Circle Forum

What does it take to shift an education system toward truth, reconciliation, and real equity? In this episode, our guest is Dr. Nathan Ngieng, Deputy Superintendent of Abby Schools in Abbotsford, British Columbia. Dr Ngieng discusses how school leaders can move beyond surface-level initiatives and engage in deep, systemic change. He also shares insights on transformative leadership, the power of v...

What happens when school leaders embrace vulnerability, listen to their staff, and implement restorative practices? Our guest this episode is  Wayne Davies, Instructor and Director of Student Teaching, Faculty of Education, University of Winnipeg in Manitoba. Wayne shares his personal and professional stories of transformation, offering practical advice on building trust, addressing resistance, an...

What role do school principals play in reconciliation with Indigenous communities? Our guest this episode is  Wayne Davies, Instructor and Director of Student Teaching, Faculty of Education, University of Winnipeg in Manitoba. Wayne shares insights from his Métis heritage and his journey as an educator, exploring how listening, building trust, and embracing Indigenous knowledge can transform schoo...

Mental health is a growing concern in education, but who checks on the principals?  Our guest again this episode  is Tracy Vanstone.  She’s in a new role with  Manitoba Teachers Society as a Staff Officer. With Tracy, we explore the unique challenges school leaders face, from loneliness to unspoken pressures. It’s a mental health crisis among school leaders  which highlights the need for mentorshi...

Supporting others while maintaining your own mental health is no small feat. Our guest again this episode is Dean MacInnis, Principal of Sir John Franklin High School in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.   Dean sheds light on the mental health struggles principals face, from staff confessions to student challenges. He talks about how he navigates these pressures, finds balance through self-care,...

Decisions that impact lives aren't made lightly. Our guest this episode is Dean MacInnis, Principal of Sir John Franklin High School in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.   Dean opens up about his journey from vice principal to principal, tackling tough calls, navigating isolation, and building confidence through support and experience. He takes us behind the scenes of school administration,...

What if your one of your best leadership tools wasn’t giving advice, but asking questions? Our guest this episode is Sascha Epp , Staff Officer for Teacher Welfare at The Manitoba Teachers’ Society. Sascha dives into the psychology of advice-giving with the verbal picture of the "advice monster" and its impact on school leadership. She talks about how to replace the instinct to fix with...

Principals are the pillars of our schools, but who supports them when the weight becomes too much? School leadership is rewarding but relentless. Dr. Shannon Behan ,the President of the British Columbia Principal Vice-Principal Association (BCPVPA) addresses the silent crisis facing principals—stress, burnout, and mental health struggles. Learn how mentorship programs, structured professional deve...

What do principals do when there aren’t enough teachers, support staff, or resources? They step up, but at what cost? This episode with Dr. Shannon Behan ,the President of the British Columbia Principal Vice-Principal Association (BCPVPA) dives into the realities of running schools with dwindling resources, from filling classroom gaps to supporting high-needs students. Dr. Behan talks about the pr...

What does it mean to be a principal in 2024? For Chris Hicks, our guest this episode, it’s about balancing the impossible—managing violence in schools, implementing nutrition policies, and supporting overworked staff, all while leading with empathy and collaboration. Chris Hicks is the Chair of the Council of School Leaders (COSL) of the Manitoba Teachers’ Society.  The role of principals is evolv...

Schools are the heartbeat of our communities, but is the role of the principal sustainable? This podcast takes a look at how schools have become the new social hubs and the overwhelming responsibilities placed on principals as a result.  Dr. Shannon Behan is back as a guest on our podcast this week.  Dr. Behan is the President of the British Columbia Principal Vice-Principal Association also known...

Ever wondered what keeps school principals going during their toughest days? Our podcast guest  again this week is Ralph Nigro, a retired principal and the former President of the Ontario Principals Council in Ontario, Canada. From being booed off the stage to inspiring future leaders, Ralph shares heartfelt lessons on resilience, kindness, and why teaching doesn’t stop when you become a school le...

Principals do not have an easy task when Superintendents or District Leaders just say “No”.  Our podcast guest this week is Ralph Nigro, a retired principal and the former President of the Ontario Principals Council in Ontario, Canada. Ralph shares stories from his journey of navigating the challenges of tragedy in his school community and lhow to  foster a culture of collaboration and empathy. Th...

