Podcasts about principals

Today our guest is Torrin Johnson, Executive Director of MTSS at Merced Union High School District in California. Torrin shares how his district built a Tier 2 support system from the ground up, what they got wrong at first, and how pairing trained intervention coordinators with explicit skill-based curriculum helped bring their suspension rate to below 1% across 11,000 students. He also explains why matching the right intervention to the right student need is the most important and most commonly skipped step in Tier 2 implementation, and why the difference between a skill gap and a motivation gap changes everything about how a school should respond. In this conversation, Torrin offers important reminders for educators and leaders: A strong Tier 2 system does not replace Tier 1. It runs alongside it, and students receiving Tier 2 supports still need a solid Tier 1 foundation underneath them. Applying the same intervention to every student regardless of need is not neutral. Matching the right intervention to the right gap is what makes Tier 2 actually work. Students who have never been explicitly taught self-regulation and interpersonal skills will tell you so. When schools teach those skills directly, students notice and respond. Principals are central to Tier 2 success. Investing in their understanding of the why behind the system is just as important as implementing the interventions themselves. Learn More About CharacterStrong:  Sign up for the CharacterStrong Weekly Access FREE MTSS Curriculum Samples Request a Quote Today! Visit the CharacterStrong Website   About Torrin Johnson:  Torrin Johnson is an educational leader who serves as the Executive Director of MTSS for the Merced Union High School District. Driven by a strong commitment to educational equity and student advocacy, he oversees district-wide Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), alternative education sites, and key academic interventions such as the Read 180 program. Prior to his current district role, he served as Principal of Atwater High School from 2015 to 2019, where he significantly reduced truancies and suspensions. He also served as Principal of Yosemite Continuation High School from 2010 to 2015. Johnson holds a Master's degree in English and Bachelor's degrees in English and Interdisciplinary Studies from National University, an Associate of Arts from Merced College, and clear California administrative and teaching credentials.

 Dr. Naphtali Hoff trains school leaders and teachers to perform at their best without running themselves into the ground. A former educator and school leader himself, Dr. Hoff now coaches and trains school leaders on management, productivity, and delegation across the country. He's the author of three books, and his newest, Becoming the Delegating School Boss, is the one most relevant here — it helps school leaders clear their plates and empower their teams. Dr. Naphtali Hoff joins the Ruckuscast to break down why so many principals resist letting go, and what it actually takes to build a team you can trust. Every principal has felt it: the sense that if they left the building for a day, something would fall apart. That's not a compliment — it's a delegation problem, and it's quietly running good leaders into the ground. This episode breaks down why school leaders won't let go, and the exact framework for handing off real work without losing control of it.

If you're forwarding the same email for the third time, repeating the same announcement in every staff meeting, or getting on the PA system to say something you already sent in writing — you're not managing communication. You're stuck in a cycle, and it started before your staff ever missed a deadline. In this episode, I break down why so many principals get trapped repeating themselves, why sending more information doesn't fix the problem, and what it actually takes to build a communication system your staff can trust — before the school year runs away from you. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why treating communication like a delivery service backfires, even when the information is sent clearly and repeatedly • The real difference between giving your staff information and actually communicating with them • Why "everything matters" ends up meaning nothing matters to your staff • How to test any message before you send it, using three simple questions • What your weekly staff email reveals about your school's real communication system Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and leave a review — it helps other school leaders find the show.

