School Leader's Review
By NASSP
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Podcast Description
Stay up-to-date on the most important issues in school leadership with this podcast series, sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the preeminent organization of and national voice for leaders in U.S. middle level and high schools.
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Voices of Experience: Maria Bradley | Maria Bradley was the Georgia Middle Level Principal of the Year in 2007. Her school, Gladden Middle School in Chatsworth, Georgia is a Georgia School to Watch and was designated as a Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School in 2006. She has served as president of the Georgia Association of Middle Level Principals and has been a member of NASSPs middle level task force. | 2/8/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Voices of Experience: Jim Dierke | Jim Dierke is principal of Visitation Valley Middle School in Californias San Francisco School District. This urban school has been called an island of safety in a sea of trouble by the San Francisco Chronicle. Jim was the 2008 Met-Life/NASSP National Middle Level Principal of the Year. | 2/8/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Voices of Experience: Annette Fante | Annette Fante is the Assistant Superintendent in Douglas County School District, Colorado. Prior to her appointment as Assistant Superintendent, she served the district as a middle level principal and as the Director of Middle Schools. She is a past member of the NMSA Board of Trustees. | 2/8/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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2011 MetLife Foundation-NASSP Breakthrough School: Sheila Grady | This school in rural southeastern North Carolina has a diverse student population of more than 800 students, including nearly 13% who receive special education services and 57% who are considered economically disadvantaged based on free and reduced-price lunch eligibility. During the 2006-2007 school year, North Brunswick was designated as a "priority school" by the state because only 48% of the students were proficient on required exams. However, by expanding instructional leadership throughout the building, creating professional learning communities, and targeting student interventions, the school was able to dramatically close gaps and improve achievement and graduation rates. The schools efforts resulted in a 85% proficiency rate in 2010. | 2/8/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Voices of Experience: William Truesdale | William Truesdale is the principal of Douglas Taylor School in Chicago, Illinois. Douglas Taylor educates young adolescents in a PK-8 setting. Its middle level program was named a 2009 Met Life-NASSP Breakthrough School, a program that recognizes middle level and high schools that serve large numbers of students living in poverty and are high achieving or dramatically improving student achievement. | 2/8/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Voices of Experience: Hilca Thomas | Hilca Thomas is the principal of Floridas Howard D. McMillan Middle School in the Miami-Dade School District. Prior to leading this middle school of nearly 1,000 students, she was an assistant principal of another middle school in the district. Her work at that school led her to be named as the 2008 Virco/NASSP National Assistant Principal of the Year. | 2/8/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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2011 MetLife Foundation-NASSP Breakthrough School: Bob Grady | This school in rural southeastern North Carolina has a diverse student population of more than 800 students, including nearly 13% who receive special education services and 57% who are considered economically disadvantaged based on free and reduced-price lunch eligibility. During the 2006-2007 school year, North Brunswick was designated as a "priority school" by the state because only 48% of the students were proficient on required exams. However, by expanding instructional leadership throughout the building, creating professional learning communities, and targeting student interventions, the school was able to dramatically close gaps and improve achievement and graduation rates. The schools efforts resulted in a 85% proficiency rate in 2010. | 2/8/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Voices of Experience: Juan Rodriquez | Juan Rodriquez is principal of Fuller Middle School in Framingham, Massachusetts. Fuller serves a very diverse population of students, with more than 30 languages spoken at the school. Juan, himself a second language learner, has been a faculty member of NMSAs Institute for Middle Level Leadership and was the 2005 Massachusetts Middle Level Principal of the Year. | 2/8/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Voices of Experience: Theresa Hinkle | Theresa Hinkle is a retired teacher from Greensboro, North Carolina. She is a National Board Certified Teacher and has served in a variety of school and district leadership roles. She was also a member of the U.S. Department of Education Teacher-to-Teacher cadre and is a past president of the National Middle School Association. She is a consultant for NMSAs on-site staff development program and a member of NASSPs professional development faculty. She has presented at numerous state and national conferences and worked with schools and school systems across the country. | 2/8/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Voices of Experience: Nancy Poliseno | Nancy Poliseno is an 8th grade teacher at Orange Middle School in Lewis Center, Ohio. She has been a classroom teacher for more than 25 years and has been recognized as Ohio Middle Level Educator of the Year and as an American Legion State Teacher of the Year. She has also served as president of the Ohio Middle Level Association and as a member of NMSAs Board of Trustees. | 2/8/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Voices of Experience: Doug Lowery | Doug Lowery is the principal at Hilliard Memorial Middle School in Hilliard, Ohio. In 2008, his school received Ohios highest rating of schools: Excellent with Distinction. Doug was the 2004 MetLife/NASSP National Middle Level Principal of the Year and has served on NASSPs Board of Directors. | 2/8/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Voices of Experience: Ned Kirsch | Ned Kirsch is the principal of Essex Middle School in Essex, Vermont. He also serves as principal of the Edge Academy that is housed at Essex. This new, cutting-edge program was launched in the fall of 2009 and is designed to help individualize the learning process for nine- to 14-year-old students. Since 2005, Essex has been designated a Spotlight School by the New