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Imagine walking into a school where a principal tells a fart joke, and within seconds, students take deep breaths and self-regulate back to attention. Sound impossible? For Leroy Slanzi, this is everyday reality in schools that have embraced his emotional intelligence framework.

With over 25 years of experience across elementary, middle, and high school leadership, Slanzi brings a unique perspective to the educational leadership conversation. Having begun his career as a special education teacher, he quickly discovered that managing the emotional responses of adults was often more challenging than working with students. This insight became the foundation for his approach to school leadership and eventually led to his book, "Emotional Schools."

Slanzi argues that dramatic shifts in childhood experiences over the past 15 years—reduced free play, increased screen time, helicopter parenting—have created a generation of students struggling to manage stress and persevere through challenges. "We're seeing more kids with anxiety disorders, mood disorders, behavior disorders," he explains, noting this trend began well before the pandemic and continues to accelerate worldwide.

Rather than lamenting these changes, Slanzi developed a framework that teaches students the science behind their emotions. Even kindergarteners learn how deep breathing activates the prefrontal cortex, allowing for better decision-making. Using consistent language and visual cues throughout the school, this approach becomes embedded in daily interactions rather than existing as a separate program.

The results speak for themselves. Schools implementing Slanzi's framework report dramatic improvements in student behavior, attendance rates, and academic performance. Teachers spend less time managing disruptions and more time teaching. Perhaps most impressively, students begin to self-regulate independently, taking deep breaths when frustrated or overwhelmed instead of melting down or acting out.

Whether you're dealing with elementary students who think you "walk around with a cape on" or high schoolers contemplating their futures, Slanzi's approach offers practical strategies for building emotional resilience alongside academic skills. Ready to transform your school culture through emotional intelligence? Visit EmotionalSchools.com to learn how you can bring these evidence-based practices to your community.

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Dr. Darrin Peppard's educational leadership journey began when his college roommate asked for help coaching fifth-grade basketball. That simple moment sparked a passion that would guide him from classroom teacher to award-winning principal, superintendent, and eventually to becoming one of education's most respected leadership voices.

The turning point in Darrin's leadership philosophy came during his first year as an assistant principal while processing over 2,200 discipline referrals. During a contentious staff meeting about enforcing rules on hats and cell phones, someone asked, "Why does it always have to be about what they do wrong? Why can't it be about what they do right?" This question fundamentally shifted his approach from punishment to celebration, from compliance to culture-building.

What makes Darrin's insights so valuable is how he transformed this philosophy into practical action. Rather than imposing solutions, he assembled diverse teams of educators and students to identify root causes of problems. When investigating poor third-period attendance, students revealed they were skipping because they were hungry after being forced to throw away breakfast items at the door. Simple solutions like strategically placing trash cans dramatically improved attendance. His commitment to making everyone feel "seen, heard, valued, and trusted" ultimately raised graduation rates to historic highs.

Now through his company Road to Awesome, Darrin coaches educational leaders to get clear about what truly matters to them, be intentional in their actions, and lead with purpose. His bestselling books "Road to Awesome: The Journey of a Leader" and "Culture First Classrooms" (co-authored with Katie Kinder) provide actionable frameworks for building positive school cultures. As Darrin explains, effective leadership isn't about perfection—it's about clarity, intentionality, and focusing on relationships first.

Ready to transform your leadership journey? Connect with Dr. Peppard through his website roadtoawesome.net, subscribe to his Leaning Into Leadership podcast, or join his email list for weekly insights that will help you move from crisis management to purposeful leadership. The road to awesome begins with a single step—what will yours be?

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Death is something no school leader wants to face, yet crisis management becomes an unavoidable reality when tragedy strikes. Drawing from the painful experience of navigating four student deaths in just three years, this deeply personal episode explores the profound challenges of leading a school community through grief and loss.

The sobering statistics tell only part of the story. With suicide ranking as the second leading cause of death among 10-24 year olds and over 6,600 youth suicides in 2021 alone (CDC, 2023), schools face an unprecedented mental health crisis. These aren't merely numbers—they represent faces, stories, and futures abruptly ended, often because young people with still-developing brains see permanent solutions to temporary problems.

Behind every effective crisis response stands a carefully orchestrated team. From verifying facts to identifying those most affected, from staged communication to comprehensive support systems, we break down the essential components of compassionate crisis management. The episode details practical strategies for supporting both students and staff, acknowledging that teachers must navigate their own grief while simultaneously supporting vulnerable students.

Perhaps most compelling is the question that emerges from these experiences: while we train educators to recognize distress signals, should we be empowering students to do the same? As the frontline witnesses to their peers' struggles, could students become our most valuable allies in suicide prevention? This thought-provoking discussion invites educational leaders to collaborate on innovative solutions to protect young lives.

This conversation isn't just about managing crisis—it's about reimagining how we approach mental health in schools. Join me in exploring how we can better support our school communities through their darkest moments and perhaps prevent future tragedies through collective wisdom and courage.

National Center for Education Statistics report from May 31, 2022

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Ever wonder what transforms a passionate educator into an exceptional leader? Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket's journey from kindergarten teacher to Blue Ribbon School principal offers powerful insights for anyone navigating educational leadership.

Growing up surrounded by educators—with a grandmother who served Baltimore City schools for over 30 years—Rachel developed an early love for the school environment. "I was one of those children that even when it was summer break, I was ready to come back," she recalls. This foundation laid the groundwork for her leadership philosophy centered on creating the same sense of belonging for every child she serves.

