Cool Coffee w/ Kansas Principals

In this episode of "Cool Coffee," host Rick Sola moderates a panel of four principals from Kansas, discussing their journeys into administration and the challenges they face. The panelists, including principals Midge Simmons, Dr. Jenny Woolever, Robert Cave, and Travis Rogers, share personal stories about their motivations for becoming administrators, the importance of authenticity and trust in leadership, and strategies for managing school culture and crises. They also offer advice to aspiring administrators, emphasizing the value of networking, being authentic, and taking risks. Questions to the panel came from Baker University Fall 2025 cohort of future administrators. This is part 2 of a 2 part episode. Part 1 (CC#105) dropped on November 20, 2025. Connect with the panel... Principal Midge Simmons - Grandview Elementary--El Dorado Schools USD490 Connect with Mrs. Simmons on X Principal Dr. Jenny Woolever - Washington Elementary - Olathe Schools USD233 Connect with Dr. Woolever on X Assistant Principal Robert Cave - Piper High School - Piper Schools USD203 Connect with Mr. Cave on X Principal Travis Rogers - Wichita South High School - Wichita USD259 Connect with Mr. Rogers on X     The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE. YOUR input on Cool Coffee is NEEDED! Click HERE to share thoughts and interest for you or a colleague on being on the show! Click for ALL Cool Coffee episodes! Connect with Cool Coffee on... Follow us on X: @KSPrincipals; @KPACoolCoffee Facebook: KSPrincipals Contact the host: X @MrRickSola, rfsola@olatheschools.org, or KPACoolCoffee@gmail.com   Episode TRANSCRIPT (AI generated, continues from the end of CC#105-part 1) Rick Sola (29:25.312) what organizational methods or systems do you have for staying on top of all of the to-dos that you have and that you never complete at the end of any given day? Jenny Woolever (29:36.985) I've had to learn that my to-do list is always a to-do list. I used to be able to get to-do list done. Yeah, you don't in this role. It is always there. You add to it, you bump things up depending on what's the need and sometimes you can't even get to the to-do list so you have to be able to accept that going in. That was probably something I really had to learn my first few years. I have had an opportunity within my 13 years I have been in different districts and also different buildings. And so each building I found success in, first I understand what everybody's role is. So when I visit with the secretary before the school year starts, or I visit with assistant principals, maybe that's the counselors, I have them really define their role. So that way when we have the start of the year, we have our names and we know who they can go to for what. That really helps eliminate some of that, them going to you to ask, well, who does this? It's already in that plan. So I always kind of recommend. empowering others, but also we have some clear plans in place ahead of time. And many a times we're working together anyways, but it's just nice to have that process already thought out. The other thing I recommend is a lot of committees with my, you know, sitting, we'll kind of talk about climate and culture, but having a social committee or during PLCs at the end of that, I always go back to, okay, let's review what everybody is doing. So it doesn't just fall on one person. you're going to send this email? Great. I'm going to contact the parent? Great. TR Travis Rogers (30:44.419) you Jenny Woolever (31:02.388) That just really helps come together. And the last bit of advice I had on there that I marked was, in passing as principals, we're always going through the hallways. Someone will be talking to me about something. My go-to is, thank you for telling me. Be sure to email me that so I don't forget. Because there's a million things going on in our mind, and I was already going to do something else, and I couldn't recall. So then at the end of the day, I kind of jot those down on that to-do list so I don't forget. And that's important to go back and don't forget. I'll even know if my response is late, I'll still get to it. It just is a way I keep track of everything. Rick Sola (31:36.96) That's great. Any other tips and tricks from the other three of you here? TR Travis Rogers (31:42.48) So we have Outlook email and so that schedule send and so when something's on your mind and you can schedule send it because you know it needs to come at a different time has been really helpful. And then the value of a great admin assistant. I have a great support staff here and so they have access to my calendar and we put protected times on there. And so if somebody's trying to find me but I'm in classrooms for that hour unless something's burning. I am not called, you know, and so really truly sitting down with your trusted folks and building trust with them so then they get a feel for you is in the sense of what's important to you and what's not what could be pushed back via email You know, it's truly just having good people around you and having them know what's important to you Robert Cave (32:35.406) Yeah, I can second the calendar part. That's, that's, you know. Rick Sola (32:35.617) Yeah. Robert Cave (32:38.67) I think what Jenny said to someone comes up to me, I say, send me an email right now. So I get to the top of my inbox so can see that that is definitely a tool I use for sure. But I also think having my calendar available and I, you know, have a counselor or someone needs, but even a student, can, you know, I'm the activities director at my school and I have a club president that wants to have a conversation and wants to plan something. I say, find a date this week, you know, when you have time and final on my calendar and make a calendar and I will accept it. And I, that's, I check my calendar. You know, every 30 minutes I'm like, okay, what's coming up next? What's the next thing on my agenda? What's the next thing coming up? Because you will find yourself pulled. I mean, I will walk from one end of my building to the other, and I will have seven different people need me, you know, from that end to that end. And I'm heading towards the next meeting on my calendar. So I always am checking to make sure, but I think the email is great, but also that calendar can be really helpful as well. Rick Sola (33:32.369) a good assistant cannot be overstated. And I've been in administration for 15 years and I currently have someone that is just incredible. what she does to help me be better at my job, I can't say enough about that and kind of the nail in the head from Travis there. Travis, I'm going to go to you here. What would you go back and tell? your brand new principal self. Now, if you could. Kind of a what do know now that you wish you knew then. TR Travis Rogers (34:09.433) That's a great question. I would definitely say to give yourself grace. My wife tells me often that I am too hard on myself and so seek mentorship, education, it's a small world. Like you said, Rick, we were all in the same room at some point last week and I had no idea. And so depending on your district and your size, you never know the people that have come before you and you don't know the people that will come after you. And so seek out, you don't have to know everything. And so really truly lean into the people around you and just celebrate the small wins and take time every day to be around kids. So even as a principal I have 1,700 students here at South High. There's lots of times where I'm just like you know what I need to go into a couple classrooms because I just need a break I need to see kids in action and that truly kind of kind of shifts my mindset from time to time. Rick Sola (35:07.852) That's great. Any other advice you'd give yourself? Midge Simmons (35:12.631) When I read the question, the first thing I thought of was networking. know, KPA in USA has been awesome. I mean, since COVID, I feel like it's just been incredible to be a part of. But I was a part of KPA years ago when I first started. I didn't get into it as much. And I just think the networking possibilities that you have through a program like that or, you know, here... Jenny, you're at elementary, Yeah. So we don't get some of the... You guys that are at secondary, your league meetings, you get to know some other principals, we don't get that at the elementary level. And that's always been a complaint I've had of being at the elementary level. And so if you don't put yourself out there to gain that networking and meet other people that are in the same profession as you, you don't get some of those people where I can pick up the phone and call. I barely know a lot of you on this panel right now, but I automatically feel right now I could probably call Jenny up tomorrow and ask her a question about what's going on. nurse goal and get some advice. know, it's important. That networking is so important. So important. Rick Sola (36:28.276) Yeah. I love that you brought that up because that's kind of been my experience. Sorry, Jenny. I hope I didn't cut you off. Jenny Woolever (36:28.596) Yeah. Jenny Woolever (36:33.862) No, I totally agree too. And I've been in both secondary and elementary and I really try to form that team in the elementary too. I may not have AP so it's my secretary, it could be my translator, it could be my nurse. We are the office team. Like we're in it together. I don't know what your role is or my role but we're all in it together. So really be thoughtful of that too. Sometimes you do have certain different resources and different individuals. Create that team for you too. Rick Sola (37:02.656) Yeah, I agree. think early on, I did not appreciate networking the way

