PMP432: Be The Shift With Joshua Yeager Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast With William D. Parker podcast

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Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast with William D. Parker

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MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Remembering Faces 17:02

4 hours 전17:02

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17:02

On this week’s installment of Monday Matters, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke have a conversation about leaving your legacy and making your mark. Some topics covered in the conversation are: Remembering that you will always be treasured by someone Treating other with dignity and respect – because they will remember that for a long time Knowing that our influence continues long after we are gone Listen in to hear the full conversation! Below is a piece written by William D. Parker about the topics discussed in this episode: Remembering Faces by William D. Parker The other day, I was in a thrift store in Stillwater, Oklahoma. My wife was looking for vinyl records, and I was perusing. Thrift stores are such fascinating places to discover antiques, trinkets, or little treasures—once beloved by someone else and now on the display table, surrounded by coffee mugs and hand-sewn quilts. As I rounded a corner to step into another booth, I was struck by two portraits: framed paintings of two separate boys who looked like they could have posed sometime in the 1940s or 1950s. They were obviously brothers, and no description or writing explained who they were. The older boy looked like a teenager—his square jaw just beginning to take shape. His tightly cropped haircut, bow tie, and tan jacket gave his boyish look a certain elegance. But it was the expression on his face that captivated me. He wore a Mona Lisa-like expression—half grin, half nervous. His eyes peered into the artist’s face with probity and intelligence. At the same time, there was a hint of shyness and wonder. His younger brother’s portrait was equally compelling but more haunting. He was a beautiful, blond-haired boy of seven or eight years old, dressed in a blue suit coat and a thin gray tie. His rosy cheeks and cleft chin gave him the look of a little man. It was his eyes, however, that pulled me into the painting—round, brown ovals with a riveting gaze that made you believe he would grow up to be successful, content, and loved. The moment was uncomfortable for me because both paintings were obviously commissioned—the artist’s name was nowhere to be seen—yet these beloved boys, whose portraits once hung proudly on the walls of some grand home, were now sitting on the floor of an old thrift store in Stillwater, Oklahoma. How many times had a mother or father peered at these portraits with affection? How many times had visitors to their home stopped to look with admiration? Had the boys grown up to go to war? Had they enrolled in a university or found meaningful work? Did they find love, have children, and leave a legacy for others to remember them by? Or were they tragically lost to illness, war, or heartbreak? I’ll never know the answers to these questions. I think what made me feel sad was knowing that these once-treasured portraits were now forgotten. And this made me think about myself and the people whom I love. How many years before my own face is no longer known? Will my own photos find their way to the trash heap or surprise some wanderer in a thrift store? Who will treasure the faces of my own children once I’m gone? These kinds of thoughts would make me sad if I believed the value of those boys—or my own—was determined by the fate of where my memory lies after I’m dead. Instead, I have to take comfort in the following: Like those boys, someone is treasuring you in the moment you are in . Whether it’s a close friend, a family member, or someone whose life you’ve influenced—today is the day to remember you are loved. Each person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect . Just as you appreciate the kind words or gestures of others, someone needs to hear from you today and be reminded they are valued, adored, and appreciated. No matter what the future holds for our memories, we have the comfort of knowing our influence continues after we are gone —whether or not history books or family records contain our images or stories. Just the way you treat someone today—the attention you pay them in their ordinary day-to-day doings—provides them with a reminder that they matter. My hope is that both these boys grew up to enjoy precious, fulfilling lives. In my imagination, in fact, I dream they grew up and chose to move overseas to begin a company in remote India. They said goodbye to the comforts of home and struck out for adventure—finding love, success, and leaving a family legacy in a new land far from their old home, where the portraits gathered dust while they were forging a bold, new life. The reality may be much different, but I am not capable of knowing. In the meantime, I want to share with you my moment peering at their faces. In a small way, those boys—whatever happened to them—are still being appreciated through my musings. Now It’s Your Turn Today, as you interact with children, colleagues, family members, or anyone, show them the kind of attention everyone deserves to receive. Make a memory of their faces in your mind and celebrate them—not only in your thoughts but also by letting them know they are seen and cherished. The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Remembering Faces appeared first on Principal Matters .…

