The Guiding Principals Podcast

Lindsay Titus is a passionate, influential educator specializing in the field of behavior analysis. She is driven every single day to teach other educators how to redefine what success looks like for the students we work with every day. Her ultimate goal as a behavior specialist is to inspire other educators to recognize that all students have a story to share.

With experience as a classroom teacher and her current role as a K-12 behavior specialist, Lindsay also has experience working in residential, and private settings. Lindsay shares her passion through her experiences to guide, motivate, and encourage other educators to do the same. To use their own personal stories to create connections and relationships with others.

In addition to being a board-certified behavior analyst with a Master’s in Special Education, Lindsay is also an educational coach working with educators across the country through DEFINE YOUniversity. Through the various roles she serves, Lindsay works every day to share simple yet strategic tools and strategies with educators so they too can feel confident in who they are as educators and strengthen the connections with their students every single day.

What story do you have?

I quit teaching 1 month shy of finishing my 5th year. I became the statistic of special education teachers who burnt out within 5 years. And it wrecked me. And at the same time, it validated a belief I held for myself since childhood. And that was I wasn’t born with confidence and that was the reason why I couldn’t do things. I lived a fixed mindset life for decades. After trying out different types of jobs in the education field (private, public, residential), I finally decided there must be an easier way. And at that same time, I came across a mindset coach, and thought, why not, I’ve tried everything else. Let’s try this. And to be honest, while I was hopeful, I really didn’t think it would work. But it did. Through the process of what I know call inner work, I found myself. I found my light. I found my purpose and passion. And everything else felt easy. Life became fun. My job became purposeful. And life became what I had always wished it could be. I had taken my future dreams and goals and turned them into my present-day reality. And now I have the honor of coaching the same transformations in educators today through DEFINE YOUniversity.

I resonate with the concept that leadership is not a title or a specific role. It isn’t something we are born with. It’s a verb, its action, it’s something we continue to grow each and every day through the power of listening and learning.  My goal in any role I serve is to lead myself to creating the best life possible for me that aligns with my mission, my vision, values, and standards, so that I can help coach others to find the same for themselves, no matter what age they may be.

The idea of coaching and leading through the use of questions is a major focus of my role this year as a behavior specialist. Staying out of the advice trap is so important, and something I am practicing each day at work and through my own business. I’m also in my coursework for administration and am learning how important it is to lead myself before I can lead others. Having the confidence in who I am as a person, has helped me lead others while continuing to listen and learn from others every day.

Ryan Scott

Relationships are what most inspire me on a day-to-day basis; adult/students/community members/parents. Also, I LIVE to BLOW up the box. If schooling looks exactly like we lived through, something is wrong.

I can also talk about the life-changing effects of mistakes. When I was 22, I became a day unexpectedly and that COMPLETELY changed the course of my life. This is why I LOVE my students that come to us with challenges.

Proud #girldad of 4 and husband of a spunky redhead!  Spent 10 years in elementary land as a teacher and 2 years as a principal. For the past 2 years, I have been a high school AP where I have learned that even if they are bigger, hairier and look like adults, high school is still full of kids that want to be valued, seen, and heard!

My unconventional path to education led me to see “struggles” as “opportunities” and the “challenging kids” as just kids with “challenges”!

As the host of The bigEDidea Podcast, I hope to connect the visions of one, with the passions of another. It is only through building connections, that the world can truly be changed!

Twitter:@ryancscott1981

Instagram:ryanscott1981

Facebook:ryanscott1981

Podcast: The bigEDidea Podcast

Michelle Papa is an Assistant Principal at Jefferson Township High School in Oak Ridge, New Jersey. She is passionate about the amplification of student's voices, healthy school culture, trauma-informed education, and equity for all students. She has presented workshops on the topics of using digital tools for formative assessment, community building in the virtual classroom, text-dependent questioning, state testing rubrics, and the ALICE response to active shooter events. She is also a mom of two and wife to Danny Papa, a K-12 Supervisor of Social Studies, Fine Art, and Technology Education in the same school district.

