Claim OwnershipPrincipal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast with William D. Parker
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William D. Parker reveals his school leadership strategies, insights from other leaders, and practical tips so that you can have the tools to achieve your own goals. A former teacher of the year and Oklahoma assistant principal of the year, he is also an author, blogger, speaker and education consultant. The former Principal of Skiatook High School, near Tulsa, Oklahoma, and past Executive Director for the Oklahoma Association of Secondary School Principals and the Oklahoma Middle Level Education Association, he now leads Principal Matters, LLC, proudly supporting educators with Grow Academies, Masterminds, Executive Coaching, and Keynote Presentations.
Co-host, Dr. Jen Schwanke, is an ASCD author, speaker and Deputy Superintendent of Schools in Dublin, Ohio. A former teacher and principal, she is the author of "You're the Principal, Now What?" and several other helpful books for education leaders. She brings her background in teaching, principal leadership, and district leadership -- as well as her wit and practical tips -- regularly to the show as well as to audiences through in-person PD across the country.
Listen to this podcast to rediscover healthy motivation, resolve conflicts and challenges, maximize your communication, grow your instructional abilities, and learn to streamline responsibilities—all while building positive communities among your team members, students, parents, and patrons.
Co-host, Dr. Jen Schwanke, is an ASCD author, speaker and Deputy Superintendent of Schools in Dublin, Ohio. A former teacher and principal, she is the author of "You're the Principal, Now What?" and several other helpful books for education leaders. She brings her background in teaching, principal leadership, and district leadership -- as well as her wit and practical tips -- regularly to the show as well as to audiences through in-person PD across the country.
Listen to this podcast to rediscover healthy motivation, resolve conflicts and challenges, maximize your communication, grow your instructional abilities, and learn to streamline responsibilities—all while building positive communities among your team members, students, parents, and patrons.
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I am excited re-release this interview with Dr. Tracie Anderson Swilley for the second Friday of Black History Month. With over 12 years of school leadership, Dr. Swilley was the 2025 National Principal of the Year. Currently, she is serving as the Assistant Superintendent at Fairfield Central School District in Winnsboro, South Carolina. To learn […]
The post ENCORE FRIDAY – PMP452: Reaching Every Student with Dr. Tracie Anderson Swilley appeared first on Principal Matters.
A Quick Note to Listeners: Before this week’s interview, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to answer a listener question. This week’s question is: I’m struggling with how to best reach our teachers with clear communication. What systems help with clarity and consistency with staff, without depending on a single communication channel? Listen […]
The post PMP487: Leaning Into Student Leadership with Paul Branagan appeared first on Principal Matters.
Welcome back to another episode of Monday Matters. This week, Will and Jen are discussing a conference Jen recently attended that was dedicated to the topic of AI in schools. Some of what is covered in this conversation include cautions for schools. Schools are currently being sold lots of different AI products, and they need […]
The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Some Thoughts on AI appeared first on Principal Matters.
Happy Friday, Principal Matters Listeners! In honor of Black History Month, I am re-releasing interviews from some exceptional educators that I have had the privilege of interviewing over the years. This week’s encore episode is an interview with Dr. Don Parker. Don is a former teacher and principal who is currently working to support teachers […]
The post ENCORE FRIDAY – PMP362: Be the Driving Force with Dr. Don Parker appeared first on Principal Matters.
A Quick Note to Listeners: Before this week’s interview, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to answer a listener question. This week’s question is: What Self-Reflection Practices work for you? Listen in to hear their response! You can find the link to the self-assessment questions mentioned here. Meet Elizabeth Dampf: Elizabeth Dampf is […]
The post PMP486: The Cost of Happiness for Education Leaders with Elizabeth Dampf appeared first on Principal Matters.
This week on Monday Matters, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to talk about financial wellness for educators. They talk about the importance of making sure that your financial house is in order in the event that a new or different job opportunity comes up. Finances can either be an anchor that is […]
The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Financial Wellness appeared first on Principal Matters.
A Quick Note to Listeners: Before this week’s interview, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to answer a listener question. —- The Question of the Week is supported by Summer Pops Math Workbooks. Principals, when students practice math over the summer, math scores go up. What’s your summer math plan this year? A […]
The post PMP485: Preventing Trauma Before it Happens with Dr. Jan Harrell appeared first on Principal Matters.
This week on Monday Matters, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to talk about the challenges and emotional burdens faced everyday by school leaders. They highlight the importance of self-reflection practices and finding hope in trying times, and emphasize the importance of keeping challenges in perspective. This post was inspired by a blog […]
The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Keeping Challenges in Perspective appeared first on Principal Matters.