Only 18% of principals say they feel very confident about leading AI this school year — but 7 in 10 schools are already immersed in figuring it out. SPONSORED: Ellis, a program of Children's Health Council, sponsored this week's shows on the 10 Minute Teacher. All opinions are my own and that of the guest. Ronn Nozoe, CEO of the National Principals Association, joins me to unpack a survey we ran together across his members and my Classroom Matters subscribers. What we found is more encouraging than the headline number suggests: the schools making progress with AI aren't the ones with all the answers. They're the ones where principals and teachers are figuring it out side by side. In this episode, you'll learn: - Why only 18% of principals feel "very confident" leading AI — and why overconfidence would be the real warning sign - What 7 in 10 schools are already doing, and what the other 3 in 10 say they're waiting on - The number one thing principals asked for in the survey — it isn't funding and it isn't tools - What happened when Ronn convened a teacher round table as a state deputy superintendent - The exact words to use when you want to help your principal — and why you shouldn't say them in a faculty meeting - Why "we were supposed to be good soldiers" is the wrong model for a profession trying to grow leaders Ronn Nozoe has been a teacher, a principal, deputy state superintendent in Hawaii, and a leader at the U.S. Department of Education. He now leads the National Principals Association, which serves about 17,000 school leaders across the country. Full show notes, resources, and the complete transcript: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e973  If this episode helped you, please rate and review the show wherever you're listening — it genuinely helps other teachers find us. And share it with a teacher friend who needs to hear that nobody has this all figured out yet.

Not everything that feels urgent actually is. In this episode, I share a simple red, yellow, and green framework to help you decide what truly needs your immediate attention, what can be scheduled for later, and what proactive work you need to protect. You'll learn how to stop letting other people's urgency control your day so you can spend more time on the work that actually moves your school forward.Get the mini-course From Reactive to Proactive Leadership We're thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

Part 1 got EPIC feedback on how practical the tips were, so I'm excited to share part 2 with you, 5 more science back tips to fuel your health and performance. Enjoy. Use code FOUNDER15 to get 15% off Awesome Supplements 21x award winning supplements: www.awesomesupplements.co.uk Check Ben out on Instagram @BenCoomber and Awesome Supplements @AwesomeSupps 

Summer is over but it’s time to talk about Summer movies for some reason! Also entirely too many Dundalk influencers, the death of 100.7 The Bay, and more!!!!! JOIN OUR DISCORD discord.gg/ntcQjmWJZW

Phil Brown trains educators to build the kind of learning moments a curriculum can't schedule. As an experiential and adventure education trainer at High 5 Adventure Learning Center, he's guided everyone from Iraqi high schoolers working through conflict resolution to NHL players from the Boston Bruins and Calgary Flames through experiences designed to stretch — not break — them. He also serves on the board of the Association for Experiential Education and hosts the podcast Vertical Playpen, where he digs deeper into the theory and practice behind this work. Most principals have sat through a lesson that went exactly as planned and taught nobody anything. Phil Brown has the opposite story: a day where nothing went as planned, and it became the most important teaching moment of his career. This episode is about what happened in between — and why experiential education, not another curriculum map, might be the fix your campus actually needs.

Principals are constantly told to "do more with less." But doing the same work with fewer people, less money, less time, and less support is not resourcefulness. It's making bricks without straw. In this episode, I break down why shrinking budgets are quietly shrinking schools' visions—and how Builders keep pursuing 100% without pretending that resources don't matter. THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY THE SUPPORTING STRUGGLING STUDENTS IMPLEMENTATION KIT Strengthen Tier 1 Support by helping your staff  create SUCCESS Plans that make better use of the intervention capacity you still have: https://buildershipuniversity.com/implementation-kit/  WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER: • What new RAND research reveals about the shift from school improvement to financial survival • Why "maintaining our gains" can become a respectable-sounding way to lower expectations • How eliminated positions create invisible transfers of work to principals • The difference between being resourced and being resourceful • Why programs, positions, and purchases cannot become the anchor for your vision • How a principles-based ONE Plan helps you pivot without diminishing the result • How to identify what your school should stop, redesign, or request when resources shrink • The five questions in a one-page Priority Protection Plan Budget cuts don't merely reduce what is available. They reveal which gains were truly built into the school—and which were being propped up by programs, positions, and purchases that worked only while the funding lasted. A smaller budget may require a different pathway. It does not require a smaller vision. SUBSCRIBE TO THE 100% PRINCIPAL WEEKLY Get the complete newsletter delivered every Friday: https://100percentprincipal.com

