In this week’s episode Will Parker and Jen Schwanke discuss more about Dr. Schwanke’s new book, The Principal’s Guide to Conflict Management. Jen asked leaders to consider a circle to anticipate, analyze and act as an ongoing movement – a way to visualize how approaching conflict. Anticipate Anticipate the adult, student, parent and self conflict […] The post PMP384: Anticipate, Analyze, and Act with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Feb 21, 2024•32 min
Conflicts are inevitable. The question is how do you manage them in healthy ways with the appropriate mindset, anticipation, analysis, and action? This week, Dr. Jen Schwanke shares takeaways with William D. Parker from Jen’s new book, The Principal’s Guide to Conflict Management. Listen-in as Jen explains how to approach conflict with courage. Learn the […] The post PMP383: The Principal’s Guide to Conflict Management – Jen’s new book! appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Feb 14, 2024•38 min
Daniel Kelley is an Associate Teaching Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy at the University of Rhode Island. He previously served as the principal of Smithfield High School in Smithfield, RI. During his tenure, he successfully implemented sustainable change initiatives that profoundly impacted the school’s learning culture. Dan’s contributions to education extend to national leadership […] The post PMP382: Profoundly Impacting Learning Culture with Dan Kelley appeared first on Princi...
Feb 07, 2024•40 min
Jim Wichman is the founder of Inspired Edification, LLC, a seasoned educational administrator with over 25 years of experience. Jim has a rich history of service in both urban and rural public school settings. Coming from a background of poverty and even experiencing homelessness, Jim is a strong advocate for centered, respectful, and value-driven education. […] The post PMP381: Maximizing the Superpowers of each Individual with Jim Wichman appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Jan 31, 2024•41 min
This week Jen Schwanke and Will Parker discuss the dynamics involved in building leadership vs district leadership. Although still a principal at heart, Jen has served in the role of Deputy Superintendent now for three years. Will asked her to reflect on the following: A few highlights include: We also discuss some takeaways from Patrick […] The post PMP380: Dynamics of Building Leaders vs District Leaders with Will Parker and Jen Schwanke appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Jan 24, 2024•32 min
In this week’s episode, Jen Schwanke and Will Parker discuss the difference between systems leadership and people leadership. Here’s a quick summary: Leaders need to understand both. As one of Jen’s advisors told her, “If there is no route for the bus, it doesn’t really matter what people are on it.” In other words, we […] The post PMP379: Systems Leader vs People Leader with Will Parker and Jen Schwanke appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Jan 17, 2024•31 min
Mark Geraets, is an education leader with a career spanning 40 impactful years. Born in New Zealand as the youngest of seven to Dutch immigrant parents, Mark’s university education journey began at 16, as the youngest student at Teacher’s College. By 30, he assumed his first principal role in Whakatane, NZ. Venturing abroad, he taught […] The post PMP378: Surfing the Crest of New Waves with Mark Geraets appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Jan 10, 2024•39 min
Jennifer Abrams is an international educational and communications consultant for public and independent schools, universities, and nonprofits. She trains and coaches teachers, administrators, and others on new teacher/employee support, having hard conversations, collaboration skills, and being your best adult self at work. In her over two decades at Palo Alto Unified School District (Palo Alto, […] The post PMP377: Conversations that Matter with Jennifer Abrams appeared first on Principal Matte...
Jan 03, 2024•41 min
In this week’s episode, Will and Jen flip the mic, and Jen interviews Will about his experiences with Principal Matters as his full time work in the past six months of 2023. They discuss the emotional ups and downs of the new work, the stats from the previous year, and lessons learned in goal setting […] The post PMP376: Year in Review – Where Are You Growing? with Will Parker and Jen Schwanke appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Dec 27, 2023•38 min
A few quick words from Will Parker: Hi, Friends! You’re going to be listening to an interview hosted by Jen Schwanke with our guest, Rachel George, the author of the book, She Leads: The Woman’s Guide to a Career in Educational Leadership, co-authored with Majalise Tolan. You’re going to love this conversation about Rachel’s background […] The post PMP375: She Leads with Dr. Rachael George and Dr. Jen Schwanke appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Dec 20, 2023•42 min
Dr. James Flynn has been a teacher, coach, Assistant Principal, Principal of the Grades 3-6 Intermediate School in Burlington City, Principal of Burlington City High School, and is currently the Director of Planning/Research, Evaluation, Operations, and State and Federal Programs for the Burlington City School District, Burlington, New Jersey. Jim’s principal practice included a number […] The post PMP374: Accelerating Student Voice with Dr. James Flynn appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Dec 13, 2023•40 min
Donna Hayward began her professional career as a high school mathematics teacher after earning her Bachelors and Masters degrees from Smith College. Inspired by her own high school principal, Donna completed her Sixth Year through UCONN and served as Assistant Principal/ Principal of Rocky Hill High School for a decade. During this time, she markedly […] The post PMP373: Increasing Your Impact with Donna Hayward appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Dec 06, 2023•40 min
In this week’s episode, Dr. Jen Schwanke hosts an episode interviewing Drs. Rob Russell and Dustin Miller, with lessons from a recent article they authored on The Power of Principal Mindfulness. Rob Russell, Ed. D., is an assistant principal at New Albany High School in New Albany, Ohio. He is a former science teacher. His […] The post PMP372: The Power of Principal Mindfulness with Dr. Rob Russell and Dr. Dustin Miller appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Nov 29, 2023•41 min
As a child, I had the privilege of observing my grandparent’s farming responsibilities, so this week’s conversation with Jen Schwanke is important to me personally and professionally. In it, we discuss a documentary about traditional farming methods, and we draw connections between producing healthy soil and cultivating strong school cultures. How might the story of […] The post PMP371: Simplicity in Leadership Does Not Equal Easier with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker appeared first on Principal M...
