Episodes

Episode 18 – Strategies for Scaling Up STEM Initiatives with Ms. Osas Guis-Obaseki In this episode, I interview Ms. Osas Gauis-Obaseki. Ms. Osas is an engineer, STEM, and Computer Science Teacher. As a current programmer and engineer, he has been instrumental in scaling up her school's STEM and Computer Science Initiatives. She has exposed students to building computers, coding, programming, and digital tools. She has quarterly Hackathons, where students demonstrate their coding skills and compe...

In this episode, I interview Dr. Shanessa Fenner. Dr. Fenner is an elementary principal, writer, a print model, motivational speaker, actress, and has her own TV show “The Bronco Exchange” on channel 7. She is a former radio personality on KISS 107.7 FM and had her own radio show entitled “Real Talk with Dr. Shanessa Fenner” and was co-host of a radio show called “iTeach.” Dr. Fenner is also an adjunct professor and a licensed insurance agent. Dr. Fenner was the Principal of the Year finalist fo...

In this episode, I interview Jessica Lander. Jessica Lander is a teacher, author and advocate. She teaches history and civics to recent immigrant students in an urban Massachusetts public high school and has won several teaching awards, including being named a Top 50 Finalist for the Global Teacher Prize in 2021, presented by the Varkey Foundation and being named a 2023 MA Teacher of the Year Finalist, presented by the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Previously she has taugh...

In this episode, I shared ideas and thoughts on Steps to be a Better Leader. Before we talk about what you will want to do in the New Year, let’s start with who you want to become. So many people make “do” goals. I encourage you to start with “who” goals. Who do you want to be as a leader? Based on who you want to become, what do you need to do? Consider these six things so you can set goals to become a better leader: A discipline to start A person to empower The courage to stop Create a sy...

In this episode, I shared ideas and tips for Setting New Year’s Goals. These five (5) essential guidelines for your goals are intended as reminders as you create and write down your SMART goals. You should also set goals for seven (7) areas of life. As you enter the New Year, you should use these guidelines as guideposts for your goal setting. They are: Be specific Make Your Goals Memorable Give Your Goals a Time Limit Goals Need to be Yours Put Them in Writing I hope you joined today’s e...

In this episode, I shared 5 Leadership Self-Care Tips. These self-care tips are intended as reminders for school leaders and principals as they enter the holiday season and throughout New Year to refill and rejuvenate. As you enter the holiday season and throughout New Year consider or ponder on these 5 leadership self-care tips. They are: Pause Get your rest Cultivate an attitude of gratitude Make room for laughter Focus forward I hope you joined today’s episode. Please subscribe to the ...

In this episode, I interview Steve Frazier. Steve Frazier is a former Principal and South Florida Manager for Jostens. He is also the Executive Director of the Florida League of Middle Schools. He is a phenomenal leader and has been instrumental in improving student achievement at his school. He also shared tips and strategies for leaders and principals to lead their schools to deliver positive learning outcomes for students. Listen in to the entire conversation for takeaways for school leader...

In this episode, I interview Vince Dawes. Vince Dawes is a current Principal at Richardson Independent School District. As a Turnaround Principal, he was instrumental in transforming and improving student achievement in several schools in both Florida and Texas. He also shared tips and strategies for emerging leaders, school leaders, and principals and ways to scale up professional development and transform your school. Listen in to the entire conversation for takeaways for school leaders and p...

In this episode, I interview Jackson Self. Jackson Self is a former Principal and Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships at Invo Healthcare. As a former Principal and Turn Around Leader, he was instrumental in working with school leaders and principals to transform low-performing schools to improve student outcomes. He shared tips and strategies for school leaders and principals and ways to scale up support and interventions using the Invo Healthcare IMPACT Program. Listen in to the entire c...

In this episode, I shared Strategies to Deal with Challenging Students’ Behaviors. Coming out of the pandemic across our state and throughout the United States, I have noticed students' misbehaviors have worsened. While we had students' misbehaviors before the pandemic, it appears the pandemic has negatively influenced them. Students are having a difficult time self-regulating. It is almost safe to say most students have been impacted by the pandemic. It has directly impacted students' ACEs – Ad...

