The Modern Principal Podcast

New Principal Planning Sep 09, 2024

Are you new to the principal role and wondering what you're missing? You have a whole list of tasks but don't actually know what to do?! This is the episode for you! Here's all the thoughts we would have if we got a "do-over" of the first year again!

We chat about:
- looking at your school through the 4 organizational frames (Bohlman and Deal)
- people to schedule meetings with
- questions to ask and people to talk to
- quick tips for your mindset

Visit www.themodernprincipal.com for more!

References:
Bohlman and Deal
Bryk and Schneider

Summer Planning for Principals Sep 03, 2024

"When you guys say you are planning over the summer, what are you actually doing?" We get this question a lot! So we've broken it down to tell you all the things we do during the summer to make the school year go smoother!

You'll hear about:
- planning for the holidays
- systems for committees
- calendaring
- updating policies and procedures
- and more!

Find more at www.themodernprincipal.com !

References:
EDUTOPIA Article
Center for Student Achievement Solutions

Leading Effective Meetings Aug 27, 2024

Have you ever worried your staff are sending "This meeting could have been an email" memes to each other during your weekly staff meeting? In this week's episode, Karen and Christy walk you through the basics of facilitating meetings that get results!

Learn how:

- to use meetings to further your vision

- prepare meetings where work gets done

- make meetings more efficient

If you like this episode, be sure to check out our Leading Effective Meetings course with even more examples, resources, and information!

References:
How to Run a Meeting by Antony Jay, Harvard Business Review
The Economic Impact of Bad Meetings, TED
Steven Rogelberg
The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker

New Season Kick-Off! Aug 12, 2024

Karen and Christy are BACK in action! Hear about what they've been up to over the last school year, where they're headed this year, and what you can expect from this new season of The Modern Principal Podcast!

How to Sustain Your School's Vision Apr 08, 2024

This conversation explores the importance of sustaining a vision in education and provides practical strategies for doing so. Christy and Karen share personal anecdotes about their experiences as principals, highlighting the challenges and successes they encountered. They discuss the role of mindset and implementation in achieving a shared vision, emphasizing the need for clear roles and frequent feedback. The conversation also delves into the importance of tackling hurdles and conducting SWOT analysis to address weaknesses and threats. Additionally, the hosts explore ways to involve families and share stories to reinforce the vision. Listen to find out more about vision sessions and engaging in collective thinking to keep the vision alive!

How to Create a Vision for Your School Apr 01, 2024

Creating a vision for a school is an important responsibility of a leader.In this episode, Karen and Christy discuss the process of creating a vision for a school. They provide steps for creating a vision, including gathering stories, identifying themes, and drafting a why statement. They also discuss the challenges of creating a vision and the need for ongoing communication and repetition.

Be sure to check out Part 2 of this series for tips on sustaining a vision!

Using Conflict to Improve Your School Culture Sep 11, 2023

On this week's episode, Karen and Christy discuss the idea that conflict is natural - and even necessary - in a school culture.

Listen to hear more about:

- how to use personality tests to create common language and understanding
- normalizing conflict
- creating a safe environment for conflict to occur

This episode was sponsored by Just Right Reader and Peer-Driven PD.

Shared Leadership: What to Do When Staff Don’t ”Stay in Their Lane” Sep 05, 2023

Ever had a staff member who shares lots of opinions on things that maybe don't apply to her? You probably want to acknowledge her concerns but also encourage her to "stay in your lane!" On this week's episode, Karen and Christy talk about:

- why you should feel grateful when staff bring complaints out of their "lane"

- how to use teams to improve decision-making and reduce complaints

- setting ground rules for sharing feedback

This podcast is sponsored by Just Right Reader and Peer-Driven PD.

Communicating Student Behaviors with Parents Aug 28, 2023

It can be anxiety-inducing for a principal to relay negative information to parents but especially when their child has made a mistake or engaged in a major behavior. On this episode of the pod, Karen and Christy talk about:

- how to get on top of behavior communication before the behavior even occurs

- tips to prepare for a calm conversation

- writing communication plans into behavior plans

and more!

Check out our website at www.themodernprincipal.com and on social media @themodernprincipal.

This episode is sponsored by: Just Right Reader and Peer-Driven PD.

Impact of Physical Resources on Students and Teachers Aug 21, 2023

In this episode, Christy and Karen interview Dr. Samantha Keppler, Assistant Professor of Technology and Operations, who studies education operations, or the management of human and material resources, in public schools.