Show Highlights:

• This misrepresentation that as an administrator you will not be as connected with students.
• Must be intentional - devote time to relationship building
• As an assistant principal, working with a more diverse population of students that extend beyond my classroom, I have a better understanding of trauma - Michael McKnight & Dr. Laurie Dusseault - Eyes Are Never Quiet “Brains in pain cannot learn”

Twitter: @MPapaEdu

Facebook: Michelle Haupt-Papa

Blog:  https://edlifeweb.wordpress.com/

Committed to Eminence

An educator for 34 years, is the founder of the G.O.A.L. TEAM (Getting Others to Achieve Higher Levels). The G.O.A.L. TEAM was created for helping high school students and young adults to maximize their personal leadership potential.

Jeff, a former Texas High School Head Football Coach and eleven-year veteran of the classroom, is also formerly the Principal at Magnolia High School (2002-2016). In 2013 Jeff was selected as the State of Texas TASSP State Principal of the year.

Besides founding Spring Strategies LLC, Jeff currently serves part-time as the Minister of Men at Wildwood UMC and is also the founder of Suit Up Ministries, a nonprofit men’s ministry. Recently, Jeff became a University Student Teacher Supervisor at his alma mater Sam Houston State.

Jeff attended Abilene Christian University where he played on the 1977 National Championship Football team, received his Bachelor of Arts in Teaching from Sam Houston State University, and obtained his Masters of Sports Administration from the United States Sports Academy. In the spring of 2020, Jeff completed his Doctorate in Education with an emphasis in Transformational Leadership from Concordia University.

Jeff is passionate about people and “play.” Developing others and helping them see their value and completeness is what drives Jeff in all his relationships. Jeff loves being a husband, dad, and grandfather. He is always seeking ways to acknowledge men that strive to be the daily active devoted dads they are called to be.

Jeff, who resides in Montgomery, Texas, has been married for 39 years and has two children, and three grandchildren.

Twitter: @cultivatingplay

Instagram: cultivatingplay

Facebook: Spring Strategies, LLC

Committed to Eminence

An educator for 34 years, is the founder of the G.O.A.L. TEAM (Getting Others to Achieve Higher Levels). The G.O.A.L. TEAM was created for helping high school students and young adults to maximize their personal leadership potential.

Jeff, a former Texas High School Head Football Coach and eleven-year veteran of the classroom, is also formerly the Principal at Magnolia High School (2002-2016). In 2013 Jeff was selected as the State of Texas TASSP State Principal of the year.

Besides founding Spring Strategies LLC, Jeff currently serves part-time as the Minister of Men at Wildwood UMC and is also the founder of Suit Up Ministries, a nonprofit men’s ministry. Recently, Jeff became a University Student Teacher Supervisor at his alma mater Sam Houston State.

Jeff attended Abilene Christian University where he played on the 1977 National Championship Football team, received his Bachelor of Arts in Teaching from Sam Houston State University, and obtained his Masters of Sports Administration from the United States Sports Academy. In the spring of 2020, Jeff completed his Doctorate in Education with an emphasis in Transformational Leadership from Concordia University.

Jeff is passionate about people and “play.” Developing others and helping them see their value and completeness is what drives Jeff in all his relationships. Jeff loves being a husband, dad, and a grandfather. He is always seeking ways to acknowledge men that strive to be the daily active devoted dads they are called to be.

Jeff, who resides in Montgomery, Texas, has been married for 39 years and has two children, and three grandchildren.

Twitter: @cultivatingplay

Instagram: cultivatingplay

Facebook: Spring Strategies, LLC

Dr. Nychole Mitchell

She holds a Doctorate, MBA and Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Business Administration and Ministry with concentrations in Psychology, Management, and Christian Business. She’s had the pleasure of studying overseas in Malaysia and Singapore and tutors for Grades PreK-12, College Students, and Adults in various subjects along with providing test preparation (SAT, ACT & GED) since 1991. Likewise, she has worked at Universities and Public, Private & Charter Schools teaching Math, Business, Information Technology and Computer Science courses. It has been her pleasure to give the joy of success through academic excellence. Dr. Nychole says she’s a bonafide techie geek who loves to support educators and share innovative ways to integrate technology into curriculum. In addition, she’s been a business consultant since 2001 with a track record of helping businesses succeed in their endeavours. Lastly, she loves the game of golf, so she loves to share her love with others in a simplistic way. Most importantly, she’s a devoted mother and active community leader!

