The Principal's Handbook

How can schools move beyond crisis response to prevention in mental health? In this episode, Dr. Hayley Watson, a clinical psychologist from Open Parachute, discusses comprehensive approaches to mental health education in schools. She emphasizes the importance of preventative mental health skills and making these resources accessible to entire school communities.  Key points include: The value of...

Are you a school principal feeling overwhelmed by unmet goals and initiatives as you head into the second semester? In this episode we discuss why January is the perfect time for a leadership reset and how to do it.  The episode emphasizes the importance of reflection without self-judgment and encourages principals to maintain the same supportive attitude toward themselves that they show their sta...

Learn more about Dr. Stephanie DuGuid HERE . *FREE DOWNLOADS* Decisive Leadership - Free Workshop The Principal's Email Detox Principal Checklist to Disconnect From School *RESOURCES FOR PRINCIPALS* Get The Confident Principal Reset : A 14-Day Action Plan and Mini-Course Transform Your Time: 60 Day Action Plan for Principals Leadership by Design: The Principal's Custom Habit System The Principal's...

This episode explores how school leaders can transform their school culture through optimistic leadership. In this episode we discuss the "TEA Cycle" concept - demonstrating how thoughts create emotions, which drive actions - and illustrates its impact on interactions with teachers and parents.  The episode covers practical strategies for maintaining positivity, including: Implementing staff recog...

In this episode of The Principal's Handbook,  Dr. Nick Davies (2024 Washington Assistant Principal of the Year) who shares strategies for maintaining wellbeing while serving as a school leader. Dr. Davies emphasizes two key areas for preventing burnout: maximizing work effectiveness through clear systems and priorities, and disconnecting from work to maintain personal wellness. He introduces a pow...

Do you spend enough time thinking about your own health and well-being? In this episode guest, Bonnie Finnerty joins us and shares how she transformed her stress-induced health crisis into a mission to help school leaders balance their work and well-being. In this eye-opening podcast, Finnerty shares practical strategies for administrators to improve their health, productivity, and school culture,...

In this episode, we dive into the world of Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) and Parent Teacher Organizations (PTOs) with guest Christina Hidek, founder of PTO Answers. Christina shares her extensive experience as a PTO leader and professional organizer, offering valuable insights on how to strengthen the collaboration between schools and parent groups. Listeners will learn: The differences betwe...

Dealing with ongoing stress and overwhelm in your role as a school leader? In this episode, we dive deep into the world of principal burnout. You'll learn: What burnout really is and its root causes My personal journey through burnout and how I overcame it Practical strategies to prevent and overcome burnout in your leadership role Whether you're on the brink of burnout or looking to build your re...

Do you often struggle with criticizing yourself? As a principal, your leadership decisions can weigh heavily on your mind. You may find yourself critiquing how you handled situations and ruminating on them long after the school day ends. In this must-listen episode for educational leaders, I delve into: Three common ways we judge ourselves in high-stakes environments The surprising effects of self...

Are you struggling with conflict in your school? In this must-listen episode, guest Jen Schwanke, author of 'The Principal's Guide to Conflict', joins to tackle one of the most challenging aspects of school leadership. Discover why conflict isn't always bad, learn a practical three-step process for managing disagreements, and gain invaluable insights on maintaining your cool when tensions run high...

Do you struggle to connect with one or more of the teachers you work with? In this episode of The Principal's Handbook, we will tackle a common challenge faced by school leaders: connecting with teachers who seem difficult to reach.  Key points covered: Recognizing and managing your own biases and assumptions The importance of spending more time with challenging staff members Tailoring your suppor...

In this episode of the Principal's Handbook podcast, guest Will Parker joins the show,  an experienced educator, author, and podcast host. They discuss Will's book "Pause, Breathe, Flourish: Living Your Best Life as an Educator" and explore strategies for maintaining work-life balance in educational leadership roles. Click HERE to get my Free Guide for Setting Boundaries Check out my instagram @Ba...