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Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast with William D. Parker

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ENCORE FRIDAY – PMP268: Equity, Equality and Systems with Enid Lee 37:06

3일 전37:06

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37:06

“These are the times for stepping forward with courage.” – Enid Lee. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are three things that make our country and our schools strong. I believe that it is vital to engage in conversations about these things in a time when our government in the US is cracking down on DEI. For that reason, I have selected to share this conversation with Enid Lee from 2021 as our encore episode this week. Listen in to the conversation or check out the original blog post here to learn more about her career dedicated to anti-racist work. The post ENCORE FRIDAY – PMP268: Equity, Equality and Systems with Enid Lee appeared first on Principal Matters .…

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Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast with William D. Parker

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PMP439: Rebel Educator – Classrooms of Imagination and Impact with Tanya Sheckley 46:37

5일 전46:37

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46:37

A Quick Note to Listeners: —- The Question of the Week is supported by Summer Pops Math Workbooks. Principals, when students practice math over the summer, math scores go up. What’s your summer math plan this year? A great way to start is by ordering FREE summer workbook samples at Summer Pops Workbooks.com. —- Before this week’s interview, Jen Schwanke and Will Parker answer a listener question with a five minute response. The question is: How do you maintain a sense of autonomy when so many external management decisions impact your role and school environment? Listen in to hear their response and thank you for doing what matters! Meet Tanya Scheckley: Tanya Sheckley is an Edupreneur, Founder of UP Academy, and Co-Founder of Project UP. UP Academy is a non-traditional elementary school which values respect, innovation, empathy and strength. Project UP brings a fully integrated Literacy and project based learning curriculum for K-5 schools as well as building a community of founders and leaders. Tanya’s vision and mission show it’s possible to celebrate differences, change what’s broken in the American education system, and that all children can receive a rigorous, well rounded education. She is author of Rebel Educator: Create Classrooms of Imagination and Impact and host of the Rebel Educator podcast. She speaks frequently on the future of education and entrepreneurship. She is a rebel educator who works with founders and leaders to launch innovative school models, question the status quo, and develop engaging student experiences through inclusion and project based learning. From Dr. Jen Schwanke: I reached out to Tanya Sheckley after seeing a post she wrote about turning 50. These days, I’m drawn to the story of a female educational leader who is in her fifties because… well, because I’m always looking for people who are on the same walk I am on. Aren’t we all? Tanya’s path to education was unconventional. She started in sales for consumer packaged goods before deciding to open a school. Her inspiration came from her oldest daughter, who has cerebral palsy. Tanya and her husband wanted to find a school that could provide their daughter with the academic rigor she needed, as well as the therapy and independence she deserved. Tanya’s school focuses on meeting each student at the right level of challenge at the right time. They use interactive, project-based work that is both relevant and interesting to their students. Classes are small, and students are often in cohorts within their own class, with a small group, or with students in another class, depending on their specific learning needs. Not long ago, Tanya wrote a book titled, Rebel Educator: Create Classrooms Where Impact and Imagination Meet. The decision to write a book “snuck up” on Tanya, and the finished product capitalizes on the unique perspective of someone who wasn’t formally trained as an educator but who now is running her own school. In the book, she discusses how constraints in policy, procedure, history, and expectations can be stifling for students and how a fresh mind and a willingness to rebel against them can be beneficial. As this episode wraps up, Tanya and I reflect on being a woman in leadership, how age plays into confidence and decision-making, and how we still have a lot to give as we age. Connect with Tanya: Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheckley/ Website: https://www.rebeleducator.com/ and https://tanyasheckley.com/ Podcasts: https://www.rebeleducator.com/p/PODCAST The post PMP439: Rebel Educator – Classrooms of Imagination and Impact with Tanya Sheckley appeared first on Principal Matters .…

