IASP Podcast

Tuesday's election brought some unexpected results across Indiana, and the implications for education could be significant! This week on the IASP Advocacy Podcast , Dr. Todd Bess and Seamus Boyce of KGR unpack the election results and discuss what they could mean for Indiana's schools and school leaders. From shifts in the political landscape to potential legislative priorities, we explore what th...

Good morning, IASP Members! Next Tuesday, November 3, Hoosier voters will decide 39 school funding referendum questions across 38 school districts — a record number for a single Indiana election! So, why are so many districts turning to their communities for additional funding, and what does this mean for the future of school funding in Indiana? In this week's IASP Advocacy Podcast , we're taking...

The latest episode of the IASP Advocacy Podcast is ready. In about 15 minutes, I walk through the October 21 State Board of Education meeting. It was a short meeting, but nearly half of it went to new attendance data. Listen to the episode: https://iasppodcast.libsyn.com/iasp-advocacy-podcast-102326 In this episode Board highlights: Principals Month, Teacher of the Year, new Blue Ribbon Schools an...

Make Your Move: Marlon Styles on Purpose, Perspective, and the Power of Encouragement This episode is all about reconnecting with purpose, finding encouragement in the demanding work of school leadership, and rediscovering the joy of leading. I've built the publishing package around your actual conversation with Marlon, keeping the tone warm, professional, energetic, and focused on encouraging reg...

Good morning, IASP Members! Last week, I promised to fill you in on the Interim Study Committee on Education, and I'm back to deliver! The committee met on Wednesday, October 14, and this week's IASP Advocacy Podcast takes a look at the conversations, questions, and takeaways that matter to school leaders. Here's what we're talking about this week: High School NIL: Did you know Indiana already all...

It's Indiana Principals Week, and we're celebrating YOU! 🎉 Governor Mike Braun has officially proclaimed October 4–10 as Indiana Principals Week, recognizing the incredible work school leaders do every day. Thank you for your dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to Indiana's students and schools! In this week's IASP Advocacy Podcast , we're celebrating our principals while also looki...

Leadership can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be lonely. In this special solo episode of the IASP Leadership Podcast, Dr. Tiffany Barrett invites Indiana school leaders to consider a simple but powerful question: Are you intentionally putting yourself in the rooms that help you grow? Tiffany previews several opportunities ahead for IASP members, including the Assistant Principals Confere...

We talk a lot about student leadership —but are we intentionally teaching students how to lead, or simply identifying the students who already look like leaders? This week on the IASP Advocacy Podcast, I'm joined by Dave Strouse, IASP Assistant Executive Director , to talk about new student leadership lessons designed for elementary, middle, and high school students. We'll talk about the skills th...

In this episode of the IASP Leadership Podcast, Dr. Tiffany D. Barrett steps out of the IASP Board of Directors meeting with three board members who represent elementary, middle, and high school leadership in suburban, urban, and rural settings: Christie Heerschop of Mary Frank Elementary in Penn-Harris-Madison, Jeremy Tucker of Cornerstone Alternative School in South Bend, and Sean Fisher of Nort...

Hi, everyone! When we talk about advocacy, our minds often go straight to legislators, policy, and speaking up about the issues affecting our schools. But advocacy can also mean opening doors for students. This week on the IASP Advocacy Podcast, I'm joined by Jill Slinker from our Department of Student Programs to talk about the opportunities IASP provides for students—and some of the work happeni...

What does it take to lead boldly when everything around you keeps changing? Three-time Emmy Award-winning broadcaster and author Anne Marie Anderson joins Dr. Tiffany D. Barrett for a preview of her opening keynote at the IASP Fall Professionals Conference, The Audacity of Impact. After 37 years inside the locker rooms and boardrooms of elite sports, including six Olympic Games, a Super Bowl, heav...

Hi, everyone! We've spent a lot of time this year talking about cell phones in schools—but removing a student's phone doesn't necessarily remove screens from the school day. In this week's IASP Advocacy Podcast, I'm taking a closer look at student screen time, educational technology, and AI through the lens of one word: intentionality . The research is more nuanced than simply saying screens are g...

