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

A QUICK NOTE TO LISTENERS: Before this week’s interview, Will Parker and Jen Schwanke spend some time talking about Jen’s upcoming book: Trusted: Trust Pillars, Trust Killers, and the Secret to Successful Schools [https://www.amazon.com/Trusted-Pillars-Killers-Successful-Schools/dp/1416633790]. Listen in to hear more about this book, as well as where you can pre-order it. Thank you for doing what matters! [https://williamdparker.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/PMP455-1024x1024.jpg] MEET MIKE FITZPATRICK:   Mike Fitzpatrick is the Founder and CEO of NCX Group, a leader in cybersecurity solutions. With over 25 years of experience in Information Technology Risk Management, Regulatory Compliance, and Privacy Legislation, Mike has built a reputation as a trusted expert in the field.  Throughout his career, Mike has collaborated with Fortune 50 and Fortune 2000 companies, developing innovative strategies to protect sensitive data and maintain business continuity. His expertise in cybersecurity has led him to serve as an advisor to influential policymakers, including Senator Dianne Feinstein and Congresswoman Mary Bono, contributing to critical NORPDA and DATA legislation.   Mike is also a distinguished fellow at the Ponemon Institute, where he continues to shape the conversation on privacy and data protection. Known nationally as an engaging speaker, he regularly shares his insights at prominent forums, helping organizations understand and mitigate cyber risks.   Passionate about advancing cybersecurity, Mike leads a dedicated team at NCX Group, providing services like risk assessments, compliance reviews, and penetration testing to businesses of all sizes. His relentless commitment to keeping organizations secure has earned him and NCX Group an unparalleled reputation in the industry. CYBERSECURITY IN SCHOOLS: For principals, learning about the very real risks to cybersecurity— and how we might proactively prevent a cyber attack— is an important learning opportunity and a critical issue to the health of our students, staff, and school data. Mike Fitzpatrick, CEO of Ncx Group, joins Jen Schwanke on Principal Matters to discuss the growing cybersecurity threat facing schools.  In explaining the risk factors, Fitzpatrick emphasizes that cybersecurity is not just an IT issue, but a critical business process impacting every part of a school. He details the various ways cyberattacks occur, from simple vulnerabilities like weak passwords to sophisticated phishing attacks, often amplified by generative AI. He stresses the significant financial and operational impact of these attacks, citing average downtime of over three weeks and costs reaching millions of dollars. Fitzpatrick explains the vulnerability of schools due to their vast data holdings, placing them among the top at-risk sectors along with government and healthcare. He explains that cybercriminals, often operating from organized, sometimes state-sponsored groups, are highly skilled and resourceful, making it difficult for law enforcement to track them down. He urges schools to proactively assess their vulnerabilities, invest in cybersecurity awareness training for all staff, and implement robust security measures like password managers and multi-factor authentication. The conversation explores the challenges schools face, including limited resources, aging technology, and a cybersecurity talent shortage. Fitzpatrick offers solutions such as training existing staff and partnering with managed security service providers to gain access to expertise and affordable services. He also discusses the role of state and federal regulations, noting that they often lag behind the evolving threats. He encourages schools to prioritize technology refresh plans and consider bond measures to fund necessary upgrades.  Fitzpatrick uses the analogy of candy to illustrate the importance of a layered defense. He describes many organizations as having a “Skittle” structure – a hard outer shell but a soft, vulnerable core. He advocates for building a “jawbreaker” – a tough, layered defense that makes it challenging and unprofitable for attackers to penetrate. He stresses that proactive measures, rather than reactive responses after an attack, are crucial. He also touches upon the connection between cybersecurity and insurance costs, explaining how strong security practices can lead to significant savings. He concludes by offering his expertise and services to schools seeking to improve their cybersecurity systems. STAYING CONNECTED: You can stay connected with Mike Fitzpatrick via: * ncxgroup.com [https://ncxgroup.com/] (use the contact form to connect) * LinkedIn: Mike Fitzpatrick [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ncxgroup/] * Email:  mfitzpatrick@ncxgroup.com The post PMP455: Cybersecurity in Schools: Risks, Prevention, and Best Practices with Mike Fitzpatrick [https://williamdparker.com/2025/pmp455-cybersecurity-in-schools-risks-prevention-and-best-practices-with-mike-fitzpatrick/] appeared first on Principal Matters [https://williamdparker.com].