England League of Middle Schools and in 2003 was a Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School. Ned was the Vermont Middle Level Principal of the year in 2003. He has served on the NASSP Board of Directors and on their middle level task force. | 2/8/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Voices of Experience: William Truesdale | Ed Vittardi is the superintendent of the North Royalton City School District in Ohio. Prior to that, he was the principal of North Royalton Middle School as well as several other nationally recognized middle level schools in Ohio. In 2002 he was one of three finalists for the MetLife/NASSP National Middle Level Principal of the Year and in 2005 received NMSAs Distinguished Educator Award. He currently serves on NMSA's Board of Trustees. | 2/8/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Voices of Experience: Randy Jensen | Randy Jensen is principal at William Thomas Middle School in American Falls, Idaho. William Thomas has been featured in several national publications and has received the Idaho Exemplary School Award 10 out of the past 15 years. Randy has served on the NMSA Board of Trustees and was the 2005 MetLife/NASSP National Middle Level Principal of the Year. | 2/8/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Voices of Experience: William Truesdale | Terry Wolfson is principal of Hopkins West Jr. High in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Hopkins West serves students in grades 7- 9 and has been recognized in numerous publications, including Breaking Ranks in the Middle and Creating a Culture of Literacy. Terry is a consultant for NMSAs on-site staff development program, is a member of the NASSP professional development faculty and has served several times on NASSP's middle level task force. | 2/8/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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2009 MetLife Foundation-NASSP Breakthrough School: Ms. Marci Shearon | Ms. Marci Shearon, Principal. Although over 50% of its 9-12 students are living in poverty, this highly involved rural community is committed to offering access to college to every student. The belief that the students are at the center of the community has resulted in strong student academic performance, with the entire school community working closely together to assure this success. This school of 811 students enjoys a four-year 87% cohort graduation rate. | 2/3/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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2010 MetLife Foundation-NASSP Breakthrough School: Dr. Virginia Minshew | Dr. Virginia Minshew, Principal. This suburban high school is located in one of the fastest growing counties in the United States. Over the past five years, an influx of second-language students from 80 countries, representing 25% of the Park View population, has prompted a need for change in curriculum, instruction and the culture of the school. Numerous classes, programs, strategies and opportunities are now in place to identify and support those in need, and to help all students build a highly personalized school experience that allows them to pursue a meaningful and purposeful path in their post-high school life. While facing the challenges of such a diverse population, Park View has exceeded all expectations by meeting both annual AYP requirements and by producing significant, ongoing upward trends on the Virginia Standards of Learning exams. www.loudoun.k12.va.us/pvhs | 2/3/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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2009 MetLife Foundation-NASSP Breakthrough School: Ms. Sharon Johnson | The focus of this school of 720 students is on providing a quality college preparatory program by offering gender-specific classes designed to remediate skill deficiencies and prepare the students for higher level courses. Although not a selective high school - over 60% of its students qualify for the Free or Reduced Meals program - every student is expected to attend college or a post-secondary program. To that end, the school provides the support necessary to see that they are successful. | 2/3/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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2009 MetLife Foundation-NASSP Breakthrough School: Ms. Delic Loyde | Ms. Delic Loyde, Principal. This 6-8 suburban school of 1500 believes that excellence is about creating an environment for each student to succeed. To achieve this goal, the entire staff shares leadership responsibilities, while the students and community also have a voice. Although there are challenges with 74% of its population eligible for the Free or Reduced Meals program, high expectations have been set. The school has more than met those expectations and believes the goal of college for every student is attainable. | 2/3/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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2009 MetLife Foundation-NASSP Breakthrough School: Mr. Steve Ramsey | In danger of being taken over by the state, the teachers at this rural 9-12 school of 819, with 50% of its students eligible for the Free or Reduced Meals program, led a successful change effort resulting in a collaborative process focused on student achievement, graduation and preparation for life. Knowing that the achievement of each individual student is important, the school became a model of collaboration and personalization and the level of success on the state exams demonstrates the results of this philosophy. | 2/3/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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2009 MetLife Foundation-NASSP Breakthrough School: Mr. Trevor Strawderman | With a Free or Reduced Meals eligibility rate of 73%, this rural 9-12 school of 884 is a turn-around success story. Ranking near the bottom of state high schools several years ago, systematic changes required strong leadership and focused teaching. School wide literacy instruction was implemented along with professional learning communities and differentiated instructional strategies. Results are impressive: greater retention, fewer dropouts, high exam pass rates, increased graduation rates, and a school ranking near the top of all high schools in South Carolina | 2/3/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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2009 MetLife Foundation-NASSP Breakthrough School: Mrs. Stephanie Smith | In tackling its "needs improvement" designation for this 6-8 rural school of 791 with 62% of the students living in poverty, the staff turned to a model of distributive leadership, now imprinted on every aspect of the school's programs. This thrust was coupled with a focus on changing the climate through a