The Catholic School Leaders Podcast

In this episode, John Mihalyo and John Mariucci discuss the differences between leadership and management in educational settings. They explore the challenges and strategies for transitioning from managerial roles to leadership positions, emphasizing the importance of vision, strategic thinking, and continuous improvement. The conversation touches on practical tips for new leaders, the significanc...

In this episode, John Mihalyo is joined by Dr. Brett Salkeld, an archdiocesan theologian and the founder of Making Every Class Catholic. The discussion revolves around integrating Catholic identity in the classroom, practical ways to achieve this, and the significance of permeating Catholic values across various subjects in education. Brett shares insights from his book, 'Educating for Eternity,'...

In this episode, host John Mihalyo talks with Tanya Sheckley, an innovative educator and leader. They explore what it means to challenge the status quo in education, the importance of community engagement, and how to facilitate meaningful change in schools. The discussion delves into fostering a culture of learning and innovation, the role of fear in resisting change, and the significance of havin...

This episode features the second part of John's interview with Leanne Nicol. Leanne shares her extensive experience in leading school improvements in faith-based schools and offers valuable advice on creating a strong school culture, building trust, and inspiring leadership. This discussion dives into the Paschal mystery of life, death, and resurrection as a metaphor for cultural change in schools...

In this episode, John Mihalyo interviews Leanne Nicol about the importance of school culture, leadership, and the role of core values in Catholic education. They discuss how school culture is defined, its critical role in creating a great Catholic school, and the fundamentals of aligning core values with everyday practices. Leanne also shares insights from her experience with the Sydney Catholic S...

In this episode, John Mihalyo chats with Dr. Karen Dudek-Brannan, the founder of Dr. Karen LLC. They discuss executive functioning, language literacy, and how therapists and educators can design impactful interventions. Dr. Karen shares invaluable insights and practical strategies for Catholic school leaders, teachers, and parents to support student success both in and out of the classroom. 01:58...

In this episode, John discusses the importance of performing an annual 'physical' or check-up for Catholic schools. He covers key areas including enrollment, fundraising, and budgeting, offering practical advice and strategies to ensure schools are set up for success.  00:22 The Seasonal Shift 00:44 Annual Physical for Your School 08:13 Fundraising & Advancement 13:05 Budgeting Learn more abou...

In this episode, John discusses the importance of identifying and promoting the unique qualities of each Catholic school. He challenges listeners to think beyond the expected answers and highlights strategies for honest and accurate representation of their schools' strengths. Additionally, the episode offers a free resource, 'The Keys to a Successful Catholic School', to help schools engage in mea...

In this episode, John Mihalyo offers valuable insights into enhancing the enrollment process at Catholic schools. This episode addresses the importance of evaluating current enrollment strategies, engaging parents for feedback, and ensuring a welcoming school environment. John also discusses the significance of continuous improvement and provides actionable tips to streamline the enrollment proces...

In this episode, John Mihalyo interviews Alex Jones, founder of the Hallow app, to discuss the journey and impact of the app on people's prayer lives. They dive into topics like the Hallow Summit, the diversity of prayer leaders on the app, and the incredible stories of how the app has transformed lives. They also touch on the role of the app in Catholic schools, how it's helping children and fami...

This is the second part of John Mihalyo's interview with Greg Aitchison, a passionate religion teacher known for making faith come alive in the classroom. Greg shares practical advice for teachers on how to integrate technology, show genuine care, and create engaging lessons that resonate with students. The conversation also highlights the importance of involving parents in faith education, buildi...

In this episode of the Catholic School Leaders Podcast, host John Mihalyo interviews Greg Aitchison, a religion teacher and founder of CatholicReligionTeacher.com. John and Greg discuss the importance of teaching religion with the same passion as other subjects, Greg's personal faith journey, and practical tips for engaging students in the classroom. This is the first part of a two-part series whe...

