Podcasts about 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.

Get the book, Whose Permission Are You Waiting For? An Educator's Guide to Doing What You Love Visit William's website, www.WilliamDParker.com About The Authors William D. Parker is the Founder of Principal Matters, LLC—an educator, author, speaker, and executive coach who equips school leaders with strategies for improving school culture, communication, and student outcomes. A former award-winning principal and Oklahoma educator since 1993, Will has presented at national conferences, led professional development, and supported leadership teams worldwide. He served as executive director for Oklahoma's secondary principals' association and hosts Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast, with over 1.5 million downloads. Through Principal Matters, LLC, he offers virtual academies, coaching, and keynotes to inspire and empower educators everywhere.     This episode of Principal Center Radio is sponsored by IXL, the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K-12. Discover the power of data-driven instruction in your school with IXL—it gives you everything you need to maximize learning, from a comprehensive curriculum to meaningful school-wide data. Visit IXL.com/center to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.   

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.

Happy Friday! This week our encore episode is a conversation between Jen Schwanke and I, focused on encouraging and motivating staff. Listen in to hear us discuss the following reminders for education leaders: Tune in to hear the full conversation or check out the original blog post to learn more. Thank you doing what matters! The post ENCORE FRIDAY – PMP278: Encouraging & Motivating Staff with Jen Schwanke 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 PMP446: Recovering After Fire with Lana Penley & Jen Schwanke appeared first on Principal Matters.

Welcome back to Monday Matters! This week, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke are discussing a chapter from Will's new book, Whose Permission Are You Waiting For? An Educator's Guide to Doing What You Love. The chapter is on avoiding the binary, and discusses innovative ways for readers to approach decision making in their work through […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Avoiding the Binary appeared first on Principal Matters.

Happy Friday! This week's encore episode is one from 2021, a conversation between Will Parker and Jen Schwanke about school discipline. Listen in to hear them talk about several different ways to approach consequences for student discipline, as well as some great advice and practical applications to approaching discipline. You can learn more by tuning […] The post ENCORE FRIDAY – PMP271: Answering Questions on School Discipline with Jen Schwanke 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 PMP445: Powerful Voices in Education with Donna Hayward and Jen Schwanke appeared first on Principal Matters.

This week on Monday Matters, Will and Jen talk about professional pathways for educators and getting through the end of the school year. They discuss strategies for powering through what Will and Jen call the “slog” at the end of the school year, and share how they have each adjusted their mindset to have a […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Professional Pathways for Educators appeared first on Principal Matters.

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

This conversation explores the profound impact of recent immigration policy changes on teachers and students, focusing on the emotional and practical challenges faced in educational settings. Panelists discuss the anxiety and fear stemming from the potential presence of immigration agents in schools, the importance of clear communication and support systems, and strategies for creating safe spaces for students. The discussion highlights the importance of collaboration among educators, community organizations, and school leadership in effectively navigating these challenges. Follow on Twitter @Jenschwanke @drjenschwanke.bsky.social | @jehan_hakim | @msdarasavage @ExcelLYNNCE | @kbustosdiaz | @jonHarper70bd | @bamradionetwork Jehan Hakim is a mother and Houston-based educational consultant with over a decade of experience in empowering educators and organizational leaders through culturally responsive pedagogy and professional development. Jen Schwanke, Ed.D., has been an educator for almost three decades, teaching or leading at all levels. She is the author of four books published by ASCD, including The Principal's Guide to Conflict Management, and has published hundreds of articles in various education publications. In addition to providing professional development to districts in the areas of school climate, personnel, and instructional leadership, Schwanke presents at conferences for ASCD, NAESP, NASSP, AASA, and various state and local education organizations. She is the co-host of the popular “Principal Matters” podcast and an instructor in educational administration at The Ohio State University and Miami University of Ohio. Dr. Schwanke currently serves as a Deputy Superintendent in Ohio.– Kenya Bustos Diaz is a freshman ENL Teacher From Veracruz, Mexico, DACA recipient. Social Justice Mentor for Future Teachers of Color at Butler University Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education from Butler University. Dara Laws Savage is a 26-year educator from the great state of Delaware. She has served on numerous local, regional, and state committees, and has been Teacher of the Year in two different districts. She is an Emeritus national faculty member of PBLWorks, and is presently the English 9 teacher and Instructional Coach at the Early College High School at Delaware State University while working on her doctorate. Dara is a proud Board of Education member for the Seaford School District (alumna) and she is the owner of Savage Educational Consulting. Tom Rademacher has spent the last two decades devoted to students and education. He's the author of 50 Strategies for Learning without Screens, It Won't Be Easy, Raising Ollie, and the forthcoming chapter book series Bucket and Friends. Tom was named Minnesota's 2014 Teacher of the Year, and before teaching mostly wrote bad poetry and talked about Kurt Cobain. He lives too close to the Mall of America in Minnesota with his wife, son, and absolute chonk of a dog.

