Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast with William D. Parker

A Quick Note to Listeners: Before each week’s interview, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to answer a listener question. This week’s question is: What do I do when I become aware of conversations in the teacher’s lounge – about my lack of support, for example – that filter their way back to my office? Listen in to hear their response! Meet Tony Bornhorst: A veteran educator, coach, and athletic administrator with over three decades of hands-on experience, Tony Bornhorst has dedicated his career to shaping high school athletic and academic communities across multiple distinct school districts. After earning his undergraduate degree from Ohio Wesleyan University and his Master’s degree from Miami University, Tony spent seven years teaching and coaching at Riverside-Brookfield High School in Illinois, followed by five years at Jackson High School in Ohio, before settling in Dublin Ohio as a teacher, coach, and assistant athletic director for the past 21 years. Over the course of his career, he has coached a wide array of sports—including basketball, cross country, football, and tennis—and has channeled that extensive sideline wisdom into his essential guide, Thinking About Coaching High School? Read This First. Using basketball as a medium, his book pulls back the curtain on the profession to offer prospective coaches a realistic, story-driven glimpse into the daily responsibilities and complex dynamics of education today. Lessons from Coaching High School: In this episode of Principal Matters Podcast, Jen Schwanke sits down with Tony Bornhorst to discuss his what lead him to write his book. He reflects on how coaching serves as a perfect microcosm of school administration, emphasizing that both roles require immense dedication, endless communication, and the courage to navigate difficult conversations. Whether managing playing-time complaints from parents or supporting a struggling program, Tony explains how setting boundaries with empathy builds foundational trust. He challenges school administrators to prioritize hiring coaches who are also full-time teachers in the building, noting the immeasurable impact a coach has when they are accessible to students throughout the instructional day. A Few Takeaways from the Episode: The Power of Parallel Leadership: Coaching and school administration are fundamentally parallel; a leader is only as good as their team, and maintaining the dignity of your staff or players is paramount. The Six Ps: Success in both the classroom and on the court relies on a core philosophy: proper, preparation, prevents, pathetically, poor, performance. Building-Based Coaching: Whenever possible, principals should hire coaches who also teach in the building. Having an educator-coach present during the school day allows for proactive mentoring and seamless support for student-athletes. Deflecting Blame, Sharing Credit: Exceptional leaders own the losses to protect their team from outside scrutiny, but step aside to give others full credit when celebrating a victory. The Impact of Affirmation: Small gestures from upper administration—like a supportive arm around the shoulder after a tough situation or an unannounced note of praise—can completely revitalize an educator’s morale. Defining Long-Term Success: The true reward of leadership is not found in the final score or a win-loss record, but in the lifelong relationships built with every student, parent, and player, long after they leave the school. Tony wraps up the episode with a powerful reminder for all school leaders, teachers, and coaches to find value in their daily grind and remember the profound weight of their purpose. For school leaders looking to support their athletic staff or looking for an impactful gift for their coaches, Tony’s book is a highly practical, story-driven resource. You can purchase your copy of Thinking About Coaching High School? Read This First on Amazon. Contact information:  If you would like to contact Tony, you can email him at [email protected]. The post PMP522: Lessons from Coaching High School with Tony Bornhorst appeared first on Principal Matters.

A few weeks ago, Jen Schwanke and I talked about the term “proflection”. Proflection is a term, coined by Jen, that combines reflection and proactivity. It means reflecting on past experiences in order to make changes to future practices. This week, Jen and I spend some time proflecting about work we have done recently. Jen shares some lessons that she presented at a conference in Louisiana, where she talked about the history of public education and the challenges that school leaders face in today’s educational landscape. I proflect on some lessons that I have been learning in my work in leadership and coaching sessions.  A theme that emerged during our time spent proflecting is that a lot of US school leaders are dealing with the same issues, no matter where they live. The solution to their problems are going to be different depending on the person and the setting in which they serve, but it can be helpful for school leaders to remember that they are not the only person dealing with their problems. As we wrap up the episode, we challenge listeners to spend time proflecting on whatever challenges they are facing this school year. Don’t miss the opportunity to grow from whatever you are experiencing today! Listen to our full conversation for some more great takeaways! And, as always, thank you for doing what matters! The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Let’s Proflect Together appeared first on Principal Matters.

