Principal Office Hours

Summary: Join C.T. and guest Russell Campisi, Principal of Harvest Park Middle School in Pleasanton, California, as they explore the organic, community-driven leadership approach that has earned the school multiple accolades, including the prestigious Golden Bell Award for transformative special education programming.

Key Takeaways:

• Organic Leadership & Community: Russell leads with an organic, community-driven approach, empowering passionate teachers and staff to create “islands of awesome” that foster innovation and engagement across the school.
• Award-Winning Inclusion: Harvest Park earned the prestigious Golden Bell Award for transformative special education programming by dramatically increasing inclusion and creating successful pathways for students with IEPs.
• High Student Connectedness: The school boasts an exceptional 80% student connectedness rate, reflecting strong relationships and a supportive environment.
• Engaged Families & Diverse Community: Families intentionally choose the area for its supportive, emotionally and academically enriching environment, contributing to a diverse, motivated community invested in student success.
• Distributed Leadership & Implementation: Russell acts as a “party planner,” facilitating and aligning resources and people to ensure initiatives are implemented effectively without micromanaging, allowing individual passions to drive innovation.
• Balancing Coherence and Creativity: While maintaining a clear district-aligned vision and framework, the school encourages creativity and diverse “passion projects,” ensuring they align enough to build a cohesive, thriving school culture.
• Focus on Access & Equity: Programs like sports and extracurriculars are designed to be inclusive, with supports in place to ensure all students can participate fully.
• Sustainable, Scalable Innovation: The school’s inclusive practices and innovations are sustainable and serve as a model that can be replicated across other districts.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

01:09 Meet the Principal: Russell Campisi

02:06 Community and School Dynamics

03:19 Engagement and High Expectations

05:58 Creating Islands of Awesome

11:58 Inclusive Programming and Special Education

14:53 Data-Driven Leadership

22:38 Significant Drop in Grades: A Case Study

23:17 Understanding Teacher Assumptions and Beliefs

23:41 Addressing Student Challenges and Data Interpretation

25:09 Sustainable Implementation and Administrative Support

26:15 Clarifying Standards and Accommodations

27:40 Co-Teaching and Systemized Support

28:57 Inclusive Decision-Making and Community Involvement

32:27 Iterative Clarifications and Frameworks

35:31 Heuristics and Leadership Philosophies

Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Russell Campisi: linkedin.com/in/russell-campisi-96b251167



Whether you're currently wearing the principal badge, aspiring to the big chair, or teaching while secretly taking notes on what you'd do differently, Principal Office Hours delivers actionable strategies you can implement faster than a student being sent to detention.

Subscribe now and join the faculty lounge conversation that's too real for the school board meeting. New episodes drop every week.

Warning: May cause spontaneous leadership growth and occasional inappropriate laughter during staff meetings.

Summary: Join C.T. and guest Miranda Thorman, Executive Director of East Bay Innovation Academy (EBIA) in Oakland, California, as they explore the transformative power of competency-based learning in a diverse, STEM-focused public charter school. This insightful conversation delves into how EBIA serves students from sixth through twelfth grade with a curriculum centered on project-based, hands-on learning that emphasizes real-world application over traditional testing.

Key Takeaways:

• Competency-Based Learning: This approach flips traditional education by focusing on students mastering skills and concepts to apply them in real-world, novel projects rather than just preparing for tests, fostering deeper engagement and relevance.
• Growth Mindset and Allowing Failure: Students are encouraged to learn at their own pace and are allowed to fail and retry, mirroring real-world learning and promoting a growth mindset among both students and staff.
• Project-Based, Hands-On Curriculum: Across subjects, students engage in meaningful projects—such as debates or building scale models—that require applying knowledge, making learning active and connected to real challenges.
• Diverse, STEM-Focused Community: EBIA serves a highly diverse student population with a strong emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and math, including career pathways with internships and work-based learning.
• Formative and Summative Assessments: The school uses frequent formative assessments with feedback to guide learning, culminating in summative demonstrations of competency, which may differ from traditional grading systems.
• Challenges of Systemic Change: Implementing competency-based education within traditional school structures involves navigating entrenched systems like grade levels and standardized testing, requiring teacher training, coaching, and buy-in.
• Personalization and Real-World Preparation: Competency-based models support personalized learning paths and prepare students for college and careers by building portfolios of demonstrated skills applicable beyond school.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Competency-Based Learning

