
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
29 episodes
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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52:47

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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41:53

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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38:38

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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25:15

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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41:43

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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35:22

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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1:00:41

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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30:05

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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33:23

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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26:13

Episode 18: Transforming School Leaders: Insights from Angela Kelly's Leadership Journey!
What happens when a single conversation can redefine your entire career path? Angela Kelly, a dedicated educator and leadership coach, shares her inspiring journey from a brief stint in studying finance to discovering her true calling in educat...
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Episode 18
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1:00:20

Episode 17: Coach'EM Up Leadership Series: Data-Driven Decision Making, it's not Glamorous but Necessary!
Unlock the secrets of harnessing data to revolutionize educational leadership! Discover how effective data-driven decision-making can transform student attendance and uplift teacher performance, all while fostering a supportive school culture. ...
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Episode 17
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22:54

Episode 16: Coach'EM Up Leadership Series: Managing Conflicts and Difficult Conversations!
Unlock the secrets to effective conflict resolution and transform your leadership skills with insights from Principal JL in the latest episode of the Coach"Em Up Leadership Series. Discover how mastering the art of difficult conversations can m...
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Episode 16
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27:54

Episode 15: Coach'EM Up Leadership Series: Motivating and Inspiring your Staff!
Discover the essentials of motivating and inspiring educators in our latest Coach"EM Up leadership series episode. What if unlocking the true potential of your teaching staff could be achieved through authenticity and vulnerability? We promise ...
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Episode 15
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25:08

Episode 14: From the Classroom to Princfluencer: The Principal Mo Story!
Can social media actually transform the way school principals connect with their communities? Join us as we uncover the remarkable journey of Principal Mo, a trailblazer in educational leadership, who is redefining what it means to be a school ...
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Episode 14
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49:49

Episode 13: Coach'EM Up Leadership Series: Leading by Example!
Unlock the keys to transformative leadership in education and learn how leading by example can inspire change and growth within your school community. Imagine turning challenges into pivotal learning moments that strengthen resilience and innov...
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Episode 13
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24:27

Episode 12: Coach'EM Up Leadership Series: The Art of Communication in Educational Leadership
Could mastering the art of communication and feedback revolutionize your role as an educational leader? This episode promises to equip you with essential strategies to enhance your communication skills through active listening and constructive ...
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Episode 12
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28:32

Episode 11: Coach'EM Up Leadership Series: Building Relationships and Trust!
Building strong relationships and trust are crucial for effective educational leadership. We explore actionable strategies such as active listening, empathy, collaboration, and having fun in the workplace to create an environment that empowers ...
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Episode 11
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23:54

Episode 10: Coach'EM Up Leadership Series: Establishing a Vision and Setting Expectations!
Unlock the secrets to effective educational leadership as we explore the dynamic role of school leaders who, much like skilled coaches, inspire their teams through collaboration and empathy. Discover how to establish a shared vision, set clear ...
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Episode 10
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40:16

Episode 9: Coach'EM Up Leadership Series: Bridging Coaching and Educational Leadership
Discover the intriguing connections between coaching and educational leadership as we navigate a journey that began on the football field and led to the halls of education. Inspired by a transformative conversation with my wife's grandfather an...
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Episode 9
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36:49

Leading Your School Like a Championship Coach with the Coach EM Up Leadership Series!
Unlock the secrets to transforming your school into a powerhouse of innovation and growth by mastering the art of educational leadership. Imagine leading with the passion and precision of a championship-winning coach—this trailer is your introd...
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3:36

Episode 8: Reducing Chronic Absenteeism in Schools!
Unlock transformative strategies to tackle chronic absenteeism in schools, particularly within socioeconomically challenged communities. Inspired by a successful attendance policy from other schools and infused with our own insights and experie...
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Episode 8
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24:49

Episode 7: Leading Change in Your School!
Ever wondered how collaborative efforts can truly transform a school environment? In this episode, I share invaluable strategies from my own journey as both a rural and larger school principal. Discover how forming a diverse school improvement ...
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Episode 7
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17:04

Episode 6: The Gamification of Public Education!
This episode discusses the Gamification of Public Education. Principal JL will "play" into this topic by discussing how public education has evolved into gamification and will provide practical solutions that the Federal and State governments h...
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Episode 6
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22:04

Episode 5: Hiring Educators in 2023
In this episode, we ask ourselves, where have all the educators gone? Well, they may be closer than you think. We dive into what it is like to hire new teachers and what it takes to be competitive! There are great teachers out there you will ha...
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Episode 5
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25:27
