Next Man Up: An MCEL Podcast

About This EpisodeIn this episode of Next Man Up, host Kareem Thomas sits down with experienced school leaders Dr. Presley Charles and Ryan Stokeling to discuss the realities of navigating a school principal's first year. They share practical insights on building strong teams, managing staff and parent relationships, establishing a positive school culture, and balancing leadership demands with personal well-being. The conversation highlights the importance of mentorship, adaptability, and leading with confidence as you navigate the challenges of stepping into the principalship. Whether you're an aspiring principal, a first-year school leader, or a seasoned educator, this episode offers valuable lessons, encouragement, and strategies for leading successfully.About Dr. Presley CharlesDr. Presley L. Charles was born in Freeport, Bahamas, and raised in Pompano Beach, Florida, by parents who immigrated to Florida from Haiti. A servant and human-centered leader, Dr. Charles has built his career around developing people, transforming organizations, and creating systems that help both students and leaders thrive. Charles currently serves as Principal of Howell L. Watkins Middle School in the School District of Palm Beach County. Throughout his career, he has served in multiple leadership roles, including Assistant Principal and Manager of Leadership Development for the School District’s Professional Growth Department. His leadership journey has spanned multiple school districts across Florida and Georgia, and he is known for improving school culture, strengthening leadership capacity, and increasing opportunities and outcomes for students. Beyond the principalship, Dr. Charles founded PLC Educational Group, where he provides leadership coaching, mentoring, and professional learning focused on helping leaders move from vision to execution. He recently completed his John Maxwell Leadership Certification and is a member of Leadership Florida. His work centers on a simple belief: sustainable transformation requires strong systems, empowered people, and leaders who never lose sight of the human beings at the center of the work.About Ryan StokelingRyan Stokeling is the principal of Katherine Johnson Global Academy in Baltimore City and a passionate servant leader committed to expanding opportunities for students and developing the educators who serve them. His leadership journey has taken him from fourth-grade English Language Arts teacher to climate manager and assistant principal, and now to principal. During his first year, he led his school community in significantly reducing chronic absenteeism. In his second year, Ryan is focused on building a new leadership team, strengthening school culture, and ensuring every student experiences excellence.About the PodcastNext Man Up amplifies the voices of men of color in education. Hosted by Kareem Thomas, it explores the challenges and triumphs of educational leaders who drive systemic change. The podcast empowers current and aspiring leaders to embrace their power and make an impact.Learn More: To learn more about the Next Man Up podcast or to be a guest, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mcelleaders.org/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or follow us on social media at @mcelleaders.

About this EpisodeIn Part 2 of this conversation, Next Man Up: The MCEL Podcast host Kareem Thomas continues his discussion with Dr. Ariel Lajara and Dr. Renny Lajara on the question, Who Has the Principal's Back?Together, they explore what meaningful support for school leaders really looks like and why trust, coaching, mentorship, and strong relationships matter. Through honest stories and practical insights, they share how district leaders can help principals grow, navigate challenges, and lead with confidence.If you are a principal, assistant principal, district leader, or aspiring administrator, this episode offers valuable leadership lessons that will inspire and strengthen your practice.About Dr. Ariel LajaraDr. Ariel Lajara serves as the Assistant Superintendent for the School District of Philadelphia. With an extensive background as a turnaround principal and educator, he specializes in leveraging data-driven strategies to foster systemic equity and sustainable school improvement. Dr. Lajara is a dedicated advocate for inclusive leadership and frequently delivers keynote addresses and coaching in both English and Spanish to support diverse teams. In 2026, he was selected to lead the Vineland, New Jersey, School District as superintendent. About Dr. Renny LajaraDr. Renny Lajara is an accomplished educational leader with more than 20 years of experience in public education and currently serves as an Assistant Superintendent in the School District of Philadelphia. Beginning in July, he will assume the role of Superintendent of the Bethlehem Area School District. Originally from the Dominican Republic and a proud product of Philadelphia public schools, Dr. Lajara is widely recognized for his commitment to equity, student success, and building high-performing school communities through authentic, student-centered leadership.About the PodcastNext Man Up amplifies the voices of men of color in education. Hosted by Kareem Thomas, it explores the challenges and triumphs of educational leaders who drive systemic change. The podcast empowers current and aspiring leaders to embrace their power and make an impact.Learn More: To learn more about the Next Man Up podcast or to be a guest, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mcelleaders.org/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or follow us on social media at @mcelleaders.

