a week. Sign up for a free account and see new AI-generated experiences that will change the way you teach.Scrible: Worried about AI Plagiarism? Take the high road and improve your students' skills before they feel the need to cheat with this modern research and writing platform for schoolFocalPointK12: Manage student portfolios that they can take with them with blockchain technology and AI assisted grading. Listen to our interview with the founder and chief learning officer here.

Tune in to this enlightening bonus episode of "Aspire to Lead," where Darrin Peppard and Joshua Stamper team up to provide invaluable insights and guidance to new leaders. If you're navigating the path of leadership or seeking to empower emerging leaders within your circles, this episode is a must-listen. Remember, leadership is a journey, and on this bonus episode, you'll find the guidance and encouragement you need to set out on the path to leadership excellence. Subscribe now and join us for this empowering conversation on "Aspire to Lead." About Darrin Peppard: Darrin Peppard is a keynote speaker, author, publisher and consultant focused on what matters most in leadership. Darrin is an expert in school culture and climate as well as coaching and growing emerging leaders. He is known for his keen insight, culture-first leadership style, and dynamic personality. In 2016, Darrin was named Wyoming Secondary School Principal of the Year by WASSP/NASSP and was the 2015 Jostens Renaissance Educator of the Year. In 2017, Darrin earned his Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Wyoming. In the summer of 2019, Darrin was inducted into the Jostens Renaissance Hall of Fame.  Darrin shares his experiences from over 25 years in education, specifically those learned as an education leader during the past 13 years. As a ‘recovering' high school principal, Darrin talks about lessons learned and effective strategies to help leaders of all experience levels become more effective at their craft. Follow Darrin Peppard Website: www.darrinmpeppard.com & www.roadtoawesome.net  Twitter: https://twitter.com/DarrinMPeppard (@DarrinMPeppard)  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darrinmpeppard/?hl=en (@darrinmpeppard) Facebook: Darrin M Peppard & Road to Awesome, LLC (page)  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrin-m-peppard-ed-d-29a7a147/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6WkYpIkcDAAItdZdM02wRg  Supporting the Podcast! Have you ever thought about supporting the Aspire to Lead podcast? For just $5 a month, you can help me continue to create and produce valuable content for aspiring leaders in education. I understand that everyone has their own preferences and budgets, so if $5 a month isn't feasible for you, no worries! The podcast will always be available to listen to for free. However, if you do find value in the podcast and can afford to contribute, your support would...

This episode is sponsored by Peer Driven PD - Visit peerdrivenpd.com and request a quote. Tell them the Leaning into Leadership podcast sent you, and they'll give you a free trial access so you can check out all of their content and decide for yourself and 10% off your first year's subscription.On this special mid-week episode, Darrin teams up with Joshua Stamper of the Aspire to Lead podcast to answer your burning leadership questions heading into a new school year. Make sure you check out Joshua's podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/aspire-to-lead/id1384210762Get your autographed copy of Road to Awesome: The Journey of a Leader here or buy it on AmazonBook Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us hereGrab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideasSign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletterHave a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click here

One of my favorite books is Jim Collins' Good to Great – a book about what separates great companies from good ones. Collins' book focuses on organizations, so what about leaders? What separates a great assistant principal from a good one? If you aren't at the level of leadership you'd like to be, how do you get to being awesome? Today's guest will help us take a few important steps on that journey down the road to awesome!

