On episode 100 of the “De Facto Leaders” podcast, I had the opportunity to interview Dr. Gastrid Harrigan has been an educator for over 19 years as a classroom teacher, Assistant Principal, and currently as Principal in Broward County, Florida. In addition, Dr. Harrigan is a Professor of Education at Broward College and Colorado State University Global. He’s also the host of The School Leaders Podcast, a show focused on helping current and aspiring principals and school leaders navigate their leadership journey. One of the biggest challenges that school clinicians face is effectively collaborating with members of their IEP teams; including those in leadership positions. That’s why I invited Dr. Harrigan on to the show to share the biggest challenges school principals face, how they make decisions, and how you can work alongside them in a way that’s supportive and helpful to you, them, and of course…the students. In this conversation, we talk about ways school clinicians and administrators can support each other so they can get what they both want: Better student outcomes. Specifically, we discuss: ✅The best way to approach your principal with questions, concerns, or suggestions (including what NOT to do). ✅Why you should develop operating procedures for collaborating with others as well as managing your classroom or therapy room. ✅What principals wish their staff knew about their jobs, and ways you can make their lives easier. ✅Tips for getting a response from busy school leaders (and what to do if they don’t answer your email). You can connect with Dr. Gastrid Harrigan on Instagram @drgharrigan and find the School Leaders Podcast on most podcast directories, including Apple and Spotify.  You can also find him on LinkedIN here. In this episode, I mentioned my Executive Functions Implementation guide that shares how school therapists can lead their IEP teams in providing mental health, behavioral, and social skills support for K-12 kids . You can download this free resource here. 

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