reward system for appropriate student behavior. Equally important, staff turn-over has decreased dramatically. The overall results include improved student achievement, a more positive climate and increased outreach to parents and community. | 2/3/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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2011 MetLife Foundation-NASSP Breakthrough School: Steven R. Jameson | The Columbus Unified High School Site Council expects every student to receive the tools and supports necessary to achieve a high school diploma. This isolated, rural southeast Kansas community is fierce in its loyalty to the school. The 358 students come from an over 400 square mile attendance area: many riding a bus for an hour each way to get to school. While poverty (45%) and unemployment (25%) are widespread in the community they do not dampen the schools learning environment. Last year, 97.8% of the four-year cohort of students, including special education students who compose 12% of the enrollment, graduated. | 2/3/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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2010 MetLife Foundation-NASSP Breakthrough School: Tom O'Brien | Tom OBrien, Principal. The Brentwood community views this 3,600-student school as a school of hope and opportunity. This sprawling 10th-12th grade complex on Long Island, New York, is home to students from 47 different countries. Six hundred of the students are English Language Learners, 500 receive special education services, 125 are students with interrupted formal education and 62% are eligible for free or reduced-priced meals. Five years ago, the school was identified as a school in need of improvement by the state of New York. Being identified as a failure became a wake-up call to raise expectations for students and teachers. Focusing on student instructional needs has resulted in dramatic gains on all accountability indicators and earned the school a designation of in good standing. http://www.brentwood.k12.ny.us | 2/3/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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2011 MetLife Foundation-NASSP Breakthrough School: Laurie Barron | Seven years ago, a new principal at Smokey Road took on the challenge of turning around this underachieving 6-8 middle school located in suburban Atlanta. Overcoming obstacles, including a skeptical staff, unresponsive community and a challenging student body, was the first order of business. Through collaboration around a common philosophy, the progress since that time has been remarkable. With an enrollment of 840 60% economically disadvantaged and 15% special education the seven-year trend (2003-2010) for academic achievement demonstrates improvement in all subgroups. The school has achieved AYP status for five consecutive years and qualifies as a Title I Distinguished School. | 2/3/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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2009 MetLife Foundation-NASSP Breakthrough School: Dr. William Truesdale | This school's unusual structure - 770 students in Pre-K through grade 8 - allows for planning by grade level based on the belief that all students can achieve academic excellence. As a part of this vision, grade level meetings are held to review student data and discuss instructional strategies. With 97% of its students eligible for the Free or Reduced Meals program and a 88% Hispanic population, the staff has created school-wide literacy and math programs as part of the academic focus. | 2/3/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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2009 MetLife Foundation-NASSP Breakthrough School: Mr. Ronnie Rowell | Located in a rural area, this 9-12 school of nearly 1600 students is one of the largest in Mobile County and has approximately 50% eligibility for the Free or Reduced Meals program. Theodore's instructional design centers around the use of data to improve student performance combined with a rigorous curriculum, diversified methods of learning, and the involvement of all stakeholders giving students the skills and tools needed to succeed in tomorrow's world. | 2/3/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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2010 MetLife Foundation-NASSP Breakthrough School: Stephanie Feldner | Stephanie Feldner, Principal. This 130-student public school is unique within the state of Wisconsin as its attendance area is almost entirely on Menominee tribal lands. This uniqueness is reflected in the schools mission to ensure that each student has the opportunity to succeed culturally as well as academically. The school, located in the poorest county of the state and the 9th poorest county in the United States, has seen significant growth in both of these areas in the last four years. However, the school has moved from being classified as needing improvement to being named a Wisconsin School of Excellence. Staff and community attribute this success to the principals commitment to give everyone a voice in school operations. Teams oversee all facets of the school from student behavior to curriculum development. http://www.misd.k12.wi.us/schools/mims.shtm | 2/3/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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2010 MetLife Foundation-NASSP Breakthrough School: Jason Kegel | Jason Kegel, Principal and Patrick Field, Former Principal. Founded in 1999 and located within the historic Frankford Arsenal grounds in the Bridesburg section of northeast Philadelphia, this charter school serves the needs of area students seeking a non-traditional educational experience with an emphasis on providing a strong academic foundation for success in college and beyond while encouraging participation in a broad range of extracurricular activities. Since 2006, when a new team of administrators, parents, staff and community lead a change in focus and direction, Franklin Towne has moved from one of the lowest-performing schools in Philadelphia to one of the highest-achieving schools public or charter in the state. www.franklintowne.org | 2/3/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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2010 MetLife Foundation-NASSP Breakthrough School: Moriah Dollarhite | It is no accident that the staff at Fieldale-Collinsville Middle School adopted a central tenet of Breaking Ranks in the Middle (BRIM) to banish anonymity by creating a personalized learning environment for all of its students. The school was created six years ago when the four middle schools in Henry County, Virginia, were consolidated into two middle schools. The difficulties associated with the consolidation were compounded by the closing of many of the areas