The Empowered Principal® Podcast

I sit down with Andra Bostic and Sarah Murphy, the founders of The Principal Exchange, to discuss how their platform is revolutionizing the way principals access support and resources. Andra and Sarah bring a wealth of experience to the table, having worked as classroom teachers, reading specialists, instructional coaches, and administrators in public education. Through their work, they’ve traveled the country, building relationships with principals and gaining a deep understanding of the unique challenges they face.   Learn about The Principal Exchange platform and how it provides an online marketplace where principals can find and share resources, connect with colleagues, and access the support they need to thrive in their roles. Andra and Sarah also share their vision for the platform and discuss how it's helping principals overcome isolation, burnout, and the daily struggles of school leadership.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://angelakellycoaching.com/363

If you find yourself stressed out about walkthroughs, it's an indication that you have some internal work to do as a principal around your thoughts about yourself and your work. The great news is that when you learn how to create psychological safety for yourself around the walkthrough process, you can do the same for your teachers. And in this episode, I show you how to banish walkthrough anxiety for good.   Tune in this week as I dive deep into the reasons why walkthroughs cause so much stress and anxiety for both principals and teachers. I explore the childhood roots of why feedback can feel so scary. I also share concrete strategies that will help you build your confidence as a principal and create a school culture where walkthroughs become a positive, stress-free experience for you and your teachers.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://angelakellycoaching.com/362

“Equal value but different” is a powerful concept that has transformed the way I think about my work as a school leader and my relationships in my personal life. It's the idea that every person has inherent worth and value to offer, even if it looks different from what we typically prioritize or celebrate.   Learn what the concept of “equal value but different” means, how you can apply this concept to your school community and personal life, and the impact it could have on staff morale, collaboration, and student success.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://angelakellycoaching.com/361

As an educator and school leader, it’s easy to get caught up in the endless demands of the job - pleasing your staff, students, parents, and district, putting out fires, and chasing external metrics of success. We think experiencing pleasure and delight in our work is irresponsible, but this week, I challenge the deeply ingrained belief that feeling good is at odds with being a committed, effective school leader.   Hear my own journey of breaking free from the "pleasure is irresponsible" mindset, and what happens when you do the same. Learn how the unspoken rules you’re currently believing may be holding you back from truly thriving as a leader, and how intentionally flipping the script will create positive change for your entire school community.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://angelakellycoaching.com/360    

Leaders are often obsessed with “doing,” and this approach comes with a certain kind of hustling or forcing energy. People forcefully create results in their lives all the time, but is that the way you want the experience of school leadership to feel?    Join me this week as I explore the concept of "feel good goals" and how balancing masculine and feminine energy can help you create a more fulfilling and impactful leadership experience. I also share a powerful insight from a coaching conversation I had with a client where she realized that by shifting her focus from what teachers are doing to how they are feeling, she could transform her approach to instructional leadership.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://angelakellycoaching.com/359    

In this episode, I’m joined by Nicola Soares, president of Kelly Education: a company that specializes in providing talent services to school districts across the United States. With a background as a public school social studies teacher, Nicola understands the challenges that principals face when it comes to finding qualified substitute teachers. She’s here to debunk the myth that there’s a shortage of high-quality substitute teachers who want to work for your school.   Discover how partnering with a service like Kelly Education can help you build a community of long-term and short-term substitute teachers who are passionate about empowering students and supporting your school's mission. Hear why keeping your classes covered doesn’t need to be a burden, the importance of shifting your mindset around substitute teachers, and how Kelly Education’s approach will save you time, money, and stress.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://angelakellycoaching.com/358

Many educators struggle with the decision to stay or go, feeling a profound sense of commitment to their work even when it's no longer serving them. That’s why this week, I explore the concept of retirement resistance and how it can keep principals trapped in a cycle of burnout and dissatisfaction.   Whether you're considering retirement or a career change, this episode will help you gain clarity on your motivations and empower you to make a decision that aligns with your values and goals. I share insights from a client who recently made the decision to retire after years of feeling torn about it, and show you how to imagine your life outside of education and take back agency over your time and energy.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://angelakellycoaching.com/357

Do you ever feel discouraged or distraught by your school's performance score? As a principal, it's easy to take these ratings very personally and let them define your sense of success or failure as a leader. If you find yourself getting caught up in the trap of chasing perfection or letting a low score define your worth as a leader, this episode is for you.    I provide some perspective on school scores and how they can impact your mental and emotional well-being as a principal. Your school score does not define you, your staff, your students, or your school. In this episode, I invite you to focus on the sufficiency of where your school is at right now and celebrate the progress you're making.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://angelakellycoaching.com/356      

This week, I sit down with Dr. Jamay Fisher who brings a unique perspective to the topic of public image and school leadership. As an academic advisor and branding expert who has worked in both education and politics, Dr. Jamay sheds light on the importance of intentionally shaping your reputation and legacy to make a bigger impact in education, and what it takes to be a top-class leader.   Hear how to build an empowering public image that expands your reach and impact. Dr. Jamay shares valuable insights on the importance of being intentional about crafting your public image. She also offers strategies for proactively managing your public relations, withstanding turbulence, and taking charge of your legacy.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://angelakellycoaching.com/355

Whether you're in the midst of the fall dip, dealing with a challenging situation, or simply feeling the weight of your responsibilities, empowered school leadership is all about the ability to regulate your emotions. That’s why, this week, I share a powerful practice for grounding yourself and guide you through the skill of emotional regulation.   Join me in this short and sweet episode as I show you how to master emotional regulation. Hear why this practice helps you find your center and lead from a place of clarity when you’re feeling triggered, exhausted, or emotionally dysregulated. Discover how developing this skill can transform both your professional and personal life.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://angelakellycoaching.com/354