Educational Leadership with Principal JL
Principal JL is an educational leader who explores various topics facing educational leaders today! The Mission of this podcast is to inform and inspire other Educational Leaders on how to be their best for their Schools by honing their skills and talents so they may impact their teachers, staff members, students, parents/guardians, and community members positively for their School District! Come with a Growth Mindset as we journey through Educational Leadership!
Episodes
44 episodes
Episode 43:The Cardinal Way: Building School Culture with Bill Curry: 2025 Nebraska Middle School Principal of the Year
Ever wonder what makes a truly exceptional school leader? Bill Curry, recently named Nebraska's 2025 Middle School Principal of the Year, offers a refreshing perspective that might surprise you.Curry's journey into education began unexp...
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Episode 43
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57:59
Episode 42: Seen, Heard, Valued: The Leadership Journey of Jayme Braida, Iowa’s 2025 Elementary Principal of the Year
What if the most powerful leadership quality isn't perfection, but authentic vulnerability? Jayme Braida, Iowa's Elementary Principal of the Year and National Distinguished Principal, demonstrates how embracing imperfection revolutionized her a...
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Episode 42
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41:07
Episode 41: Creating Bull Elephants with 2025 Nebraska High School Principal of the Year: Jerry Mack
When a rural Nebraska principal discovered a behavioral problem with freshmen students, he turned to an unlikely source of inspiration: African bull elephants. Jerry Mack, the 2025 Nebraska State High School Principal of the Year, shares how th...
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Episode 41
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1:14:54
Episode 40: From School Psychologist to Assistant Principal: Erin Jones’s Leadership Journey
What does it take to truly connect with students who struggle? For Erin Jones, Assistant Principal at Sunrise Middle School, the answer lies in her own past. "I wasn't your picture-perfect student," she reveals, explaining how her personal chal...
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Episode 40
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40:25
Episode 39: Out of the Trenches: Dr. Dana Goodier's Leadership Journey!
What happens when a Norwegian tour guide discovers her passion for educational leadership? In this revealing conversation, Dr. Dana Goodier shares her remarkable 25-year journey through the educational landscape, from teaching world languages t...
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Episode 39
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42:04
Episode 38: Be Curious, Not Judgmental: Climbing the Next Mountain in School Leadership!
That moment when you've built a solid foundation, but find yourself staring at the ceiling wondering, "What's next?" This summer, after three years of transformative work as building principal at Hastings High, I hit that wall. We'...
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Episode 38
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34:24
Episode 37: The Street Cred Principal: Josh Tovar’s No-Excuses Approach to School Leadership!
What does it take to transform a struggling school? Josh Tovar knows firsthand. Born in Juarez, Mexico, and growing up with learning disabilities and family challenges, Josh's journey from troubled teen to transformational principal offers powe...
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Episode 37
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1:15:33
Episode 36: Leading with Clarity: Casey Watts’ Educational Leadership Journey!
What happens when talented, dedicated educators feel stuck despite their best efforts? According to Casey Watts, the answer isn't about working harder—it's about seeing clearer.After two decades in education as a teacher, coach, and dis...
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Episode 36
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52:36
Episode 35: The Blueprint: Todd Bloomer’s Educational Leadership Journey on Balancing Family, Leadership, and School Culture!
What makes a school leader decide to step away when they still love what they do? Former high school principal Todd Bloomer opens up about his nearly three-decade journey through education and the wisdom he gained along the way.Todd's s...
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Episode 35
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40:35
Episode 34:Transitioning from Teacher to Administrator: Josh Rowan's Insights as a First-Year Assistant Principal
Have you ever wondered what happens when a teacher steps into the administrator's office for the first time? Josh Rowan, Assistant Principal and Activities Director at Schuyler Middle School, pulls back the curtain on his journey from broadcast...
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Episode 34
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52:33
Episode 33: Get Organized: Dr. Frank Buck’s Journey and Blueprint for Productive Educational Leadership!
What separates exceptional educational leaders from the merely competent? According to Dr. Frank Buck, it might be as simple and as challenging as reliable organization systems. His journey from band director to productivity expert reveals a cr...
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Episode 33
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55:49
Episode 32: Emotional Schools: Leroy Slanzi's Leadership Journey on Building Student Resilience Through Emotional Intelligence!
