Perfectly Imperfect Principals

What does it really take to transform a school, a team, or an organization? In this episode of Perfectly Imperfect Principals , Danieli Parker and Cristi Parsons sit down with nationally renowned speaker and author Dr. Regina S. Owens for a powerful conversation about leadership, courage, culture, systems, and the people at the heart of education. Dr. Owens challenges us to remember that people co...

In this powerful episode of Perfectly Imperfect Principals , Danieli Parker and Cristi Parsons unpack the simple phrase that can transform campus culture: "Don't be a drain, be a water fountain." From an uncomfortable confrontation in a school hallway to navigating major personality clashes between action-oriented "North" leaders and process-oriented "South" team...

The honeymoon phase of the new school year passes quickly, replaced by behavioral unexpectedness, state directives, and growing teacher stress. In this episode of Perfectly Imperfect Principals , Danieli Parker and Cristi Parsons unpack how campus administrators can navigate high expectations with deep empathy. They discuss real-world scenarios—from teachers spending hours on unnecessary lesson pl...

It’s September, and screeners are in full swing—leaving teachers and administrators buried under a mountain of data sheets! 💻📄 In this episode of Perfectly Imperfect Principals , Danieli Parker and Cristi Parsons dig past the surface-level color codes (red, yellow, green, and even blue!) to discuss what really needs to happen after universal screeners are given. We break down how to convert raw...

Are we measuring student learning—or just counting minutes on a screen? 👀 The conversation around screen time in schools is heating up, but should the answer really be less technology ? In this episode of Perfectly Imperfect Principals , Danieli and Cristi dive into new federal guidance around educational technology and ask a bigger question: 👉 Are we evaluating technology based on how long stud...

What has one of the greatest impacts on student achievement? According to John Hattie's research, one of the highest effect sizes isn't a new program or instructional strategy—it's collective teacher efficacy . In this episode, Cristi and Danieli unpack what collective teacher efficacy really means and why it's so much more than teachers simply working together. It's the shared...

After reflecting on their conversation with Nathanial Provencio, Cristi and Danieli explore what it truly means for school leaders to get into classrooms. While formal observations have their place, some of the most meaningful leadership happens during the everyday moments—walking the halls, visiting classrooms, talking with students, and building authentic relationships with staff. In this episod...

In this episode of Perfectly Imperfect Principals , Cristi and Danieli welcome author, speaker, and educational presenter Nathanial Provencio for an engaging conversation about one of the greatest challenges school leaders face—knowing the difference between what's urgent and what's truly necessary . Nathanial shares practical insights on how leaders can avoid getting trapped in the consta...

In this episode of Perfectly Imperfect Principals , Cristi and Danieli tackle one of the most important—and sometimes challenging—aspects of leadership: navigating conversations about school data and improvement efforts. Effective leaders use data to identify trends, celebrate successes, and uncover areas of need, but how we talk about the data matters just as much as the numbers themselves. Crist...

In this episode of Perfectly Imperfect Principals , Cristi and Danieli discuss the importance of visible leadership and why human connection matters now more than ever in an increasingly digital world. While technology has transformed how we work and communicate, it can never replace the impact of authentic relationships. School leaders often find themselves pulled in countless directions—emails,...

In this episode of Perfectly Imperfect Principals , Cristi and Danieli explore the power of healthy habits and the impact small, consistent actions can have on leadership. They discuss why effective leaders intentionally build routines that support their well-being, productivity, and resilience. Through personal experiences and practical insights, they share simple strategies for creating habits t...

In this episode of Perfectly Imperfect Principals , Cristi and Danieli reflect on their own leadership journeys and the experiences that shaped who they became as leaders. Through personal stories and honest conversations, they explore how discovering your values, beliefs, and purpose influences every decision you make. They also provide practical strategies to help leaders articulate who they are...

🚨 New Episode Alert! 🚨 Cristi and Danieli are back with another exciting conversation on *Perfect Principles*! 🎙️ This time, we're diving deep into the idea of **programs over people**—what it means, why it matters, and how it shapes the way we connect and grow. Grab your headphones, hit play, and join the discussion! Let’s rethink priorities together. 💡✨ 🎧 Listen now and let us know your tho...