00:44 Meet Miranda Thorman

01:11 Overview of East Bay Innovation Academy

01:52 STEM Focus and Project-Based Learning

03:47 Competency-Based Learning Explained

07:07 Implementing Competency-Based Learning

14:07 Challenges and Teacher Preparation

16:15 Competency vs Traditional Models

25:29 Student and Family Transition

29:07 Growth Mindset and Final Thoughts

Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Miranda Thorman: linkedin.com/in/miranda-thorman-0835a9292



Whether you're currently wearing the principal badge, aspiring to the big chair, or teaching while secretly taking notes on what you'd do differently, Principal Office Hours delivers actionable strategies you can implement faster than a student being sent to detention.

Subscribe now and join the faculty lounge conversation that's too real for the school board meeting. New episodes drop every week. Warning: May cause spontaneous leadership growth and occasional inappropriate laughter during staff meetings.

Summary: Join C.T. and guest Clark Conover, principal of Granada High School in Livermore, California, as they explore the strategies behind maintaining a strong sense of belonging and high attendance rates at a large high school. With 26 years of experience at Granada, Clark shares how the school fosters student engagement through a wide variety of athletics, clubs, and arts programs, encouraging every student to get involved in something meaningful.

Key Takeaways:

• Strong Sense of Belonging: Encouraging students to get involved in athletics, clubs, or start their own groups fosters a deep connection to the school, which supports high attendance rates above 95%.
• Teacher Engagement: Many teachers live in the local community and actively participate as coaches or club advisors, strengthening relationships with students beyond the classroom.
• Student-Centered Decisions: School schedules and activities are designed with student needs in mind, balancing what students want with what is educationally best for them.
• Flexible and Responsive Scheduling: The school regularly updates its bell schedule based on feedback and research to better support students, including built-in access periods for extra help.
• Open Communication and Listening: Clark emphasizes one-on-one conversations with staff, students, and parents to gather feedback, address concerns, and maintain a safe, welcoming environment.
• Presence and Visibility: The principal spends significant time on campus interacting with students, greeting them personally to understand their needs and connect them with resources.
• Support for Underrepresented Groups: Targeted efforts, including dedicated staff connections and culturally responsive engagement, help ensure all students feel safe and supported.
• High Post-Secondary Enrollment: About 89% of graduates enroll in post-secondary education, reflecting the school’s commitment to academic achievement and student success.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to the Principal and School

00:30 Clark Conover's Background and Achievements

01:06 Granada High School's Student Involvement

02:23 Building a Strong School Culture

04:40 Creating a Safe and Welcoming Environment

05:26 Adapting and Improving School Schedules

08:38 Engaging with Students and Staff

12:37 Supporting Underrepresented Student Groups

13:40 Principal's Weekly Routine and Time Management

15:59 Aligning Staff and Communication

18:13 Community Trust and Leadership Style

20:50 Setting Goals and Using Data

Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Clark Conover: linkedin.com/in/clark-conover-a645a118



Whether you're currently wearing the principal badge, aspiring to the big chair, or teaching while secretly taking notes on what you'd do differently, Principal Office Hours delivers actionable strategies you can implement faster than a student being sent to detention.

Subscribe now and join the faculty lounge conversation that's too real for the school board meeting. New episodes drop every week. Warning: May cause spontaneous leadership growth and occasional inappropriate laughter during staff meetings.