The first 30 days of school can make everything feel urgent, but effective leadership starts with knowing what matters first. In this episode, we'll focus on the foundations that need your attention right away: clear behavior expectations, clarity for new teachers, and making sure staff understand the curriculum they are expected to teach. We'll also talk about what can wait, including interventions, MTSS, and other systems that may be better introduced once the school year is underway. Leadership by Subtraction isn't about ignoring important work—it's about sequencing the work so you can build a strong foundation without overwhelming yourself or your staff. We're thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

In this episode, Phil Boyte sits down with Assistant Superintendents David Rodriguez and Brandon Blom from Natomas Unified School District to explore what it looks like to intentionally support the leaders who support everyone else. Together, they share how their district has built a culture where principals and assistant principals genuinely enjoy being together, trust one another, and never feel like they're leading alone. From purposeful leadership meetings and meaningful onboarding to walking alongside leaders through difficult seasons, David and Brandon offer practical ideas any district or school leader can begin implementing right away. Whether you're a superintendent, district leader, or principal, this conversation is full of simple, intentional practices that remind us one truth: when leaders feel known, valued, and supported, they are better equipped to create thriving schools for everyone they serve.

Adhesive failures can be frustrating because the problem isn't always obvious. The adhesive may have been properly selected, the part may look clean, and the process may seem under control. But weeks or months later, a coating lifts, an encapsulant separates, or a bond fails in the field.So what went wrong?In this episode of Reliability Matters I'm joined by David Dworak, Material Scientist at Dymax, to discuss the science behind reliable adhesion in electronics manufacturing.We'll talk about why adhesive bonding is about much more than choosing the right material. David explains the role of adhesive chemistry, surface energy, wetting, contact angle measurement, surface preparation, plasma treatment, and why even a visually clean surface may not be ready for bonding.We'll also explore how manufacturers can troubleshoot adhesion failures, control their bonding process, and gather objective evidence that a surface is truly ready for adhesive application.If your process involves conformal coatings, encapsulants, underfills, component bonding, or any adhesive used in electronics assembly, this conversation will help you better understand what really makes a bond reliable.Dymaxhttps://dymax.com“The Principals of Adhesion: Understanding Adhesive Chemistry, Application and Surface Science for Optimal Bonding Performance.”https://circuitsassembly.com/ca/editorial/menu-features/43078-the-principals-of-adhesion-understanding-adhesive-chemistry-application-and-surface-science-for-optimal-bonding-performance.html

What does it take to lead schools with purpose and create meaningful impact behind the scenes?In this episode, Cole School Experts CEO Kenton Newall joins Head of Software & Consultancy Jamie Emswiler to reflect on Kenton's journey from School Business Manager to CEO. They explore the lessons he has learned along the way, the importance of empowering school teams, and why strong operational leadership is essential to building thriving school communities.The conversation explores:What people often misunderstand about the role of a School Business ManagerThe culture Kenton is passionate about building at Cole School ExpertsPractical insights for schools navigating today's challengesThe role of strong operational leadership in supporting school communitiesWhether you're a School Business Manager, Principal, or education leader, this episode offers practical insights and fresh perspectives on purposeful leadership in schools.WHO THIS IS FOR:School Business Managers, Payroll Officers, HR leads, CFOs, Principals and Board members at independent and Catholic schools across Australia and New Zealand.ABOUT COLE SCHOOL EXPERTSWe've helped independent and Catholic schools across Australia and New Zealand run smarter for over 20 years — through outsourced finance, payroll, HR, software and strategic services. Built for Business Managers who want fewer fires and more focus.