In this episode of "Cool Coffee," host Rick Sola moderates a panel of four principals from Kansas, discussing their journeys into administration and the challenges they face. The panelists, including principals Midge Simmons, Dr. Jenny Woolever, Robert Cave, and Travis Rogers, share personal stories about their motivations for becoming administrators, the importance of authenticity and trust in leadership, and strategies for managing school culture and crises. They also offer advice to aspiring administrators, emphasizing the value of networking, being authentic, and taking risks. Questions to the panel came from Baker University Fall 2025 cohort of future administrators. This is part 1 of a 2 part episode. Part 2 will drop on December 4, 2025. Connect with the panel... Principal Midge Simmons - Grandview Elementary--El Dorado Schools USD490 Connect with Mrs. Simmons on X Principal Dr. Jenny Woolever - Washington Elementary - Olathe Schools USD233 Connect with Dr. Woolever on X Assistant Principal Robert Cave - Piper High School - Piper Schools USD203 Connect with Mr. Cave on X Principal Travis Rogers - Wichita South High School - Wichita USD259 Connect with Mr. Rogers on X   The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE. YOUR input on Cool Coffee is NEEDED! Click HERE to share thoughts and interest for you or a colleague on being on the show! Click for ALL Cool Coffee episodes! Connect with Cool Coffee on... Follow us on X: @KSPrincipals; @KPACoolCoffee Facebook: KSPrincipals Contact the host: X @MrRickSola, rfsola@olatheschools.org, or KPACoolCoffee@gmail.com   FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT (Generated by AI) Rick Sola (00:03.167) Hello and welcome to Cool Coffee, a principals panel edition. We have four amazing principals here from across this wonderful state of Kansas. I'll have them introduce themselves in a bit, but today's panel will be served up some questions created by the Baker University's Fall 2025 cohort, which are all students working toward their building level licensure program. They are future administrators. Special shout out to Shelby Mouha. from this cohort who helped facilitate the creation of these questions and with the aim of going beyond the surface level and into the nuts and bolts of administration. We know there are many ways to skin a cat, which is just really one of the most awful sayings. I apologize for putting that in there. So for those listening who are in their chair, compare your response with how our panel responds. There are often many right answers, perhaps even many more wrong answers, but still there are many correct answers. So with that, Let's meet our panel today and they're gonna share their name, position, school and their number of years in the chair. Let's start with Midge. Midge Simmons (01:10.551) I'm Midge Simmons. I'm an elementary principal at Granville Elementary in El Dorado. I've been in the chair too long. All good though. I do feel like I'll be ending my career here in El Dorado, but we'll see how life takes us. But I've been in education for 29 years and 19 as an elementary principal. This is my third school, third school to be an elementary principal. Rick Sola (01:39.433) Awesome. Welcome, Edge. Jenny. Midge Simmons (01:41.003) Thank you. Jenny Woolever (01:44.224) you Rick Sola (01:46.546) I think you're on mute, Jenny. Rick Sola (01:52.811) There you go. You're all good. Jenny Woolever (01:53.342) Not a good way to start. Okay, I'm Dr. Jenny Willow. I am the principal at Washington Elementary in the Lathus School District. I've served as a principal for 13 years. Four of those have been in middle school and the remainder have been in elementary. Rick Sola (02:07.711) Awesome. Robert. Robert Cave (02:10.286) Hey, I'm Robert Cave. I have been a, an assistant principal at Piper High School in Kansas City, Kansas. I spent 23 years teaching in Olathe schools and was part of the Baker admin cohort in 2018 and finally got a job at Piper High School and this is my fourth year there. So I've been in education about 27 years, only four as an administrator, the rest is a teacher. Rick Sola (02:39.977) Awesome. And Travis. TR Travis Rogers (02:43.151) Hello everybody, I'm Travis Rogers, currently principal at Wichita South High School. This is my 19th year in education, 12th year as an administrator, and I'm just starting my fifth year as principal here at South High School in USD 259. Robert Cave (02:44.32) you Rick Sola (03:00.669) Awesome. Well, once again, I want to welcome all of you. And it was great because we're recording this the week after the KPA conference. And I was able to see many of you there. It was a great conference and it was actually neat. At one point, I think we were all in the same session. But thanks again for coming on to this podcast and being able to share specifically to our Baker friends out there in this cohort, but also to all who are listening. And so we're going to, we're going to kick it off here. And so these questions again were generated from the Fall 2025 Baker University Future Administrator Program. And so I'm going to start here with a question that kind of applies to all of us. And Midge, we'll start with you, but we'll hear from everybody. going way back, why did you decide to become an administrator? And how has that why changed throughout the year or throughout the years? Midge Simmons (03:59.828) Well, I was ready to answer number one, Rick. You jumped us to number eight. You're good. You're good. You know, I probably will give an answer that not many would say. Honestly, I was bored. I was bored teaching. I think it was at the time I was teaching middle school. Rick Sola (04:03.115) I won't go out of order after this. I just thought that was a good kickoff. Sorry about that. little curve ball. Midge Simmons (04:23.603) and I had maybe one to two preps and I just needed something more and I always had aspirations of trying to make more of a difference than what you can in a classroom and trying to reach out to others with more of a difference and so I know that sounds kind of, I don't know what the word for that is, that most people would give that in an interview type question but it's the truth. I wanted to have a greater capacity of being able to make a change or trying to make a difference. don't know. I think for me, I've learned that it's not always about the difference in pay in the education world or the administrative world, but it has a lot more to do with the support that you receive. I've had some varying experiences being an administrator in three different districts at three different levels going from 3A to 2A and now I'm at 4A level. I just think that the support that you get from a superintendent and a board is huge. That to me makes the biggest difference. And I think I've seen that over the years. And I've left districts because I didn't feel. that support, whether it superintendent or the board. And it's time to move on and try and make a difference somewhere else. so, yeah. You guys have anything? Rick Sola (05:58.7) Great. Yeah. Travis will kick it to you. Why'd you become an administrator? TR Travis Rogers (06:04.333) Yeah, so I had a really good experience. taught PE actually here at South High School and so about year four or five really started to reflect and think about what my next chapter was going to look like. And I was always interested in like the functions of a school and so I had about 150 kids throughout my PE classes. Again, was able to coach some things again had a really good experience, but I wanted to make a greater impact. And I thought growing personally and professionally was very important. And so what's funny now in my 12th year, you're still coaching. you still mentor, but now you're on a bigger scale. And so now you're involved, you know, with families, parents, you know, the staff. And so it's kind of like pieces of the puzzle. I say that often. And so you're trying to put all the pieces of the puzzle and depending on your school, depending on your situation, you know, depending on the day, you could have a couple pieces that you got to put together or you could have a lot. And so, it's really been impactful, but really truly serving your why is serving your people. So it's all about that personal and professional growth and in this role it can happen every hour. Rick Sola (07:22.859) Great Robert. Robert Cave (07:24.584) you know, for me, I was in the classroom. I didn't know if I was ever going to be an administrator. That wasn't ever my end goal. you know, I thought I was going to be probably a lifelong teacher and I kept finding myself and kind of thrust into different leadership roles, whether it would be curriculum, whether that be, you know, writing different things or department chairs, BLT chairs, those sorts of things. And, kind of like what Mitch says, I found myself kind of yearning for a little bit of a different. side of education for a different way to impact not only students, but to impact teachers and try to help support them and kind of be the, you know, the one to help lift them up and help students achieve. And found myself, you know, taking, getting another masters in the Baker cohort and just, and getting that school leadership and really finding a passion for that. And so ended up just kind of throwing myself into that. So, you know, my biggest fear was that I would miss out on kind of the relational aspect that you have as a teacher. That was kind of why I still did it. I loved being with students. I loved seeing them grow. I loved all of those things. But you find that there's, you still get to have that as an administrator. It's just at a different level. Now you have it with the teachers. Now you can