Welcome back to another Monday Matters! I can’t believe it is already summer. This week, our Monday Matters Podcast is going to be a little different than usual. As listeners may already know, the focus of recent Monday Matters episodes have been on the chapters of my new book Whose Permission Are You Waiting For? An Educator’s Guide to Doing What You Love. The chapter we are covering this week is one on masterminds. However, instead of talking about the chapter, I wanted to give listeners the chance to hear what it is like to be a part of one of the masterminds I offer. The following seven leaders took part in a mastermind I offered in the previous school year:  * Jacqueline Flaker, Director, Rittman Academy, Rittman, OH * Gisele James, Superintendent, Par Excellence Stem Academy, Newark, OH * Genesis Henderson, Deputy Superintendent, Cincinnati College Preparatory Academy, Cincinnati, OH * Anne Hyland, Superintendent, Franklinton High School, Columbus, OH * Guyton Matthews, Superintendent, Cincinnati College Preparatory Academy, Cincinnati, OH * Maria Rodgers, Principal and Superintendent Designee, SCOPE Academy, Akron, OH * Bill Watson, Superintendent, Utica Shale Academy, Salineville, OH Listen in to hear their answers to the following questions: * Quick introduction of your name, title, and the school you serve, and its location. * What motivated you to be a part of the Mastermind? * What are some common challenges you have shared along the way with Mastermind members? * In what ways have content discussions enhanced your own leadership development? * What reason(s) would you give someone else to consider joining a Mastermind? * What are you hoping to achieve in the future as a part of this kind of collaboration? If you would like to learn more about the masterminds and other trainings I offer, visit my website [https://williamdparker.com/services/] to learn more! As always, thank you for doing what matters! The post MONDAY MATTERS Bonus Episode – Mastermind Lesson with Legacy Leaders [https://williamdparker.com/2025/monday-matters-bonus-episode-mastermind-lesson-with-legacy-leaders/] appeared first on Principal Matters [https://williamdparker.com].

A QUICK NOTE TO LISTENERS: Before this week’s interview, Will Parker answers a question from a student in Jen Schwanke’s graduate class at OSU. The question is: From your experience as a podcaster, what are the most compelling or surprising insights you’ve gained from other educational leaders regarding human capital management? (This question is asked by Brenna Cropper, a first grade teacher in Worthington, Ohio) Listen in to hear his response and thank you for doing what matters! [https://williamdparker.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/PMP454-1-1024x1024.jpg] MEET PJ CAPOSEY: PJ Caposey is a dynamic speaker and a transformational leader and educator. PJ began his career as an award-winning teacher in the inner-city of Chicago and has subsequently led significant change in every administrative post he has held. PJ became a principal at the age of 28 and within three years was able to lead a small-town/rural school historically achieving near the bottom of its county to multiple national recognitions. After four years, PJ moved to his current district, Meridian CUSD 223, as superintendent and has led a similar turnaround leading to multiple national recognitions for multiple different efforts. He was the 2023 Illinois Superintendent of the Year, a finalist for 2023 National Superintendent of the Year, and a best-selling author. His latest book, coauthored with Bryan Wills, is Cracking the Coaching Code: Using Personality Archetypes to Maximize Performance (Rowman & Littlefield, 2023). SHOW SUMMARY: In this episode of the Principal Matters podcast, Jen Schwanke interviews PJ Caposey, a superintendent overseeing two school districts and a prolific author and speaker. Caposey, a three-time cancer survivor, shares his unique perspective on time management and leadership, driven by a core belief in maximizing life’s finite resources. He emphasizes the importance of aligning personal ego demands, societal norms, and the inner drive for greatness to achieve focus and productivity. Caposey advocates for a critical approach to time management, encouraging listeners to challenge accepted norms and prioritize tasks that yield the greatest impact. He questions the effectiveness of open-door policies, suggesting open calendar policies as a more efficient alternative. Part of his success relies on setting boundaries between work and personal life, sharing his personal strategy of achieving a “zero inbox” to fully engage with family. Caposey believes in giving his all to each aspect of his life, whether it’s work or family time, and encourages listeners to find what works best for them. Jen and Caposey dive into a conversation, dear to Jen’s heart, about systems and people. Caposey draws from his experience with the Baldrige framework in solidifying his belief that simplifying and streamlining systems can empower teachers and leaders by reducing bureaucracy and increasing efficiency. He encourages principals to connect the dots between various initiatives and focus on a few core values to drive school improvement efforts, noting the power of language and consistent messaging in aligning actions with values, citing examples from his own district. Caposey acknowledges that not all principals have the support of a systems-focused superintendent and offers strategies for simplifying systems at the building level. He suggests conducting an initiative purge to identify and group related efforts, reducing feelings of disjointedness. He also encourages principals to identify their strengths and build a team that complements those strengths, rather than striving to be a generalist. For all school leaders, an ongoing focus on  continuous improvement and self-awareness will be an important component in success. STAYING CONNECTED: You can connect with PJ Caposey via the following: * Website:  pjcaposey.com [https://pjcaposey.com/] * LinkedIn:  PJ Caposey [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcusdsupe/] * Instagram:  @pjacaposey    * Email: pcaposey@gmail.com  The post PMP454: Maximizing Systems, Focus, and Impact with PJ Caposey [https://williamdparker.com/2025/pmp454-maximizing-systems-focus-and-impact-with-pj-caposey/] appeared first on Principal Matters [https://williamdparker.com].

