Podcasts about principal matters

A Quick Note to Listeners: Before this week’s interview, Jen Schwanke and Will Parker take some time to answer a listener question. This week’s question is: What advice do you have for maintaining a healthy marriage while being an educator? Listen in to hear their response! Also, here’s a post Will wrote before called, Rowing Together – Why Your Marriage Matters for Your Leadership; and he recommends, The 5 Love Languages®: The Secret to Love that Lasts, by Gary Chapman. Meet Matthew McDaniel: Matthew McDaniel, PhD, is an assistant professor and director of The College of Idaho's M.Ed. in Educational Leadership program, a master's degree program for aspiring school principals. With well over a decade of school leadership experience in both the traditional public and charter school sectors, he now engages preservice leaders in the process of honing their knowledge and skills to prepare them for the challenges of school administration. Prior to his school leadership experience, Dr. McDaniel was a secondary music and Spanish teacher, as well as a district ENL coordinator. Besides his work at The College of Idaho, Matthew is the founder and CEO of Cresvia Education Consulting, a firm that focuses on offering high-quality leadership coaching and professional development for educators. He holds a master's degree and Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from The University of Idaho, as well as a BA in Secondary Vocal Music Education from The College of Idaho. Dr. McDaniel lives in Caldwell, ID with his wife and three children. Now, Let’s Get into the Episode: This episode of Principal Matters dives into a topic that is at the heart of school leadership: How do we, as leaders, shift our school’s culture from a collection of individual classrooms—a culture of ‘I’ and ‘my students’—to a truly collaborative community built on ‘we’ and ‘our students’? How do we build collective efficacy and de-privatize our practice in a way that feels supportive, not evaluative? To help us explore this, Dr. Matthew McDaniel joined Jen for a great discussion. Dr. McDaniel is the director of the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership program at The College of Idaho, where he is actively shaping the next generation of school principals. But he’s not just coming from the world of academia. Matt has over a decade of experience as a principal in both traditional public and charter schools. And his journey began in the classroom as a secondary music and Spanish teacher and as a district ENL coordinator. He’s seen school culture from multiple, unique angles. He likens leadership to the manager of a baseball team. It's the person who is in the dugout, wearing the uniform, but not actually swinging a bat. Instead, the leader helps others learn to be part of the team by collaboration and upskilling. Staying Connected: You can stay connected with Dr. McDaniel via the following channels: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-mcdaniel-ph-d-9655a819a/ Edutopia Article: https://www.edutopia.org/article/promoting-teachers-collective-efficacy The College of Idaho: www.collegeofidaho.edu/medu Email: cresviaconsulting@gmail.com The post PMP492: Culture of Collaboration with Dr. Matthew McDaniel appeared first on Principal Matters.

In this week's episode of Monday Matters, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke discuss a post from Jen's newsletter entitled “Trust at the Crux”. Inspired by Jen's experience in middle school, she describes trust not as an emotion and a judgement. Their conversation then moves on to building and maintaining trust as a principal. Principals always want to be trusted thoroughly by parents, teachers, and students. Unfortunately, trust is always being tested for principals. They are always trying to meet the conflicting expectations of many different people. The decision-making process is typically where trust in principals is tested. Usually, a good decision pleases some and upsets others. Understanding that there is always going to be pushback is an important step. The next steps leaders should take are ones that minimize fallout from their decisions. It is important for leaders to take steps to minimize fallout from their decisions. Jen clarifies that trust isn't about the content of a decision, but rather the process of making it and how clearly it is communicated. To hear more of Will and Jen's thoughts on trust and decision-making, listen in to the full conversation! The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Trust at the Crux appeared first on Principal Matters.

