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

PMP504: Ready to Lead with AI with Dr. Kip Glazer

A QUICK NOTE TO LISTENERS: Before this week’s interview, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to answer a listener question. This week’s question is: I’m working hard, doing good work, of course not perfectly, but I’m beginning to feel stuck. How do I keep myself from becoming complacent as a leader? Listen in to hear their response! MEET DR. KIP GLAZER: [https://williamdparker.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/PMP-Template-29-1024x1024.png] Dr. Kip Glazer is a former classroom teacher, district technology coach, and current high school principal of Mountain View High School in Mountain View, California. She has more than 20 years of experience helping schools translate emerging technologies — including artificial intelligence — into practical, responsible practice. Her work includes leadership decision-making, understanding ethical AI, and building systems that strengthen teaching, learning, and student voice. Kip has advised districts, collaborated with national research organizations, and spoken nationally and internationally about what it really takes to lead in the AI era with clarity, credibility, and healthy skepticism. She’s been recognized as one of DA Magazine’s Top 100 Influential Education Leaders and is a CSTA Equity Fellow, Google Innovator, and EngageAI Practitioner Advisory Board member. Her new book, Ready to Lead with AI: A Practical Guide for School Leaders [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GL5NRHNN?&linkCode=sl2&tag=connectedd07-20&linkId=2d23230bd4ee66ba12bb33bfe0db6346&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl], offers school leaders practical guidance for navigating AI in real schools.  DR. GLAZER’S BACKGROUND: In this episode of Principal Matters, we talk to Dr. Kip Glazer—author, high school principal, and longtime education technology leader—for a timely conversation on what it means to lead well in an AI era when the answers still aren’t clear. What makes this conversation especially powerful is Kip’s humility and candor: she argues that if anyone claims they fully understand AI right now—even tool builders—school leaders should be skeptical. The work is evolving in real time, and leaders are navigating an “iterative space” where staff often expect certainty simply because the principal has the title. Kip shares her personal origin story as an English language learner who moved to the U.S. from South Korea at age 23 without speaking English. That experience shaped her leadership lens: to look beyond what’s visible and honor what students already carry—culture, knowledge, and identity—even when they don’t yet have language to express it. She reminds leaders that a student’s limited English isn’t a measure of their intelligence, and that truly equitable leadership requires curiosity, empathy, and respect for what may not be immediately seen. THE CHALLENGES OF AI IN SCHOOLS: As the conversation turns to AI, Kip names an under-discussed challenge: identity disruption. For decades, educators have been the most knowledgeable people in the room, and AI changes that. Kip explains that this shift has an emotional toll for teachers and leaders alike, creating insecurity when students know tools the adults don’t. Her response isn’t to retreat into control, but to double down on pedagogy, collaboration, and communication, and to model the stance of learning with students instead of pretending to know everything. Kip also challenges schools to rethink what they assess. Traditional systems often measure what students know, but struggle to measure how students use knowledge to create. She argues that AI can open doors for deeper learning if schools strengthen pedagogy that supports collaboration, creation, and problem-solving. She shares an example from her own teaching, where she used game-based learning principles in an AP Literature classroom—an approach that looked unconventional to observers, but still resulted in strong outcomes for students. PRINCIPAL’S TECH INTERNSHIP PROGRAM: One of the most practical highlights of the episode is Kip’s Principal’s Tech Internship Program, created to elevate student agency while strengthening support across campus. Kip describes how she built a structure where tech-skilled students can serve their school community, gain internship experience, and even earn community college credit through a partnership. The program began small—helping teachers onboard students and solve everyday tech problems—but grew as students began proposing bigger ideas, hosting events, and presenting their work beyond the school. Kip’s approach is intentionally “hands off” in the best way: she asks questions, guides, and protects space for students to take ownership—while learning through real-world planning, setbacks, and reflection. LEADERSHIP GROWTH: Kip also shares an honest leadership growth edge: learning that staff often need more affirmation and personal connection than she realized—especially coming from a background where praise wasn’t expressed as directly. That insight has shaped how she thinks about culture, support, and presence. Finally, Kip offers a grounded model for leading through uncertainty: invite honest feedback, assume positive intent, and be explicit about your intentions—especially in the presence of power dynamics. She emphasizes that leaders can’t fix what they don’t know, and that openness is always healthier than suffering in silence. CLOSING COMMENTS: Kip closes with a message of solidarity: school leaders may have different contexts, but they share similar pressures and hopes. Her goal in writing Ready to Lead with AI: A Practical Guide for School Leaders [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GL5NRHNN?&linkCode=sl2&tag=connectedd07-20&linkId=2d23230bd4ee66ba12bb33bfe0db6346&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl] was to create the book she wished she had—honest, practical, and rooted in real school life. STAYING CONNECTED: If you would like to learn more about Dr. Kip Glazer you can visit her website https://kipglazier.com [https://kipglazier.com]. Check out her new book Ready to Lead with AI: A Practical Guide for School Leaders. [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GL5NRHNN?&linkCode=sl2&tag=connectedd07-20&linkId=2d23230bd4ee66ba12bb33bfe0db6346&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl] The post PMP504: Ready to Lead with AI with Dr. Kip Glazer [https://williamdparker.com/2026/pmp504-ready-to-lead-with-ai-with-dr-kip-glazer/] appeared first on Principal Matters [https://williamdparker.com].