Guest: Connie Hamilton

BIO:

Connie Hamilton Ed.S. has 25 years in education as teacher, instructional coach, elementary/secondary principal and K-12 district administrator. She is an international educational consultant and presenter, and the author of two books, including her latest, Hacking Questions.

Teachers describe her workshops as meaningful and engaging as she models quality instructional methods that can be used in the classroom tomorrow. She applies her deep understanding of pedagogy in workshops such as Questioning, Formative Assessment, Student Engagement, Feedback, and more.

Connie spends most of her year facilitating classroom observations in a collaborative setting so teachers can learn from one another as they implement new strategies with students. She brings these experiences to her workshops to help teachers put research into practice in ways that make sense.

Dr. Justin Thomas

Bio: Justin Thomas, Ed.D., is an elementary school principal serving students, faculty, and community near Nashville, TN. Prior to his work in school administration, he enjoyed 8 years as a middle school and high school band director.

During his 6-year tenure as principal, his school team has been recognized multiple times by the Tennessee Department of Education for outstanding student growth and achievement gap closure. Dr. Thomas believes that the keys to success revolve around growth and gratitude - the ideas that all members of a school can 'get better', and that a spirit of thankfulness is key to strong culture.

Dr. Thomas is the author of "The Principal's Toolbox: Real Talk on Tackling School Leadership" (2020). Noticing an abundance of philosophical books about leadership, his purpose in writing The Principal's Toolbox was to take an honest look at many of the practical aspects of the principalship. Aspiring and new principals will find this title especially helpful.

Dr. Thomas is married (Susan) and they enjoy their busy life with 3 daughters in Nashville.

Show Notes:  I think a great school focuses on growth and gratitude. Every person - child or adult - is at a different place on their journey. As a teacher, as a friend, as a mathematician, as a writer, as a coach. Our only goal should be to compare ourselves with ourselves - Where was I yesterday? Where am I today? The growth is what matters.

Gratitude - There is so much good going on around us, but we fall into the trap of talking about/focusing on the problems. Intentionally seeking the good and calling it out improves your life and lets others know that their contribution is seen and worth something.

Story - I decided to write this book because I kept having experiences that I was never told to expect, and I would have been better prepared had I at least thought about them ahead of time. They are situations that I feel every principal will encounter, and I hope that considering them will make the principalship a bit less overwhelming - especially in the early going

Dr. Rachael George

From fighting wildland fires with the U.S. Forest Service to putting out fires in the classroom, education was the last place that Rachael thought she’d end up.  It wasn’t until a hard conversation with a base manager in Grangeville, Idaho did Rachael realize she needed to put her chainsaw down and make a bigger impact on the world.  Rachael is a member of the ASCD Emerging Leaders Class of 2015 and currently serves as the principal of Sandy Grade School in the Oregon Trail School District.  Over the past seven years, Sandy Grade School has moved from being one of the lowest ranked elementary schools in the state of Oregon to performing in the top 20% of elementary schools.  Sandy Grade School has been recognized by the International Center for Leadership in Education (ICLE) as a Model School for closing the achievement gap.  Prior to serving as an elementary principal, she was a middle school principal of an “outstanding” and two-time “Level 5: Model School” as recognized by the State of Oregon.  Rachael serves as the Coalition of Oregon School Administrators President Elect, is the NAESP State Representative for Oregon, and is an NAESP Fellow. Rachael just released her first book PrincipalED: Navigating the Leadership Learning Curve with two friends and has two other books in the works. She specializes in curriculum development, instructional improvement as well as working with at-risk students and closing the achievement gap.  Connect with Rachael on Twitter @DrRachaelGeorge.

