In this episode with Melinda Stone, you will learn: Melinda's unique journey to leadership, how Melinda and her leadership team relied on their strengths to better lead their campus, and how she individualized professional development to meet teachers where they are in their growth and career. Melinda Stone is the Principal of James E. Taylor High School in Katy, Texas and a District Principal of the Year. She is also a professor, a member of a rock band, and a passionate advocate for female lea...
Mar 30, 2023•27 min
After unexpectedly becoming a fourth grade teacher with no background in education, Terri Fuller embarks on a journey of self-discovery and resilience as she navigates the challenges of becoming a principal and coping with the loss of her mother. You will learn: 1. How Terri went from a marketing degree to an unexpected career in education. 2. How she used her faith to power through a challenging period of loss and grief while transitioning into a principalship. 3. How she has used her experienc...
Mar 23, 2023•26 min
Beth Houf, a former teacher and current principal, finds her true passion for leadership through forging powerful connections, inspiring a culture of support, and leading like a pirate to make her school a place kids and staff run to get in, not out. Beth Houf is the proud principal of Fulton Middle School in central Missouri. She is the Co-Author of Lead Like a PIRATE: Make School Amazing for Your Students and Staff. Beth also serves as a facilitator for the Missouri Department of Elementary an...
Feb 16, 2023•52 min
Here's what I cover with Evelyn Edney in this episode: 1. How Evelyn Edney went from being an English teacher to a school leader. 2. The importance of relationships in school leadership and how to create meaningful connections. 3. Strategies for advocating for education and how to make the most of conversations with legislators. Dr. Evelyn Edney is the principal of the Early College High School in Dover, Delaware and a member of the National Association of Secondary School Principals Board of Di...
Feb 09, 2023•22 min
When Brandi Leggett, a passionate principal, takes on the challenge to transform her Title One school in Leytha, Kansas, she sets out to prove that all students can achieve at high levels. In this episode you will hear: 1. How Principal Leggett builds community and encourages high achievement among her students in a high poverty school. 2. How she engages families with a variety of events, such as STEM night, culture night, and family game night. 3. How she creates exposure for her students by t...
Jan 26, 2023•23 min
In this episode with Dr. Aleli Vazquez, you will learn: 1. Investing in Teacher Empowerment: How does Dr. Vazquez make sure her teachers build strong relationships with students and feel empowered in their roles? 2. Creative Outreach Strategies: How does she use creative activities and themes to engage her staff and build a strong school community? 3. Magic Makers: What is Dr. Vazquez's approach to including support staff in school activities, and what is her philosophy on recognizing everyone a...
Jan 19, 2023•24 min
This is the second part of our conversation with Dr. Yolanda Rios, a middle school principal in Houston, Texas. In this episode, we continue our conversation about her strategies to stay organized and focus. You will hear about: Strategies Dr. Yolanda Rios uses to manage her time and organize her responsibilities as a school leader How Dr. Rios uses new tools to communicate with her staff What tips Dr. Rios has for creating a positive work-life balance and staying productive. Support the show...
Jan 12, 2023•20 min
Yolanda Rios, a Middle School Principal in Houston, Texas, strives to stay organized and focused amidst the chaos of school leadership, but discovers her own unique strategies to level up her school and her leadership when she learns that organization is make or break. You will learn how to utilize organizational strategies to revolutionize your school leadership and achieve success. Mentioned in this epsiode Trello Google Spaces (how to) Taskboard Support the show...
Jan 05, 2023•23 min
For today’s episode, I am honored to be joined by Liz Garden. Liz is an elementary principal on the East Coast and today we are having a conversation about the human side of education. Liz has been a principal for over 15 years and we explored the challenge of being a principal after returning from the pandemic and the ways she communicates to staff, and herself, that taking care of yourself is a priority. This is a perfect conversation to end this year with as we reflect on what we do every day...
Dec 22, 2022•26 min
In a world where books are often mirrors of our own experiences, Dr. Alice Lee brings literacy to her school with the intention of creating compassion, connection, and community through books that window into other cultures and journeys. Dr. Alice Lee is a former elementary school principal in El Segundo School District in California and now serves as a Director of Secondary Education in Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District. Support the show...
Dec 15, 2022•31 min
Before we get into today’s episode, I want you to think about the initiatives in your school. Of your entire list, how many can change culture, academic learning, serve as an archival portfolio and transform your scholars to be more self aware? Today I am introducing you to a leader who is doing this on her site and I’m not going to lie. I wish I had thought of it. Today I am joined by Jessica Melendez-Carrillo, a principal in El Paso, Texas. During our chat, she will share more about her school...
Dec 08, 2022•28 min
If there’s one thing I know for sure, servant leadership is not a PD in a box. It is grounded in a purpose that is selfless and humble. My guest today is the epitome of that. Meet Dr. Queesha Tillman, a former Assistant Principal of the year and now middle school principal of Cumberland County Schools in North Carolina. As you listen, it will be easy to see why Dr. Tillman received such a prestigious award and how she’s serving in her purpose. Support the show...
Dec 01, 2022•26 min
Here’s a challenge for you - revision a school, have a schoolwide dual language program and embed fine arts throughout all classes. For some, that could be a tall order. But For our guest today, she is successfully making it happen every day. Today my guest is Katiuska Herrador, Principal of Jones Academy of Fine Arts & Dual Language in Arlington ISD in Arlington, Texas. We’re going to chat about the addition of fine arts on her campus through collaboration with staff and leadership practice...
Nov 17, 2022•25 min
Here’s a reflective question for you: Do you have the multiplier effect? Meaning, do you inspire and develop the leadership of your staff in order to take on the challenges of your school. Well, today’s guest has been labeled a multiplier leader. Meet Martha Mendoza, she’s the principal of Dodge City High School in Dodge City, Kansas. In today’s episode, we are breaking down what it means to be a mutliplier, the leadership actions she takes and how to avoid being a diminisher. I hope you enjoy t...