Topic: Student Recognition Mr. Frank Bell Gardner-Edgerton High School Principal X: @bellfgehs   The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE. YOUR input on Cool Coffee is NEEDED! Click HERE to share thoughts and interest for you or a colleague on being on the show! Click for ALL Cool Coffee episodes! Connect with Cool Coffee on... Follow us on X: @KSPrincipals; @KPACoolCoffee Facebook: KSPrincipals Contact the host: X @MrRickSola, rfsola@olatheschools.org, or KPACoolCoffee@gmail.com

Summary In this 103rd episode of Cool Coffee w/ Kansas Principals, Principal Brian Barackman shares the unique house system at Indian Trail Middle School in USD 233. Discussed is how this system fosters community and enhances the student experience through its building and camaraderie amongst grade-levels. Mr. Barackman connects what his school is doing with the house system and its PBIS system. Listen in to hear more from another Kansas principal doing great work for kids and staff! Connect with Mr. Barackman: Email X: @BarackmanBrian Show Reference: Ron Clark Academy   The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE. YOUR input on Cool Coffee is NEEDED! Click HERE to share thoughts and interest for you or a colleague on being on the show! Click for ALL Cool Coffee episodes! Connect with Cool Coffee on... Follow us on X: @KSPrincipals; @KPACoolCoffee Facebook: KSPrincipals Contact the host: X @MrRickSola, rfsola@olatheschools.org, or KPACoolCoffee@gmail.com   FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT (Timestamps after the 6:00 mark are inaccurate due to mid-show interruption and need for editing) Rick Sola (00:01.89) Hello and welcome to Cool Coffee. Today I am with principal Mr. Brian Barickman from Indian Trail Middle School in USD 233, Olathec Public Schools. Welcome, Brian. Brian Barackman (00:14.309) How we doing? Thanks so much for having me. Rick Sola (00:17.154) Doing all right. It's been, we're recording this at the end of a Monday and I think it's been a pretty good Monday. So I'll start with a quick transparency on this episode. Mr. Berrickman and I go way back and we actually shared a meeting together today, this afternoon. We had a meeting over at the district office, but we share a district. At one point we shared a school and we do go way back. So. I've used this term before, but this is kind of like a Prince of Pals episode. We've got a Prince of Pals here on the show here with Mr. Berrickman. But again, welcome. Thanks for coming on. Brian Barackman (00:54.105) Ha ha ha. Brian Barackman (00:59.142) Hey, I can't believe that I'm finally here. I've been listening to every episode and it's an honor to be here. So thanks for having me. Rick Sola (01:07.252) And the software I use for this can detect lying on the show. And so I don't know that you've really listened to every episode, but no, it's awesome that you're here. But before we get started here, a quick show shout out, a reminder that if you click into the show and check the show notes, there's information about the show, ways to contact our guests, and a way to leave feedback or even a contact me with topics or questions or guest ideas. Would love to get all of those. Brian Barackman (01:11.69) You Rick Sola (01:36.706) Some of our shows have been created by the feedback from those who have listened. Also, give us a like or a follow on your favorite podcast platform. Help spread the word about the insightful stories from the amazing principals all across this great state of Kansas. Like us, follow us here at KPA's Cool Coffee. And so I feel like that's a really great lead-in to really someone I... have come to learn is the most beloved principle in the world. And that's Brian Berrickman. Brian Barackman (02:12.449) my goodness. I can see the lie detector now. I see it going off now. Well, that's high praise coming from you. I appreciate it. However not true, I appreciate it. Rick Sola (02:16.069) Hahaha Rick Sola (02:26.146) Well, so I think you'll cover this here. We will start with your road to the chair, but our road has crossed paths in a very good way. But it's fun to hear every principal I've had on this show. They talk about what it is that led to them being where they're at presently. And we're all so varied on how we got here. it's, I always find it interesting, but let's start with that, Brian. Where did you start in education and what led to you being at Indian Trail? Brian Barackman (03:00.269) Absolutely, well, I think that story starts with my own middle school career going to school here at Indian Trail. And I didn't know that the stars would align down the road one day, but thankfully they did. So as a middle school kid, never thought that I would be a principal. I wanted to be a biologist and then... I went to K-State and learned that, you know, I taught swimming lessons, was one of my early life jobs, and I learned to really love teaching, and I decided to combine those two loves of science and teaching and become a science teacher. So I taught seventh grade science, mostly biology, at Santa Fe Trail Middle School in Olathe for about six years. And