Send us a text What makes a school leader decide to step away when they still love what they do? Former high school principal Todd Bloomer opens up about his nearly three-decade journey through education and the wisdom he gained along the way. Todd's story begins as a New Yorker who packed everything into a Geo Prism and moved 1,800 miles to teach in Texas without ever having visited the state. His leadership philosophy was born in a seventh-grade Texas history classroom when a student candidly ...
Jul 07, 2025•41 min•Ep. 35
Send us a text Have you ever wondered what happens when a teacher steps into the administrator's office for the first time? Josh Rowan, Assistant Principal and Activities Director at Schuyler Middle School, pulls back the curtain on his journey from broadcaster to classroom teacher to educational leader in this revealing conversation. Josh's path wasn't the traditional straight line into education—he discovered his calling while covering school events for his hometown newspaper. This unique entr...
Jun 30, 2025•53 min•Ep. 34
Send us a text What separates exceptional educational leaders from the merely competent? According to Dr. Frank Buck, it might be as simple and as challenging as reliable organization systems. His journey from band director to productivity expert reveals a crucial truth: educators aren't typically fired because students performed poorly at a concert, but because they forgot to order the buses to get there. Dr. Buck's leadership philosophy centers on supporting teachers by removing obstacles to t...
Jun 23, 2025•56 min•Ep. 33
Send us a text Imagine walking into a school where a principal tells a fart joke, and within seconds, students take deep breaths and self-regulate back to attention. Sound impossible? For Leroy Slanzi, this is everyday reality in schools that have embraced his emotional intelligence framework. With over 25 years of experience across elementary, middle, and high school leadership, Slanzi brings a unique perspective to the educational leadership conversation. Having begun his career as a special e...
Jun 09, 2025•50 min•Ep. 32
Send us a text Dr. Darrin Peppard's educational leadership journey began when his college roommate asked for help coaching fifth-grade basketball. That simple moment sparked a passion that would guide him from classroom teacher to award-winning principal, superintendent, and eventually to becoming one of education's most respected leadership voices. The turning point in Darrin's leadership philosophy came during his first year as an assistant principal while processing over 2,200 discipline refe...
Jun 02, 2025•58 min•Ep. 31
Send us a text Death is something no school leader wants to face, yet crisis management becomes an unavoidable reality when tragedy strikes. Drawing from the painful experience of navigating four student deaths in just three years, this deeply personal episode explores the profound challenges of leading a school community through grief and loss. The sobering statistics tell only part of the story. With suicide ranking as the second leading cause of death among 10-24 year olds and over 6,600 yout...
May 27, 2025•23 min•Ep. 30
Send us a text Ever wonder what transforms a passionate educator into an exceptional leader? Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket's journey from kindergarten teacher to Blue Ribbon School principal offers powerful insights for anyone navigating educational leadership. Growing up surrounded by educators—with a grandmother who served Baltimore City schools for over 30 years—Rachel developed an early love for the school environment. "I was one of those children that even when it was summer break, I was ready to c...
May 05, 2025•32 min•Ep. 29
Send us a text From reluctant administrator to award-winning principal, Dr. Cynthia Rapaido's remarkable 30-year journey through educational leadership offers powerful insights for anyone considering school administration. What began as an academic exercise to move up the salary scale unexpectedly blossomed into a 22-year administrative career spanning assistant principalship, principalship, and higher education mentoring. Dr. Rapaido's story uniquely illuminates the intersection of cultural ide...
Apr 28, 2025•52 min•Ep. 28
Send us a text Becoming a principal wasn't on my radar when I was happily teaching math and coaching sports. Someone else spotted my leadership potential before I did—a pivotal moment that set me on an unexpected path to school administration. My journey from classroom teacher to high school principal wasn't straightforward or easy. It required multiple graduate degrees, mentorship from experienced administrators, and a combined total of 25 interview attempts before landing my dream role. Throug...
Apr 21, 2025•35 min•Ep. 27
Send us a text From a small-town graduate with a class of 32 students to leading innovative educational programs across multiple school districts, Dr. Josh Wilken's journey reveals how diverse experiences shape exceptional educational leaders. Dr. Wilken takes us through his remarkable evolution from teaching English learners across seven buildings while coaching multiple sports to becoming a transformative elementary principal. His student teaching experience in Houston—a deliberate step outsid...