A Quick Notes to Listeners: Before this week’s episode, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to answer a listener question. This week’s question is: How do I manage parents (without losing my patience) who come to conversations with the assumption that educators cannot be trusted? Listen in to hear their response! Meet John Spencer: Dr. John Spencer is a former middle school teacher and current college professor who is passionate about seeing students reach their creative potential. He is the author of the bestselling books Launch, Empower, and Vintage Innovation, and The A.I. Roadmap. In 2013, he spoke at the White House, sharing a vision for how to empower students to be future-ready through deeper learning and creativity. In this episode of Principal Matters, Dr. Jen Schwanke and Dr. John Spencer engage in a fascinating, wide-ranging conversation that touches on nearly every critical aspect of modern education. While anchored in the core practices of effective teaching and leadership, their discussion also dives deep into a rich array of interconnected topics. They explore the nuances of AI in schools—from its impact on academic integrity and educational technology to its potential to unlock student agency and creativity. The conversation also weaves in the essential human elements of education, examining the roles of emotional intelligence, practical teacher training, and meaningful professional development. This episode is guaranteed to be entertaining and insightful, but more than anything, it will be inspiring. To begin, Dr. Spencer details his compelling professional journey, tracing his path from a dedicated middle school teacher to his current multifaceted roles as an educational consultant, keynote speaker, accomplished author, and university professor. Drawing from his extensive experience teaching and supporting preservice teachers, John discusses the critical skills that new educators must possess to be successful. He offers invaluable, practical insights specifically tailored for principals and school leaders who are responsible for mentoring and guiding these new members of the profession. From there, Jen and John dive deep into the prevalent misconceptions surrounding artificial intelligence in education. They specifically address the inherent risks and flawed logic that come with an over-emphasis on trying to “catch” students who might be “cheating” with AI tools. Instead of a punitive approach, John stresses the fundamental importance of fostering creativity and enhancing student agency. He persuasively argues that AI should be viewed as a powerful tool that can assist with, and even amplify, both of these critical educational goals. To that end, he emphasizes the urgent need for educators to proactively adapt to new and emerging technologies. However, he cautions that this adaptation must be balanced with a steadfast commitment to maintaining emotional intelligence and intentionally fostering genuine joy within the classroom environment. The wide-ranging conversation also touches on the broader challenges that modern educators face today, while concluding on a hopeful note about the profound promise of innovation in the teaching profession. Staying Connected: You can stay connected with John Spencer via the following channels: LinkedIn: John Spencer Instagram: @johntspencer Website: https://spencereducation.com/ The post PMP491: Navigating the Future of Education with Dr. John Spencer appeared first on Principal Matters.

