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For principals, it can be lonely at the top. So it’s always a relief to hear from educators who have been there, done that, and are doing more to advance their leadership. Join us as we discuss best practices, innovative strategies, and pressing topics for today’s pre-K–8 principal with fellow principals and special guests from the education community. This podcast is sponsored by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). For more information, visit www.naesp.org.
Episodes
10 hours ago
Play-Based, Place-Based Learning
10 hours ago
10 hours ago
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.
Friday Nov 01, 2024
A Latino+ Lens on School Leadership
Friday Nov 01, 2024
Friday Nov 01, 2024
Today we're joined by members of NAESP's Latino+ Network to discuss the perspectives of Latino students, staff, and administrators. Whether it's the unique needs of students, engaging with the broader community, or the importance of representation in teaching and leadership, understanding these perspectives is crucial to the success of our schools.
Annette Sanchez is principal of Hampton-Moreno-Dugat Early Childhood Center in Beeville, Texas, and serves as NAESP state representative for Texas.
Chris Jackson is principal of Hollinger K-8 School in Tuscon, Arizona.
Tuesday Sep 17, 2024
Leading for Early Learners
Tuesday Sep 17, 2024
Tuesday Sep 17, 2024
Quality early childhood education has a huge impact on any student's success as they learn and grow. Often those with limited experience with their youngest learners quickly find themselves searching for more ways improve in this crucial area. Today we talk with one educator who's commitment to improving learning in the early grades empowered her practice and made a real difference in her school.
Leslie Selberg Viveiros, is fine arts coordinator at the Carlucci American International School of Lisbon in Portugal.
Julie Bloss, a retired principal, is fellow at the NAESP Center for Early Learning Leadership and instructor for NAESP's Principal Leadership for The Early Grades program.
Wednesday Sep 11, 2024
Foster Leadership From Within
Wednesday Sep 11, 2024
Wednesday Sep 11, 2024
Though a title change can quickly take someone from a team member to its leader, the qualities one needs to lead stem from a career long journey of growth, and principals have a special role to play in fostering this leadership at their schools. Texas school leaders Dr. Shelby Calabrese and Dr. Alejandra Perez join us to discuss how better hiring practices and a culture of recognition can help create a robust pipeline to leadership.
Dr. Shelby Calabrese is principal of Harvard Elementary School in Houston, Texas.
Dr. Alejandra Perez is assistant principal of Harvard Elementary School in Houston, Texas.
Danny Bauer is a principal retention development expert, best-selling author, and host of the Better Leader, Better Schools podcast.
Friday Aug 30, 2024
An Innovative Approach to Special Education
Friday Aug 30, 2024
Friday Aug 30, 2024
School leaders have a huge role to play when it comes to the success of special education in their schools. Principals can shape how IEP meetings are conducted, ensure specialists are getting what they need, and set the tone for the entire school's approach to special education. We sat down with folks from the newly formed Lead IDEA Center to discuss this role, and how school leaders can move from simply meeting obligations to truly committing to improving special education.
Abigail Foley, Ed.D. is director of the Lead IDEA Center at the American Institutes for Research.
David Bateman, Ph.D. is co-principal investigator at the Lead IDEA Center.
Lynn Holdheide, M.S. is co-principal investigator at the Lead IDEA Center.
Andy Jacks, Ed.D. is principal at Ellis Elementary School in Manassas, Virginia, and senior fellow at the NAESP Centers for Advancing Leadership.
Thursday Aug 22, 2024
Find Your School's Identity at the Start of the Year
Thursday Aug 22, 2024
Thursday Aug 22, 2024
As the academic year starts back up, principals have an opportunity to hone in on their school's unique identity. Taking time to truly reflect on the culture and demographics of a school and its community can help leaders set the tone, vision, and direction for their students. Join us today as we discuss strategies that center student voice and agency, and how principals can leverage their school's identity to foster a strong and positive learning environment.
Quennel Cooper, Ed.D. is principal of Prairie View Elementary School in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.
Harold McCray, Ed.D. is founding principal of MacArthur High School in Washington, D.C.
Xavier Reed is principal of Central Middle School in Wayzata, Minnesota, and serves as fellow at the NAESP Center for Diversity Leadership.
Dr. Ryan Daniel is principal of Fort Foote Elementary School in Fort Washington, Maryland, and previously also served as fellow at the NAESP Center for Diversity Leadership.
Wednesday Jun 12, 2024
Hiring to Build Inclusive Schools
Wednesday Jun 12, 2024
Wednesday Jun 12, 2024
Hiring can be a challenging process for any principal, but getting it right is crucial to the success of your school. Today we discuss why being intentional in our hiring practices is so important. We explore strategies for evaluating needs, fostering inclusivity, and navigating the dual nature of hiring: mourning departures while seizing opportunities to fill vital roles within the team.
Dr. Ryan Daniel is principal of Fort Foote Elementary School in Fort Washington, Maryland, and serves as fellow at the NAESP Center for Diversity Leadership.
Xavier Reed is principal of Central Middle School in Wayzata, Minnesota, and also serves as a fellow at the NAESP Center for Diversity Leadership.
Friday Jun 07, 2024
Reflecting on Equity over the Summer
Friday Jun 07, 2024
Friday Jun 07, 2024
As summer approaches, principals will no doubt be reflecting on their schools' progress, and what it means heading into the school year. And as with any process, equity should be a key area of consideration by school leaders. In this episode, we discuss how personal experiences influence equity approaches, how to establish common definitions, creating supportive systems, and building capacity for equitable leadership within schools and districts.
Dr. Ryan Daniel is principal of Fort Foote Elementary School in Fort Washington, Maryland, and serves as fellow at the NAESP Center for Diversity Leadership.
Xavier Reed is principal of Central Middle School in Wayzata, Minnesota, and also serves as a fellow at the NAESP Center for Diversity Leadership.
Friday May 31, 2024
Innovating Project-Based Learning
Friday May 31, 2024
Friday May 31, 2024
Project-based learning (PBL) isn't a new concept, but that doesn't mean there aren't new ways to approach it. South Carolina principal Beth Foster joins us to talk about how her school is innovating it's implementation of PBL, strengthening student literacy, relationships, and more.
Beth Foster is principal of Anderson Mill Elementary in Moore, South Carolina.
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.
Wednesday May 15, 2024
Leading for Mental Health
Wednesday May 15, 2024
Wednesday May 15, 2024
In order for students to learn or for teachers to teach, attending to mental health is crucial. What role do principals play in ensuring those needs are met in their schools? Equetta Jones is joined by Cynthia Cardenas and Dr. Jerod Phillips to discuss strategies to help their students, staff, and school community with their mental health needs.
Cynthia Cardenas is principal of Orchard Elementary School in Orem, Utah.
Dr. Jerod Phillips is principal of David E. Robinson Elementary School in Magnolia, Delaware.
Equetta Jones is principal of Love Creek Elementary School in Lewes, Delaware, and serves as fellow at the NAESP Early Career Principal Community of Practice.