Apr 14, 2025•38 min•Ep. 26
Send us a text What happens when a school truly embraces "we're all on the same team" as more than just a catchy phrase? The transformation can be remarkable. At Hastings High School, my journey as principal began with a fundamental belief that everyone—from teachers to custodians to students—plays an essential role in our school community. This wasn't just wishful thinking; it was an intentional approach to building a culture where trust, collaboration, and shared purpose could flourish. My 60-...
Apr 07, 2025•25 min•Ep. 25
Send us a text The teacher shortage crisis demands innovative solutions from today's educational leaders. Principal JL dives deep into practical strategies for attracting and retaining quality educators in an increasingly competitive landscape. Discover how forward-thinking schools are building their own teacher pipelines through creative programs like paid high school internships and paraprofessional advancement pathways. These initiatives not only fill immediate staffing needs but create susta...
Mar 31, 2025•41 min•Ep. 24
Send us a text Coach Tony Kimble's remarkable journey from the football field to educational innovation stands as a powerful testament to how leadership skills transcend specific domains. What began as a young math teacher's desire to coach football evolved into a transformative career spanning over two decades across classrooms, administrative roles, and now, educational consulting. Tony's candid reflections on his time as a head football coach in Mississippi's competitive Delta region reveal c...
Mar 24, 2025•35 min•Ep. 23
Send us a text Kurtis Hewson's journey from classroom teacher to international education consultant reveals a startling truth about our schools: the isolation educators experience despite being surrounded by colleagues. As co-founder of Jigsaw Learning and co-author of "Collaborative Response," Kurtis shares how this recognition shaped his mission to ensure no teacher works alone and no student lacks a team of advocates. The conversation unpacks a framework that's transforming schools across Nor...
Mar 17, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 22
Send us a text Join us for an enlightening conversation with Dr. Joe Sanfelippo, a retired school superintendent whose experiences and insights are transforming the educational landscape. In this episode, we explore his journey from classroom to leadership, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and vulnerability in education. Joe shares how his daily “One Minute Walks” revolutionized his leadership, connecting directly with educators and building a community of support and recognition. As a...
Mar 10, 2025•30 min•Ep. 21
Send us a text Are you struggling to maintain your passion in a leadership role? Join us as we explore the secrets to sustaining your leadership journey while avoiding burnout. This episode dives into practical strategies for setting healthy boundaries, ensuring you remain energized and effective in your role. We discuss the vital importance of building support networks, both within your institution and beyond, to create a collaborative environment that thrives on shared knowledge and experience...
Mar 03, 2025•33 min•Ep. 20
Send us a text This episode explores the journey from good to great in education by fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Key topics include adopting a growth mindset, the value of professional development, recognition of staff, effective communication, and collaboration for better student outcomes. • Discussing the concept of a growth mindset • Emphasizing the importance of being 1% better every day • Highlighting meaningful professional development opportunities • Recognizing staff ac...
Feb 24, 2025•26 min•Ep. 19
Send us a text What happens when a single conversation can redefine your entire career path? Angela Kelly, a dedicated educator and leadership coach, shares her inspiring journey from a brief stint in studying finance to discovering her true calling in education. Her story is one of transformative growth, beginning with the Upward Bound program, which set her on a path to become the first in her family to attend college. Angela’s experience underscores the importance of mentorship, mindset shift...
Feb 17, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 18
Send us a text Unlock the secrets of harnessing data to revolutionize educational leadership! Discover how effective data-driven decision-making can transform student attendance and uplift teacher performance, all while fostering a supportive school culture. This episode guides you through strategies used by school improvement teams to identify and address challenges like chronic absenteeism, ensuring accountability and proactive interventions. Additionally, we dive into the Multi-Tiered System ...
Feb 10, 2025•22 min•Ep. 17
Send us a text Unlock the secrets to effective conflict resolution and transform your leadership skills with insights from Principal JL in the latest episode of the Coach"Em Up Leadership Series. Discover how mastering the art of difficult conversations can make you a more effective leader in education, by learning to navigate complex situations with empathy and clarity. We'll guide you through creating safe, neutral spaces for dialogue and the critical practice of active listening to understand...