In this episode Dr. Keppler helps principals:

- understand the current data (or lack thereof) regarding how teachers are supplementing resources in their classrooms

- the correlation of funded crowdsourcing projects and student achievement

- the correlation of funded crowdsourcing projects on teacher retention

- the complicated role of the principal in providing physical resources to staff

Samantha M. Keppler received her PhD in Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences from the Robert R. McCormick School of Engineering at Northwestern University. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Technology and Operations at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. Her research focuses on resource operations and management in public education. Before graduate school, she was a public school math teacher in New York City. Learn more about her work at www.samanthakeppler.com or email her at srmeyer@umich.edu.

Leading Math Instruction with Make Math Moments Aug 14, 2023

On this week's pod, Karen and Christy chat with Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr, the math instructional experts behind MakeMathMoments.com.

You'll find:

- the best thing a principal can do to improve math instruction

- the importance of content knowledge

- offerings from Kyle and Jon that can help your school

Check them out here:
www.makemathmoments.com - Math Math Moments Academy, District Improvement Planning, Courses

https://makemathmoments.com/podcast/ - Make Math Moments Podcast

https://makemathmoments.com/districtassessment/ - Mathematics Program Assessment Screener for Leadership Teams

Kyle is the K-12 Mathematics Consultant with the Greater Essex County District School Board and Jon is a high school math teacher at John McGregor Secondary School in the Lambton-Kent District School Board in Ontario Canada. Together, they co-founded Make Math Moments where they develop professional development and classroom resources for K-12 educators and district leaders to spark curiosity, fuel sense making and ignite teacher moves.

Secondary Staff Collaboration and Culture Building Aug 07, 2023

This week's pod welcomes Dr. Danielle Ricci, a high school principal and an educational leader with an expertise in cultivating collaborative cultures. Her research focuses on how school administrators lead teacher collaboration. Her background as an athlete has helped her to keep the concept of team at the heart of her work. Danielle is a wife, a mom to five, including newborn twins, and a cold-water enthusiast who swims in the Atlantic Ocean year-round to save her principal sanity! Danielle shares with us:

- scheduling strategies to optimize staff collaboration

- parent engagement solutions

- student culture considerations!

The Principal and the SLP: An Interview with Speech Time Fun’s Hallie Sherman Jul 10, 2023

The Speech Language Pathologist is an important role in any school. In this week's episode, we interview Hallie Sherman from Speech Time Fun and discuss:

- the expertise of your SLP

- how to partner with your SLP

- how to develop a strong working relationship

- evaluation techniques for your SLP

- the importance of helping your SLP connect with others

- ways to retain your SLP

Check out Hallie's online presence here:
Speechtimefun.com
Shopspeechtimefun.com
Slpelevate.com
Speechretreat.com
https://bit.ly/SLPcoffeetalk
https://bit.ly/STF-ELLABELLABOOK

Check out our sponsors:
Just Right Reader's Science of Reading decodables accelerate reading achievement with decodables packaged to support both in-school learning and family engagement. Each of their 380+ decodables is filled with vibrant illustrations, engaging authentic stories, and diverse characters that represent students in America’s schools. The decodables follow a rigorous phonics progression supported by the latest science of reading research, and phonics instruction is reinforced with a QR code on the back of each decodable that links to a digital phonics lesson in Spanish and English–a great tool for classrooms and families.

Peer Driven PD: We bring you candid conversations from some of the best classroom educators in the country. Get your training directly from the teachers in the trenches as current classroom teachers guide your professional learning with authentic insights and practical strategies you can try immediately.

Should I Go Back to School for a Doctorate? Jun 12, 2023

Are you a principal who has thought about going back to school for your doctorate degree? Check out this week's pod where we discuss:
- what to consider when looking at programs

- if a degree is worth it for you

- systems to help you get it all done

- the importance of your advisor

Check it out and let us know on Instagram @themodernprincipal if this episode helped you in your decision-making!

Resources:
6 Tips for Finding Balance During Your PhD

This episode was brought to you by these sponsors:

Just Right Reader's Science of Reading decodables accelerate reading achievement with decodables packaged to support both in-school learning and family engagement. Each of their 380+ decodables is filled with vibrant illustrations, engaging authentic stories, and diverse characters that represent students in America’s schools. The decodables follow a rigorous phonics progression supported by the latest science of reading research, and phonics instruction is reinforced with a QR code on the back of each decodable that links to a digital phonics lesson in Spanish and English–a great tool for classrooms and families.

