The NAESP Principal Podcast

Today we're joined by members of NAESP's Latino+ Network to discuss the perspectives of Latino students, staff, and administrators. Whether it's the unique needs of students, engaging with the broader community, or the importance of representation in teaching and leadership, understanding these perspectives is crucial to the success of our schools. Annette Sanchez is principal of Hampton-Moreno-Du...

Quality early childhood education has a huge impact on any student's success as they learn and grow. Often those with limited experience with their youngest learners quickly find themselves searching for more ways improve in this crucial area. Today we talk with one educator who's commitment to improving learning in the early grades empowered her practice and made a real difference in her school....

Though a title change can quickly take someone from a team member to its leader, the qualities one needs to lead stem from a career long journey of growth, and principals have a special role to play in fostering this leadership at their schools. Texas school leaders Dr. Shelby Calabrese and Dr. Alejandra Perez join us to discuss how better hiring practices and a culture of recognition can help cre...

School leaders have a huge role to play when it comes to the success of special education in their schools. Principals can shape how IEP meetings are conducted, ensure specialists are getting what they need, and set the tone for the entire school's approach to special education. We sat down with folks from the newly formed Lead IDEA Center to discuss this role, and how school leaders can move from...

As the academic year starts back up, principals have an opportunity to hone in on their school's unique identity. Taking time to truly reflect on the culture and demographics of a school and its community can help leaders set the tone, vision, and direction for their students. Join us today as we discuss strategies that center student voice and agency, and how principals can leverage their school'...

Hiring can be a challenging process for any principal, but getting it right is crucial to the success of your school. Today we discuss why being intentional in our hiring practices is so important. We explore strategies for evaluating needs, fostering inclusivity, and navigating the dual nature of hiring: mourning departures while seizing opportunities to fill vital roles within the team. Dr. Ryan...

As summer approaches, principals will no doubt be reflecting on their schools' progress, and what it means heading into the school year. And as with any process, equity should be a key area of consideration by school leaders. In this episode, we discuss how personal experiences influence equity approaches, how to establish common definitions, creating supportive systems, and building capacity for...

Project-based learning (PBL) isn't a new concept, but that doesn't mean there aren't new ways to approach it. South Carolina principal Beth Foster joins us to talk about how her school is innovating it's implementation of PBL, strengthening student literacy, relationships, and more. Beth Foster is principal of Anderson Mill Elementary in Moore, South Carolina. Liz Garden is principal of Henry P. C...

In order for students to learn or for teachers to teach, attending to mental health is crucial. What role do principals play in ensuring those needs are met in their schools? Equetta Jones is joined by Cynthia Cardenas and Dr. Jerod Phillips to discuss strategies to help their students, staff, and school community with their mental health needs. Cynthia Cardenas is principal of Orchard Elementary...

Providing a safe and secure environment is one of the most essential obligations for anyone looking after children, and principals have a unique role to play in creating such an environment at their schools. Today Equetta Jones talks school safety with principals Ashley Farrington and Dr. Jessica Grant, sharing their strategies for ensuring students, staff, and families feel safe and secure at the...

A principal's job involves a broad variety of roles, responsibilities, and communities. So it stands to reason that any school leader seeking to improve their practice should seek to grow in multiple ways. Dr. Ryan Daniel and Liz Garden, both of whom work within the NAESP Centers for Advancing Leadership, sit down with host Andy Jacks to discuss how this work has helped themselves and their peers...

Most people intuitively understand kindness, but defining what it means, how it impacts those around us, and how to practice it can be truly revealing. We're joined by Houston Kraft, co-founder of CharacterStrong, and Nikki Sparks, lead of the American Student Council Association (ASCA), to discuss the ways principals, staff, and students specifically can lead with empathy to create a kinder schoo...

