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

In this week’s episode of Monday Matters, Will and Jen talk about time spent and 5 areas of trust.  UPCOMING EVENTS: If you’re going to be in St George, Utah, February 12-14, 2025, let Jen know as she’s speaking at the Utah Association of Elementary School Principals. Will has some upcoming PD in Columbus, Ohio. He and Jen note that every time he goes to Ohio, they try to meet up, but those plans usually fall through.  TIME SPENT EQUALS RELATIONSHIPS BUILT, BY WILLIAM D. PARKER This week I was coaching a district leader who is still relatively new in his position. We were talking about the difficulty of people questioning his credibility and his desire for people to trust his intentions when introducing new ideas or leading change. We also discussed the reality that some areas of performance were already high, while other areas needed improvement. How could he continue to push for growth, which was often painful, while also building trust? One resource I referenced was Stephen M.R. Covey’s book The Speed of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything. In the book, Covey discusses how the deeper trust is among team members, the more speed, efficiency, and lower costs are involved in reaching outcomes. Think about someone with whom you have high trust. How quickly can you accomplish tasks? How much more easily can reach a consensus? How effective is your collaboration, brainstorming, or conflict resolution? Now think of someone with whom you have low trust. How much harder is it to accomplish tasks? How much more difficult is it to reach a consensus? How less effective is your collaboration, brainstorming, or conflict resolution? Covey also invites readers to examine 5 areas of trust in their work or organization: * Self-Trust – examine your integrity, intent, capabilities, and results * Relational Trust – consider who you are building dividends of trust among team members * Organizational Trust – analyze how your systems, policies, and procedures support trust * Market Trust – evaluate how others see your school or organization as a place they are willing to invest their time and resources * Societal Trust – reflect on the difference or impact that is being made in the wider community because of your school or organization * Each of these areas can be examined to find ways we can build stronger trust for more effective outcomes. Trust is not built, however, in a vacuum or in isolation. When you see areas of trust that are stretched, strained or threatened, however, you have a choice. You can step into those moments with an awareness that proximity helps to rebuild trust. Or you distance yourself because the strain is too uncomfortable. Let’s be real. There are times in any organization or team where some members behave in ways that are not trustworthy. When this happens, they need to be called back to the norms and values we all say are important. If, however, they are unwilling to behave in a trustworthy manner, it is important that they stay uncomfortable until they improve or decide to go elsewhere. Trust is built over time, and it would take another post to talk about ways to rebuild broken trust or establish it in the first place. However, the foundation of leading change begins with trust. REFLECTIONS: What are some intentional ways you are scheduling time with others in order to build more trust? How is visibility with students, teachers, and community members an important way to build trust? What may you need to say ‘no’ to in the short term in order to ‘yes’ to actions that will build trust in the long term? The post MONDAY MATTERS – Time Spent and 5 Areas of Trust [https://williamdparker.com/2025/monday-matters-time-spent-and-5-areas-of-trust/] appeared first on Principal Matters [https://williamdparker.com].

Happy Friday! This week I am sharing out an old episode from 2021. In it, Jen and I answer a listener question about managing people who ‘stir the pot’ – teachers or faculty who gossip or cause drama. Check out the original blog post [https://williamdparker.com/2021/pmp273-how-to-manage-when-someone-is-stirring-the-pot/] now to learn more about the episode! Thank you for doing what matters! The post ENCORE FRIDAY – PMP273: How to Manage When Someone is ‘Stirring the Pot’ [https://williamdparker.com/2025/encore-friday-pmp273-how-to-manage-when-someone-is-stirring-the-pot/] appeared first on Principal Matters [https://williamdparker.com].

