In this episode, we chat with Lindsy Stumpenhorst, elementary principal in Illinois, also known as “Principal in Boots.” Lindsy shares all about leading an amazing staff, living in the country, balance, using social media, and her one word for 2018: Awe. Have you heard of Instagram? Spike and Lindsy both work hard to convince Jessica to revitalize her Instagram account and connect where the action is. Something interesting about Lindsy is her family was in Josh Turner’s music video for his song,...
Jan 19, 2018•1 hr 2 min
In this episode, we warm up with hot coffee and blankets to stay warm in this frigid winter. Spike talks about the Bomb Cyclone in New Jersey, which caused his school to close for two days, we compared temperatures and talked about indoor recess/school closure decision making. A fun app share to enjoy your weather is: WTForecast - Caution, the profanity can be offensive in this app, but you can change the setting. We also talked about what happens when staff have a countdown or stir up excitemen...
Jan 08, 2018•54 min
In this special end of the year episode, Theresa, Jessica and Spike discuss their Winter Break. Spike talked about his floating experience. He will be posting a blog about what he learned from the time in the sensory deprivation tank. Click here for the blog post on floating. Jess talked about her trip to the North Pole (aka Minnesota). Theresa talked about couch time (SO important!) We then got into a discussion about screen time. Jessica shared an app called (OffTime) and Theresa shared the ap...
Dec 31, 2017•44 min
In this episode, Theresa and Spike share their final week leading up to the Winter Break. It is clear from the discussion that no matter the school you work in or the area of the country, that it can be a very stressful time. Spike and Theresa shared some ideas for student and staff recognition. What do Principals do over the break? Theresa, who has a two-week break, plans to read, relax and disconnect. She talked about the book Culturize , by Jimmy Casas and the Twitter group that is going alon...
Dec 25, 2017•43 min
Episode 85: Breaking Out Of Isolation In this episode, Theresa, Spike and Jessica catch up after about a year hiatus from the podcast. It is clear that everyone needed a break to work on other projects, focus on family, and work/life balance. Where our thumbs are going: Flipgrid vs Recap Brene Brown Braving the Wilderness Snow Day Calculator Lucy Calkins Reading/Writing Melinda Miller's Blog Post - Progressive PD Culturize - Jimmy Casas Coherence - Michael Fullan @DGriffin3 Flipgrid Fever Introd...
Dec 16, 2017•56 min
Episode 84: Happy New Year #PrincipalPLN by Dr. Spike Cook, Jessica Johnson, Theresa Stager 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 technology Save teachers’ time Reliably m...
Dec 31, 2016•36 min
Episode 83: Support for New Administrators by Dr. Spike Cook, Jessica Johnson, Theresa Stager 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 technology Save teachers’ time Reliably...
Aug 18, 2016•31 min
Episode 82: Random Thoughts in the August 'Crunch Time' by Dr. Spike Cook, Jessica Johnson, Theresa Stager 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 technology Save teachers’ ...
Aug 14, 2016•42 min
In this episode, we are joined by Ann Smart (@annsmart17), an Ed Tech Consultant from Michigan to have her answer our question: What is BreakoutEdu? Listen to find out how you can use this for team building/collaboration in a staff meeting/PD to model taking risks and then let your teachers brainstorm how they could use this in their classrooms. There are many ways teachers are already using BreakoutEdu in their classes to make learning tons of fun! If you are excited to get going with BreakoutE...
Jul 29, 2016•37 min
In this episode we chat with Melissa Emler, a former principal and now Director of Innovations, about using Facebook as your tool to communicate with your parents and community. While we thought we were great at using Facebook to communicate with our parents/community, Melissa blew our minds with awesome ideas and better ways to tell our story and engage our families! Listen to learn how Melissa used social media interns to help manage her school Facebook page, which also helped her high school ...
Jul 22, 2016•44 min
Episode 78: When Was the Last Time You Did Something for the First Time? with Dr. Tony Sinanis by Dr. Spike Cook, Jessica Johnson, Theresa Stager 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 an...
