Leaning into Leadership

Are you ready to lead with clarity and purpose in 2025? Join me on Monday, December 30, at 3 PM ET for a FREE webinar: Take Control of Your Leadership: Clear Priorities, Real Results. In just one hour, you’ll learn actionable strategies to define your priorities, recognize and reinforce values, and reclaim your time for the work that truly matters.

Save your spot today at www.theprincipalacademy.com/realresults—let’s kick off 2025 as your best leadership year yet!

Are you feeling overwhelmed and struggling to prioritize your time as a school leader? In this episode, I share some exciting news about my upcoming digital course, Take Control of Your Leadership:. This course is designed to help you overcome overwhelm, focus on what truly matters, and lead with clarity, and it's LIVE - go to theprincipalacademy.com and check out Take Control of Your Leadership.

In this engaging conversation, Dr. Darrin Peppard and Barbara Gruener explore the journey of entrepreneurship, the importance of relationships in education, and the therapeutic power of writing. Barbara shares her inspiring background, her transition back to teaching, and the significance of self-care for educators. They also discuss Barbara's latest book, Birdie and Mipps, which reflects on the themes of nicknames and relationships, and the feedback it has received from readers. The conversation concludes with Barbara's insights on leaning into leadership and supporting others in their journeys.

Takeaways

• Entrepreneurship can lead to meaningful connections.
• Teaching experiences shape our understanding of education.
• Relationships are at the core of effective teaching.
• Self-care is essential for educators to thrive.
• Writing serves as a therapeutic outlet for emotions.
• Birdie and Mips explores the significance of nicknames.
• Feedback from readers can highlight the impact of a book.
• Mentorship plays a crucial role in leadership.
• Inspiration and kindness can transform lives.
• Everyone is fighting their own battles, and empathy is key.

Find Barbara at:

corneroncharacter.com

barbaragruenerauthor.com

Episode 182 is a special episode, in which Todd Bloomer, Dominic Armano, and your regular host, Darrin Peppard, dedicate an entire episode to new principal Candace Pearson. We are excited for Candace to take on her first principalship, and so we decided to share our insights, experience, and expertise to help set her, and anyone else new to the role, up for success.

Are you feeling overwhelmed and struggling to prioritize your time as a school leader? In this episode, I share some exciting news about my upcoming digital course, Take Control of Your Leadership:. This course is designed to help you overcome overwhelm, focus on what truly matters, and lead with clarity, and it's LIVE - go to theprincipalacademy.com and check out Take Control of Your Leadership.

Got a question for us? Submit it here or hit us up on social media

Todd Bloomer was born and raised in New York, Todd Bloomer got to Texas as soon as he could to start his educational career. As a teacher and coach, Todd fell in love (literally) in Texas with public education, high school football, and his wife, Sharon. After moving to San Antonio, Texas, Todd transitioned to the assistant principalship at a middle school in 2007. In 2010, he became a high school assistant principal and in 2014 Todd was named a middle school principal. In 2019, Todd was named a high school principal. In 2020, Todd was name the Texas Region 20 Secondary Principal of the year, During his journey as an administrator, Todd benefited from strong mentors and developed a blueprint to being successful. Through trial and error, and some luck, Todd has developed into a widely respected administrator in the state of Texas. Todd also served as a high school principal during and after COVID. Learning a school of 2,500 students during uncertainty has made his voice, his insight, and his advice all the more relevant. Through humor, storytelling, and being vulnerable, Todd shares his soul on what has worked and what hasn’t. Todd and his wife Sharon have been married for 24 years. They have five wonderful children. Todd and his wife reside in beautiful San Antonio, Texas. Todd is very active on social media. You can follow him @bloomer_sa on Twitter and Todd Bloomer on LinkedIn. Todd is also very active as an advocate at the state level with elected officials as he works to defend the profession he loves.

Dominic Armano is a loving husband and father, a proud educator, an innovative principal a speaker and author. Over the course of his career, Dominic has served as an elementary and middle school teacher, assistant principal and currently he is serving as an elementary school principal. In all of these roles, he has made it his priority to promote a positive culture for students, staff, and the community.

Dominic has an undergraduate degree in elementary education and graduate degrees in both special education and school district leadership. Through his years in education, Dominic has become passionate about social-emotional learning and has developed programs that encourage education through a whole child approach. This pathway strengthens the core of instruction and helps to build a community of eager, enthusiastic, and passionate learners. In addition to his work as an educator, Dominic is a motivational speaker and blogger. He is the President of the Education Chapter of the Dowling College Alumni Association. In 2019, he was inducted into the New York Academy of Public Education, and he is a member of the New York City Elementary School Principals Association.

He has previously served with the Long Island Coalition Against Bullying as both a member of the Board of Trustees and as the Chair of the Education Committee.

Dominic has been featured on several podcasts and in articles about school leadership. At his core, he is nothing more than a devoted Yankees fan who loves spending time with his family and closest friends.