Welcome back to another episode of Monday Matters! This week, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke are taking some time to reflect on lessons they have learned through coaching school leaders. Listen in to hear the full conversation! This week’s episode was inspired by a post written by Will. You can read it below: Lessons learned in coaching leaders by William D. Parker Over the past several years of working with school leaders across the country, a few lessons have become increasingly clear. In 2017, when I transitioned from principal to executive director of my state principal association, I put more than 30,000 miles on my car in my first year in that role. My goal was to connect across the state with as many leaders one-on-one or in groups in order to secure stronger relationships, as well as get a better feel for the variety of schools represented. I have visited schools in almost every demographic imaginable — urban settings where hundred-year-old buildings house generations of learning, suburban schools supporting college towns, and rural schools where principals may also drive buses and coach teams. One school I visited in the Panhandle of Oklahoma was a district where half the schools served Oklahoma residents, and half of the district was across the border of West Texas. Since those days, I've also criss-crossed the U.S. and spoken in states from coast to coast, at schools, conferences, retreats, and workshops with an emphasis on training or equipping school leaders. I've walked the halls of a demonstration academy in Washington, D.C., observed a program for raising laying hens at a middle school near Oklahoma City, walked the shop floors of welding and robotics programs near Houston, Texas, and spent the day with principals in locations near beaches, mountains, skyscrapers, and cattle lots. In addition to walking in these various settings, I've probably spent even more time in one-on-one conversations with education leaders through virtual or phone calls. Many of these have been coaching or reflection sessions. Some of them have been one-time complimentary times, and many of them have been with leaders who meet with me regularly on a formal basis for coaching and feedback. Along the way, I have gathered a few lessons in coaching leaders that may be insightful as you think about your own development or the opportunities you may have to coach or mentor others. Lesson 1 Most people already have the answers for their next steps. They just need someone to listen and provide them clarity on what they already know they want. That may not seem like an interesting point, but it still surprises me (and the leaders whom I coach) that when we go deep on a challenge they're currently facing, they often already know what they want. The challenge is talking through the pros and cons, the risks and benefits, thoroughly enough to recognize the importance and value of what they want to do next. A lot of times, I'll use what I call the magic wand question with leaders and ask something like, “If you could wave a magic wand, what is the outcome you really want to see happen?” Simply saying this out loud can often provide the clarity and motivation needed to move forward. Lesson 2 Leaders hold roles that isolate them, and they deserve the confidence of someone they can trust. This may be obvious to you if you are a leader, but it may also be a good reminder that the more responsibility you take on in any school or organization, the less others can really understand the weight of concern you carry for those under your care. Many times, school leaders, in particular, manage people or systems where they are being pressured by people from every part of the organization. Board members, teachers, parents, students, and community members all see priorities that are important to them. You must weigh those concerns in light of information none of those other groups is really studying or considering. Yes, it's important to be transparent with the budgets, data, feedback, progress, or lack of progress you are aware of when making hard decisions. But leaders often see the wider lens of all these inputs where their staff or community only see the part most important to their group. When weighing tough decisions about personnel, student discipline, budgets, or curriculum, the leader often is the final decision maker. This position of isolation means they benefit from a third party whose perspective can be objective without being prescriptive. One benefit of working with a coach is avoiding the pitfalls of isolation. We think better with others. Sometimes those others can be the people on your teams or in your communities. At other times, you need to be alone with your thoughts long enough to have clarity, and a good coach will help you navigate your thoughts toward reaching that kind of clarity. Lesson 3 Leaders deserve to be challenged in their thinking and maintain their own growth professionally. Whenever I meet with leaders, I usually include some discussion around content on leadership or education practice. These discussions allow us to talk about writings, research, and practice from other practitioners who inform us of trends, takeaways, or insights into what is working best in improving outcomes. I not only use my own books for these discussions, but I also pull in books from leadership and education authors to guide conversations with school leaders and ask them how this looks in their practice (good or bad), and what they may want to do next to adjust, monitor, or change their own practice. As a result, I'm asking leaders to stretch themselves in their own learning. If we are going to lead learning communities, we must also remain learners. As we wrap up these three lessons, I want to add an additional self-reflection practice I like to do with leaders. If you have ever attended my trainings or listened to my podcast before, you've probably heard me share these. When I meet with leaders, I like to ask them to do a quick self-inventory based on the following statements, ranking their agreement with each statement from 1–5 (1 = little time, 5 = much time). I have been visible and present with every student, every teacher, every day this week. I have been reading, meditating, or reflecting on helpful books or lessons (and our time together also counts). I have made healthy choices in my sleep, nutrition, and exercise. I have been faithful to those I love with my time and attention. You may want to pause a moment and do some math for yourself. The goal is growth, not perfection. Coaching leaders has given me the opportunity to spend time with leaders in places I never imagined visiting before. It has also given me treasured moments of providing feedback, asking hard questions, and protecting confidences. We know in other industries like business and professional athletics that those at the top of their games receive coaching. If that is the case for men and women managing multibillion-dollar companies or competing at the highest levels, why would we not want to provide coaching for those responsible for the learning outcomes of hundreds, if not thousands, of students? Providing helpful feedback to a fellow leader — or inviting someone to sit across from you in coaching — can help you see answers that were already in front of you, protect you from isolation, and stretch your thinking. Just like we want students and teachers to have the best environments for learning, leaders deserve the best environments for their own learning as well. Coaching is one way to help leaders enjoy the very outcomes they are seeking to provide others. The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Lessons from Coaching Leaders appeared first on Principal Matters.