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Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast with William D. Parker

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MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Reflections 12:08

7일 전12:08

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12:08

This week on Monday Matters, Will and Jen are doing something they have not done before: talking about books they’re currently reading. Will talks about reading the book, T he Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese. Jen recently finished a book called Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May. Listen in to hear their reflections on their readings and the lessons they have learned from those books! Below is a reflection on the Covenant of Water by William D. Parker: Thoughts from The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese I just finished the Pulitzer Prize-winning book, The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese, a brilliant novel set over decades of experience from the origins of a rural Indian girl whose family’s stories encompass generations of love, joy, heartbreak, sorrow, and discoveries—culminating in the life and experiences of the main character’s granddaughter. I’m not one who wants to ruin a story for anyone else, so I’ll encourage you to check out the book if you love a compelling narrative. Verghese explains at the end of the book how much of the material began from writings his own mother shared with him. With his background as a medical doctor, the author adds perspectives only someone with a career in medicine could have accomplished. More impressive to me, however, was his ability to place himself into the minds of multiple characters and allow readers to hear their thoughts, consider their cultural and linguistic perspectives, and become absorbed in the emotional ups and downs they each experience. It is at the apex of the story when you finally realize how all their stories converge, like the image of water running in a stream, binding them together in ways they never imagined or even understood when examining their individual place in the story. In other words, Verghese allows us the privilege of examining the lives of others connected by the thread of one family while having the benefit of seeing the whole picture—one that those individuals were unable to see themselves. I think that is what I love most about fiction, whether it is books or movies—the ability to examine a story from a wider perspective to better understand the small moments. Of course, as a father, a husband, and an educator, I’m asking myself these questions as I finish the book: If someone were to take a step back and examine the trajectory of my life and work, what common thread(s) would they see that perhaps I am unaware of? What moment(s) am I experiencing today, or even right now, that may play a significant role in something I experience later? What happens if I’m unable to view my experiences with the perspective that explores the impact of my words and actions—not just now, but for years to come? Let me give an example of what I mean. Today, I was sitting in a virtual meeting with assistant principals who all serve schools in different parts of the same city. The twelve of us were discussing what happens when school leaders display the happenings of their school beyond the walls of their building; in other words, what happens when you share the wonderful or challenging experiences of a normal school day with your community at large? As an example, we were watching a short video clip from Jenks High School, a school south of Tulsa, Oklahoma, where my friend David Beiler is principal. In 2019, their school published a video that began a yearly tradition where select seniors choose a teacher whose impact was most influential. Most of them chose teachers from their earlier years in elementary, middle school, or previous high school years. Each senior wrote a letter to that teacher explaining how their influence had made a difference in their lives. Each senior then surprised their special teacher with a classroom visit and read their letters aloud while current students watched. The school’s media team followed each senior with a camera and captured each moment. The result was a heartwarming, tearful, and joyful reunion where both students and teachers bonded over sweet gestures of gratitude. When the video was shared, it was downloaded thousands of times as students, parents, teachers, and community members experienced a small glimpse into the larger story of one school system—a place where individual experiences were tied together with a common thread of caring, learning, resilience, hard work, and achievement. Isn’t this what we want for every school community? Isn’t it what we want for ourselves and our families—the sense of satisfaction that comes with knowing that what I’m doing makes a difference in the lives of others? As I think about Abraham Verghese’s book, I am reminded of a scene where the main character, whom the others call Ammachi, is looking back over her life. She can see the threads that tied her to her husband, her children, and her community—the tragedies that marked them forever as well as the joys that bonded them in ways even death could not break apart. If you are an educator reading these thoughts, you may not have the privilege of seeing where your influence lives on after your work with students is completed. My belief, however, is that your influence is immeasurable. Even as I write these words, I’m reminded of the patient hands of Mrs. Blackwood, my first-grade teacher, who helped me form my first letters with primary-ruled paper and that large, yellow, jumbo-size pencil. Her memory lives on in my writing even though her memory of me is just one child among the hundreds she taught over 30 years. Now It’s Your Turn When is the last time you thought about the people who influenced the person you’ve become today? If you could tell them thank you, what would you want them to know? When is the last time you looked over the work you are doing and asked: Where am I making a difference, and how can I be mindful today that even the smallest task may be producing large dividends later? Thank you for being a part of making a difference for others, and thank you for doing what matters! The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Reflections appeared first on Principal Matters .…