This July in Nashville, NAESP is excited to be hosting its annual conference jointly with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) for UNITED: The National Conference on School Leadership . Host Andy Jacks is joined by NAESP President-Elect Kevin Armstrong and Associate Executive Director of Professional Learning Gracie Branch, to discuss what to expect and how school leader...

School transformation is about more than just a change in name, or even a change in leadership. For Eric Chagala, principal of San Diego's VIDA Academy, culture is key. Chagala shares his story with Center for Innovative Leadership fellows Liz Garden and Scott Mcleod, and talks about the real reasons for VIDA Academy's successes. Eric Chagala, Ed. D. is is the founding principal of the Vista Innov...

Should I stay, or should I go? That's the question many assistant or aspiring principals are asking themselves when considering whether to transition fully into the principalship. We sit down with two APs to discuss their advice on the when, how, and why of becoming a principal. Shay Lewis is assistant principal at CREC Academy of Aerospace and Engineering Elementary School in Rocky Hills, Connect...

School leaders play a crucial role in guiding their teachers' math instruction. Donna McGuire, moderator of the NAESP Assistant Principal Community of Practice, is joined by two educators to share strategies specifically for APs that can help teachers conquer math anxiety, improve their pedagogy, and ultimately give math meaning at their schools. Sabrina Antonelli is principal of Norwood Elementar...

One of a school leader's most important roles is to build connections with their entire school community. In particular, it's essential to ensure that engagement is culturally responsive and includes all students, families, and stakeholders. In this episode, we discuss strategies for fostering inclusive partnerships, and how crucial it is for students' holistic development, success, and well-being...

When a lack of belonging is felt, it can have a huge impact on our personal lives. Today's episode centers on how a culture of belongingness and inclusion can be fostered at their schools. We discuss why it is important to create a sense of acceptance, inclusion, and identity, and what it means to allow students, staff, and families to come to school as their authentic selves. Dr. Ryan Daniel is p...

We know that a great school leader can have a powerful impact on the success of a school and its students. But how exactly do we get great principals? We sat down with Dr. Linda Darling-Hammond to discuss the latest research on developing effective principals, and how policymakers, districts, and educators can ensure school leaders have what they need to grow and thrive. Dr. Linda Darling-Hammond...

Principals have an ethical obligation to ensure their students are provided an equitable education. But that's easier said than done, especially in the midst of charged conversations surrounding school communities. Mark Anthony Gooden joins us to discuss how principals can effectively discuss and implement plans to improve equity at their schools, and why it's so important that they do so. Mark An...

By creating a shared voice, you can gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of your school communities’ different cultural, economic, and geographic circumstances to ultimately better serve your school. In their first episode together, Center for Diversity leadership fellows Dr. Ryan Daniel and Xavier Reed team up to discuss what shared voice means to them, and how they implement it through t...

Although policies made at the local, state, and federal level can profoundly impact schools, it doesn't have to be a one-way street. School leaders are perfectly positioned to both know what educators need, and to effectively communicate with policy-makers. We sat down with two principals to discuss how they stay engaged with lawmakers, and what steps school leaders can take to embrace the role of...

Principals are charged with ensuring their schools adhere to standards, whether it's related to curriculum, building safety, or otherwise. But foundational to a school leader's practice are ethical standards, which are woven throughout everything they do. We sat down with several administrators to discuss what it means to be an ethical leader, and how principals can best hold themselves to the hig...

Whether it's through conferences, their district, or even social media, great things can happen when school leaders connect to discuss problems of practice and strategies for success. Today's guests share how their unique opportunity to do so on a frequent and consistent basis through "Mastermind" groups has helped them grow as leaders and improve their schools. Andrea Thompson works at the Delawa...

The role of principal can be a lonely one, which is why it is essential to find meaningful support networks. That's especially true for educators like Edward Anderson, Damon Qualls, and Farrell Thomas of the Bold Leadership Network. They joined us to discuss the unique challenges and successes that come with leading as a Black male educator, and how connecting with each other has improved their pr...