As schools re-open across the globe, Principal Matters listeners have been sharing common experiences and lessons learned, including in Ireland. Toirdealbhach Ó Lionáird serves a principal of Coláiste Ghobnatan, a second level high school in southwest Ireland. With 235 students, he has been the Principal there since 2017 and Deputy there since 2012. In addition, […] The post PMP239: The Principal Experience Here & Abroad with Toirdealbhach Ó Lionáird appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Mar 31, 2021•26 min
“Students are at the heart of all we do,” says Principal Anne-Marie Maw. “If you’re ever struggling with what to do, put the students at the heart of your decision, and it will always make the decision easier.” This week I’m sharing the beginning of a new series on lessons from principals across the globe, […] The post PMP238: Lessons from an Australian Primary School with Anne-Marie Maw appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Mar 24, 2021•29 min
As co-host and Principal Jen Schwanke explains, the system we live in requires us to make some of the biggest decisions of life with our gut feelings. The good news is that you do not have to rely on gut feeling to find the right fit in leadership. What are steps you can take to […] The post PMP237: Tips for Finding the Right Fit in Your Leadership appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Mar 17, 2021•33 min
Spring time brings new opportunities. For some educators, it is a time of year when you may start feeling a little restless. Perhaps you will be considering new candidates for openings at your school. Or maybe you will be looking at new possibilities for your own leadership journey. In a previous podcast episode, Jen Schwanke […] The post PMP236: What to do When You Feel Restless in Leadership appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Mar 10, 2021•30 min
Andrew O’Farrell has been the Principal of Beach Street Middle School in West Islip, New York since 2009. Prior to becoming a principal, Andrew was an assistant principal of Lindenhurst Middle School. Andrew began his journey in education as a Social Studies teacher and then became the Dean of Students at Dyker Heights Intermediate School […] The post PMP235: Leading Re-Entry in a Pandemic with Andrew O’Farrell appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Mar 03, 2021•30 min
This week, I had the privilege to interview TJ Warren, Director of Programs for Stand in the Gap Ministries. Located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Stand in the Gap is an organization committed to impacting the lives of orphans, widows and prisoners in partnership with generous donations from individuals, churches and businesses as well as various foundations. […] The post PMP234: Connecting Students to Caring Adults with TJ Warren appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Feb 24, 2021•31 min
This week I have the privilege of interviewing Emily Paschall about her new book, Eyes on Culture: Multiply Excellence in Your School. As you know, culture drives the outcomes of your school, and Emily unpacks ways to not only live your own excellence, but to multiply excellence in others. In her book, you will learn: […] The post PMP233: Multiplying Excellence in Your School with Emily Paschall appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Feb 17, 2021•30 min
Winter is a time of year for frigid temperatures across much of the U.S. It is also a time of year when principals look ahead. Many education leaders may also be considering new positions as they think about the final semester and plan for next school year. This week, Jen Schwanke, Principal of Indian Run […] The post PMP232: Looking for a New Education Position appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Feb 10, 2021•29 min
When I was a little boy, I remember sitting in a small theater with my family where we watched the 1977 release of the first Star Wars movie. It was a pivotal moment. The visual effects and music were like nothing I had ever seen or heard. The characters were funny and endearing. Afterwards, I pretended […] The post PMP231: Keeping Your Promises on Your Anti-Racism Journey appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Feb 03, 2021•27 min
What do you do when every decision is a new one? How do you keep perspective amidst decision-fatigue? This week, Jen Schwanke, Principal of Indian Run Elementary in Dublin, Ohio, joins me for a conversation about leading through a pandemic. Welcome back Jen! Jen Schwanke is the author two books on education leadership. She provides […] The post PMP230: Managing Decision-Fatigue with Jen Schwanke appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Jan 27, 2021•25 min