In this episode, I interview Janet D. Jackson. Ms. Jackson is an Assistant Principal in Broward County Public Schools, FL. As a veteran Assistant Principal, she shared tips and strategies for emerging and new Assistant Principals. Listen in to the entire conversation for takeaways for new assistant principals and emerging school leaders: Strategies for self-care around your mind, body, and soul Own your professional growth Incorporate physical movement Practice gratitude Know & understand ...

In this episode, I shared Tips for New Assistant Principals. If you are a newly appointed assistant principal, Congratulations! I am proud of you. I know you are excited and ready to work alongside your principal to turn your school around or scale up to make it better. As you start your 1st year as an assistant principal or a veteran assistant principal in a new building, I would you to consider or ponder on these tips. They are: Be You. Be authentic. Build trusting relationships Understand...

In this episode, I interview the transformational leader and mentor, Dr. William Valmyr. Dr. Valmyr is a teacher, educational leader, author, coach, and speaker who speaks across the country and globally. He is also the CEO of Transformational Leadership. He shared tips and nuggets for how school leaders can scale up their practices, lead, and innovate their schools. Listen in to the entire conversation for more takeaways, including Dr. Valmyr’s tips for administrators and school leaders: Why ...

In the last episode, I shared some of the strategies you can use to reinvent and rebuild the culture of your school. How would you define your school or department culture? How is your school culture? What is your department culture? Is it positive? Is it toxic? Even if it is a good and positive culture, I think you can still take 1-2 things to make it even better. What are some of the steps or actions you can take to improve your school culture or department culture? I shared some of the les...

Episode 5 – Reinvent and rebuild the culture of your school Part 1 In today’s episode, I shared some of the strategies you can use to reinvent and rebuild the culture of your school. I hope you can take one or two tips to embed and apply to your school or department culture. How would you define your school or department culture? How is your school culture? What is your department culture? Is it positive? Is it toxic? Even if it is a good and positive culture, I think you can still take 1-2 th...

In this episode, I shared Tips for New Principals. If you are a newly appointed principal, Congratulations! I am proud of you. I know you are excited and ready to turn your school or scale up to make it better. As you start your 1st year as a principal, I would you to consider or ponder on these tips. They are: Get to Know Your Staff Be Visible Ask Lots of Questions Don’t Make Major Changes Share Your Core Values with staff Don’t Talk about the Previous Principal I hope you joined today’...

Episode 3 – Principal Leadership: Lessons Learned Part 2 In the last episode, I shared some of the lessons learned during my first few years as a principal. In the 1st episode, I shared a little background about my school and our journey to becoming a premier center. I also shared 3 lessons, which are: · Relationship Matters · Culture Trump Strategies · Set High Expectations If you did not listen to episode 1, I encourage you to pause this episode and listen to it. Or after listening to part...

In today’s episode, I shared some of the lessons learned and challenges during my first few years as a principal. I hope that you can glean one or two tips to apply to your leadership repertoire and practices. For some of you, it might be a remainder of some things you have done or learned during your first years. How was your first year as a Principal? What were some of the things that kept you up at night? What were some of the challenges? What would be your top 5 lessons learned? In summary...

Several weeks ago, I read an article about ways to recharge your leadership battery. I also spent the last few months sharing ways to recharge mentally, spiritually, financially, and physically. In today’s episode, I share ideas and tips to recharge your leadership batteries. The following questions are what I will examine and discuss in this episode. What level is your “leadership battery”? How are you dealing with it? Are you intentionally recharging your battery level? Are you intentional...

The School Leaders’ Podcast is a podcast for current and aspiring school leaders on a mission to create a school of excellence. On this episode, I share my purpose for this podcast. We will explore the challenges, strategies, and successes of the school leader's journey. Listeners will hear from fellow school leaders and other voices on the field to level up school and scale up your leadership practices in a variety of areas, including school culture, student achievement, school improvement, soc...