Dr. Kate Barker

When someone asks Kate Barker how many children she has, she replies, “Five hundred thirty-seven, plus two.” As well as having two children of her own, Kate is currently the principal of Cherry Park Elementary in Portland, Oregon. She has been an educator for the past thirty years, all in the David Douglas School District, which is located in an urban setting. Kate has spent her career dedicated to supporting and learning from her community. She has been a fourth- and fifth-grade teacher and a district office language arts and federal grants leader. In the past seventeen years, she has lovingly served as a principal at three different buildings. In her current building, she works with a diverse and vibrant community of preschool through fifth-grade students. Seventy-five percent of the families experience poverty, and twenty-eight different languages are spoken. Many of her students, whose basic needs are not met, are steeped in trauma. And yet, Cherry Park Elementary students consistently outperform state averages. She holds a master’s in special education and is a champion for building a culture that includes all students and families. She believes that everything starts with a genuine relationship. Connect with Kate on Twitter @Kate_S_Barker

Dr. Kourtney Ferrua

Kourtney Ferrua currently serves as the Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment in the McMinnville School District. Prior to working at the district office, she served as the principal at Wascher Elementary School for six years. In 2019 Kourtney was awarded Oregon Elementary Principal of the Year and as a National Distinguished Principal. While at Wascher Elementary, they were recognized as a Model School for rapidly improving student outcomes in 2018 by the International Center for Leadership in Education (ICLE). Before entering into administration, Kourtney was a kindergarten and third grade teacher as well as an instructional coach. Connect with Kourtney on Twitter @kourtneyferrua

Raymond  is a husband to an AMAZING wife, a father of  2 wonderful boys, and a principal.  He loves traveling, cooking with his boys, and co-hosting 2 podcasts.  He has worked as a 5th grade teacher, middle school dean, 7th and 8th  grade social studies teacher, middle school assistant principal and now as a principal.  He believes in the importance of building relationships and of taking every opportunity to lead and make a difference in the world.

My dad is one of my biggest influences and as I grew up and listened to his advice there were lots of parts I took from him but one for leadership I hold dearest is:

• As a leader I should always be training and empowering the people below me to do my job and lead.  That if I create and empower them our company/business/work will grow and be successful.  He always related to the idea of a football coaches coaching tree.
  Everyday leadership, building leadership within everyone.
  
• Building culture and climate
  
• Leading change
  

Which part of being a visionary leader do you resonate with the most? How can we start this podcast powerfully? What story do you have? 

Starts with mindset: With great power comes great responsibility. - Peter Parker principle 

(HT) = Head Teacher = Heart Teacher, servant leader, lead with love and heart, relationships are foundational to leadership and learning, genuinely care and connect

What leadership topics interest you?  

Building school culture through relationships

Power of connections

Mindset

Think about a time you failed and how you were able to overcome it.

Growth mindset, positivity and gratitude

Best piece of leadership advice you ever got and how it has impacted you. TWO:

Know yourself and be yourself. How? Self-discovery

Know what you believe & value. (Live into your values - Brene Brown)

Know your strengths & impact. Know your passion!

Believe in yourself. 

Listen to feedback from others. Sometimes you don’t see it. Imposter syndrome.

Find your tribe. You are not alone. Teach Better Admin Mastermind. 

Power of connection! #strongertogether #bettertogether

Motto: Working together to better ourselves, each other, and the world around us.

Growth 

What do you think is something every leader should do to positively impact their school? Give examples.

See every day as a gift. Every person is a gift. 

In every interaction, you have the opportunity to uplift others to help make their day a brighter one through our kindness and gratitude. 

Small things but really aren’t small things when all added up

Gratitude is meant to be shared.

The Best Self-care is Kindness to Others “if you want to be happier, you should focus more on kindness to others than kindness to yourself. Research out of Oxford confirms that even tiny acts of kindness can have profound effects on our happiness, and other studies show small acts of kindness can ripple out, boosting mental well-being in the wider community.”

Maya Angelou quote: “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

DO

Starts with welcome. 

Light up your face when you see people

Build relationships. Get to know your people. Staff are like your students.

Notecards (happy notes) for all staff to uplift or appreciate

You say relationships are key. How do you build and maintain positive relationships in your school?

Time, effort, sprinkle kindness everywhere, and “Gratitude is meant to be shared.”

