Episodes

PMP167: Keeping Your Leadership Focused on Service, Not Self 09.10.2019 14:44

Last week was the first time (except for a rare Christmas holiday) that I have not shared a blog post or podcast episode update in almost five years. Photo by Josh Calabrese – Creative Commons No known copyright restrictions https://unsplash.com/@joshcala?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit At first, I thought it was because I’ve been so busy. Last w...

PMP166: Unique Challenges of Rural Principals and Why Your Story Matters 25.09.2019 24:02

This week I’m sharing another episode from the road as I have been traveling across my state, Oklahoma, visiting principals at schools or in regional meetings. Photo by Karsten Würth (@karsten.wuerth) – Creative Commons No known copyright restrictions https://unsplash.com/@karsten_wuerth?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit Recently, I visited Texhoma...

PMP165: Three Lessons in Decision Making from Malcolm Gladwell’s Blink 19.09.2019 20:24

Several years ago, I was standing in our school lunchroom watching hundreds of students eat breakfast. Photo by Ryan Tauss – Creative Commons No known copyright restrictions https://unsplash.com/@ryantauss?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit I was positioned in the middle section of the room, and the front doors of the school were about one hundred f...

PMP164: On the Road – Thoughts for New School Leaders 12.09.2019 24:14

Photo by Trey Ratcliff – Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License https://www.flickr.com/photos/95572727@N00 These last couple of week, I’ve been on the road a lot visiting schools and principals across my state. For the next couple of weeks, I plan to share some thoughts from the road – literally. This week’s episode I recorded while driving (after safely cuing my...

PMP163: Encouraging an Environment of Growth – Questions and Answers with Jethro Jones 05.09.2019 35:01

Recently, I have been answering questions from listeners on a variety of subjects in school leadership. Photo by Nicole Honeywill – Creative Commons No known copyright restrictions https://unsplash.com/@nicolehoneywill?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit This week I am joined by my friend, Jethro Jones the host of Transformative Principal Podcast as...

PMP162: Go! Community – How to Harness the Power of the Room with Danny Bauer 28.08.2019 30:22

Author David Weinberger once said: “The smartest person in the room is the room itself.” Photo by redcharlie – Creative Commons No known copyright restrictions https://unsplash.com/@redcharlie?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit In other words, the collective power of our thinking is always more powerful than working in isolation. By conn...

PMP161: Answers to Principal Matters Questions, Part 2 15.08.2019 32:46

Last week Jen Schwanke and I answered questions from podcast listeners. Listen to Part 1 here . Photo by Helloquence – Creative Commons No known copyright restrictions https://unsplash.com/@helloquence?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit 1DE-9D20-806E6F6E6963} This week we take three more questions from principals on parenting, women in leadership, and p...

PMP160: Answers to Principal Matters Questions, Part 1 08.08.2019 30:47

Recently, several questions came from Principal Matters community members. This week, Jen Schwanke , principal and author, joined me to answer several questions from principals or aspiring principals. Photo by John Schnobrich – Creative Commons No known copyright restrictions https://unsplash.com/@johnschno?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit Here ar...

PMP159: Engaging Students in Shaping Their Own Stories with Jesse Haynes 01.08.2019 28:15

Jesse Haynes is one of those rare people you meet in life who has dared to make his dreams come true. Photo by VooDoo Works – Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License https://www.flickr.com/photos/66549102@N04 He is a recent graduate from the University of Tulsa who has reached audacious personal goals, published multiple books, and created podcasts with millions of...

PMP:Encore076 Messaging Matters – How to Inspire Teachers, Motivate Students and Reach Communities 25.07.2019 30:56

In 2017, Justin Baeder, from  Principal Center Radio , invited me as a guest on his show to talk to me about my book  Messaging Matters: How to Inspire Teachers, Motivate Students, and Reach Communities . Photo by Joe The Goat Farmer – Creative Commons Attribution License  https://www.flickr.com/photos/132604339@N03 Justin was gracious enough to allow me to repost the int...

PMP158: Why Telling Your Own Story Matters 18.07.2019 16:27

A few nights ago I was sitting in a theater with my wife watching the movie, Yesterday , starring Himesh Patel and Lily James. Photo by Oana-Maria Sofronia – Creative Commons No known copyright restrictions https://unsplash.com/@oanamariaphoto?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but I do want to say I was compl...

PMP157: Preparing for the Start-of-School Year 10.07.2019 29:23

Jenny is a returning student at her high school. She has a part-time job which keeps her up late most nights. Photo by JESHOOTS.COM – Creative Commons No known copyright restrictions https://unsplash.com/@jeshoots?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit When she arrives late to school, she has already missed breakfast and she’s tardy. She stands in a lon...