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Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast with William D. Parker

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ENCORE FRIDAY – PMP281: Paradoxes of Leadership with Dr. Tim Elmore 31:55

10일 전31:55

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31:55

Welcome back to Encore Friday! This week’s episode from the archives is PMP281: Paradoxes of Leadership with Dr. Tim Elmore, originally released in 2022. In it we discuss his book, The 8 Paradoxes of Great Leadership: Embracing the Conflicting Demands of Today’s Workplace . Listen in to hear Dr. Elmore talk about the complexities of leadership and how to avoid getting stuck in frustration. This is a great conversation, give it a listen or read the original blog post to learn more! The post ENCORE FRIDAY – PMP281: Paradoxes of Leadership with Dr. Tim Elmore appeared first on Principal Matters .…

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Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast with William D. Parker

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PMP438: Living on the Leadership Edge with Margaret Coates 51:40

12일 전51:40

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51:40

A Quick Note to Listeners: —- The Question of the Week is supported by Summer Pops Math Workbooks. Principals, when students practice math over the summer, math scores go up. What’s your summer math plan this year? A great way to start is by ordering FREE summer workbook samples at Summer Pops Workbooks.com. —- Before this week’s interview, Jen Schwanke and Will Parker answer a listener question with a five minute response. The question is: How can leaders ensure staff feel supported, particularly in the face of all other management challenges? Listen in to hear their response and thank you for doing what matters! Meet Dr. Margaret Coates: Dr. Margaret Coates became Superintendent of Owasso Public Schools on July 1, 2022, after nearly 15 years in the district as a teacher, coach, and administrator. She oversees operations for 9,800 students and 1,200 staff. Before her appointment, Coates was interim superintendent and previously served as Assistant Superintendent for Teaching & Learning. Since becoming superintendent, she has led the district’s largest bond package ($83.9 million), updated employee salaries, and initiated a five-year strategic plan. Coates started her career as a geometry teacher at Owasso High School in 2002, later becoming assistant principal and Math Department Chair. She was key in creating Owasso Virtual High School and coached basketball, cross country, and track & field. She later served as Principal of Centennial Middle School and opened the Freshman Academy, followed by six years as Assistant Superintendent for Broken Arrow Public Schools before returning to Owasso in 2018. A native of Collinsville, Coates earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership from Oklahoma State University in 2017 and holds degrees from The University of Tulsa in Athletic Administration and Health, Physical Education, and Recreation. She was an Academic All-American basketball player at TU. An outdoor enthusiast, Coates has hiked the Pacific Crest Trail and completed more than 20 marathons, as well as the Ironman Tulsa Triathlon in 2022 and 2023. She enjoys living on the edge and taking on challenges. Owasso Public Schools highlights: One of the highlights of Owasso Public Schools that Coates is proudest of is their 5 year strategic plan and how it is being implemented. She says that they have collected lots of data to show how the program is impacting the areas where the program has been implemented. One of the programs Owasso has started offering as a result of their 5 year plan is the SPARK program, which is a before and after school care program. Owasso Public Schools is able to offer subsidies for families that need the program. Another highlight that Coates is proud of is how Owasso is a professional learning community. They really focus on the PLC process and have collaboration days on the calendar. Their PLC model is the foundation of the academic achievement for the entire district. A third highlight of OPS that Coates is proud of is that one their special Olympics coaches has been named the national special Olympic coach of the year; and that Owasso’s special Olympics team is the largest in Oklahoma. Finally, Coates is proud of how OPS is the largest employer in the city of Owasso. With a retention rate of about 91%, they have about 1,250 employees in the district. Living on the Edge of Death: Coates says that she enjoys taking extreme risks and “living on the edge of death”. To her, taking a risk equals being vulnerable. Goal setting is extremely important to Coates; she says that to start out, people should