Be a reacher outer and uplifter

New school examples:

Students: memorized names, looked up pictures, time

Staff: memorize names. Sign in sheet. 

Offer support. Regular reminders that I am here for them. Show not just tell. Be present and available.

How do you handle others who may be resistant to positive relationships?

Build relationships

What is something you have read that you feel every school leader should read?

Dare to Lead - Brene Brown

Rae Hughart is a Middle Level Math Educator in Illinois, creator of the Teach Further Model, the Director of Training & Development for the Teach Better Team, and author of  “Teachers Deserve It” and “Teach Better” book.

Rae continues to facilitate rich discussions with educators around mastering personalized learning, providing targeted student-focused feedback, and the impact of incorporating purpose into daily learning. After being inducted into The Illinois State University Hall of Fame in 2017, Rae was awarded the 2018 First Place Henry Ford Teacher Innovator Award for her innovative educational impact.

Jeff is the COO/Co-founder of the Teach Better Team and co-author of “Teach Better.” He works with educators to increase student engagement and improve student success. Jeff previously owned an online marketing firm, where he worked with entrepreneurs and small businesses. He is also a former adjunctive professor at Kent State University and spent 10+ years in the music industry.

Entering his twenty-first year in education, Dave has earned a reputation for being a disruptor of the status quo, an innovator, and a change agent. Having served as a classroom teacher, school-based administrator, central office director, and now professor of Educational Leadership, he often uses real-life stories and examples of his own life and career to describe why and how we need to confront “the way we have always done it.”

Nicole Padula-George is the proud Assistant Principal of Instruction at Mastery Charter School Gratz Prep Middle in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  She brings over 12 years of experience at the middle and high school levels as a teacher, instructional coach, and STEM program director.  Mrs. Padula-George leads with heart, responsibility, and the mentality of putting students first.  Her mindset has resulted in a track record of student growth and achievement. When not in classrooms, she enjoys time with her husband and son.

Chad Ostrowski is the CEO and Co-Founder of the Teach Better Team.  

"I have dedicated my professional career to helping schools be better. While I’m not an administrator I work closely with administrators, teachers and stakeholders across the country to help them improve schools. This is possible from building trust, relationships and providing solutions to their needs that produce results. Hearing a student in a classroom tell me they’ve never loved schools so much or a principal sharing that they’ve gotten their school out of academic emergency through our work drives my motivation to do more."

Topics Discussed:

• Building a team
• Defining a mission
• Trusting others to execute
• Never allowing excuses

Craig Smith is the Principal of Lake Norman Charter High School in Huntersville, North Carolina. He joined LNC in July of 2015. Lake Norman Charter HS has received a grade of "A" from the state of North Carolina Department of Public Instruction for the past four years. LNC was designated as a 2017, 2018, 2019, & 2020 "Gold Medal" school according to the U.S. News & World Report (Top 500 HS's in the Nation), listed as the top Charlotte-region high school and placed in the top 1% nationally in 2018. LNC provides leadership integration and service-learning to align with the mission of "Together we learn, lead, and serve." Previously, Craig was the Assistant Principal of Ashbrook High School (Gastonia, NC). Before entering administration, Craig was a successful high school math teacher and coach at Hopewell High School (Huntersville, NC). He earned his B.A. from Western Michigan University and his M.A. from Gardner-Webb University. He currently serves on the WMU Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Deanna Moore White is a Gulf War Veteran who trained as a Hospital Corpsman, Medical Technologist, Autopsy Technician and Histotechnologist in the United States Navy before pursing her B.S.degreee in Biology.  During her junior year in college , she started substituting and found her passion for education.  She severed as a middle and high school science teacher before moving into an administrative role as a an Assistant Principal at the high school and elementary level.  Currently she is pursuing her Ed. S. in Educational leadership and Ed.D. in Education  System Improvement Science.  Deanna is a passionate leader who believes education is the key to opportunity.