Happy Friday! Our encore episode this week is one from 2021, another interview with D.J. Klein. His interviews on this show are popular for a reason; he always has sage advice to offer listeners! Check out this interview to hear him share ten lessons he learned in his first year as an assistant principal. Listen […] The post ENCORE FRIDAY – PMP253: 10 Lessons from a First Year Assistant Principal with D.J. Klein 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 PMP444: Leading with Simplicity and Harmony with John Marinucci appeared first on Principal Matters.

Happy Monday, friends! This week for Monday Matters, Jen and Will are taking some time to catch up and talk about the exciting work we have been doing recently.  Jen talks about a presentation she gave recently. By the time this recording comes out, she will have returned from speaking at national school boards association […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Catching Up appeared first on Principal Matters.

Welcome back to Encore Friday! This week's episode is one from 2021, a conversation with Jen Schwanke about gaining buy-in and building leadership teams. Tune in to hear us answer the following questions from principals: Listen in to hear the entire episode, or follow this link to read the original blog post. Thank you for […] The post ENCORE FRIDAY – PMP270: Gaining Buy-In & Building Leadership Teams with Jen Schwanke 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 PMP443: Why Every Student Deserves a Pathway with Dr. T.J. Vari appeared first on Principal Matters.

Hi, friends. This week for Monday Matters, Jen and I are taking some time to talk about an exciting new offering from Principal Matters, led by Jen Schwanke! Based on her book, The Principal's Guide to Conflict Management, Jen will be leading a 3-hour masterclass on June 3rd, 2025, at 11 am EDT. This dynamic […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Introducing a New PD Offering from Jen Schwanke appeared first on Principal Matters.

Happy Friday, friends! This week, we are re-releasing an episode from 2022, an interview with a rockstar leader DJ Klein. DJ Klein has been featured on the podcast several times throughout the years and he is still doing the same phenomenal work in 2025 that he was doing in 2022. Listen in to hear the […] The post ENCORE FRIDAY – PMP299: 10 Lessons from a 2nd Year in School Admin with DJ Klein 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 PMP442: Keys to Successful Schools with John Mihalyo appeared first on Principal Matters.

Welcome back to Monday Matters! This week Jen Schwanke and Will Parker are sharing some lessons learned from doing PD with school leaders. They talk about some of the strengths that leaders who are women bring to the table, as well as strengths that leaders who are men bring to the table. During their conversation, […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Tips on Maintaining Sanity appeared first on Principal Matters.

Happy Friday! This week's encore episode is one from 2022 with Garth Larson. He chats with Will Parker about guiding leaders and helping them build their leadership. Listen in to hear the full conversation or check out the original blog post to learn more! The post ENCORE FRIDAY – PMP292: The Profile of a School Leader with Garth Larson 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 PMP441: Ease the Pain –  Guidance for Safety and Regulation with Dr. Bethany Bilodeau appeared first on Principal Matters.

This week on Monday Matters, Jen and I talk about some of the responses to the “Dear Colleague” letter sent out by the US Department of Education Office for Civil Rights. Sent to educators across the country, this letter has generated a multitude of responses from teachers, principals, and superintendents alike. If you would like […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Dear Colleague Letter appeared first on Principal Matters.

Happy Friday! This week's encore episode is one from 2022, in which I interview Jen Schwanke about her book The Teacher's Principal: How School Leaders can Support and Motivate Their Teachers. Jen shares a ton of great takeaways in this episode; I learned a lot from her as I listened back to this it! Give […] The post ENCORE FRIDAY – PMP303: Intro to the Teacher's Principal with Jen Schwanke 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 PMP440: TRUST Principles for Professionalism with Dr. Nason Lollar appeared first on Principal Matters.

On this week's installment of Monday Matters, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke have a conversation about leaving your legacy and making your mark. Some topics covered in the conversation are: Listen in to hear the full conversation! Below is a piece written by William D. Parker about the topics discussed in this episode: Remembering Faces […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Remembering Faces appeared first on Principal Matters.