Justin Rohner of Agriscaping.com discusses some of the environmental challenges dealing with wind, shade and water. How extreme weather effects tree health and soil conditions. How dust actually has some benefits to plants. Tree trimming and shading for wind protection. Capturing techniques for copious amounts of rainwater, storing it and more. Broadcast archive page with expanded content https://rosieonthehouse.com/podcast/outdoor-living-hour-ultimate-garden-hour-windshadewater-with-agriscaping/

Nutrition is an art and a science, it's science because the body needs certain nutrients in a certain form in certain amounts, this gives us a guide for how to eat for optimal human health. But the art comes in making it work for how we live, for enjoyment, for performance. In this show I cover the first 5 science backed nutrition principals to live by, to empower you with your nutrition for optimum health and perfomance. Enjoy. Use code FOUNDER15 to get 15% off Awesome Supplements 21x award winning supplements: www.awesomesupplements.co.uk Check Ben out on Instagram @BenCoomber and Awesome Supplements @AwesomeSupps 

A principal and coach based in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada, this episode's guest flips the usual format and turns the mic on Danny Bauer instead of the other way around. He brings the same coaching lens to the conversation that he uses inside the Better Leaders Better Schools Mastermind, where he works alongside other school leaders on the exact challenges this episode covers. His questions push Danny past the usual talking points and into the mechanics of building a leadership vision that doesn't depend on him. Most principals think the answer to burnout is working harder. Danny Bauer argues the opposite — that in an AI-accelerated world, grinding is the least effective thing a school leader can do, and the real work is learning to fire yourself from the things you love most.

Too many principals spend the school year just trying to survive. In this episode, you'll learn four practical strategies to make your leadership more sustainable by simplifying your work, protecting your time, building a life outside of school, and growing your confidence. If you're tired of constantly feeling overwhelmed, this episode will help you focus on what matters most so you can lead with more clarity, energy, and purpose all year long.Highly RecommendedFree workshop: From Self-Doubt to ConfidenceThe 8 to 4 PrincipalThe Discipline Toolkit We're thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

☀️ Summer Leadership Recharge: Principal Edition

Hello, it's Rebecca Vukovic jumping into your podcast feed to let you know about a new podcast that will be in your ears tomorrow. Of course, this week we're celebrating Australian Primary Principals Day – a chance to recognise the incredible work of principals in primary schools across the country. To mark the occasion, I sat down with Anthony Boys, principal of Marist Catholic College, North Shore in Sydney, a co-educational kindergarten to year 12 school. He has a unique perspective of leading a school that spans from the earliest years right through to year 12. It gives him a broad view of how young people grow, develop and learn over time. Listen to the full conversation tomorrow – available wherever you get your podcasts!

ThrowbackThursday! Episode #96: Games & Simulations in the ClassroomSpecial Guest Dr. Edmond Hally, Associate Professor of Political Science at Ferrum College, joins Matt to discuss the positive effects of games on student success.

There's cries of an education failure, as the number of students leaving school without qualifications reaches a decade-high. Ministry of Education data shows over 10,000 students left school last year without NCEA or University Entrance - about 15 percent of all school leavers. Secondary Principals' Council chair Steve McCracken says schools need to work hard to improve this data, but it's important to remember school isn't the right pathway for everyone. "However, there should be an avenue in which the students that are leaving actually have a way to exhibit the learning and things that they've done over the last 11 or 12 or 13 years of their schooling." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

☀️ Summer Leadership Recharge: Principal Edition

Running an elementary school in rural British Columbia hasn't stopped this Ruckus Maker from building an indoor worm farm, growing hydroponic lettuce, and taking a self-funded year off to reset — proof that a principal's personality is not a distraction from the job. Dan Watt is a Mastermind Coach inside the Ruckus Maker community and a recurring co-host of the Ruckuscast, known for turning "pay yourself first" into a leadership philosophy that's kept him energized four years into the role. Joining him is Mitch Weathers, CEO and author of Executive Functions for Every Classroom, whose work on entry plans and executive functioning has become required reading for school leaders trying to build systems that actually stick. Find them both at betterleadersbetterschools.com. Principal burnout doesn't start with too many emails — it starts the moment you decide the job requires you to leave your actual personality at the door. This episode is an Adorable Red Hats reunion where two veteran school leaders make the case that worm farms, hydroponics, and paying yourself first aren't distractions from leadership — they're the thing that makes it sustainable.