that whole time I knew not only did I have a passion for education, but I had dreams. dreams of being an administrator. I saw great administrators throughout my career that I just saw the impact that they had not only on me but on so many families and so many students. And it was always interesting to me that you want to have an impact on the community and then seeing people in those positions have an even broader and wider impact and think, man, what kind of difference could I make in a position like that or what kind of help could I provide, what kind of service leader could I be to even more people, you know, and give back to the community that gave me so much growing up. So I kind of had that dream. And then after six years of teaching, the yours truly, Mr. Rick Sola gave me an opportunity to get into my first assistant principal position at Prairie Trail Middle School. And I was assistant principal there for three years. And then there's an opening at Indian Trail, which as I mentioned was my alma mater. So I loved my time so much at both Santa Fe Trail and Prairie Trail. But when there's a, you you have an opportunity to potentially go back to your home school, you know, it's, I knew it was going to be fun and exciting to be back, but I didn't realize just how special and how connected, how special it be and how connected I would feel to a building, you know. Brian Barackman (05:20.555) I jumped at the opportunity to come back. I served as assistant principal here for one year and now this is my fourth year as head principal. And I can tell you, every day it's still new memories pop up for me. Like I will be in a classroom and I'll have an epiphany of, my gosh, this was the same room in seventh grade when this happened to me and there are so many. I remember reading holes in this room. It used to be a language arts room or. I'll turn a corner and have a memory of an interesting passing period that I had one time. So it's just, it's really, really fun and special to be back here and to serve this community in this capacity. Rick Sola (06:06.028) So you said that you were at your you were a student at Indian Trail back in the day. And so going back there, does it feel Brian Barackman (08:12.825) Yeah, yeah. Rick Sola (08:31.426) totally different, like a whole different school, or when you walk those halls, is it kind of like, man, this is my old stomping grounds. Like, do you still feel that? Because I know there's been some changes there, some construction and all sorts of things. Brian Barackman (08:42.563) Yeah, it's so funny. It's so much of both. There's so many memories that flood back immediately, especially walking back into this principal's office I've been in a couple times. But then, also, there's memories that you forget about that you... you know, you don't think about and then all of a sudden it just hits you one day. know, you'll be like, since some of the classrooms look so different and are different subject areas and things like that, you don't immediately recognize them. But then in one moment you might have this memory flood back like, my gosh, this was Ms. So and So's room. And I remember doing this and they're meeting this friend or, you know, and one other special thing in my office, I have the class photo from my last year here and there. There are people in that photo who are, you who I was standing up in their weddings. There's people in that photo who I've been friends with since we went to school here and they are currently working here with me, which is really special. you know, there's some, you know, you know how life is. There's some sad stories on that too. And it's just a good reminder for me every morning of, you know, the reason that we're here to make a difference in those people's lives. And, you know, we were those kids and that's why this work is so important. Rick Sola (10:01.486) Yeah, that's really cool. And I feel like maybe we've talked about this before, but I remember when I first started teaching and I came back to the district where I graduated high school and went all the way through, I was teaching alongside my former teachers. And I found that really bizarre at first because, I mean, who am I? Some, you know, snot nosed kid coming out of college teaching alongside these veterans. Brian Barackman (10:18.615) Uh-huh. Rick Sola (10:29.934) Well, and then fast forward to administration and there were still there were still some teachers that. Yeah, well, yeah, that kind of goes without saying. But but no, like so you're in these leadership roles. Were you in a position where you are with some teachers that either maybe were your teachers or you had some of those connections that as you were you were little Brian Barickman to them and now all of a sudden you're the. Brian Barackman (10:34.317) And we're still thinking that about you. Rick Sola (10:57.26) Yeah, I don't want to say the boss, but you're the decision maker. You're making decisions and you're in a position of leadership. did you experience that at all in your road administration? Brian Barackman (11:07.799) Absolutely, yeah. every, you know