Jul 14, 2016•26 min
In this episode we talk with Tia Henriksen , a current Vice Principal, but soon to be Principal in British Columbia starting on January 1st, 2015. We discuss inbox zero, making the transition to principal and what to change (not change) right away. You can follow Tia on Twitter @TiaHenriksen or her blog at https://henriksenlearning.wordpress.com/ . Resources for new principals mentioned: The First Year Principal by Pete Hall The Question by Dan Sullivan Principal's Monthly Checklist We’re thrill...
Jul 02, 2016•27 min
In this episode we are joined by Curt Rees, Elementary Principal and Recess Kickball legend in Onalaska, Wisconsin. Curt’s school is recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction as a model school for their implementation of Response to Intervention. Curt is also a current doctoral student at UKSTL. You can find Curt online at @CurtRees and http://curtrees.com/ Curt is also mentioned in chapter 4 of Spike’s book, Connected Leadership. Some of Curt's Email Wisdom: Don’t sit down an...
Jul 02, 2016•39 min
In this episode, Jessica and Spike explore the ever present "to do list." The show starts out with the realization that the modern day Principal probably needs ADD or ADHD to survive (or it is just induced by the many interruptions to our day!). Jessica then shares her tools she uses for organizing the "to do list." Jessica's Tools: Remember the Milk Google Calendar Spike shared how he is very traditional in dealing with his "to do list." He uses note pads, post it notes, and Microsoft Office to...
Jul 02, 2016•24 min
In this episode, Theresa and Spike discuss the importance of non-evaluative walkthroughs. Theresa mentioned how her school has used TeachBoost and how it helped her work collaboratively with her teachers. Spike talked about how is district has been using the McREL Power walkthroughs for the past 4 years. He agreed with Theresa that the most important aspects, despite the tool, is how administrators are encouraged to visit classes and interact with teachers and students. Want more information on ...
Jul 02, 2016•36 min
In this episode we invite Adam Welcome, a Principal of the Year from Lafayette, CA. You can find Adam on Twitter @awelcome or his blog at adamwelcome.blogspot.com . Adam shares with us some great tips to stay connected, stay healthy, and stay out of your office to be in classrooms and share the great things your students are doing! Some of his favorite apps shared include: Twitter Remind Touchcast Google Drive Evernote Check out his school's hashtag: #teamkid And a call for help from our connect...
Jul 02, 2016•30 min
The PrincipalPLN is a weekly podcast hosted by Theresa Stager, Jessica Johnson and Spike Cook . We are committed to creating podcasts that are informative, innovative and fun! The concept of the podcast was developed by Theresa Stager, who at the time, was a first-year principal seeking ways to learn from others. Theresa reached out to Jessica Johnson, and they invited Spike Cook to join. The crew began podcasting in September of 2013. Each week we interview teachers, principals, superintendents...
Jul 02, 2016•23 min
The PrincipalPLN is a weekly podcast hosted by Theresa Stager, Jessica Johnson and Spike Cook . We are committed to creating podcasts that are informative, innovative and fun! The concept of the podcast was developed by Theresa Stager, who at the time, was a first-year principal seeking ways to learn from others. Theresa reached out to Jessica Johnson, and they invited Spike Cook to join. The crew began podcasting in September of 2013. Each week we interview teachers, principals, superintendents...
Jul 02, 2016•1 hr 25 min
The PrincipalPLN is a weekly podcast hosted by Theresa Stager, Jessica Johnson and Spike Cook . We are committed to creating podcasts that are informative, innovative and fun! The concept of the podcast was developed by Theresa Stager, who at the time, was a first-year principal seeking ways to learn from others. Theresa reached out to Jessica Johnson, and they invited Spike Cook to join. The crew began podcasting in September of 2013. Each week we interview teachers, principals, superintendents...
Jul 02, 2016•1 hr 21 min
The PrincipalPLN is a weekly podcast hosted by Theresa Stager, Jessica Johnson and Spike Cook . We are committed to creating podcasts that are informative, innovative and fun! The concept of the podcast was developed by Theresa Stager, who at the time, was a first-year principal seeking ways to learn from others. Theresa reached out to Jessica Johnson, and they invited Spike Cook to join. The crew began podcasting in September of 2013. Each week we interview teachers, principals, superintendents...
