What does sustainable school leadership actually look like, especially when you’re turning around a school?

In this episode, I’m joined by Amanda Spight, a National Distinguished Principal, for a real conversation about what it takes to lead meaningful change without carrying everything on your back.

Amanda shares her leadership journey, the systems she put in place to stabilize culture and discipline, and the mindset shifts that helped her move from survival mode to sustainability. This conversation is honest, practical, and deeply affirming for principals who are doing hard work in real schools.

We talk about what most people don’t see…the ordinary, daily decisions that quietly create extraordinary leadership.

One of the most powerful lines from Amanda:

“You don’t have to be mean to mean business.”

That statement alone reframes so much of what school leaders have been taught. Strong leadership doesn’t require hardness, intimidation, or constant pressure. It requires clarity, consistency, and the courage to lead with both high expectations and humanity.

Extraordinary leadership doesn’t always show up in big moments.
It lives in the ordinary ones.

If this episode hit home for you:

💡 Leave a quick review—it helps more leaders find this space
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Let’s keep working together to create schools of excellence—one principal at a time.

What happens when your leadership journey doesn’t follow the “traditional” path and yet prepares you for everything you were called to do?

In this episode, I sit down with Principal Jennelle Burden, a visionary school leader whose story reminds us that leadership is rarely linear… but always purposeful.

Jennelle shares how her nontraditional path, from banking to higher ed to K–12 shaped the way she leads today. Instead of waiting for a title, she started leading from where she was, and every step revealed more of her calling to build people and build systems.

Inside this conversation, Jennelle opens up about the weight of leadership, what it means to step into a new school and shift culture with intention, and the moment she realized that resetting a system isn’t failure — it’s refinement. 

She breaks down:

One of the most powerful lines from Jennelle: 

“Culture is not vibes; culture is what we repeatedly do.”

And this episode shows exactly how she lives that out.

If you’re leading change, navigating resistance, or rebuilding anything this year, this episode will speak directly to you.

📢 Share it with a colleague who could use fresh strategies
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Let’s keep working together to create schools of excellence—one principal at a time.

Every leader has a turning point, that moment when something finally clicks.

For Dr. Kimberly, that moment came when she realized she didn’t need to prove herself by performing; she needed to lead by being clear about who she already was.

Before stepping into her role as assistant principal, she faced her share of closed doors and quiet doubts. But instead of giving up, she decided to get clear. Clear about her value, her voice, and her vision as a leader.

In this episode, Dr. Kimberly shares what that transformation looked like — and how clarity became the key that unlocked everything else.

We talk about:

Why authenticity will open more doors than performance ever could

How systems and boundaries build trust (yes, even with your bus drivers)

The difference between perfection and progress

What it really means to lead with both heart and high expectations

This episode isn’t about titles or timelines. It’s about transformation. It’s about what happens when a woman in leadership decides to stop waiting for someone to validate her and starts walking in clarity.

✨ Ready to experience your own leadership breakthrough?
Join Dr. Kimberly and other women in school leadership at TLC Live 2026 — the conference designed to help you lead with clarity, confidence, and sustainability.
Mark your calendar and grab your seat at TLC Live 2026: Best in Class – Taking Flight .

The next level of your leadership starts with clarity.

I want to tell you a quick story.
Earlier this month, I walked into the Goldman Sachs headquarters in New York City—nervous, excited, and still wrapping my mind around the fact that I was selected as one of just 300 women across the country for their One Million Black Women: Black in Business program.
Days later, I received my JP Morgan Chase Coaching for Impact credential.
Now, listen… I don’t share this to impress you. I share it to show you something.
These two honors? They’re not just big wins for my business. They’re a mirror. A reflection of what I ask my clients to do every single day.
I tell principals to slow down and sharpen their leadership lens—and I do the same.
I encourage women leaders to invest in their own growth—so I invest in mine.
I challenge folks to stretch beyond their comfort zones—and I’ve been doing that in rooms I once thought were out of reach.
This episode is me practicing what I preach. It’s about alignment. Integrity. And walking the same path I coach others to walk—because I believe coaching shouldn’t come from a script, it should come from experience.
I’m sharing what these milestones mean, how they’re already shaping the way I serve leaders, and why the ripple effect of your growth as a leader matters more than ever.
This isn’t about theory. This is transformation in real time.
So hit play—and then ask yourself the same question I’ve been sitting with:
What’s your next leadership stretch?
Because we’re building schools of excellence—one leader at a time. And it starts with you.

💡 Leave a quick review—it helps more leaders find this space
📢 Share it with a colleague who could use fresh strategies
🎧 Hit subscribe so you don’t miss what’s coming next
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Let’s keep working together to create schools of excellence—one principal at a time.

If your teachers are sending students out of the classroom constantly, calling for admin backup, and feeling like they can’t manage behaviors on their own, it's not just your school. Right now, student behavior issues are at an all-time high, and it’s taking a toll on both instruction and school culture.

The problem? Many teachers don’t know the difference between what they should handle and what truly requires admin intervention. And without clear expectations and support, they default to what feels easiest—removing students. But here’s the reality: every time a student is sent out, valuable learning time is lost.

In this episode, I’m sharing how to empower and equip your teachers to handle classroom behaviors with confidence. Here’s what we’re covering:

✅ Clarity: How to help teachers understand the difference between teacher-managed behaviors vs. admin-level issues
✅ Confidence: A simple T-chart activity to reset expectations and create alignment across your staff
✅ Competence: How to introduce a tiered response system so teachers know exactly how to handle different levels of behavior
✅ Consistency: Why using common language and strategies across classrooms is essential for schoolwide success
✅ Collaboration: The one question you need to ask your teachers to ensure they feel truly supported

This isn’t just about reducing office referrals—it’s about building a school culture where teachers feel capable and students get the support they need. Let’s make it happen!  

