Ask A Principal

This is the hardest year in education many of us have ever experienced. Nate reminds us why we do what we do.

Today we hear the story of Kenneth who went from being the self-described bad kid to role model for children. Hear his unlikely start in life and how he triumphed over so many odds to become an elementary teacher.

Today you get to meet Stacy Jagger a licensed child and family therapist who is supporting children and families in an unlikely way. You will hear how she overcame so many obstacles to become the wife, the mom, and the therapist she is today. Her story will inspire you and help you better understand the students in your classroom/children in your community.

Welcome back to Ask A Principal Season 2! Whether you are a returning listener or new to our show, we have so many stories to share with you. As always, "see you next week!"

In our final episode of the season, hear Dr. Tim Drinkwine’s journey from burn out to purposeful living. Follow along as he walks us through his family’s decision to uproot their lives and travel the world.

Matthew Portell joins us this week to talk about trauma and its impact on the classroom. He is one of the leading experts on trauma-informed education and brings a wealth of knowledge on how to shift the focus for kids who bring trauma to school.

Last week, we heard from a fantastic panel of parents who shared the struggle many of us face when trying to determine when to send our kids off to kindergarten.

This week, teachers weigh in! We've got two teachers, one kindergarten teacher, and one fourth grade teacher, who share their expertise and how to best makethis decision.

Every parent with a "summer baby" (e.g. a child born in June, July, or August +/-) has dealt with the question: what to do about kindergarten?

With these children being the youngest of their peers to head to school (based on how close their birthday falls to the cut-off date), many parents consider holding back a year so that their children will be among the oldest in their class when they head to school.

In this episode, we polled a group of parents who have wrestled deeply this issue. Each parent shares how they made their decision (to hold back or not to hold back) and the impacts this decision has since had on their family.

We hope this is an informative episode for every parent seeking to make this decision for their own children.

Dottie Critchlow, a recent education retiree, shares what it was like at age 35 to discover a negative comment a teacher wrote about her on her high school transcript. She used that comment to fuel her success and that same year began her teaching career and what would later become an assistant principal, principal, and even higher roles in the district.

She shares the emotions behind hearing that and how it, in turn, made her an empathetic and successful leader.

Today’s guest is a very exciting one for us, Mary Susan McConnell, of the very popular Mama Bear Podcast.

Mary Susan is a former teacher (with her Doctorate in Special Education) and a mom to a special needs child. She is extremely knowledgeable and well-versed in the battles that parents face who walk this road, as well as the blessings they enjoy. She shares her story with compassion and brings a valuable perspective to the table that all parents and educators can benefit from hearing.

We loved how she spoke about I.E.P. meetings, how they are her “favorite days of the year” because she has the chance to get on the same page with the teachers and administrators who spend time with her daughter every day.