A QUICK NOTE TO LISTENERS:  Before this week’s interview, Jen Schwanke and Will Parker answered a listener question in a 5-minute response.  —- The Question of the Week is supported by Summer Pops Math Workbooks. Principals, when students practice math over the summer, math scores go up. What’s your summer math plan this year? A great way to start is by ordering FREE summer workbook samples at https://summerpopsworkbooks.com/ [https://summerpopsworkbooks.com/] —- The question is: How do you foster collaboration within the admin team? Listen in for our response and thank you for doing what matters! [https://williamdparker.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PMP433-1-1024x1024.jpg] MEET BRENT JACO Brent H. Jaco is in his fifth year as Superintendent of Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD, in Pecos, Texas. He has led the district through significant improvements, including the passage of two bonds since 2021 totaling over $625 million. These bonds enabled the construction of two new elementary campuses, the first in over 45 years, along with new facilities for maintenance, child nutrition, and technology, and a state-of-the-art Career & Technology Education wing at Pecos High School. He has been an athletic trainer, athletic director, assistant principal, and principal before moving into district administration. Mr. Jaco possesses a Masters in Business Administration with a focus on Organizational Leadership from Ashford University and an undergraduate degree from the University of Houston. Before starting his career in education, he honorably served our country as a United States Naval Officer from 1994 – 1998. In this episode, Will Parker speaks with Brent Jaco, Superintendent of Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD. Brent shares valuable insights about leadership, trust, and the transformations happening within his district. LESSONS IN DISTRICT TRANSFORMATION Brent begins by discussing the challenges Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD faced before his arrival, noting that no superintendent had stayed for more than a year in over two decades. His tenure, now in its fifth year, has brought much-needed stability, allowing the district to implement major changes. Brent emphasizes that these changes began with building trust. BUILDING TRUST AND ATTRACTING TALENT Brent explains that when people are in survival mode, it’s hard to achieve anything substantial. His priority was to strengthen trust within the community, which started with assembling a strong leadership team. He focused on hiring excellent teachers and leaders, one way being through competitive salaries and benefits. Additionally, Brent led the district in passing a bond to build a 64-unit apartment complex where teachers can live and build stronger relational trust with one another. CHILDCARE INITIATIVES Another significant achievement under Brent’s leadership was passing a bond to build a daycare center for children aged 6 weeks to 3 years. This facility can serve up to 230 children, and the Texas Workforce Commission has partnered with the district to support the initiative. This service is designed to benefit both teachers and the broader community. THE IMPORTANCE OF TRUST Brent and Will discuss the book “The Speed of Trust” by Stephen M.R. Covey, which Brent describes as a cornerstone of his leadership philosophy. Brent shares how self-trust—knowing your core values and living by them—is fundamental to building trust in others. He also highlights the importance of relational trust, which involves being truthful, and clear, keeping promises, and deeply understanding situations before providing solutions. An example Brent provides is the passage of his first bond issue, which had just over 50% community support. However, after delivering on that promise, the next bond issue gained 66% support from the community. ADVICE FOR NEW LEADERS Brent offers valuable advice to newer leaders: have a clear vision and mission for the future, and understand that not everyone will agree with you—and that’s okay. Leadership isn’t about winning a popularity contest. He reminds listeners that everyone is a leader—whether you’re a teacher, custodian, bus driver, or superintendent. Success lies in being trustworthy, focusing on what’s best for students, building relationships, and accomplishing collective goals. CONNECT WITH BRENT JACO If you would like to contact Mr. Jaco you can email him at bjaco@pbtisd.esc18.net, or complete our official PBTISD Just Ask form [http://https//docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScIa9wlvxAtwb0q5w4IPn4Q2RvWMpCgxWthSxh05lhMk_ho7Q/viewform].  You can also visit the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD website at pbtisd.net [http://pbtisd.net]. To reach out to Brent or his office directly, you can call (432) 447-7201. The post PMP433: The Benefits of Building Trust with Brent Jaco [https://williamdparker.com/2025/pmp433-the-benefits-of-building-trust-with-brent-jaco/] appeared first on Principal Matters [https://williamdparker.com].

In this week’s check-in, Jen Schwanke and Will Parker discuss habits and intentions surrounding commitments to your well-being as a leader.  Both of them share reflections on seasons in life, challenges we face in our personal and professional lives, and ways to stay present in our mindsets and practices. You can stay connected with our professional development services through our websites, or email us at will@williamdparker.com [will@williamdparker.com] or jen@jenschwanke.com [jen@jenschwanke.com] if you want to set up a time for conversation or reflection. Also, Will has a quick conversation with Cherith Aven, Middle School Principal from Cleveland Public Schools, in Cleveland, Oklahoma, about ways her commitments to well-being have benefited an entire community of educators and education leaders. The Oklahoma Educators Run Club (OERC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting health, wellness, and camaraderie among Oklahoma educators through running. Our mission is to create a supportive and empowering community where educators can connect, achieve fitness goals, and foster lifelong wellness habits that benefit both their personal lives and professional impact.  www.okedrunclub.com [http://www.okedrunclub.com/] Ways to find out more via social media Strava: Oklahoma Educators Run Club Facebook Account: Oklahoma Educators Running Club Instagram Account: @oked_runningclub Thank you again for doing what matters! The post MONDAY MATTERS – Your Well-Being and Meet Cherith Aven, OKED Run Club [https://williamdparker.com/2025/monday-matters-your-well-being-and-meet-cherith-aven-oked-run-club/] appeared first on Principal Matters [https://williamdparker.com].

Happy Friday! This week, the episode I have chosen to share from the Principal Matters archive is PMP283: How to be a Transformative Principal with Jethro Jones [PMP283: How to be a Transformative Principal with Jethro Jones]. We talk about self-care and growth for leaders, along with the challenges that school leaders face on a day-to-day basis. Click on the link above to read the original blog post or listen in to hear our conversation from 2022. Thank you for doing what matters! The post ENCORE FRIDAY – PMP283: How to Be a Transformative Principal with Jethro Jones [https://williamdparker.com/2025/encore-friday-pmp283-how-to-be-a-transformative-principal-with-jethro-jones/] appeared first on Principal Matters [https://williamdparker.com].