Podcasts about 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.

Meet Crystal Williams: Crystal Williams is a dedicated instructional leader with 20 years of experience, currently serving as a District Literacy Coach in Houston, Texas. Originally from Albuquerque, NM, she holds a BA in Psychology and MA in Elementary Education. Now in her sixth year as an instructional coach, Crystal is passionate about equity, justice, […] The post PMP469: Instructional Coaching with Crystal Williams appeared first on Principal Matters.

Will Parker is an educator, author, and executive coach. Will helps school leaders build strong cultures, communication, and community through his work at Principal Matters. He's a former principal and host of the Principal Matters podcast. Will's work matters for inclusion because he supports educators in leading with heart and compassion, especially during challenging times. In this episode, Tim Villegas talks with Will Parker about navigating the emotional weight of current events, the impact of political rhetoric on schools, and how educators can stay grounded in their mission to serve students. The conversation centers on leading with compassion, focusing on local action, and finding hope in everyday relationships. The episode is intentionally broad so listeners can apply the insights to many situations. Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/navigating-school-leadership-in-chaotic-times-a-conversation-with-will-parker-1306/

This week on Monday Matters, Jen Schwanke and Will Parker discuss a post written by Will. Check out the post below and listen in to hear their thoughts on it! Random Moments, Major Outcomes by Will Parker I recently listened to an insightful episode of Hidden Brain that really provoked my thinking.  In the interview, […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Random Moments, Major Outcomes appeared first on Principal Matters.

A Quick Note to Listeners: Before this week's episode, Will and Jen take some time to answer the following listener question: Is achievement only dependent on the perfect leader happening along at the perfect time? Listen in to hear their response! Meet Tony Frontier: Tony Frontier, PhD, is an award-winning educator, author, and consultant who […] The post PMP468: AI with Intention with Tony Frontier appeared first on Principal Matters.

This week on Monday Matters, Jen Schwanke and I discuss happiness among educators. We cover an article by Elizabeth Dampf, The Cost of Happiness, and Jen talks about some articles she has written about joy in educators. School leaders face a lot of stress on the job. We spend a lot of time pouring into […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Whose Happiness Are You Responsible For? appeared first on Principal Matters.

A quick note to listeners:  Before this week's interview, Jen Schwanke and Will Parker take a few minutes to discuss the following question: What is missing that keeps every school from moving forward at high levels all the time?  Listen in to hear their response! Meet Danny Bauer: Daniel Bauer is the founder of Better […] The post PMP467: Being a Ruckus Maker with Danny Bauer appeared first on Principal Matters.

Welcome back to another episode of Monday Matters! This week, join Will Parker and Jen Schwanke for the final discussion about Jen's new book, Trusted: Trust Pillars, Trust Killers, and the Secret to Successful Schools. Chapter 7 is about self-trust for principals. The work of a principal is inherently very self critical. When a principal […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Self-Trust and Beyond appeared first on Principal Matters.

LaDonna Chancellor is the Executive Director of Teaching and Learning for Bartlesville Public Schools in Oklahoma. With over 25 years in education, she began as a special education teacher, later serving as assistant principal and principal at Central Middle School and Bartlesville High School. As a high school principal, she led major transitions, expanded STEM […] The post PMP466: Leading Collaboratively with LaDonna Chancellor appeared first on Principal Matters.

This week on Monday Matters, Jen Schwanke and Will Parker are talking about building trust with students. Their conversation is a follow-up to last week's episode, where they talk about what kills trust with students. If you haven't already listened to that episode, go back and give it a listen! Building trust with students is the […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Building Trust with Students appeared first on Principal Matters.

Derek is the principal of Alleghany High School in Covington, Virginia, where he led the merger of two rival schools into a unified school community. Instead of allowing division to define the transition, he focused on building culture first, ensuring students, staff, and the community had a voice in shaping a new identity under a […] The post PMP465: Better Together with Derek Cantrell appeared first on Principal Matters.

Happy Monday Principal Matters listeners! This week, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke are discussing a topic from Jen Schwanke's new book, Trusted: Trust Pillars, Trust Killers, and the Secret to Successful Schools. Today's conversation is part one of a two part conversation about building trust with students. Building trust with students is an essential skill […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Trust Killers with Students appeared first on Principal Matters.

Welcome back to another episode of Principal Matters Podcast! This week's episode is a little different than our regularly scheduled content. A few months ago, Will Parker joined Dr. Jen Schwanke's class on human capital management at Ohio State University to answer their questions about school leadership. This class is made up of students who […] The post PMP464: Human Capital Management with OSU Graduate Students appeared first on Principal Matters.

This week on Monday Matters, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke talk more about a concept from Jen's new book, Trusted: Trust Pillars, Trust Killers, and the Secret to Successful Schools. The topic of conversation this week is building trust with parents. Jen shares several components that are key to schools building a trusting relationship with […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Building Trust with Parents appeared first on Principal Matters.

A quick note to listeners:  Before this week's interview, Jen Schwanke and Will Parker take a few minutes to discuss the following question: What feedback do you have for an AP who feels like they are carrying all the weight of the Principal? Listen in to hear their response! Leaning into Leadership with Darrin Peppard: […] The post PMP463: Leaning into Leadership with Darrin Peppard appeared first on Principal Matters.

Welcome back to another episode of Monday Matters! This week, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke are talking about building trust with teachers. Competency, openness, and honesty are three key building blocks to building trust with teachers. Teachers feeling that their principal is competent is key to having a trusting relationship between teachers and principals. Staying […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Trust with Teachers appeared first on Principal Matters.