Some people have begun to refer to Dr. Eric Nicols as “The Rural School Leader,” and no wonder. Dr. Nichols has dedicated his career to championing the students and communities of rural Eastern Oregon. Serving as both Principal and Head Boys’ Basketball Coach at Crane Union High School, one of the nation’s last public boarding schools, he has embraced the multifaceted leadership required in isolated educational environments. Driven by his own small-town upbringing, Dr. Nichols has not only led his basketball team to four consecutive state championships, forging deep community bonds, but has also significantly enhanced academic offerings through expanded Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. A passionate advocate who understands that rural schools are the “hubs” of their communities, he co-founded “Wide Open Spaces,” a professional network to combat the isolation of rural educators, embodying his mission to ensure these vital institutions receive the recognition and resources necessary to thrive. This episode of Principal Matters Podcast features Dr. Jen Schwanke in conversation with Dr. Eric Nichols, who is celebrated as a champion for students and educators in rural communities. Jen met when Dr. Nichols invited her to present at a 2-day rural conference in beautiful Bend, Oregon, an event he co-founded to connect educators across the state. Dr. Nichols currently serves as the principal and head boys basketball coach at Crane Union High School, where he advocates for the belief that the school is the primary hub of its small town community. During their discussion, Dr. Nichols recounts his path to rural leadership, the unique structure of his public boarding school, the origin of his networking initiative for isolated educators, and the importance of fostering deep community connections. He emphasizes that moving to rural life was a choice he made, noting that “rural isn’t something that happens to you. It’s something you get to be a part of.” You can find Dr. Nichols on X and Instagram at @iamericnichols. You can also find him on LinkedIn. Learn a bit more about Dr. Nichols in this feature article. The post PMP490: Rural School Leadership with Eric Nichols appeared first on Principal Matters.

Welcome back to another episode of Monday Matters! This week, Jen Schwanke and I are talking about interview tips for educators. We share practical interview tips and tell some stories about times that interviews did not go well for us. Today’s topic was inspired by one of Jen’s recent newsletters, you can read it here. You can also read some of my older posts on interviewing here and here. Listen in to hear the full conversation! The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Tips for Interviewing appeared first on Principal Matters.

For the final Friday of Black History Month, the Black educator highlighted this week is Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket. She is a wife, mother, principal, public speaker, and author, and has decades of experience in public education. During her educational career, she has proudly served as a classroom teacher, instructional team leader, mentor teacher, Assistant Principal, and Principal. In this interview, she talks with me about her book  The Principal's Journey: Navigating the Path to School Leadership. Listen in to hear the full conversation! You can visit the original blog post to learn more about Dr. Edoho-Eket. The post ENCORE FRIDAY – PMP412: The Principal's Journey with Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket appeared first on Principal Matters.

A Quick Note to Listeners: Before this week's interview, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to answer a listener question. This week's question is particularly loaded, so it will be answered in two parts, with part two coming out next week. The question is: I'm a longtime listener and am reaching out because […] The post PMP489: Leading with Heart and Strategy with Blaine Wise appeared first on Principal Matters.

This week's Monday Matters episode is a longer response to a listener question covered in the Q&A portion of Principal Matters Podcast. The question is: “As a system leader, how do you encourage teachers in high-performing schools to go beyond “my students do well on the tests” or even other administrators, “have you seen our […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Stretching Students Beyond the Test appeared first on Principal Matters.

Happy Friday! Our encore episode for the third week of Black History Month is an interview with Enid Lee. She is a front-line educator, an anti-racist professional development specialist, leadership coach, writer and community builder. Originally recorded in 2021, this conversation is as relevant in 2026 as it was then. Listen in to hear the […] The post ENCORE FRIDAY – PMP268: Equity, Equality, and Systems with Enid Lee appeared first on Principal Matters.

A Quick Note to Listeners: Before this week's interview, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to answer a listener question. This week's question is: As a system leader, how do you encourage teachers in high-performing schools to go beyond “my students do well on the tests” or even other administrators, “have you seen […] The post PMP488: Empowering Student Voices with PAHS Principal Advisory Committee appeared first on Principal Matters.

Welcome back to Monday Matters! Recently, Will attended his nephew's naval flight school graduation. While at the graduation, an Admiral gave a speech to the graduates that centered around these three main points: Know your mission, be decisive, and invest in your people. This week, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to reflect […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Leadership Lessons From an Admiral appeared first on Principal Matters.

I am excited re-release this interview with Dr. Tracie Anderson Swilley for the second Friday of Black History Month. With over 12 years of school leadership, Dr. Swilley was the 2025 National Principal of the Year. Currently, she is serving as the Assistant Superintendent at Fairfield Central School District in Winnsboro, South Carolina. To learn […] The post ENCORE FRIDAY – PMP452: Reaching Every Student with Dr. Tracie Anderson Swilley appeared first on Principal Matters.