Education is very powerful.  Education levels the playing field for individuals internationally. It is my passion to ensure that students receive the best education possible.   As a visionary leader, I see  possibilities that cannot be seen when you grow up in a dysfunctional home with abusive, alcoholic, literate or helicopter parents.  Although parenthood doesn’t come with a manual, navigating the world is possible with the ability to read, understand what you read, asking strategic questions and being proactive instead of reactive.  We can start the podcast off with bang by letting everyone know I am a United States Navy Veteran that served in the Gulf War. I served as a Hospital Corpsman, Medical Technician and a Histology Technician.  This was my first career in the United States Navy, where I learned to do autopsies and identify parts of the human body using DNA during horrific accidents so parents, wifes, mothers, sisters, aunts and uncles could bury their loved ones.  I discovered education while studying as a pre-med student and obtaining my Bachelors of Science degree in Biology during my Junior year of college when I substituted two to three days a week.  Each time I substituted, Administrators and Assistant Principals continued to call me to come back to their school.  No matter what school I substituted at during that time, I was asked to return.  I was  offered over ten teaching positions before graduating from college.  After talking with my career counselor about the teaching profession and talking with my mentor about the stigma at the time, “Teachers don’t make no money,” I received the best advice I ever heard, “ If you find something you love, “ you will make money.”  I  graduated and enrolled in three summer classes on education during the summer.  I was committed and determined that education was my true passion and desire.

Informational leadership interests me the most.  Informational leaders research, prepare and strategically solve problems.  Rarely are they impulsive and reactive to situations.  Asking questions, looking for solutions and making difficult decisions at their strengths, but being compassionate sometimes is difficult.  As an Informational leader, I strive to make human connections to support an individuals strengths so they become better from our interaction.

Michael Horton began his career as a physics teacher and then became an administrator at two county offices where he coached principals to turn around underperforming schools and trained science teachers. He then coached AVID schools to prepare underrepresented students for college. Now, he’s the assistant principal of a highly acclaimed STEM charter school in Southern California. He’s written 3 books, two science experiment books and his most recent, a school leadership book entitled Excellence: Every Classroom, Every Lesson, Every Day (A Leadership Fable).

Books discussed on the show:

Stephen Gay is a 30+ year education lifer! He is a proud father of three and has been married to his wife for 28 years, who is also an educator.  He grew up in Rocky Mount, NC where both grandparents were sharecroppers and his dad worked for the same company for 35 years. He graduated from NC State with Math Ed Degree, taught in Hickory Public Schools.  He was a NC Principal Fellow Class 1, Masters from App State, EdS from ASU and doctoral work from ASU as well.  He has taught, been an assistant principal, transportation coordinator, middle school principal, school director, and Superintendent (Head of School).  He is the sum total of his experiences.  Currently, he is the Superintendent at East Wake Academy in Zebulon, NC.  They are a K-12 charter school.

Affiliations:

• NCPAPA - DLP and DL
• NCPDK - Emerging Leader
• Principal Fellow
• Principal's Executive Program
• BB&T Leadership

Guest: Melody Stacy

I am a passionately positive educator who has been geeking out about how to create excellence in public schools for 22 years now. I am a former high school math teacher (AP Calculus and AP Statistics were my jam), secondary curriculum resource specialist, middle school assistant principal, and elementary assistant principal. Currently, I am the principal, aka Believer-in-Chief, Lead Learner, Chief Storyteller, Head Culture Creator, and Chief Energy Officer, at Taylor Mill Elementary @TME_tigers in Northern Kentucky.

My name is Stephanie Leonard and it is my honor to serve as principal of this wonderful school.  Each year it is a priority of mine to build relationships with students, parents and staff. I have been in education for 20 years and began my career as a high school science teacher. Since that point I have been an Assistant Principal at two elementary schools and have worked in the Curriculum Department for the district for 5 years before coming to McGee’s.

I am originally from Four Oaks and graduated from South Johnston High School.  After attending UNC Chapel Hill (B.S. in Biology) and NCSU (B.S. in Secondary Science Education), I returned to South Johnston to teach science.  While teaching, I obtained my National Boards for Science Education. I returned to school a few years later for my Masters in Administration from ECU through the Principal Fellows Program.

My husband Brian and I have been married 22 years and we have three wonderful daughters, ages 20, 17, and 5.  In my free time, these three keep me very busy spending time with them and attending their activities.