Instructional Leadership Doesn't have to be Scary!  Barney Pontious Principal Garfield Elementary USD 503 X= @mr_pontious Garfield Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GarfieldSchoolParsonsKS Sign up to submit your own Principal's Perspective! The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE. YOUR input on Cool Coffee is NEEDED! Click HERE to share thoughts and interest for you or a colleague on being on the show! Click for ALL Cool Coffee episodes! Connect with Cool Coffee on... Follow us on X: @KSPrincipals; @KPACoolCoffee Facebook: KSPrincipals Contact the host: X @MrRickSola, rfsola@olatheschools.org, or KPACoolCoffee@gmail.com

Topic: How to Make PD Relevant to Staff Assistant Principal Megan Black Olathe West High School USD 233 - Olathe X: @MaBlackOW The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE.   YOUR input on Cool Coffee is NEEDED! Click HERE to share thoughts and interest for you or a colleague on being on the show! Click for ALL Cool Coffee episodes! Connect with Cool Coffee on... Follow us on X: @KSPrincipals; @KPACoolCoffee Facebook: KSPrincipals Contact the host: X @MrRickSola, rfsola@olatheschools.org, or KPACoolCoffee@gmail.com

Topic: Bridge Builders to strengthen the school and home connection  Principal Katie Revell Principal  Simpson Elementary Russell USD 407 The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE. YOUR input on Cool Coffee is NEEDED! Click HERE to share thoughts and interest for you or a colleague on being on the show! Click for ALL Cool Coffee episodes! Connect with Cool Coffee on... Follow us on X: @KSPrincipals; @KPACoolCoffee Facebook: KSPrincipals Contact the host: X @MrRickSola, rfsola@olatheschools.org, or KPACoolCoffee@gmail.com

Diversifying the High School Experience Principal Kerry Lane Olathe East High School - Olathe USD 233 X: @Kerry282542 The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE. YOUR input on Cool Coffee is NEEDED! Click HERE to share thoughts and interest for you or a colleague on being on the show! Click for ALL Cool Coffee episodes! Connect with Cool Coffee on... Follow us on X: @KSPrincipals; @KPACoolCoffee Facebook: KSPrincipals Contact the host: X @MrRickSola, rfsola@olatheschools.org, or KPACoolCoffee@gmail.com

Calling Others Into Leadership Principal Stefanie Lane Lincoln Elementary School Clay Center Schools USD 379 The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE. YOUR input on Cool Coffee is NEEDED! Click HERE to share thoughts and interest for you or a colleague on being on the show! Click for ALL Cool Coffee episodes! Connect with Cool Coffee on... Follow us on X: @KSPrincipals; @KPACoolCoffee Facebook: KSPrincipals Contact the host: X @MrRickSola, rfsola@olatheschools.org, or KPACoolCoffee@gmail.com

Addressing Our Own PD Needs Joel Wells Principal Elmont Elementary Seaman Schools USD 345 X: @jwesu5 FB: @elmontusd345 The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE.   YOUR input on Cool Coffee is NEEDED! Click HERE to share thoughts and interest for you or a colleague on being on the show! Click for ALL Cool Coffee episodes! Connect with Cool Coffee on... Follow us on X: @KSPrincipals; @KPACoolCoffee Facebook: KSPrincipals Contact the host: X @MrRickSola, rfsola@olatheschools.org, or KPACoolCoffee@gmail.com