A Quick Note to Listeners: Before this week's interview, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to answer a listener question. This week's question is: I'm struggling with how to best reach our teachers with clear communication. What systems help with clarity and consistency with staff, without depending on a single communication channel? Listen […] The post PMP487: Leaning Into Student Leadership with Paul Branagan appeared first on Principal Matters.

Welcome back to another episode of Monday Matters. This week, Will and Jen are discussing a conference Jen recently attended that was dedicated to the topic of AI in schools. Some of what is covered in this conversation include cautions for schools. Schools are currently being sold lots of different AI products, and they need […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Some Thoughts on AI appeared first on Principal Matters.

Happy Friday, Principal Matters Listeners! In honor of Black History Month, I am re-releasing the interviews from some exceptional Black educators that I have had the privilege of interviewing over the years. This week's encore episode is an interview with Dr. Don Parker. Don is a former teacher and principal who is currently working to […] The post ENCORE FRIDAY – PMP362: Be the Driving Force with Dr. Don Parker appeared first on Principal Matters.

A Quick Note to Listeners: Before this week's interview, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to answer a listener question. This week's question is: What Self-Reflection Practices work for you? Listen in to hear their response! You can find the link to the self-assessment questions mentioned here. Meet Elizabeth Dampf: Elizabeth Dampf is […] The post PMP486: The Cost of Happiness for Education Leaders with Elizabeth Dampf appeared first on Principal Matters.

This week on Monday Matters, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to talk about financial wellness for educators. They talk about the importance of making sure that your financial house is in order in the event that a new or different job opportunity comes up. Finances can either be an anchor that is […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Financial Wellness appeared first on Principal Matters.

A Quick Note to Listeners: Before this week's interview, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to answer a listener question.  —- The Question of the Week is supported by Summer Pops Math Workbooks. Principals, when students practice math over the summer, math scores go up. What's your summer math plan this year? A […] The post PMP485: Preventing Trauma Before it Happens with Dr. Jan Harrell appeared first on Principal Matters.

This week on Monday Matters, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to talk about the challenges and emotional burdens faced everyday by school leaders. They highlight the importance of self-reflection practices and finding hope in trying times, and emphasize the importance of keeping challenges in perspective. This post was inspired by a blog […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Keeping Challenges in Perspective appeared first on Principal Matters.

A Quick Note to Listeners: Before this week's interview, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to answer a listener question.  —- The Question of the Week is supported by Summer Pops Math Workbooks. Principals, when students practice math over the summer, math scores go up. What's your summer math plan this year? A […] The post PMP484: Brain-Body Literacy with Trish Keiller appeared first on Principal Matters.

This week on Monday Matters, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to discuss second semester PD planning. This topic comes from this question: A common “Catch-22” is when the principal feels staff needs a particular PD, but staff says, “Just let me go to my room, close my door, and teach.” How can […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Planning PD appeared first on Principal Matters.

A Quick Note to Listeners: Before this week's episode, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to answer a listener question. This week's question is: Why do you think reading non-education books is important? Listen in to hear their response! Meet Maureen Chapman and James Simons: Maureen Chapman and James Simons are co-founders of […] The post PMP483: Leaders of the Class with Maureen Chapman and James Simons appeared first on Principal Matters.

Welcome back to this week's episode of Monday Matters where Will Parker and Jen Schwanke are discussing the topic of wellness. Will shares some takeaways from a book he is reading called Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity by Dr. Eric Topol. The book highlights a study with 1400 participants called a ‘well-derly” study. […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Wellness for the New Year appeared first on Principal Matters.

Meet Charles Rizzuto: Charles Rizzuto currently serves as Assistant Principal at Islip High School, following 15 years as a health and physical education teacher at Oyster Bay High School. A nationally recognized speaker, he has presented across the country on high-quality instruction, leadership, school culture, cultural proficiency, and social and emotional wellness. His highly regarded […] The post PMP482: Empowering Learning Through Physical Education with Charles Rizzuto appeared first on Principal Matters.