Today's guest is Domonic Armano. He is a proud educator, an innovative principal a speaker, author, and most importantly a loving husband and father. Over the course of his career, Dominic has served as an elementary and middle school teacher, assistant principal and currently he is serving as an elementary school principal. In all of these roles, he has made it his priority to promote a positive culture for students, staff, and the community.Topics Covered:1. In order for students to get the most out of their education they need to have a genuine love for school.2. If you love what you do and you love where you're going it makes it easier and the learning happens. 3. Create a map of what is happening at your school (Social Emotional Learning, Whole Child, Academic, Guaranteeing Student Success (Community))4. Make sure every person is in the building is part of the building and has a voice and a say. 5. Focus on the fun parts of school and that can make the academics get stronger.6. People felt valued and when you feel valued you do better at what you do. 7. Be authentic and real.8. Focus on who you are (school) and what we're about.9. Share expectations of each other.10. Work together as a team. “We are one.” 11. Let others know that you are there for them. 12. Take time to acknowledge everyone. Celebrate the school community. 13. Go above and beyond for the school community. 14. You don't necessarily see the difference that you make on the day in and day out. 15. Take a step back and look at the difference that you make. It's right there under our noses and often we don't see it or we're not trained to see it.16. Create a place that you would want to go to. 17.  Really talk to people with the purpose of really listening to them. 18. Think about what you do well and what you want to improve upon.19. Create a monthly fun week! 20. Family Friday's - find ways to connect families to the school. 21. Book Recommendation - Road to Awesome by Darrin Peppard, Staying Grounded by Mike Hines22. You have to take care of yourself.23. Don't take yourself so seriously. Social Media: Twitter: @DominicArmanoInstagram:@dominicarmanoDomonic's Bio:Dominic has an undergraduate degree in elementary education and graduate degrees in both special education and school district leadership. Through his years in education, Dominic has become passionate about social-emotional learning and has developed programs that encourage education through a whole child approach. This pathway strengthens the core of instruction and helps to build a community of eager, enthusiastic, and passionate learners.  In addition to his work as an educator, Dominic is a motivational speaker and blogger. He is the President of the Education Chapter of the Dowling College Alumni Association. In 2019, he was inducted into the New York Academy of Public Education, and he is a member of the New York City Elementary School Principals Association.He has previously served with the Long Island Coalition Against Bullying as both a member of the Board of Trustees and as the Chair of the Education Committee.Dominic has been featured on several podcasts and in articles about school leadership. At his core, he is nothing more than a devoted Yankees fan who loves spending time with his family and closest friends.Back to School Virtual Bash Registration:https://rechargedfamily.podia.com/recharged-family-back-to-school-virtual-bash-over-50-workshops

In today's episode with special guest, coach, consultant, speaker, and author Dr. Darrin Peppard, Lindsay discusses the strategies and lessons he has learned from 26 years in public education to help leaders gain clarity, find joy in their work, and walk in their purpose.   Liked this episode? Rate, review, and share!   Get In Touch With Dr. Darrin Peppard: Social Media: @DarrinMPeppard   Website: roadtoawesome.net     Get Your Episode Freebie & More Resources On My Website: https://www.lindsaybethlyons.com/blog/115   Lindsay's Links: LinkedIn: @lindsaybethlyons  Instagram: @lindsaybethlyons Facebook Group: Time for Teachership

This episode we are going to learn about strengthen your physical, mental, and spiritual fitness to help you in and out of the classroom! We are also going to talk about communication and the ways that we can communicate better, making each interaction count, reflection, and so much more.Today I'm joined by Bobby Pollicino. He is the  Head of Upper School at Bullis School in Potomac, MD. He has served as a school administrator for over 15 years, also in dean of students and assistant principal roles. Before becoming an administrator he was a high school teacher and varsity soccer and lacrosse Coach. Bobby is also the author of the book Pricipled Leader. Topics discussed:1. If we want something to happen then we need to take control of that.2. Help students understand the need to develop great habits.3. You need to have a different approach with the different people that you work with. 4. Communication - How are we communicating with people? Are we connecting effectively? 5. What are you doing to make sure others on your team know. What do I know? Who else needs to know it? Have I told them.6. Are we hearing what others are saying? Am I hearing what's not being said? 7.  It's important for us at times to step back and say to ourselves who are the important people in our life and how are you showing them that they're important to you.8. Assume best intentions9. In all of our interactions we are either growing that relationship or we're damaging it. 10. Be curious. Ask questions and look to hear more about what others experiences have been. 11. Not everyone has a chance to be heard and you might be the only one who does that for that student, colleague, or parent. 12. Before going into a conversation take a moment and recognize where you are at mentally and emotionally.13. Teach students breathing and relaxation techniques. 14.  Journaling can lead to great growth. Try writing about what were your wins from the day before. What were the lessons that you learned? What's next? What are you grateful for and list three things that you are grateful for. Also, do weekly and monthly reflections.15. Look for negative and positive patterns that are happening in your life. 16. Too often we focus on what we have to stop, but if we see the areas that we're strong and work off of that it can be even more beneficial.17.  Get feedback from people around you. How are people seeing you? 18. Pay attention to the words you speak and where you're putting your focus. 19. Journaling helps you remember what happened. The wins, moments, etc. and these can help motivate you for the next week. 20. Teachers don't realize all the great things they are doing. 21. Identify the areas in which you want to grow and improve.22. It's important that we have mental, physical, and spiritual fitness. 23. Make sure to write down your wins and your successes. 24. You have a choice every day on how you choose to face the world. 25. Book Recommendations: Edith Egar - Choices, Adam Grant - Think Again, Kate Murphy - You're Not Listening, Simon Sinek - Start with Why26. Podcast Recommendations: Lainnie Rowell - Evolving With Gratitude, Leaning Into Leadership - Dr. Darrin Peppard, Essentialishm - Greg McCewon27. You're in control of your mindset and the choices that you make every day. Book:Principled Leader - https://www.amazon.com/Principled-Leader-Bobby-Pollicino/dp/B0BR72SBRY/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1TOPFCBNW39DJ&keywords=Principled+leader&qid=1679764804&sprefix=principled+leader%2Caps%2C234&sr=8-1Social Media: Twitter: @BobbyPollicinoWebsite: https://bobbypollicino.com