manufacturing plants, which left unemployment at 29%, with almost 50% of the students eligible for meal subsides. Today, the school stands as a shining example to the power of a personalized learning environment for all students. The results - continuously improving student achievement and the reduction of gaps between groups of students - demonstrate how when adults trust each other, work together strategically, and focus on student outcomes all obstacles can be overcome. http://henryva.schoolwires.com/fieldalems | 2/3/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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2009 MetLife Foundation-NASSP Breakthrough School: Dr. Joan Brixey | Nearly 650 students - 84% Free or Reduced Meal program eligible - attend this 6-8 urban school. Pride is a key word encompassing not just the improvements recently made to the physical plant, but also the attention given to student achievement. Action has been taken to involve more staff members in leadership roles in the school's initiatives. School wide teams have been formed in the categories of operations, teaching and learning, and data analysis resulting in improved student achievement. | 2/3/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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2010 MetLife Foundation-NASSP Breakthrough School: Lavonne Smiley | Evolving from a school where teachers teach to a school where students learn is an intense process that demands honesty, collaboration and focused effort. Tefft Middle School in Streamwood, Illinois, a suburban/urban area west of Chicago, has made that effort. Its 760 students in grades 7-8 are highly diverse, both economically and ethnically. As long-time Principal Lavonne Smiley said, with the advent of No Child Left Behind we had to look in the mirror. Our students were not learning what we were teaching. We owed our students much more. We had to changewe had to embrace accountability. The subsequent operational and instructional changes at Tefft were systematic and strategic and have become embedded in the schools culture. http://schools.u-46.org/tms | 2/3/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Leading for Differentiation | Differentiation of instruction is a proven strategy for enhancing student achievement. Rick Wormeli, an accomplished teacher, internationally sought after consultant, and prolific author on the topic of middle level education, discusses this topic which was one of the seminars of the Middle Level Leadership Series. | 2/3/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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2010 MetLife Foundation-NASSP Breakthrough School: Brother Nick Gonzales | This school was created to fill a vacuum in its south Tucson neighborhood, the poorest in the city. San Miguel High School was designed to integrate academics and career goals. A corporate internship program is the anchor for this vision. All 9-12 students work in an internship each week. Four students share a job and work once a week. Teachers weave the academic and career concepts of persistence with new tasks, teaming and collaboration, productivity and self-direction, complex reasoning (compare, classify, analyze, and construct and support), and precision and accuracy into their lessons so that they can daily reinforce the schools mission of preparing every student for college and career. www.sanmiguelhigh.org | 2/3/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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2010 MetLife Foundation-NASSP Breakthrough School: Mildred Phillips | The San Diego Metropolitan Regional Career and Technical High School (The Met) is a public 9-12 college-preparatory school of 200 students located on the San Diego Mesa Community College campus. The mission of this school is to prepare students for college and the workforce through active learning, academic rigor, and community involvement in a small-school setting. Students work in advisories of 20-25 students with the same teacher/advisor for all four years. Advisors, parents, and students design a customized academic learning plan focused on California State Content Standards and students career interests. In addition to the strong academic focus, students are exposed to the workforce through internships scheduled two days per week and earn college credits by attending classes at Mesa beginning in their sophomore year. http://sandiegomet.webs.com | 2/3/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Leading for Professional Conversations | Directly linked to the establishment of a highly effective collaborative culture is the school leaders ability to facilitate ongoing professional conversations . Nancy Doda is a professional development consultant and an outstanding educator who lead a workshop on this topic as part of the Middle Level Leadership Series. | 2/3/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Leading for Student Achievement | The effective analysis and use of data significantly impacts a schools ability to improve student achievement. Linda W. Robinson is an educational consultant and former president of National Middle School Association. Leading for Student Achievement was the third workshop in the Middle Level Leadership Series. | 2/3/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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2011 MetLife Foundation-NASSP Breakthrough School: Matt s. Saferite | Ramay Junior High School is an 8th through 9th grade school of 592 students. Students come to Ramay from multiple community middle schools and articulate with students from the districts other junior high school into one high school. More than 50% of the students come from low-income homes and nearly 15% of the students receive special education services. The challenges inherent in this structure necessitate a high degree of collaboration, as well as significant attention to the needs of every student. In this setting, for academic growth to be demonstrated, instruction must and does begin before the students reach the building. | 2/3/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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2010 MetLife Foundation-NASSP Breakthrough School: Gary Higginbotham | The unassuming exterior of this small middle school belies the warm, caring environment that it provides for its 344 students and its record of continued academic growth and achievement. The school has moved from a position of corrective action to being recognized as an NCLB National Blue Ribbon School. The key to Ravenswood's success is no secret. Students, parents, community members, and graduates consistently confirm that teachers care and treat every student as an individual. The professional learning community of teachers serves as