Feb 03, 2025•27 min•Ep. 16
Send us a text Discover the essentials of motivating and inspiring educators in our latest Coach"EM Up leadership series episode. What if unlocking the true potential of your teaching staff could be achieved through authenticity and vulnerability? We promise you’ll walk away with strategies to cultivate a positive school culture, from sharing personal stories to offering tangible rewards like food trucks and gift cards. We unravel the art of building trust and understanding with your staff, emph...
Jan 27, 2025•25 min•Ep. 15
Send us a text Can social media actually transform the way school principals connect with their communities? Join us as we uncover the remarkable journey of Principal Mo, a trailblazer in educational leadership, who is redefining what it means to be a school principal in the digital age. With prestigious accolades like the 2020 Heart of Schools Award and the Maryland Association of Elementary Schools Connected School Leader Award under her belt, Principal Mo shares her incredible path from teach...
Jan 20, 2025•49 min•Ep. 14
Send us a text Unlock the keys to transformative leadership in education and learn how leading by example can inspire change and growth within your school community. Imagine turning challenges into pivotal learning moments that strengthen resilience and innovation. In this episode of the Coach-Em-Up Leadership Series, we explore the power of authentic leadership, emphasizing the vital role of educators who embody the values they wish to instill, such as commitment, work ethic, and a growth minds...
Jan 13, 2025•24 min•Ep. 13
Send us a text Could mastering the art of communication and feedback revolutionize your role as an educational leader? This episode promises to equip you with essential strategies to enhance your communication skills through active listening and constructive feedback. With personal anecdotes from my journey as a principal, I share insights on fostering a supportive environment for teachers using techniques like paraphrasing and the "positive sandwich" method, empowering them to grow and excel in...
Jan 05, 2025•28 min•Ep. 12
Send us a text Building strong relationships and trust are crucial for effective educational leadership. We explore actionable strategies such as active listening, empathy, collaboration, and having fun in the workplace to create an environment that empowers teachers and students alike. • The importance of trust in educational leadership • Strategies for building trust with staff • Creating a supportive environment for faculty • The role of active listening in relationships • Utilizing mentorshi...
Dec 31, 2024•23 min•Ep. 11
Send us a text Unlock the secrets to effective educational leadership as we explore the dynamic role of school leaders who, much like skilled coaches, inspire their teams through collaboration and empathy. Discover how to establish a shared vision, set clear expectations, and foster a culture of high expectations within your school. Through personal anecdotes, we reveal innovative strategies such as forming a school improvement team, addressing common challenges like cell phone usage and attenda...
Dec 23, 2024•32 min•Ep. 10
Send us a text Discover the intriguing connections between coaching and educational leadership as we navigate a journey that began on the football field and led to the halls of education. Inspired by a transformative conversation with my wife's grandfather and drawing from a rich military background, I share my personal evolution from sports coaching to becoming an educational leader. Together, we'll bridge the gap in leadership training and explore setting a powerful vision for schools, transla...
Dec 16, 2024•36 min•Ep. 9
Send us a text Unlock the secrets to transforming your school into a powerhouse of innovation and growth by mastering the art of educational leadership. Imagine leading with the passion and precision of a championship-winning coach—this trailer is your introduction to the Coach EM Up Leadership Series that will begin on Monday, December 16th, 2024 with a new episode being released weekly until the conclusion of the Series. This Series is designed to equip you with the strategies and insights to ...
Dec 11, 2024•4 min
Send us a text Unlock transformative strategies to tackle chronic absenteeism in schools, particularly within socioeconomically challenged communities. Inspired by a successful attendance policy from other schools and infused with our own insights and experiences as a principal, we’ve crafted a pathway to creating a thriving school culture. Learn how PBIS systems and transformational leadership can pull your community together, and discover the intricacies of our multi-tiered support system, whi...
Dec 01, 2024•24 min•Ep. 8
Send us a text Ever wondered how collaborative efforts can truly transform a school environment? In this episode, I share invaluable strategies from my own journey as both a rural and larger school principal. Discover how forming a diverse school improvement team is not just beneficial but essential. We'll explore actionable steps to include everyone from principals to staff members, and delve into the critical importance of creating a respectful and solution-oriented space where concerns like c...
Jun 18, 2024•17 min•Ep. 7