Show #2712 Show Notes: ‘Forfeit’: https://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/forfeit Matthew 7: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%207&version=KJV Entities of every nation: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/v3uy819P8Ms Psalm 2: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%202&version=KJV Kaite Couric on Christian Nationalism: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/aRroTFhAEXw Mayflower Compact: https://www.gilderlehrman.org/sites/default/files/inline-pdfs/The%20Mayflower%20Compact.pdf Tisha B’Av (Craig’s Link): https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10162824915671464 Dave Daubenmire, a veteran 35 year […]

☀️ Summer Leadership Recharge: Principal Edition

More students are needing extra help while sitting their NCEA exams, new data shows. NZQA data shows Special Assessment Condition applications have tripled in the past decade, with more than 23 thousand last year. The support can include extra time or rest breaks for students with learning or mental health needs. Secondary Principals' Council chair Steve McCracken told Mike Hosking the significant increase is likely a result of schools and systems becoming more aware of potential support needed to perform in high-pressure assessment conditions. He says technology is getting better and medical diagnosis and referrals from health professionals are becoming more prevalent. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Principals don't need more information—they need space to think, reflect, and actually implement what matters most. In this bonus episode, I share why group coaching is so powerful for school leaders and how learning alongside other principals can help you feel less alone, gain clarity, and create real change.If you're ready to stop adding more to your plate and start focusing on what matters most, join me inside Leadership by Subtraction. You'll get coaching, accountability, and a community of principals who understand the work.Click here to join Leadership by Subtraction. We're thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first Education Review Office reports with colour-coded tables to depict schools' performance has done little to allay principals' fears. The tables use green, orange and red boxes to signify excellence, doing well, working toward or needing improvement in fourteen areas including reading and writing, and teaching. Some principals have been worried the tables are too simplistic. Education correspondent John Gerritsen reports.

What?

Anchor Chat #32: The Middle MattersIn this episode, Dr. Woods challenges educators to rethink where they focus their attention by highlighting a group of students who often go unnoticed—the ones in the middle. While schools naturally devote time and resources to students who are struggling and those who are excelling, there is tremendous potential among students who are quietly meeting expectations but may not be reaching their full potential. Dr. Woods explores how intentional instruction, meaningful challenges, and a focus on growth can help these students move beyond simply being "on track" to truly thriving. This Anchor Chat encourages educators to look beyond proficiency and ask a more important question: How can we help every student maximize their potential?

Jennifer Jimenez and Christina Alcalde are both school principals, and both were arrested for DUI early one Sunday morning. First Jennifer was pulled over and deemed "unfit to drive" and Christina was sent home in a rideshare. Two-and-a-half hours later cops spotted Christina driving the same car pulled over earlier. She was also deemed "unfit to drive" so both school principals were put in detention. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's your Ill-Advised News, the stupid criminals of the day. Support the show and follow us here Twitter, Insta, Apple, Amazon, Spotify and the Edge! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Dumb Ass News, Chaz and AJ try to identify the best bread to wipe with, after reading a story about a man caught cleaning himself with a sandwich. (0:00)  Two principals, both accused of drinking and driving the SAME car. Chaz and AJ had a news report with police body cam footage of both arrests. (3:43)  Vic Ferrari, a former NYPD detective was on the phone with Chaz and AJ to talk about the Gotti years, the AIDS epidemic, and the mafia-run butcher shop his father worked. (9:09) AJ was prepared to attempt a vacuum hickey, after claiming this was a common thing guys would do when he was in school. However, after listening to yesterday's clip, the majority of the segment was trying to transcribe the words he tripped over. (21:38) A live, on-air therapy session with the Tribe. Chaz and AJ's "Petty Pet Peeves" opens the phone lines for people to complain about the daily things they have no patience for. The majority of the calls were about everyone else's driving habits. (30:11)  Photo courtesy: Vic Ferrari

