Beyond the Bell: School Leadership Series

#11: Justin Wax: NASSP Louisiana Middle School Principal of the Year

Recorded live at the NASSP Leadership Awards and Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C., this conversation with Justin Wax is packed with energy, optimism, and practical leadership wisdom. From the moment we sat down, it felt less like an interview and more like a conversation with someone I had known for years, a testament to Justin’s ability to connect with people and make them feel valued. In this episode, we explore Justin’s leadership journey, the importance of building authentic relationships, and how school leaders can create cultures where both students and staff thrive. Justin shares lessons learned along the way, reflects on the power of presence and connection, and offers insight into what it means to lead with both confidence and humility. Whether you're a veteran administrator or just beginning your leadership journey, you'll walk away with reminders about the importance of people, purpose, and showing up every day with the energy needed to make a difference. Key themes: * Building authentic relationships * Creating positive school culture * Leading with energy and purpose * The power of connection and presence * Lessons learned through the leadership journey

#10: ToniJo Niccoli: NASSP Colorado High School Principal of the Year

In this episode of Beyond the Bell, Jon sits down with Colorado High School Principal of the Year ToniJo Niccoli, principal of New Meridian High School and the district’s Career and Technical Education Center in northern Colorado. Toni Jo shares her unique journey into education, from originally planning to become a kindergarten teacher to finding her passion working with students in alternative education settings. The conversation explores ToniJo’s leadership philosophy centered on relationships, belief in students, and intentional systems. She reflects on leading a school that increased its on-time graduation rate from 12.5% to 93.5%, explaining how culture, consistency, and strategic support systems helped transform outcomes for students often labeled “at-risk.” ToniJo also discusses the importance of student voice, being visible and accessible as a principal, and why she rejects labels that predetermine a child’s worth. Jon and ToniJo dive into balancing leadership with personal life, navigating change and resistance, building authentic connections with students, and staying true to yourself as a leader. The episode highlights the power of small moments, relentless belief in kids, and creating a school environment where students feel valued, challenged, and supported every day. Whether you’re a school leader, educator, or someone passionate about helping others grow, this episode offers practical insight and heartfelt perspective on leadership that puts people first.

#9: David Wiedlich: NASSP Pennsylvania Middle School Principal of the Year

In this episode of Beyond the Bell, we sit down with David Wiedlich for a conversation that challenges the way we think about leadership, resilience, and longevity in the role. Together, we explore what it means to lead through those pressures with intention. From the concept of trauma-informed leadership to the importance of self-awareness and sustainability, this conversation goes beyond strategies and into the mindset required to endure and thrive in school leadership. David shares insights on how leaders can remain steady for their teams while also recognizing the toll the work can take and what to do about it. This episode connects deeply to the realities outlined across Beyond the Bell, from managing the emotional weight of leadership to maintaining effectiveness over time. If you have ever felt the quiet strain of the role or questioned how to stay strong in the long run, this conversation will resonate.

#8: Powering Down: Strength in Mindless Moments

In this episode, George and Jon spend some time discussing an overlooked leadership habit: the way simple, mindless moments can actually help school leaders recharge. They share stories from their time as assistant principals, when these moments accidentally became part of the workflow, and how they have learned to use them intentionally as principals. There's also the tension leaders feel when stepping away, even briefly, and why the job’s “always on” nature makes it hard to slow down without guilt. Backed by research and practical examples, they explore how short mental breaks improve clarity, reduce stress, and help leaders return more focused and effective. Sometimes you can’t turn the job off, but you can turn it down. And those small pauses may be one of the most powerful tools you have to lead at your best.

#7: Scaling Up with Dr. Mia Hyde

In this episode of Beyond the Bell, we sit down with Dr. Mia Hyde to explore what it means to scale up in leadership and navigate change effectively. Mia explains that growth isn’t simply about doing more, it’s about guiding others through change with clarity and purpose. From the classroom to the state level, she reminds us that meaningful progress happens when leaders stay grounded, communicate with vision, and focus on people, not just processes. Leading change can stir up tough emotions, and Mia shares insight into what that experience looks and feels like when leading from the front.