The NAESP Principal Podcast

Email Hacks

Responding to emails can feel like a time-consuming chore that takes away from the more important parts of leading a school. Fortunately, there are smart ways principals can manage their inboxes effectively and make sure they are getting the most from their day. In this episode, Adam and Rachael discuss:

• Communicating intentionally
• The importance of delegation
• Establishing healthy habits and boundaries
• Prioritizing email vs. other modes of communications

Staff Meetings

At their worst, staff meetings can feel monotonous, unnecessary, and frustrating. But there's no reason they can't be productive, worthwhile, and potentially even fun. Principals Allyson Apsey and Jessica Gomez join us to show that principals can make staff meetings better for everyone involved. We discuss:

• How to foster collaboration
• Creating a positive environment
• Making meetings worthwhile
• Quick and simple tips for improving staff meetings

Allyson Apsey is principal of Quincy Elementary School in Zeeland, Michigan

Jessica Gomez is principal of Alice Birney Elementary School in Colton, California.

Equity in Education

Ensuring students are educated in an equitable matter is a critical duty of schools and the principals that lead them. Adam and Rachael sit down with assistant principal and school board member David Jaimes to discuss the importance of equity and what it should mean for principals. This episode covers:

• Explaining the "why" of equity
• Tips for fostering educational equity
• Stakeholder engagement and building trust
• Having difficult conversations
• Resource recommendations

David Jaimes is assistant principal of Edwards Elementary School in Newberg, Oregon.

Tales From a First-Year Principal

The start of the school year is full of challenges and opportunities, especially for folks leading a school for the first time. First-year Oregon principal Cassiday Hopkins sits down to chat with Adam and Rachel about her first-year experiences, and how they compare. In this episode, we discuss:

• Challenges & successes
• Balancing work and home
• Tips for new leaders
• How to prioritize

Cassiday Hopkins is principal of Sandy Grade School in Sandy, Oregon.

Books for Principals

Reading a great book remains a tried and true way to learn and grow—that's as true for principals as it is for students. Adam and Rachael sit down with school leaders Majalise Tolan and Brian McCann to talk about how important books are to their growth. In this episode, we discuss:

• Book recommendations
• How to pick books
• Finding time to read
• Supporting reluctant readers

Majalise Tolan is director of secondary education in Lincoln County, Oregon. She is an avid reader, writer, and is currently working on her first book to be released under the Lead Like a Pirate series.

Brian McCann is principal of Joseph Case High School in Swansea, Massachusetts, and a 2018 NASSP Digital Principal of the Year.

 

Come Together at the Conference

We can't wait to head to Chicago for the 2021 NAESP Pre-K–8 Principals Conference! In this special episode, Adam and Rachel talk about how attendees can make the most of their experience. Between attending insightful sessions from expert leaders, or just meeting fellow educators from far and wide, there's no shortage of opportunities for growth.

 

Summer Goals

For principals, Summer is an opportunity for growth, reflection, and crucially: rest. We sit down with Minnesota principal Jessica Cabeen to talk about how principals can ensure they strike the right balance between taking care of yourself personally and professionally over the Summer. In this episode, we discuss:

• Managing Summer goals
• Professional vs. personal goals
• Feeling deflated
• Grounding yourself amongst the pivots and stress
• Tips to recharge

Jessica Cabeen is principal of Ellis Middle School in Austin, Minnesota. She is a regular contributor to outlets such as Edutopia, SavED by Grace, and Principal magazine. As a fellow at NAESP's Center for Middle-Level Leadership, she will be speaking at NAESP's Pre-K–8 Principals Conference this July in Chicago.

You've Landed the Job! Now What?

Congratulations, you've gotten through rounds of vetting, interviews, and are now serving as a principal of your school! But there's still plenty of work to do and challenges to unpack. We sat down with Rosalba Rodriguez—who is about to make the jump from AP to principal in her district—to discuss:

• How the process unfolds
• How it feels to be in this new position
• Advice for aspiring leaders
• Thoughts on the first 100 days
• Planning for next year

 

Supervision and Evaluation

Supervising and evaluating teachers effectively is crucial for school success. But too often for teachers and principals it can feel like just a box being ticked. We sit down with Oregon educator LaKeyshua Washington to discuss how to ensure evaluation is seen and used as an opportunity for growth.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The good and bad of evaluations and supervision

• The difference between supervising and coaching

• How to get the most out of the process

LaKeyshua Washington serves as director of teaching and learning-secondary in Gresham-Barlow School District in Gresham, Oregon, supporting middle and high school principals, assistant principals, and teachers in curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Washington most recently served as a middle school principal in Compton, California.

 

Our Kids Will Be OK

The pandemic has presented daunting challenges for school systems, and there's an understandable fear that it's been a "lost" year for students. But maybe it's not quite as bad as we've been led to believe. Adam and Rachel sit down with Massachusetts principal Liz Garden take a look at the bright side and show how schools have risen to meet these challenges and grown in spite of the circumstances.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The response in schools this past year
• How resilient students have been
• Positive changes and opportunities

Liz Garden is principal of Leroy E. Mayo Elementary School in Holden, Massachusetts.