an extended family network that is designed to support each student academically and emotionally. http://ravenswoodms.jack.k12.wv.us/ | 2/3/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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2011 MetLife Foundation-NASSP Breakthrough School: Vera Wehring | In the words of one of the school's coaches, "we have education by the tail in this building and we're proud!" This is an apt way to look at B.F. Terry's journey over the last four years. While the change in academic achievement is proudly mounted outside the building on a sign that proclaims B.F. Terry High School a "Texas School of Distinction," it's the change in attitude inside of the school that is most striking. Six out of 10 of the school's 1,654 students live in poverty in this rural/suburban community southwest of Houston. Four years ago everyone blamed everyone else for poor performance; today, Ranger Pride rules! | 12/13/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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2011 MetLife Foundation-NASSP Breakthrough School: Sheila Kahrs | Opening in 2005 as a new school in a rural area northeast of Atlanta, this middle school serves 760 students in grades 6-8. With more than 50% of the population qualifying for free or reduced-price meals, the staff found many of the students in need of additional assistance. Together, the principal and staff created a school that understands the needs of its students and where the adults believe that all students can succeed. Today, numerous strategies and opportunities are in place to support those in need and to help all students grow in a highly personalized, respectful environment. | 12/13/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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2011 MetLife Foundation-NASSP Breakthrough School: Anael Alston | The entire Glen Cove community has embraced its middle school. Everyone from the mayor to small business owners to clergy and parents, teachers and students alike feel that this school is important and successful. The school is a microcosm of America that works hard to celebrate its diversity and prevent any student from feeling disenfranchised. With almost half of the 652 students considered economically in need, gaps in student achievement have decreased significantly just as all student achievement has improved over the last five years. This improvement is attributed to targeted professional development that has focused on differentiated, hands-on classroom instruction. | 12/13/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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2011 MetLife Foundation-NASSP Breakthrough School: Angela Smith | After undergoing years of instability, Franklin Middle School found its footing several years ago and has flourished under the leadership of its current principal. The staff and community have learned to work as a cohesive unit, mastering the art and science of blending a diverse 558 student body of 52% economically disadvantaged, 18% special education and 62% minority students into a cohesive, caring family. Franklin Middle School strives each day to meet its primary goal: to be an exemplary school in the areas of academic achievement, developmental responsiveness and social equity. | 12/13/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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2011 MetLife Foundation-NASSP Breakthrough School: Scott Andrews | 2004 marks the beginning of the turn-around of this 10-12 high school of 670 students, which had been identified by New York State as a school "in need of improvement." As the new principal, Andrews put everything on the table for review and modification from raising student achievement for the 86% minority population to improving communication and relationships to attending to the neglected physical plant. By dispelling the notion that students should be afraid of the administrators, supporting positive relationships between teachers and students and giving students needed school supplies so as not to interrupt their education, Amityville is now not only a school "in good standing," but through a continuous improvement model, maintains its progress each year. | 12/13/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Leadership and Learning | The 2011 MetLife-NASSP National Middle Level Principal of the Year Cathy Carnahan of Duniway Middle School in McMinnville, Oregon, discusses how she worked with staff to personalize the school environment, helped foster a collaborative spirit of respect, and leadership lessons she has learned from others. | 11/8/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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High Expectations, Dramatic Results | Wesley Taylor, the 2011 MetLife-NASSP National High School Principal of the Year, has high expectations for both teachers and students at Lowndes High School in Valdosta, GA. Listen as he discusses how he worked with staff to personalize the school environment, increase engagement, and foster a culture of collaboration among teachers to achieve dramatic gains in graduation rates and AP participation. | 11/8/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Taking Risks With Social Media | Once instrumental in blocking social media and the use of distracting electronic devices in his school, Erik Sheninger, principal of New Milford High School in Bergen County, NJ, has had a change of heart. Sheninger now embraces those tools and recommends that other principals do the same. He regularly communicates with students and parents through his Twitter and Facebook pages and effectively integrates mobile learning devices into instruction. | 9/30/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Breaking Through with a Low-SES Population | MetLife Foundation-NASSP Breakthrough School Principal Judith Marty of Mater Academy Charter Middle School in Hialeah Gardens, FL, discusses the importance of analyzing data with students, bringing parents into the process, and--most important--being present in classrooms regularly. Read more about Mater Academy at www.principals.org/breakthrough. | 7/26/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Excelling With a Diverse Student Population | Principal Virginia Minshew of Park View High School in Sterling, VA, discusses how her 1,300-student school has overcome the challenges of poverty and diversity to exceed all expectations by meeting AYP and by producing significant, ongoing upward trends on state testing. Park View has been honored as a 2010 MetLife-NASSP Breakthrough School. | 5/10/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Sen. Al Franken on the Principal Recruitment and Training Act | NASSP Executive Director Gerald N. Tirozzi interviews