☀️ Summer Leadership Recharge: Principal Edition

In many schools today, students hesitate to give class presentations. Not because of stage fright, but because they're afraid of being secretly recorded and mocked on social media. Principals across the country are spending their time managing the aftermath of incidents sparked by viral trends like "Ship or Dip" posts. Physical altercations between students are often filmed by bystanders and shared online, amplifying the harm. In this episode, Dr. Ruston visits a middle school in Washington State and sits down with Principal Zach to explore what happened when phones were allowed on campus and how things changed dramatically once new policies were put in place. Zach shares the powerful transformation his school has experienced, and how restorative practices are helping students learn healthier ways to resolve conflict. This episode is intended for both adult and teen audiences.   Featured Expert Zach - Middle School Principal   Additional Links Awayfortheday.org Anti-Bullying Campaigns Cyberbullying: How does your child define it? Truths And Myths About Cyberbullying   Time Code 00:00 Introduction and Personal Story 00:27 The Impact of Smartphones in Schools 01:11 Real-Life Examples of Digital Cruelty 03:44 School Policies to Combat Phone-Related Issues 04:02 Principal Zach's Experience and Insights 07:10 The Culture Shift and Restorative Practices 13:02 Student Rights and Reporting System 16:07 Understanding Multiple Perspectives 16:52 Building Empathy and Conflict Resolution 19:15 Restorative Circles and Safe Spaces 21:10 The Role of Social Media in Conflict 23:26 Addressing Inappropriate Behavior 24:02 Conclusion and Resources

How do principals serve in Northern Illinois? Kevin Becker (Principal of Immanuel Lutheran School in East Dundee, Illinois) and Kate Thoelke (Principal of St. Paul's Lutheran School in Brookfield, Illinois) join Andy and Sarah to talk about their paths to becoming church workers, some of the key figures who encouraged their formation, the schools each of them serve in today and their paths to their current vocations, why it's important to each of them to invest in Lutheran education, and how Lutheran teachers and principals can cultivate a culture of church work formation and recruitment in our Lutheran schools. Christ's church will continue until He returns, and that church will continue to need church workers. Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Together, we pray for workers for the Kingdom of God and encourage children to consider church work vocations. Here are three easy ways you can participate in SAS: 1. Pray with your children for God to provide church workers. 2. Talk to your children about becoming church workers. 3. Thank God for the people who work in your congregation. To learn more about Set Apart to Serve, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

Self-doubt is something every principal experiences, but it doesn't have to define your leadership. In this episode, I share my ACT Framework to help you recognize the thoughts fueling your self-doubt, uncover what's causing them, and replace them with confidence-building beliefs. You'll learn practical strategies to stop second-guessing your decisions, navigate difficult conversations with greater confidence, and trust yourself as a leader. If you're ready to lead with more clarity, confidence, and peace of mind, this episode is for you.Get my free workshop: From Self-Doubt to Confidence HEREGet The Confident Principal Reset: A 14-Day Action Plan and Mini-Course We're thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

In this episode of The Principal's Handbook Summer Reset Series, we explore the patterns and habits of the self-doubting principal. Through the example of a principal who struggles with second-guessing decisions, seeking approval, and comparing herself to others, we uncover how self-doubt impacts leadership effectiveness. Using the TEA Cycle, we examine how thoughts create emotions and actions that either build or erode confidence. You'll learn practical strategies to strengthen self-trust, make decisions with greater confidence, and stop letting mistakes or feedback define your leadership. If you've ever questioned yourself as a leader, this episode will help you lead with more clarity, courage, and confidence.Find out your confidence score with the FREE Confidence Scorecard for Principals.Get The Confident Principal Reset: A 14 Day Action Plan for PrincipalsGet free resources at principalfreebies.com.  We're thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