In this episode, John chats with Tracy Tanner, President and CEO of Wealthy Habits, about the importance of financial literacy for youth. They explore how Wealthy Habits' engaging and practical approach to financial education helps students develop smart money habits, make informed financial decisions, and understand the long-term impact of their financial choices. Tracy shares her journey in crea...

In this episode, John Mihalyo discusses the development of future Catholic school leaders with John Marinucci, principal of St. Francis College in Brisbane, Australia. They explore the journey of becoming a Catholic school leader, the importance of faith in leadership, and strategies for nurturing the next generation of administrators. 00:00 Introductio 05:04 Guest Introduction: John Marinucci 07:...

In this episode John sits down with Jamison Mahar, Principal of Our Lady of Loretto Catholic School, to discuss her experiences and insights from completing her first year in the role.  Topics include: leadership strategies community engagement  managing school culture advice for new principals the importance of a strong prayer life 00:00 Introduction 03:51 Challenges and Strategies in the First Y...

In this episode, John interviews Amy Ely, director of the STEM program at Detroit Catholic Central High School. They discuss the incredible STEM initiatives led by Amy, the vision behind these programs, and the impact on students and the broader community. Amy shares her journey from industrial hygiene chemist to passionate STEM educator, highlighting innovative projects like the aviation program,...

In this episode of the Catholic School Leaders podcast, host John Mihalyo sits down with seminarian Rob Lane to discuss his journey to the priesthood and how Catholic schools can support seminarians. Rob shares insights from his formation, experiences in seminary life, and the importance of support from Catholic communities. 01:18 Guest Introduction 02:36 Rob Lane's Upbringing and Faith 04:25 Disc...

In this episode, John discusses the significance of meaningful professional development in Catholic schools. He addresses common challenges schools face in implementing it and offers solutions.  Topics include: budget constraints time management subject area diversity teacher reluctance benefits of on-campus professional development 00:00 Introduction 00:31 Importance of Professional Development 0...

In this episode, John discusses the critical differences between talking and effective communication for Catholic school leaders. He offers various strategies for enhancing communication within the school community, including consistency, use of social media, and the importance of clear and relevant content. John also shares practical tips for implementing a reliable communication plan and emphasi...

In this episode, John explores the excitement and anticipation of Prime Day, drawing parallels to creating that same level of engagement within Catholic schools. He offers insights on building excitement for the new school year and fostering a sense of community and investment among families. 00:00 Introduction 01:21 Prime Day Introduction 03:54 Excitement in Schools 05:50 Building Anticipation 08...

In this episode, John shares invaluable lessons from his recent trip to Italy. He reflects on how this unique experience has taught him to be a better Catholic school leader. From seizing opportunities and meeting new people, to tackling unexpected challenges and appreciating what you have, John's insights offer practical advice for educators in leadership roles. Tune in for an inspiring recount o...

In this episode, John Mihalyo, shares invaluable advice for new Catholic school leaders. This includes principals, assistant principals, advancement directors, deans, recruitment directors, athletic directors, and other leadership roles in Catholic education. John emphasizes the importance of understanding school culture, establishing key partnerships, investing in personal growth, and maintaining...

In this episode, John Mihalyo sits down with Father Luke Rawicki, the chaplain at Cardinal Gibbons High School, to explore his journey from architectural studies to the priesthood.  Father Luke shares his experiences in Catholic education, his worldwide missionary work, and the unique challenges and joys of engaging with young people in a faith-based setting.  The discussion also covers the powerf...

In this episode of the Catholic School Leaders Podcast, John discusses key strategies for Catholic school leaders during the summer break.  John emphasizes the importance of resting and recharging, the value of leadership team retreats, and how to conduct effective audits of communications and office organization.  Additional topics include updating handbooks, analyzing the past year, setting futu...

In this episode, John follows up with a discussion on why recent fundraising efforts may have fallen short.  He delves deeper into the importance of transparency in how funds are spent, emphasizing the necessity of clearly communicating goals and outcomes to donors.  Practical advice is given on how to build and maintain trust through integrity in the fundraising process, including specific strate...