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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
Student Engagement
Community Engagement
Leadership In Education
Teacher Retention
Instructional Leadership
Collaboration
Mental Health
Teaching Strategies
Student Achievement
Growth Mindset
Conflict Management

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

A Milestone Built on Consistency and Community

Episode 500 of Principal Matters is more than a milestone; it’s a reflection of years of consistency, curiosity, and commitment to elevating school leadership. What began as a blog in 2013 and evolved ... more

YouTube

When I was a boy, I loved watching Star Wars. I thought it was incredible when Jedi masters like Obi-Wan Kenobi or Luke Skywalker could persuade others through thought or outwit opponents through their use of “The Force.”

Sometimes, I like to descr... 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’m an assistant principal with 9 years of experience. I’ve made it to superintendent int... more

YouTube

Welcome to “May-Cember”: 5 Steps for Closing Out the School Year (And Preparing for Your Next Launch)

by William D. Parker

It’s the end of the school year, and the last month of school is often the busiest. My wife likes to call this month “May-ce... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Alli Phelps
Educator wellness researcher and administrator
University/Independent research on educator wellness
Episode: PMP499: Cultivating Educator Wellness with Dr. Alli Phelps
Dr. Dominique Smith
Principal of Health Sciences High and Middle College (HSHMC) in San Diego
Health Sciences High and Middle College
Episode: PMP498: Rethinking High School with Dr. Dominique Smith
Andrew Marotta
Director of Communications and Academic Services for Port Jervis Schools in New York; author, speaker, and podcaster
Port Jervis Schools (New York)
Episode: PMP497: Magic Acronyms with Andrew Marotta
Lauren Berlin
Education leader, executive and leadership coach
Lauren Berlin Coaching
Episode: PMP496: Crisis-Tested Strategies with Lauren Berlin
Leanne Nicol
Sydney educator, experienced principal and certified master coach; author of The Fierce-Hearted Leader
Founder of Fierce Hearts; author
Episode: PMP495: The Fierce-Hearted Leader with Leanne Nicol
Ann Cummins-Bogan
Founder of ACB Consulting; school leadership consultant
ACB Consulting
Episode: PMP493: Building, Designing, and Leading with Ann Cummins Bogan
Trevor Timmerberg
Assistant Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Archdiocese of Louisville
Archdiocese of Louisville
Episode: MONDAY MATTERS – Mission-Driven Leadership with Trevor Timmerberg
Matthew McDaniel
Director of the Masters in Educational Leadership Program at the College of Idaho
College of Idaho
Episode: PMP492: Culture of Collaboration with Dr. Matthew McDaniel
John Spencer
University professor at George Fox University, author and educator
George Fox University
Episode: PMP491: Navigating the Future of Education with Dr. John Spencer

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 142 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 States8 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.

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.
PMP498: Rethinking High School with Dr. Dominique Smith
Q: How does the restorative approach play out in real disciplinary incidents?
Restorative practice emphasizes ownership, follow-up, and accountability, with a focus on repairing harm, providing counseling, and keeping consequences proportional while ensuring the student understands the impact of their actions.
PMP498: Rethinking High School with Dr. Dominique Smith
Q: What strategies helped lead a school through construction and displacement in the middle of a semester?
Strategies included mobilizing students and staff with clear communication, designating a moving manager, using a big-picture plan via spreadsheets, and engaging the community—like a “big party” mindset—to maintain morale and continuity.
PMP495: The Fierce-Hearted Leader with Leanne Nicol
Q: I'm an AP and I've been invited to apply for a principal position. What should I keep in mind as I step into a series of upcoming interviews?
Celebrate the courage, balance being an expert with humility, and use concrete stories to demonstrate problem-solving at a principal level; also acknowledge that interview panels are composed of humans with responsibilities and avoid unrealistic expectations.

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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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. The Cult of Pedagogy Podcast
2. School of Practice
3. The Curiosity Shop with Brené Brown and Adam Grant
4. Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life
5. The Oprah Podcast

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

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. Alli Phelps
2. Dr. Dominique Smith
3. Andrew Marotta
4. Lauren Berlin
5. Leanne Nicol
6. Ann Cummins-Bogan
7. Trevor Timmerberg
8. Matthew McDaniel

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