PMP503: Time, Tools, and Tactics of Instructional Leadership with TJ Vari & Joseph Jones

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: How do you know when you should stay or leave? I’m in a place in my career where I’m wanting to do something different and not finding as much joy in my role as in the past. What should I do? Listen in to hear their response! MEET TJ VARI AND JOSEPH JONES: [https://williamdparker.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/PMP-Template-28-1024x1024.png] Joseph Jones and T.J.Vari have spent years as instructional leaders in various schools and districts. They have also provided professional learning and coaching to hundreds of school leaders. They have tested the strategies they recommend with principals, assistant principals and teacher leaders. They understand that the work we ask school leaders to do is complex and often time sensitive. They also know that schools are filled with daily distractions that often derail and take the leader away from the most important work which is getting into classrooms where they observe and provide feedback to teachers about the quality of instruction provided to students. They have shared many of these lessons in their other books such as Invest In Your Best, Passionate Leadership, 7 Mindshifts for School Leaders, Retention for Change, Building a Winning Team, and Candid and Compassionate Feedback.  Their newest book is Time, Tools, and Tactics of Instructional Leadership: A Principal’s Guide to Leading Learning Momentum. Will Parker welcomes returning guests TJ Vari and Joseph Jones for a practical, high-impact conversation on the time, tools, and tactics of instructional leadership. With years of experience coaching and developing leaders across hundreds of schools, TJ and Joe speak directly to the reality principals and assistant principals face every day: instructional leadership matters most—but distractions, urgency, and weak systems often pull leaders away from classrooms, feedback, and learning momentum. The conversation centers on their newest book, Time, Tools, and Tactics of Instructional Leadership: A Principal’s Guide to Leading Learning Momentum, which was born from a shared frustration: many leaders care deeply and work incredibly hard, yet struggle to execute instructional leadership consistently—not because they lack commitment, but because they lack systems. TJ and Joe explain how the book offers frameworks and models that serve as “architecture” until leaders build their own rhythms and habits. Will highlights the book’s story-driven structure—seven leadership scenarios that mirror the real challenges school leaders face daily: finding time, delivering feedback that lands, balancing praise and coaching, asking effective questions, clarifying direction, and responding to resistance. TJ describes how each story builds intentionally from the last, moving leaders from “random acts of leadership” to consistent, aligned practice. A major takeaway is the need to protect high-leverage priorities through intentional scheduling and reflection. TJ and Joe unpack time blocking and reverse time blocking as tools to help leaders see what’s actually consuming their day—and to reset back to priority work after inevitable interruptions. Joe emphasizes that when your time gets hijacked, your default can’t become empty space or reactive busywork—it must return to the high-leverage actions that move instruction forward. The episode also digs into the danger of fear-based leadership, where leaders take the weight of school success on themselves. TJ and Joe stress that school improvement is a collective outcome and that culture strengthens through coherence and collective clarity, not pressure and control. They encourage leaders to build and develop strong leadership teams, align professional learning and feedback to clear priorities, and create shared language around what quality instruction looks like. To close, TJ and Joe offer actionable guidance for leaders entering new roles: secure coaching support, read widely—especially about what works in schools—and focus on fundamentals. Joe adds a powerful reminder for sustainability: define the standards you want your school to embody, and when the work feels heavy, reconnect to your “why” by visiting classrooms where great teaching and learning are happening. Those moments, he says, re-center leaders faster than any mantra. STAY CONNECTED WITH TJ VARI & JOSEPH JONES: You can connect with TJ and Joe, explore their services, and learn more about their work here: * Website: https://theschoolhouse302.com [https://theschoolhouse302.com] * Email: contact@theschoolhouse302.com * Book (featured): Time, Tools, and Tactics of Instructional Leadership (available wherever books are sold) The post PMP503: Time, Tools, and Tactics of Instructional Leadership with TJ Vari & Joseph Jones [https://williamdparker.com/2026/pmp503-time-tools-and-tactics-of-instructional-leadership-with-tj-vari-joseph-jones/] appeared first on Principal Matters [https://williamdparker.com].

MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – The Perspective Question

This week’s episode of Monday Matters is about shifting one’s perspective. Will Parker and Jen Schwanke consider a question about perspective that Jen recently wrote about in her newsletter. The question is: “If every person in the world wrote down their problems and put them in a hat, would you risk taking on someone else’s problems or would you keep yours?”. Will and Jen reflect on the question and talk about how educators can apply this question to problems faced by their schools and their students. Listen in to hear the full conversation! This episode was inspired by one of Jen Schwanke’s newsletters. You can check out the post here [https://jen-newsletter-c4287d.beehiiv.com/p/perspective?utm_source=jen-newsletter-c4287d.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=perspective&_bhlid=ea5c3770f8cfbfc9214ce71d0b9f80677c43f229]. The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – The Perspective Question [https://williamdparker.com/2026/monday-matters-with-jen-schwanke-and-will-parker-the-perspective-question/] appeared first on Principal Matters [https://williamdparker.com].

PMP502: Strategies for Effective Leadership with Dr. Erica Buchanan-Rivera

A Quick Note to Listeners: Before this week’s interview, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to answer a listener question. This week’s question is: I’ve said yes to a new position within the district. How do I leave my current school in the best way possible while also doing my best to get ready for my upcoming role? Listen in to hear their response! MEET DR. ERICA BUCHANAN-RIVERA: [https://williamdparker.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PMP-Template-27-1024x1024.png] Dr. Erica Buchanan-Rivera is a fierce advocate for justice-centered work and humanizing approaches in educational environments. She has served in education for nearly 20 years as a teacher, an award-winning principal, director of curriculum, and a chief equity and inclusion officer in an urban and suburban school district. Dr. Buchanan-Rivera attended Butler University, where she received her Bachelor’s in Elementary Education and Master’s in School Administration. She completed her doctoral degree from Indiana State University in 2017. Currently, Dr. Buchanan-Rivera supports aspiring school leaders and educators as an Assistant Professor at DePaul University. She is also an educational consultant (EBR Educational Consultant) who focuses on ideological work to support culturally responsive practices and conditions for learning. STRATEGIES FOR EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP: In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, the role of school leaders is more crucial than ever. Dr. Erica Buchanan-Rivera joins Dr. Jen Schwanke to share her experiences and strategies for effective leadership. In this episode, we explore the importance of identity-affirming cultures and the delicate balance between empathy and accountability in educational leadership. Dr. Erica Buchanan-Rivera, also known as Dr. EBR, has dedicated her career to fostering equitable educational environments. With a background as an award-winning principal and director of curriculum, she brings a wealth of experience to her current role at DePaul University.  Dr. EBR’s journey began in Peoria, Illinois, where her early experiences in a predominantly white school ignited her passion for justice and advocacy in education. Using that background, Dr. EBR emphasizes the need for identity-affirming classrooms that center humanity. She believes that leaders should strive to create conditions for learning that eliminate barriers to achievement. She highlights that good intentions alone are insufficient; it is essential to actively work towards an inclusive environment. Dr. EBR introduces the concept of “mirror work,” which encourages leaders to reflect on their identities and the beliefs that shape their practices. She shares that self-reflection is vital for maintaining humanity in decision-making. By consistently engaging in this introspective process, leaders can better understand their impact on students and the school culture. Throughout her career, Dr. EBR has encountered various challenges that have shaped her leadership approach. One defining moment was her early transition to principalship, where she witnessed racial inequities within disciplinary procedures. This experience motivated her to advocate for culturally responsive teaching practices and to implement systems that address these disparities. One of the key challenges in leadership is ensuring genuine staff buy-in for new initiatives. Dr. EBR acknowledges that not all staff members will align with a leader’s vision. However, she stresses the importance of transparency and the willingness to accept that some resistance is natural. Engaging in open dialogue and demonstrating the positive impact of changes can help foster a supportive environment. Dr. Erica Buchanan-Rivera’s insights offer valuable guidance for current and aspiring educational leaders. Her commitment to fostering identity-affirming cultures and her emphasis on self-reflection highlight the need for empathy balanced with accountability in leadership. By embracing these principles, leaders can create impactful educational experiences that promote equity and empower students to thrive. STAYING CONNECTED: If you wish to learn more about Dr. Erica Buchana-Rivera, visit any of the links below: Website: https://drbuchananrivera.com/ [https://drbuchananrivera.com/] LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-buchanan-rivera-ph-d-136309256 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-buchanan-rivera-ph-d-136309256] Threads: https://www.threads.com/@ericab_rivera [https://www.threads.com/@ericab_rivera] X: https://x.com/ericabrivera [https://x.com/ericabrivera] The post PMP502: Strategies for Effective Leadership with Dr. Erica Buchanan-Rivera [https://williamdparker.com/2026/pmp502-strategies-for-effective-leadership-with-dr-erica-buchanan-rivera/] appeared first on Principal Matters [https://williamdparker.com].