In this episode of Cool Coffee with Kansas principals, host Rick Sola engages with two accomplished principals, Inga Esping and Heather Calvert, as they share about the session they will lead at the KPA Conference on November 5th and 6th, 2025. They also discuss their educational journeys, the importance of data-driven instruction, and the role of social-emotional learning (SEL) in building a positive school culture. They also highlight the significance of community engagement and collaboration among educators, especially in the context of the upcoming KPA conference. Register to attend the 2025 KPA Conference! 2025 KPA Conference Presenters:  Dr. Heather Calvert Principal, Grant Elementary School KCKPS heather.calvert@kckps.org Inge Esping Principal McPherson Middle School inge.esping@mcpherson.com Chapters (timestamps do not include intro music) 00:00 Introduction to the Principals 02:22 Career Paths in Education 06:57 Data-Driven Instruction and Collaboration 14:44 Building Belonging and SEL Initiatives 20:39 The Importance of Community in Education The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE. YOUR input on Cool Coffee is NEEDED! Click HERE to share thoughts and interest for you or a colleague on being on the show! Click for ALL Cool Coffee episodes! Connect with Cool Coffee on... Follow us on X: @KSPrincipals; @KPACoolCoffee Facebook: KSPrincipals Contact the host: X @MrRickSola, rfsola@olatheschools.org, or KPACoolCoffee@gmail.com   FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT (timestamps do not reflect intro music) Rick Sola (00:01.719) Hello and welcome to Cool Coffee with Kansas principals. Today I am joined by two phenomenal principals who will both be presenting at the upcoming KPA conference November 6th, November 5th and 6th, Ms. Inga Esping of McPherson Middle School, USD 418 and Dr. Heather Calvert, principal of Grant Elementary School and USD 500 in the Kansas City, Kansas School District. Welcome Inga and Heather. Inge Esping (00:27.67) Thank you. Heather Calvert (00:28.66) Thank you, good morning. Rick Sola (00:30.283) Good morning. And it is a good morning. It's a bright and early morning and I am in conference week. Inga, you're in conference week and you actually have a day off and it is just after 7 a.m. So thanks for joining us. And Heather, you have a normal school day but conference is next week. Inge Esping (00:43.918) you Heather Calvert (00:47.803) Yes. Rick Sola (00:49.213) It's that time of year and kind of the grind. And before we begin, I do want to call your attention to the notes of this show, which include information on the KPA conference. We'll be discussing that today and also invite you to give this show a like and a follow. Leave a comment on your podcasting platform if you are so inclined or leave us feedback and suggestions at the forum in the show notes. So it is awesome to be joined by two very accomplished principals here today and Inga, you were recently named the KPA's middle level principal of the year through KPA. Inge Esping (01:25.602) Yes, yeah, just what an exciting honor. I was certainly shocked and it's definitely a testament to the hard work that our staff and students are putting in here at MacPherson Middle School. Rick Sola (01:37.845) That's awesome. Congratulations to you and a plug as well. And I don't know if you knew this, but as of recording, which is October 16th, but your principal's perspective was actually dropped today, this morning. And so, thank you for your contribution on that. and then Heather, you are published. You've had a book out and within the last year, along with, with your husband co-authored, I think with your husband, is that correct? Inge Esping (01:50.403) you. Heather Calvert (02:04.702) Correct, yes. Rick Sola (02:06.487) And Topeka's top 20 under 40 named a few years ago. So awesome things going on and two very accomplished principals excited to hear more from you today. I do want to start and Heather, we'll just kick it over to you to start here, but a quick road in education and you are currently sitting at Grant Elementary in the KCK School District. your road to get to the chair you're at right now, what did that look like? Heather Calvert (02:38.45) Yeah, it's been a fun, fun road. So I grew up in Topeka, Kansas, started my teaching career in 2007 in the Topeka Public Schools District and just kind of worked my way up through classroom teacher, instructional coach, building intern, assistant principal, and then principal. I've been at Grant now for seven years and we have just, it's just been crazy being over in Kansas City, Kansas public schools. I love this district so much. Our building is, is just taking off. The staff here are outstanding and we're just making waves every day with our students and our community and so excited. Rick Sola (03:18.123) That's awesome. Was there a moment in your career where you felt like, okay, I'm going administration. Like you were just tugged or did it just kind of happen or how did you get into administration? Heather Calvert (03:28.446) just kind of came naturally. I was blessed with a lot of opportunities