In a world where educational pressures are mounting, how do principals ensure that students—and staff—feel seen and supported? This week’s podcast  guest is Dr. Shannon Behan,  Dr. Behan is the President of the British Columbia Principal Vice-Principal Association also known as the BCPVPA. The podcast looks at the principal’s evolving role in creating a culture of connection and care. Drawing on t...

As a principal, you are more than a manager—you're a leader driving change in the face of challenges like dwindling autonomy and rising pressures. Dr. Shannon Behan is back as a guest on our podcast this week.  Dr. Behan is the President of the British Columbia Principal Vice-Principal Association also known as the BCPVPA.The role of principals is evolving as leaders "from the middle." Navigating...

Principals didn’t choose their profession for the financial rewards but because they  believe in the transformative power of education.  Principals’ role is about more than just management—it's about building relationships and leading with love. Our guest is Niigaan Sinclair, an  Anishinaabe  writer, editor, activist and Head of the Department of Native Studies at the  University of Manitoba   in ...

Are traditional disciplinary methods in your school leading to real change? Restorative practice in schools is more than just addressing harm—it’s about understanding its roots and breaking cycles of violence. Our guest is Niigaan Sinclair, an  Anishinaabe  writer, editor, activist and Head of the Department of Native Studies at the  University of Manitoba   in  Winnipeg ,  Manitoba .  With Niigaa...

Are territorial acknowledgements becoming mere formalities in your school? In this episode, our guest is Niigaan Sinclair, an  Anishinaabe  writer, editor, activist and Head of the Department of Native Studies at the  University of Manitoba   in  Winnipeg ,  Manitoba . Niigaan leads the conversation into how principals can transform these acknowledgements from empty gestures into meaningful practi...

As school leaders, principals hold the power to either reinforce the status quo or champion meaningful change in education. In this episode, our guest is Niigaan Sinclair, an  Anishinaabe  writer, editor, activist and Head of the Department of Native Studies at the  University of Manitoba   in  Winnipeg ,  Manitoba . Niigaan leads the conversation on how principals can be true advocates for Indige...

A critical issue facing our schools is how early literacy struggles can set the stage for poor attendance and long-term academic challenges. Our guest this week is Dallis Novelli ,  teacher and Education Officer, Literacy from Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) . We explore the story of a young student who, despite receiving help from multiple tutors, faced a daunting journey to cl...

Is your school still grappling with the lingering effects of COVID-19 on student attendance? You're not alone.  What if a simple parent class could drastically improve student attendance at your school? Our podcast guest again this week is Dr. Robyn Koslowitz the educational director of the Targeted Parenting™ Institute in New Jersey. Her new book“Post Traumatic Parenting: Break the Cycle and...

As a principal or vice-principal, you know that addressing student behaviour isn’t always straightforward. But did you know that trauma can manifest long after the triggering event? Our guest this week is Dr. Robyn Koslowitz he educational director of the Targeted Parenting™ Institute in New Jersey. Her new book“Post Traumatic Parenting: Break the Cycle and Become the Parent You Always Wanted to B...

How can we create more inclusive leadership pathways in education? In this episode, Dr. Shannon Behan, President of the BCPVPA, discusses her research on the challenges women face in rising to leadership roles and the critical role that mentorship and networking play in overcoming these hurdles. School principals and educational leaders will find this conversation both inspiring and informative, o...

Reconciliation and decolonization are not just buzzwords—they are critical areas of focus for school principals across Canada. In this insightful podcast episode, Dr. Shannon Behan, President of the BCPVPASopens up about her experience leading a school district through a name change to honor Indigenous communities. She shares the fears, challenges, and rewarding moments that come with such transfo...

“The vice principal role is in some ways the most …underutilized position” according to our guest this episode, Dr. Shannon Behan , President of the BCPVPA (British Columbia Principal Vic-Principal Association).  Drawing from her personal experiences, Shannon discusses how talented teacher leaders transition into vice principal roles, only to find themselves bogged down by administrative duties. S...