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

MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Curiosity and Cracking the Code

This week on Monday Matters, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to talk about how curiosity leads to discovery. Sometimes, school leaders can get so caught up in their work that they forget to be curious, forgetting that curiosity is the engine of learning. As leaders, we need to intentionally seek out the inquiry, discover, and apply cycles in our work. Through using reflective tools, we can unpack what curiosity is teaching us. Listen in to the whole conversation to hear from Will and Jen about how curiosity can lead to personal and professional growth. This episode is inspired by two posts, one written by Will Parker and one by Jen Schwanke about curiosity. You can find the link to Will’s article here [https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-curiosity-teaching-you-william-d-parker-upbzc/?trackingId=wysDGCfsSDqfUcbH66r3Bw%3D%3D] and the link to Jen’s here [https://jen-newsletter-c4287d.beehiiv.com/p/cracking-the-code?utm_source=jen-newsletter-c4287d.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=cracking-the-code&_bhlid=45a31292fcb8b993d8393ade8eae3faebf007d2c].  Thank you for doing what matters! The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Curiosity and Cracking the Code [https://williamdparker.com/2025/monday-matters-with-jen-schwanke-and-will-parker-curiosity-and-cracking-the-code/] appeared first on Principal Matters [https://williamdparker.com].

PMP475: Lessons from the First Year with Dr. Robert Kaiser

A QUICK NOTE TO LISTENERS: Before this week’s episode, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to answer a listener question. This week’s question is: What are some strategies for my own professional growth while managing so many daily responsibilities? Listen in to hear their response! MEET ROBERT KAISER: Dr. Robert “Rob” Kaiser brings over a decade of Tulsa Public Schools experience to his current role as Principal of McLain High. A Teach for America alum, he began in 2013 as a 4th‑grade teacher at Cooper Elementary, earning TPS District Teacher of the Year in 2015. He then served as assistant principal and principal at Monroe Demonstration Academy, earning a Doctorate in Curriculum & Supervision from the University of Oklahoma. Named Principal at McLain High for the 2024-25 school year, Dr. Kaiser immediately focused on attendance, student engagement, and uniforms, even launching the “Titan Transport” shuttle to reduce chronic absenteeism. He and his wife are proud parents. Rob is committed to a mission of creating equitable, high‑opportunity pathways for every student in North Tulsa. PREVIOUS LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE:  Prior to serving as a high school principal, Rob Kaiser served as an assistant principal and principal at a middle school. This position taught him some valuable lessons about leadership that he has taken with him into his role as a high school principal. One of the most important takeaways for him during his tenure as a middle school principal is the phrase “put your feet where you lead”. Essentially, this means taking every opportunity you have to show up with enthusiasm for students and families in your school community. Another lesson Rob learned during his time as a middle school principal is the importance of establishing a vision for what you want your school to look like, and getting the right people in the right roles. Throughout his time as a middle school principal, Monroe Demonstration Academy saw a decrease in their suspension rate, an increase in their teacher retention rate, and developed a robust after school program.  THE FIRST YEAR:  At the time of this recording, Rob Kaiser has spent the past year as a high school principal. While reflecting on his first year at McClain High School, Rob remembers that the first three months were a whirlwind of change. Not only was he the new principal, but he also had two new assistant principals. Leading a school through a period of change is a daunting task, but Rob rose to the occasion, and ended the year feeling that the school is stronger than where they were a year ago. Over the past year, McClain High School has put on their first musical in 30 years, prepared kids for their ACT, had 12 students sign to play sports in college, and has seen many students be awarded scholarship money for college.  RELATIONSHIPS, SYSTEMS, AND SUPPORTS:  Throughout his first year at McClain High School, Rob has focused on three buckets for leading change: relationships, systems, and supports. As a teacher, Rob learned from his school superintendent the importance of relationships. When he stepped into the role at McClain, Rob knew he wanted to build as many relationships as possible with the community, students, and teachers. Next, he focused on thinking through which systems the school has in place that work and which systems do not work. He states that he asked himself, “What was working in the past? How do we build on top of that?” and went from there. Finally, Rob talks about learning about the staff and teachers in his school and how they need to be supported. Using these three buckets, relationships, systems, and supports, are all vital to the success of the school.  ADVICE FOR LEADERS: When asked what advice he would give to new leaders, Rob talks about putting your feet where you lead. He tells new leaders to be in classrooms, the lunchrooms, the hallways; to constantly show up in spaces for students. It’s not the big moments that will have the largest impact, but the little moments of showing up with enthusiasm for students that will make a huge difference. For veteran leaders, Rob advises that they establish a routine to make sure that they are taking care of themselves first. He reminds listeners that taking care of yourself allows you to be there for your students.  STAYING CONNECTED:  You can stay connected to Rob Kaiser via Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/robby.kaiser.1], Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-r-kaiser/], or Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/principalkaiser/]. The post PMP475: Lessons from the First Year with Dr. Robert Kaiser [https://williamdparker.com/2025/pmp475-lessons-from-the-first-year-with-dr-robert-kaiser/] appeared first on Principal Matters [https://williamdparker.com].

MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Less is More

Principals often juggle a multitude of tasks and responsibilities, and they are constantly being asked to add more to their plate. Sometimes, you have to say “no” to say “yes” to something else. This week on Monday Matters, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke discuss the never-ending todo lists that many principals face. They talk about figuring out what to say “yes” to and what to say “no” to, thoughtfully cutting out tasks, and letting go of the things that you can’t control. The truth of the matter is that it is impossible for principals to keep adding tasks; at a certain point you will cease being productive. If saying “yes” to everything that is asked of you is something that you struggle with, this episode is the one for you.  This episode was inspired by a post from Jen Schwanke’s newsletter, “Principal Problems with Dr. Jen”. Check out the original post here [https://jen-newsletter-c4287d.beehiiv.com/p/part-1-embracing-the-power-of-less?utm_source=jen-newsletter-c4287d.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=part-1-embracing-the-power-of-less&_bhlid=8c1209efdab059be2eb7d564a5da1c95ddccc440&last_resource_guid=Post%3A1d79ccd1-dcc6-4418-b998-7c6f9e839936&jwt_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWJzY3JpYmVyX2lkIjoiZDdkYzRiYjMtOWVmYy00MmQ1LThhN2UtMzMwYzhlZmVkYzgwIiwicHVibGljYXRpb25faWQiOiIzOTU2MDNjMi1kYjE3LTQ1YTktYjA4MS0zNTk4MTg1NDdjYjYiLCJhY2Nlc3NfdHlwZSI6InJlYWQtb25seSIsImV4cCI6MTc2MTgxMjExNiwiaXNzIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9hcHAuYmVlaGlpdi5jb20iLCJpYXQiOjE3NjE2MzkzMTZ9.XR3AM0CVpLAcXFlLnktgRaieEU7yKQHqR0D5jtwCzss].  Video Version: The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Less is More [https://williamdparker.com/2025/monday-matters-with-jen-schwanke-and-will-parker-less-is-more/] appeared first on Principal Matters [https://williamdparker.com].

