Podcasts about 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.

NaRon TillmanNaRon Tillman is a leading voice at the intersection of human potential and artificial intelligence, empowering thought leaders, coaches, and creators to build thriving, automated businesses with a polished, big-brand feel.As CEO of Principal Matters, Inc., NaRon is pioneering cutting-edge AI agents that go beyond task automation—designing systems for strategic growth, streamlined client workflows, and scalable impact.With 25+ years of entrepreneurial experience, NaRon understands the unique pressures faced by purpose-driven leaders. He fuses this hands-on expertise with 20 years as a spiritual teacher (Pastor of One Ministries in NYC) and 10 years as a mindfulness and yoga instructor, serving as Director of Urban Yogis. His approach is holistic, human-centered, and results-focused—merging soulful leadership with smart automation.NaRon is also the author of the forthcoming book Internal Awakening in an AI Age, which explores the deep connection between AI prompt engineering and subconscious identity programming. Through it, he equips readers with transformational strategies for aligning their inner voice with their external impact.He hosts the Walk In Victory Podcast, where he explores the convergence of AI, mindful leadership, and business growth—sharing practical, repeatable strategies to automate systems, increase revenue, and free up founders to focus on their calling. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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: As I step into a new role at a new school, how can I make a difference in a school that is struggling with disengaged teachers without being seen as a […] The post PMP459: Unlocking Academic Achievement with David Young appeared first on Principal Matters.

Lessons from Climbing Mt. Massive On June 26, 2025, my son Jack and I summited Mt Massive, at 14,429 feet, the 2nd tallest peak in Colorado. That one sentence sums up an impossibly difficult-to-describe one-day adventure that he and I have dreamed about for a long time. The day began at 4:30 AM, when we […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Lessons From Climbing Mt. Massive 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

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 should I be thinking as I step into the school year, especially if I am starting a new role? Listen in to hear their response! Meet LaVonna Roth: With almost 20 […] The post PMP458: Permission to S.H.I.N.E. with LaVonna Roth appeared first on Principal Matters.

Welcome back to another installment of Monday Matters! This week, Dr. Jen Schwanke and I are discussing chapter 13 from my new book Whose Permission Are You Waiting For? An Educator's Guide to Doing What You Love. The focus of chapter 13 is based on avoiding the mindset that our greatest joy has to be […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Your Greatest Joy Is Not What You May Think appeared first on Principal Matters.

Meet Karen Borchert: Karen Borchert is the founder and CEO of Alpaca, a company with a mission to make it easier to support teachers. Karen started off in secondary education, but most of her career is as an entrepreneur, helping to grow high trust, highly aligned teams.  Karen started Alpaca to combine her passion for […] The post PMP457: Listening To Your Teachers with Karen Borchert appeared first on Principal Matters.

In this episode, I wanted to share some feedback from another Mastermind group I've met with in 2024-25. These leaders include: Julieta R. Flowers – Principal, Discovery Community School, Toledo, OH Kelly Brodzenski – Principal, Beacon Academy, Canton, OH Laura Krulik – Assistant Superintendent & Title II/Civil Rights Coordinator, Utica Shale Academy (Southern Local Schools), […] The post MONDAY MATTERS BONUS with Ohio Academy Grads Mastermind appeared first on Principal Matters.

A Quick Note to Listeners: Before this week's interview, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke share an update on the United Conference they will both be attending in Seattle this week. Listen in to find out what time they will be presenting and how you can connect with both of them at the conference. They would […] The post PMP456: Empowering Student Agency with Dr. Mike Nicholson appeared first on Principal Matters.

Happy Monday, Principal Matters listeners! This week, Jen Schwanke and I are talking about chapter 12 from my new book, Whose Permission Are You Waiting For? An Educator's Guide to Doing What You Love. The premise of this chapter is on something I like to call “life liturgies”: practices, routines, and rituals that define a […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Life Liturgies  appeared first on Principal Matters.