About this EpisodeIn Part 1 of this powerful conversation, Next Man Up: The MCEL Podcast host Kareem Thomas sits down with Dr. Ariel Lajara and Dr. Renny Lajara to explore a question at the heart of educational leadership: Who Has the Principal's Back?Together, they examine what it means to lead with support, not just accountability, and discuss the critical role system leaders play in developing, encouraging, and sustaining principals. Through honest reflections and real-world experiences, they unpack the importance of trust, mentorship, psychological safety, and authentic relationships in building strong schools and stronger leaders.Whether you're a principal, assistant principal, district leader, or aspiring administrator, this conversation offers practical insights and honest reflections on the kind of support that helps leaders grow, persevere, and thrive.About Dr. Ariel LajaraDr. Ariel Lajara serves as the Assistant Superintendent for the School District of Philadelphia. With an extensive background as a turnaround principal and educator, he specializes in leveraging data-driven strategies to foster systemic equity and sustainable school improvement. Dr. Lajara is a dedicated advocate for inclusive leadership and frequently delivers keynote addresses and coaching in both English and Spanish to support diverse teams. In 2026, he was selected to lead the Vineland, New Jersey, School District as superintendent. About Dr. Renny LajaraDr. Renny Lajara is an accomplished educational leader with more than 20 years of experience in public education and currently serves as an Assistant Superintendent in the School District of Philadelphia. Beginning in July, he will assume the role of Superintendent of the Bethlehem Area School District. Originally from the Dominican Republic and a proud product of Philadelphia public schools, Dr. Lajara is widely recognized for his commitment to equity, student success, and building high-performing school communities through authentic, student-centered leadership.About the PodcastNext Man Up amplifies the voices of men of color in education. Hosted by Kareem Thomas, it explores the challenges and triumphs of educational leaders who drive systemic change. The podcast empowers current and aspiring leaders to embrace their power and make an impact.Learn More: To learn more about the Next Man Up podcast or to be a guest, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mcelleaders.org/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or follow us on social media at @mcelleaders.

About this EpisodeKareem Thomas, host of Next Man Up and The MCEL Podcast, sits down with Dr. Rodney Harrison and Barry Wilkins to explore the real lives of assistant principals. This conversation dives into leadership, identity, and the creation of safe, community-centered schools, while also shedding light on the daily challenges, rewards, and the necessity of leading with authenticity and prioritizing self-care.Key TakeawaysCommunity is the foundation of school cultureAuthentic leadership mattersAP's role is both a pipeline and a pressure cookerSelf-care is essential, not optionalAbout Barry WilkinsBarry Wilkins was born and raised in Philadelphia. He has spent nearly two decades in the financial sector, holding leadership roles in investment banking and wealth management. But in 2016, a shift in the national landscape forced a personal reckoning. He realized that the most important work wasn't in a boardroom; it was in our schools. His mission is to position our scholars for limitless success by investing in their social-emotional well-being, championing equity, and challenging them to be the architects of their wildest dreams. This means bridging the gap between economic opportunity and educational equity by leading rigorous, student-centered schools that serve as launchpads rather than holding cells. About Dr. Rodney Harrison Dr. Rodney Harrison is a student-centered educational leader with over seventeen years of experience spanning teaching, counseling, and school administration. Throughout his career, he has focused on elevating instructional practices, strengthening inclusive school cultures, and empowering both students and educators through data-driven decision-making and collaborative leadership. His journey from school counselor to assistant principal across multiple districts reflects his commitment to equity, professional growth, and creating thriving learning environments where every stakeholder feels supported and seen.About the PodcastNext Man Up amplifies the voices of men of color in education. Hosted by Kareem Thomas, it explores the challenges and triumphs of educational leaders who drive systemic change. The podcast empowers current and aspiring leaders to embrace their power and make an impact.Learn More: To learn more about the Next Man Up podcast or to be a guest, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mcelleaders.org/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or follow us on social media at @mcelleaders.

About this EpisodeIn this Women’s History Month special episode of Next Man Up, Kareem Thomas is joined by Dr. Nadia Bennett and Natalie St. Louis for a powerful conversation on authenticity, resilience, and leadership. From overcoming barriers to uplifting leaders of color, they share real strategies for impact, mentorship, and sustainability in the work.About Natalie St. LouisNatalie St. Louis is an ICF-PCC Certified Executive Leadership Coach who supports education leaders through 1:1 coaching and professional development. Grounded in the International Coaching Federation Core Competencies and Code of Ethics, she helps leaders clarify their vision, align their values, and set meaningful goals while feeling seen, supported, and heard.With over 20 years in education, including more than a decade as a school leader, Natalie has led significant gains in student achievement and enrollment, earning recognition for driving turnaround success. Her experience spans roles as a teacher, reading specialist, instructional coach, staff developer, assistant principal, and principal.A 2018 Neubauer Fellow, Natalie holds two master’s degrees from Bank Street College and Teachers College, Columbia University, and is currently pursuing her doctorate at the University of Pennsylvania. She is also a proud wife and mother of two.About Dr. Nadia BennettDr. Nadia A. Bennett is the founder and CEO of When Brown Girls Lead®, a consulting firm focused on building equity-driven schools and districts nationwide. Through culturally relevant leadership development, she supports educators in creating anti-racist, high-impact learning environments.A former charter superintendent and principal, Dr. Bennett has a proven track record of driving results, doubling ELA scores, improving attendance and staff retention, and leading school turnaround efforts. Notably, she led Simon Gratz Mastery High School to the top of Philadelphia’s charter rankings during her tenure.Dr. Bennett holds degrees from Dillard University and Howard University, completed the Urban Superintendents Academy through AASA, and earned her doctorate as part of her ongoing commitment to educational excellence.About the PodcastNext Man Up amplifies the voices of men of color in education. Hosted by Kareem Thomas, it explores the challenges and triumphs of educational leaders who drive systemic change. The podcast empowers current and aspiring leaders to embrace their power and make an impact.Learn More: To learn more about the Next Man Up podcast or to be a guest, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mcelleaders.org/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or follow us on social media at @mcelleaders.