Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast with William D. Parker MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – A Year in Review
Happy holidays, Principal Matters listeners! This week Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to reminisce about the year and share some of holiday traditions that they are looking forward to. Listen in to hear the full conversation, or read the post below to learn more about what we are thankful for this holiday season!
A Year in Review from Principal Matters (2025)
As I look back on the past year, I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work alongside school leaders across the country through Principal Matters. Whether through districts, state agencies, professional organizations, or individual coaching, the goal has remained the same: helping leaders lead with clarity, confidence, and sustainability during a time when the work feels heavier than ever.
Instead of one-time sessions, much of our work this year focused on ongoing partnerships. Through executive coaching, cohort-based leadership programs, in-person learning, and keynote experiences, we created space for leaders to pause, reflect, and grow together — while building trusted relationships with peers who truly understand the challenges of the role.
By the Numbers
- 300+ school and district leaders supported
- 20+ districts, state agencies, and school networks served
- 10+ states represented
- 250+ executive coaching sessions delivered
- 50+ cohort sessions, workshops, and professional learning experiences
More than anything, these numbers represent relationships built over time and a continued shift toward sustained, retainer-style leadership support.
Grateful for Our Partners
I’m especially thankful for the trust and collaboration of the districts, organizations, and partners we had the privilege of serving this year, including:
Districts, Schools, & State Agencies
- Archdiocese of Louisville Catholic Schools, Louisville, KY
- State of Ohio (Ohio Department of Education & Workforce) & Adkins Consulting
- Palo Alto Unified School District / Palo Alto High School, Palo Alto, CA
- Springfield Local School District, OH
- Joplin High School, Joplin, MO
- Brazosport Independent School District, Clute, TX
- Pecos Barstow Toyah Independent School District, Pecos, TX
- South Umpqua School District, OR
- Owasso Public Schools, OK
- Burlington Schools, OK
- Holdenville Public Schools, OK
- Utica Shale Academy, Salineville, OH
- Northeast Ohio College Preparatory School, Cincinnati, OH
- Leigh High School, Campbell Union High School District (CUHSD), San Jose, CA
- Alfred G. Waters Middle School, Appoquinimink School District, Odessa, DE
- Woodland Middle School, Woodland Public Schools, Woodland, WA
- Ste. Genevieve High School, Ste. Genevieve, MO
Professional Associations & Conferences
- School Administrators of New York State (SAANYS), virtual & in-person (Lake George, NY)
- School Administration Manager (SAM) National Innovation Conference, Miami, FL
- Louisiana Principals Association, Baton Rouge, LA
- CLAS (Alabama Assistant Principal Conferences)
- Apptegy Conference (School CEO), Little Rock, AR
- Southeast Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals (SEMoASSP) Regional Meeting
- National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP)
Organizations & Strategic Partners
- IXL Learning
- DigiCoach
- EduSkills
- Alpaca
- Better Learning / Summer Pops
Grateful for Our Team
I cannot do this work alone, and I’m incredibly thankful for the people who make Principal Matters possible:
- Missy Parker — my wife and the CFO of our company
- Emily Parker-Eaton — Executive Assistant and Editor/Copywriter for the podcast, social media, and client relations
- Jen Schwanke — Co-host of the podcast, prolific author, and weekly contributor whose insight and energy shape the show
- Aaron Fulbright — Designer and manager of the Principal Matters website
Grateful for Helpful Friends
My most recent book, Whose Permission Are You Waiting For?: An Educator’s Guide to Doing What You Love, was made stronger through the thoughtful proofreading and editing of Megan Doyle. I’m also thankful for our partnership with ConnectEDD Publishing, including Jimmy and Kheila Casas, as well as the outstanding editorial support of Jeff Zoul.
New Podcast Music:
If you are a frequent listener, you may have noticed our new music for intros, outros, and sponsorships as well as sound clips like, “You’re listening to Principal Matters: The School Leader’s Podcast.” All of these are thanks to the creative skills of my younger brother, Samuel Parker. You can find more of his work on Sam’s YouTube channel.
New Branding:
This year also marked a complete rebrand for Principal Matters. I’m deeply grateful to MollyKeleneDesigns.com. Molly designed our new logos and brand identity. She captured the heart of this work and gave us a fresh, professional look that truly reflects our mission.
New Headshots:
Also, I want to give a shout-out to my friend Brian Killian, a master craftsman and photographer at Peters Photography in Dublin, Ohio. Jen Schwanke has had her headshots taken at Peters Photography for years. Then we discovered we have a mutual friend in Brian, who is a childhood friend from my growing-up years in West Tennessee. We met him at the studio when I was doing work in Columbus, as he offered to do new headshots for our website. Here are a few extras we enjoyed from his wonderful hospitality:
Looking Ahead to 2026–27?
If you’re starting to think about next year’s professional learning, have ideas for guests, episode topics, or sponsorships—or you simply want space to reflect on your leadership—I’d love to connect. I’m offering a complimentary Zoom reflection session to help you think, plan, and clarify next steps.
Grateful for Our Guests
Finally, 2025 was also another banner year for Principal Matters: The School Leader’s Podcast, now available on YouTube as well as wherever you listen to podcasts. I’m deeply thankful for the many guests who shared their stories, insights, and leadership lessons with our listeners this year.
We also launched a Monday Matters show, where Jen Schwanke and I provide updates on current happenings in our work with leaders, as well as a shorter show for weekly inspiration.