PMP156: 6 Tips for Managing School-Wide Changes 03.07.2019 26:16

When my family recently visited the Rocky Mountain National Park, we enjoyed drives through snow-peaked mountains.  Photo by Tobias Mrzyk – Creative Commons No known copyright restrictions https://unsplash.com/@tobiasmrzyk?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit But my 13-year old son, Jack, was most excited about hiking and climbing. One morning, w...

PMPEncore077: Four Tips for Parents as Principals 26.06.2019 16:13

Two years ago, my oldest daughter graduated from the high school where I was principal. Photo by Dakota Corbin – Creative Commons No known copyright restrictions https://unsplash.com/@thedakotacorbin?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit When she headed off to college that fall, it was a mix of celebration and grief on my part. Recently, Jen Schwanke a...

PMPEncore028: Four Reasons Your Vacation Matters 19.06.2019 13:56

This week’s post is an encore episode I shared a couple of years ago. Since I’m enjoying some vacation, I thought I would remind you why your time away from school may help you better serve your school. Photo by Holly Mandarich – Creative Commons No known copyright restrictions https://unsplash.com/@hollymandarich?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-c...

PMP:Encore090 Branding Your School with Marlena Gross-Taylor 12.06.2019 26:22

When I was in junior high school, everyone on my basketball team wore  Converse high-tops. Yes, that means I’m officially from the 70’s! I’ll never forget mine: Photo by Oliver Hihn – Creative Commons No known copyright restrictions https://unsplash.com/@mr_kuchen?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit They were the color of golden-rod, and...

PMP155: Parenting as Principals – Do’s and Don’ts, Part 2 05.06.2019 29:43

A few years ago, we had a lockdown drill at the high school where I was principal. Photo by Dane Deaner – Creative Commons No known copyright restrictions https://unsplash.com/@danedeaner?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit Local police had called to say they were aware of a potential threat against our school on social media. They were locating the...

PMP154: Parenting as Principals – Do’s and Don’ts, Part 1 30.05.2019 28:14

Oklahoma has experienced its share of storms and severe weather this spring. Photo by Lonely Planet – Creative Commons No known copyright restrictions https://unsplash.com/@lonely_planet?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit The other day, our family was sitting in our storm closet as sirens were sounding at 6:30AM. Afterwards, I was driving my seventh...

PMP153: Maintaining Balance and Focusing on What Matters, Part 2 22.05.2019 29:53

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?”  Photo by Mpho Mojapelo – Creative Commons No known copyright restrictions https://unsplash.com/@mpho_mojapelo?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit Jen realized then that she...

PMP152: Maintaining Balance and Staying Focused on What Matters 15.05.2019 27:52

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. Photo by Bruno Nascimento – Creative Commons No known copyright restrictions https://unsplash.com/@bruno_nascimento?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit No matter how many principals I visit, one con...

PMP151: Hiring & Retaining High Quality Teachers, Part 2 08.05.2019 31:30

Several weeks ago, I had the privilege of visiting Norman High School , in Norman, Oklahoma. Photo by Ian Schneider – Creative Commons No known copyright restrictions https://unsplash.com/@goian?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit Dr. Scott Beck was recently named Oklahoma’s High School Principal of the Year, and I wanted to touch-base with him...

PMP:150 Hiring High Quality Educators, Part 1 24.04.2019 33:35

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. Photo by rawpixel – Creative Commons No known copyright restrictions https://unsplash.com/@rawpixel?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit As principal of the school, Jen Schwanke reflects o...

PMPEncore109: The Power of One Caring Adult with Josh Shipp 17.04.2019 32:38

A few years ago, I sat across my desk from a student whose father had abandoned him and left the state. Photo by Rémi Walle – Creative Commons No known copyright restrictions https://unsplash.com/@walre037?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit A family in our community had taken in the young man, and our school had been in contact with the Department of Hum...

PMP:149 Managing Adult Conflicts, Part 2 10.04.2019 29:49

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. Photo by Daniel Hjalmarsson – Creative Commons No known copyright restrictions https://unsplash.com/@artic_studios?utm...

PMP:148 The “Why’s” and “How’s” of Managing Adult Conflict 03.04.2019 31:44

One of the biggest surprises for school new school leaders may be the conflicts that arise with adults. Photo by Nik MacMillan – Creative Commons No known copyright restrictions https://unsplash.com/@nikarthur?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit Whether you are encountering conflicts with parents, colleagues or community members, these situations can be d...