The NAESP Principal Podcast

Planning For Next Year

Every principal wants to start off a new school year on the right foot. But that strong start actually begins many months before classes even start. Adam and Rachael have a one-on-one discussing how principals can effectively plan for the next school year. In this episode, they discuss:

• Grade placement of students
• Kindergarten verses first grade
• End-of-year standards
• Transitions to next year
• Sustainable leadership

 

 

 

The Power of Tier I Instruction, Regardless of Your Setting

A commitment to providing a strong foundation to all students is crucial at any school. We sit down with Texas principal Danieli Parker about why Tier I instruction is so important for principals to focus on, regardless of their school's unique location or situation. In this episode, we discuss:

• How to do well regardless of setting
• Non-negotiables to keep the success going
• Growth mindset
• What to be mindful about
• Moving forward with this focus

Danieli Parker is principal of Hallsville North Elementary in Hallsville, Texas. You can follow her on Twitter @danieli_parker.

Learning and Growing Over Summer

For principals, summer learning is more than just a reading list assigned to students. The summer break can offer more time for educators to learn and grow in their own practice. In this episode, we sit down with Chicago principal Dr. Efraín Martínez to share summer learning best practices. We discuss:

• Strategies for students vs. strategies for you
• Staff learning & growth
• Who you learn from
• Where you learn from
• Book recommendations.

Dr. Efraín Martínez is the proud principal at Orozco Academy since 2015. Before beginning his principalship journey, Dr. Martínez worked as a Teacher Assistant of Spanish at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), as a 5th grade teacher at Rufino Tamayo Charter School, and an office manager at Rush University Medical Hospital, UIC, and at Northwestern University School of Medicine. Thanks to an opportunity with the Chicago Teaching Fellows, he became a certified Spanish teacher and taught at four schools in CPS. After two years as an assistant principal in both the south and north sides of the city, Dr. Martínez was fortunate to be unanimously elected to the most coveted principal spot in the area.

Assessments and Testing

In the midst of an ongoing pandemic, students across the country will still be taking standardized tests and assessments. Arkansas educator Bethany Hill joins us to share thoughts on testing during a pandemic, and how principals can respond to the challenges it presents.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The role of assessments and testing
• Knowing the student
• Learning loss
• Minimizing the impact on students and time

• How to make the best of it

Bethany Hill is a teacher who is currently serving as an administrator. During her 23 years in education, she taught kindergarten, first, second, and third grades. She was a curriculum/academic coach for 3 years, an assistant principal in an K-4 building for 5 years, a principal in a P-4 building for 5 years, and is currently serving as an assistant principal in a P-4 building. All of her service has been in the Cabot School District in Cabot, Arkansas. 

Recruit and Retain

More often than not, what's working at your school depends on who's working there. Finding—and keeping—staff that have a positive impact is an essential part of every school's success.

In this episode, we're joined by Texas principal Porsha Dudley to discuss:

• Finding the best candidates
• How to support current staff
• How geography affects staffing
• The importance of classified staff
• Why relationships & culture matter

Porsha Dudley is principal of Arizona Fleming Elementary school in Houston, Texas and has been an educator for the past 16 years. Connect with her on Twitter @PorshaDudley1.

The Job Hunt, with Zandra Jo Galván

It's that time of year ... job hunting season. With the help of Zandra Jo Galván, a Superintendent from California, we get you geared up and fired up as you set your sights on the future.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Applying for the job
• The power of connection
• Interview hacks and tips
• Resume tips and thoughts
• Epic job hunt failures
• Social media footprints and the power of presence

Zandra Jo Galván is superintendent of the Greenfield Union School District in California, and has worked in public education for the past 27 years. Connect with her on Twitter (@zjgalvan), Instagram (@zangalvan), Facebook, and LinkedIn.