Happy New Year! This week on Monday Matters, Jen Schwanke and Will Parker take some time to reflect on the past year through a series of questions. They talk about reaching major milestones, meeting personal and professional goals, overcoming challenges,  and learning lessons. Reflecting back is an important step to growing forward. Will challenges listeners […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Reflections appeared first on Principal Matters.

Note from Will about Guy: Principal Matters listeners are primarily education leaders, so they may be surprised at first that today's guest is a specialist in marketing and communication. But I've been an avid listener of Guy Kawasaki's podcast and recently read his book Think Remarkable: 9 Paths to Transform Your Life and Make a […] The post PMP481: Think Remarkable with Guy Kawasaki appeared first on Principal Matters.

John Boyd is the Principal of Ste. Genevieve High School in Missouri, where he leads with a passion for innovation, efficiency, and creating memorable experiences for students and staff. A proud SGHS alum, he returned to teach for seven years, served three years as Assistant Principal, and is now in his fourth year as Principal. […] The post PMP480: Maximizing Your Systems with John Boyd appeared first on Principal Matters.

Happy holidays, Principal Matters listeners! This week Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to reminisce about the year and share some of holiday traditions that they are looking forward to. Listen in to hear the full conversation, or read the post below to learn more about what we are thankful for this holiday […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – A Year in Review appeared first on Principal Matters.

A Quick Note to Listeners: Before this week's episode, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to answer a listener question. This week's question is: What are your practices for writing a book? Listen in to hear their response! Meet Danny Steele: Danny Steele worked for 31 years in education as a principal, assistant […] The post PMP479: The Instructional Leader in You with Danny Steele appeared first on Principal Matters.

Meet Will Parker, author, leader, speaker, and host of the Principal Matters podcast & blog. He was the Teacher of the Year in OK, AP Teacher of the Year, and served as Executive Director of the Oklahoma Association of Secondary School Principals for six years. Learn more at https://williamdparker.com/. and subscribe to the PMP & Monday Matters podcasts. His latest book was released in March 2025, Whose Permission are you Waiting For? with ConnectEDD: you can find it here: https://bit.ly/3Yty5vV. Join us LIVE on the #ELB Podcast today, Tuesday, December 16th, 2025, at 4:30 EST. Keep surviving & thriving!This 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

This week on Monday Matters Will Parker and Jen Schwanke share some thoughts on addressing the political landscape that educators face. They discuss how educators, particularly school leaders, are often asked to weigh in on culture war issues. Taking sides on political issues is not what school leaders are paid to do, and in doing […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Not the Place appeared first on Principal Matters.

A Quick Note to Listeners: Before this week's episode, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to answer a listener question. This week's question is: How can we build and sustain trust with staff, students, and parents? Listen in to hear their response! Meet Dr. Greg Johnson: Greg Johnson is the high school principal […] The post PMP478: From Classroom to Crisis and Beyond with Dr. Greg Johnson appeared first on Principal Matters.

Welcome back to Monday Matters! This week, Will and Jen tackle the topic of understanding your identity outside of your career. They discuss how this can be particularly challenging for mothers, who often carry the mental load of running their households on top of having a career. Jen shares some insights into how she has […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Who Are You Without A Title? appeared first on Principal Matters.

A Quick Note to Listeners: Before this week's interview, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to answer a listener question. This week's question is: What are the common pitfalls that keep principals from effectively leading instructional communities? Listen in to hear their response! Meet Beau Brannon: Beau Brannon is the Principal of Union […] The post PMP477: Lessons from Transition with Beau Brannon appeared first on Principal Matters.

Welcome back to Monday Matters! This week, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to talk about the difference between responsive vs. reactive leadership. This conversation was inspired by a thoughtful post written by Will, you can read it below. As always, thank you for doing what matters! Responsive, not Reactive, Leadership During a […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Responsive vs. Reactive Leadership appeared first on Principal Matters.

A Quick Note to Listeners: Before this week's interview, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to answer a listener question. This week's question is:  I'm struggling with a new teacher responding to constructive feedback. Suggestions? Listen in to hear their response! Meet Steve Ventura: Steve Ventura is the founder and president of Advanced […] The post PMP476: Leading a Community of Educators with Steve Ventura appeared first on Principal Matters.

