Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast with William D. Parker

I once heard someone say, “Communication is 100% of what a principal does.” I couldn’t agree more. Of all the areas you manage as a school leader, the way you communicate is one of the most powerful determiners for what people will think about your school. In episode 21 of the podcast, I share 10 […]

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It’s easy to become distracted in school leadership, and often my biggest distraction is myself. That’s why it’s so important to keep your focus on serving others. When you do, you’ll find yourself celebrating student learning and remembering why school leadership matters. In episode 20, I share some ideas inspired from author and speaker Jon […]

The post PMP:020 Planting, Growing, and Flourishing appeared first on Principal Matters.

When I transitioned from teaching to school admin, I was surprised at the many moving parts outside the classroom that keep schools running smoothly. Even with all the ways I prepared, it still took me a long time to begin understanding for the multiple job descriptions I was responsible to oversee. Over time, I discovered […]

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My school is preparing for the last days of school, but Episode 18 of the PMPodcast shares ideas from Harry Wong’s First Days of School–ideas that work all year long. Communication about the basics is essential for healthy school communities. Go here to check out the original blog post that accompanies this podcast. Here are […]

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Studying other leaders can help give us insights and lessons that influence our own. From another great historic read, Episode 17 looks at the life of the legendary Theodore Roosevelt, taken from Edmund Morris’s biography, The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt. Listen in for 8 inspiring takeaways from his early life! Here’s a link to the […]

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Do you ever think about areas in work or life where you wish you had more insight? In episode 16, we talk about learning to lean on the expertise of others. Here are four quick tips on easily connecting and growing to improve your school leadership. For my original companion post to this audio version, […]

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In episode 15, I share leadership lessons from a championship team. In this case, the team is three men and horse found in Laura Hillenbrand’s classic biography, Seabiscuit. The lessons from this amazing book also apply to any team–including your school teams: principals, counselors, teachers, staff, etc. To see the original post that accompanies this […]

The post PMP:015 Lessons in Leadership from a Champion Racehorse Team appeared first on Principal Matters.

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by your to-do’s? Sometimes you hit seasons where your work can be more stressful than at others. As I’ve hit these seasons at different points in my leadership, I’ve learned a few ways to stay focused even when it feels impossible to do so. Listen in to learn how you […]

The post PMP:014 Five Tips for Maintaining Sanity During Stressful Times appeared first on Principal Matters.

In this episode, I share reminders why educators are such a powerful influence in the lives of children. I start with stories from two men who lives were significantly shaped by a teacher and a principal. Go here for the companion blog post to this episode. Here are show-notes for this episode 1. Jim and […]

The post PMP:013 And Then I Met a Teacher (The Power of a Caring Adult) appeared first on Principal Matters.

If you view school discipline simply as punishment, you’ll be limited in your effectiveness. If you view it as a way to measure and redirect student behavior, then you may experience more meaningful results. How do you treat others with dignity even when handing out discipline? Listen to Episode 12 to find out! Here are […]

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