Nov 22, 2023•34 min
Phyllis L. Fagell, LCPC, is a school counselor in Washington, DC, a therapist who works with children and teens in private practice, and an author and journalist. She is the author of Middle School Matters: The 10 Key Skills Kids Need to Thrive in Middle School and Beyond – and How Parents Can Help, and […] The post PMP370: Middle School Superpowers with Phyllis Fagell appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Nov 15, 2023•39 min
Erika Bare has been an educator for over 20 years, currently serving as the Assistant Superintendent in the Ashland School District in Oregon. A special education teacher by training, she is passionate about supporting all students through individual supports to reach their limitless potential. Tiffany Burns loves working with kids. In her two decades in […] The post PMP369: Connecting Through Conversation with Erika Bare and Tiffany Burns appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Nov 08, 2023
Hi, Friends. Will Parker here. A quick shout-out to Dr. Jen Schwanke and Dr. Robyn Jackson who agreed to record this special edition of Principal Matters where Jen hosts the show. In this conversation, you’ll find helpful lessons for your leadership as they discuss topics like: I heard Robyn Jackson present this summer at the […] The post PMP368: Buildership with Robyn Jackson and Jen Schwanke appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Nov 01, 2023•46 min
In this episode, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke, talk about her recent article, “Heart and head: A Principal’s Essential Tools,” written for the ASCD Education Leadership magazine. Check it out here. Jen started the conversation by sharing a piece she read about chefs and their essential tools. Many chefs pointed to gadgets, but one chef’s […] The post PMP367: Head and Heart, A Principal’s Tools with Jen Schwanke appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Oct 25, 2023•27 min
Cale Birk is a former teacher, high school principal, and District Head of Innovation from British Columbia, Canada. In 2015, one of his schools was named one of the first Model PLC Schools in Canada. Feeling like he was only scratching the surface with collaboration, Cale wrote the book PLC 2.0 – Collaborating for Observable […] The post PMP366: Navigating Leadership Drift with Cale Birk appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Oct 18, 2023•36 min
Lisa Parry is a veteran English teacher (1994-present) and K-12 principal (2018-present) who is proud to lead a 2021 National Blue Ribbon Elementary School and a 2020 ESEA Distinguished Elementary School. In 2022, her colleagues recognized her as South Dakota Region 1 Principal of the Year. Some of the most gratifying work she has done […] The post PMP365: Likable Leadership with Lisa Parry appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Oct 11, 2023•47 min
In today’s episode, Will Parker shares poignant takeaways from a summer hiking trip with his son, Jack, applying those insights to the realm of school leadership. The discussion centers on the importance of being present, connecting with students, and celebrating even the small moments. Afterward, Will and co-host Jen Schwanke talk about applying those lessons […] The post PMP364: Not Missing Out on Your Best Kept Secrets with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Oct 04, 2023•32 min
This week Will Parker and Jen Schwanke respond to a listener question submitted several months ago but still relevant today for leaders: “I’ve been a loyal listener of the Principal Matters podcast and value the insights from both William and Jen. As a new principal of a small school with 125 students and 9 teachers, […] The post PMP363: Building Stronger, Authentic Relationships with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Sep 27, 2023•32 min
Dr. Don Parker is a leading voice in professional development and educational transformation. Since beginning his educational journey in 1997, Dr. Parker has served in diverse roles, from teaching in Chicago’s inner-city schools to mentoring future educators as an Adjunct Professor at National-Louis University. As a former principal at both Posen School and Lincoln Avenue […] The post PMP362: Be The Driving Force with Dr. Don Parker appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Sep 20, 2023•48 min
In this week's episode of the PMP, Jen Schwanke asks Will Parker Michael Bungay Stanier's coaching questions. The post PMP361: Coaching Questions for Leaders with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker appeared first on Principal Matters .
Sep 13, 2023•31 min
Will Parker interviews guest Cheryl Step on her knowledge of creating resilience in students and leaders on this week's episode of the PMP. The post PMP360: Creating Resilience in Learning and Leadership with Cheryl Step appeared first on Principal Matters .
Sep 06, 2023•46 min
Will Parker and co-host Jen Schwanke tackle a listener question geared towards assistant principals in this week's episode of the PMP. The post PMP359: Building Trust & Thriving as an Assistant Principal with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker appeared first on Principal Matters .
Aug 30, 2023•34 min
Hi, Friends. Will Parker here. I am sharing this bonus episode to inform Principal Matters listeners about some new updates. First of all, we have a new website. For 10 years, I have been using the same website, and this week we are excited to launch a new place where you can find all the […] The post Bonus: Principal Matters Update from Will Parker appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Aug 27, 2023•4 min
This week Will Parker interviews Timothy Alexander as he shares his inspiring story and how he uses it to reach students. The post PMP358: Inspired to Be Faithful with Timothy Alexander appeared first on Principal Matters .
Aug 23, 2023•34 min
Will Parker and guest John Boyd discuss school management and leading your hometown high school in this week's episode of PMP. The post PMP357: Leading Your Hometown School with John Boyd appeared first on Principal Matters .
Aug 16, 2023•36 min
Frederick Buskey lives in Cullowhee, North Carolina, and helps assistant principals live and lead better by teaching them how to escape the black hole of urgency. Building on 32 years of K-12 and higher education leadership experience, Dr. Buskey provides simple frameworks and tools to help school leaders spend less time putting out fires and […] The post PMP356: Escaping the Black Hole of Urgency with Dr. Frederick Buskey appeared first on Principal Matters ....
Aug 09, 2023•46 min