Jul 02, 2016•1 hr 14 min
The PrincipalPLN is a weekly podcast hosted by Theresa Stager, Jessica Johnson and Spike Cook . We are committed to creating podcasts that are informative, innovative and fun! The concept of the podcast was developed by Theresa Stager, who at the time, was a first-year principal seeking ways to learn from others. Theresa reached out to Jessica Johnson, and they invited Spike Cook to join. The crew began podcasting in September of 2013. Each week we interview teachers, principals, superintendents...
Jul 02, 2016•44 min
The PrincipalPLN is a weekly podcast hosted by Theresa Stager, Jessica Johnson and Spike Cook . We are committed to creating podcasts that are informative, innovative and fun! The concept of the podcast was developed by Theresa Stager, who at the time, was a first-year principal seeking ways to learn from others. Theresa reached out to Jessica Johnson, and they invited Spike Cook to join. The crew began podcasting in September of 2013. Each week we interview teachers, principals, superintendents...
Jul 02, 2016•1 hr 3 min
The PrincipalPLN is a weekly podcast hosted by Theresa Stager, Jessica Johnson and Spike Cook . We are committed to creating podcasts that are informative, innovative and fun! The concept of the podcast was developed by Theresa Stager, who at the time, was a first-year principal seeking ways to learn from others. Theresa reached out to Jessica Johnson, and they invited Spike Cook to join. The crew began podcasting in September of 2013. Each week we interview teachers, principals, superintendents...
Jul 02, 2016•1 hr 4 min
Jul 02, 2016•57 min
The PrincipalPLN is a weekly podcast hosted by Theresa Stager, Jessica Johnson and Spike Cook . We are committed to creating podcasts that are informative, innovative and fun! The concept of the podcast was developed by Theresa Stager, who at the time, was a first-year principal seeking ways to learn from others. Theresa reached out to Jessica Johnson, and they invited Spike Cook to join. The crew began podcasting in September of 2013. Each week we interview teachers, principals, superintendents...
Jul 02, 2016•1 hr 1 min
The PrincipalPLN is a weekly podcast hosted by Theresa Stager, Jessica Johnson and Spike Cook . We are committed to creating podcasts that are informative, innovative and fun! The concept of the podcast was developed by Theresa Stager, who at the time, was a first-year principal seeking ways to learn from others. Theresa reached out to Jessica Johnson, and they invited Spike Cook to join. The crew began podcasting in September of 2013. Each week we interview teachers, principals, superintendents...
Jul 02, 2016•56 min
The PrincipalPLN is a weekly podcast hosted by Theresa Stager, Jessica Johnson and Spike Cook . We are committed to creating podcasts that are informative, innovative and fun! The concept of the podcast was developed by Theresa Stager, who at the time, was a first-year principal seeking ways to learn from others. Theresa reached out to Jessica Johnson, and they invited Spike Cook to join. The crew began podcasting in September of 2013. Each week we interview teachers, principals, superintendents...
Jul 02, 2016•48 min
The PrincipalPLN is a weekly podcast hosted by Theresa Stager, Jessica Johnson and Spike Cook . We are committed to creating podcasts that are informative, innovative and fun! The concept of the podcast was developed by Theresa Stager, who at the time, was a first-year principal seeking ways to learn from others. Theresa reached out to Jessica Johnson, and they invited Spike Cook to join. The crew began podcasting in September of 2013. Each week we interview teachers, principals, superintendents...
Jul 02, 2016•1 hr 5 min
While catching up on what we've been up to Theresa talked about the upcoming NAESP convention and we had to mention that Jessica Cabeen (Principal that was featured in this episode) will be receiving the NAESP award for Digital Leader of Early Learning. You can see all of the great things her school is doing to integrate technology in her Kindergarten center in this video. Jessica and Theresa talk about the upcoming EdCamp Leader (#edcampldr). EdCamp is a great way to learn about what you want, ...
Jul 02, 2016•29 min
The PrincipalPLN is a weekly podcast hosted by Theresa Stager, Jessica Johnson and Spike Cook . We are committed to creating podcasts that are informative, innovative and fun! The concept of the podcast was developed by Theresa Stager, who at the time, was a first-year principal seeking ways to learn from others. Theresa reached out to Jessica Johnson, and they invited Spike Cook to join. The crew began podcasting in September of 2013. Each week we interview teachers, principals, superintendents...
Jun 27, 2016•51 min
