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Episode Summary

What happens when a school leader transforms a high school's graduation rate from the low 60s to the mid-upper 80s — while officiating Division I college basketball on the side?

Andrew Marotta joins Rob to talk about surviving and thriving in school leadership, the power of relationships, and how to lead under pressure. From building trust with staff to using storytelling as a leadership tool, Andrew shares practical wisdom from his 20+ years as a principal and his time on the basketball court.

He also previews his latest book, The Magic Acronyms, Formulas, and Impactful Stories of Leadership, and answers the RW Rapid Fire.

Key Takeaways

• Relationships first — People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.
• Enjoy the journey — If you had to watch yourself on camera, do you look happy and energized?
• Do what you say you're going to do — Follow-through builds trust.
• Tell stories, not just facts — Stories sell. Facts tell.
• Be intentional — Every decision has an impact. Lead with purpose.

Memorable Quotes

Connect with Andrew Marotta

• Website: andrewmarotta.com
• Socials: Instagram, X (Twitter), TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook
• Blog: Weekly inspiration every Monday
• Latest Book: The Magic Acronyms, Formulas, and Impactful Stories of Leadership

Hashtags

#MentoringMoments #MentoringMap #SurvivingAndThriving #AndrewMarotta #SchoolLeadership #Storytelling #RelationshipsMatter

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Episode Summary

What if the most powerful leaders aren’t the ones with all the answers, but the ones who ask the right questions? Dr. Mary Hemphill joins Rob to talk about human-centered leadership, staying authentic in complexity, and why intellectual humility is the new confidence.

With over 20 years of experience spanning education, corporate leadership, and entrepreneurship, Mary shares her frameworks for scaling bold ideas, building psychological safety, and leading through change. She also previews her upcoming book, Future-Proof, and answers the RW Rapid Fire.

Key Takeaways

• Beginner’s mindset — Go back to curiosity when you feel lost in leadership.
• Mentorship vs. Coaching — Mentors guide; coaches walk with you through the mess.
• Intellectual humility — The most advanced form of confidence is saying, "I don't know, let's explore."
• Psychological safety — The most limitless leaders create safety for others.
• Future-proofing — Leadership is shifting from a knowledge-based to a skill-based economy.

Memorable Quotes

Connect with Dr. Mary Hemphill

• LinkedIn: Dr. Mary Hemphill
• Socials: @TheLimitlessLady
• Website: thelimitlessleader.com
• Upcoming Book: Future-Proof (Fall 2026)

Hashtags

#MentoringMoments #MentoringMap #HumanCenteredLeadership #LimitlessLeader #FutureProof #PsychologicalSafety #Mentorship

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Episode Summary
In this solo reflection episode, Dr. Rob Wottawa looks back on conversations with three incredible educators: Julie Cooke, a first-year music teacher; Mary Esposito, a 34-year veteran and SAANYS Mentor Program Coordinator; and Dr. Ricky Papandrea, a district leader who builds systems to serve the whole child.

Rob explores what connects these three perspectives — the thread of relationships, the power of being present, and the importance of walking slowly through the crowd. He also shares his own RW Rapid Fire answers, reflects on the mentor who shaped him, and offers a challenge for the upcoming school year.

Key Takeaways

• Relationships matter more than anything — not curriculum, not data, not rubrics.
• First-year teachers need someone to lean on — the fear is real, but so is the support.
• New administrators are afraid of perception — they want to be recognized and are afraid of not knowing everything.
• Counselors are the heartbeat of a school — they build relationships with students.
• Do not smile until December is terrible advice — smile on day one.
• Walk slowly through the crowd — take the time to build relationships.
• Lead at home the way you lead at school — your family deserves your best self too.

Memorable Quotes

Hashtags

#MentoringMoments #MentoringMap #SoloEpisode #Reflection #RelationshipsMatter #Mentorship

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Episode Summary

What does it feel like to walk into your very own classroom for the first time? Julie Cooke — a first-year general music teacher in the Huntington School District — joins Rob to talk about the reality of teaching, the moments that make you feel lost, and the small wins that keep you going.

From surviving the first parent email to putting on a winter concert and figuring out how to use the copier, Julie shares what no one prepares you for. They also discuss mentorship, why networking matters, and the mantra that got her through the hardest days: "One day at a time."