Nov 10, 2022•27 min
What is your leadership superpower? That’s the question I asked my guest today, principal Tinisa Huff from Forest Park, Illinois. For Tinisa, that was an easy one as she believes strongly in the power of relationships. Today we talk about the characteristics one must have to be a relationship builder and I also ask Tinisa if gender plays a role in how we build relationships. I’m curious to hear your opinions after you listen in. Let’s get started. Support the show...
Nov 03, 2022•23 min
Hello and welcome back. Recently we had an episode with the lovely Lynette White chatting about school social media, episode 52 if you haven’t checked it out. Well, if you listen to our show you know this is a topic I love because of the impact it can have on school communities and your personal brand. So, today, I want to introduce you to my friend Dr. Jill Johnson. Jill is a former assistant principal and is currently the President at Class Intercom. She wrote her dissertation on the integrati...
Oct 20, 2022•28 min
For today’s episode, I am joined by Principal Kimberly Gibbs from Atlanta, Georgia. She is a leader with an unwavering bar of excellence and you’ll soon hear why. Today we chat about how she messages her vision and the actions behind it. Support the show
Oct 13, 2022•22 min
I have the pleasure of chatting with Dr. Maureen Boland. She’s an elementary principal in Fairfax Public Schools and along with chatting about her love for the principalship, she talks about the power of encouraging her staff to take risks in their work. Support the show
Oct 06, 2022•27 min
Today I am joined by Principal Marci Chavez of Nelson Elementary School in California. In this episode, Marci and I talk about her role as an interim principal and the depth of leadership while in a temporary situation. This episode is sponsored by Class Intercom, the social media management tool that I absolutely love and is a key resource to help craft your school story. Visit them at classintercom.com. Support the show
Sep 29, 2022•29 min
If you tuned in last week, you heard from Courtney Goodman and she talked about the foundation strategies to create a quality leadership time. Well, Courtney is back today and she’s going to share nine facilitation strategies for small groups. I was able to get a sneak peek and these are too good not to share. Support the show
Sep 22, 2022•20 min
Today’s guest will be a two-parter. Principal Courtney Goodman from Field Elementary School in Illinois is joining us for two weeks and spoiler alert: every school leader no matter size, segment or type of school will benefit. In Today’s part 1 episode, Courtney will share foundational strategies for building a quality leadership team. She will share how she worked with her team to create an effective purpose, the difference between norms and working agreements and agenda creation. Next week, Co...
Sep 15, 2022•21 min
Today I am joined by Principal Tanyelle Hannah from Chicgao, Illinois. I had the pleasure to meet this dynamic leader at the 2022 NAESP conference in Kentucky and I knew she had to be a guest on the show. Tanyelle is going to talk to us about distributive leadership in her school and why it’s a game change for her leadership. Support the show
Sep 08, 2022•25 min
Before we dive into today’s episode, which by the way, you are going to love, I have a favor to ask. As you know, my mission with this podcast is to amplify the voices and stories of our female school leaders. Would you consider sharing this podcast with a friend? Just hit the share button and send the link. My deepest thanks for your support. I am so excited for you to hear from our guest today. Lynette White. Lynette is currently the Communications Specialist at Colton Joint Unified School Dis...
Sep 01, 2022•25 min
Today I am joined by Principal Tihesha Henderson, principal of Sankofa School of Success in Indianapolis, Indiana and we’re talking about school improvement and improving staff wellness. After you listen, make sure to share this episode with a fellow leader. It would mean the world to me. Tihesha Henderson has spent the past 21 years as a teacher, instructional coach, and principal in Indianapolis. Her passion for trauma informed care has led her to create innovative ways to address the social e...
Aug 25, 2022•22 min
Today my guest is Principal Ana Aguilar and we’re talking about one of my favorite topics, school turnaround. Principal Aguilar is going to share the systems put in place to create a thriving school. Support the show
Aug 18, 2022•29 min
Today I am joined by Connecticut’s Assistant Principal of the year, Dana Perez and we are chatting about creating quality and engaging professional development. As you head into the new school year, Dana will share some great ideas and structures for creating highly effective PD opportunities for your campus. This chat is just in time for the start of school. Speaking of which, I want to share a tool I’ve been using to help get me organized with social media for our school. Support the show...
Aug 11, 2022•25 min
Today I am joined by Principal Kylene Vasquez and we are talking about shifting your school’s culture through truly understanding the impact adult behaviors have on our campus. Principal Vasquez is going to share how behavior influences behavior and the strategies she’s implemented to positively change the climate. Support the show
Aug 04, 2022•19 min
For many of you, you are starting to think about next year and some of the schoolwide practices you want to implement to level up your schools. Today we are talking to Principal Ida Carter all about learning walks and how she has brought this practice to her site to raise the level of learning for students and staff. Principal Carter is the proud principal and lead learner of J. Ruth Smith Elementary in Aldine ISD and here is our conversation. Support the show...
Jul 21, 2022•26 min
Today I am joined by Principal Erica Gil, principal of Pugh Elementary School in Houston, Texas and we are talking about instructional leadership. With a background of coaching and supporting teachers, Erica will share how she’s bringing and instructional focus to her site and will provide ideas you can implement in your school. Support the show
Jul 14, 2022•29 min
Today I am joined by Principal Christy Flores, an award winning principal from Southern California. She is one of 8, yes eight, principals across the entire country to receive the prestigious Terrell Bell Award for exceptional leadership. In our conversation, you will get to hear about her leadership journey and how she’s building community in her school. Support the show
Jul 07, 2022•26 min