“These are the times for stepping forward with courage.” – Enid Lee. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are three things that make our country and our schools strong. I believe that it is vital to engage in conversations about these things in a time when our government in the US is cracking down on DEI. For […] The post ENCORE FRIDAY – PMP268: Equity, Equality and Systems with Enid Lee 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 PMP439: Rebel Educator – Classrooms of Imagination and Impact with Tanya Sheckley appeared first on Principal Matters.

This week on Monday Matters, Will and Jen are doing something they have not done before: talking about books they're currently reading. Will talks about reading the book, The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese. Jen recently finished a book called Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May. Listen […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Reflections appeared first on Principal Matters.

Welcome back to Encore Friday! This week's episode from the archives is PMP281: Paradoxes of Leadership with Dr. Tim Elmore, originally released in 2022. In it we discuss his book, The 8 Paradoxes of Great Leadership: Embracing the Conflicting Demands of Today's Workplace. Listen in to hear Dr. Elmore talk about the complexities of leadership […] The post ENCORE FRIDAY – PMP281: Paradoxes of Leadership with Dr. Tim Elmore 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 PMP438: Living on the Leadership Edge with Margaret Coates appeared first on Principal Matters.

Happy Monday! This week, Jen and I cover the topic of decision making for school leaders. Specifically, we consider the question: What goes in to the thought process when a leader has to make a decision? Some of the pieces of the decision making process we cover are: Listen in to hear our full answer […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker- Decision Making appeared first on Principal Matters.

Happy Friday! This week's encore episode is one from 2022. In it, Will Parker interviews Shenita Perry about her unique leadership experiences and the lessons she learned along the way. Listen in to hear the full conversation or check out the original blog post here! The post ENCORE FRIDAY – PMP321: Lessons in the Leadership Journey with Shenita Perry 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 PMP437: Partners in School Innovation with Dr. Derek Mitchell appeared first on Principal Matters.

By William D. Parker When we lived in the basement, Daddy would wake up long before the rest of us. He would stir the remaining coals in the wood stove, adding fresh sticks to the barrel-sized belly and stoking it until the new wood caught fire. As we crawled out of our beds, we would […] The post MONDAY MATTERS – Warming Your Hands and Learning Lessons appeared first on Principal Matters.

It's Encore Friday! This week's episode is an interview from 2023 with Jen Schwanke and Robyn Jackson. Listen in to hear them discuss topics like: You can also check out the original blog post for this episode here. Thank you for doing what matters! The post ENCORE FRIDAY – PMP368: Buildership with Robyn Jackson and Jen Schwanke 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 PMP436: Achieving Remarkable Outcomes with Dr. Amanda Austin appeared first on Principal Matters.

For this week's Monday Matters topic, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke talk about AI in schools. While neither of them are experts on the subject, they acknowledge that AI is something that impacts everyone in the education world. Some of the points they address in this conversation are: Now It's Your Turn: What are some […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – AI in Schools appeared first on Principal Matters.

It's Friday and that means it's time for another encore episode! This week's episode from the archives is PMP358, an interview with my friend Timothy Alexander. Timothy's story is moving and inspirational. Give this episode a listen or check out the original blog post from 2023 to learn more about him! The post ENCORE FRIDAY – PMP358: Inspired to Be Faithful with Timothy Alexander 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 PMP435: Empowering Teen Learners with Dr. Wilnic Gideon appeared first on Principal Matters.

In this week's Monday Matters, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke talk about their word for 2025.  Upcoming Events If you're going to be in St George, Utah, February 12-14, 2025, let Jen know as she's speaking at the Utah Association of Elementary School Principals.  Word for 2025: Jen's word for 2025 is equanimity – defined […] The post MONDAY MATTERS – What is your one word for 2025? appeared first on Principal Matters.

It's Friday and that means it is time for an encore episode! This week's encore episode is on from 2020, featuring Dr. Anthony Muhammad. Check out the original post here, or listen to the episode wherever you get your podcasts! This episode is full of great advice for leaders and is as relevant today as […] The post ENCORE FRIDAY – PMP202: Transforming School Cultures with Dr. Anthony Muhammad 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 PMP434: Power Engage with Carlos Johnson appeared first on Principal Matters.

In this week's episode of Monday Matters, Will and Jen talk about time spent and 5 areas of trust.  Upcoming Events: If you're going to be in St George, Utah, February 12-14, 2025, let Jen know as she's speaking at the Utah Association of Elementary School Principals. Will has some upcoming PD in Columbus, Ohio. […] The post MONDAY MATTERS – Time Spent and 5 Areas of Trust appeared first on Principal Matters.