The Rock Star Principals' Podcast

Summary In this episode of the Rockstar Principles podcast, hosts Nick Indeglio and Jon Ross reflect on their past mistakes in educational leadership, particularly regarding technology use in schools. They discuss the implications of student cell phone use and the evolution of social media, highlighting the negative impacts on mental health. The conversation shifts to their personal experiences wi...

Summary In this episode of the Rockstar Principles podcast, Nick and Jon discuss the evolving landscape of education, focusing on the critical shortage of educators and its implications for school leadership. They explore the importance of nurturing future leaders in education, the portrayal of principals in pop culture, and celebrate the contributions of outstanding educators. The conversation al...

In this episode of the Rockstar Principles podcast, hosts Nick Indeglio and Jon Ross discuss their return to podcasting after a hiatus, reflecting on the evolution of the medium and the importance of relationship building in education, especially post-COVID. They explore the rising popularity of trade schools as viable career paths and the impact of AI on future job markets. The conversation also...

Here's a special excerpt from Rick and Nick's Excellent EdVenture Episode 28's  Every Rose has Its Thorn segment focusing on Breakfast Cereals. Nick teases the penultimate College Tier Ranking system based on cereal selections. But first, the guys discuss the best and worst things about breakfast cereal. Both guys agree that chocolate based cereals which provide leftover chocolate milk are roses....

While you patiently wait for new episodes of the Rock Star Principals Podcast, please enjoy another special preview of Rick and Nick's Excellent EdVenture . Episode 9 features talk about the Search Institute's Developmental Assets, Letting Go to Move Forward , Favorite Jedi, and much much more. Please subscribe and listen to this excellent new FREE educational podcast for teachers, parents, school...

While you're waiting for the Rock Star Principals to return to the airwaves with new content, Dr. Nick invites you to "pass the time" listening to one of his other educational podcasts titled, " Rick and Nick's Excellent EdVenture ." Today we provide a full episode of the Excellent EdVenture. The description is below. We encourage you to subscribe and support this great show for principals, counse...

Episode 140 of "The Rock Star Principals' Podcast" is brought to you by Lexia Learning. Lots of hectic excitement and zany energy along with the usual dose of Edu-Awesomeness this week with RSP as the boys record while Nick is driving and Jon is in his office using a phone recording app: The 11 P's of Rock Star Principal Leadership: Pragmatism Movie Plug: "Nobody" starring Bob Odenkirk Upcoming Se...

The Rock Star Principals are back and once again brought to you by Lexia Learning ! In this week's episode, Jon and Nick bring you two awesome segments discussing: Leadership Lessons from "Yellowstone" Kevin Costner's Leadership Quotes "You can't teach toughness. You're either born a willow or you're born an oak." "There's once constant in life: you build something worth having; someone's gonna tr...

The Rock Star Principals, Jon and Nick, are thrilled to be back on the airwaves! Episode 138 is sponsored by Lexia Learning ( lexialearning.com ) and "brings it" with three awesome segments: "Getting Up to Speed" The boys talk about the incredibly unique 2020-2021 school year, challenges, opportunities for success, and the uncharted future ahead. A Word from Our Sponsor: Lexia Learning The Pennsyl...

The Rock Star Principals, Jon and Nick, interview the NASSP Principal of the Year, Richard Gordon, who is from the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Richard is the principal of Paul Robeson High School in Philadelphia.  You don't want to miss this 43 minute conversation where Richard demonstrates his passion, dedication, and determination to see every one of his students succeed. He shares emoti...

The Rock Stars discuss "toxic positivity" and drop some educational leadership wisdom along the way. Mike Indeglio visits to lend his perspective to the topic as well. This is a timely topic just in time for Election Day!

Elementary school students returned to their buildings in the Downingtown Area School District for the first time in 226 days. Jon and Nick were on hand with Melanie Susi to help with the big day. The three of them discuss some big picture observations from that big first day.

It's National Principal's Month and the Rock Stars are interviewing three sitting elementary principals from each of their "Coaching Trees" to discuss the triumphs, the challenges, and all things related to educational leadership in the K-12 setting! Join Jon and Nick as they interview Mr. Travis Orth (Principal of Pickering Valley Elementary School), Dr. Melanie Susi (Principal of Shamona Creek E...

"Education During Uncertain Times: Our Students' Reflect" An interview with Two High School Freshmen: Ms. Marin Krause and Ms. Elli Ross Part 1: Describe school and technology before March of 2020. Part 2: What worked and what didn't when schools went virtual in March 2020 Part 3: What were the biggest differences pre-Shutdown and then March-June? Part 4: What has the new school year been like so...

As schools are back in session, in one form or another, Jon and Nick discuss the substitute teacher shortage, its systemic causes, and some possible solutions. In addition, they prognosticate towards the continuing principal shortage as well. Finally, Jon begins dealing with his pop-culture-malaise and the boys devise a future new segment called, "All the Things We Were Right About."

With districts trying to fill dozens of teaching positions due to the unique circumstances, hiring is ultra important right now. The boys go back to the archives in 2015 when they interviewed Dr. James Stronge, famous educational author, to discuss hiring.

The start of the 2020-2021 school year looms large as school leaders grapple with conflicting ideologies, opinions, and guidance from athletics to health departments to governmental offices and beyond. Dr. Ross and Dr. Indeglio discuss all of this along with addressing the unhealthy notion that "Everyone thinks they have it worse than everyone else." Finally, the boys wrap up with a discussion of...

The boys dig back into the archives for an interview with renowned author, Mike Schmoker, who wrote the famous education book, "focus." The lessons from this interview are applicable right now as schools prepare to begin a new year during a pandemic which is forcing educators to reevaluate how instruction is delivered. Mike Schmoker advocates "less is more." Focus solely on the things which matter...

Jon and Nick discuss the lack of guidance provided to local school districts along with mounting threats to superintendents and school officials. Some helpful tips for reopening schools as well! They reference an article by Mark DiRocco, President of PASA (Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators)(@mark_dirocco)

School starts (or has started) imminently and the time has come to stop admiring the problem and start finding solutions. This week, Jon and Nick talk about the latest developments around the country regarding COVID-19, provide two important "RSP Lessons for Starting the 2020-2021 School Year," and denounce the politicizing of the school reopening issue. 

Dr. Jon Ross and Dr. Nick Indeglio return to the airwaves and discuss the topic that's on everyones' minds: COVID-19 and the re-opening of schools. Join the "Rock Star Principals" as they share their unfiltered opinions and expertise during this historic time in education.

The boys are back for a new season of educational awesomeness! The show covers the next P from the 11Ps of Leadership, which is Positivity! It's a heartfelt, pragmatic, and philosophic discussion of an incredibly important topic.

Jon and Nick are gearing up for their Keynote Speech this week at the Frontline Insights Summit in Orlando, Florida held at the beautiful Grande Lakes Marriot ! Therefore, their "education brains" are even more fully tuned than usual! Segment 1: The Rock Star Principals' 11 P's of Principal Leadership = Pluck Pluck is spirited and determined courage. Courage isn't courage without fear and gravitas...

Episode 123 drops with loads of educational leadership content! Jon and Nick discuss Pennsylvania's Safe2Say initiative and program rollout. RSP's 11 P's of Principaling: Plainness Pop Culture: Red Dead Redemption 2 and Super Smash Brothers Ultimate

Jon and Nick are on the road again with a meaningful episode. They boys discuss the mental health crisis sweeping the nation and affecting their own district. Then they lighten the mood with some pop culture. The episode ends with the wrap-up of the 20 Characteristics of Effective Teaching from research by the University of Minnesota. Tune in now!