Proud Principals Podcast with Tony Cattani

Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket is an award-winning principal at Waterloo Elementary School in Maryland, author, keynote speaker, and education leader with 21 years of experience in public education. She is passionate about building trust-centered school cultures where students, staff, and families feel connected, valued, and empowered to thrive.

What if the most powerful leadership strategy isn't a new initiative, program, or technology, but simply taking the time to connect with people?

In this episode of the Proud Principals Podcast, Tony Cattani welcomes Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket, an inspiring educational leader who believes that relationships must always come first.

As a leader who lives in the community she serves, Rachel has experienced something truly special: watching students she once taught in kindergarten grow up and graduate. Those relationships, built over years of meaningful interactions, have shaped her approach to leadership and reinforced her belief that schools thrive when people feel seen, valued, and connected.

Rachel shares how she intentionally creates "touch points" throughout her day—opportunities to connect personally with students, staff, and families. Whether she's sitting with students at recess, welcoming new staff members, or encouraging collaboration among colleagues, her leadership is grounded in being present, accessible, and authentic.

Throughout this remarkable conversation, Rachel reminds us that building trust isn't accomplished through a single event or initiative. It's the result of consistent, intentional behaviors that demonstrate genuine care for others.

Relationships Before Everything: Why meaningful connections are the foundation of a positive school culture.

The Power of Touch Points: How intentional daily interactions with students, staff, and families build trust and belonging.

Leading Within Your Community: The unique perspective gained from living in the community you serve and watching generations of students grow.

Being Present with Students: Why something as simple as sitting with students during recess can make a lasting difference.

Welcoming and Supporting New Staff: How building relationships early creates trust, collaboration, and a sense of belonging.

Creating a Collaborative Culture: Why strong relationships among adults are essential to developing a thriving school community.

People Over Technology: Why school leaders must resist allowing the convenience of emails, texts, and digital communication to replace meaningful face-to-face conversations.

"Never let the convenience of technology replace relationships."

Dr. Edoho-Eket challenges school leaders to slow down, step away from their screens, and intentionally connect with the people they serve.

Her message is both simple and powerful: Sometimes the most impactful thing a school leader can do is walk down the hallway, sit beside a student, check in with a teacher, or have a conversation without an agenda.

Rachel reminds us that relationships aren't something we find time for after the work is done. Relationships ARE the work.

This episode is filled with practical, intentional leadership strategies that any principal, superintendent, or aspiring school leader can begin implementing tomorrow.

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Because the greatest resource in education has always been... Each Other!

https://sites.google.com/view/the-principals-journey-website/home

Instagram - @racheledohoeket

Relational Intelligence Book - https://www.amazon.com/Relational-Intelligence-Exceptional-Leadership-LeadershipGoals/dp/1959419331

Patricia Riley has dedicated over twenty years to education, including a decade as a high school administrator, supporting students and staff with a focus on growth and excellence. Driven by a lifelong passion for learning, Patricia holds degrees from The College of New Jersey and Rider University and is currently pursuing her doctorate at the University of Pennsylvania. She is passionate about service learning and fostering meaningful community engagement. Known for her relationship-based leadership, Patricia prioritizes connections, collaboration, and celebration as she strives to ensure that every member of her school community feels seen and valued.

Every Single One - Show Notes

What happens when a principal makes it her mission to ensure that every single student feels seen, valued, and connected?

In this episode of the Proud Principals Podcast, I sit down with Patricia Riley, Principal of Hopewell Valley Central High School in New Jersey and the 2026 NJPSA Visionary Secondary School Leader of the Year.

With approximately 1,100 students, Patricia understands that creating a strong school culture doesn't happen through one big initiative. It happens through intentional behaviors, repeated consistently, that communicate to students and staff that they matter.

Positive Phone Calls

Positive Praise Referrals

Birthday Cards for Every Student

Notes of Appreciation

At the heart of Patricia's approach is a simple but powerful shift: training ourselves to look for what's going right.

Rather than waiting for students to make a mistake or for something to go wrong, Patricia challenges herself and her staff to intentionally look for the positive.

When we change what we're looking for, we often change what we see.

And when students and staff consistently experience being seen, valued, and connected, culture begins to change.

