The Rock Star Principals' Podcast

Here's a special excerpt from Rick and Nick's Excellent EdVenture Episode 28's Every Rose has Its Thorn segment focusing on Breakfast Cereals. Nick teases the penultimate College Tier Ranking system based on cereal selections. But first, the guys discuss the best and worst things about breakfast cereal. Both guys agree that chocolate based cereals which provide leftover chocolate milk are roses. Rick reflects on one of his favorite discontinued brands – Nut’N Honey. Nick then takes the stand to deliver what can best be described as "The Great Breakfast Cereal Address of 2023" as Nick unveils a detailed review of the complex college ranking system based on cereal availability. Tune in to find out if your current college, university or Alma Mater are Tier 1, Tier 2, or find themselves in a breakfast cereal desert, also known as - Tier 3.  

While you patiently wait for new episodes of the Rock Star Principals Podcast, please enjoy another special preview of Rick and Nick's Excellent EdVenture. Episode 9 features talk about the Search Institute's Developmental Assets, Letting Go to Move Forward, Favorite Jedi, and much much more.

Please subscribe and listen to this excellent new FREE educational podcast for teachers, parents, school counselors, coaches, weekend warriors, and more where ever you enjoy podcasts:

Rick and Nick's Excellent EdVenture Apple Podcasts 

Rick and Nick's Excellent EdVenture Spotify

Rick and Nick's Excellent EdVenture Stitcher

While you're waiting for the Rock Star Principals to return to the airwaves with new content, Dr. Nick invites you to "pass the time" listening to one of his other educational podcasts titled, "Rick and Nick's Excellent EdVenture."

Today we provide a full episode of the Excellent EdVenture. The description is below. We encourage you to subscribe and support this great show for principals, counselors, teachers, coaches, parents, and anyone who likes edu-awesome podcasts.

Subscribe on Spotify at: Rick and Nick's Excellent EdVenture on Spotify

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts at: Rick and Nick's Excellent EdVenture on Apple Podcasts

The Excellent EdVenture Episode 4:

This episode kicks off with the guys catching up what they've been up to of late. Rick talks a little about his recent Fall Break family trip to Pensacola Beach and Toby's aversion to jellyfish. Middle School Principal - Dr. Nick - shares about how a simple conversation turned into a movie-making competition with one of his students and production of "The Cornman.". Rick then reads his blog from this past week "Helping the Butterfly" which prompts the guys to discuss the dangers of advice-giving and the benefits of allowing others to learn from natural consequences.

In the "Building the Brochure" segment, Dr. Nick and Dr. Rick continue their investigation into Search Institute's research on the 40 Developmental Assets. For this first week, they share experiences and reactions to the assets three and four - "Other Adult Relationships" and a "Caring Neighborhood". Nick points out how important it is for kids to have support from multiple caring adults and Rick considers an expanded definition for "neighbors' to include a school community.

The Every Rose has Its Thorn segment revolves around Fall/Autumn this week. The beauty of the leaves changing and hiking in the cool weather are a few of the rosier aspects of the season. On the thornier side, the guys discuss Seasonal Affective Disorder and Rick's disconnect from football.

The guys dig back into the mailbag in the last segment to respond to more fan questions. Dr. Rick starts by going back to a question from last week's episode to share some additional information on finding qualified counselors. Nick then shares some brilliant advice for Heather from TX, an elementary school teacher who is having an incredibly difficult year. Things end on a lighter note as the guys respond to another listener about their pre-workout routines and the challenges of keeping in shape in their mid-forties.

Episode 140 of "The Rock Star Principals' Podcast" is brought to you by Lexia Learning.

Lots of hectic excitement and zany energy along with the usual dose of Edu-Awesomeness this week with RSP as the boys record while Nick is driving and Jon is in his office using a phone recording app:

• The 11 P's of Rock Star Principal Leadership: Pragmatism
• Movie Plug: "Nobody" starring Bob Odenkirk
• Upcoming Series Introduction: "Lasso's Leadership Lessons"
  • Inspired by the hit Apple TV Series, "Ted Lasso"

The Rock Star Principals are back and once again brought to you by Lexia Learning! In this week's episode, Jon and Nick bring you two awesome segments discussing:

• Leadership Lessons from "Yellowstone"
  • Kevin Costner's Leadership Quotes
    • "You can't teach toughness. You're either born a willow or you're born an oak."
    • "There's once constant in life: you build something worth having; someone's gonna try and take it."
    • "I have this new rule. I only carry my cell phone in places where there's no service."
• The 11 P's of Rock Star Leadership
  • The Pledge of Responsibility
    • "This is the business we've chosen."
      • Godfather II
    • Doug Reeves' 90-90-90 Research
      • Teachers and Leaders who take full responsibility for all outcomes and results achieve more.