Summer Leadership RechargeIn this episode of Summer Leadership Recharge: Principal Edition, Dr. Woods sits down with Dr. Alex Carter, Vice President of Field Implementation at the Colorado Education Initiative, for an insightful conversation on the concept of the “Warm Demander.”Together, they unpack how school leaders can balance high expectations with genuine care, creating an environment where students and staff are both challenged and supported. Designed for current and aspiring principals, this episode offers practical approaches to strengthen relationships, build trust, and inspire success in the year ahead.

Send us Fan MailBurnout doesn't happen overnight. More often, it's the result of countless small stressors that slowly drain our energy, passion, and purpose.In this episode, Dr. Mel sits down with former educator, keynote speaker, and positive psychology advocate Phil Januszewski to explore practical ways educators and school leaders can flourish—even during the most demanding seasons.Phil shares how tiny, intentional habits can create lasting change, why assuming positive intent transforms workplace relationships, and how building simple systems can reduce stress while increasing joy.If you've ever felt overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, or like you're constantly pouring into everyone else while running on empty, this conversation is for you.In This Episode You'll Learn:Why educator burnout often happens through "death by paper cuts"How positive psychology can help educators thrive instead of simply surviveThe importance of building personal recharge moments into your workdayHow simple systems reduce mental overloadHow leaders can support both themselves and their teams through intentional habitsAnd More!Connect with Phil JanuszewskiWebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeLinkedInTikTokX (Twitter)Positive Growth Clothing StoreJoin the Positive Growth Lounge Email ListAbout PhilPhil Januszewski is a nationally recognized keynote speaker, former chemistry and physics teacher, and positive psychology advocate. After spending 20 years in education, he now helps educators and public health professionals flourish personally so they can create greater impact professionally—without burnout, boredom, or cynicism.His upcoming book, Too Damn Happy: Flourishing in a Tired and Uninspired World, explores practical mindset shifts and intentional habits that help people build sustainable joy and resilience.

Principals, local school councils, and parent groups are getting increasingly creative with their fundraising. In 2025, Chicago schools spent nearly $52 million in independently sourced revenue. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea discuss how individual schools are navigating tightening budgets. Plus, Mayor Brandon Johnson has submitted a $425 million plan for the 78, and ‘Ferris Bueller's Day Off' turns 40.  Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our daily newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this June 23 episode: Visit Bloomington Destination Madison Griffin MSI Writers Theatre Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

In this episode of The Principal's Handbook, we explore the challenges of being a people-pleasing principal and how the need for approval can impact leadership decisions. You'll learn how people-pleasing shows up through avoiding difficult conversations, watering down feedback, delaying decisions, and taking responsibility for other people's emotions. Through the TEA Cycle, we examine how thoughts about disappointing others create anxiety and lead to actions that weaken leadership effectiveness. The episode offers practical strategies for leading with clarity, confidence, and values instead of seeking approval. If you've ever worried about upsetting staff, parents, or teachers, this episode will help you lead with greater courage and authenticity.Get free resources at PrincipalFreebies.com. We're thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

Send us Fan MailDo you ever reach the end of the week feeling exhausted, yet unsure if you actually moved the most important work forward?In this episode, Dr. Mel explores one of the most overlooked leadership habits of effective school leaders: intentionally planning the week before it begins. This isn't another time-management conversation. It's a leadership conversation.You'll discover why some principals seem to make consistent progress despite the constant interruptions that come with the job, while others spend their days reacting to whatever comes next. Through reflection questions and practical insights, you'll be challenged to think differently about how your calendar, priorities, and leadership impact are connected.In this episode, you'll learn:• Why your calendar may be revealing more than you think• The connection between planning and leadership effectiveness• Why strong leaders create space before they need it• How intentional planning helps leaders focus on what matters most• A simple reflection exercise to help you prepare for the week aheadWhether you're a new principal, aspiring administrator, or experienced school leader looking to lead with greater purpose, this episode will help you evaluate how you're spending your most valuable resource—your time.