Peer Driven PD: We bring you candid conversations from some of the best classroom educators in the country. Get your training directly from the teachers in the trenches as current classroom teachers guide your professional learning with authentic insights and practical strategies you can try immediately.

Hiring in a Small Pool of Candidates Jun 05, 2023

We contend that retention is the new recruitment, but sometimes you still need to hire when the pool is small! On this episode of the podcast, we talk about how to hire staff when there are few applicants to fill the roles.

Check out our sponsors:

Just Right Reader's Science of Reading decodables accelerate reading achievement with decodables packaged to support both in-school learning and family engagement. Each of their 380+ decodables is filled with vibrant illustrations, engaging authentic stories, and diverse characters that represent students in America’s schools. The decodables follow a rigorous phonics progression supported by the latest science of reading research, and phonics instruction is reinforced with a QR code on the back of each decodable that links to a digital phonics lesson in Spanish and English–a great tool for classrooms and families.

Peer Driven PD: We bring you candid conversations from some of the best classroom educators in the country. Get your training directly from the teachers in the trenches as current classroom teachers guide your professional learning with authentic insights and practical strategies you can try immediately.

Principal Hiring Basics May 22, 2023

It's hiring season (isn't it always hiring season now? #neverfullystaffed)! Episodes 39, 40, & 41 deep dive the hiring process from the principal perspective, but this episode gives you a quick overview of the things to consider before hiring for a particular position to keep you transparent and get you the best candidate possible!

What to Do After the Principalship Mar 05, 2023

Decided it's time to leave the principalship but not sure what to do? In this week's pod, Karen and Christy talk about their own experiences leaving the role and other ideas to consider, too! We talk through roles within school districts and also roles outside!

NAESP Life After the Principalship by Laurel Schmidt

Time to Step Down? How to Know You’re Ready to Leave Your Principalship Mar 01, 2023

Feeling a little stuck as a principal? Thinking it might be time to leave your school, district, or the role altogether? You're not alone! It's normal to have those thoughts, and principal burnout is real. This week on the pod, Karen and Christy discuss how you might know it's time to leave the principalship and their own thoughts and feelings when they did the same.

How Do You Know You’re Ready to Be a Principal? Jan 15, 2023

How do you know when you're ready to be a principal? This is one of The Modern Principal's most-asked questions, and on this week's podcast, we're breaking down the ways you might know you're ready for the role! The principalship is hard and grueling but also one of the most fulfilling and fun - are you ready to make the jump! Tune in this week to find out!

New Year, New Habits, New(er) You Jan 09, 2023

It's a new year, and we can't help but talk about the new habits we are trying to cultivate. Whether it's screen time, health habits, or how you spend your weeknights, we talk all about the habits that are helping us balance our work and personal lives. Check out this week's pod!

Referenced:

How a Modern Principal Plans her Day

Laura Vanderkam's 168 Hours

Charles Duhigg's The Power of Habit

InsideOut Mastery New Year's Resolutions Stats

The Visible Principal Dec 12, 2022

Is it essential for a principal to be the first to arrive to campus and the last to leave? How do you remain visible while still balancing your actual work and personal life? This week on the pod, Karen and Christy talk through how a principal can find ways to be visible that are authentic to YOU!

Referenced in This Week's Episode:
Doug Reeves' Time Management for Busy School Leaders
ASCD's How to Be a Visible Principal
Leadership Voices' Three Characteristics of Visible Leaders

Responding to Adult Emotions Surrounding Behaviors Dec 05, 2022

An unregulated adult cannot support an unregulated student. We know it's true, and it's up to us as principals to support our teachers and staff when student behavior is hard. Check out this week's pod all about supporting the adults in the school who are supporting our students through crisis.

Referenced:
When the Adults Change, Everything Changes by Paul Dix

Behavior Crisis Planning Nov 27, 2022

Do you have several students exhibiting escalated, maybe even physical, behaviors? What is a principal to do when there are more kids than adults available? Check out this week's pod all about how to respond when your building is trying to address multiple behavior crises at once.

Referenced: Geoff Colvin and The Acting Out Cycle

How to Show Your Staff Gratitude Nov 22, 2022

Your teachers and staff are amazing. You appreciate everything they do but know you're not telling them enough. Check out this week's pod all about showing your teachers and staff how much you appreciate them! You'll find quick and easy tips to create a culture of gratitude in your school!

