The School Leader's Podcast

By Dr. Gastrid HarriganEducation

The School Leader's Podcast episodes

December 30, 202333. Focus: Tips to Eliminate Distractions
In this episode, I discuss Focus: Tips to Eliminate Distractions. I will share three tips to reduce or eliminate distractions and focus on what you want more this year. For many leaders, the problem isn’t a lack of time. The problem is a lack of focus. As you listen, pay close attention to how to refocus on what matters most.
Distractions come in all shapes and sizes, so let’s look at how to overcome distractions in three steps.
Clearly define your wins

Minimize the distractions

Obsess about the process, not the results
I hope you enjoyed today’s episode. Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a 5-star rating, and comment! Share this episode with a friend and on social media. Join The School Leader’s Podcast on Facebook. Connect with me on Twitter & Instagram at @DrGHarrigan, and Facebook & LinkedIn at Gastrid Harrigan for leadership tips and ideas. Visit the website at www.drgharrigan.com, read the monthly blog, and sign-up for our free newsletter. If you are interested in being featured on the podcast, contact me at [email protected].
15 min
November 11, 202332. Leading with Gratitude
In this episode, I discuss Leading with Gratitude. As you listen, pay close attention to the benefits of living a grateful life and 5 habits that will help you lead with gratitude.
To lead with gratitude, every leader should practice these
5 habits:
Regularly practice giving thanks

Express gratitude regardless of the situation

Keep a gratitude journal

Learn to see how bad experiences can produce good outcomes

Make gratitude a part of your interactions with other people.
I hope you enjoyed today’s episode. Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a 5-star rating, and comment! Share this episode with a friend and on social media. Join The School Leader’s Podcast on Facebook. Connect with me on Twitter & Instagram at @DrGHarrigan, and Facebook & LinkedIn at Gastrid Harrigan for leadership tips and ideas. Visit the website at www.drgharrigan.com, read the monthly blog, and sign-up for our free newsletter. If you are interested in being featured on the podcast, contact me at [email protected].
22 min
October 03, 202331. Leadership Landmines And How to Avoid Them
In this episode, I shared Leadership Landmines and How to Avoid Them. As you listen, pay close attention to each leadership landmine and strategies to avoid stepping on them.
These are the landmines every school leader should avoid.
Today’s Success

Failure to Adapt

Losing trust

Being Indecisive

Refusing to Delegate
I hope you enjoyed today’s episode. Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a 5-star rating, and comment! Share this episode with a friend and on social media. Join The School Leader’s Podcast on Facebook. Connect with me on Twitter & Instagram at @DrGHarrigan, and Facebook & LinkedIn at Gastrid Harrigan for leadership tips and ideas. Visit the website at www.drgharrigan.com, read the monthly blog, and sign-up for our free newsletter. If you are interested in being featured on the podcast, contact me at [email protected].
16 min
September 17, 202330. 6 Tips for Aspiring School Leaders
In this episode, I shared 6 Tips for Aspiring School Leaders. As you listen, examine yourself and consider these tips and areas for improvement.
As you start on your leadership journey, consider
these tips.
Make Your Intentions Known

Be Good at Your Job

Seek Growth opportunities

Solve a Problem

Have a Growth Mindset

Develop Relational Skills
I hope you enjoyed today’s episode. Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a 5-star rating, and comment! Share this episode with a friend and on social media. Join The School Leader’s Podcast on Facebook. Connect with me on Twitter & Instagram at @DrGHarrigan, and Facebook & LinkedIn at Gastrid Harrigan for leadership tips and ideas. Visit the website at www.drgharrigan.com, read the monthly blog, and sign-up for our free newsletter. If you are interested in being featured on the podcast, contact me at [email protected].
20 min
August 27, 202329. 10 Tips for New Principals
In this episode, I shared 10 Tips for New Principals. If you are a newly appointed principal, Congratulations! I am proud of you. I know you are excited and ready to lead your school to make it a better learning environment for students.
As you start your 1st year as a new principal or a veteran principal in a new building, consider these tips.
Build relationships

Honor the history of your school

Ask lots of questions

Be visible

Make time to visit classrooms

Don’t make major changes

Identify the major players and support them

Keep your Director or Superintendent in the loop

Communicate regularly with your staff, parents, and community

Find a mentor and create a support network
I hope you enjoyed today’s episode. Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a 5-star rating, and comment! Share this episode with a friend and on social media. Join The School Leader’s Podcast on Facebook. Connect with me on Twitter & Instagram at @DrGHarrigan, and Facebook & LinkedIn at Gastrid Harrigan for leadership tips and ideas. Visit the website at www.drgharrigan.com, read the monthly blog, and sign-up for our free newsletter. If you are interested in being featured on the podcast, contact me at [email protected].
19 min
August 07, 202328. 10 Tips for New Assistant Principals
In this episode, I shared 10 Tips for New Assistant Principals. If you are a newly appointed assistant principal, Congratulations! I am proud of you. I know you are excited and ready to work alongside your principal to turn your school around or scale it up to a make it a better learning environment for students.
As you start your 1st year as a new assistant principal or a veteran assistant principal in a new building, consider these tips.
Build relationships