Do you struggle to set boundaries as a principal? Do you find that you can't set boundaries because everything seems like an emergency? I get it; I've been there.  In this episode, we'll discuss: How to handle situations when you can't set a boundary due to a genuine emergency Who you should set boundaries with Examples of effective boundaries The importance of principals modeling boundary-setting...

In this episode of the Principal's Handbook podcast, guest Brian Callahan, an experienced educator and state support team consultant. Brian shares insights on using data to inform decisions in schools, with a focus on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and school climate. Key points discussed include: The importance of easy-to-use data collection systems Focusing on acknowledgin...

This episode is part of the 2024 “National Literacy Month with RIF” campaign, a partnership between the BE Podcast Network and Reading Is Fundamental . Do you feel uncertain about leading literacy instruction? Are you looking to enhance your knowledge of teaching literacy skills? In this episode, I'll share three valuable tips for spearheading literacy initiatives—even if you're not an expert (yet...

This episode is part of the National Literacy Month series of podcasts , presented in partnership between the Be Podcast Network and Reading Is Fundamental (RIF). In this podcast episode,  Karen Dudek-Brannan, joins us to talk about early literacy assessments, reading interventions, and the importance of collaboration in schools. The conversation covers a range of topics from RTI implementation to...

This episode is part of the 2024 “National Literacy Month with RIF” campaign, a partnership between the BE Podcast Network and Reading Is Fundamental . Are you looking to enhance your instructional leadership skills in alignment with the Science of Reading? In this episode, we're joined by Kari Walchalk, an experienced literacy coach, who shares valuable insights on this critical topic.  Our discu...

This episode is part of the National Literacy Month series of podcasts , presented in partnership between the Be Podcast Network and Reading Is Fundamental (RIF). Do you feel like your school has a culture of literacy? Are you utilizing your school librarian to help build that culture? In this episode, guest Janet Weill shares invaluable insights on: The crucial role of school librarians in educat...

Are you a school principal feeling overwhelmed as the new academic year approaches? Do you find yourself juggling too many responsibilities and neglecting your own well-being? In this episode of The Principal's Handbook, we talk about three common mistakes principals make during the back-to-school season. Learn how to prioritize initiatives, delegate effectively, and maintain your personal health...

Is your school harnessing the power of AI? Are you implementing school-wide strategies to help teachers and students navigate this technology? In this episode, we sit down with Priten Shah, author of "AI and the Future of Education", to explore the impact of artificial intelligence on the educational landscape. Key topics include: Mitigating teacher burnout and reducing workload through AI Potenti...

Do you thrive on healthy routines during summer, only to struggle when the school year begins? You're not alone! In this episode, I sit down with health and fitness coach Brittany Stout to tackle this common challenge faced by teachers and school staff. We dive into practical strategies for time management, self-care, and maintaining healthy habits amidst the whirlwind of the academic year. Whethe...

Do you struggle to plan meaningful PD for your staff? In this episode, Jacqui Le-Mon, an assistant principal with extensive experience in providing impactful PD, joins us to share her insights. In this episode, we discuss: Identifying PD Needs : Learn how to identify the specific professional development needs of your staff through classroom observations, teacher evaluations, and feedback from tea...

Do you feel like you never have enough time? Do you wish you could create more time in your day? The number one thing I hear from clients is how busy they are. In our culture, being busy is often seen as a badge of honor, a sign of importance. But is this constant busyness really serving us? In this episode we will talk about: Reframing Your Perception of Time: We all have the same 24 hours, but o...

Are you ready for the teachers and students to come back to school? Do you have your back-to-school strategy in place? In this episode of The Principal's Handbook , high school principal Mike Geraghty joins me to talk about preparing for the school year. In this episode, we discuss: Preparing for the Opening Staff Meeting: Strategies to ensure your first staff meeting of the year sets a positive a...

Have you ever felt burned out and like your well-being was pushed to the wayside? In this episode, I am thrilled to welcome David K. Richards, a passionate educator who transitioned from a high-powered career in corporate banking to teaching. David shares his personal journey of facing burnout in his 30s and how he discovered mindfulness as a transformative tool for well-being. Join us for an insp...