If you're a new teacher — or you remember what it was like to be one — this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways

• Network Early and Often: Build positive connections with colleagues, administrators, and mentors. You'll need them.
• Small Wins Matter: Celebrate the moments when students are excited to be in your classroom.
• One Day at a Time: You don't have to have it all figured out. Just keep showing up.
• Bring Your Best Self: You won't always be perfect, but you can always bring your best.

Memorable Quotes

Connect with Julie Cooke

📧 Email: [email protected]

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If this conversation meant something to you, hit follow on Apple Podcasts, Amazon, or Spotify and view on YouTube. It takes five seconds, but it’s how other educators find conversations like this one—and it tells the algorithm that mentorship matters.

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What does it look like to mentor someone through every single grade level — from kindergarten to senior year?

Mary Esposito — a 34-year veteran of education, 26 of those as a school administrator, and currently the SAANYS Mentor Program Coordinator for New York State — joins Rob to talk about mentoring across generations, why elementary and secondary leaders need each other, and what new administrators are most afraid of.

From teaching high school world language to leading elementary schools as principal, Mary has done it all. Now she's dedicated to helping school leaders across New York navigate the waters of administration and become their best selves.

Plus, she answers the RW Rapid Fire.

Now, go and be someone's mentoring moment. 🗺️

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If this conversation meant something to you, hit follow on Apple Podcasts, Amazon, or Spotify and view on YouTube. It takes five seconds, but it’s how other educators find conversations like this one—and it tells the algorithm that mentorship matters.

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Former social studies teacher turned district leader Dr. Ricky Papandrea joins Rob to talk about building systems that serve the whole child — from AP access and concurrent enrollment to the bridge between academics and emotional support.

Key Takeaways:

• Counselors are the heartbeat of a school
• Data should inform, not drive, decisions
• One-size-fits-all post-secondary planning is outdated
• Students need space to fail and build resilience

Quote:

Connect

Guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rpapandreajr/
Podcast: robwottawa.com/podcast
Hashtags: #RWMentoringMoments #RWMentoringMap #SchoolCounseling

Now, go and be someone's mentoring moment. 🗺️🎙️

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If this conversation meant something to you, hit follow on Apple Podcasts, Amazon, or Spotify and view on YouTube. It takes five seconds, but it’s how other educators find conversations like this one—and it tells the algorithm that mentorship matters.

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What does leadership actually look like when you're not reading about it in a book?

In this solo reflection episode, Dr. Rob Wottawa pulls back the curtain on conversations with four Long Island leaders: David Wicks, Dr. Teresa Grossane, Brendan Cusack, and Dom Armano. From the power of presence to building trust and capacity, Rob shares his biggest takeaways — including why leadership isn't about a title, how to listen twice as much as you speak, and why you should never take the advice "don't smile until December." Plus, Rob answers his own RW Rapid Fire questions and reveals the mentor who taught him to walk slowly through the crowd.

Now, go and map out some mentoring moments. 🗺️🎙️

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 What if the most important metric in a school isn't a test score, but the number of students who can't wait to walk through the doors each morning? Dom Armano, an elementary principal with nearly 20 years in education and a board member of the Long Island Coalition Against Bullying, believes leadership is built on relationships, belonging, and shared leadership. He shares how to create a culture where bullying struggles to take root, why giving teachers permission to build relationships before curriculum changes everything, and whether he'd rather mentor a teacher who's all heart or one who's all organization. This is a conversation about leading with love — and why it's okay to have bad days. 

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What does it mean to lead from the heart of a school community? Brenden Cusack, now Assistant Superintendent in Huntington, spent nine years as a high school principal who could be found at games, plays, and concerts—not just in the office. He shares how visible, approachable leadership builds trust, how restorative practices transform school culture, and what it takes to mentor the next generation of administrators. A conversation about leading with presence and purpose.

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What does it take to lead math education across multiple districts? Dr. Teresa Grossane, Director of Mathematics and Computer Science for Huntington Schools, shares her journey from classroom teacher to district leader. She reveals how to build academic courage in students, support teachers through curriculum change, and keep equity at the center of math instruction. A must-listen for anyone leading academic innovation.

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