The NAESP Principal Podcast

Leadership Tips

Join Adam Welcome and Rachael George as they talk simple leadership tips that can make principals lives easier and their practice stronger. In this episode we discuss:

• When to treat something as urgent
• Keeping things simple
• How to manage relationships
• Engaging with criticism productively

Nurturing Our Emotional, Mental, and Physical Well-Being

Self-care can be a frequently overlooked aspect of leadership, especially for women. Jessica Gomez and Andrea Thompson, fellows at the NAESP Center for Women in Leadership, sit down with Principal Sarah Harrington to discuss:

• Tips for practicing self-care
• The value in finding a sisterhood
• Incorporating mindfulness into daily routines
• The importance of physical wellbeing

Sarah Harrington is principal of Lake Ridge Elementary School, Woodbridge, Virginia.

The NAESP Center for Women in Leadership is dedicated to the strategic study of women administrators and the unique challenges that they face as educational leaders because of their gender. The work of the center is multifaceted, focusing on identifying strategies to elevate women as they pursue career opportunities, creating a strong network of women leaders, and eliminating gender bias. You can find out more about NAESP and the Center for Women in Leadership at naesp.org.

Human Resources

No matter what equipment or resources you have at your disposal, there's nothing more important to school success than the people working there. We sit down with Ryan Sheehy, a district-level director of human resources, to learn the best ways to find and keep great staff. In this episode we discuss:

• How to recruit and advertise openings
• How to support and retain teachers
• How to work within limitations at the building-level

Ryan Sheehy is a former elementary school principal, high school assistant principal, and in addition to being a published author currently serves as director of human resources at Mt. Diablo Unified School District in California.

Turnaround Schools

School improvement is an ongoing process, with changes both big and small. We sit down with Oregon principal Kimberly Miles to talk about how she leads through these changes. In this episode we discuss:

• What it means to be a turnaround principal 
• How focus has shifted from before the pandemic to now
• How to support teachers and help them grow in the face of high levels of stress and burnout

Kimberly Miles is principal of East Gresham Elementary school in Oregon. You can find her on Twitter at @afewthingsworth.

Supporting Students by Mastering Morning Meetings: Part 2

Adam and Rachael sit with Oregon educators Sara Hertel and Chris Wyland to continue their discussion on the significant impact morning meetings can have on students social-emotional learning and achievement. In this episode we discuss:

• Staff professional development
• The four parts of morning meetings
• Two-way accountability
• Next steps and embedding SEL into the school day

Sara Hertel is instructional coach/dean of students, and Chris Wyland is principal of Madras Elementary School in Madras, Oregon.

Game-Changing Advice for Principals

Principals have to make tough calls that can have a big impact on the success of their school. And as a former NCAA official, New York principal Andrew Marotta is no stranger to making those calls. Adam and Rachael sit down to discuss:

• How to overcome day-to-day challenges principals face
• Lessons learned as an official that apply to school leadership
• How principals can prepare for hiring season, especially in the midst of teacher shortages

Andrew Marotta is principal of Port Jervis High School in Port Jervis, New York, and author of The Principal: Surviving and Thriving.

Supporting Students by Mastering Morning Meetings: Part 1

A focused and meaningful morning meeting can have a huge impact on student academic and social-emotional learning. Adam and Rachael sit with Oregon educators Sara Hertel and Chris Wyland to talk about how they've developed their morning meetings, what works, and how to implement it. In this episode, we discuss:

• Creating community and connections in your schools
• Supporting students and self-regulation skills
• Tips for creating calm classrooms
• Implementing strategy

Sara Hertel is instructional coach/dean of students, and Chris Wyland is principal of Madras Elementary School in Madras, Oregon.

Transitioning From High School to Elementary

Though it's stating the obvious, a kindergartener learns vastly different from how a senior in high school does. But how is that difference reflected in the work of school leaders? We sit down with Colorado principal Carlos Perez to talk about his transition from high school to elementary. In this episode, we discuss:

• Differences and similarities
• Advice for principals making the transition
• The importance of relationships

Carlos Perez is principal of Avondale Elementary School in Avondale, Colorado.

Focusing on the Work

School improvement is an essential, ongoing process. But new initiatives are too often overwhelming and cumbersome. We sit down with educator, author, and speaker Douglas Reeves to hone in on what's important to educating kids at your school. In this episode, we discuss:

• Addressing unfinished learning
• How to see grading
• Effective PLCs
• Creating a 100 day plan

Douglas Reeves is an acclaimed educational leader who has shared his expertise through numerous books and presentations, including at NAESP's annual conference. You can find him on Twitter at @DouglasReeves.

Tales of a Veteran Principal

Long time leaders have plenty to teach those new to the job. But the best veteran principals are still learning and growing themselves, despite their many years in the profession. Adam and Rachael sit down with Principal Beth Houf, a seasoned school leader, to discuss:

• How the year is going

• Challenges

• Responding to the year

• Embracing the power of no

• Being present with family

Beth Houf is principal of Fulton Middle School in Fulton, Missouri, co-author of Lead Like a Pirate, and a 2016 NAESP National Distinguished Principal.