Tier 3 Behavior Planning Oct 30, 2022

This week on the pod, Karen and Christy do an overview of the elements to consider when planning for a student who needs Tier 3 behavior supports. The Modern Principal walks you through behaviors, antecedents, consequences, functions, and more! Check out this pod if you're struggling with student behaviors and need to get your team on the same page.

Tier 1 Behavior Supports with Navigating Behavior Change Oct 17, 2022

Have you noticed an increase in the need for student behavior supports? You're not alone. Students behaviors seem to have increased across the country, but you're in luck - we have Amanda and Danielle from Navigating Behavior Change here to help! They are passionate about providing supports to educators to help students change their socially significant behaviors for the better, and we need to start with Tier 1.

Check out Navigating Behavior Change!

School Attendance After Covid Oct 03, 2022

What even is attendance anymore? We came from a world of perfect attendance awards then to a world where we forced students to stay home for two weeks or more when they had a runny nose. So, what do we need to do in our schools with attendance now that we are in this new era? In this week's pod, The Modern Principal talks all things student attendance!

Check out the EdWeek article we referenced here!

A Principal’s Role In Special Education Sep 19, 2022

We started this podcast with a DISCLAIMER: All districts have their own approaches to special education, and even more important, there are a lot of laws and statutes of which we are not experts. However, with that being said, there ARE ways to grow your own knowledge of special education as a principal. You can be a confident leader who understands the processes and supports available and provide leadership to your staff, students, and families!

Staff Members You Didn’t Hire Sep 12, 2022

With more and more staffing shortages and uncertainties, some school districts are taking a more centralized approach to hiring. This means many principals may be welcoming staff members they didn't hire or maybe even didn't interview. What's the solution? Karen and Christy talk through how to deal with new colleagues that you didn't necessarily choose yourself.

Community After Covid Sep 07, 2022

During Covid precautions, it was easy to feel more removed from your school community. This week's episode discusses how to bring families into your buildings after re-evaluating what you want community to look like in this new transition!

Infusing Joy Into the School Day Aug 22, 2022

Adding joy to the school day is important for increased attention and motivation for all students and staff. Plus, joy for the sake of joy is important, too! In this week's pod, we share how to infuse the fun and joy into each and every day, and also how to add in some bigger events throughout the year! Check it out!

Supporting New Teachers Aug 15, 2022

Schools across the country have a lot of new teachers this year. This week on the pod, The Modern Principal breaks down how to onboard and support new teachers to your school. Onboarding new teachers can't be a one-time meet 'n greet, but it needs to occur throughout the year. Check out this pod for all of our tips on supporting new teachers!

Books Referenced in This Podcast:
Get Better Faster by Paul Bambrick-Santoyo
101 Answers for New Teachers and Their Mentors by Annette Breaux

Support this podcast by heading to www.justrightreader.com for all of your decodeable text needs!

Principal Documentation Strategies Aug 10, 2022

As a principal, documentation is the last thing you want to do, but it's a must. In this podcast, we share the systems principals can use to document conversations with students, staff and parents. We share our systems that worked...and some that didn't. In the end, documentation is like pizza. When it's good, it is very very good. And when it's bad, it's better than nothing. Tune in today!

How Principals Spend Their Summer to Prepare for the Year Jul 25, 2022

How do modern principals spend their summer so that they feel ready for the next school year? Obviously, rest and relax, but there are still lots of things to do that can make the school year go much more smoothly! From calendaring, to living in innovation, to meeting with school teams, we talk about the do's and don'ts for summer work.

Scholars Cited:

EdWeek: 4 Things Principals Can Do This Summer to Get Ready for the School Year

Edutopia: 10 Things Great School Leaders Do Over Summer

Welcoming a New Principal Jul 11, 2022

With 1 in 5 principals quitting each year, and 4 out of 5 saying they experience frequently experience job stress, it's likely your school will be welcoming a new principal in the near future. While the transition is ultimately the responsibility of the new principal, this pod is for staff members and parents who want to help make that transition as seamless and as smooth as possible!

Check out our blog on this same topic: 6 Tips for Welcoming a New Principal!

PTOtoday: How to Work with a New Principal

EdSource: Frustrating, exhausting but worth it: School principals tell what their jobs are like now

Principal 90-Day Entry Plan Jun 27, 2022

Have you been asked to submit a 90-day entry plan for your new principalship? Look no further! Karen and Christy break down how to transition into your new role, discussing pitfalls and highlights of those first three months!