A Quick Note to Listeners: Before this week’s interview Jen Schwanke and I take some time to answer a listener question. This week’s question is: I’m a Secondary leader now tasked with coaching and supporting Elementary leaders. What advice do you have for me when I’m sometimes out of my comfort zone with their unique challenges? Listen in to hear our response! Meet Darren Melton: This week on Principal Matters Podcast, I sit down for a conversation with Darren Melton. Darren serves as Head of School at Lincoln Christian School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he has led since 2023. A veteran educator, coach, and administrator with more than 30 years of experience, Darren is known for his relational leadership style, commitment to Christ-centered education, and practical wisdom in building healthy school culture.  Prior to returning to Lincoln Christian, he served as Executive Director of Athletics for Broken Arrow Public Schools. Earlier in his career, he spent 17 years at Lincoln Christian as Head Football Coach and Athletic Director, leading the football program to a 142–38 record.  Darren has also coached at Jenks Public Schools and Owasso Public Schools and has served on the board of directors for the OSSAA. He is passionate about leadership development, strong parent partnerships, and creating school environments built on trust, accountability, and care for students. Hiring People Who Truly Care About Kids: We begin by discussing one of Darren’s core beliefs about hiring and team development: “We don’t hire people who take things out on children.” Darren explains how difficult it can be to evaluate emotional maturity and relational health during the hiring process, but emphasizes the importance of surrounding students with people who genuinely love kids and want to build relationships with them. He reflects on the joy of seeing former students become strong leaders, parents, and educators themselves—and why character matters just as much as competency in school leadership. Filling the Gap with Trust, Not Suspicion: One of the central themes of the episode comes from a phrase Darren often uses: “Fill the gap with trust, not suspicion.” Darren shares how leadership teams can easily fall into unhealthy assumptions when communication is incomplete, but healthy organizations choose trust first. He explains how strong leadership cultures are built when teams feel safe enough to disagree, wrestle with hard conversations, and still walk away united around what is best for students and families. The conversation highlights the importance of humility, healthy conflict, and assuming positive intent. Building Parent Partnerships Before Conflict Happens: We also explore how school leaders can strengthen partnerships with parents before problems arise. Darren explains why schools must proactively communicate expectations “upstream” rather than waiting until conflict surfaces. From admissions conversations to parent meetings and athletic programs, he shares how clarity and consistency help families better navigate challenges when they come. Darren emphasizes that conflict is inevitable in schools, but trust and preparation can make those conversations healthier and more productive. “Kids Are the Managers of Information”: Another powerful part of the conversation centers on Darren’s statement that “kids are the managers of information.” He discusses how students naturally tell stories from their own perspective, and why parents and schools must work together carefully to pursue truth instead of reacting emotionally to incomplete information. Darren explains that discipline should ultimately be about restoration, growth, and helping students fail forward while still knowing they are loved and supported by the adults around them. Getting Upstream from Problems: We also discuss the importance of getting “as far upstream as possible” from problems. Darren shares practical examples from coaching, athletics, and school leadership about why leaders must clearly define expectations early and often. Whether it’s teaching procedures, communicating standards to parents, or preparing students for responsibility, he explains how intentional systems prevent unnecessary confusion and conflict later. Leadership, he argues, is often about managing small details with consistency and care. Leading with Humility and Support: As the episode closes, Darren reflects on the importance of surrounding yourself with great people and building cultures where staff members know their leaders genuinely have their backs. He speaks candidly about leadership challenges, reviewing systems honestly, learning from mistakes, and continuing to grow alongside trusted teams. Throughout the conversation, Darren models a leadership style grounded in humility, courage, accountability, and deep care for people. Now It’s Your Turn: As you reflect on this conversation, consider these questions for your own leadership: Where might you be filling gaps with suspicion instead of trust? Have you clearly defined expectations for your staff, students, and families “upstream” before conflict occurs? Do your team members genuinely know that you have their backs? How are you building a culture where healthy conflict and honest conversations can happen safely? In what ways could you better communicate care and support before addressing problems or performance? Thank you for doing what matters as you lead with practical wisdom and powerful reminders about trust-based leadership and healthy school culture! You can learn more about Lincoln Christian School at their website. Connect with Darren Melton via email at: [email protected]. The post Fill the Gap with Trust with Darren Melton – PMP521 appeared first on Principal Matters.

What happens when what you get isn’t what you wanted? This week on Monday Matters, Jen Schwanke shares a story from her newsletter, “The Dog I Wanted,” about losing a beloved dog and learning to love a new one who was nothing like what she expected. Jen and Will connect the story to a reality every school leader knows: the staff you lead, the students you serve, and the challenges you face won’t always match what you hoped or planned for. Listen in as they discuss how principals and teachers can let go of expectations, adjust to the people and circumstances in front of them, and lead well when reality looks different from the plan.

