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

When Principal Jen Schwanke was talking to one of her teachers about the importance of balance, her teacher asked an honest question. “Why should I do this when you don’t?”  Jen realized then that she had been modeling bad habits for her teachers. For instance, when she sent emails to teachers at 10:00 PM, she […] The post PMP153: Maintaining Balance and Focusing on What Matters, Part 2 appeared first on Principal Matters.

We just celebrated Mother’s Day. This time of year is a good reminder that our families play such an important role in our lives outside of school. No matter how many principals I visit, one conversation comes up often: how to maintain balance and stay focused on what matters even while leading a school. Although […] The post PMP152: Maintaining Balance and Staying Focused on What Matters appeared first on Principal Matters.

Several weeks ago, I had the privilege of visiting Norman High School, in Norman, Oklahoma. Dr. Scott Beck was recently named Oklahoma’s High School Principal of the Year, and I wanted to touch-base with him and tour his school. From the moment I entered the building until I left, I was impressed – not just […] The post PMP151: Hiring & Retaining High Quality Teachers, Part 2 appeared first on Principal Matters.

Recently, the teachers at Indian Run Elementary, in Dublin, Ohio, organized a “Flash TACO bar” – a spontaneous buffet meal where they shared great food and fun together. As principal of the school, Jen Schwanke reflects on the joy and creativity of her teachers: they not only love teaching but they also enjoy working together. […] The post PMP:150 Hiring High Quality Educators, Part 1 appeared first on Principal Matters.

A few years ago, I sat across my desk from a student whose father had abandoned him and left the state. A family in our community had taken in the young man, and our school had been in contact with the Department of Human Services on what to do next. That morning I had been […] The post PMPEncore109: The Power of One Caring Adult with Josh Shipp appeared first on Principal Matters.

Spring time is here, and the landscape is green with new growth. Ironically, my wife told me that by the spring of each school year, she has decided that our marriage is falling apart, our kids all need counseling, and we have chosen to the wrong places to live, work, etc.   In other words, […] The post PMP:149 Managing Adult Conflicts, Part 2 appeared first on Principal Matters.

One of the biggest surprises for school new school leaders may be the conflicts that arise with adults. Whether you are encountering conflicts with parents, colleagues or community members, these situations can be difficult to manage. Even experienced principals will tell you that managing conflicts is one of their most challenging but important responsibilities. In […] The post PMP:148 The “Why’s” and “How’s” of Managing Adult Conflict appeared first on Principal Matters.

When you think about providing professional development, do you feel stressed or excited? For many principals, providing professional development can be a daunting task. The good news is that professional development can become something that is meaningful and enjoyable when you realize you no longer have to be the expert. Instead, together with your school […] The post PMP:147 Providing Focused Professional Development appeared first on Principal Matters.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed in trying to balance priorities? If you’re like me, you can probably think of more than once where student discipline, parent concerns, and teacher feedback provided you more tasks than you could complete in a day. No matter whether you are a new principal or a veteran leader, here’s a […] The post PMP:146 Good Habits for Balancing Priorities appeared first on Principal Matters.

When is the last time you heard the following words? “We do what’s best for kids.” Of course, we want school leaders to do what is best for students. But we also want to provide a place where adults feels supported and encouraged in bringing joy to students. Those priorities are not in opposition to […] The post PMP:145 Promoting a Culture of Trust – Part 2 appeared first on Principal Matters.