Stepping into the assistant principal role comes with an unexpected challenge — your identity. One day you’re building relationships as a teacher, and the next, you’re the one making tough calls, holding boundaries, and navigating shifting perceptions from staff and students.

In this episode of The Assistant Principal Workshop, we unpack the identity shift that every AP experiences but few talk about. You’ll learn the three common traps that can derail your leadership, how to rebuild your identity with intention, and how to lead with clarity without losing your heart.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I the bad guy now?” — this episode is for you.

What does it really mean to be an assistant principal?

In this first episode of Assistant Principal Workshop, Mark Pages shares his journey from music teacher to assistant principal at 29 and explains why mentorship matters in school leadership. Leading from the middle can feel isolating — you’re no longer in the classroom, but you’re not the principal either.

This episode introduces the purpose of the podcast and explores the first leadership principle from The Leadership Challenge: Model the Way. Mark shares practical insights on conflict management, building morale, and how assistant principals can lead with clarity, professionalism, and relational strength.

If you’re a current or aspiring assistant principal looking for real-world leadership strategies for the school building, this podcast is for you.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why assistant principals need leadership mentorship

• How modeling behavior builds trust and culture

• A practical approach to handling staff conflict

• What to expect from future episodes

Subscribe and join the workshop.