What do people remember most about a leader? Often, it is not a program, initiative, or accomplishment. It is how that leader made them feel. In this episode of the IASP Leadership Podcast, Dr. Tiffany Barrett sits down with longtime Indiana school leaders and friends of IASP, Mike Pinto and Steve Baker, for a heartfelt and often humorous conversation about relationships, intentionality, influence...

School Leaders, About a month into the school year, patterns are beginning to emerge—including which students are already struggling to get to school consistently. This week on the IASP Advocacy Podcast, I'm talking about chronic absenteeism, the barriers that keep students from school, and what school leaders can do about them. With attendance now factoring into Indiana's accountability model, th...

In This Episode Leadership journeys that shape perspective and purpose Why statewide relationships expand a leader's vision The power of honest mentors and trusted thought partners School-community celebrations, from literacy growth to early college access An invitation to connect through IASP programs, conferences, and stories Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 00:43 Meet the INALI leadership panel 02...

Indiana school leaders need connection, practical support, and the courage to make the most of their opportunity to serve. Dr. Bret Bailey, principal of Hamilton Heights Middle School and 2026-2027 IASP President, joins Dr. Tiffany Barrett to open the new season of the IASP Leadership Podcast. Bret reflects on the mentor who first recognized his leadership potential, shares his vision for helping...

IASP Members, What does it look like to open a brand-new school while also navigating the priorities, initiatives, and expectations facing school leaders across Indiana? On this week's IASP Advocacy Podcast , I'm joined by Dr. Jane Bitting, principal of the new Willow Creek Middle School , for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership at the start of a new school year. We begin with Jane's expe...

IASP welcomes Dave Strouse as its newest Assistant Executive Director. After 20 years in school administration, including 13 years as principal of Batesville Middle School, Dave brings deep experience, a strong connection to IASP, and a passion for serving school leaders and students across Indiana. In this conversation, Dave shares his leadership journey, what drew him to IASP, and what he hopes...

IASP Members, The start of a new school year always brings challenges—and this year, Mother Nature has certainly added a few of her own. In this week's IASP Advocacy Podcast , IASP Executive Director Dr. Todd Bess joins me to welcome school leaders back and, more importantly, to recognize the leadership you continue to demonstrate as you navigate whatever comes your way. From there, we turn our at...

Welcome back! The 2026-27 school year is underway, and so is a new season of the IASP Advocacy Podcast . This week, we're talking about what's happening in Indiana schools right now—from implementing new cell phone policies to celebrating another year of strong IREAD growth. And we're taking a closer look at something that needs your attention now: the 2025-26 Accountable School Audit. IDOE has op...

In this special "Best Of" episode of the IASP Leadership Podcast, Dr. Tiffany D. Barrett sits down with IASP President Dr. Brett Bailey to reflect on the past school year, celebrate leadership growth across Indiana, and look ahead to the future of education and school leadership. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Bailey shares powerful insights on career exploration opportunities for students, the...

In this special episode of the IASP Leadership Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Jan Bitting , IASP President-Elect, as she reflects on the moments that have made this year truly meaningful. Dr. Bitting shares the highlights that have brought her the greatest joy in her leadership journey, from celebrating student success in her school to serving alongside dedicated leaders across Indiana through IASP...

IASP Leadership Podcast | Best of AP Lens: Building Trust, Collaboration, and a Culture of Learning with Anthony Sanchez As the 2025-2026 school year comes to a close, Dr. Tiffany Barrett welcomes Anthony Sanchez, Assistant Principal at Frank H. Hammond Elementary School, along with AP Lens Editor Kristen Peterson, for a conversation focused on one of the most powerful aspects of school leadership...

School leaders, This week's IASP Advocacy Podcast serves as our season wrap-up episode before we pause for summer and return as the 2026–27 school year begins. This episode focuses on three reminders—and one challenge—as we close the loop on one school year and begin setting the course for the next. In this episode, we discuss: • Preparing now for smoother implementation later • Engaging with legi...

In this reflective and inspiring episode of the IASP Leadership Podcast, Dr. Tiffany D. Barrett sits down with newly elected IASP Vice President, Duke Lines, to celebrate the "best of" moments from the 2025–2026 school year and look ahead to the future of educational leadership in Indiana. Duke shares honest reflections on leading through one of the most challenging and rewarding years of his care...