Every Single One is a reminder that school culture isn't just about reaching the majority. It's about making sure every single one knows they matter.

Patricia Riley 

Instagram - @hopewell_valley_central_hs  @patriciariley

Email - [email protected]

Dave Walker is an educator, leader, and lifelong learner who believes that schools should be places where students feel safe, valued, and inspired. He currently serves as the Principal of School No. 1 in Linden, New Jersey, and has spent nearly two decades in education serving in the roles of substitute teacher, teacher, department chair, Vice-Principal, Principal, and district leader.

After serving in a district leadership role, he made the intentional decision to return to the principalship because he truly believes the greatest impact happens when you are working directly alongside students, staff, and families each day. This was his proudest personal career decision, and is critical to his leadership story. He has found that the most important thing was to follow his purpose, not just climb the ladder.

One of his proudest efforts as a principal has been working alongside students, staff, and families to strengthen a school culture where everyone feels valued, connected, and supported. Coming to School No. 1, after there had been several leadership changes at the building in the past few years, his focus was on providing consistency, building relationships, and continuing to move the school forward together.

This year, working with his amazing Vice-Principal and School Climate Team, they launched Tiger Teams to provide students with character-building opportunities while encouraging leadership and positive choices. Supporting teachers has also been an important focus. Through two unconference-style professional development events, they provided staff members with greater voice and choice in their own learning by allowing them to select PD experiences connected to their interests and needs. Just as they want students to have ownership of their learning, they want educators to feel empowered as professionals. 

Ultimately, Dave's greatest pride comes from helping create the conditions where students and educators feel supported, trusted, and excited to grow together. Students should be running into the school excited each day, as should staff!

TikTok - @mrwalkerjournals 

Instagram - @mr. Walkerjournals  and @school1tigers

Dr. Salome Thomas-EL lives in Pennsylvania with his family and has been a teacher and principal since 1987. He is currently a K-8 principal in Wilmington, DE and received national acclaim as a teacher and chess coach at Vaux Middle School in Philadelphia, where his students have gone on to win world recognition as Eight-Time National Chess Champions. Principal EL is the author of the best-selling books, I Choose to Stay (Movie rights optioned by Disney Films), and The Immortality of Influence, which stresses the importance of leadership, mentoring, parenting and service to others. He is also the co-author of 3 books on leadership and teacher retention. Dr. EL’s newest book, “Meet Their Needs, and They’ll Succeed (ASCD), was released in 2025. He speaks to groups around the country and appeared on C-SPAN, CNN, and NPR Radio. Principal EL has studied school leadership abroad in England and at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. He holds a doctorate in Education Leadership from Wilmington University in Delaware. He has received the Marcus A. Foster Award as the outstanding School District Administrator in Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania’s distinguished Martin Luther King Award. Reader’s Digest Magazine recognized Principal EL as an “Inspiring American Icon.” Dr. EL was featured on Good Morning America and appeared on the Oprah Radio Network.

What if the greatest lessons students learn in school aren't found in a textbook—but across a chessboard?

In this episode of the Proud Principals Podcast, Tony Cattani sits down with Dr. Salome Thomas- EL (Principal El), a dynamic school leader from Delaware, to talk about one of his proudest accomplishments: leading his students to become 8-time National Chess Champions.

But this conversation isn't really about chess.

It's about self-regulation, resilience, perseverance, and learning how to respond when you don't win.

Principal EL shares how chess became a powerful vehicle for developing students' minds while exposing them to opportunities and experiences that extended far beyond the game, and even beyond high school. Students learned how to think strategically, manage emotions, handle setbacks, and keep moving forward.

Throughout the conversation, Principal EL shares the four principles that guide his leadership:

 Crazy About Kids

Curious

 Culture of Love

Consistent Adults

Principal EL's story is a powerful reminder that sometimes the most meaningful learning happens when we give students opportunities to struggle, think, compete, lose, recover, and try again.

Eight national championships are impressive.

But the real victory is what those experiences helped students become.

Dr. Jessica Cabeen is the Principal of Alternative Programs for Austin Public Schools in Austin, Minnesota. She is also an author, speaker, and leadership coach who helps educators lead with clarity, purpose, and sustainability. Jessica is passionate about building school systems where students feel seen, staff feel supported, and leaders can do meaningful work without losing themselves in the process.