set small goals and try to accomplish them. The feeling of accomplishing those goals is what drives Coates to keep going after she sets a goal. Furthermore, she says that she gets a thrill of not knowing if you’re going to be able to finish something when you start it. For example, Coates runs marathons, and she decided that she wanted to qualify for the Boston marathon. She says it took her four tries to qualify, and that she had to push herself harder than she ever felt possible, but the thrill of meeting that goal is what made it all worth it. In a position of leadership, Coates says that it is important for people to get comfortable setting goals, as leaders have to take risks and push themselves. Courage and the ability to ask for help is what makes a good leader, Coates states. Throughout her own leadership journey, Coates has learned that asking for help in instrumental for accomplishing goals. One event that taught her this was her journey through the Pacific Crest trail. When she started out, she was on her own, but she quickly realized that she needed a team and needed help getting through the journey. Advice to New Leaders: Coates says her biggest piece of advice for new leaders is the stay focused on the main thing: students and staff. In leadership, it can be easy to get distracted by the outside stuff, so it is important to keep yourself reminded of the reason you really do the job. Another piece of advice she has for new leaders is that you cannot make everyone happy 100% of the time. She says that, as a leader, you are going to make people mad, but that is okay as long as you know you’ve made the decision that is best for your students. Coates also wants to remind leaders that they’re not going to get through all the stuff you want to get done; that it is more important to take care of people first. Finally, she says that new leaders need to keep learning; that they should try to have a growth mindset and stay curious. Self-care as a Leader: Coates has learned to balance the responsibilities of leadership with her self-care in a revolutionary way. Hiking the Pacific Crest trail, Coates learned some important takeaways about self-care and what truly matters for leaders. She retired early to hike the Pacific Crest, and says that she was scared to death about retiring beforehand. After coming back to work at OPS, she realized that if her work doesn’t work out, she will be fine. Consequently, she realized that what really matters is your health, your family, and your relationships. She also says that it is important to learn from making mistakes; mistakes make a better leader and build grit. Coates further emphasizes that teamwork is the key to survival for leaders; there is no way to do it all alone. Trauma Informed Practices: Owasso Public Schools had partnered with ConnectED kids to implement trauma informed practices within their school district. Through this partnership, Coates says that she has realized the need to target students when they are really young. By doing so, it ends up spreading exponentially and organically when you bring those practices into the school. Parting Words of Advice: To wrap up the conversation, Coates emphasizes the importance of building and maintaining positive, collaborative relationships with board members for school superintendents, for nothing can move forward in the district without the board members. She also reminds listeners to have fun and find joy in everyday of their work. To stay connected to Margaret Coates you can email her at margaret.coates@owassops.org The post PMP438: Living on the Leadership Edge with Margaret Coates appeared first on Principal Matters .…

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Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast with William D. Parker

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MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker- Decision Making 16:57

14일 전16:57

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16:57

Happy Monday! This week, Jen and I cover the topic of decision making for school leaders. Specifically, we consider the question: What goes in to the thought process when a leader has to make a decision? Some of the pieces of the decision making process we cover are: Recognizing it’s not as simple as just looking at data Outcomes need to be analyzed Compliance, requests outside of your control, things that you cannot control Constraints of budgets and personnel Complexities of school leaders making decisions Look at data that is trending in the moment Look at data that tends to get overlooked Employee retention Extracurricular activity participation Tech usage Listen in to hear our full answer to that question! The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker- Decision Making appeared first on Principal Matters .…