Discover the vision and values of your principal

Know what is expected of you

Listen

Get to know and follow your school and district policies

Make time to visit classrooms

Manage and organize your priorities & work

Find or create a support network

Make time for yourself and family

Give yourself lots of grace
I hope you enjoyed today’s episode. Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a 5-star rating, and comment! Share this episode with a friend and on social media. Join The School Leader’s Podcast on Facebook. Connect with me on Twitter & Instagram at @DrGHarrigan, and Facebook & LinkedIn at Gastrid Harrigan for leadership tips and ideas. Visit the website at www.drgharrigan.com, read the monthly blog, and sign-up for our free newsletter. If you are interested in being featured on the podcast, contact me at [email protected].
17 min
July 09, 202327. How to Increase Your Influence
In this episode, I shared How to Increase Your Influence. These tips will help you increase your influence in every direction—up, down,
and across your organization.
You must be able to influence or manage up, down, and across our organization if you are going to increase your influence and effectiveness. These tips are:
Understand your organization

Develop a solid reputation

Cultivate trust

Promote others

Build networks

Create opportunities for growth
I hope you enjoyed today’s episode. Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a 5-star rating, and comment! Share this episode with a friend and on social media. Join The School Leader’s Podcast on Facebook. Connect with me on Twitter & Instagram at @DrGHarrigan, and Facebook & LinkedIn at Gastrid Harrigan for leadership tips and ideas. Visit the website at ww.drgharrigan.com, read the monthly blog, and sign-up for our free newsletter. If you are interested in being featured on the podcast, contact me at [email protected].
19 min
June 19, 202326. Self-Care Tips for Educators
In this episode, I shared Self-Care Tips for Educators. These self-care tips are intended as reminders for educators, school leaders, and principals as they enter the summer months and throughout the new school year to refill and rejuvenate.
As you enter the summer and throughout the new school year, consider or ponder on these 3 self-care tips. They are:
Slow down and be present

Disconnect

Write down what you are grateful for
I hope you enjoyed today’s episode. Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a 5-star rating, and comment! Share this episode with a friend and on social media. Join the School Leader’s Podcast on Facebook. Connect with me on Twitter & Instagram at @DrGHarrigan, and Facebook & LinkedIn at Gastrid Harrigan for leadership tips and ideas. Visit the website at www.drgharrigan.com, read the monthly blog, and sign-up for our free newsletter. If you are interested in being featured on the podcast, contact me at [email protected].
20 min
June 05, 202325. Creating a System of Support for Hard-to-Reach Students with Dr. Joseph Williams III
In this episode, I interview Dr. Joseph Williams III. As an experienced educator, Dr. Joseph Williams III recognizes that an excellent and equitable education is the key to a world of opportunities for all children. He grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Strong teachers, quality educational programs, and a supportive mother changed the trajectory of his life, which is why he has dedicated his life to ensuring that a student’s race, identity, gender, economic status, or zip code does not determine their life outcomes. Dr. Williams is committed to investing in and working with students, teachers,
leaders, and the community to deliver a world-class educational experience for children.
Dr. Williams started his K12 career as a special education teacher in Florida. He currently serves as a high school principal in Seattle, WA, where he is leading a school turnaround and improved outcomes for all students. Dr. Williams holds a Master’s degree in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University, an MBA degree from William Howard Taft University, and an Ed.D. in educational administration from California Coast University. He also has an executive certificate in Social Justice Leadership from Texas A&M University.
Dr. Williams enjoys spending time with his family, morning workouts, sports, and publishing a weekly newsletter on LinkedIn titled Elevating K12 Education.
Listen in to the entire conversation for lessons and tips to create a system of support for hard to reach students:
Create a system of support

Set high expectations

Elevate rigor

Increase family engagement

Establish a restorative justice culture

Be excellent in the small stuff

Network

Be willing to invest in yourself

Be remarkable
Connect with Dr. Joseph Williams III:
LinkedIn: Dr. Joseph Williams III
YouTube: My K12 Career Show
Newsletter: Elevating K12 Education!
I hope you enjoyed today’s episode. Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a 5-star rating, and comment! Share this episode with a friend and on social
media. Join the School Leader’s Podcast on Facebook. Connect with me on Twitter & Instagram at @DrGHarrigan, and Facebook & LinkedIn at Gastrid Harrigan for leadership tips and ideas. Visit the website and sign-up for our free newsletter. If you are interested in being featured on the podcast, contact me at [email protected].
49 min
May 15, 202324. Improving School Mental Health with Charle Peck
In this episode, I interview Charle Peck. She is the co-creator of Thriving School Community, a revolutionary program designed for schools to improve mental health. With over 20 years of education and mental health leadership experience, she has the unique lens of both a certified teacher and a licensed clinical therapist specializing in trauma.

Charle holds an MS in Education and an MS in Social Work. Her role as a high school teacher coupled with her work with children and families in crisis gives her incredible insight into solving youth mental health problems stemming from our schools. She is the co-author of Improving School Mental Health: The Thriving School Community Solution and a global keynote speaker delivering powerful messages of hope to educators.

Listen in to the entire conversation for lessons and tips to improve school mental health:
Understanding generational trauma

Youth mental health trauma

Creating a safety for staff

Circle of control

Listen and support teachers and support staff

Protocol for referring students

Self-care

Rapid reset strategy

Connect with Charle Peck
Twitter: @CharlePeck
LinkedIn: Charle Peck
Website: http://www.ThrivingSchool.org
Email: [email protected]
Book: Improving school Mental Health: The Thriving School Community Solution

I hope you enjoyed today’s episode. Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a 5-star rating, and comment! Share this episode with a friend and on social media. Join the School Leader’s Podcast on Facebook. Connect with me on Twitter & Instagram at @DrGHarrigan, and Facebook & LinkedIn at Gastrid Harrigan for leadership tips and ideas. Visit the website and sign-up for our free newsletter. If you are
interested in being featured on the podcast, contact me at [email protected].
31 min

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The School Leader's Podcast is for current & aspiring principals on a mission to create a school of excellence. On this podcast, we will explore the challenges, strategies & successes of the…

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