In the book David and Goliath (Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants) by Malcolm Gladwell, the author presents two ideas in the introduction of his book. First, he says that much of what we consider valuable in our world arises out of ‘lop-sided’ conflicts – the act of facing overwhelming odds creates moments […] The post PMP229: Facing Your Giants with Samantha Bartrom appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Jan 20, 2021•38 min
Years ago, when I was transitioning from assistant principal to high school principal, my superintendent gave me an assignment to map out goals for the next three years of my school. What was helpful about this assignment was the long-term planning required. Determining where I wanted my school to grow in the next three years […] The post PMP228: Strategic Leadership During Times of Uncertainty appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Jan 13, 2021•20 min
Have you ever had a dream you’ve been unable to fulfill? Phil Vischer was born in Muscatine, Iowa, in 1967. He grew up mesmerized by Disney films, Star Wars, and later by MTV. Phil also came from a family that was deeply religious. As he grew up, he longed to see media created that would […] The post PMP227: Me, Myself and Bob. 7 Lessons from the Rise and Fall of VeggieTales appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Jan 06, 2021•20 min
This past semester, Dr. Jeff Springer has helped me facilitate the weekly book study portion of our Principal Matters Mastermind. In this week’s podcast episode, we share Part 2 of a conversation about the benefits of Masterminds for education leaders. Dr. Springer’s dissertation was on the power of play at the secondary level. As we […] The post PMP226: Year in Review and Power of Masterminds with Jeff Springer, Part 2 appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Dec 30, 2020•31 min
As you are wrapping up the semester, I wanted to send this note of encouragement. This semester you have managed school in ways you never have before. Some of you have served students who have been at home all semester. Others have been in-person or in hybrid models. Whatever your circumstance, I have heard from […] The post PMP225: 4 Wishes for Your Much-Deserved Break (Plus Will’s Bonus Christmas Hymns) appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Dec 22, 2020•22 min
This past semester, I had the honor of leading a Mastermind with principals from across the U.S. Like eating a meal with family members each week, a Mastermind is a way for consistent growth with people you trust and admire. Dr. Jeff Springer has helped facilitate the Principal Matters Mastermind by leading our weekly book […] The post PMP224: The Power of a Mastermind with Jeff Springer appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Dec 16, 2020•24 min
In last week’s episode, Colonel Brad Ruttman shared lessons from his military experience that may also apply to education leaders. This week, he unpacks more of his “Pocket-List for Leading a New Command” as well as some of his favorite leadership quotes. Meet Colonel Brad Ruttman Col. Brad Ruttman is a 21-year veteran of the […] The post PMP223: A Fighter Pilot’s Lessons for Leaders, Part 2 appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Dec 09, 2020•39 min
Leadership is tactical, operational and strategic. These are three words Colonel Brad Ruttman has learned as the framework for understanding how to help others accomplish their goals. In this week’s episode, I had the privilege of learning lessons from a fighter pilot that also apply for all leaders, including in education. Meet Colonel Brad Ruttman […] The post PMP222: A Fighter Pilot’s Lessons for Leaders appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Dec 02, 2020•43 min
This week I’m honored to talk to Jethro Jones about his new book, SchoolX: How principals can design a transformative school experience for students, teachers, parents – and themselves. Five years ago, I had the privilege to talk to Jethro Jones, host of the Transformative Principal Podcast, about my first book. That conversation began a friendship […] The post PMP221: Designing Leadership Outcomes with Jethro Jones appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Nov 25, 2020•49 min
This week I had the privilege of being interviewed by Joshua Stamper for his podcast, Aspire: The Leadership Development Podcast. When our mutual friend, Jimmy Casas, from ConnectEdd.org, encouraged us to talk about my new book, I was in for a real treat. Not only did we discuss Pause. Breathe. Flourish.: Living Your Best Life […] The post PMP220: Aspire in Leadership with Joshua Stamper appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Nov 19, 2020•38 min