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Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast with William D. Parker

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ENCORE FRIDAY – PMP321: Lessons in the Leadership Journey with Shenita Perry 34:44

17일 전34:44

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34:44

Happy Friday! This week’s encore episode is one from 2022. In it, Will Parker interviews Shenita Perry about her unique leadership experiences and the lessons she learned along the way. Listen in to hear the full conversation or check out the original blog post here ! The post ENCORE FRIDAY – PMP321: Lessons in the Leadership Journey with Shenita Perry appeared first on Principal Matters .…

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Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast with William D. Parker

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PMP437: Partners in School Innovation with Dr. Derek Mitchell 50:17

19일 전50:17

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50:17

A Quick Note to Listeners: —- The Question of the Week is supported by Summer Pops Math Workbooks. Principals, when students practice math over the summer, math scores go up. What’s your summer math plan this year? A great way to start is by ordering FREE summer workbook samples at Summer Pops Workbooks.com. —- Before this week’s interview, Jen Schwanke and Will Parker answer a listener question with a five minute response. The question is: I’m a lead principal, when do I know it’s time to move on? Once you’ve “maximized” the school or are high performing or is there ever a time? Listen in to hear their response and thank you for doing what matters! Dr. Derek Mitchell is the CEO of Partners in School Innovation, a nonprofit that provides solutions for educational inequities in underperforming schools. Since 2009, he has focused on building the skills of educators and leaders to improve student outcomes, particularly in marginalized communities, through equity-centered school improvement. Dr. Mitchell holds a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from UCLA and has held leadership roles in various educational organizations, including Oakland Unified School District and Prince George’s County. Under his leadership, Partners in School Innovation has received support from major foundations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. His work continues to advocate for lasting, systemic change in education. Dr. Mitchell’s career in education came after a few other careers; he spent some time as a dancer early in his career. He also worked in the entertainment industry and co-founded a software company building video games. Dr. Mitchell says that his life’s goal is to make sure that kids can have a rich education in their own neighborhoods. Derek Mitchell’s Story: Dr. Mitchell talks about how his experience in school motivated him to serve schools and students. He states that his personal education story has been a combination of the worst and the best. Growing up in Chicago, he had the experience of going to many different schools. He recalls being jealous that his older siblings were able to go to school; so when he finally got to go he says he felt it was the greatest thing in the world. As a student, Dr. Mitchell became obsessed with cockroaches, and this led him to participate in a city-wide science fair. The science fair was held at a school much nicer than his own, and showed him that our schools are often setting up students on two different tiers of education. He has since used this experience as his motivation for his work. Serving Leaders: Dr. Mitchell’s organization has supported 70 different school districts across the country, having served in places like Oaklahnd, San Jose, inner city Philadelphia, rural Mississippi, and many other districts across the country. They know that brilliance is everywhere and excellence is abundant. Dr. Mitchell states that there is nothing more powerful than teachers. Expanding on that point, he explains that the job of a leader is to improve what happens between students and teachers. Their organization typically works with new leaders, as they often do not have a sense of what they are really there to do. Typically, their organization is in a school for several years. They focus on growth in leadership, and recognize that everyone has a role in leadership in some capacity. Job Embedded Coaching: Dr. Mitchell talks about how the job of school leaders in heavily impacted communities is often a lonely and thankless one. One way to unlock agency from within school leaders is through job embedded coaching. Dr. Mitchell’s organization focuses on building leadership skills and knowing oneself. They also focus on giving job embedded feedback to leaders as a way to find the cues needed to grow in leadership. Advice for Leaders: Dr. Mitchell says that the advice he would give to an education leader who wants to make a significant change in a challenging setting boils down to three things: Do they have the skill to do it? Do they have the will to do it? Do they have a way to do what they need to do? He notes the importance of being transparent about your own learning as a leader, and states that most adults gain a will through coming together in community with other adults in a similar position. The last piece of advice he gives is that leaders need to be intentional about diagnosing where the hiccup in their learning community is, so that they can deal with the hiccup most effectively. Staying Connected: You can stay connected with Dr. Derek Mitchell through his website and through the book Website: partnersinschools.org, free connection with other leaders Book about their work “Change agent” Thank you for supporting the needs of students and learners within your community! Reference: Change Agents: Transforming Schools From the Ground Up 1st Edition by Justin Cohen The post PMP437: Partners in School Innovation with Dr. Derek Mitchell appeared first on Principal Matters .…