If you’re a high-performing woman in school leadership, I’ve got something designed just for you. The Leadership Collective Live is happening June 27-29, 2025, in Orlando, FL, and it’s NOT your typical conference. You’ll step away from the constant demands of leadership and finally get time to reset, recharge, and refine your leadership strategy—with real support, not just inspiration. 🔗 Click the link below for all the details and to grab your spot: www.principalpatterson.com/tlc/live

💡 Leave a quick review—it helps more leaders find this space
📢 Share it with a colleague who could use fresh strategies
🎧 Hit subscribe so you don’t miss what’s coming next
📲 Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for more leadership tips

Let’s keep working together to create schools of excellence—one principal at a time.

As a school leader, you’ve probably felt that “Us vs. Them” tension between admin and teachers. It’s frustrating, right? You’re pulling in one direction, but your team feels like they’re pulling in another. Here’s the truth: that disconnect almost always comes down to trust. In this episode, I’m breaking down how to rebuild that trust and start working as one team again. I’m sharing four areas that can help close that gap and get everyone on the same page:

I’ll also walk you through ways to shift the mindset from “Us vs. Them” to “We’re in this together.” Because let’s face it, no one wins when the team feels divided.   Heads up! I’ve got something special coming up: The Leadership Collective Live is finally happening! This is your chance to step away from the constant pressure and distractions and spend two days in Orlando, Florida (June 27-29, 2025) resetting, recharging, and refining your leadership. If you’re a high-achieving woman in school leadership who’s ready for real strategies (without all the conference fluff), this was made for you.

🔗 Click the link below for all the details and to grab your spot: https://www.principalpatterson.com/tlc/live  

If this episode hit home for you:

Let’s keep working together to create schools of excellence—one principal at a time.

Hey there, leaders!
In this episode of The Principal Patterson Podcast, I’m diving into one of the biggest challenges in school leadership—navigating change when your team is resistant. I’ve been there. I know what it’s like to introduce something new, only to be met with hesitation, skepticism, or even outright pushback.

I’m sharing a personal story from my first year as a principal when I rolled out a new instructional coaching model and quickly realized that change—even when it’s for the better—is never easy. That experience taught me that leading through change isn’t just about having a great plan; it’s about understanding the psychology behind how people process change.

In This Episode, We’ll Cover:
✅ The three psychological phases of change: emotional reaction, cognitive shift, and commitment point—and how to support your team through each.
✅ The four types of resistance you’ll encounter (silent resistors, legacy keepers, overwhelmed skeptics, and willing vocal opponents) and strategies for working with each group.
✅ How to acknowledge concerns without losing momentum and frame change in a way that builds trust and buy-in.
✅ Why providing psychological safety is a game-changer in getting your team on board with new initiatives.

Change doesn’t have to feel like an uphill battle. When you understand what’s really happening beneath the surface, you can lead with confidence, clarity, and compassion.

Join Me for a Live Training on February 20!
If this episode resonated with you, I want to invite you to my live virtual workshop on February 20: "Leading Through Change: How to Transform Your School Without Sacrificing Your Sanity." This 2 hour session will dive even deeper into the key shifts school leaders must make to successfully implement change in 2025.

📅 Date: February 20, 2025 (National Leadership Day)
🕖 Time: 7 PM EST
💡 What You’ll Get: Actionable strategies, a downloadable workbook, and a live Q&A with me!

💻 Secure your spot today! https://www.principalpatterson.com/leading-through-change

Listen now and let’s lead change with confidence!

As we dive into the second half of the school year, let’s talk about how you can create the synergy needed to sustain culture shifts and reclaim your time as a school leader.

5 Key Leadership Skills for School Leaders:
Strategic Thinking – Plan your time and priorities to steer your school toward success.
Identifying & Developing Talent – Empower teacher leaders to lighten your workload and foster collaboration.
Leading Change – Cultivate buy-in and embrace collaboration for smoother transitions.
Decision-Making – Use data and feedback to make clear, confident decisions.
Influencing Others – Build trust and inspire your team to believe in the school’s mission and vision.

Big Takeaways:

Free Training Alert
Ready to make this second semester your best yet? Download my FREE training: The Second Semester Reset, where I’ll share the top three strategies for starting the semester strong.
👉 Visit principalpatterson.com/reset to grab your training now.

If this episode resonates, please rate, review, and share it with a fellow leader. Together, we’re transforming schools, one principal at a time.

Let’s Connect!
Follow me on:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/principalpatterson/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/principalpatterson1
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chanaviapatterson/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@principalpatterson

After working with dozens of successful principals, I’ve noticed a powerful shift in how they approach leadership. They’re not just working differently—they’re thinking differently. This shift is the foundation of what I call the Sustainable Leadership Cycle, and it’s helping them lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

If you’re ready to move beyond survival mode and embrace sustainable leadership, join me on December 5th at 7 PM ET for The Second Semester Reset, a free masterclass designed to help you thrive.

Register now at www.principalpatterson.com/reset

How often do you find yourself saying, “I’m just trying to make it work”? For so many school leaders, this means juggling crises, meeting district demands, supporting struggling staff, and constantly putting yourself last. But here’s the truth: making it work comes at a cost you can’t afford to keep paying.

In this bonus episode, I’m breaking down why it’s time to stop surviving and start resetting. I’ll share why resetting your standards, reclaiming your excellence, rebuilding your team, and rebooting the balance between work and life are essential for sustainable leadership.

Join me on December 5th at 7 PM ET for my free masterclass, The Second Semester Reset, where we’ll dive deeper into these strategies and give you the tools to thrive in the second half of the school year. Register now at www.principalpatterson.com/reset