#ELB 239 w Dr. Darrin Peppard, The Road to Awesome

In this episode educator and author Crystal Frommert breaks down the importance of establishing a relationship with parents, she talks about the importance of remembering that we are working with parents greatest gifts and to be mindful of that when we connect, she gives tips that we can use to help strengthen that connection between the home and school, and so much more. This is such an awesome conversation!Topics:It's important that we help new teachers understand the art of calling parents.It's important to remember that parents send us their most precious gift. Use your experience to know when to call a parent and when not to call a parentDon't be afraid to ask questions and ask for help.Listen to other teachers talk to parents.Collect emails, thoughts, write down the way someone worded something that you thought was good to refer back to. Allow student teachers contribute during parent teacher conference.Remember when parents see the phone number pop on the screen they get nervous.If you are making a phone call home and it's not a major emergency let the parents know that the child is alright.Remember parents are nervous when we are talking to them to and we are talking to them about the most important thing in their life. We have to be aware of what is going on right now in that child's and parents life and sometimes makeCreating boundaries are extremely important. Think about what is healthy with you. Having a 5 to 1 ratio of positive to negative comments with parents about their child. Start the year off with a positive personalized note with every family.Give students the benefit of doubt. There is benefits too relaxing. Give students a “Freebie”. You get one time per grading term where they say they didn't do their work or maybe dropping someone's lowest grade. Book recommendation - Building Thinking Classrooms #ThinkingClassroomPodcast Recommendation - Leaning into Leadership by Dr. Darrin Peppard, Steve Barkley Respect your own boundaries. No one will set them up for you. You have to set them up for yourself.Bio:Crystal Frommert, M.Ed, has over 20 years of experience as an educator in public, parochial, and international schools. Beyond teaching middle and high school, she has served as an instructional coach, school board member, adjunct college instructor, technology coordinator, and administrator. She currently teaches middle school math in Houston, where she lives with her husband, daughter, and fluffy dog.website: https://about.me/cfrommerttwitter: @mrs_frommertBe on the lookout for Crystal's book: When Calling Parents isn't Your Calling

Road To Awesome Darrin Peppard is a leadership expert focused on organizational culture and climate, and coaching growing emerging leaders. Darrin is the author of the book Road to Awesome: Empower, Lead, Change the Game. He is also the host of the Leaning into Leadership podcast. As a ‘recovering high school principal', Darrin shares strategies and lessons learned and effective from over 25 years in public education to help leaders to be more effective and positively impact the world around them.     Show Highlights Transform a toxic culture by honestly investigating your own experience to avoid creating expectations that push people to be compliant. Simple and effective practical tips for schools to show that they see, hear, and love their students. Leadership coaching stops you from being a firefighter and starts you on a path towards ensuring you can go and do that work.  Focus on 3 primary tenets to travel the Road to Awesome with 6 things that are important to leaders. Leaning into Leadership will help you create a culture of celebration. Stop looking for the “red cars” in your school and start training your mind to look for the great things in your school. Nurture your relationships and stop pretending to listen and build systems that can be delegated.    “As a school leader, as the principal, my really biggest job was to grow and coach everybody else in that school, grow and coach my teachers, grow and coach my leaders, grow and coach my support staff so that we were doing everything we could for kids.” -Darrin Peppard   Get the episode Transcript here!!   Darrin's Resources & Contact Info: Twitter Facebook Instagram LinkedIn TikTok Road To Awesome, LLC Read my latest book! Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.   Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today! Apply to the Mastermind The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders.    100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.   Apply to the mastermind today!   SHOW SPONSORS: HARVARD GRADUATE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION Transform how you lead to become a resilient and empowered change agent with Harvard's online Certificate in School Management and Leadership. Grow your professional network with a global cohort of fellow school leaders as you collaborate in case studies bridging the fields of education and business. Apply today at http://hgse.me/leader.   TEACHFX Imagine providing feedback for every teacher, as often as they'd like, without relying on classroom observations.   TeachFX is an app that supports both student learning and teacher learning. With instructional support at the push of a button, our app provides teachers with objective, personalized, non evaluative feedback about the teaching and learning happening in their classrooms.   From student talk and teacher talk to insights into research-supported teaching practices like questioning technique, wait time, and more, TeachFX provides teachers with new insights into student engagement, academic dialogue, and equity of student voice.   Learn more about TeachFX and find out how to get a free TeachFX account for one of your teachers. Visit TeachFX | BLBS     ORGANIZED BINDER Organized Binder is the missing piece in many classrooms. Many teachers are great with the main content of the lesson. Organized Binder helps with powerful introductions, savvy transitions, and memorable lesson closings. Your students will grow their executive functioning skills (and as a bonus), your teachers will become more organized too. Help your students and staff level up with Organized Binder.   Copyright © 2022 Twelve Practices LLC      

