Are you struggling to balance the many initiatives and responsibilities of school leadership? In this insightful conversation, leadership coach and former educator Darrin Peppard discusses essential organizational systems for school principals. Drawing from his 26 years of experience in education, Peppard shares strategies across three key areas:

Teacher Support and Development:

• Emphasizes the importance of gaining clarity around leadership vision
• Advocates for understanding where teachers are in their journey
• Recommends the "Start, Stop, Continue, Consider" protocol for gathering feedback

School Culture and Climate:

• Shares his transformation from a discipline-focused to relationship-centered approach
• Highlights the importance of being visible and present in the school
• Discusses implementing recognition systems to reinforce positive behavior

Leadership Operations and Reflection:

• Details practical systems for classroom walkthroughs and communication (911/411 system)
• Emphasizes the importance of protecting leadership time
• Introduces the concept of "balcony level leadership" for regular reflection

Throughout the discussion, Peppard emphasizes that successful school leadership requires clear systems, delegation, and regular reflection. He particularly stresses the value of getting clarity on vision and expectations, being visible in the school, and taking time to reflect on leadership priorities. The conversation concludes with both hosts advocating for the importance of leadership coaching in educational administration.

Connect with Darrin HERE

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Check out Barb's Instagram @BarbFlowersCoaching HERE for more tips and strategies!

Sign up HERE for a FREE Consultation and learn more about how I can help you with one-on-one coaching.

Tired of second-guessing your decisions as a principal? Download my free course! Access it here.

Click HERE to get a Free Checklist for Disconnecting from School

How can schools move beyond crisis response to prevention in mental health? In this episode, Dr. Hayley Watson, a clinical psychologist from Open Parachute, discusses comprehensive approaches to mental health education in schools. She emphasizes the importance of preventative mental health skills and making these resources accessible to entire school communities. 

Key points include:

• The value of having teachers, rather than just counselors, deliver mental health lessons to ensure better carryover and create a shared language across the school
• Practical advice for school leaders on implementing mental health initiatives, including starting slow, getting teacher buy-in, and developing long-term (5-10 year) plans
• The importance of whole-school approaches that include all staff members, from teachers to playground monitors
• Strategies for supporting both student and teacher mental health, including the crucial role of leadership in modeling healthy boundaries and self-care
• Tips for measuring program effectiveness by focusing on skill development rather than emotional states
• The necessity of viewing mental health education as a long-term investment, even when immediate results aren't visible

Dr. Watson emphasizes that while schools can't control all stressors students face, they can equip them with the tools needed to navigate challenges effectively. She encourages educators to "overprepare" students with mental health skills rather than hoping problems won't arise, comparing it to teaching driving skills before putting someone behind the wheel.

Click HERE to learn more about Open Parachute.

Click HERE to find Dr. Hayley Watson on Linkedin. 

Connect with Barb on Linkedin HERE.

Check out Barb's Instagram @BarbFlowersCoaching HERE for more tips and strategies!

Sign up HERE for a FREE Consultation and learn more about how I can help you with one-on-one coaching.

Tired of second-guessing your decisions as a principal? Download my free course! Access it here.

Click HERE to get a Free Checklist for Disconnecting from School

Are you a school principal feeling overwhelmed by unmet goals and initiatives as you head into the second semester? In this insightful episode of "The Principal's Handbook," we discuss why January is the perfect time for a leadership reset.

In this episode we:

• Break down different areas to reflect on as you go into the second half of the year
• Discuss why mid-year is the ideal time for adjustment as there's still time to implement changes
• share signs of burnout to watch for and address them proactively
• Celebrate wins and avoid self-judgment when adjusting goals
• Consider gathering feedback through surveys from staff, parents, and students

The episode emphasizes the importance of reflection without self-judgment and encourages principals to maintain the same supportive attitude toward themselves that they show their staff.

Connect with Barb on Linkedin HERE.

Check out Barb's Instagram @BarbFlowersCoaching HERE for more tips and strategies!

Sign up HERE for a FREE Consultation and learn more about how I can help you with one-on-one coaching.

Tired of second-guessing your decisions as a principal? Download my free course! Access it here.

Click HERE to get a Free Guide for Setting Boundaries

Do you struggle with confidence in your leadership? In this episode features Stephanie DuGuid, an experienced educational leader with over 30 years in K-12 and post-secondary education, discussing the nuances of confident leadership. 

In this episode we discuss some important issues related to confidence as a leader:

• Confidence vs. Competence
• Building Leadership Confidence
• Creating Psychological Safety
• Managing Vulnerability

The conversation emphasizes the importance of selfless leadership, consistent behavior, and building genuine relationships while maintaining professional boundaries. Stephanie shares practical strategies for developing confidence and creating a supportive environment for staff and students.

Learn more about Dr. Stephanie DuGuid HERE.

Connect with Barb on Linkedin HERE.

Check out Barb's Instagram @BarbFlowersCoaching HERE for more tips and strategies!

Sign up HERE for a FREE Consultation and learn more about how I can help you with one-on-one coaching.

Tired of second-guessing your decisions as a principal? Download my free course! Access it here.

Click HERE to get a Free Checklist for Disconnecting from School

This episode explores how school leaders can transform their school culture through optimistic leadership. In this episode we discuss the "TEA Cycle" concept - demonstrating how thoughts create emotions, which drive actions - and illustrates its impact on interactions with teachers and parents. 

The episode covers practical strategies for maintaining positivity, including:

• Implementing staff recognition systems
• Using the "3-3-3" reflection method (3 gratitudes, 3 daily wins, 3 future wins)
• Maintaining work-life balance for stress management
• Reframing challenging situations as growth opportunities

The discussion emphasizes how a principal's mindset creates a ripple effect throughout the school community, influencing staff morale, teacher retention, student experience, and parent engagement. Drawing from experience in school leadership and life coaching, the episode provides actionable advice for school leaders looking to cultivate a more positive school environment.