Sen. Al Franken about his recently introduced bill, the Principal Recruitment and Training Act, and the prospect of Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) reauthorization. | 3/4/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Maximizing Common Planning Time | Winner of the Dr. Ted Sizer Middle Level Dissertation Award Richard Drolet, principal of North Cumberland (RI) Middle School, discusses how middle level principals can properly prepare and train their teachers to use more common planning timeand to help them make the most of the time allotted | 2/5/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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A Conversation with ED's new School-Safety Chief Kevin Jennings | We've made great strides in the reduction of violent incidents in public schools over the years. But for new U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Safe and Drug-Free Schools Kevin Jennings, safety means much more than just the assence of violence. In this interview Jennings discusses his priorities as the safe-schools chief in the Obama administration and how those priorities fit into the administration's school-improvement agenda. | 12/1/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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The Missing "M" in ESEA | On the heels of the reintroduction of the Success in the Middle Act, NASSP's Patti Kinney speaks to the need of this important legislation and why the nation can no longer afford to leave out the middle level. | 8/20/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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School Preparation for an H1N1 Outbreak | NASSP's Mel Riddile reports on a briefing at the U.S. Department of Education that made it clear that schools will play a central role in the dissemination of information and immunization of students for the anticipated outbreak of H1N1 flu. | 8/9/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Secretary Duncan Addresses School Leaders | U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan called for a cadre of "warrior principals" for our nation's neediest schools during his remarks to the leaders of the state and national principals organizations at the 2009 National Leaders' Conference. | 7/18/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Managing the H1N1 Outbreak at Ground Zero | Principal Rick Herrig didn't know what would hit him when he took the reins of an American school in Mexico City. His discussion of the experience of managing the H1N1 (swine) flu outbreak holds lessons for school leaders everywhere. | 6/14/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Asst. Principal of the Year Melissa Shindel on Professional Growth | 2009 NASSP-Virco National Assistant Principal of the Year Melissa Shindel discusses how she makes professional growth and instructional leadership her priorities in a job that often emphasizes management and student discipline. | 4/14/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Diversity and Equity in Today's Schools | Judith Richardson, NASSP director of diversity, equity, and urban initiatives, discusses what diversity and equity mean in today's schools and the kinds of tools principals need in schools that are increasingly diverse. | 3/31/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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The Breaking Ranks Change Process | NewsLeader editor Sarah McKibben speaks with NASSP director of program services John Nori about the latest book in the Breaking Ranks series, Breaking Ranks: A Field Guide for Leading Change and the process that moves schools beyond structural change to deeper, sustained improvements. | 2/24/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Debbie Phelps on Personalizing the School for All Students | Debbie Phelps is probably best known as the mother of greatest Olympian of all time. But to the 600 students at Windsor Mill Middle School in Baltimore County, MD, she is Mrs. Phelps, the principal. Listen to Debbie discuss the wisdom she has gained from the experience of raising a son with ADHD, how that has influenced her as a principal, and her new support network for parents of kids with ADHD. | 12/8/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Election Day School Safety | Is your school a polling place on election day? School safety expert Ken Trump offers tips for principals who must open their doors to voters on November 4. | 10/13/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Doug Reeves on Breaking Down Barriers to Teacher Leadership | Doug Reeves, founder of the Leadership and Learning Center, identifies the three Bs--blame, bureaucracy, and baloney--that often get in the way of effective teacher leadership and provides guidance for how schools can overcome them. | 9/14/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Principals Take the Lead for Greener Schools | Assistant Principal Aaron Steinly discusses the new initiative, Principals for Change (www.principalsforchange.org), he and his colleagues launched to promote the greening of U.S. schools. Steinly offers tips for what principals can do right now to make their schools more energy efficient. | 8/26/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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64 |
The High School Principal's Priorities | Mel Riddile, 2006 MetLife/NASSP National High School Principal of the Year and new NASSP associate director for high school services, discusses the greatest challenges facing high school principals today and the primacy of literacy as a "gateway skill." | 8/14/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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65 |
Increasing the Graduation Rate | The graduation rate at Eisenhower High School in Yakima, WA, has grown from 68% to 88% because of the atmosphere of leadership, trust, and teamwork, according to principal Stacey Locke, finalist for the 2009 MetLife/NASSP National Principal of the Year award. In this podcast, she talks about how students are encouraged to complete school, even if it takes them more than four years. It's working. The extended-time graduation rate at Eishenhower is 97%. | 8/10/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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66 |
True Collaborative Leadership | Carolyn Custard, principal at C.D. Hylton Senior High School in Woodbridge, VA and finalist for the 2009 MetLife/NASSP National Principal of the Year Award, has a Principal's Advisory Council composed of faculty, students, and parents that represent the school population and help to make sure the school is meeting the needs of the entire school family. | 8/10/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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67 |