Are you ready to take that next step as an empowered educator and become a school administrator?Does your vision include improving school quality and cultivating communities?Jumping from being a school teacher to an administrator is a big step. It's easy to get overwhelmed by fear and pressure and forget how important it is to get feedback and clarity in your school administrator duties and responsibilities.But with the right support and guidance, you can navigate this transition and succeed in your new role!Welcome to episode 24 of Take Notes with Jen Rafferty! In this episode, I'm joined by Darrin Peppard who is a professional speaker, leadership coach and consultant who helps leaders on their journey to gain clarity, walk in purpose and find joy in their professional lives.  Darrin is here to give us an insight on the realities of being an administrator and leader of the school. He tackles topics such as imposter syndrome, hierarchy in school and the fear of taking that next level of responsibilities.This week is all about the power of feedback and getting rid of judgment! We can embrace both things and use it to grow more.Stay empowered, Jen  Let's keep the conversation going! Find me at: Click here to learn all the ways you can work with me: Jen Rafferty | Instagram, YouTube, Facebook | LinktreeInstagram: @jenrafferty_Facebook: Empowered Educator Faculty Room About Darrin:Dr. Darrin Peppard is a leadership coach, consultant, and speaker focused on organizational culture and climate, and coaching emerging leaders. Darrin is the best-selling author of the book Road to Awesome, and is the host of the Leaning into Leadership podcast. As a ‘recovering high school principal', Darrin shares strategies and lessons learned from 26 years in public education to help leaders gain clarity, find joy in their work, and walk in their purpose. Contact Darrin here: @DarrinMPeppard (Twitter) Darrin M Peppard EdD (LinkedIn) @darrin_m_peppard (Insta) @darrinmpeppard (TikTok) Darrin M Peppard (Facebook)https://walkinyourpurpose.roadtoawesome.net/ebook Transcript

Darrin Peppard is a school district superintendent, speaker, author, publisher and consultant focused on what matters most in leadership. Darrin's an expert in school culture and climate as well as coaching and growing emerging leaders. He is known for his keen insight, culture-first leadership style, and dynamic personality. In 2016, Darrin was named Wyoming Secondary School Principal of the Year by WASSP/NASSP and was the 2015 Jostens Renaissance Educator of the Year. In 2017, Darrin earned his Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Wyoming. This past summer, Darrin was inducted into the Jostens Renaissance Hall of Fame. On today's episode we discuss school culture and the road to awesome. Darrin describes the moment he knew his school had a culture problem and how he started down the road less traveled instead of the “gotcha” road. He started by changing what he controlled, himself, and then focused on empowering the students and staff to join him and take ownership in their school's journey. www.roadtoawesome.net 307-371-89447 Sponsors Transformative Principal Mastermind Lead a school everyone can be proud of. Being a principal is tough work. You're pulled in all kinds of directions. You never have the time to do the work that really matters. Join me as I help school leaders find the time to do the work they became principals to do. I help you stop putting out fires and start leading. Learn more at https://transformativeprincipal.com Just Right Reader Just Right Reader Decodables are a great way to help your students learn how to read, with research-based strategies that are proven to be effective. Each grade level has over 100 books. Send books home in packs of ten, with video lessons accessible via QR codes on each book, with lessons in Spanish and English. Learn more at https://justrightreader.com

Does being a leader mean disciplining and correcting unacceptable behavior? Sure. But if you've ever found yourself using the majority of your time and effort on reprimanding, and failing to point out the good in your team, Dr. Darrin Peppard has a message for you. Dr. Peppard explains his personal experience with these concepts and so much more this week, including building trust and winning culture. Get in touch with Dr. Peppard!roadtoawesome.netTwitter: twitter.com/DarrinMPeppardFacebook: facebook.com/darrin.peppardInstagram: instagram.com/darrin_m_peppard/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/darrin-m-peppard-ed-d-29a7a147/Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@darrinmpeppard?lang=enListen to Darrin's Podcast, Leaning into Leadership: leaning-into-leadership.captivate.fmAnd be sure to check out Darrin's Blog: darrinpeppard.edublogs.org