Don't forget to catch the Rock Star Principals at the ASCD Empowered Principal Symposium this Wednesday, April 21st, 2021 for an awesome afternoon of Professional Development, which will then be available on-demand until June 21st. Also, a big "thank you" to our producer and instructional technologist, Mike Indeglio, for creating a dynamic presentation for our session. 

The Rock Star Principals, Jon and Nick, are thrilled to be back on the airwaves! Episode 138 is sponsored by Lexia Learning (lexialearning.com) and "brings it" with three awesome segments:

• "Getting Up to Speed"
  • The boys talk about the incredibly unique 2020-2021 school year, challenges, opportunities for success, and the uncharted future ahead.
• A Word from Our Sponsor: Lexia Learning
• The Pennsylvania Principal's Association
  • Jon "addresses the nation" about some awesome new initiatives with the PA Principals Association including the new website, monthly school spotlights on YouTube, semi-monthly President Vlogs, and more! 
• Commercial: Godzilla vs. Kong
• Article Review: "A Fuller Picture of What a 'Good School Is" from Edutopia.org
  • The boys' say "I told ya so" as research from Chicago supports the importance of relationships and SEL over standardized test scores in long-term success of students.

The Rock Star Principals, Jon and Nick, interview the NASSP Principal of the Year, Richard Gordon, who is from the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Richard is the principal of Paul Robeson High School in Philadelphia. 

You don't want to miss this 43 minute conversation where Richard demonstrates his passion, dedication, and determination to see every one of his students succeed. He shares emotional examples of students overcoming their circumstances and finding their place in the world.

The three Nationally recognized educational leaders also discuss the characteristics that make an effective principal and, of course, chat about superheroes as well. 

Information about Richard Gordon from NASSP:

Richard Gordon became principal of Paul Robeson High School in 2013 when it was on the brink of shutting down. Determined to turn the school around, he found the root of Robeson’s toxicity—staff and stakeholders questioned the ability of their students, while students felt academically, emotionally, and physically unsafe. He faced this unsettling discord head-on by creating four core values: 1) positive, nurturing, and healthy relationships; 2) growth mindset; 3) college and career readiness; and 4) belief. These rebuilt the foundation of Robeson’s daily practice, allowing both teachers and students to embody an all-inclusive family atmosphere.

Between the implementation of the core values—plus the Safe Corridors Program that provided extra supervision for students traveling to and from school and more than 30 community partnerships—Robeson’s stats changed from worrisome to remarkable. Truancy rates lowered to near 10 percent, graduation rates averaged 95 percent, school suspension rates fell below 5 percent, and student safety and well-being were no longer in question.

Gordon’s focus goes beyond the student population—he also values the adults in his learning community. His leadership style empowers teachers and staff to use their voice to strengthen the vitality of his city. He mentors through the PhillyPlus Principal Residency Program, a two-year, practice-based principal certification program that prepares teachers and aspiring school leaders to transform schools into high-performing learning environments. His teachers are frequently selected by state and district officials to provide professional development to other teachers and administrators across the southeastern Pennsylvania region.

While every principal faced the challenges brought on by COVID-19 this year, Gordon’s out-of-the-box thinking, focus on equity, and flexible leadership prepared Robeson to weather the storm. Throughout the adjustment to remote learning, Gordon kept his staff and learning community focused on quick transitions via Google Classroom, face-to-face connections and confidence using digital platforms, and meaningful assignments to drive student engagement. He made sure that Robeson is still providing online preventative therapy for students with mental health concerns.

The Rock Stars discuss "toxic positivity" and drop some educational leadership wisdom along the way. Mike Indeglio visits to lend his perspective to the topic as well. This is a timely topic just in time for Election Day!

Elementary school students returned to their buildings in the Downingtown Area School District for the first time in 226 days. Jon and Nick were on hand with Melanie Susi to help with the big day. The three of them discuss some big picture observations from that big first day.

1. We frequently discuss the unique challenges faced by elementary principals. While secondary principals usually have an assistant principal to rely on and confide in, elementary principals are alone on an island. How has that challenge affected you and how have you overcome it?
2. You are each in the first two years of your tenure. What has been the biggest change going from assistant principal to head principal?
3. The Rock Star Principals originally brought each of you on as an assistant principal/leader. In sports terms, you are part of their “Coaching Tree.“ Which of the "11 Ps" do you believe is most important and why? Which of the "11 Ps" do you have to further develop as part of your skill set?
4. The entire planet is dealing with a global pandemic which is unlike any other experience in the history of education. We all know the challenges this has wrought, but what do you will be the biggest benefits at the conclusion of this pandemic?