The Hybrid Schedule | Mark Wilson, finalist for the 2009 MetLife/NASSP National Principal of the Year award, and his staff at Morgan County High School in Madison, GA, have been able to close the achievement gap by radically altering the schedule to create a more personalized learning environment. | 8/10/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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68 |
Building Leadership Capacity with Professional Development | As principal of Killingly Intermediate School, in Dayville, CT, Sheryl Kempain, finalist for the 2009 MetLife/NASSP National Principal of the Year award, provides a plethora of professional development opportunities for her staff to build their leadership capacity. She has brought in high profile speakers, taken groups to conferences, and helped to train staff members to increase student achievement. How does she do it? She'll tell you. | 8/10/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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69 |
Showing Middle Level Students the Path to College | Pat Schmidt, principal of Hopkins North Junior High School in Minnetonka, MN, and finalist for the 2009 MetLife/NASSP National Principal of the Year award, discusses how her school has helped students to see the path to college. She also talks about the process of reforming her school, or as she says, turning the cruiseship. | 8/10/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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70 |
Educating Students who Live in Poverty | A discussion with Ray Landers, principal at Boaz Middle School in Boaz, AL, and finalist for the 2009 MetLife/NASSP National Principal of the Year award, about the reform efforts he has implemented at his school to reach students from low socio-economic backgrounds | 8/10/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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71 |
Reducing Ninth Grade Failure Rates in Urban Schools | Urban schools continue to fall short in yielding immediate and continued increases in ninth to tenth grade promotion rates, according to the results of Lynnell Theard Gibson's research. Gibson was selected as the 2008 NASSP High School Dissertation Award winner for her research on the challenges educators face in working with ninth grade transition programs. The complete text of her dissertation is available at www.principals.org/dissertation. | 6/9/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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72 |
Rick Wormeli on the Fallacy of the "Zero" Grade | Education consultant and author Rick Wormeli discusses the consequences of counting an F as a zero when using a 100 point scale. He explains that a minimum grade of 50 or 60 is still an F, yet keeps a student from shutting down because it allows the student a chance to mathematically recover from one or two poor grades. | 5/20/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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73 |
The Power of Advisories | Advisories have long been considered a key tool for personalizing schools, and some recent research bears that out. Middle School Principal Sarah Brody Shulkind, the 2008 NASSP Middle Level Dissertation Award winner, shares the findings of her research and underscores how much students value advisories--even when advisors themselves might not see the value. The complete text of Shulkind's dissertation is available at www.principals.org/dissertation. | 5/14/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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74 |
James Dierke on Leading an Urban Middle School | What does it take to lead an inner-city middle school? Learn the keys to success firsthand from James Dierke, principal at Visitacion Valley Middle School in San Francisco, CA, and 2008 MetLife/NASSP National Middle Level Principal of the Year. Dierke is interviewed by Patti Kinney, principal of the NASSP National Center for Middle Level Leadership--and a former national principal of the year. | 3/17/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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75 |
Profile of Concurrent Enrollment | Two Utah high school vice principals, Pamela Drake and Scott Neilson, profile their concurrent enrollment partnership programs and highlight the impact they have had on schoolwide academic rigor, particularly for traditionally low-performing populations. | 1/24/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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76 |
Robert Marzano on Supporting Instruction | Renowned education researcher and author Robert Marzano shares his thoughts on how principals can best support classroom instruction and discusses the phases in a process for systematically improving teaching and learning schoolwide | 11/26/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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77 |
Improving Schoolwide Numeracy | This latest book in the Breaking Ranks series, Making the Mathematics Curriculum Count: A Guide for Middle and High School Principals, provides principals with a guide for leading a school wide initiative to address student numerical literacy or numeracy. Numeracy refers to the set of computational and advanced problem solving skills necessary for success in all areas of life. This is a unique opportunity to assist school leaders in their efforts to improve numeracy with an approach that will significantly impact the mathematics mastery and assessment scores of their students. | 10/29/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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78 |
Transforming a School's Culture | Transforming a school's culture is the principal's greatest challenge, yet it's essential; to any real improvement in schoolwide achievement. Robert D. Ramsey, author of Don't Teach the Canaries Not to Sing: Creating a School Culture That Boosts Achievement, points to some key strategies for identifying and adjusting a school's culture and underscores the importance of principal leadership if any real improvement is to take place. | 9/16/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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79 |
Leading Community Schools | Jason Dial, principal of William Chrisman High School in Independence, MO, and Carlos Azcoitia, founding principal of Spry Community School in Chicago, IL, demystify the role of the principal in leading a community school. Both schools and their districts have been recognized with Community Schools National Awards for Excellence. | 9/9/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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80 |