Summary: Join C.T. and guest Seth Feldman, Executive Director of Bay Area Technology School (Bay Tech) in Oakland, California, as they explore the transformative leadership and data-driven strategies that have revitalized this 6–12 public charter school. This compelling conversation highlights Dr. Feldman’s journey from international teaching to leading Bay Tech through financial recovery, cultural renewal, and academic innovation.

Key Takeaways:

• Turnaround Leadership: Dr. Feldman led Bay Tech through a major turnaround, cleaning up finances, revamping curriculum, and restoring the school’s reputation1.
• Live Data Over “Autopsy Data”: The school uses real-time (“live”) data to make immediate instructional changes, rather than relying on end-of-year test results (“autopsy data”)1.
• Student-Centered Outcomes: Bay Tech prioritizes assessments and achievements that matter to students, such as AP, SAT, and ACT scores, over state-mandated standardized tests1.
• Personalized Learning: Assistive technology enables instruction at each student’s level, supporting both remediation and acceleration, and helping students gain multiple years of skill growth in a single year1.
• High Teacher Retention: Teachers are empowered to innovate and see the direct impact of their work, leading to high retention—even among those eligible for retirement1.
• Behavior and Culture: The behaviors allowed on campus define the school’s culture; positive, growth-oriented behaviors are modeled and expected from everyone1.
• Agile Interventions: Creative use of data, such as analyzing bathroom logs, enables rapid, meaningful interventions to support student learning and well-being1.
• Holistic Support: Bay Tech surrounds its high-needs student population with academic, social-emotional, and career supports, ensuring every student has a pathway to success

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

00:33 Meet Seth Feldman: The Superman of Education

01:36 Bay Tech: A Community of Excellence

05:13 Challenges and Triumphs at Bay Tech

07:52 The Power of Live Data in Education

19:41 Focusing on Real-World Skills

23:30 Innovative Teaching Approaches

25:45 Personalized Learning with Assistive Technology

26:46 The Impact of Data on Student Engagement

27:31 Addressing Literacy and Math Gaps

34:44 Behavioral Insights from Bathroom Logs

40:56 Implementing Immediate Changes for Improvement

Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Seth Feldman: linkedin.com/in/seth-feldman-2356586



Join us at Engaging Leadership to learn and connect with a community of leaders in education just like you. This is the space where top people leaders share actionable insights and practical playbooks in fostering a high-performing workplace of the future.

Sign up as a member today for community updates on the latest leadership resources and exclusive event invites: www.engagingleadershipshow.com/subscribe

Summary: Join C.T. and guest Beth Silbergeld, principal of Branham High School in San Jose, California, as they explore the challenges and opportunities of leading a large, diverse high school within the Campbell Union High School District. This insightful conversation delves into Beth’s experience transitioning from small to large schools and how she applies universal leadership principles—such as clear communication, vulnerability, and being human—to drive innovation and foster community in a school of nearly 1,850 students.

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership in Large Schools: Leading a large high school requires balancing innovation with respect for existing structures and agreements, as change tends to move more slowly due to the complexity and scale of the organization.
• Community of Communities: In large schools, fostering a sense of community involves linking together many smaller communities, such as departments, clubs, and student groups, to create a cohesive school culture.
• Every Student Known by an Adult: While small schools can more easily ensure each student is known well by at least one adult through advisory programs, large schools use structures like counseling teams and student life activities to build connections, though the scale makes this more challenging.
• Diversity and Student Engagement: Branham High serves a diverse student body with a wide range of clubs (over 99), athletics, and arts programs, providing multiple avenues for students to connect, find their passions, and feel part of the school community.
• Experience Across Different School Sizes and Regions: Beth’s leadership is informed by her experience in various school sizes and regions, helping her apply universal leadership principles such as clear communication, vulnerability, and being human to bring her team along.
• Innovative Scheduling: Branham recently implemented a new bell schedule that includes a mandatory 30-minute tutorial period, providing targeted academic support as part of a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS).
• Balancing Tradition and Innovation: Change in large schools requires navigating contractual agreements and established processes, making leadership a balancing act between honoring what works and introducing new ideas thoughtfully.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

