In this powerful and heartfelt episode of the Teach BIG Podcast, Randi Whitney sits down with retired Associate Superintendent Mike Fowler—a seasoned educator and former principal whose leadership journey began in the 1980s. As part one of our Leading with Heart series, this episode offers a rare and intimate look into the soul of school leadership across generations.

Listeners will be drawn into real stories from the front office and the front lines, as Mike shares what it meant to be a principal in a time before cell phones, emails, and standardized testing pressures. You’ll hear about discipline handled with dignity, parent partnerships built over coffee, and school days guided more by moral compass than compliance checklists. But you’ll also hear the tension—how things have changed, what’s been lost, and what still matters most.

“There was no script. You led with your gut, your grit, and your heart.” – Mike Fowler

From navigating the community through tragedy to celebrating everyday victories, this episode is full of unexpected wisdom, surprising comparisons, and moments that will leave you inspired.

“The principal’s office wasn’t a place of fear—it was a place of learning, listening, and leadership.”

Whether you're a teacher, administrator, aspiring leader, or a parent who wants to understand what shapes our schools, this conversation is for you. It’s more than a nostalgic look back—it’s a challenge to lead with heart in every role, in every era.

📣 Tune in now to the Teach BIG Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, or stream it directly at www.teachbig.com.

This is one episode every educator—and every parent—needs to hear.

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