PMP474: Radically Excellent School Improvement with Dr. Kate Anderson Foley

A QUICK NOTE TO LISTENERS: Before this week’s interview, Jen Schwanke and Will Parker take some time to answer a listener question. This week’s question is: How do we balance the expectations and challenges of system-wide leadership vs. site-specific leadership? Listen in to hear their response! MEET KATE ANDERSON FOLEY, PH.D. Kate Anderson Foley, Founder & CEO of the Education Policy & Practice Group and McLean Affiliate of Harvard Medical School Institute of Coaching Fellow, is a renowned transformational leader, author, and international keynote speaker. With a career spanning from pioneering inclusive practices as a special education teacher to senior leadership roles in state education, Kate has consistently championed equitable and integrated services for all learners, particularly those historically marginalized. Her expertise lies in leading organizational change through strategic frameworks, advocating for comprehensive reform, and developing asset-based education policies. Through her consulting firm, she partners with diverse organizations, offering guidance on school improvement, professional learning, strategic planning, and executive coaching, all while authoring influential books like Ida Finds Her Voice, Fearless Coaching, and Radically Excellent School Improvement. “Don’t hand off your power to someone else.” This piece of advice is one of many provided for principals during this podcast episode. In this engaging conversation, Dr. Jen Schwanke welcomes Dr. Kate Anderson Foley, founder and CEO of the Education Policy and Practice Group and author of Radically Excellent School Improvement [https://www.corwin.com/books/radical-excellence-289045?srsltid=AfmBOopsB4i4McnOpxIJk-9ALLfDCyskr2GjwDvh7vusOCwn-7HE94oZ]. Dr. Anderson Foley shares insights from her extensive career, which began in special education and has spanned state and federal policy, always championing equitable and inclusive practices for all learners. The discussion centers on her book’s core premise: a comprehensive system of support that prioritizes students, particularly those historically marginalized, and integrates all services to replace disparate initiatives often juggled by school leaders. She emphasizes the vital role of principals in leading this transformation. HERE ARE SOME KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THEIR DISCUSSION: * Radically Excellent School Improvement: This framework, detailed in Dr. Anderson Foley’s book, advocates for ambitious improvement and a tireless focus on ensuring every student grows, thrives, and achieves their fullest potential. * Integrating Special Education: A core tenet is the belief that special education should not be siloed but fully integrated into the school improvement process, moving beyond mere compliance to focus on growth and achievement for all students. * Principals as Inclusive Leaders: Principals foster inclusive environments by setting unrelenting high expectations, engaging families as partners (even through difficult conversations), and building strength-based support systems. USING THESE TAKEAWAYS AS A FOUNDATION, THERE ARE A FEW IDEAS FOR PRINCIPALS TO CONSIDER: * Re-evaluate schedules: Principals should take control of their schedules to ensure time for comprehensive, connected collaboration. * Inclusive collaborative teams: Ensure all educators, including special education teachers and specialists (music, art, etc.), are part of grade-level or subject-area collaborative teams. * Focus on adult collaboration: Design opportunities for teachers to co-design and co-deliver instruction, strategically baking in support for diverse learners. * Identify interventions, not students: Shift from labeling students (e.g., “RTI kid”) to identifying and implementing interventions within the classroom, tracking their impact, and being prepared to stop what isn’t working. Kate believes that in order to lead effectively, principals must actively transition from day-to-day management to strategic leadership, focusing on coaching staff to achieve collective goals. Coaching is essential for building nimble, student-centered systems that respond in real-time to needs, addressing everything from social justice issues to ensuring equitable outcomes for students with IEPs, recognizing special education as a service, not a place. Ultimately, principals are advised not to undertake this complex work alone, but to form alliances and seek external support to navigate challenges and drive meaningful school improvement. Dr. Kate Anderson Foley’s passion for ensuring equitable and excellent education for all students shines through, offering practical strategies and profound insights for principals striving to create truly inclusive and high-achieving school communities. Her work emphasizes that with strategic planning, collaborative effort, and a relentless focus on student growth, radical improvement is not just possible, but essential. STAYING CONNECTED: You can stay connected with Dr. Kate Anderson Foley via the following channels: * LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-anderson-foley-phd-6803b856/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-anderson-foley-phd-6803b856/] * EPPG:  https://www.edpolicyconsulting.com/ [https://www.edpolicyconsulting.com/] * FB:  https://www.facebook.com/edpolicyconsulting [https://www.facebook.com/edpolicyconsulting] * Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/drkateaf/ [https://www.instagram.com/drkateaf/] VIDEO VERSION: The post PMP474: Radically Excellent School Improvement with Dr. Kate Anderson Foley [https://williamdparker.com/2025/pmp474-radically-excellent-school-improvement-with-dr-kate-anderson-foley/] appeared first on Principal Matters [https://williamdparker.com].

MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Addressing AI

Welcome back to another episode of Monday Matters! This week, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to have a conversation about the use of AI in public schools. They talk about how AI has blown up and the ways that it is impacting education. One concern about AI that is often cited is that teachers are very concerned about cheating through using AI. Will and Jen address this concern and offer advice to school leaders navigating the complicated education landscape created by AI. Listen in to hear all their takeaways! This episode was inspired by an installment of Jen’s newsletter called “The Age of A.I.”. You can read it here [https://jen-newsletter-c4287d.beehiiv.com/p/the-age-of-a-i]. Below are the articles cited in the episode: https://www.acquired.fm/episodes/google-the-ai-company [https://www.acquired.fm/episodes/google-the-ai-company] https://ifanyonebuildsit.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22846896442&gbraid=0AAAAAD2uvfWlz5uS2OCul1bXGgZf5rJFb&gclid=CjwKCAiAwqHIBhAEEiwAx9cTeTEyZxdEa0flvBLMFt8tJFShSrHH496YwBGQGQ04pnRaST1UxEctUBoC8JwQAvD_BwE [https://ifanyonebuildsit.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22846896442&gbraid=0AAAAAD2uvfWlz5uS2OCul1bXGgZf5rJFb&gclid=CjwKCAiAwqHIBhAEEiwAx9cTeTEyZxdEa0flvBLMFt8tJFShSrHH496YwBGQGQ04pnRaST1UxEctUBoC8JwQAvD_BwE] https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/22/800-petition-signatures-apple-steve-wozniak-and-virgin-richard-branson-superintelligence-race.html [https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/22/800-petition-signatures-apple-steve-wozniak-and-virgin-richard-branson-superintelligence-race.html] The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – Addressing AI [https://williamdparker.com/2025/monday-matters-with-jen-schwanke-and-will-parker-addressing-ai/] appeared first on Principal Matters [https://williamdparker.com].