How to Relax After the Hardest School Year Jun 20, 2022

Was the 2021-2022 school year the hardest you have experienced? Is it difficult to even imagine decompressing this summer? This week on the pod, Karen and Christy break down how to process all that occurred and how heal this summer.

Leading Professional Development with Elena Aguilar Apr 25, 2022

Planning meaningful and transformative professional development as a principal is hard. How do we ensure it isn't just one. more. thing. That's easy - make it more like a party! Elena Aguilar and Lori Cohen have written a manual to help us do just that - The PD Book. In this episode, we have Elena as our first-ever guest as she walks us through her new book and, as always, challenges us to be better and more intentional leaders when it comes to PD.

Karen’s New Job Apr 11, 2022

Karen is moving out of the building principalship and into central office. What does this mean for her staff, her students, and .... The Modern Principal? Join us as Christy interviews Karen to hear all about her new gig including how she prepared for the interview and how she knew she was ready to make the leap!

Setting a School Vision Apr 03, 2022

One of TMP's most frequently-asked questions is how to get your school started on a common vision or mission, and this week Karen and Christy break it down. You'll need a few hours with your team to follow some simple steps to get everyone moving in the same direction!

Conducting Interviews Part 3: Post Interview Mar 27, 2022

This week on the pod, Karen and Christy complete the 3-part series on conducting interviews. We'll discuss all things that should happen AFTER the interview: how to announce, ensuring you call the peeps who didn't get the job, how to welcome your new hire, and so much more!

Conducting Interviews Part 2: During the Interview Mar 21, 2022

In Part 2 of 3 of Conducting Interviews, Karen and Christy walk you through how to ask quality questions that get you quality candidates and so much more!

Conducting Interviews Part 1: Preparing Mar 06, 2022

Hiring a teacher is arguably the most important role of the administrator. SO much goes into the hiring process- from reviewing resumes, to developing the interview team, to the questions to the reference checks! Join us this week as we conquer part one of a three-part series on the view from the other side of the interviewing desk. We tackle the work of resume review, creating the interview team, and preparing for the interviews!

Commute Considerations Feb 28, 2022

Christy and Karen discuss the pros and cons of the long or short of a commute. With both of us having commutes ranging from 90 seconds to over 2 hours, we've seen the benefits and drawbacks of all things driving to work! Join us this episode to share strategies to maximize your commute, ways to think about work happiness over the commute itself, and several different scenarios related to decision-making about your career and your family balance!

Survival Tips When Everything is Hard Feb 13, 2022

This week's pod topic comes from a listener who just wants to know, "What do you do to survive each day and come back the next?" We know it's tough right now, but there are things we can do to overcome! Check out this episode for practical tips on getting through those times that feel like everything is on fire.

Working Mum Balance Feb 06, 2022

Karen and Christy tackle the ever-popular topic of working mom balance in a much-requested follow-up to our past episode, "The Elusive Unicorn of Work/Life Balance." We tackle the topic from a more holistic perspective this time around and hope that if you take one thing away it's that we are all human and still figuring it out!

Staff Communication Tips Feb 02, 2022

Teachers routinely say one of the main things they are looking for in a principal is communication. But that's a BIG topic, so what exactly does that mean?! Christy and Karen tackle just that on this week's pod episode. We share resources from NSPRA as well as from our own experiences in the job. We go into the different ways principals communicate, and it's not just through what we say. Join us this week!

Resume and Interview Tips Jan 24, 2022

It's hiring season! In this week's pod, we share some of our best resume and interview tips from our live workshops if you're looking to change roles in education. We discuss making your resume shine, nailing the interview, and how to stand out in your current role.

When the Boss Goes the Wrong Way Jan 20, 2022

We've all been there - your boss makes a decision you disagree with. Or maybe you're the boss heading in the wrong direction. This week on the pod, Karen and Christy dive into how to disagree with your boss respectfully and make the change you think needs to happen!

Mistakes, Missteps, and Moving On! Jan 09, 2022

Are all failures and mistakes created equally? This week on the Modern Principal Podcast, Christy & Karen discuss some important life lessons we've learned in leadership and how those have guided the leaders we are still working to become today. Learn from our missteps in this episode and discover how you can move forward even after a failure!

