In this special episode of the IASP Leadership Podcast, we take you inside a powerful session from the 2026 Aspiring Leaders Conference, where future school leaders heard directly from central office administrators about what truly matters in the hiring process.

Featuring insights from Dr. Sean Taylor, Dr. Crystal Thorpe, and Kyle Mealy, this candid conversation explores the qualities that set candidates apart, including leadership presence, coachability, intentionality, and the ability to lead from any position. Panelists also share practical advice on navigating interviews, building your leadership identity, and avoiding common missteps that can hinder advancement.

Grounded in the School Leader Paradigm, this episode challenges aspiring principals, assistant principals, and teacher leaders to reflect on their growth and readiness to lead within the unique context of their school communities.

Whether you are preparing for your first leadership role or continuing to grow as a learning leader, this episode offers actionable insights to help you take the next step with confidence and purpose.

🎧 Learn more about IASP programs, including Leading APs, at IASP.org.

We're in the middle of election season. Graduation is right around the corner. And for many of our students, especially our seniors, the future is no longer abstract—it's right in front of them.

🎙️ In this week's IASP Advocacy Podcast, I reflect on what we're preparing our graduates for—and the changing expectations from legislation that will shape their next steps.

The common thread in this episode is the growing influence of current legislation focused on public university degree programs and return on investment (ROI). We're seeing clear signals—from the General Assembly to higher education—that outcomes, earnings potential, and alignment to workforce needs are becoming central to how postsecondary pathways are defined.

And that matters for K–12, because those decisions don't start after graduation—they start in our schools.

This is a short, reflective listen as we head into graduation season—and a reminder of the impact of your leadership.

This week's IASP Advocacy Podcast focuses on something we're seeing more and more right now—confusion.

Across Indiana, there are two topics generating a lot of questions from communities, staff, and even policymakers:

• Why school board elections and referendums aren't showing up on primary ballots
• What's the status of the Accountability Model?

In this episode, I walk through both—breaking down what's actually happening, what's changed, and what school leaders should be prepared to explain.

What does real advocacy look like in a school?

This week on the IASP Advocacy Podcast, we're highlighting a powerful, practical example.

🎙️ Featured Guest: Rick Davis, Principal at Sheridan

Rick joins the podcast to share how Sheridan has built—and sustained—a strong tradition of connecting legislators with students. This isn't a one-time event or a formal program. It's a consistent, intentional effort that has created meaningful relationships and authentic civic learning experiences for students.

If you've ever thought about inviting a legislator into your building—but weren't sure where to start—this conversation is for you.

💡 Ready to try it in your school?

IASP has created resources to make this easy.

You can find our Principal for a Day guidance here: 👉 Indiana Association of School Principals Advocacy Page

This resource walks you through exactly how to invite a legislator into your building and structure a meaningful visit.

And if you're already doing this—or decide to get started—we want to hear from you! Reach out to IASP so we can highlight your work and your partnerships with legislators.

🏛️ Why this matters

This conversation connects directly to a broader statewide focus on civic engagement.

This week, the Indiana Bar Foundation and iCivics hosted the Indiana Civics Summit and Educator Convening, highlighting Indiana's civic health and the role schools play in strengthening it.

If you haven't yet, I encourage you to explore the 👉 2025 Indiana Civic Health Index

It offers valuable insight into how participation, connection, and community engagement are shaping our state—and reinforces the important role schools play in that work.

In this episode of the IASP Leadership Podcast, Dr. Tiffany D. Barrett is joined by Kristen Peterson, Associate Principal at Chesterton High School and IASP Assistant Principal Liaison, along with Tom Stoner, Assistant Principal at Rensselaer Central High School and author of this month's From the AP Lens article in the April Indianagram.

Together, they highlight an inspiring student-led initiative known as BAMFAM (Bomber Athletic Medicine Family), a program that empowers students to take an active role in school safety, wellness, and community impact. From developing a cardiac emergency response plan to training staff and students in CPR, and even hosting teddy bear clinics for elementary students, BAMFAM demonstrates the powerful role students can play in shaping a culture of care and safety.

Listeners will hear practical strategies for:

• Empowering student leadership in meaningful ways
• Building a culture of safety and well-being
• Creating community partnerships that extend beyond school walls
• Taking the first steps to launch student-led initiatives

This conversation offers actionable ideas and inspiration for assistant principals and school leaders looking to strengthen student voice, safety, and leadership in their schools.

Be sure to read the full From the AP Lens article in the April edition of the Indianagram for even more insights and ideas.

