The Principal Patterson Podcast

A lot of school leaders are carrying a quiet question they haven’t said out loud yet: Is it okay to want leadership coaching outside of my district? In this episode, I share a moment from my own time as a principal when I had to wrestle with that exact question, what I was afraid it might signal, what actually happened when I asked, and why that decision changed how I led. In this conversation, we...

What does sustainable school leadership actually look like, especially when you’re turning around a school? In this episode, I’m joined by  Amanda Spight , a National Distinguished Principal, for a real conversation about what it takes to lead meaningful change without carrying everything on your back. Amanda shares her leadership journey, the systems she put in place to stabilize culture and...

What happens when your leadership journey doesn’t follow the “traditional” path and yet prepares you for everything you were called to do? In this episode, I sit down with  Principal Jennelle Burden, a visionary school leader whose story reminds us that leadership is rarely linear… but always purposeful. Jennelle shares how her nontraditional path, from banking to higher ed to K–12 shaped the...

Every leader has a turning point, that moment when something finally clicks. For Dr. Kimberly, that moment came when she realized she didn’t need to prove herself by performing; she needed to lead by being clear about who she already was. Before stepping into her role as assistant principal, she faced her share of closed doors and quiet doubts. But instead of giving up, she decided to get clear. C...

I want to tell you a quick story. Earlier this month, I walked into the Goldman Sachs headquarters in New York City—nervous, excited, and still wrapping my mind around the fact that I was selected as one of just 300 women across the country for their One Million Black Women: Black in Business program. Days later, I received my JP Morgan Chase Coaching for Impact credential. Now, listen… I don’t sh...

If your teachers are sending students out of the classroom constantly, calling for admin backup, and feeling like they can’t manage behaviors on their own, it's not just your school. Right now, student behavior issues are at an all-time high, and it’s taking a toll on both instruction and school culture. The problem? Many teachers don’t know the difference between what they should handle and what...

As a school leader, you’ve probably felt that “Us vs. Them” tension between admin and teachers. It’s frustrating, right? You’re pulling in one direction, but your team feels like they’re pulling in another. Here’s the truth: that disconnect almost always comes down to trust. In this episode, I’m breaking down how to rebuild that trust and start working as one team again. I’m sharing four areas tha...

Hey there, leaders! In this episode of The Principal Patterson Podcast, I’m diving into one of the biggest challenges in school leadership—navigating change when your team is resistant. I’ve been there. I know what it’s like to introduce something new, only to be met with hesitation, skepticism, or even outright pushback. I’m sharing a personal story from my first year as a principal when I rolled...

As we dive into the second half of the school year, let’s talk about how you can create the synergy needed to sustain culture shifts and reclaim your time as a school leader. 5 Key Leadership Skills for School Leaders: Strategic Thinking – Plan your time and priorities to steer your school toward success. Identifying & Developing Talent – Empower teacher leaders to lighten your workload and fo...

After working with dozens of successful principals, I’ve noticed a powerful shift in how they approach leadership. They’re not just working differently—they’re thinking differently. This shift is the foundation of what I call the  Sustainable Leadership Cycle , and it’s helping them lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose. If you’re ready to move beyond survival mode and embrace sustainabl...

How often do you find yourself saying,  “I’m just trying to make it work” ? For so many school leaders, this means juggling crises, meeting district demands, supporting struggling staff, and constantly putting yourself last. But here’s the truth: making it work comes at a cost you can’t afford to keep paying. In this bonus episode, I’m breaking down why it’s time to stop surviving and start r...

The holiday season is just around the corner, and I know many school leaders are already feeling the weight of months spent managing crises, sub shortages, and teacher turnover. If the second semester feels like an uphill battle, I want you to hear this: it doesn’t have to be. In this bonus episode, I’m sharing why the second semester is the perfect opportunity to reset, refocus, and reenergize. I...

I’ll never forget one of those mornings as a principal—the kind that starts with back-to-back crises before the school day even begins. It was exhausting, overwhelming, and felt like it would never end. But that day became a turning point for me—not because I figured out how to juggle it all, but because I realized something huge: the way we’ve been trained to lead is broken. In this bonus episode...

School leaders everywhere are facing the high energy of students, teachers running on fumes, and endless administrative tasks piling up. This episode is all about keeping that momentum going through the next 90-day sprint without burning out. Here’s What We’ll Cover: Managing Your Energy – How a personal power hour and the 80/20 rule can keep you focused on what truly matters. Supporting Your Team...

Culture doesn’t just happen; it has to be intentionally built and consistently maintained. If left undefined, it will manifest in ways that undermine your school’s goals and vision. In this episode, I’m walking you through four essential steps to build a healthy, sustainable school culture that positively impacts everything from academic outcomes to staff morale and student engagement. What You’ll...

Understanding your school’s culture is crucial, and today, I’m sharing insights on the three key phases: toxic, tolerable, and top-tier. During a recent culture audit at a partner school, I witnessed the power of honest feedback within leadership teams. The discrepancies between leaders’ perceptions and the realities on the ground revealed significant gaps.   Whether you’re dealing with a tox...

When I first became a principal, I walked into a school with an existing leadership team—passionate, capable, but completely out of sync. The conflicts were deep, and the school’s struggles were a direct reflection of the leadership breakdown. I realized something crucial: everything that happens in our schools is either leadership created or leadership allowed . And if there’s conflict or misalig...

Reflecting on my own journey, I remember stepping into my first principal role feeling confident and ready to tackle any challenge. I had a successful background as an assistant principal and a wealth of training behind me. But, as many of you know, reality often throws curveballs that challenge our preconceived notions of what leadership looks like. My school was in a state of crisis, and despite...

Welcome to  The Principal Patterson Podcast ! I’m Chanavia Patterson, and I’m thrilled to guide you on your journey to becoming a high-performing school leader. Each week, we’ll dive into the essential pillars of successful schools. Everything that happens in our schools is either leadership-created or leadership-allowed. Together, let’s build schools of excellence, one principal at a time!