The NAESP Principal Podcast

Though a title change can quickly take someone from a team member to its leader, the qualities one needs to lead stem from a career long journey of growth, and principals have a special role to play in fostering this leadership at their schools. Texas school leaders Dr. Shelby Calabrese and Dr. Alejandra Perez join us to discuss how better hiring practices and a culture of recognition can help create a robust pipeline to leadership.

Dr. Shelby Calabrese is principal of Harvard Elementary School in Houston, Texas.

Dr. Alejandra Perez is assistant principal of Harvard Elementary School in Houston, Texas.

Danny Bauer is a principal retention development expert, best-selling author, and host of the Better Leader, Better Schools podcast.

School leaders have a huge role to play when it comes to the success of special education in their schools. Principals can shape how IEP meetings are conducted, ensure specialists are getting what they need, and set the tone for the entire school's approach to special education. We sat down with folks from the newly formed Lead IDEA Center to discuss this role, and how school leaders can move from simply meeting obligations to truly committing to improving special education.

Abigail Foley, Ed.D. is director of the Lead IDEA Center at the American Institutes for Research.

David Bateman, Ph.D. is co-principal investigator at the Lead IDEA Center.

Lynn Holdheide, M.S. is co-principal investigator at the Lead IDEA Center.

Andy Jacks, Ed.D. is principal at Ellis Elementary School in Manassas, Virginia, and senior fellow at the NAESP Centers for Advancing Leadership.

As the academic year starts back up, principals have an opportunity to hone in on their school's unique identity. Taking time to truly reflect on the culture and demographics of a school and its community can help leaders set the tone, vision, and direction for their students. Join us today as we discuss strategies that center student voice and agency, and how principals can leverage their school's identity to foster a strong and positive learning environment.

Quennel Cooper, Ed.D. is principal of Prairie View Elementary School in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

Harold McCray, Ed.D. is founding principal of MacArthur High School in Washington, D.C.

Xavier Reed is principal of Central Middle School in Wayzata, Minnesota, and serves as fellow at the NAESP Center for Diversity Leadership.

Dr. Ryan Daniel is principal of Fort Foote Elementary School in Fort Washington, Maryland, and previously also served as fellow at the NAESP Center for Diversity Leadership.

Hiring can be a challenging process for any principal, but getting it right is crucial to the success of your school. Today we discuss why being intentional in our hiring practices is so important. We explore strategies for evaluating needs, fostering inclusivity, and navigating the dual nature of hiring: mourning departures while seizing opportunities to fill vital roles within the team.

Dr. Ryan Daniel is principal of Fort Foote Elementary School in Fort Washington, Maryland, and serves as fellow at the NAESP Center for Diversity Leadership.

Xavier Reed is principal of Central Middle School in Wayzata, Minnesota, and also serves as a fellow at the NAESP Center for Diversity Leadership.

As summer approaches, principals will no doubt be reflecting on their schools' progress, and what it means heading into the school year. And as with any process, equity should be a key area of consideration by school leaders. In this episode, we discuss how personal experiences influence equity approaches, how to establish common definitions, creating supportive systems, and building capacity for equitable leadership within schools and districts.

Dr. Ryan Daniel is principal of Fort Foote Elementary School in Fort Washington, Maryland, and serves as fellow at the NAESP Center for Diversity Leadership.

Xavier Reed is principal of Central Middle School in Wayzata, Minnesota, and also serves as a fellow at the NAESP Center for Diversity Leadership.

Project-based learning (PBL) isn't a new concept, but that doesn't mean there aren't new ways to approach it. South Carolina principal Beth Foster joins us to talk about how her school is innovating it's implementation of PBL, strengthening student literacy, relationships, and more.

Beth Foster is principal of Anderson Mill Elementary in Moore, South Carolina.

Liz Garden is principal of Henry P. Clough Elementary school in Mendon Massachusetts, and serves as fellow at the NAESP Center for Innovative Leadership.

Scott McLeod is professor of educational leadership at the University of Colorado, Denver, and a fellow at the NAESP Center for Innovative Leadership.

In order for students to learn or for teachers to teach, attending to mental health is crucial. What role do principals play in ensuring those needs are met in their schools? Equetta Jones is joined by Cynthia Cardenas and Dr. Jerod Phillips to discuss strategies to help their students, staff, and school community with their mental health needs.

Cynthia Cardenas is principal of Orchard Elementary School in Orem, Utah.

Dr. Jerod Phillips is principal of David E. Robinson Elementary School in Magnolia, Delaware.

Equetta Jones is principal of Love Creek Elementary School in Lewes, Delaware, and serves as fellow at the NAESP Early Career Principal Community of Practice.

Providing a safe and secure environment is one of the most essential obligations for anyone looking after children, and principals have a unique role to play in creating such an environment at their schools. Today Equetta Jones talks school safety with principals Ashley Farrington and Dr. Jessica Grant, sharing their strategies for ensuring students, staff, and families feel safe and secure at their schools.

Ashley Farrington is principal of Birchview Elementary School in Plymouth, Minnesota, and president-elect of the Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association.

Dr. Jessica Grant is dedicated leader of a K-5 school in Prince Georges County Public Schools in Maryland.

Equetta Jones is principal of Love Creek Elementary School in Lewes, Delaware, and serves as fellow at the NAESP Early Career Principal Community of Practice.

A principal's job involves a broad variety of roles, responsibilities, and communities. So it stands to reason that any school leader seeking to improve their practice should seek to grow in multiple ways. Dr. Ryan Daniel and Liz Garden, both of whom work within the NAESP Centers for Advancing Leadership, sit down with host Andy Jacks to discuss how this work has helped themselves and their peers grow.

Dr. Ryan Daniel is principal of Fort Foote Elementary School in Fort Washington, Maryland, and serves as fellow at the NAESP Center for Diversity Leadership.

Liz Garden is principal of Henry P. Clough Elementary school in Mendon Massachusetts, and serves as fellow at the NAESP Center for Innovative Leadership.

Andy Jacks, Ed.D. is principal at The Nokesville School in Nokesville, Virginia, and senior fellow at the NAESP Centers for Advancing Leadership.

Learn more about the NAESP Centers for Advancing Leadership at naesp.org/CAL

Most people intuitively understand kindness, but defining what it means, how it impacts those around us, and how to practice it can be truly revealing. We're joined by Houston Kraft, co-founder of CharacterStrong, and Nikki Sparks, lead of the American Student Council Association (ASCA), to discuss the ways principals, staff, and students specifically can lead with empathy to create a kinder school and community.

Houston Kraft is co-founder of CharacterStrong, an organization providing curriculum and training to help teach leadership, character, and social-emotional skills, and author of Deep Kindness, and Be Kind.

Nikki Sparks is assistant executive director of executive services and recognition programs at NAESP, administering programs such as ASCA, the President's Education Awards, and the National Distinguished Principal® program.

Donna McGuire is assistant principal at The Park Terrace School in New York City, a 2023 NAESP National Outstanding Assistant Principal, and moderates the NAESP Assistant Principal Community of Practice.