Get the books Todd referenced in the episode here:

Road to Awesome: The Journey of a Leader

The Blueprint: Survive and Thrive as a School Administrator

Are you feeling overwhelmed and struggling to prioritize your time as a school leader? In this episode, I share some exciting news about my upcoming digital course, Take Control of Your Leadership:. This course is designed to help you overcome overwhelm, focus on what truly matters, and lead with clarity, and it's LIVE - go to theprincipalacademy.com and check out Take Control of Your Leadership.

Link to Darrin's blogpost (mentioned in the PepTalk)

And now...about our guest on this week's episode:

Kurtis Hewson is an award-winning former administrator and teacher, as well as teaching faculty at the post-secondary level.  He is the co-founder of Jigsaw Learning, a co-author of the text Collaborative Response: Three Foundational Components That Transform How We Respond to the Needs of Learners (Corwin, 2022), and currently works with districts and schools nationally and internationally establishing Collaborative Response frameworks and interacting with thousands of educators annually.

Check out Episode 137 with Kurtis Hewson

Social Media:

X - @hewsonk27 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurtishewson/

Email/contact info: 

[email protected]

Resources:

Overview of Collaborative Response article - https://bit.ly/CR-overview

Free Access to the Introductory chapter for the Collaborative Response book - https://bit.ly/CR-intro

Are you feeling overwhelmed and struggling to prioritize your time as a school leader? In this episode, I share some exciting news about my upcoming digital course, Take Control of Your Leadership:. This course is designed to help you overcome overwhelm, focus on what truly matters, and lead with clarity, and it's LIVE - go to theprincipalacademy.com and check out Take Control of Your Leadership.

And now...about our guest on this week's episode:

Greg Speranza is a leadership coach , school quality expert and an organizational development specialist who supports school and district leaders—and those aspiring to be- by helping them to optimize their talents, vision, and critical thinking skills.

A former school  turnaround leader, Greg understands the incredible responsibilities and stresses which his clients face, as well as the skills and competencies necessary to engage the entire organization in a positive manner.  Through baseline assessments and in depth conversations, Greg meets clients where they are, and works with them to develop a plan of action. 

Through clear and reflective coaching, Greg and his clients discuss options and strategies which specifically address the desired shift in both behavior and outcomes.

Greg has effectively coached over 300 school and district leaders in 22 states, helping them discover their best selves so that they and their organizations will thrive.

Greg has led  over 200 school quality visits, as well as focus groups, data analysis sessions, strategic planning; and developed surveys, trainings and delivered a multitude of targeted programs aimed at promoting the education and exceptionalism of each person he has served. He also develops trainings and resources for leaders and their teams to become more cohesive, coherent and laser focused on achieving their goals.

Connect with Greg:

Social Media: linkedin.com/in/gregsperanza

Website: www.mindstreamcoaching.com

Email/contact info: [email protected]

Are you feeling overwhelmed and struggling to prioritize your time as a school leader? In this episode, I share some exciting news about my upcoming digital course, Take Control of Your Leadership:. This course is designed to help you overcome overwhelm, focus on what truly matters, and lead with clarity, and it's LIVE - go to theprincipalacademy.com and check out Take Control of Your Leadership.

And now...about our guest on this week's episode:

Dre Baldwin is CEO and Founder of Work On Your Game Inc. He has given 4 TEDxTalks and has authored 35 books. 

Dre’s content has been consumed over 103 million times. His daily Work On Your Game MasterClass has amassed over 2,900 episodes and over 7.3 million listeners. 

Dre had a 9-year professional basketball career, playing in 8 countries. Dre’s framework is the "roadmap in reverse" for professional High Performance, Consistency and Results. 

Website: workonyourgameuniversity.com

Social Media:

http://Instagram.com/DreBaldwin

http://YouTube.com/Dreupt

https://www.facebook.com/WorkOnYourGameUniversity

http://LinkedIn.com/in/DreAllDay

http://Twitter.com/DreAllDay

http://TikTok.com/WorkOnYourGame

Are you feeling overwhelmed and struggling to prioritize your time as a school leader? In this episode, I share some exciting news about my upcoming digital course, Take Control of Your Leadership:. This course is designed to help you overcome overwhelm, focus on what truly matters, and lead with clarity, and it's LIVE - go to theprincipalacademy.com and check out Take Control of Your Leadership.

And now...about this week's special mid-week episode: I am sitting down with Todd Bloomer, one of my two regular mid-week guests to talk school leadership, the holidays, and more! Don't miss this awesome show!

Get Todd's book: The Blueprint: Survive and Thrive as a School Administrator

Are you feeling overwhelmed and struggling to prioritize your time as a school leader? In this episode, I share some exciting news about my upcoming digital course, Take Control of Your Leadership:. This course is designed to help you overcome overwhelm, focus on what truly matters, and lead with clarity, and it's LIVE - go to theprincipalacademy.com and check out Take Control of Your Leadership.