A Quick Note to Listeners: Before this week's interview, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke spend some time talking about Jen's upcoming book: Trusted: Trust Pillars, Trust Killers, and the Secret to Successful Schools. Listen in to hear more about this book, as well as where you can pre-order it. Thank you for doing what matters! […] The post PMP455: Cybersecurity in Schools: Risks, Prevention, and Best Practices with Mike Fitzpatrick appeared first on Principal Matters.

Welcome back to another Monday Matters! I can't believe it is already summer. This week, our Monday Matters Podcast is going to be a little different than usual. As listeners may already know, the focus of recent Monday Matters episodes have been on the chapters of my new book Whose Permission Are You Waiting For? […] The post MONDAY MATTERS Bonus Episode – Mastermind Lesson with Legacy Leaders appeared first on Principal Matters.

A Quick Note to Listeners: Before this week's interview, Will Parker answers a question from a student in Jen Schwanke's graduate class at OSU. The question is: From your experience as a podcaster, what are the most compelling or surprising insights you've gained from other educational leaders regarding human capital management? (This question is asked […] The post PMP454: Maximizing Systems, Focus, and Impact with PJ Caposey appeared first on Principal Matters.

Welcome back to another Monday Matters. As school leaders across the country are wrapping up their school years, Jen and I are wishing everyone a happy summer! This week's episode is a discussion of a chapter on coaching from my book, Whose Permission Are You Waiting For? An Educator's Guide to Doing What You Love. […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – The Value of Coaching appeared first on Principal Matters.

A Quick Note to Listeners: Before this week's interview, Will Parker answers a question from a student in Jen Schwanke's graduate class at OSU. The question is: Through your consulting work, what common human capital challenges do you see schools facing and how can principals proactively address them? (Question from Madeline Platfoot, 6th grade math […] The post PMP453: Leading with Wellness in Mind with Dr. Angela Diggs appeared first on Principal Matters.

Hi, Principal Matters listeners! Thank you for tuning in for another episode of Monday Matters. This week, Jen Schanke and I are talking about chapter 10 from my book, Whose Permission Are You Waiting For? An Educator's Guide to Doing What You Love. Before we jump into that discussion, Jen announces all of the places […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Cycles of Reflection appeared first on Principal Matters.

A Quick Note to Listeners: Before this week's interview, Will Parker answers a question from a student in Jen Schwanke's graduate class at OSU. The question is: How did you ensure equity and fairness in staff evaluations, promotions, and leadership opportunities? (Question from Diona Ross, High School Intervention Specialist from Columbus, Ohio) Listen in to […] The post PMP452: Reaching Every Student with Dr. Tracie Anderson Swilley  appeared first on Principal Matters.

Hi, Principal Matters listeners, and welcome back to another episode of Monday Matters! This week, Jen Schwanke and I are talking about building systems that produce the outcome you want (Chapter 8 in Whose Permission). I want to talk about systems on Monday Matters because Jen Schwanke has helped me understand systems better. Jen shares […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Building Systems That Produce Outcomes You Want appeared first on Principal Matters.

A Quick Note to Listeners: Before this week's interview, Will Parker answers a question from a student in Jen Schwanke's graduate class at OSU. The question is: What practical strategies did you use to boost staff morale and prevent burnout, especially during times of high stress or change?  (Question from Cameron Carter, first grade teacher […] The post PMP451: What is My Value Instructionally with Baruti Kafele appeared first on Principal Matters.

It's Monday, so that means it's time for another Monday Matters episode! This week, Jen and I are continuing a series of conversations that revolve around the chapters from my new book, Whose Permission Are You Waiting For? An Educator's Guide to Doing What You Love. The chapter we're discussing this week is called “Let's […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Let's Talk About Money appeared first on Principal Matters.