With deep gratitude, we would like to thank all the incredible guests who shared their time, insights, and leadership on Principal Matters in 2025. Your voices, stories, and expertise continue to shape meaningful conversations for school leaders everywhere.
Thank you to Tracie Anderson Swilley, Amanda Austin, Danny Bauer, Bethany Bilodeau, Cale Birk, Todd Bloomer, Karen Borchert, Beau Brannon, Derek Cantrell, PJ Caposey, LaDonna Chancellor, Margaret Coates, Tyler Comeau, Jenn David-Lang, Angela Diggs, Mike Fitzpatrick, Kate Anderson Foley, Tony Frontier, Wilnic Gideon, Daman Harris, Donna Hayward, Brent Jaco, Carlos Johnson, Greg Johnson,
Jeff Jones, Baruti Kafele, Robert Kaiser, Brandi Kelly, Nason Lollar, Eric Mace, Kim Marshall, John Marinucci, John Mihalyo, Derek Mitchell, Mike Nicholson, Ohio State University Grad Students, Darrin Peppard, Lana Penley, Ross Romano, LaVonna Roth, Tanya Sheckley, Danny Steele, Michelle Steingart, T. J. Vari, Steve Ventura, Tim Villegas, and Crystal Williams. Your generosity and commitment to leadership and learning make this work possible, and we are truly grateful for each of you.
Thank you for being a part of the Principal Matters Community. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas & Winter holiday, and Happy New Year. Thank you for doing what matters!
With appreciation,
William D. Parker
P.S. Below is an entire list of our 2025 shows with links if you want to listen back or check them out for the first time:
2025 Podcast Shows & Guests
- 12/17/2025 – The Instructional Leader in You with Danny Steele
- 12/10/2025 – From Classroom to Crisis and Beyond with Dr. Greg Johnson
- 12/03/2025 – Lessons from Transition with Beau Brannon
- 11/26/2025 – Leading a Community of Educators with Steve Ventura
- 11/24/2025 – Subscriber Holiday Special
- 11/19/2025 – Lessons From the First Year with Dr. Robert Kaiser
- 11/12/2025 – Radically Excellent School Improvement with Dr. Kate Anderson Foley
- 11/05/2025 – Road to Awesome with Darrin Peppard
- 10/29/2025 – Elemental Educator with Tyler Comeau
- 10/22/2025 – Lead with H.O.P.E. with Dr. Brandi Kelly
- 10/15/2025 – Staying Committed to Inclusivity with Tim Villegas
- 10/08/2025 – Instructional Coaching with Crystal Williams
- 10/01/2025 – AI with Intention with Tony Frontier
- 09/24/2025 – Being a Ruckus Maker with Danny Bauer
- 09/17/2025 – Leading Collaboratively with LaDonna Chancellor
- 09/10/2025 – Better Together with Derek Cantrell
- 09/03/2025 – Human Capital Management with OSU Grad Students
- 08/27/2025 – Leaning into Leadership with Darrin Peppard
- 08/20/2025 – Supporting New Teachers, Part 2, with Jenn David-Lang and Kim Marshall
- 08/13/2025 – Supporting New Teachers with Jenn David-Land and Kim Marshall
- 07/23/2025 – Permission to S.H.I.N.E. with LaVonna Roth
- 07/16/2025 – Listening to Your Teachers with Karen Borchert
- 07/09/2025 – Empowering Student Agency with Dr. Mike Nicholson
- 07/02/2025 – Cybersecurity in Schools with Mike Fitzpatrick
- 06/25/2025 – Maximizing Systems, Focus, and Impact with PJ Caposey
- 06/18/2025 – Leading with Wellness in Mind with Dr. Angela Diggs
- 06/11/2025 – Reaching Every Student with Dr. Tracie Anderson Swilley
- 06/04/2025 – What is my Value Instructionally with Baruti Kafele
- 05/28/2025 – Instructional Excellence with Michelle Steingart
- 05/21/2025 – Inclusive & Supportive Schools for Every Learner with Dr. Eric Mace
- 05/14/2025 – The Antiracist School Leader with Dr. Daman Harris
- 05/07/2025 – The Blueprint for Administrators with Todd Bloomer
- 04/30/2025 – Recovering After Fire with Lana Penley
- 04/23/2025 – Powerful Voices in Education with Donna Hayward
- 04/16/2025 – Leading with Simplicity and Harmony with John Marinucci
- 04/09/2025 – Why Every Student Deserves a Pathway with Dr. T.J. Vari
- 04/02/2025 – Keys to Successful Schools with John Mihalyo
- 03/26/2025 – Ease the Pain – Guidance for Safety and Regulation with Dr. Bethany Bilodeau
- 03/19/2025 – TRUST Principles for Professionalism with Dr. Nason Lollar
- 03/12/2025 – Rebel Educator – Classrooms of Imagination and Impact with Tanya Sheckley
- 03/05/2025 – Living on the Leadership Edge with Margaret Coates
- 02/26/2025 – Partners in School Innovation with Dr. Derek Mitchell
- 02/19/2025 – Achieving Remarkable Outcomes with Dr. Amanda Austin
- 02/12/2025 – Empowering Teen Learners with Dr. Wilnic Gideon
- 02/05/2025 – Power Engage with Carlos Johnson
- 01/29/2025 – The Benefits of Trust with Brent Jaco
- 01/22/2025 – Finding Solutions with Jeff Jones
- 01/15/2025 – Culturizing for Impact with Cale Birk
- 01/08/2025 – Connecting Leaders with Ross Romano
- 01/01/2025 – Finding Solutions with Jeff Jones
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