Welcome back to another Monday Matters. As school leaders across the country are wrapping up their school years, Jen and I are wishing everyone a happy summer! This week’s episode is a discussion of a chapter on coaching from my book, Whose Permission Are You Waiting For? An Educator’s Guide to Doing What You Love. Coaching is a reflective activity that is extremely valuable to people across different walks of life, and it is particularly valuable to those working in education. Jen shares a story she read about coaching fifteen years ago that really opened her eyes to the benefit of coaching. She also shares her experience of some complementary coaching she received from me a few weeks ago. Furthermore, there are many different types of coaching available to leaders. Coaching is something that has benefitted both Jen and myself greatly. If you would like to learn more about coaching or want to set up some coaching with Jen or myself at jenschwanke@gmail.com [jenschwanke@gmail.com] or will@williamdparker.com [will@williamdparker.com]. Thanks for listening to our conversation and thank you for doing what matters! The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – The Value of Coaching [https://williamdparker.com/2025/monday-matters-with-jen-schwanke-and-will-parker-the-value-of-coaching/] appeared first on Principal Matters [https://williamdparker.com].

A QUICK NOTE TO LISTENERS: Before this week’s interview, Will Parker answers a question from a student in Jen Schwanke’s graduate class at OSU. The question is: Through your consulting work, what common human capital challenges do you see schools facing and how can principals proactively address them? (Question from Madeline Platfoot, 6th grade math teacher from Columbus, Ohio) Listen in to hear his response and thank you for doing what matters! [https://williamdparker.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/PMP453-1024x1024.jpg] MEET ANGELA DIGGS Dr. Angela Diggs is an educational consultant with a background in special education, school administration, and school psychology. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Kentucky State University, a Masters Degree in School Psychology from Governors State University; and a Doctorate in Education in Counseling Psychology from Argosy University. Dr. Diggs is known for her strong work ethic as well as her personable and down-to-earth leadership style. In addition to her work as an educational consultant, Dr. Diggs is a real estate agent, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and a mom to three children. INTERVIEW:  In this week’s episode of Principal Matters, Dr. Jen Schwanke speaks with Dr. Angela Diggs, a leader who has a background in special education, school administration, and school psychology— and even real estate. She is currently a director of special services at an elementary school district.  The interview opens with Jen highlighting multiple hashtags that Dr. Diggs used on her LinkedIn profile. Each hashtag represents Dr. Diggs’s values and passions, including education as a gateway to success, the excellence and resilience fostered by Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and the importance of women in leadership, She also touches on leadership coaching and the significance of a growth mindset, as well as the need for mental health awareness and overcoming imposter syndrome. As a Black woman in educational leadership, Dr. Diggs has faced unique challenges, including being seen and heard, dealing with microaggressions, and ensuring psychological safety . She learned to be more vocal and direct while remaining respectful . Dr. Diggs also stresses the importance of principals understanding special education law to advocate for students’ rights and navigate discipline issues effectively. To maintain well-being, Dr. Diggs advises paying attention to the body’s signals and recognizing the importance of social and emotional intelligence in leadership. She shares her personal journey of recognizing and addressing stress, which led her to prioritize self-care and gamify the process of beating stress. She emphasizes the importance of balancing work with personal life, including family, exercise, and healthy eating. She encourages leaders to value diversity, prioritize relationships and trust, and see themselves as lifelong learners. Thank you for listening to the entire conversation and for doing what matters! Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-angela-diggs-332672201/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-angela-diggs-332672201/] Website: https://www.leadingwell.online/ [https://www.leadingwell.online/] The post PMP453: Leading with Wellness in Mind with Dr. Angela Diggs [https://williamdparker.com/2025/pmp453-leading-with-wellness-in-mind-with-dr-angela-diggs/] appeared first on Principal Matters [https://williamdparker.com].