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Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast with William D. Parker

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MONDAY MATTERS – Warming Your Hands and Learning Lessons 14:49

21일 전14:49

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14:49

By William D. Parker When we lived in the basement, Daddy would wake up long before the rest of us. He would stir the remaining coals in the wood stove, adding fresh sticks to the barrel-sized belly and stoking it until the new wood caught fire. As we crawled out of our beds, we would make our way straight to the kitchen, circling around the wood stove as if it were a wise sage, radiating warmth and illuminating our little hands and souls. Momma would move about the kitchen, making a skillet of eggs or a pan of oatmeal—whatever was on hand. On some winter days, she’d fry strips of salt pork. It was so salty that just a few bites were enough. Some old-timers would boil their salted meat to temper the flavor. My oldest brother, Harvey, loved sitting in an old red rocking chair. Its springs creaked as he rocked, the feet of the chair bouncing up and down with increasing velocity. One day, curious as a five-year-old often is, I crawled underneath the chair and watched the wooden legs clamp up and down in rhythm with his rocking. Clamp, clamp, clamp. An idea struck me: if I timed it right, I could slip my fingers under the legs and pull them away just before the chair came down. For a few tries, I succeeded, but by the fifth or sixth attempt, my luck ran out. That day, I learned a hard lesson about motion, velocity, and friction—forces too unpredictable for my small fingers. I never made the same mistake with the wood stove. Years earlier, as a toddler just learning to walk, I had backed into the kitchen oven while Momma was baking. The burn on my backside taught me a valuable lesson: fire burns. I never forgot it, especially when stoking the wood stove or adding sticks to its flames. One of my earliest chores was splitting wood and hauling it inside with my small red wagon. Even as a boy, I learned to handle an axe and sledgehammer. Over time, splitting wood became a lesson in patience and meditation. Perhaps that’s why I still find so much pleasure in burning real logs in the fireplace or sitting by a backyard firepit, contemplating the mesmerizing colors of the flames. We often learn life’s hardest lessons through experience. This thought came to me this morning during a video meeting with school leaders. We discussed how to navigate the challenges of leadership—how to steer the ship without crashing into obstacles. I shared a story about my friend Dave Sandowich, a 21-year school principal and an experienced sailor. He often draws parallels between sailing and leadership. Dave once said, “Sailing is a lot like leadership. Your destination might lie directly upwind, but a sailboat can’t sail straight into the wind. Instead, you work your way there by angling off the wind, zigzagging toward your goal. It’s more effort and takes longer, but if you stay the course, apply your knowledge, and adjust based on feedback from your instruments and instincts, you’ll get there.” When I asked the leaders how they face difficulties without creating more damage, here were some of their responses: Pause and think before you speak. Identify what’s really bothering you before addressing it. Confront the reality, not the person, and consider your role in the situation. One leader compared it to snow skiing: “When I try to control every variable, I fall more. But when I go with the natural forces instead of fighting them, I move forward. Each experience builds understanding for the next time.” So, what do wood stoves and uncertainties have in common? Each day, we step into settings—some as comforting as a warm room, others as daunting as an angry parent. Each situation offers a lesson. Sometimes, the lesson is as simple as avoiding a hot stove: pause and seek understanding before responding. Other times, it’s about resistance. Do you fight against it like punching the wind, or do you adjust your sails, using those forces to propel you forward? For example, when I asked these same leaders about clarifying their intentions for staff or students, they shared: “I should explain why I’m spending more time in classrooms instead of just showing up.” “I want to clarify new responsibilities for staff instead of assuming they’ll figure it out.” “I need my teachers to see that we’re collectively responsible for all students, not just those on their rosters.” “I want to understand my team’s goals so I can help them while aligning with our collective goals.” You probably won’t place your hand on a hot stove or stick your fingers under a rocking chair today. But will you face resistance in pursuing your goals? Likely. Even this week, as I set goals for my work with Principal Matters , I found myself focusing too much on tasks. Tasks matter, but I paused to reflect on the values I want to cultivate: Actively listening and improving as a consultant. Creating collaborative spaces for problem-solving. Encouraging reflection, perspective, and action. Growing deeply as a person while equipping others to do the same. No matter the resistance, these intentions guide me as I adjust my sails for the journey ahead. Now It’s Your Turn How are you approaching today’s challenges with intentionality? How can you use resistance to propel you forward instead of holding you back? What ideas or goals can you clarify for those you serve to ensure a clearer path ahead? The post MONDAY MATTERS – Warming Your Hands and Learning Lessons appeared first on Principal Matters .…

