The NAESP Principal Podcast

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.

A Latino+ Lens on School Leadership

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.

Leading for Early Learners

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.

Foster Leadership From Within

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.

An Innovative Approach to Special Education

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.

Find Your School's Identity at the Start of the Year

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.

Hiring to Build Inclusive Schools

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.

Reflecting on Equity over the Summer

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.