A researcher, Edtech expert, and PhD candidate studying the intersection of AI, learning, and human experience, Kris brings a rare combination of academic rigor and real-world application to the question every principal is quietly asking: is all this technology actually helping? His work with Play Piper puts him at the front lines of how kids interact with screens — and what happens when that interaction goes wrong. Kris has been studying and speaking about screen usage in learning environments since 2013, long before most districts had a policy on the subject. AI policy still doesn't exist in most school districts in 2026. Meta and YouTube just lost a major court case over intentionally building products harmful to kids. And the principals who bought Edtech tools during COVID are still living with implementations they never had time to design properly. Kris returns to the RuckusCast to name the problem clearly: technology in schools is being treated as the experience instead of a tool within the experience — and that distinction is costing students more than anyone wants to admit.

Every principal I know is starting to play around with AI, using it to write faster, produce more, get more off their plate. And most of them are walking away disappointed. In this episode I'm talking about why AI keeps falling flat for principals — and what the actual line is between what AI should handle and what it should never touch. We tried to teacher-proof teaching for decades. Smart boards. Scripted curricula. Packaged observation frameworks. Every single one ended up in a supply closet. Now we're reaching for AI with the same hope. And it's failing for the exact same reason. If you've ever felt like AI was creating more work instead of less, or like something important got outsourced that wasn't supposed to, this episode is for you. In this episode:  Why principals in both the "barely using it" and "all in" camps are struggling the same way  The graveyard of tools that were going to change everything (and what AI has in common with all of them)  The one question to ask before you open any AI tool  What a 100% Principal never outsources to AI (and why)

Eight years ago, Chad Weiden walked into one of South Carolina's most underperforming elementary schools — a campus so low-rated that the state took it over, failed to fix it, and handed it back to the district. He just turned it into a good school. The strategy for school turnaround he used wasn't a new curriculum, a fresh initiative, or a culture retreat. It was building beacons of excellence on every team and coaching teachers in real time, in the moment, while students were in the room. Weiden spent nearly three decades building and leading schools across Chicago and South Carolina, including turning around Meeting Street Burns Pre-K through second grade from "unsatisfactory" to "good" on the state report card — in one of the most underserved communities in the state. He's a principal who understands that every child can learn and that the system, not the child, is what needs fixing. Find him on LinkedIn to follow his work. School turnaround is one of the most searched and least understood challenges in school leadership. Most principals know they need to fix culture — what they don't know is which two or three instructional moves actually move the needle. This episode answers that question directly, from a principal who lived it in real time in a school the system had already given up on.

A decade into the Better Leaders Better Schools Ruckuscast, Danny Bauer has coached and interviewed hundreds of school leaders — and the patterns are clear. Dan Watt, elementary principal in British Columbia and Ruckus Maker, flips the microphone and puts Danny in the guest chair. What follows isn't nostalgia. It's the unfiltered architecture of a school leadership development ecosystem that actually works — and what it means for how you lead your campus. The Ruckuscast turns 10 this year. That's 10 years of watching which principals grow and which ones stall, which leadership beliefs hold up and which ones collapse under pressure. This episode is the debrief.

Marty C from Hamilton Ontario Canada leads this workshop on the topic of trusting God and Spiritual Principals. This is all 4 parts of the workshop he led that he led over a weekend in January of 2014. Support Sober Cast: https://sobercast.com/donate Email: sobercast@gmail.com Sober Cast has 3200+ episodes available, visit SoberCast.com to access all the episodes where you can easily find topics or specific speakers using tags or search. https://sobercast.com