Jessica shares one of her proudest experiences as a principal has been seeing former students years after they graduated or moved on from middle school and getting to know who they are becoming as adults.

The Drip Effect: Breaking Free from Hustle Culture

Email - [email protected]

Instagram - @JessicaCabeen

X- @JessicaCabeen

Website - https://jessicacabeen.com/

In this episode of the Proud Principals Podcast, Tony Cattani sits down with Mark Sullivan, Principal of Burlington High School in Burlington, Massachusetts. Now in his 20th year in Burlington and serving as principal since 2012, Mark shares the work that he is most proud of: transforming the student experience by refining the vision of what it means to be a Burlington graduate.

Recognizing that students need more than traditional coursework to prepare for life after high school, Mark and his team developed a comprehensive system of career pathways, internships, industry experiences, and dual-enrollment opportunities that help students explore their interests while gaining valuable real-world skills.

What makes this story especially powerful is that it wasn't built overnight. Mark walks listeners through the intentional process his team followed, from visiting schools already doing the work, to identifying lessons learned, developing a local vision, securing state accreditation, pursuing grants, and building partnerships with higher education institutions and industry leaders.

One of the most refreshing aspects of this conversation is Mark's willingness to share both successes and challenges. He encourages school leaders interested in developing pathways and internship programs to reach out, learn from one another, and recognize that meaningful innovation is built through collaboration.

Whether you're a principal, superintendent, counselor, or teacher leader, this episode provides a practical roadmap for creating career-connected learning experiences that prepare students for success beyond graduation.

🎧 If you enjoyed this episode:

Because the greatest resource in education has always been... EACH OTHER!

Mark Sullivan Email - [email protected]

X - @bhsprincipal

Tony's Instagram - @TonyCattaniProudPrincipal

Martin Geoghegan is the proud principal of the Henri A. Yelle Elementary School in Norton, Massachusetts. He is going into his ninth year of being an elementary school principal after being a middle school principal for 11 years and a high school assistant principal for three. Prior to his move into administration, he was a high school English teacher. Marty is currently the president of the Massachusetts School Administrators Association and has been on the Board of Directors for MSAA for close to 10 years. He is the former president of MASCD and a board member there for over 10 years. He has presented locally, statewide, as well as at national conferences on leadership, school culture, and utilizing social media for building community engagement. He lives on the South Shore of Massachusetts with his wife and has two grown boys who have graduated from college.

What does it take to create a school where students don't just attend—but actually run through the doors each morning?

In this episode of the Proud Principals Podcast, Tony Cattani sits down with veteran Massachusetts principal Marty Geoghegan, principal of Henri A. Yelle Elementary School, to discuss the intentional leadership practices that have shaped his remarkable 23-year career as a principal spanning elementary, middle, and high school.

With 9 years as an elementary principal, 11 years in middle school, and 3 years at the high school level, Marty shares the leadership philosophy that has remained constant throughout every grade level: relationships first, culture always.

Marty believes every student should be excited to come to school—so much so that they run into the building. That vision doesn't happen by accident. It is the product of thousands of intentional interactions, visible leadership, and celebrating the everyday moments that make schools special.

Marty reminds us that the most effective principals don't simply manage schools—they intentionally create environments where students feel valued, teachers feel supported, and families feel connected.

Whether you're an aspiring administrator or a veteran school leader, this episode is filled with practical strategies you can begin implementing immediately to strengthen your own school culture.

🎧 Listen now and discover how intentional leadership can transform the everyday experiences that make students excited to walk through your school's doors.

Marty's Instagram - @hayschoolnorton

Email - [email protected]

Instagram - @TonyCattaniProudPrincipal

Jamie Selfridge

Jamie Selfridge is the principal of Caribou High School in Caribou, ME. She has led the development of a robust Extended Learning Opportunities program that connects students with real-world experiences through local partnerships. This work has significantly enhanced student engagement and achievement, particularly in a rural setting. An active member and former facilitator of the NASSP Rural School Leaders Network, she contributes to national efforts focused on student-centered leadership and school improvement. In her eight years as an administrator, she thrives on collaboration. She advocates for equity and innovation in rural education and continues to lead with the belief that every student deserves access to high-quality learning experiences that begin with a strong and positive school culture.