Welcome, 2022...Mixed Reviews So Far Jan 02, 2022

In this recap episode, Karen & Christy reflect on 2021 and all the grand plans we laid out that may or may not have come to fruition. We discuss the crisis in education now with the stress facing our educators and the toll it is taking on people's mental and physical health. We hope you'll join us for this episode and this year as we drop more pods to guide you on your leadership journey!

The Inevitable Out-of-Balance Reading Implementation Missteps Nov 30, 2021

This week we continue our focus on leading reading in your school, chatting through the common missteps Karen and Christy have both taken while focusing on implementing a reading initiative. Ever so often, our goal to strengthen one of the five pillars of reading and writing instruction causes the pendulum to swing and weakens another area. Covered in this pod is how to make sure balanced literacy stays balanced, guiding teachers on implementing reading strategies and reading standards and even the best ways to guide your teams through drafting a balanced assessment calendar. Listen in! Be sure to check out Just Right Reader for all your decodable text needs, too!

Just Right Reader Mini Pod Nov 21, 2021

In this mini-pod, Karen and Christy walk you through the benefits of Just Right Reader! Check them out for all of your decodeable text, phonics continuum, and building-and-district-level needs! www.justrightreader.com - Tell them The Modern Principal sent you!

Reading Series 1 of 4: Research vs. Resources Nov 21, 2021

In this four-part series, Karen and Christy will walk you through our instructional leadership mistakes in reading! This episode begins with a story of a classic mistake of putting the resource before the research which causes a disconnect between leaders, staff, and, ultimately, students. Listen in!

Did you see that Facebook Post?! Oct 24, 2021

What do you do when someone screenshots and sends you a post on social media that is complaining about your school or staff? What do you do when it feels so personal? This week, on the podcast, we discuss this very scenario. Step one is to be proactive with your social media post. If you aren't telling the story of your school, someone else will! We discuss various systems to help with that, as well as, how to be strategic with the content. We also discuss how to react when a post has made false claims about your school or staff. You'll have to tune in to hear about that and the tips we have to not take it personally.

Time is Ticking Oct 19, 2021

As a building leader, we often think we need to prioritize our instructional leadership roles above all else. But without a strong organizational systems in place for your school, time will slowly get away from you and you may feel like you are doing nothing right! This week on the pod, Christy and Karen talk through the various ways they manage the day-to-day, more like week-to-week, tasks so that the priorities of the school can be balanced. We talk through calendar tools, structuring the day, and even ways to get paperwork done at school! Hope you'll listen in!

Not My Circus...Yet! Oct 10, 2021

In this episode, Christy & Karen take on a scenario from a building title reading/instructional coach who is assigned a new-to-her building and finding she is putting out fires and subbing in classrooms instead of the job she felt she was hired to do. We work through how to create connectedness to a new team and a new role--even when the work you find yourself doing isn't what you signed up to do! We also talk through how to build systems in order to preserve some of the priority tasks you need to accomplish even if the 'grenades' get thrown to you mid-day! Join us as we dive into this topic and look through the lens of scholar, systems and soul!

Our School Culture is Strong Except For... Oct 04, 2021

You work hard as the administrator and building leader to set the tone for a positive and supportive staff culture. But what about when one or two teachers consistently don't buy in and push back against the work of your team? Join Christy and Karen this week as we tackle two separate topics in this giant topic--first we briefly chat through bringing change to a culture and what it means to set the tone. Then we jump in and provide strategies and supports on how to examine a teacher who isn't buying in, the motivations behind their actions, as well as, how to have the critical conversations to move the building and your teachers forward. Join us!

Finding Colleagues You Can Trust Sep 26, 2021

Things pop up every day at work and sometimes you just need the advice of someone else...but who? Where do you turn and how can you be sure who to trust?! This week on the pod, Karen and Christy deep dive different mindsets to take into building collegial relationships with those in your same role! We cover tips to consider when developing trust with colleagues, boundaries to establish, avoiding self-comparison and even being sure you don't lose yourself in the advice of others. Be sure to tune in and rate us on iTunes!

Battling COVID Fatigue Sep 07, 2021

Year 3 of the pandemic and going strong...wait a minute. Not so fast. We are tired. Teachers are tired and fatigue is setting in. It's a hard place to be at the start of a school year. On the pod this week, Karen and Christy tackle the burnout our teachers and school staff are facing while working harder than ever in a pandemic. We discuss ways to filter the new demands being added to teachers' plates while matching more resources to meet those demands! We also talk through how to be real and vulnerable about the struggles you're facing and being sure to keep people in the forefront of all you do! Tune in!

