The NAESP Principal Podcast

Anti-Racist & Inclusive Leadership

In this powerful episode, Xavier Reed and Dr. Sharon Porter engage in a candid and thought-provoking conversation on anti-racist and inclusive leadership in education. Joined by NAESP President Kevin Armstrong and leadership expert Madeline McNeely, they explore strategies for fostering equitable school environments, dismantling systemic barriers, and leading with intentional inclusivity. This episode is a must-listen for educators, administrators, and leaders committed to transforming schools into spaces of belonging and empowerment for all students.

Kevin Armstrong, Ed.D. is executive principal at DuPont Hadley Middle School in Old Hickory, Tennessee, and 2024-2025 NAESP President.

Madeline McNeely, M.Ed. is an author, speaker, executive coach, and founder and CEO of Conditioning Leaders.

Sharon Porter is principal of Rose Valley Elementary School in Fort Washington, Maryland, and has just started her inaugural year as fellow at the NAESP Center for Diversity Leadership.

Xavier Reed is principal of Central Middle School in Wayzata, Minnesota, and is continuing his second year as fellow at the center.

Equity in Action: Transforming Education Through DEI

Join the Center for Diversity Leadership fellows for a powerful conversation with Dr. Trudi Lebron, DEI expert and author, as we explore the transformative impact of equity-centered practices on schools, students, and communities.

Sharon Porter is principal of Rose Valley Elementary School in Fort Washington, Maryland, and has just started her inaugural year as fellow at the NAESP Center for Diversity Leadership.

Xavier Reed is principal of Central Middle School in Wayzata, Minnesota, and is continuing his second year as fellow at the center.

Educator Wellness & Co-Regulation

Although wellness has always been crucial, it has become increasingly relevant in recent years. Today, wellness coach and expert Molly Funk joins us as we learn the importance of social-emotional wellness for students and educators alike, and how principals can demonstrate leadership through practicing wellness themselves.

Molly Funk is an integrative educator wellness coach and professional learning facilitator.

Andy Jacks is principal of Ellis Elementary School in Manassas, Virginia, and senior fellow at the NAESP Centers for Advancing Leadership.

Depth of Knowledge & Leading PD

When there are significant shifts in what we know about education, it can take a long time before those changes reach all teachers. For Erik Francis, Depth of Knowledge (DOK) is one such framework that needs reexamination. But these shifts don't happen with trainings alone—they require leadership to implement effectively. Francis sat down with the Center for Innovative Leadership to discuss the future of DOK, and how principals play an essential part in successful professional development

Erik Francis is an author and speaker, and currently employs his 25 years of experience in education as owner and operator of professional development company Maverik Education.

Liz Garden is principal of Henry P. Clough Elementary school in Mendon Massachusetts, and serves as fellow at the NAESP Center for Innovative Leadership.

Scott McLeod is professor of educational leadership at the University of Colorado, Denver, and a fellow at the NAESP Center for Innovative Leadership.

AI in Elementary and Middle Schools

How should AI be incorporated—or not—into school? Although it's latest iteration is relatively new, veteran educator and author Holly Clark has plenty of experience negotiating the relationship between technology and education, joins us to offer her thoughts on the promises and limits of artificial intelligence in education.

Holly Clark is a speaker, best-selling author, educator, and dedicated advocate for digital learning.

Liz Garden is principal of Henry P. Clough Elementary school in Mendon Massachusetts, and serves as fellow at the NAESP Center for Innovative Leadership.

Scott McLeod is professor of educational leadership at the University of Colorado, Denver, and a fellow at the NAESP Center for Innovative Leadership.

Building a New, Student-Centered School

When Bryan Byerlee's school building was set for reconstruction, three basic needs were prioritized: warm, safe, and dry. But those were just the baseline non-negotiables. What he and others would come to recognize is how redesigning a school is a unique opportunity to empower students, shape school culture, and improve learning overall.

Bryan Byerlee is principal of Garden City Elementary School in Cranston, Rhode Island.

Liz Garden is principal of Henry P. Clough Elementary school in Mendon Massachusetts, and serves as fellow at the NAESP Center for Innovative Leadership.

Scott McLeod is professor of educational leadership at the University of Colorado, Denver, and a fellow at the NAESP Center for Innovative Leadership.

Meeting in the Middle

Often in conversations about the teaching elementary vs. secondary students, it's easy to overlook those at the middle level. More than a simple overlap of both categories, children in these grades have their own unique needs. Fortunately, at our annual conference in Nashville, the NAESP Center for Middle-Level Leadership fellows had an opportunity to sit down with Katie Powell of the Association for Middle Level Education to discuss how principals can better understand and serve middle-level students.

 

Katie Powell is Director for Middle Level Programs at the Association for Middle Level Education.

Dr. Todd Brist is principal of Watertown Middle School in Watertown, South Dakota, and a fellow at the NAESP Center for Middle-Level Leadership.

Jessica Cabeen is principal of Austin Online Academy in Minnesota, as well as a past fellow at the NAESP Center for Middle-Level Leadership.

The Power of Children Learning Outside

Some educators might feel limited when it comes to outdoor learning options. Sure, there's sports, the odd field trip, and maybe holding a class or two outside—weather permitting. Today's guest comes to us from a unique and innovative school in Oregon that is blazing trails by teaching outside every day. We hear how rewarding it is for the students they serve, and what principals can take away from this model and bring to their schools.

Heidi McKay is executive director of Down to Earth Forest School in West Linn, Oregon.

Liz Garden is principal of Henry P. Clough Elementary school in Mendon Massachusetts, and serves as fellow at the NAESP Center for Innovative Leadership.

Scott McLeod is professor of educational leadership at the University of Colorado, Denver, and a fellow at the NAESP Center for Innovative Leadership.

Our Leadership Journey

Where are you on your leadership journey? How has equity informed that journey? What is your "why" as a school leader? In this episode of the NAESP Principal Podcast, Xavier Reed discusses these questions and more with Sharon Porter, the newest fellow at the NAESP Center for Diversity Leadership.

Sharon Porter is principal of Rose Valley Elementary School in Fort Washington, Maryland, and has just started her inaugural year as fellow at the NAESP Center for Diversity Leadership.

Xavier Reed is principal of Central Middle School in Wayzata, Minnesota, and is continuing his second year as fellow at the center.

Play-Based, Place-Based Learning

It’s all too easy to assume that schools need to focus only on standards and benchmarks at the expense of everything else. Baltimore-based principal Traci Mathena joins us today to explain how enriching educational opportunities are something all students should receive, and shares how her school is benefitting from play-based and place-based learning.

Traci Mathena is principal of Creative City Public Charter School in Baltimore, Maryland.

Liz Garden is principal of Henry P. Clough Elementary school in Mendon Massachusetts, and serves as fellow at the NAESP Center for Innovative Leadership.

Scott McLeod is professor of educational leadership at the University of Colorado, Denver, and a fellow at the NAESP Center for Innovative Leadership.