Happy Friday, Principal Matters listeners! This week's encore episode is a conversation between myself and Pete Hall from 2022. Pete is a veteran school administrator and education consultant who has authored many books and articles on leadership. In this episode, we talk about his book Chasing the Show, a YA novel. Listen in to hear […] The post ENCORE FRIDAY – PMP287: Chasing the Show with Pete Hall appeared first on Principal Matters.

A Quick Note to Listeners: —- 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 great way to start is by ordering FREE summer workbook samples at Summer Pops Workbooks.com. —- Before this […] The post PMP450: Instructional Excellence with Michelle Steingart appeared first on Principal Matters.

Hi, Friends! Welcome back to another installment of Monday Matters! This week, I am joined by Jen Schwanke to talk about a chapter called “Will It Fly?”  in my new book, Whose Permission Are You Waiting For? An Educator's Guide to Doing What You Love.  When I wrote this chapter, I wanted to share with […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Will It Fly? appeared first on Principal Matters.

Happy Friday! We're back this week with another encore episode. This one is an interview from 2022 with Dr. Keri Launius, an administrator who has served in various roles throughout her education career. At the time of this interview, I was working alongside her team to facilitate learning and growing for her team of aspiring […] The post ENCORE FRIDAY – PMP291: Growing Leadership Teams with Dr. Keri Launius appeared first on Principal Matters.

A Quick Note to Listeners: —- 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 great way to start is by ordering FREE summer workbook samples at Summer Pops Workbooks.com. —- Before […] The post PMP449: Inclusive and Supportive Schools for Every Learner with Dr. Eric Mace appeared first on Principal Matters.

Welcome back to another episode of Monday Matters! This week, Jen and I are talking about chapter 6 from my new book, Whose Permission Are You Waiting For? An Educator's Guide to Doing What You Love. But before we jump into that discussion, we would like to share some details about some upcoming conferences we […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Whose Permission Are You Waiting For? appeared first on Principal Matters.

Happy Friday! We're back this week with another encore episode. This week's pick is from 2022, when I talked with Brad Gustafson about his book The 6 Literacy Levers. Our conversation is filled with great advice for school leaders to rethink literacy through the use of Brad's six literacy levers: We also discuss questions about […] The post ENCORE FRIDAY – PMP274: 6 Literacy Levers with Brad Gustafson appeared first on Principal Matters.

A Quick Note to Listeners: —- 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 great way to start is by ordering FREE summer workbook samples at Summer Pops Workbooks.com. —- Before this […] The post PMP448: The Antiracist School Leader with Dr. Daman Harris appeared first on Principal Matters.

Hi, friends, and welcome back to Monday Matters! Today Jen and I are discussing the value of consistency, which is one of the chapters in my new book Whose Permission Are You Waiting For? An Educator's Guide to Doing What You Love. To start out the conversation, Jen shares the heartwarming story of a nurse, […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – The Value of Consistency appeared first on Principal Matters.

Happy Friday! This week's Encore Episode is one from 2022, a dynamic interview with Dr. Chris Jones. We discuss teacher-centric leading and supporting teachers, to name a few discussion areas. I feel like this is the perfect encore episode to wrap up teacher appreciation week. Listen in to hear our conversation or check out the […] The post ENCORE FRIDAY – PMP279: Support, Empower, Engage with Chris Jones appeared first on Principal Matters.

A Quick Note to Listeners: —- 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 great way to start is by ordering FREE summer workbook samples at Summer Pops Workbooks.com. —- Before this […] The post PMP447: The Blueprint for Administrators with Todd Bloomer appeared first on Principal Matters.

Welcome back to another episode of Monday Matters! This week, Will and Jen are talking about another chapter from Will's new book, Whose Permission Are You Waiting For? An Educator's Guide to Doing What You Love. Throughout their conversation, Will and Jen discuss how important it is for school leaders to stay curious. One of […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Curiosity Plus Inquiry Equals Discovery appeared first on Principal Matters.