Episode #49: Time Mindset Matters: Abundance vs. Scarcity Thinking for Principals

Episode #59: Flourishing as an Educator: Balancing Leadership and Self-Care with Will Parker

Connect with Barb on Linkedin HERE.

Check out Barb's Instagram @BarbFlowersCoaching HERE for more tips and strategies!

Sign up HERE for a FREE Consultation and learn more about how I can help you with one-on-one coaching.

Tired of second-guessing your decisions as a principal? Download my free course! Access it here.

Click HERE to get a Free Checklist for Disconnecting from School

In this episode of The Principal's Handbook,  Dr. Nick Davies (2024 Washington Assistant Principal of the Year) who shares strategies for maintaining wellbeing while serving as a school leader. Dr. Davies emphasizes two key areas for preventing burnout: maximizing work effectiveness through clear systems and priorities, and disconnecting from work to maintain personal wellness.

He introduces a powerful alignment exercise that helps leaders connect their core values, goals, and passions, while also stressing the importance of mindfulness practices and basic health fundamentals like sleep, exercise, and healthy eating. The episode concludes with a discussion about how principals who model good work-life balance can positively impact their entire school community, particularly in retaining teachers and creating a healthier work environment.

Connect with Nick on Linkedin HERE. 

Connect with Barb on Linkedin HERE.

Check out Barb's Instagram @BarbFlowersCoaching HERE for more tips and strategies!

Sign up HERE for a FREE Consultation and learn more about how I can help you with one-on-one coaching.

Tired of second-guessing your decisions as a principal? Download my free course! Access it here.

Click HERE to get a Free Checklist for Disconnecting from School

Do you spend enough time thinking about your own health and well-being? In this episode guest, Bonnie Finnerty joins us and shares how she transformed her stress-induced health crisis into a mission to help school leaders balance their work and well-being.

In this eye-opening podcast, Finnerty shares practical strategies for administrators to improve their health, productivity, and school culture, including the game-changing "End of Day Routine" and tips for better sleep.

Learn why prioritizing administrator wellness isn't just personal—it's a powerful tool for transforming entire school communities. Whether you're an aspiring, new, or veteran school leader, this podcast offers invaluable insights to help you thrive in your challenging role while maintaining your health and happiness.

The Principal Health Coach

Connect with Barb on Linkedin HERE.

Check out Barb's Instagram @BarbFlowersCoaching HERE for more tips and strategies!

Sign up HERE for a FREE Consultation and learn more about how I can help you with one-on-one coaching.

Tired of second-guessing your decisions as a principal? Download my free course! Access it here.

Click HERE to get a Free Checklist for Disconnecting from School

In this episode, we dive into the world of Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) and Parent Teacher Organizations (PTOs) with guest Christina Hidek, founder of PTO Answers. Christina shares her extensive experience as a PTO leader and professional organizer, offering valuable insights on how to strengthen the collaboration between schools and parent groups.

Listeners will learn:

• The differences between PTAs and PTOs
• Strategies for increasing parent engagement
• How principals can effectively support these organizations. 

The episode covers various topics including sustainable fundraising, adapting parent involvement from elementary to high school, and leveraging PTOs for improved school communication.

This episode provides practical advice and innovative ideas to enhance the PTA/PTO experience and create a more vibrant school community.

PTO Family Engagement Opportunity Assessment Freebie Click HERE

Family Engagement Made Simple Click HERE

Connect with Barb on Linkedin HERE.

Check out Barb's instagram @BarbFlowersCoaching HERE for more tips and strategies!

Sign up HERE for a FREE Consultation

Tired of second-guessing your decisions as a principal? Download a free course! Access it here.

Click HERE to get a Free Guide for Setting Boundaries

Dealing with ongoing stress and overwhelm in your role as a school leader? In this episode, we dive deep into the world of principal burnout. You'll learn:

• What burnout really is and its root causes
• My personal journey through burnout and how I overcame it
• Practical strategies to prevent and overcome burnout in your leadership role

Whether you're on the brink of burnout or looking to build your resilience, this episode offers valuable insights for every principal.

Other podcast episodes that may be helpful:
Episode 17: How to Support Teachers from Burnout with Danielle Nuhfer
Episode 32: Triage Your School: Creating Systems to Reduce Teacher Burnout with Chris Jenson
Episode 35: How You Can Create an Emotionally Regulated School with Molly Funk

Connect with Barb on Linkedin HERE.

Check out Barb's Instagram @BarbFlowersCoaching HERE for more tips and strategies!

Sign up HERE for a FREE Consultation and learn more about how I can help you with one-on-one coaching.

Tired of second-guessing your decisions as a principal? Download my free course! Access it here.

Click HERE to get a Free Guide for Setting Boundaries

Do you often struggle with criticizing yourself? As a principal, your leadership decisions can weigh heavily on your mind. You may find yourself critiquing how you handled situations and ruminating on them long after the school day ends. In this must-listen episode for educational leaders, I delve into:

• Three common ways we judge ourselves in high-stakes environments
• The surprising effects of self-judgment on your leadership effectiveness
• Three powerful strategies to stop judging yourself and boost your confidence as a school leader

Discover how to transform self-criticism into self-improvement and create a more positive school culture – starting with yourself.

Click HERE to get my Free Guide for Setting Boundaries

Check out my instagram @BarbFlowersCoaching HERE for more tips and strategies!

Sign up HERE for a FREE Consultation and learn more about how I can help you with one-on-one coaching.

Tired of second-guessing your decisions as a principal? Download my free course! Access it here.