Are you working toward becoming a school principal? Don’t wait until you get the title to start preparing—start now. In this episode of The Professional Assistant Principal, I break down the Top 5 Things Aspiring Principals Can Do Today to move closer to their goal.

You’ll learn how to:

✅ Master your current role so you build credibility for the next one

✅ Step into leadership opportunities outside your title

✅ Sharpen the communication and relationship skills every principal needs

✅ Understand the business side of schools—budgets, laws, and discipline systems

✅ Build a powerful network and find mentorship to accelerate your growth These are practical, real-world steps you can take immediately—whether you’re a teacher, instructional coach, or assistant principal—to position yourself as the obvious choice when principal openings arise.

🎧 Tune in now to get the tools and mindset shifts that will put you ahead of the competition. 👉

Download your free Aspiring and Current AP Documents Here: https://www.acceleratedapconsulting.com/downloads

Follow me on Instagram: @rod_the_ap_accelerator

Visit my website: www.acceleratedapconsulting.com to join the free (non-spammy) Newsletter.

In this episode of The Professional Assistant Principal, Rod Earl dives into a recent news story about a school administrator allegedly being intoxicated while on campus—and the leadership lessons every assistant principal can learn from it.

He'll cover:

Story Overview: What happened and why it matters Immediate

Impact: Staff confusion, student safety concerns, and trust erosion Leadership

Accountability: Why integrity and modeling professional behavior are non-negotiable Crisis Response: How assistant principals step in when leadership fails

Policy Knowledge: Knowing district rules and procedures

Preventive Strategies: Self-care, peer accountability, and maintaining professional boundaries

Reflection Questions: Are you modeling excellence daily? How would your school respond to a lapse in leadership?

This episode is packed with practical insights for APs who want to lead with integrity, maintain school safety, and build trust with staff, students, and their community.

📌 Connect with me:

Instagram: rod_the_ap_accelerator

Website: www.acceleratedapconsulting.com

Don’t forget to rate, comment, and subscribe for more actionable leadership tips for aspiring and current assistant principals!

Are you constantly putting out fires as an assistant principal, only to feel like nothing important is getting done? In this episode of The Professional Assistant Principal, Roderick Earl breaks down the Urgent vs. Important Matrix—also known as the Eisenhower Matrix—and shows you how to prioritize tasks that truly move your school forward.

You’ll learn to identify urgent tasks versus important tasks, avoid common pitfalls that trap APs in reactive mode, and implement actionable strategies to reclaim your time. With real-life examples and practical tips, this episode will help you lead strategically, coach effectively, and focus on the initiatives that create lasting impact.

Plus, discover how a small shift in daily planning can completely change your approach to leadership. Tune in and start mastering your time today!

Download your FREE Urgent vs Important Guide https://www.acceleratedapconsulting.com/pl/2148703893

website: www.acceleratedapconsulting.com

Assistant Principal leadership tips for new APs navigating their first 30 days on the job. In this episode of The Professional Assistant Principal, we break down the First 30-Day AP Leadership Roadmap to help new administrators build visibility, credibility, and confidence.

Learn actionable strategies for each phase of your first month: Days 1–10: Learn and listen to your school culture, meet key staff, and conduct a listening tour. Days 11–20: Support and structure your team, take ownership of key systems, and provide targeted feedback. Days 21–30: Lead and align initiatives, use early data to make decisions, and shape your leadership voice.

I also share a personal story from my first days as an AP to illustrate how observation and intentional action can set you up for success. Resources Mentioned: - 30 & 60 Day AP Roadmaps - AP Quarterly

Checklist Visit https://www.acceleratedapconsulting.com to access tools, templates, and coaching designed specifically for assistant principals.

In this episode of The Assistant Principal with Roderick Earl, we dig into one of the toughest parts of the AP role—student discipline. Left unchecked, discipline issues can consume your time, drain your energy, and pull you away from leading instruction. But with the right systems, you can handle discipline efficiently and restore focus to what matters most: teaching and learning.

You’ll learn:

- Why setting clear expectations with students and staff prevents chaos.

- The power of delegation and clear communication with teachers and counselors. 

Whether you’re a new AP or a seasoned leader, this episode will give you the tools to stop discipline from running your day—and start managing it with purpose.

In this first episode of The Assistant Principal with Roderick Earl, I share my journey from nearly 20 years in education to launching a podcast for APs. Learn why I started the show, what fuels my passion for supporting assistant principals, and what you can expect each week. Join a community designed to help you lead with confidence, clarity, and purpose.