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Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast with William D. Parker

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ENCORE FRIDAY – PMP368: Buildership with Robyn Jackson and Jen Schwanke 44:29

24일 전44:29

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44:29

It’s Encore Friday! This week’s episode is an interview from 2023 with Jen Schwanke and Robyn Jackson. Listen in to hear them discuss topics like: You can also check out the original blog post for this episode here. Thank you for doing what matters! The post ENCORE FRIDAY – PMP368: Buildership with Robyn Jackson and Jen Schwanke appeared first on Principal Matters .…

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Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast with William D. Parker

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PMP436: Achieving Remarkable Outcomes with Dr. Amanda Austin 46:00

26일 전46:00

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46:00

A Quick Note to Listeners: —- The Question of the Week is supported by Summer Pops Math Workbooks. Principals, when students practice math over the summer, math scores go up. What’s your summer math plan this year? A great way to start is by ordering FREE summer workbook samples at Summer Pops Workbooks.com. —- Before […] The post PMP436: Achieving Remarkable Outcomes with Dr. Amanda Austin appeared first on Principal Matters .…

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Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast with William D. Parker

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MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – AI in Schools 21:43

28일 전21:43

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21:43

For this week’s Monday Matters topic, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke talk about AI in schools. While neither of them are experts on the subject, they acknowledge that AI is something that impacts everyone in the education world. Some of the points they address in this conversation are: Now It’s Your Turn: What are some […] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – AI in Schools appeared first on Principal Matters .…

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Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast with William D. Parker

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ENCORE FRIDAY – PMP358: Inspired to Be Faithful with Timothy Alexander 32:48

4 weeks 전32:48

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32:48

It’s Friday and that means it’s time for another encore episode! This week’s episode from the archives is PMP358, an interview with my friend Timothy Alexander. Timothy’s story is moving and inspirational. Give this episode a listen or check out the original blog post from 2023 to learn more about him! The post ENCORE FRIDAY – PMP358: Inspired to Be Faithful with Timothy Alexander appeared first on Principal Matters .…

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Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast with William D. Parker

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PMP435: Empowering Teen Learners with Dr. Wilnic Gideon 42:42

5 weeks 전42:42

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42:42

A Quick Note to Listeners: —- The Question of the Week is supported by Summer Pops Math Workbooks. Principals, when students practice math over the summer, math scores go up. What’s your summer math plan this year? A great way to start is by ordering FREE summer workbook samples at Summer Pops Workbooks.com. —- Before […] The post PMP435: Empowering Teen Learners with Dr. Wilnic Gideon appeared first on Principal Matters .…

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