A Quick Note to Listeners: Before this week’s interview, Jen Schwanke and I take some time to answer a listener question. This week’s question is: What practical ways can I increase visibility even when I get trapped in my office so often? Listen in to hear our answer! Meet Patrick Erwin: Patrick M. Erwin is an educator, speaker, and leadership development specialist currently serving as Curriculum Director for Maxwell Leadership Foundation. With a background that blends music education, leadership, and school culture development, Patrick spent 17 years as the band director at Hillgrove High School, where he became known for building strong student leadership systems and positive team culture.  He holds degrees from the University of Georgia, Auburn University, and Berry College. Patrick is the author of the new book I Love This Place, which explores how intentional leadership development can transform school culture. A nationally recognized presenter and leadership coach, Patrick continues to encourage educators through speaking, curriculum design, and practical strategies that help schools become places where both students and staff thrive. Amplifying School Culture Through Leadership: Patrick and I begin our conversation by exploring one of the central metaphors in Patrick’s new book, I Love This Place: the idea of constructive and destructive interference in music. Patrick explains how school teams either amplify one another or unintentionally cancel each other out depending on how aligned they are around vision, values, and expected behaviors. Just as musical harmony requires people playing together with intention, healthy school culture requires leaders who clearly communicate purpose and create alignment across teams. Leadership, Patrick argues, becomes more influential when others catch the vision and begin amplifying it alongside you. The Leadership Framework of HUSTLE: Patrick also shares the story behind the acronym HUSTLE, a leadership framework he developed while leading a large high school band program. Originally a reminder to move quickly and stay focused, HUSTLE eventually evolved into a practical leadership model centered on key character traits: humility, understanding, scholarship, trustworthiness, leadership attitude, and excellence. Patrick explains how those values became the foundation for developing student leaders who could influence culture, support one another, and help sustain a thriving organization far beyond what two directors alone could accomplish. Humility vs. Humiliation: One of the most powerful parts of the conversation centers on Patrick’s distinction between humility and humiliation. He explains that both words share the same root idea of being “grounded,” but humility is choosing to ground yourself honestly, while humiliation happens when the world grounds you instead. Patrick shares transparent stories from his early years as a teacher, including difficult moments where ego and pride created blind spots in his leadership. Those experiences ultimately helped him recognize that leadership is not about protecting personal reputation or legacy, but about serving others, learning continuously, and staying open to growth. Why Diversity Strengthens Teams: We also dive into Patrick’s reflections on diversity, inclusion, and team composition. Drawing from both research and his own classroom experience, he explains why diverse teams naturally create friction—but also produce stronger decisions, better creativity, and healthier outcomes over time. Patrick describes looking across his classroom and recognizing the incredible variety of personalities, experiences, and backgrounds represented within a single group of students. Rather than trying to erase differences, he argues that leaders must learn how to celebrate them, understand them, and help teams find common purpose while allowing different strengths to shine. Creating Rituals That Build Belonging: Patrick shares several practical strategies for building school culture, including one especially powerful ritual involving nuts, bolts, and paracord necklaces. At the end of each marching band season, students exchanged nuts and bolts with peers who had “helped them hold it together” throughout the year. The simple physical artifact became a lasting symbol of teamwork, support, and shared accomplishment. Patrick explains how attaching meaningful objects to emotional moments can help students remember that they belong to something bigger than themselves and that strong cultures are built through intentional connection and recognition. Building Places People Love: As the episode closes, Patrick reminds listeners that culture change takes time, often several years, but leadership development remains one of the most powerful drivers of long-term transformation. When schools intentionally invest in helping both adults and students grow as leaders, cultures become places where people feel connected, valued, and proud to belong. Eventually, students begin leaving campus and telling others, “I love this place.” And according to Patrick, that is when true culture change begins spreading into the broader community. Now It’s Your Turn: As you reflect on this conversation, consider these questions for your own leadership: Are your teams amplifying one another or unintentionally canceling one another out? How clearly have you communicated vision, values, and expectations within your organization? Are you choosing humility, or waiting for humiliation to teach the lesson instead? How are you helping diverse voices and strengths shine within your team? What rituals or traditions could help your students and staff feel more connected and valued? Where might you need to give someone permission to lead instead of trying to control every outcome? Learn more about I Love This Place and connect with Patrick at Patrick Erwin’s Website The post I Love This Place with Patrick Erwin – PMP520 appeared first on Principal Matters.