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Artwork for Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast

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

Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast with William D. Parker
Education
Leadership
Professional Development
School Leadership
Educational Leadership
School Culture
Education Leadership
Trust
Leadership Development
Community Engagement
Student Engagement
Teacher Retention
Instructional Leadership
Leadership In Education
Mental Health
Collaboration
Teaching Strategies
Conflict Management
Self-Care
Growth Mindset

With William D. Parker and Friends

PublishesDailyEpisodes500Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Self-ImprovementEducationBusiness

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Artwork for Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast

Latest Episodes

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 t... more

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 ... more

YouTube

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 Principa... more

YouTube

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 been leading short-handed with an Assistant Principal on leave and without the kind ... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Erica Buchanan-Rivera
Former award-winning principal, director of curriculum, and chief equity officer; author of Identity Affirming Classrooms, Spaces That Center Humanity
DePaul University; Identity Affirming Classrooms (book)
Episode: PMP502: Strategies for Effective Leadership with Dr. Erica Buchanan-Rivera
Danielle Morris
Elementary principal at Odella (online school serving across Ohio)
Odella
Episode: MONDAY MATTERS: Making an Impact with Ohio Mastermind Members
Julita Flowers
School leader of Discovery Academy in Toledo, Ohio
Discovery Academy
Episode: MONDAY MATTERS: Making an Impact with Ohio Mastermind Members
Breen Slauter
High school division principal at Odella, Ohio
Odella
Episode: MONDAY MATTERS: Making an Impact with Ohio Mastermind Members
Renee Holt
Principal at Still Academy in Akron, Ohio
Still Academy
Episode: MONDAY MATTERS: Making an Impact with Ohio Mastermind Members
Chris Jochum
Founder and CEO of CJ Leadership Solutions; Professor and Chair of Teacher Education at Fort Hays State University
CJ Leadership Solutions; Fort Hays State University
Episode: PMP501: Developing Teacher Leaders with Dr. Chris Jochum
Shelly Pence
Principal, Holy Cross High School, Louisville
Holy Cross High School
Episode: MONDAY MATTERS: “What Would Mastermind Do?” with Archdiocese of Louisville School Leaders
Chastity Livers
Assistant Principal, Bethlehem High School, Bardstown
Bethlehem High School
Episode: MONDAY MATTERS: “What Would Mastermind Do?” with Archdiocese of Louisville School Leaders
Jessica Young
Principal, St. Agnes School, Louisville
St. Agnes School
Episode: MONDAY MATTERS: “What Would Mastermind Do?” with Archdiocese of Louisville School Leaders

Hosts

Dr. Jen Schwanke
Host and co-host focusing on school leadership, mentorship, and practical PD for principals; frequently collaborates with Will Parker.
William D. Parker
Co-host and primary host focused on leadership strategies, coaching conversations, and stories from school leadership; often drives discussions on practical implementation.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 143 ratings
  • Good listen

    Will and Jen provide some good information. There are some nuggets in their stories. Aside some content I would urge Will to fix the audio level. His volume is so low compared to Jen’s - sometimes really hard to hear.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Loreleijane
    United States9 months ago
  • Excited about new content for school leaders!!

    Jen and Will are piloting unique episodes for school leaders on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in 2025. Check it out and share with other education leadership friends!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    williamdparker.com
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great reflective coach

    Thanks for the WWPN 2023 shout out in your December episode Will! Will helps leaders reflect on their practice. He also walks the walk and regularly practices his own reflection. I appreciate how he guides our admin team through reflection so that we build stronger connection which leads to us better serving our staff and students. Wishing Will and his team a wonderful 2024. I look forward to continuing to learn and grow with you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CaTeamPA
    United States2 years ago
  • Celebrating 1.2 million downloads

    Thank you listeners for the the ongoing learning we are doing together!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    williamdparker.com
    United States3 years ago
  • the podcast was informative. Sometimes it is difficult to decide what feedback is most valuable.

    Audible
    5
    Davidb734
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Audience appreciates the emphasis on equity and relationship-building in schools
Fans note inspiring leadership stories and actionable takeaways
Some critique on audio balance but overall positive impact on practice
Listeners praise the coaching-focused approach and guest variety
Great practical resource for leaders seeking implementable ideas

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

PMP502: Strategies for Effective Leadership with Dr. Erica Buchanan-Rivera
Q: What advice do you give to students and aspiring principals who want to lead with empathy and accountability without swinging too far in either direction?
She frames accountability as an act of love and care, urging leaders to engage in human dialogue, invite voice, listen to barriers, and pursue transparent conversations to grow professionally while keeping students' humanity at the center.
PMP502: Strategies for Effective Leadership with Dr. Erica Buchanan-Rivera
Q: What has been your most memorable moment as a principal that shaped your approach to leadership and equity today?
Her landmark moment was transforming a C-rated school to an A under culturally responsive and anti-bias practices, despite initial leadership doubts about her fit, demonstrating the power of aligning systems with inclusive pedagogy.
PMP502: Strategies for Effective Leadership with Dr. Erica Buchanan-Rivera
Q: Tell us about yourself and tell us about your work.
Erica shares her background from Peoria, Illinois to Indianapolis, emphasizing her justice-minded orientation and her current role at DePaul University where she mentors aspiring leaders and promotes equity-centered practices.
PMP494: Rethinking Walkthroughs with Mark Shellinger
Q: How should post-walkthrough conversations sound and what options exist for feedback?
Post-walkthrough chats should be purposeful and guided by the principal's intent, with four feedback options—directive, non-directive, celebratory, or written—chosen to move the teacher forward, and ideally complemented by a follow-up plan and accountability partner.
PMP494: Rethinking Walkthroughs with Mark Shellinger
Q: What do leaders misunderstand about the purpose of walkthroughs and how can they make them more meaningful?
Walkthroughs are not just about seeing a teacher teach; they should be intentional opportunities to understand teaching and learning, followed by purposeful, varied forms of feedback that involve students and leverage accountability partners to drive real improvement.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on school leadership, practical strategy, and the human side of administering schools. Across episodes, conversations routinely cover leadership development, coaching for principals, school culture, student agency, equity, and navigating technology like AI in education. Guests range from district and campus leaders to researchers and authors, often weaving in real-world challenges, mentorship, and actionable tactics for improving teaching and learning. A standout trait is the focus on servant leadership, reflective practice, and community building, making it valuable for aspiring and current administrators seeking grounded, implementable insights.

A notable strength is the blend of personal stories with concrete guidance, ... more

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this podcast launched 10 years ago and published 500 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Erica Buchanan-Rivera
2. Danielle Morris
3. Julita Flowers
4. Breen Slauter
5. Renee Holt
6. Chris Jochum
7. Shelly Pence
8. Chastity Livers

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