This week on the Leaning Into Leadership podcast, I sit down with Dr. Jen Schwanke, a seasoned educator, author, and deputy superintendent with nearly three decades of experience. Together, we explore the history of public education and why times of societal unrest so often result in schools being placed under the spotlight.Dr. Schwanke shares insights from her doctoral research, her leadership journey, and her brand-new book, Trusted: Trust Pillars, Trust Killers, and the Secret to Successful Schools. We dig into:Why schools feel under attack during turbulent times—and why this isn't new.How leaders can avoid the traps of denial, defensiveness, or despair when criticism comes.The importance of being trust willing as well as trustworthy.Why strong systems are essential for good people to thrive.Practical advice for new principals handed the master keys for the first time.Strategies for instructional leadership when you don't feel like an expert in every content area.How to build authentic trust with staff, parents, and students—and why curiosity beats judgment every time.Whether you're stepping into school leadership for the first time or looking to sharpen your ability to lead with trust and positivity, Dr. Schwanke's wisdom will help you show up with courage, clarity, and relentless optimism.

A quick note to listeners:  Before this week's interview, Jen Schwanke and Will Parker take a few minutes to share some feedback that Will has recently received after a PD session with teachers and staff.  Listen in to hear their conversation! Meet Kim Marshall and Jenn David-Lang: Kim Marshall is a veteran educator and writer […] The post PMP462: Supporting New Teachers, Part 2, with Jenn David-Lang and Kim Marshall appeared first on Principal Matters.

Welcome back, Principal Matters listeners! This week on Monday Matters, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke are talking about trust pillars and trust killers, a concept covered in Jen's new book. When it comes to school trust, there are a number of methods school leaders can employ to build organizational trust among teachers and staff members. […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Trust Pillars and Trust Killers  appeared first on Principal Matters.

  The Ruckus Report Quick take: The most dangerous myth in school leadership is that problems will eventually stop. Jennifer Schwanke reveals how embracing challenges and shifting from "trustworthy" to "trust willing" transforms toxic school cultures into thriving communities. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Jennifer Schwanke, Ed.D., brings nearly three decades of experience to the field of education, having served as both a teacher and leader across all levels. She is a published author with ASCD, including four current books and a forthcoming fifth title, "Trusted: Trust Pillars, Trust Killers, and the Secret to Successful Schools," expected in the summer of 2025. In addition to her books, Jennifer has contributed hundreds of articles to numerous educational publications. She is actively involved in professional development, offering her expertise to school districts in areas such as school climate, personnel management, and instructional leadership. She is also a frequent presenter at major educational conferences, including those hosted by ASCD, NAESP, NASSP, AASA, and various state and national organizations. Jennifer shares her insights as the co-host of the widely listened-to "Principal Matters" podcast and as an instructor in educational administration at The Ohio State University. Currently, Dr. Schwanke serves as a Deputy Superintendent in Ohio. Breaking Down the Old Rules

A quick note to listeners:  Before this week's interview, Jen Schwanke and Will Parker take a few minutes to discuss the following question: What would a spouse tell a principal stepping into their first year on the job? Listen in to hear their response! Meet Kim Marshall and Jenn David-Lang: Kim Marshall is a veteran […] The post PMP461: Supporting New Teachers with Jenn David-Lang and Kim Marshall appeared first on Principal Matters.

Hello, Principal Matters Listeners! Welcome back to another conversation about Jen's new book, Trusted: Trust Pillars, Trust Killers, and the Secret to Successful Schools, available August 17th. Pre-order your copy now! Today, Jen Schwanke and Will Parker will be talking about what sets this book apart from a lecture on how to be trustworthy. Their […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Trustworthy vs. Trust-willing appeared first on Principal Matters.

A quick note to listeners:  Before this week's interview, Jen Schwanke and Will Parker take a few minutes to discuss the following listener question: What other practical ways (like your student handbook) can you rethink for sending positive messaging to your students and school community? Listen in to hear their response! Meet Richard Culatta: ​​As […] The post PMP460: Digital for Good with Richard Culatta appeared first on Principal Matters.

Hi, friends. Jen Schwanke is excited to announce that her new book, Trusted: Trust Pillars, Trust Killers, and the Secret to Successful Schools, will be released on the 17th of this month! Over the next several weeks, Jen and I will be using the Monday Matters episodes to dive into each of the chapters of […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Trusted: A New Book by Jen Schwanke appeared first on Principal Matters.

  The Ruckus Report Quick take: Most school leaders are waiting for someone else's permission to create the change they know their students need. Will Parker destroys that myth and reveals the #1 barrier standing between you and transformational leadership — yourself. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker William D. Parker is the founder of Principal Matters, LLC—an educator, author, speaker, and executive coach who leverages his expertise in school culture, leadership, and communication to equip educators with strategies for motivating students, inspiring teachers, and reaching communities. He is also the host of Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast, with more than 1.5 million downloads to date. Will supports schools around the world through professional development and leadership coaching. He frequently presents at K–12 events, education conferences, leadership team training, and graduate classes on effective practices, organizational management, and improved school communication. An Oklahoma educator since 1993, Will was named South Intermediate High School Teacher of the Year for Broken Arrow Public Schools in 1998. He became an assistant principal in 2004 and was named Oklahoma Assistant Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary Principals in 2012. As a principal of a Title I school, he helped lead initiatives in collaboration, remediation, and mentoring that significantly improved student achievement. For six years, Will served as executive director of the Oklahoma Association of Secondary School Principals and the Oklahoma Middle Level Education Association. Find out more about his leadership academies, masterminds, executive coaching, books, and keynote presentations at williamdparker.com. Will's new book: Whose Permission Are You Waiting For? And other books: Pause. Breath. Flourish., Messaging Matters., and Principal Matters. Breaking Down the Old Rules