The Impossible Imposter Syndrome Aug 22, 2021

Isn't it the worst? You are just starting to find your confidence as a leader or in your skill and then BAM...a failure hits or someone doubts your abilities and it all comes crumbling down in your head. Good thing is, you aren't alone. And that is actually comforting to know! This week on the pod, Karen and Christy take a shot at vulnerability and lay it all out there about how we've struggled with this in the past (AND currently), as well as what some of the scholars recommend you do about it! Tune in!

The Production of Back-to-School PD Aug 15, 2021

This week, Karen and Christy tackle the monstrous planning that is the back to school preservice professional development for teachers. We deep dive on how to think of the PD time as a production, connecting everyone to the heart of the work we are going to do as well as the intentions we need for the year. We also discuss how to keep the sessions lively while also valuing teachers time! We hope you tune into this episode and leave us some feedback on themodernprincipal.com

The Principal and Instructional Coach Aug 10, 2021

This week on the podcast, Karen and Christy dive into the relationship between principal and building instructional coach and share how to set the role up for success!

Instructional Feedback: Your #1 Priority Aug 02, 2021

On this episode of the pod, Karen and Christy dive into instructional feedback, which can be hard to prioritize with the last-minute fires that seem to pop up all day. However, instructional feedback is one of our #1 priorities as principals, and by using scholar, system, and soul, you can make it happen each day!

Introducing Yourself as Principal to a New Staff Jul 07, 2021

In this week's pod, Karen and Christy tackle a scenario from a newly-appointed principal who is stuck between knowing exactly what to do and also being paralyzed with indecision in regards to her first staff email. This episode aims to share the many facets of introducing yourself to a new staff to ensure you're conveying your priorities, professionalism, and the personal side.

Preparing for Fall in Summer Jun 28, 2021

In this pod, principals Karen and Christy tackle one of their most-asked questions: "What do you do in the summer to prepare for the fall?" They'll use their 3-pronged approach of scholar, systems, and soul to talk through preparing committees, 2-way feedback, setting calendars, and more!

A Staff Divided: Focusing on Culture in Year 1 Jun 14, 2021

A brand new principal is assigned a building with a highly divided staff. Building climate can be a deterring factor for student and staff achievement and overall joy in the workplace. The culture matters. But how does the new principal come in and address the 'elephant' in the room of the divided staff without further alienating members of the team? This week on the pod, Karen and Christy tackle just that very scenario and talk through various ways the leader can approach the challenge. We discuss how to set expectations, connect with the past while revisioning the future and grow the camaraderie along the way. Join us for this episode on the Modern Principal Podcast.

Disrupting Low Student Expectations Jun 01, 2021

Christy and Karen explore the idea of adult mindset when it comes to student achievement. This week, we dive into the language we use in schools that perpetuate achievement gaps and further stereotypes and inequities. We also explore how teachers' mindset, their belief that all students can succeed, is the greatest predictor of student success. Deficit thinking perpetuates inequities and we talk all about various ways our systems are actually wired to do that very thing. Are you ready to disrupt the status quo?! Join us for this episode of the Modern Principal Podcast.

The Elusive Unicorn of Work/Life Balance May 24, 2021

Ever feel like work is taking over every facet of your life? Or you are moody, cranky and just a wreck at home and at school? We hear that! And we've been there. Work and life balance is a challenge for those of us in education and educational leadership. Work/life balance isn't something you achieve and can check off your list. It's something you are constantly having to monitor and make adjustments depending on the season of your life. Join Karen and Christy this week as they share some stories from personal experience as well as tips they've picked up along the way from other scholars in the field of time management.

The School of the Future: Don't Wait - Create! May 03, 2021

What's working, what isn't and what could be...in relation to facility design?? Not the most riveting concept that's ever been podcasted on before, but Karen and Christy think creating a school to meet the needs of the future is something we all should be dreaming about in education. In this podcast, we stick with our scholar meets soul approach -- exploring what research says our spaces and places should be to support our students and what we know our schools need NOW to enhance the work we do. Join in the conversation and let your mind dream of what could be with the schools of the future.