This week Jen Schwanke continues asking me questions about my new book Pause. Breathe. Flourish. Living Your Best Life as an Educator. Jen Schwanke is the principal of Indian Run Elementary and author of two books, You’re The Principal, Now What? and The Principal Re-Boot: 8 Ways to Revitalize Your School Leadership. In Part 2 of our conversation, […] The post PMP219: Pause. Breathe. Flourish. Part 2 with Jen Schwanke appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Nov 11, 2020•30 min
When Jen Schwanke and I sat down to talk about my new book this week, Jen turned the microphone to ask me some questions. Jen Schwanke is the principal of Indian Run Elementary and author of two books, You’re The Principal, Now What? and The Principal Re-Boot: 8 Ways to Revitalize Your School Leadership. Here […] The post PMP218: Reflections on Pause. Breathe. Flourish. with Jen Schwanke appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Nov 04, 2020•30 min
This year’s pandemic has made it difficult to see my parents as they live a long distance and are both in a vulnerable age group. Instead of posting about education this week, I want to share some personal reflections here instead. It was Sunday, October 27, 1963, 57 years ago at the time of this […] The post PMP217: 57 Years Together, A Tribute to My Parents appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Oct 28, 2020•14 min
Although it is so important to understand your “why” in leadership, it is also imperative to understand “how” to effectively do your work. This week’s guest, Dr. Justin Thomas, provides practical feedback from his years as an elementary principal with several takeaways from his new book, A Principal’s Toolbox: Real Talk on Tackling School Leadership […] The post PMP216: A Principal’s Toolbox with Justin Thomas appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Oct 21, 2020•34 min
During the summer, several principals from across the nation joined me for a Re-Opening Mastermind to collaborate, explore, brainstorm and support one another during the difficult days of planning for a new school year. As I was wrapping up the final content for my newest book, I shared an advance copy of my new book, […] The post PMP215: Reflections from Pause. Breathe. Flourish. with Sonia Lopez-Morales appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Oct 14, 2020•33 min
This week I was interviewed again by Dr. Jeff A. Springer, Ed.D., Educational Leadership Coach – Spring Strategies, LLC, and 2013 TASSP Texas State Principal of the Year, as we explored the final chapters from my new book, Pause. Breathe. Flourish.: Living Your Best Life as an Educator. Listen to the podcast episode for more […] The post PMP214: Pause. Breathe. Flourish. Part 2, Review with Dr. Jeff Springer appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Oct 07, 2020•28 min
This week I talk with Jeff A. Springer, Ed.D., Educational Leadership Coach from Spring Strategies, LLC, and 2013 TASSP Texas State Principal of the Year. In this episode, Dr. Springer turns the table and interviews me about my new book, Pause. Breathe. Flourish. Living Your Best Life as an Educator. In his endorsement of the […] The post PMP213: Pause. Breathe. Flourish. A Review with Dr. Jeff Springer appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Sep 30, 2020•36 min
When this pandemic began, many of us were asking what lessons we may learn from something none of us ever experienced before. Dr. Tim Elmore began asking similar questions to survivors of the Great Depression and other crises experiences. The result? He has just published his latest book, The Pandemic Population: Eight Strategies to Help […] The post PMP212: Strategies for Helping Gen Z Students with Dr. Tim Elmore appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Sep 23, 2020•20 min
As you are re-engaging with your school community, what lessons are you learning as you walk through this new journey with your staff, students, parents and community? This week, Jen Schwanke joins me again to share what she’s been learning during re-opening school. Jen is the Principal of Indian Run Elementary in Dublin, Ohio. She’s […] The post PMP211: Reflections on Reopening Schools, Part 2, with Jen Schwanke appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Sep 17, 2020•33 min
This week I reconnected with Principal Jen Schwanke, Principal of Indian Run Elementary, author and education consultant, for reflections on what re-opening has looked like for her school in Dublin, Ohio. Together we explored some lessons she’s already learning that may be helpful for your leadership. Listen to the entire podcast episode for even more […] The post PMP210: Re-opening Reflections with Jen Schwanke appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Sep 10, 2020•33 min