This week on Monday Matters, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to talk about how curiosity leads to discovery. Sometimes, school leaders can get so caught up in their work that they forget to be curious, forgetting that curiosity is the engine of learning. As leaders, we need to intentionally seek out the […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Curiosity and Cracking the Code appeared first on Principal Matters.

A Quick Note to Listeners: Before this week's episode, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to answer a listener question. This week's question is: What are some strategies for my own professional growth while managing so many daily responsibilities? Listen in to hear their response! Meet Robert Kaiser: Dr. Robert “Rob” Kaiser brings […] The post PMP475: Lessons from the First Year with Dr. Robert Kaiser appeared first on Principal Matters.

Principals often juggle a multitude of tasks and responsibilities, and they are constantly being asked to add more to their plate. Sometimes, you have to say “no” to say “yes” to something else. This week on Monday Matters, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke discuss the never-ending todo lists that many principals face. They talk about […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Less is More appeared first on Principal Matters.

A Quick Note to Listeners: Before this week's interview, Jen Schwanke and Will Parker take some time to answer a listener question. This week's question is: How do we balance the expectations and challenges of system-wide leadership vs. site-specific leadership? Listen in to hear their response! Meet Kate Anderson Foley, Ph.D. Kate Anderson Foley, Founder […] The post PMP474: Radically Excellent School Improvement with Dr. Kate Anderson Foley appeared first on Principal Matters.

Welcome back to another episode of Monday Matters! This week, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to have a conversation about the use of AI in public schools. They talk about how AI has blown up and the ways that it is impacting education. One concern about AI that is often cited is […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Addressing AI appeared first on Principal Matters.

Meet Darrin Peppard: 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. A former award-winning principal, Darrin draws from nearly 30 years of experience in education to inspire leaders to embrace clarity, purpose, and joy in their work.  […] The post PMP473: Road to Awesome with Darrin Peppard appeared first on Principal Matters.

In this week's episode of Monday Matters, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to highlight the extraordinary skills of school leaders. Using the image of a Swiss Army Knife, Will and Jen tie that image to the image of the job description of a school principal. The job of a principal often requires […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Being a Swiss Army Knife appeared first on Principal Matters.

A Quick Note to Listeners: Before this week's episode, Will and Jen take some time to answer a listener question. This week's question is: How do I face a team of teachers who resist collaborating and like to “admire the problems” more than look for solutions? Listen in to hear their response! Meet Tyler Comeau: […] The post PMP472: Elemental Educator with Tyler Comeau appeared first on Principal Matters.

In this week's episode of Monday Matters, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke discuss the challenges that school leaders face as they navigate both the mundane and complex aspects of their job. They offer advice on how to lead through the ordinary and fight boredom in the job of a school leader by reconnecting to one's […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Leading Through the Ordinary appeared first on Principal Matters.

A Quick Note to Listeners: Before this week's interview, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to answer a listener question. This week's question is:  Do I HAVE to appease parents? How can I shut down a cycle of unproductive conversation?  (I'm referring to the most unreasonable situations) Listen in to hear their response! […] The post PMP471: Lead with H.O.P.E with Dr. Brandi Kelly appeared first on Principal Matters.

Welcome back to another episode of Monday Matters! This week, Jen Schwanke and I are talking about a post Jen wrote for her newsletter about staff meetings. Running a staff meeting can be a daunting task! We hope that this episode will provide principals with ideas to run staff meetings in a way that makes […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Staff Meeting Glow-Up appeared first on Principal Matters.

A Note to Listeners: Before this week's interview, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to answer a listener question. This week's question is: What tips do you have for someone transitioning to a support role without specifically defined responsibilities? Listen in to hear their response! Meet Tim Villegas: Tim Villegas is the Director […] The post PMP470: Staying Committed to Inclusivity with Tim Villegas appeared first on Principal Matters.

This week on Monday Matters, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke discuss the article below written by Will about left brain and right brain leadership. Listen in to hear their conversation! Left Brain and Right Brain Leadership, by William D. Parker There's an old ad from Mercedes-Benz that shows an illustration of the human brain divided […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Left Brain and Right Brain Leadership appeared first on Principal Matters.