00:43 Beth Silbergeld's Background and Achievements

01:20 Overview of Brandham High School

01:49 School Culture and Student Life at Brandham

04:35 Beth's Transition from Small to Large Schools

14:27 Innovative Practices and Challenges in Large Schools

18:16 Decision Making and Leadership in Education

29:55 Future Plans and Vision for Brandham High

Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Beth Silbergeld: linkedin.com/in/beth-silbergeld-37934238



Join us at Engaging Leadership to learn and connect with a community of leaders in education just like you. This is the space where top people leaders share actionable insights and practical playbooks in fostering a high-performing workplace of the future.

Sign up as a member today for community updates on the latest leadership resources and exclusive event invites: www.engagingleadershipshow.com/subscribe

Summary: Join C.T. and guest Tauvia Harrigan, principal of Earl Frost Elementary School in San Jose, California, as they explore her inspiring philosophy centered on love, laughter, and learning that shapes a vibrant and inclusive school environment. With over three decades of experience in education leadership, Tauvia shares how her diverse school community—representing 14 different home languages and a wide range of cultural backgrounds—thrives through a culture of acceptance and unity. 

Key Takeaways:

• Love as the Foundation: Love for the students and the work is essential; it creates a positive environment where both staff and students are motivated and engaged, making learning a two-way, infectious process.
• Learning through Fun and Engagement: Learning must be fun, relevant, and stimulating to keep students’ brains active. Boredom shuts down learning, so lessons should be designed from the child’s perspective to be exciting and engaging.
• Diversity and Inclusion: Earl Frost Elementary embraces its rich cultural and linguistic diversity, fostering a community where differences are celebrated and unity is promoted through shared values and traditions.
• Mindset, Motivation, and Monitoring (the 3 Ms):
• Mindset: High expectations and belief in every student’s potential are crucial. Teachers and students alike need a positive, growth-oriented mindset.
• Motivation: Combines intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, using strategies like VIP parties to reward goal achievement and build confidence, gradually fostering intrinsic motivation.
• Monitoring: Continuous data review is vital to assess student progress and instructional effectiveness, balanced with fun activities to keep staff morale high during data analysis.
• Modern Educational Approach: Recognizing that today’s children are wired differently due to technology, teaching methods must evolve beyond traditional models to incorporate relevant, motivating tools that resonate with students’ experiences.
• Leadership Philosophy: Tauvia’s leadership is characterized by passion, energy, and a commitment to creating a joyful, inclusive school culture where students feel valued and empowered to succeed.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

00:37 Meet Tauvia Harrigan: A Leader in Education

01:33 The Unique Diversity of Earl Frost Elementary

05:26 Philosophy of Love, Laughter, and Learning

11:28 Motivation and Mindset: The Three M's

23:25 The Journey to Leadership

28:19 Advice for Aspiring Leaders

Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Tauvia Harrigan: frost.ogsd.net/about/principal



Join us at Engaging Leadership to learn and connect with a community of leaders in education just like you. This is the space where top people leaders share actionable insights and practical playbooks in fostering a high-performing workplace of the future.

Sign up as a member today for community updates on the latest leadership resources and exclusive event invites: www.engagingleadershipshow.com/subscribe

Summary: Join C.T. and guest Sean Priest, Principal of Sequoia High School in Redwood City, California, as they explore how a historic school embraces diversity, tradition, and innovation to foster student growth. This insightful conversation delves into Sequoia’s rich legacy as one of the oldest high schools in the Bay Area, its stunning campus, and its commitment to serving a diverse student body with rigorous International Baccalaureate (IB) programs.