that just kind of opened at the right time. When I was a classroom teacher and a couple of my fellow teachers were starting a master's program in curriculum and instruction and they said, come on, let's do it together. And I said, okay, great. You know, what else is going on? So did that and then that opened the door to instructional coaching. As I was finishing that degree, our district started a program partnership with K-State to do a program for educational leadership. as a cohort embedded in the day and that turned into a doctorate and just that pipeline just pulled me right in and I've loved every minute of it. Rick Sola (04:08.087) Awesome, very cool. Yeah. It's amazing how you start like unraveling things and all the next thing you know, you're, knee deep and you're moving forward and, uh, you know, opportunities start to present themselves and really cool. Awesome. Well, Inga, you are at McPherson middle school, uh, your road to that chair. Inge Esping (04:27.532) Well it's a little bit funny I actually student taught in this building. So there's the the gal that I student taught with just retired two years ago. So that's it's been fun just to come full circle. But I student taught here I was a teacher here at MacPherson Middle School. I went to the Mays district as well. I was a teacher and principal there. I've been the assistant director of special education for MacPherson schools. And during that time I I it was a little bit of an accident to get into that role. I started hiring and training paraeducators. I was a special educator and became really passionate about how do we make sure our paraeducators have the skills that they need to be successful in supporting our students with special needs. That kind of morphed into assistant director of special education through some changes and expansion. And then I really missed kids. I missed being around kids all day long. So became very motivated to go back and the building. I became the assistant principal and athletic director here at MMS. I went to Mesa's principal for a short stint and then this building opened up as head principal and I just had to come back. I definitely love this district and love this building in particular. Rick Sola (05:44.908) I love that. Actually, you just prompted an idea for another show, which is principals who were formerly at the head office and decided to come back. They miss the kids too much or, you know, they say we go to the dark side. Is that the darker side? And then like, we got to come back. I don't know. No, that's awesome. And I got to imagine that a special ed director, he said assistant director. What a, what a valuable experience to have. Inge Esping (06:07.448) Mm-hmm. Rick Sola (06:11.741) sitting where you're at now as far as a building principle goes. Inge Esping (06:16.418) Yes, we host all of our cooperative specialized programs for middle level students. And so that experience has been really valuable to have to help coach both our special educators, but then our general ed teachers on how to be best support students with special needs from that general ed lens too. Rick Sola (06:38.133) Yeah. Well, so you're both on here because I was looking at the presenters for the upcoming KPA conference and you were both listed and you're both presenting. And so, you know, this is a conference that as I've gotten to become more familiar with and attend, I've just really enjoyed in part really because it's a principle focused conference and the networking is so valuable. All those things, but I know that going to every session, it's going to be super relevant to what it is that I do and that we do. so I wanted to be able to share this out because this episode will come out with about two weeks until the conference, just under two weeks. And so to provide a little bit of a preview. so Heather, we'll start with you. The name of your session and kind of in a nutshell, I think you have, you know your time slot or has that been confirmed yet? Heather Calvert (07:34.62) Yes, I will be Thursday at 8.30 in the morning, bright and early. Rick Sola (07:38.519) All right, kicking off the day. So what do you? Heather Calvert (07:40.508) Yes, so my is called data cycles and effective method for data analysis and it's just kind of grown. So this work started actually when I was in the classroom as a teacher in Topeka public schools and you know districts. that time, early 2000s, we were really moving into the PLC model of collaboration and wanting teams to take ownership of what those collaborative team meetings looked like, but focused not on the busy work, bu

Leadership: “Perspective Matters” Cort Haynes Principal Maize South Middle School Maize USD 266 X: @CortHaynes The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE.   YOUR input on Cool Coffee is NEEDED! Click HERE to share thoughts and interest for you or a colleague on being on the show! Click for ALL Cool Coffee episodes! Connect with Cool Coffee on... Follow us on X: @KSPrincipals; @KPACoolCoffee Facebook: KSPrincipals Contact the host: X @MrRickSola, rfsola@olatheschools.org, or KPACoolCoffee@gmail.com