A Voice from the Middle | In May 2007, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and Phi Delta Kappa International released the first-ever nationwide poll of students in middle level schools, called 'A Voice from the Middle', to gauge young adolescents' hopes, dreams, and aspirations and they prepare for high school and beyond. In this interview, NASSP Director of Instructional Leadership Resources John Nori discusses the poll's findings. | 9/2/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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81 |
Part 1: Collaboration | Sherrel Bergmann and Judith Brough are the authors of and . | Free | View In iTunes | |
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82 |
Interview with Hayes Mizell | Hayes Mizell directed the Program for Student Achievement of the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation at a time when the foundation focused its philanthropy on middle grades reform. He is one of the founders of the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform and is now a Distinguished Senior Fellow of the National Staff Development Council. Shooting for the Sun: The Message of Middle School Reform is a collection of his insights into the work of improving middle level education. | Free | View In iTunes | |
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83 |
Interview with Sue Swaim | Sue Swaim was the executive director of the National Middle School Association from 1993 to 2007. Prior to working for NMSA, she was a middle level teacher and principal in Colorado. Sue continues to consult for school districts as well as serving as a workshop presenter or keynote speaker at both national and international middle level conferences. She received the Lounsbury Award in 2007. | Free | View In iTunes | |
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84 |
Interview with Paul George | Paul George is a well-respected scholar, one of the nation's leading authorities on middle level education, and a Lounsbury Award winner. As a researcher, consultant, and teacher, he has, for many years, been actively involved in the search for effective middle school practices. He, along with the late William Alexander, co-authored . | Free | View In iTunes | |
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85 |
Interview with Gayle Andrews | Gayle (Davis) Andrews is an Associate Professor at the University of Georgia where she coordinates the Middle School Education Program. She is a well-known researcher in the field of middle level education and along with Tony Jackson, co-authored Turning Points 2000 – Educating Adolescents in the 21st Century. | Free | View In iTunes | |
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86 |
Interview with John Lounsbury | John Lounsbury is considered to be one of the founding fathers of the middle school movement and has spent his extensive career working to improve the education and overall welfare of young adolescents. He is the Dean Emeritus at Georgia College and State University; their John Lounsbury School of Education was named after him. He is a recipient of NASSP's Gruhn-Long-Melton Award for excellence in middle level leadership and NMSA's prestigious Lounsbury Award was named for him. | Free | View In iTunes | |
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87 |
Interview with Linda Darling-Hammond | Improvement of U.S. education requires sound policy that supports educators and won't tolerate inequity. | Free | View In iTunes | |
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88 |
Helping Your Students Obtain NCAA Eligibility | Nicholas Sproull of the NCAA Eligibility Center reminds principals of three simple things they can do to help streamline the eligibility process for students who aspire to play Division 1 or Division 2 sports. Visit for more information. | Free | View In iTunes | |
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89 |
Interview with Ken McEwin | Ken McEwin is a member of NASSP's Middle Level Task Force and a professor at Appalachian State University in North Carolina. Ken has done extensive work in supporting middle level education through the years. His research topics include middle level teacher preparation, sports in the middle, effective middle level practices, K-8 schools, and many more. In 1989 his work was recognized with a Lounsbury Award. | Free | View In iTunes | |
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90 |
Interview with Nancy Doda | Nancy Doda is a workshop leader, author, researcher and keynote speaker and is considered to be one of the top middle level experts in the country. She has worked with hundreds of schools and districts all over the world focusing on developing powerful education for young adolescents, transforming schools cultures and cultivating learning communities. She is also a Lounsbury Award winner. | Free | View In iTunes | |
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91 |
Interview with Don and Sally Clark | Don and Sally Clark were contributing authors to © (NASSP, 2006) and recently published s (NMSA, 2008). Both are professors emeritus at the University of Arizona; Don is a recipient of NASSP's Gruhn-Long-Melton Award. | Free | View In iTunes | |
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92 |
Part 3: Leadership Capacity | Sherrel Bergmann and Judith Brough are the authors of and . | Free | View In iTunes | |
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93 |
Part 2: Resistance | Sherrel Bergmann and Judith Brough are the authors of and . | Free | View In iTunes | |
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94 |
What It Takes to be a Successful Middle Level Leader | Vicki works at a principal preperation program. In this interview she discusses leadership and vision in regards to principalship at the middle level. | Free | View In iTunes |
| Total: 94 Episodes |
Customer Reviews
Great content, poor audio quality
I have been listening to the School Leader's Review for the past two months. The selection of topics draws my attention as a Middle School Principal. If only the recording quality could be done professionally. I often find myself frustrated by the background noise and low quality recordings. Please make it a priority to produce high quality podcasts that live up to the NASSP reputation for excellence. Continue to schedule influential principals who are passionate about their position.
Great content and acceptable sounds quality
Content: great for new principals or who are seeking to be.
Techniqely: Earlier episodes were not clear, but others are sounds clear.
Suggestion: we as educators will be glade, if NASSP podcasts previous annual conferences at iTunes.
Thanks NASSP for inspired resources.
A teacher from UAE, Abu Dhabi
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