A Quick Note to Listeners: Before this week’s interview, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to answer a listener question. —- The Question of the Week is supported by Summer Pops Math Workbooks. Principals, when students practice math over the summer, math scores go up. What’s your summer math plan this year? A […]
The post PMP484: Brain-Body Literacy with Trish Keiller appeared first on Principal Matters.
This week on Monday Matters, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to discuss second semester PD planning. This topic comes from this question: A common “Catch-22” is when the principal feels staff needs a particular PD, but staff says, “Just let me go to my room, close my door, and teach.” How can […]
The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Planning PD appeared first on Principal Matters.
A Quick Note to Listeners: Before this week’s episode, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to answer a listener question. This week’s question is: Why do you think reading non-education books is important? Listen in to hear their response! Meet Maureen Chapman and James Simons: Maureen Chapman and James Simons are co-founders of […]
The post PMP483: Leaders of the Class with Maureen Chapman and James Simons appeared first on Principal Matters.
Welcome back to this week’s episode of Monday Matters where Will Parker and Jen Schwanke are discussing the topic of wellness. Will shares some takeaways from a book he is reading called Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity by Dr. Eric Topol. The book highlights a study with 1400 participants called a ‘well-derly” study. […]
The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Wellness for the New Year appeared first on Principal Matters.
Meet Charles Rizzuto: Charles Rizzuto currently serves as Assistant Principal at Islip High School, following 15 years as a health and physical education teacher at Oyster Bay High School. A nationally recognized speaker, he has presented across the country on high-quality instruction, leadership, school culture, cultural proficiency, and social and emotional wellness. His highly regarded […]
The post PMP482: Empowering Learning Through Physical Education with Charles Rizzuto appeared first on Principal Matters.
Happy New Year! This week on Monday Matters, Jen Schwanke and Will Parker take some time to reflect on the past year through a series of questions. They talk about reaching major milestones, meeting personal and professional goals, overcoming challenges, and learning lessons. Reflecting back is an important step to growing forward. Will challenges listeners […]
The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Reflections and Goal-Setting for the New Year appeared first on Principal Matters.
Note from Will about Guy: Principal Matters listeners are primarily education leaders, so they may be surprised at first that today’s guest is a specialist in marketing and communication. But I’ve been an avid listener of Guy Kawasaki’s podcast and recently read his book Think Remarkable: 9 Paths to Transform Your Life and Make a […]
The post PMP481: Think Remarkable with Guy Kawasaki appeared first on Principal Matters.
John Boyd is the Principal of Ste. Genevieve High School in Missouri, where he leads with a passion for innovation, efficiency, and creating memorable experiences for students and staff. A proud SGHS alum, he returned to teach for seven years, served three years as Assistant Principal, and is now in his fourth year as Principal. […]
The post PMP480: Maximizing Your Systems with John Boyd appeared first on Principal Matters.
Happy holidays, Principal Matters listeners! This week Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to reminisce about the year and share some of holiday traditions that they are looking forward to. Listen in to hear the full conversation, or read the post below to learn more about what we are thankful for this holiday […]
The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – A Year in Review appeared first on Principal Matters.
A Quick Note to Listeners: Before this week’s episode, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to answer a listener question. This week’s question is: What are your practices for writing a book? Listen in to hear their response! Meet Danny Steele: Danny Steele worked for 31 years in education as a principal, assistant […]
The post PMP479: The Instructional Leader in You with Danny Steele appeared first on Principal Matters.
This week on Monday Matters Will Parker and Jen Schwanke share some thoughts on addressing the political landscape that educators face. They discuss how educators, particularly school leaders, are often asked to weigh in on culture war issues. Taking sides on political issues is not what school leaders are paid to do, and in doing […]
The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Not the Place appeared first on Principal Matters.
A Quick Note to Listeners: Before this week’s episode, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to answer a listener question. This week’s question is: How can we build and sustain trust with staff, students, and parents? Listen in to hear their response! Meet Dr. Greg Johnson: Greg Johnson is the high school principal […]
The post PMP478: From Classroom to Crisis and Beyond with Dr. Greg Johnson appeared first on Principal Matters.
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Hey there, I just started listening to your podcast. Thanks for putting this info out there. I am an aspiring leader in education from Australia and wanted to ask; If you could go back to your first appointment as principal, what would you do different?
Also love the tips on having difficult conversations with young people... I'll be using them. Thanks William for bringing Josh to the podcast!
Wow... Great tips! I really love the tip on simulating scenarios before they actually happen. It really reveals a lot, even though it takes great thought to accomplish but guess it'll be very effective.