MONDAY MATTERS: Making an Impact with Ohio Mastermind Members

In this episode of Monday Matters, Will Parker brings together a group of school leaders from Ohio who participate in an ongoing Impact Mastermind in partnership with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, Adkins & Company, LLC, and Principal Matters, LLC. The conversation centers on how collective coaching and collaboration strengthen leadership practice and help leaders better develop others. MEET THE OHIO IMPACT MASTERMIND [https://williamdparker.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-1-1024x576.jpg] This week’s guests (pictured above) include Kelly M. Brodzenski, Breen Slauter, Julita (Julie) Flowers, Danielle Morris, and Renee Holt. Additional members mentioned but not present include: Jared Hawk, Allison Shardell, Joe Weisend, Ken Goodrum, and Chris Brooks. I’m grateful for each of them, and I’m excited to share lessons from our regular sessions together. LET’S KEEP LEARNING AS LEADERS A key theme throughout the discussion is that leadership can feel isolating, but being part of a trusted community creates space for honesty, reflection, and growth. The leaders describe how regular mastermind sessions provide: * A safe, non-evaluative environment to process real challenges * Opportunities to learn from others’ experiences and apply solutions proactively * Support in navigating emotionally complex decisions, especially around staff and school culture * Accountability to stay focused on professional growth and reflective practice Several leaders highlight how coaching has sharpened their ability to: * Listen deeply and ask better questions rather than rushing to solutions * Separate emotion from evidence when making difficult decisions * Build confidence and clarity in high-stakes leadership moments The group also emphasizes the practical impact of this work. They are not just learning—they are translating these strategies back into their schools by: * Using coaching questions with assistant principals and staff * Creating more reflective, people-centered staff meetings * Encouraging team growth beyond just data and performance metrics * Modeling collaboration and continuous learning within their own organizations Another major insight is the distinction between typical school meetings (focused on data and outcomes) and mastermind conversations, which focus on the “how” of leadership—mindset, decision-making, and personal growth. PARTING WORDS OF WISDOM As the conversation concluded, each leader offered a meaningful parting word of advice for fellow school leaders, reinforcing the importance of connection, growth, confidence, and purpose in the work.  Danielle Morris reminded listeners, “You are not alone—seek out community.” Julita (Julie) Flowers encouraged leaders to remain grounded in their development, sharing, “Stay committed to growth to sustain leadership success.” Breen Slauter added the importance of trusting oneself while continuing to learn, noting, “Trust your instincts while remaining open to learning.” Finally, Renee Holt brought the focus back to purpose, urging leaders to “Always reconnect to your ‘why’ for leading.” LET’S WRAP THIS UP Great leaders don’t grow in isolation. They grow through intentional, collaborative learning with others who understand the work. If you’re interested in learning more from these leaders, reach out through their websites listed in the introduction. If you’d like to connect about opportunities for coaching, mentoring, or Masterminds for yourself or your leaders, reach out to Will at will@williamdparker.com [will@williamdparker.com] Until next time, thank you for doing what matters! The post MONDAY MATTERS: Making an Impact with Ohio Mastermind Members [https://williamdparker.com/2026/monday-matters-making-an-impact-with-ohio-mastermind-members/] appeared first on Principal Matters [https://williamdparker.com].