Encouraging Teacher Leadership Principal Kelly Whittaker Ottawa High School, USD 290 X: @kelwhitt217   The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE. YOUR input on Cool Coffee is NEEDED! Click HERE to share thoughts and interest for you or a colleague on being on the show! Click for ALL Cool Coffee episodes! Connect with Cool Coffee on... Follow us on X: @KSPrincipals; @KPACoolCoffee Facebook: KSPrincipals Contact the host: X @MrRickSola, rfsola@olatheschools.org, or KPACoolCoffee@gmail.com

Perspective Topic : Productive Struggle Dr. Justin Bogart Principal Piper High School X: @apbogart ; Piper School District, USD 203 The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE. YOUR input on Cool Coffee is NEEDED! Click HERE to share thoughts and interest for you or a colleague on being on the show! Click for ALL Cool Coffee episodes! Connect with Cool Coffee on... Follow us on X: @KSPrincipals; @KPACoolCoffee Facebook: KSPrincipals Contact the host: X @MrRickSola, rfsola@olatheschools.org, or KPACoolCoffee@gmail.com

April Baugh Spearville Elementary Principal USD381 Facebook-April Hosheit Baugh TikTok-@prinicpalbaugh   Sign up to submit your own Principal's Perspective! The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE.   YOUR input on Cool Coffee is NEEDED! Click HERE to share thoughts and interest for you or a colleague on being on the show! Click for ALL Cool Coffee episodes! Connect with Cool Coffee on... Follow us on X: @KSPrincipals; @KPACoolCoffee Facebook: KSPrincipals Contact the host: X @MrRickSola, rfsola@olatheschools.org, or KPACoolCoffee@gmail.com

State Assessments in October!? Cody Dunlap K-12 Principal Cunningham - USD 332 X: @USD332Principal   Sign up to submit your own Principal's Perspective! The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE.   YOUR input on Cool Coffee is NEEDED! Click HERE to share thoughts and interest for you or a colleague on being on the show! Click for ALL Cool Coffee episodes! Connect with Cool Coffee on... Follow us on X: @KSPrincipals; @KPACoolCoffee Facebook: KSPrincipals Contact the host: X @MrRickSola, rfsola@olatheschools.org, or KPACoolCoffee@gmail.com

Supporting students’ social-emotional learning to build a stronger school culture Inge Esping Principal McPherson Middle School USD 418 - McPherson Public Schools 2025 Kansas Middle School Principal of the Year Facebook https://facebook.com/mmsbullpups X: @IngeSpinga   Sign up to submit your own Principal's Perspective! The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE.   YOUR input on Cool Coffee is NEEDED! Click HERE to share thoughts and interest for you or a colleague on being on the show! Click for ALL Cool Coffee episodes! Connect with Cool Coffee on... Follow us on X: @KSPrincipals; @KPACoolCoffee Facebook: KSPrincipals Contact the host: X @MrRickSola, rfsola@olatheschools.org, or KPACoolCoffee@gmail.com

"Mattering"--Do your people to know they matter? Stacey Green Pre-K-8 Principal Stockton Grade School USD 271 Stockton X: @usd271sgs   Sign up to submit your own Principal's Perspective! The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE.   YOUR input on Cool Coffee is NEEDED! Click HERE to share thoughts and interest for you or a colleague on being on the show! Click for ALL Cool Coffee episodes! Connect with Cool Coffee on... Follow us on X: @KSPrincipals; @KPACoolCoffee Facebook: KSPrincipals Contact the host: X @MrRickSola, rfsola@olatheschools.org, or KPACoolCoffee@gmail.com

Student Appreciation Week Mr. Casey Seyfert USD 273 Beloit Jr. Sr. High School 7-12 Principal Sign up to submit your own Principal's Perspective! The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE. YOUR input on Cool Coffee is NEEDED! Click HERE to share thoughts and interest for you or a colleague on being on the show! Click for ALL Cool Coffee episodes! Connect with Cool Coffee on... Follow us on X: @KSPrincipals; @KPACoolCoffee Facebook: KSPrincipals Contact the host: X @MrRickSola, rfsola@olatheschools.org, or KPACoolCoffee@gmail.com

Topic: Beyond the Box: Rethinking Education for Today’s Kids Principal/Director Erica Shook  Ad Astra Academies, K-12 District: USD 313, Buhler Instagram: @Ms_Shook, School Facebook   Sign up to submit your own Principal's Perspective! The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE.   YOUR input on Cool Coffee is NEEDED! Click HERE to share thoughts and interest for you or a colleague on being on the show! Click for ALL Cool Coffee episodes! Connect with Cool Coffee on... Follow us on X: @KSPrincipals; @KPACoolCoffee Facebook: KSPrincipals Contact the host: X @MrRickSola, rfsola@olatheschools.org, or KPACoolCoffee@gmail.com