Cha-cha-cha Changes: Experiencing Curveballs in your Career Apr 26, 2021

Be prepared for a different kind of podcast today. With some unexpected news for Christy this month, we decided to dedicate a special episode to when unexpected change occurs in your career. After four years at one elementary school, Christy is moving to another within her district. In this Q & A session, Karen and Christy uncover initial reactions and start to brainstorm plans to move forward. We discuss the importance of vulnerability and honesty in your professional journey. If you've ever experienced unexpected change in your work, this episode of the pod is for you!

The Principal, The Coach, and Me...the AP. Where do I fit in? Apr 19, 2021

Stepping outside the classroom into a leadership role can feel lonely and at times, isolating. It becomes even more of a challenge when a few members of the 'lead team' have a closer personal relationship and you get left out of conversations. In this week's episode, Karen and Christy tackle a scenario shared by an assistant principal who is struggling to stay connected to the administrative goals of her team when the principal and the instructional coach inadvertently have conversations without her present. Using our patented 'scholar, system and soul' approach, we take on this situation from two different angles--what are some habits of practice the head principal can do to foster a collegial relationship with the entire team and, as the assistant principal, what are some key moves she can make now to create criteria for effective teamwork? Join us for this frank discussion about the tricky balance of friendship in your working relationships.

Crisis Communication Apr 12, 2021

In this episode of The Modern Principal Podcast, Karen and Christy share what they've learned about navigating communication in the Covid pandemic to other crises. Whether they are big and long-lasting, or small and quick, every crisis requires communication, and TMP helps you find proactive ways to prevent mistakes and also how to be more responsive in the reactive moments you can't prepare for. They'll cover defining crises, training your staff, and how to ensure you're providing communication, even when it doesn't seem like there is anything to share.

Building Leadership Teams: From Existing to Effective Apr 07, 2021

Building leadership teams is an essential component to a principal's effectiveness, but how do you ensure the team is the most effective it can be? Karen and Christy reflect on their own lessons learned in teamwork, as well as, use the expertise from researcher, Bill McKeever (Nine Lessons of Successful School Leadership Teams), to uncover the best wisdom in developing the leadership team's success. They'll cover the people to include on the team, the types of tasks with which to engage, and tips for the principal in managing a team of leaders.

Surprises, Celebrations, & Support: The Stuff That Keeps Staff Happy Mar 22, 2021

This is one of the most commonly-asked questions we get at The Modern Principal, "How do you celebrate and support your staff, especially now in a pandemic?" For sure, teachers need morale boosters and a positive work environment, but even more than that, teachers need their leaders to advocate for, support, listen to, and trust them. On this episode of The Modern Principal Podcast, Christy and Karen discuss the morale boosters - sharing some of our favorites - that keep the good vibes flowing. We also share the ways school leaders can empower and support teachers and what research says is the best way to retain your quality staff. Join us! Subscribe and rate!

Tackling Tough Teammates Mar 15, 2021

Christy and Karen tackle another scenario this week that appears to be about troubles with collaboration. As they dig deeper, however, it's revealed that one individual is hindering the forward progress and impact of the team. Using our systems, scholar, and soul approach, The Modern Principal creates a plan to address the root of the issue, not just the surface behaviors (but we address those, too!). Take a listen as we dive into differentiated supervision, direct conversations, and helping all teachers unlock their potential for their students.

When Visitors are Impolite to Staff Mar 09, 2021

Karen and Christy tackle a scenario sent from a listener - what happens when visitors are consistently impolite to to staff members? Using scholar, system, and soul, The Modern Principal deep dives the research and our experience to share proactive and reactive strategies to invest in our families for long-term relationships.

New Admin, Staff Revolts Mar 03, 2021

Karen and Christy of The Modern Principal reflect on a scenario submitted by a listener: A new admin team takes over after the previous principal had been in the building for 15 years and had much different expectations. The staff is rejecting lesson plan requirements, questioning new philosophies of student abilities, and generally has low morale. Listen for how to use scholar, systems, and soul to help problem-solve this complex and real-life scenario.

Team Collaboration Woes Feb 22, 2021

Karen and Christy of The Modern Principal take a real-life scenario sent to them from an 8th grade math teacher. Ally has three years of experience and is struggling to collaborate with her more veteran colleague. What are steps she can take to have the meaningful collaboration she craves?

Clarifying & Communicating Your Priorities Feb 15, 2021

After an eye-opening conversation with education guru Adam Welcome, Karen and Christy dive into the essence of prioritizing and communicating your goals. Whether it's a social media platform or a school, you have to define your priorities and stay the course for maximum impact.

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