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Principal Office Hours

Finally—a podcast that proves school principals have personalities (and killer insights, too). Every week, join us for candid conversations with K-12 principals who are navigating the beautiful chaos of educational leadership without losing their minds or sense of humor. Each 40-minute episode features real principals sharing what actually works in school leadership—from handling helicopter parents and budget nightmares to building school culture that doesn't make everyone roll their eyes. Consider this your professional development that doesn't feel like professional development. Our guests aren't afraid to share their epic fails alongside their victories. They'll tell you about the initiative that spectacularly bombed during assembly, right before revealing how they turned their school's reading scores around. It's educational leadership with the BS filter turned off. Whether you're currently wearing the principal badge, aspiring to the big chair, or teaching while secretly taking notes on what you'd do differently, Principal Office Hours delivers actionable strategies you can implement faster than a student being sent to detention. Subscribe now and join the faculty lounge conversation that's too real for the school board meeting. New episodes drop every week. Warning: May cause spontaneous leadership growth and occasional inappropriate laughter during staff meetings.
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Episodes

Unlocking Success: Transforming Schools with Continuous Innovation

Summary: Join Dr. Jim and Dr. Andy Vollmuth, superintendent of the New Prague Area Schools, as they explore the nuances of fostering a continuous improvement culture in K-12 education. Dr. Vollmuth shares insights from his career, emphasizing the importance of mission-driven leadership and embedding a learning mindset across school districts. Discover how schools can navigate challenges, empower educators, and maintain focus on academic and social development for students. Dive into strategies f...

Dec 17, 202434 minSeason 4Ep. 327

From Conflict to Collaboration: Resetting School-City Relationships

Summary: Dr. Jim chats with Dr. Julie Trepa, Superintendent of Boone Community School District, in a discussion on building collaborative environments beyond school walls to drive sustainable impact. Dr. Trepa shares her journey from a special education teacher to a dual-district superintendent, emphasizing the power of community relationships and strategic delegation in leadership. Together, they explore overcoming operational challenges, fostering communication, and increasing community engage...

Dec 12, 202433 minSeason 4Ep. 326

Public Education's Netflix Moment: Adapting to a Competitive Future

Join CT as he explores the evolving landscape of public education with Dr. Frank Redmon. In this episode, they discuss public education’s “Netflix moment” and the growing need for schools to embrace marketing, transparency, and innovation. Dr. Redmon shares how real-time data, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) are driving inclusivity and improving outcomes. Discover practical leadership strategies for building trust, fostering collaboration, and navi...

Dec 12, 202443 minSeason 4Ep. 325

Building a Cohesive School District: Lessons from a Superintendent's Playbook

Summary: Join Dr. Jim and Superintendent Dan Scherry as they tackle the challenge of building a unified school district amid disparities in resources and educational outcomes. Explore Dr. Scherry's leadership journey in transforming North Spencer County School Corporation through strategic planning, community engagement, and fostering relationships. Discover how operational consistency and visible leadership led to balanced educational opportunities across schools, driving a high-performing dist...

Dec 11, 202433 minSeason 4Ep. 324

Leading Through Change: Distributing Leadership to Ignite Transformation

Summary: Join Dr. Jim as he interviews Tom Burkhalter, Superintendent of the Viroqua Blackhawk School District, about navigating leadership challenges in education. Explore how Tom tackled the disruptions of the pandemic, admin turnover, and building a culture of continuous improvement within a high-performing rural district. Discover insights into distributing leadership, involving community voices, and emphasizing incremental progress to boost performance. This episode is filled with lessons o...

Dec 10, 202439 minSeason 4Ep. 323

Empowering Communities and Classrooms: Leadership Lessons in Action

Join CT as he explores leadership lessons in action with Dr. Summer Schultz, Superintendent of Brookings School District. Discover how Dr. Schultz leverages community collaboration, prioritizes literacy and inclusivity, and fosters staff efficacy to empower classrooms and drive student success. Learn how her innovative initiatives and strategic leadership are shaping a resilient and inclusive educational environment. Perfect for educational leaders seeking to inspire change and build thriving sc...

Dec 06, 202440 minSeason 4Ep. 322

From Listening to Leading: The Power of Open Communication in School Districts

Summary: Listen to how Dr. Becky Stiles, Superintendent of the Osceola School District in Wisconsin, as she navigates the complexities of leading a district with a diverse community and significant challenges. In this episode, Dr. Jim and Dr. Stiles discuss overcoming a budget deficit, declining enrollment, and community engagement where many residents lack direct ties to the schools. Learn how Dr. Stiles prioritizes relationship-building, transparency, and a long-term vision while managing comm...

Dec 05, 202436 minSeason 4Ep. 321

Strategic Communication: Winning Over Non-Parent Stakeholders in Education

Summary: Join Dr. Jim as he explores strategies for building community support for K-12 initiatives with Dr. Brandon Lunak, Superintendent of Morehead Area Public Schools. Learn how Dr. Lunak leverages community engagement, communication strategies, and innovation to secure essential resources for school infrastructure amid rapid enrollment growth. Discover practical insights on involving diverse stakeholders, overcoming challenges, and fostering an environment of trust and creativity within sch...

Dec 04, 202436 minSeason 4Ep. 320

Unleashing Hidden Talent: Empowering Quiet Leaders in Education

Summary: Dr. Jim chats with Jim Jameson, superintendent of Rush County Schools, to explore building high reliability schools using research-backed frameworks. Jameson shares his experience transitioning a district to a unified vision focused on best practices and community collaboration. He details steps from creating a safe, collaborative environment to achieving effective teaching and viable curricula. Learn strategies to maintain teacher morale, navigate resistance, and implement lasting chan...

Dec 02, 202435 minSeason 4Ep. 319
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