What makes students excited to walk through the front doors of school each morning?

For Jamie Selfridge, the answer isn't found in a single program—it's found in the intentional experiences that shape how students and staff feel every day.

In this episode of the Proud Principals Podcast, Tony Cattani welcomes Jamie Selfridge, the 2025 Maine Principal of the Year, who leads a school of approximately 450 students in grades 8–12. Jamie shares how her leadership philosophy centers on creating a school culture that is unmistakably welcoming, kind, and filled with purpose.

From the moment students arrive each morning to the celebrations that recognize their growth, every interaction is designed to let students know they belong.

Jamie reminds us that culture isn't created through grand gestures—it's built through countless intentional moments that make school feel different.

Jamie's leadership demonstrates that the strongest school cultures are built intentionally, one greeting, one celebration, one relationship, and one shared experience at a time. Her passion for creating a place where both students and staff genuinely want to be is contagious and offers practical ideas that every school leader can begin implementing immediately.

🎧 If you enjoyed this episode:

Because the best schools don't happen by accident—they're built by people who care deeply about every student, every day.

The greatest resource in education has always been... Each Other!

@TonyCattaniProudPrincipal

What happens when a school commits to creating systems where every student, every teacher, and every leader is expected to keep growing?

In this episode of the Proud Principals Podcast, Tony Cattani welcomes Dr. Carmen Maring, Principal of Gull Lake Middle School in Richland, Michigan. Serving approximately 750 students in grades 6–8, Dr. Maring has built a culture centered on one unwavering belief:

"Growth is not an option."

Throughout this inspiring conversation, Carmen shares how intentional systems—not isolated initiatives—have transformed her school into a place where continuous improvement is simply part of the culture.

From hiring exceptional educators to investing in meaningful professional learning, she explains how every decision is made with one goal in mind: growing learners while developing leaders.

🎧 If you enjoyed this episode:

Because the greatest resource in every school has always been... EACH OTHER!

Gull Lake Middle School

Carmen Maring has led Gull Lake Middle School for ten years, building on her previous experience as a dean, a school counselor, and an assistant principal. During her tenure, many of her most successful initiatives for instructional and school improvement have been so effective that they have quickly been adopted at the district or county level. For example, after successful implementation at the building level, Maring’s instructional coaching program and approach to instructional rounds have both been replicated, going on to elevate teaching practices beyond Gull Lake. Maring has also taken an innovative approach to school achievement that is now the norm in her district. Rather than attempt to reach three or four school improvement goals at once, Gull Lake Community Schools now identify one top-line goal that all school stakeholders work toward. Recently, Maring guided her staff in identifying literacy as a top priority, setting the goal for all students to “read, write, and speak with purpose,” which took center stage in dialogue and data analysis across all professional development activities, ultimately leading to increased achievement over three years. The school has also become an exemplar of STEM education under her leadership, with all students gaining hands-on learning experiences before graduation. Maring holds a B.A. from Hope College, an M.A. from Western Michigan University, and an Ed.D. from Michigan State University. 

Scott Jung is the Superintendent of New England Public School District in North Dakota. 

What does it take to restore the pride of a school district with a rich tradition while building a culture where teachers want to stay and students thrive?

In this episode of the Proud Principals Podcast, Tony Cattani sits down with Scott Jung, Superintendent of New England Public Schools in North Dakota. Now in his third year as superintendent after serving 11 years as a principal, Scott shares how he has intentionally worked to bring back the pride and prestige that made his hometown schools special when he was a student there.

Rather than chasing quick fixes, Scott focused on something more sustainable: people and culture.

By engaging staff in a meaningful school improvement process, the district developed a shared mission, vision, beliefs, and pillars of character that now serve as the foundation for every decision. His leadership philosophy is simple yet powerful, invest in teachers through meaningful professional development, remove unnecessary distractions, and trust great educators to do what they do best: teach.

Scott's story is a reminder that transformational leadership isn't about doing more—it's about doing what matters most, consistently.

Email : [email protected]