I believe teachers and school staff have the power to change the lives of students each and every day, and we want to make sure we are a positive influence that they can carry with them throughout their lives.

Currently serving as building principal of McHenry High School - East Campus, Prickett served as middle school principal for five years, as well as principal at the elementary level for eight years. In addition, Prickett also has experience as an assistant principal, dean of students, and classroom teacher.  Entering his 23rd year in public education, he holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Judson University, a Master’s degree from Aurora University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from National Louis University.

Books: 

A seasoned international educator, Eileen began her career as a Mathematics teacher in New York in the mid 90’s. She has worked in private and public schools, American, British and international schools, in Europe, Asia, the US and in Africa. She has two masters degrees and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy. In 2007, Eileen transitioned into school leadership and is passionate about helping educators reflect often and grow in their teaching. Eileen and her husband Brown live in Qingdao, China where Eileen serves as the Deputy Head at a British International School.

Simon Sinek Quote: "The goal is not to be perfect by the end. The goal is to be better today."

Guest: Joël McLean

Dr. Christina Podraza is a principal and former instructional coach with 20 years of experience in the classroom from the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. Deeply passionate about creating meaningful learning experiences that empower students, she works daily to build a positive school culture focused on growing the strengths of those around her.

Dr. Steven Weber is the Associate Superintendent for Teaching and Learning with Fayetteville Public Schools in Arkansas.  He brings more than 20 years of experience to the district having previously served as the Executive Director for Curriculum and Instruction with Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (NC). Dr. Weber also held the position of Director of Secondary Instruction for Orange County Schools (NC) for six years.

Weber started his career as an elementary teacher in West Memphis School District. Weber has served as a curriculum director with the Arkansas Department of Education and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. During his career, he has served as an elementary teacher, assistant principal, principal, director of secondary, and executive director of curriculum and instruction.

Weber serves on the Executive Cabinet for Fayetteville Public Schools and provides leadership by working with teachers, administrators, and staff.  He works with teachers from each of the district’s sixteen schools to review programs, develop curriculum, and analyze district inputs and outputs. Weber leads the Office of Teaching and Learning and works with building principals to support continuous improvement.  His areas of leadership include academic achievement, instructional strategies, formative assessment, leadership development, professional learning, and collaborating with families to support students.  Weber joined Fayetteville Public Schools in 2016.

Dr. Weber received a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, a Master of Science in Education in Educational  Administration from Arkansas State University, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from the East Carolina University.

Recognitions and Leadership

• Selected to serve on ASCD Instructional Leadership and Coaching Design Team (2018-2019)
  
• Selected to serve as a board member on Arkansas Association of Curriculum & Instruction Administrators (2018 - Present)
  
• Selected to serve on North Carolina ASCD Board of Directors (2015)
  
• Bammy Award Finalist (2015)
  
• Selected as a member of PDK Emerging Leader Class (2013-2014)
  
• Named to 25 North Carolina Educators To Follow on Twitter (2013)
  
• Named to the Top Ten ASCD Whole Child Blogs in (2011)
  
• Council of State Social Studies Specialists (2001–2006)
  

Robert started his educational career as a school psychologist, working with students in grades K-12.  After spending 8 years in that role, and seeking out lots of opportunities for leadership, he took the jump to serve as an elementary principal at Panther Valley School District in Pennsylvania.  Over the past three years, his focus has been on creating a positive and welcoming school community where students and families feel safe, supported, and loved.   The school's Cool Cats program recognizes students often for being safe, responsible, and respectful through a variety of ways.  Together with the community, the school was able to build a brand new playground.  In just under a year we raised $50,000.  We are also continuing to work on improving our literacy instruction to reach a goal of having all students reading proficient by the end of 3rd grade. As a leader, Robert believes you need to have fun every day.  Even if that means eating bugs or getting slimed!