Overwhelmed? We get it 😅 Join Parsons and Parker as they chat about shifting focus from the noise to what truly matters most — people, purpose, and perspective. 🎯

🔥 In this powerful and timely episode, we sit down with former principal Eddie Velez to unpack the real driver of school success—culture . Eddie dives deep into how a strong, shared culture can move a school forward, and why students and staff must take ownership of it. 💪 If you're a school leader, educator, or anyone invested in creating thriving learning environments, this episode is a mus...

In this powerful episode of Perfectly Imperfect Principals , we sit down with Dr. Timothy D. Kanold—educator, leader, and author of JOY —to explore how school leaders can cultivate a deep, lasting joy in their personal and professional lives. If you’re feeling burned out or disconnected, this conversation is your invitation back to purpose, passion, and yes... joy.

🚨 Exciting news, friends! 🚨 We’ve got a VERY special guest joining us—Maria Nelson, the brilliant author behind the *15 Day Challenge*! 🎉 She’s here to drop some serious wisdom on simplifying unit planning. 🙌 If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the process (we’ve all been there 😅), Maria’s got you covered with easy, actionable steps to make it totally doable. Trust us, you don’t want to miss t...

We’re excited to welcome the dynamic Carl Hooker to the podcast for an engaging conversation about the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence! Whether you’re an educational leader or simply curious about how AI is shaping the future of learning, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. Carl shares what educators need to know to stay ahead of the curve, offering pract...

🌟 Exciting News, Everyone! 🌟 Today, we're thrilled to have a special guest joining us—an amazing principal! 🎉 She's here to sprinkle some wisdom on how to navigate the wild ride that is springtime. 🌸🌼 Get ready for some fantastic tips and advice that you won't want to miss. We can't wait to share all the insights with you! Stay tuned for more! 😊✨ #SpringTips #GuestSpeaker #ExcitingTimes

🌼 Spring is here, and while the flowers are blooming, many of us on campus are feeling a bit worn out. 😴 But fear not! It's the perfect time to re-energize and reignite that spark within us. 🌟 Join us as we dive into ways to refresh and take care of ourselves, so we can continue to nurture our campus community. Let's embrace the season of renewal and make sure we're blooming just as beautifully...

🎉 Exciting News, Everyone! 🎉 We're thrilled to have the incredible author Tom Schimmer with us this week! 📚✨ Tom, the brilliant mind behind "Grading from the Inside Out," will be diving into the world of grading policies and how we can start meaningful conversations about assessing student learning. 📝🤔 Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain insights and transform the way we think about g...

🌟 Exciting News, Everyone! 🌟 We're thrilled to share today's episode where we unravel the mysteries of MTSS (or RTI, as some schools still call it). 🤔 Ever wondered what those tiers really mean and how they should look in our schools? We're diving deep into how we can support all learners on their educational journey and make it all manageable. 🎓✨ Join us as we discuss taking back control of...

🌟 Hey everyone! 🌟 This week, join Cristi and Danieli as they dive into an inspiring episode all about turning dreams into reality! 🚀✨ It's not just about dreaming big or reading about it in books—it's about taking that brave first step to make it happen. 💪 Remember, success often comes from those messy starts, so don't worry about being perfect. Just try one thing, and who knows where it migh...

🎉 Happy New Year, everyone! 🎉 As we dive into 2025, let's keep things simple and effective. We're all about making data easy to understand so we can make the best decisions for our students. Let's work together to ensure every student is learning at their highest potential. Here's to a year of growth and success! 📚✨ #NewYearNewGoals #EducationMatters #DataMadeSimple

Hey educators! 🎓✨ It's that time of year again when things get a little hectic, and some of us might be wondering if it's time to have "that" conversation. You know, the one where you address concerns like someone not showing up on time or other issues that need attention. 🤔 Join us as we dive into strategies for having successful and constructive conversations. Let's explore how to approach th...