Imagine walking into a school where a principal tells a fart joke, and within seconds, students take deep breaths and self-regulate back to attention. Sound impossible? For Leroy Slanzi, this is everyday reality in schools that have embraced hi...
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Episode 32
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50:13
Episode 31: The Road to Awesome: Dr. Darrin Peppard's Journey on Purposeful Leadership, Culture, and What Truly Matters!
Dr. Darrin Peppard's educational leadership journey began when his college roommate asked for help coaching fifth-grade basketball. That simple moment sparked a passion that would guide him from classroom teacher to award-winning principal, sup...
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Episode 31
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58:11
Episode 30: When Tragedy Strikes: A Principal's Guide to Navigating Student Death and School-Wide Grief
Death is something no school leader wants to face, yet crisis management becomes an unavoidable reality when tragedy strikes. Drawing from the painful experience of navigating four student deaths in just three years, this deeply personal episod...
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Episode 30
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23:01
Episode 29: The Principal’s Journey with Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket: Leading with Joy, Purpose, and Balance!
Ever wonder what transforms a passionate educator into an exceptional leader? Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket's journey from kindergarten teacher to Blue Ribbon School principal offers powerful insights for anyone navigating educational leadership.
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Episode 29
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32:03
Episode 28: Navigating School Leadership: Identity, Culture, and Lessons from Dr. Cynthia Rapaido
From reluctant administrator to award-winning principal, Dr. Cynthia Rapaido's remarkable 30-year journey through educational leadership offers powerful insights for anyone considering school administration. What began as an academic exercise t...
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Episode 28
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52:17
Episode 27: Leadership Found Me: My Journey from Classroom Teacher to Building Principal!
Becoming a principal wasn't on my radar when I was happily teaching math and coaching sports. Someone else spotted my leadership potential before I did—a pivotal moment that set me on an unexpected path to school administration.My journ...
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Episode 27
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34:40
Episode 26: Leading with Purpose — Dr. Josh Wilken’s Journey from Classroom to Central Office!
From a small-town graduate with a class of 32 students to leading innovative educational programs across multiple school districts, Dr. Josh Wilken's journey reveals how diverse experiences shape exceptional educational leaders.Dr. Wilk...
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Episode 26
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38:13
Episode 25: From Stranger to Team Captain — A First-Year Principal’s Culture-Building Playbook!
What happens when a school truly embraces "we're all on the same team" as more than just a catchy phrase? The transformation can be remarkable.At Hastings High School, my journey as principal began with a fundamental belief that everyon...
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Episode 25
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24:44
Episode 24: Hiring & Retaining Teachers in 2025: Strategies for a Shortage Era!
The teacher shortage crisis demands innovative solutions from today's educational leaders. Principal JL dives deep into practical strategies for attracting and retaining quality educators in an increasingly competitive landscape. D...
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Episode 24
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41:12
Episode 23: Leading the Transformation: Coach Tony Kimble's Educational Journey
Coach Tony Kimble's remarkable journey from the football field to educational innovation stands as a powerful testament to how leadership skills transcend specific domains. What began as a young math teacher's desire to coach football evolved i...
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Episode 23
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34:56
Episode 22: Collaborative Response: Insights from Kurtis Hewson on Transforming Schools Through Teamwork!
Kurtis Hewson's journey from classroom teacher to international education consultant reveals a startling truth about our schools: the isolation educators experience despite being surrounded by colleagues. As co-founder of Jigsaw Learning and co...
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Episode 22
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1:00:09
Episode 21: "Lead from Where You Are" – Insights from Dr. Joe Sanfelippo's Leadership Journey!
Join us for an enlightening conversation with Dr. Joe Sanfelippo, a retired school superintendent whose experiences and insights are transforming the educational landscape. In this episode, we explore his journey from classroom to leadership, e...
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Episode 21
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29:39
Episode 20: Coach'EM Up Leadership Series Finale: Leading for the Long Haul: Strategies for Sustainable Leadership
Are you struggling to maintain your passion in a leadership role? Join us as we explore the secrets to sustaining your leadership journey while avoiding burnout. This episode dives into practical strategies for setting healthy boundaries, ensur...
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Episode 20
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32:57
Episode 19: Coach'EM Up Leadership Series: Building a Culture of Continuous Improvement!
This episode explores the journey from good to great in education by fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Key topics include adopting a growth mindset, the value of professional development, recognition of staff, effective communicati...
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Episode 19
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25:42