Key Takeaways:

• School & Community-Sequoia High School is a historic, architecturally stunning campus serving a highly diverse student body, including multigenerational local families and recent immigrants.
• Tradition & Innovation-The school balances its rich traditions and history with a commitment to adopting innovative, research-based teaching practices.
• Curriculum & Learning-As an International Baccalaureate (IB) school, Sequoia offers rigorous, inclusive programs that emphasize critical thinking and knowledge exploration.
• Staff Culture-Lifelong learning, collaboration, and embracing diversity are core values for both staff and students.
• Technology & Change-The school continually adapts to technological changes, from debates about Wikipedia to integrating AI, focusing on authentic and equitable learning experiences.
• Leadership & Values-Sean leads with moral authority and personal reflection, using shared values to communicate goals and foster community.
• Student Engagement-Students take pride in their unique campus, demonstrating responsibility and a strong sense of belonging.
• Leadership Philosophy-Sean adapts his leadership style to different roles and situations, encouraging risk-taking, authenticity, and growth.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

00:35 Meet Sean Priest: Principal of Sequoia High School

01:07 Exploring Sequoia High School's Unique Campus and Community

04:49 Balancing Tradition and Diversity in Education

08:25 Challenges and Changes in Education

14:10 Core Values and Leadership Philosophy

29:17 Creating Goals and Accountability in Schools

35:29 Advice for Aspiring Educational Leaders

Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Sean Priest: linkedin.com/in/sean-priest-0176b7b2



Join us at Engaging Leadership to learn and connect with a community of leaders in education just like you. This is the space where top people leaders share actionable insights and practical playbooks in fostering a high-performing workplace of the future.

Sign up as a member today for community updates on the latest leadership resources and exclusive event invites: www.engagingleadershipshow.com/subscribe

Summary: Join C.T. and guest Lisa Aguerria Lewis, Principal of Luigi Aprea Elementary School in Gilroy Unified School District, California, as they explore the challenges and opportunities of leading a large, diverse elementary school through times of change. This insightful conversation delves into Lisa’s approach to uniting two distinct communities after a school closure, emphasizing the importance of listening sessions conducted in multiple languages to understand historical context and community needs. 

Key Takeaways:

• Leading in Complexity: Lisa leads a large, diverse elementary school of about 740 students, recently integrating two distinct communities after a nearby school closure, requiring intentional community building and healing post-COVID.
• Listening as Foundation: She prioritizes extensive listening sessions with students, staff, and families—conducted in English and Spanish—to understand needs, historical context, and build trust, using feedback to guide actionable changes.
• Balancing Relationships and Systems: Lisa emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships while simultaneously establishing clear systems and structures to run a large school effectively.
• Curiosity and Reflection: She practices curiosity by asking open-ended questions like “Tell me more about…” to uncover deeper insights, and reflects continuously on her leadership to improve listening and decision-making.
• Ego Management and Patience: Lisa stresses putting ego aside, moving slowly, and being open to adjusting her vision based on community input to foster genuine buy-in and avoid repeating past mistakes.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

00:33 Meet Lisa Lewis

01:31 Challenges and Community Building

03:23 Leadership Practices and Listening Sessions

10:59 Balancing Standardization and Autonomy

15:27 Building Effective Systems

24:54 Professional Development Strategies

29:29 The Importance of Reflection

32:02 Coaching and Leadership Advice

Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Lisa Aguerria Lewis: linkedin.com/in/lisa-aguerria-lewis-96b425205

Join us at Engaging Leadership to learn and connect with a community of leaders in education just like you. This is the space where top people leaders share actionable insights and practical playbooks in fostering a high-performing workplace of the future.

Sign up as a member today for community updates on the latest leadership resources and exclusive event invites: www.engagingleadershipshow.com/subscribe

Summary: Join C.T. and guest Julie MacArthur, Principal of Brewer Island Elementary School in Foster City, California, as they explore how a strong focus on social-emotional learning (SEL) shapes a joyful and inclusive school community. 