Guests:

• Kristen Peterson, Associate Principal, Chesterton High School
• Tom Stoner, Assistant Principal, Rensselaer Central High School

Hosted by: Dr. Tiffany D. Barrett, Assistant Executive Director, Indiana Association of School Principals

Lead on, Indiana.

This week on the IASP Advocacy Podcast, we're making the shift.

The legislative session may be over—but your influence as a school leader is just getting started.

In this episode, I take a step back from tracking bills and focus on what comes next:

• How to use the new IASP website—especially the Advocacy page—to support your work
• Why primary season is a critical (and often overlooked) opportunity for school leaders
• A simple way to find out who is on your ballot—and who you should be connecting with now

This is a great time to move from understanding policy to building relationships—and this episode will help you take that first step.

🔗 As mentioned in the episode:

• Explore the new IASP Advocacy Page: https://iasp.org/about-iasp/advocacy/ • Find out who's on your ballot: https://indianavoters.in.gov

As always, thanks for the work you do every day for Indiana's students!

This week's IASP Legislative Update Podcast continues our review of the KGR Legislative Debrief with Part II, featuring Seamus Boyce, Keith Butler, and Jake Weber.

While the full debrief is just over an hour and well worth your time, this episode focuses on one specific portion that is generating significant questions from school leaders across Indiana: SEA 76 – Cooperation with Immigration Officials.

In the podcast, I've pulled a short segment from the debrief—minute 49:00 through 58:56—where Attorney Seamus Boyce walks through this new law and begins to frame what it may look like in practice for schools.

Many of you have shared similar concerns:

• What happens if an immigration official comes to my school?

• What am I required to do?

• Who should I contact?

For most school leaders, this is unfamiliar territory—and that uncertainty is real. This segment helps provide a starting point for thinking through those "what if" scenarios.

Aspiring Leaders Conference 2026: Your Launchpad into School Leadership

Are you ready to take the next step into school leadership?

In this episode of the IASP Leadership Podcast, Dr. Tiffany D. Barrett sits down with Indiana's 2025 Principals of the Year—Todd Reagan, Tom Hakim, and Amy Boone—to explore what it really takes to move from the classroom into leadership.

Together, they share:

• What inspired them to pursue leadership
• What aspiring administrators often don't realize
• How to strengthen your resume and interview skills
• The qualities principals look for when hiring
• Why the IASP Aspiring Leaders Conference is a must-attend experience

The IASP Aspiring Leaders Conference (April 24–25 in Indianapolis) is designed for educators who are ready to explore leadership, build confidence, and gain practical tools to step into their first administrative role.

With hands-on learning, mock interviews, resume reviews, and real conversations with current administrators, this conference provides a powerful, low-risk opportunity to grow.

If leadership is on your heart, this episode—and this conference—are for you.

👉 Register now: https://iasp.org/aspiring-conference-registration/

Keywords: aspiring school leaders, assistant principal pathway, education leadership Indiana, principal leadership development, school leadership conference, IASP, teacher to administrator transition

This week's IASP Legislative Update Podcast takes a slightly different approach as we head into Spring Break—a time that brings both excitement and increased demands in your buildings.

In this episode, I'm sharing a valuable resource to support your work during this busy season.

IASP continues to partner with Attorney Seamus Boyce and the team at Kroger Gardis & Regas to provide practical guidance following the legislative session. This week's podcast features a preview of their Legislative Debrief, with a focused breakdown of HEA 1004 – Various Education Matters, one of the most comprehensive bills from this session.

Assistant principals and deans play a critical role in shaping the culture, systems, and learning within our schools—but leadership growth doesn't happen in isolation.

In this episode of the IASP Leadership Podcast, Dr. Tiffany D. Barrett highlights the IASP LEADing APs program, a statewide mentoring experience designed specifically for assistant principals and deans who want to grow their leadership capacity while connecting with colleagues across Indiana.

Dr. Barrett is joined by two outstanding mentors in the program—Kris Warner, Assistant Principal at Newburgh and Sharon Elementary Schools, and Kyle Coffman, Principal at Oak View Elementary School. Together, they discuss how the LEADing APs program creates a trusted space for leaders to collaborate, reflect, and tackle real challenges facing schools today.

Throughout the conversation, they explore:

• How mentoring relationships create meaningful leadership growth

• The power of discussing real problems of practice with colleagues

• How the School Leader Paradigm frames leadership development

• Why reflection, connection, and networking are essential for assistant principals

• New program adjustments designed to make participation even more accessible

Whether you're a new assistant principal, an experienced dean, or someone preparing for your next leadership role, this episode offers insight into how intentional mentoring and collaborative learning can strengthen your leadership journey.

🎧 Learn more or register for the LEADing APs program at: IASP.org

Lead on, Indiana.