Show Highlights:

Alma Henry began her career in the Hutchinson Public School District as a seventh grade English Language Arts teacher at Hutchinson Middle School-7. Mrs. Henry spent six years teaching before becoming an instructional coach. After two years, she accepted her first principal position at Hutchinson STEM Magnet School at Allen. As a building leader, Mrs. Henry feels systems work best when teams come together to build culture. She believes leadership is shared; it’s about bringing the greatness out in others.

Her educational experiences have given her the opportunity to collaborate with a group of people to meet the common goal of increasing student achievement and well-being. Mrs. Henry’s educational philosophy is based on her uncompromising belief that all students can learn-- given an adult champion who is relentless about the success of that child.

Chris Jones has been an educator in Massachusetts for 18.5 years.  He has just finished his 11th year as a building administrator.  True to his "why" of improving the educational experience for as many people as possible, he is currently the Principal of Whitman-Hanson Regional High School in Whitman, Massachusetts.

Chris is passionate about continuous improvement and the idea that success is not a destination, but a process.  Chris is a teacher centered Principal and his beliefs around the importance of a positive work environment, continuous growth, and a healthy family work life integration can be seen in the presentations/workshops he has given for the Massachusetts School Administrators Association (MSAA), Massachusetts Computer Using Educators (MassCUE), Massachusetts Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (MASCD), the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP); and his participation in the Better Leaders Better Schools Mastermind group.

Chris is described by his past Superintendent as being “...wholly invested in the success of the school…a creative problem-solver who is able to deliberate yet be decisive, be creative yet accountable…calm and clear-headed even under the most trying of times…has built a strong collaborative and collegial school culture…he is a positive influence on teachers, teaching, and learning.”  Chris blogs, is active on Twitter, and vlogs on a weekly basis as a way to reflect on his progress, share his story, and get others to think about different perspectives.  His overarching goal is to positively model continuous improvement in all facets of life by being purposeful, acting with integrity, and building character. 

Show Highlights:

Kristen Rhodes Beland is a 4th grade teacher at the Suzanne M. Henseler Quidnessett Elementary School in North Kingstown, RI. She previously served as an Integration Specialist implementing the SmART program developed by Brown University and has been involved in the integration of technology into the district, providing PD at their annual Google Summit. Over 14 years she was the lead theatrical director for schools theatrical productions, bringing together groups of 75 students to gain confidence and voice through acting. In 2013, she was a Golden Apple Award Recipient. Recently, Kristen was a 2018-19 Teach Plus Rhode Island Teaching Policy Fellow. Through this experience she testified to the Commissioner of Ed to revamp teacher education programs, led a Trauma Informed Committee at her school, and has begun writing. Kristen is passionate teacher leader always thinking about the scope of education and its effects on all students. 

Guest: Chris Smith

Chris Smith is a difference maker.  This comes through in a variety of ways as a father of 2 amazing kids, a husband of one fabulous bride, and elementary school principal to 900 of the most extraordinary students and 100 exceptional staff members. He has accepted the challenge to quit changing the world and to be a changer of worlds. He loves deeply, laughs freely, and tries to always see the best in people and our world.   He has taught elementary school for 9 years, served as a Middle School assistant principal for 2 years, and has been an Elementary principal for past 7 years.

He loves Cubs baseball, UNC Tarheel basketball, fishing with his son, dancing with his daughter, and eating great food with his wife and family.

Show highlights:

• Being a difference maker
• Being a changer of worlds
• How school experiences shaped our futures.
• Stay true to your vision and mission
• Make your school a home
• "It takes time to turn your ship" and "Fight the right battles"

Books Mentioned in Podcast:

In Episode #3 I get to talk with Kathy Jo Standefer.  Kathy Standefer is an Assistant Principal working with students from Kindergarten to fourth grade.  She has been an educator for 28 years and has taught 1st grade to 6th grade, a Gifted and Talented Specialist, Administrator and Instructional Leader.  Her primary focus has been in educating staff and parents on the benefits of a second language and understanding the process in the public school system and most recently training staff in the process of restorative practices and training students and families in life-long skills.   

Show Highlights:

• Second Language
• Restorative Practices 
• Continuously Filling Toolbox
• Walk The Walk
• Importance of Coaching

Episode 1 of The Guiding Principals Podcast

Special Guest: Daniel Bauer