And now...about our guest on this week's episode:

Shailendra Pratap Jain is Bret Wheat Endowed Professor of Marketing and International Business at the Foster School of Business, University of Washington, Seattle. He has held faculty positions at Indiana University’s Kelley School, University of Rochester’s Simon School, Cornell University’s Johnson School, University of Western Ontario’s Ivey School, Cambridge University’s Judge School, Indian School of Business, Hyderabad, and BITS School of Management, Mumbai. Well-known for his widely published scholarship in consumer psychology, Dr. Jain has extensive publishing and editorial experience in top marketing journals and has won many executive and graduate (MBA) teaching awards. Prior to his academic career, he worked in sales, brand management, and advertising in industry and is associated with several noted marketing campaigns in India.

Shalini Sarin Jain is Associate Professor of Management and the inaugural Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Milgard School of Business, University of Washington, Tacoma. She has published articles on gender representation and compensation parity in top management, allegations of sexual misconduct, sustaining livelihoods or saving lives during COVID, and corporate response to mandatory CSR regulation in leading management journals including the Journal of Business Research, Journal of Business Ethics, Management and Organization Review, and Journal of Family Business Strategy. Dr. Jain teaches courses in business and society, ethics, and CSR at the undergraduate and MBA level and has extensive industry, government, and non-profit experience leading and providing consulting services to state, county, and city governments.

Connect with Dr.'s Jain on LinkedIn: Dr. Shelly Jain Dr. Shalini Jain

Get their book here: Managing Brand Transgressions: 8 Principles to Transform Your Brand

In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, I’m pulling back the curtain on my new course, Take Control of Your Leadership. This transformative course is designed to help school leaders overcome overwhelm, focus on what matters most, and lead with clarity and purpose.

Go to https://www.theprincipalacademy.com to learn more and to enroll in the course today. Use the code TCYL24 at checkout to save $150. (offer expires 11/24/2024)

Join me as I share personal stories and practical tips from each of the six modules:

• Gaining Clarity and Examining Systems: Define your leadership values and focus on what truly matters.
• Time Management: Take back your time with strategies to stay organized and intentional.
• Building and Maintaining Positive School Culture: Cultivate a culture where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.
• Focusing on Teaching and Learning: Become the instructional leader your school needs.
• Building and Leveraging Leadership Teams: Work collaboratively to amplify your impact.
• Staying Focused on Your Vision: Align your daily actions with your long-term goals.

Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just starting out, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you lead with confidence and clarity.

Again, go to https://www.theprincipalacademy.com to learn more and to enroll in the course today. Use the code TCYL24 at checkout to save $150. (offer expires 11/24/2024)

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Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow leader who could use a little clarity in their work!

Are you feeling overwhelmed and struggling to prioritize your time as a school leader? In this episode, I share some exciting news about my upcoming digital course, Take Control of Your Leadership: A Road to Awesome Map for Early Career Leaders. This course is designed to help you overcome overwhelm, focus on what truly matters, and lead with clarity, and it's launching soon!!!

Sign up for our mailing list at roadtoawesome.net to get early access, special pricing, and exclusive bonuses! And stay tuned for information on this exciting new course.

And now...about our guest on this week's episode:

Bentli Lewis serves as the principal of Oakbrook Middle School in Ladson, South Carolina, a community nestled just outside of Charleston in the LowCountry. She began her career in education in 2012 as a high school English teacher and varsity tennis and softball coach. After five years in the classroom, she transitioned into a role as a Graduation Specialist, where she served for one year before moving to her current school district.

In her new district, Lewis stepped into the position of Assistant Principal at Summerville High School, a role she held for four years, gaining valuable experience and honing her skills as a building leader. Her dedication and leadership led to her appointment as the principal of Oakbrook Middle School, where she recently completed her second full year in the role. Lewis is passionate about the incredible work happening at Oakbrook Middle and is excited about the school’s ongoing successes and bright future.

You can find Bentli on social media:

Instagram - @bentlijlew

Facebook - Bentli Jones Lewis

X (Twitter) - @bentlij

On this solo episode of the podcast, we explore a vital topic for school leaders: maintaining resilience and avoiding burnout. I discuss five practical strategies to help you stay grounded, energized, and focused, even amidst the demands of leadership. From setting boundaries and effective delegation to building a support network and prioritizing self-care, these tips are designed to help you thrive in your role. Tune in to learn how to protect your energy, enhance your impact, and lead with clarity and purpose.

Are you feeling overwhelmed and struggling to prioritize your time as a school leader? In this episode, I share some exciting news about my upcoming digital course, Take Control of Your Leadership: A Road to Awesome Map for Early Career Leaders. This course is designed to help you overcome overwhelm, focus on what truly matters, and lead with clarity.

Sign up for our mailing list at roadtoawesome.net to get early access, special pricing, and exclusive bonuses! And stay tuned for information on this exciting new course.

In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, we explore why instructional leadership is crucial for student success and how it often gets deprioritized. Learn five actionable steps to reclaim your focus on instruction and make a meaningful impact.

Ready to lead with purpose? Tune in now, and don’t forget to sign up at roadtoawesome.net for exclusive offers and updates on my new digital course, Take Control of Your Leadership.