Key Takeaways:

• Diverse, Joyful Environment: Brewer Island is a small, culturally rich school with over 300 students speaking 30+ languages, creating a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere.
• Strong Staff Community: Many teachers and staff have worked at the school for decades, fostering deep relationships and stability.
• SEL as a Foundational Lens: SEL is not an add-on, but the lens through which all learning and teaching occur at Brewer Island. It’s about helping students develop a strong sense of self, emotional literacy, and the ability to navigate challenges.
• Beyond “Soft Skills”: SEL is deeply embedded in academic learning, not just about feelings or “soft skills.” It’s essential for academic success and lifelong well-being.
• Teaching Grit and Perseverance: Students are explicitly taught to value effort, perseverance, and optimism, especially when facing challenges in subjects like math.
• Productive Struggle: The school encourages students to embrace struggle as a normal and necessary part of learning, helping them build resilience and confidence.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction: Raising Happy and Healthy Adults

00:37 Meet Julie MacArthur: Principal of Brewer Island Elementary

01:18 The Diverse Community of Brewer Island

04:34 Understanding Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

08:12 SEL in Mathematics: Embracing Productive Struggle

15:13 Embedding SEL in the Curriculum

22:16 The Importance of Failure and Grit

25:08 Leadership and SEL: Building a Supportive Community

29:39 Julie MacArthur's Journey to Administration

33:05 Advice for Aspiring Educational Leaders

Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Julie MacArthur: linkedin.com/in/julie-m-91168951



Join us at Engaging Leadership to learn and connect with a community of leaders in education just like you. This is the space where top people leaders share actionable insights and practical playbooks in fostering a high-performing workplace of the future.

Sign up as a member today for community updates on the latest leadership resources and exclusive event invites: www.engagingleadershipshow.com/subscribe

Summary: Join C.T. and guest Dr. Bryan Ballenger, Superintendent of Gustine Unified School District in California, as they explore the district’s journey to full inclusion for all students, K through 12th grade. This insightful conversation delves into Gustine’s innovative approach to special education, moving away from traditional pullout models to a co-teaching and full inclusion framework where special education staff support students directly in general education classrooms. 

Key Takeaways:

• Background and Leadership: Dr. Ballenger began his career as a special education teacher and has extensive experience as a principal and administrator, bringing a deep understanding of student discipline, instruction, and school governance to his role as superintendent1.
• Commitment to Inclusion: Gustine USD has transitioned from segregated special education settings to a full inclusion model, serving most students with disabilities in their home schools alongside general education peers3.
• Shared Vision and Collaboration: The district emphasizes building consensus around inclusive education, fostering collaboration among special and general education staff, and adopting a “servant to servant” approach to family engagement3.
• Student-Centered Decision Making: Gustine uses Instructional Support Teams (IST) and data-driven processes to tailor supports, focusing on academic achievement and social-emotional development, especially for English learners, students with disabilities, and socioeconomically disadvantaged students23.
• Professional Development and Capacity Building: The district invests in ongoing training for administrators and teachers to improve inclusive practices, clarify roles, and enhance instructional excellence3.
• Parent and Community Partnerships: Gustine prioritizes respectful, productive relationships with families through special needs PTAs, webinars, and increased opportunities for parent involvement and training3.

Chapters:

00:00 Full Inclusion in Education

00:29 Meet Dr. Bryan Ballenger

01:06 Overview of Gustine Unified School District

02:24 Dr. Ballinger's Journey in Special Education

04:51 Implementing Full Inclusion at Gustine

08:15 Benefits of Full Inclusion

10:40 Challenges and Adaptations

18:51 Mental Health and Emotional Support

24:12 Personal Leadership Journey

33:57 Advice for Aspiring Leaders

Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Dr. Bryan Ballenger: linkedin.com/in/bryan-ballenger-79972647

Music Credit: Shake it Up - Fesliyanstudios.com - David Renda



Join us at Engaging Leadership to learn and connect with a community of leaders in education just like you. This is the space where top people leaders share actionable insights and practical playbooks in fostering a high-performing workplace of the future.

Sign up as a member today for community updates on the latest leadership resources and exclusive event invites: www.engagingleadershipshow.com/subscribe