What makes Dr. Edoho-Eket's perspective particularly valuable is her ability to connect her classroom experience with administrative roles. "There's not a big difference between being a kindergarten teacher and a principal," she explains. "In both cases, we're ambassadors for the school." This insight helped her navigate the challenging transition from teaching to leadership, where she discovered the power of two simple questions: "How can I help you?" and "What can I do to improve?"

Her book, "The Principal's Journey: Navigating the Path to School Leadership," fills a unique gap in educational literature by focusing on how to become a leader rather than just functioning as one. From preparing your resume to mastering interviews and creating positive school culture, Dr. Edoho-Eket provides practical guidance for aspiring administrators. As she puts it, "You don't have to get ready if you stay ready."

Beyond the mechanics of career advancement, Dr. Edoho-Eket addresses the emotional core of educational leadership—finding joy in challenging times. Having begun her principalship during the pandemic, she understands the importance of highlighting positive achievements and maintaining perspective. Her message to fellow educators resonates deeply: "Everything we do matters. Every contribution we make has lasting impacts that we'll never know how far they extend."

Ready to elevate your leadership journey? Follow Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket on social media and explore her resources at https://bio.site/the_principals_journey

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From reluctant administrator to award-winning principal, Dr. Cynthia Rapaido's remarkable 30-year journey through educational leadership offers powerful insights for anyone considering school administration. What began as an academic exercise to move up the salary scale unexpectedly blossomed into a 22-year administrative career spanning assistant principalship, principalship, and higher education mentoring.

Dr. Rapaido's story uniquely illuminates the intersection of cultural identity and educational leadership. As a Filipino woman navigating leadership roles traditionally dominated by different voices, she learned to balance her cultural values emphasizing harmony with the directness required for effective administration. Her powerful account of finding her voice—learning that "we can agree to disagree"—serves as an inspiring example for leaders from all backgrounds struggling to reconcile personal identity with professional expectations.

The conversation delves deep into the foundation of effective school leadership: knowing yourself. Dr. Rapaido describes the "fruit leadership style chart" from her book "Step Up Your School Leadership Game," which helps administrators identify their natural strengths and approaches. She emphasizes the critical importance of understanding your core values and non-negotiables before stepping into leadership positions, ensuring alignment between personal philosophy and school or district culture.

For current administrators struggling with work-life balance, Dr. Rapaido offers practical wisdom about scheduling "big rocks"—the activities that provide restoration and reflection—and being fully present during those times. Her approach to leadership development extends beyond technique to encompass holistic well-being, something often overlooked in leadership training.

Whether you're a teacher considering administration, a new principal seeking guidance, or an experienced leader looking to mentor others, this episode provides both practical strategies and philosophical depth. Connect with Dr. Rapaido through LinkedIn or email (crapaido@gmail.com) to learn more about her leadership development work and how you might benefit from her experiences as you build your own educational leadership identity. What leadership fruit are you?

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Book: "Step Up Your School Leadership Game"

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Becoming a principal wasn't on my radar when I was happily teaching math and coaching sports. Someone else spotted my leadership potential before I did—a pivotal moment that set me on an unexpected path to school administration.

My journey from classroom teacher to high school principal wasn't straightforward or easy. It required multiple graduate degrees, mentorship from experienced administrators, and a combined total of 25 interview attempts before landing my dream role. Through each rejection, I refined my approach and learned valuable lessons about educational leadership that I'm passionate about sharing with aspiring administrators.

This deeply personal episode pulls back the curtain on the challenges of transitioning into school leadership. I detail how my perspective on principalship transformed when I witnessed a leader who showed up in classrooms to support rather than criticize. I explain how participation in leadership academies and deliberate resume-building experiences prepared me for administrative roles, even when the path wasn't clear.

The turning point came when a superintendent told me I was "interviewing for the wrong job" because I answered questions like a principal, not an assistant principal. This revelation changed my entire approach to job searching and helped me recognize where my leadership style truly belonged.

For those considering educational leadership, I offer eleven practical strategies developed through my experiences—from wearing school colors to interviews to creating comprehensive transition plans that demonstrate your vision. Most importantly, I emphasize authenticity throughout the process, as school communities are searching for leaders who align with their values and culture.

Whether you're contemplating your first leadership position or looking to advance in educational administration, this episode provides honest insights into finding your place as a school leader. The journey may not be easy, but for those called to make a broader impact in education, it's immensely rewarding.

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From a small-town graduate with a class of 32 students to leading innovative educational programs across multiple school districts, Dr. Josh Wilken's journey reveals how diverse experiences shape exceptional educational leaders.

Dr. Wilken takes us through his remarkable evolution from teaching English learners across seven buildings while coaching multiple sports to becoming a transformative elementary principal. His student teaching experience in Houston—a deliberate step outside his Nebraska comfort zone—fundamentally shaped his approach to supporting diverse student needs and prepared him for increasingly complex leadership roles.

What stands out about Wilken's leadership philosophy is its deeply collaborative nature. "It takes a village to make a building run efficiently," he explains, describing how he learned to harness the collective expertise of teachers, specialists, families, and colleagues to create truly effective educational environments. This approach proved invaluable as he expanded his impact to district-level roles, where he revitalized English learner programming and built the comprehensive "Blueprint" career and technical education initiative encompassing 18 different pathways—an impressive achievement for a Class B school district.

Now serving as a professional learning consultant with Educational Service Unit 3, Wilken shares crucial insights about effective professional development: "We know how valuable an educator's time is... we want to make sure that we're giving the educator something valuable that they can take back to their classroom and implement right away." His emphasis on coaching and sustainable implementation speaks to the practical challenges educators face when trying to improve their practice.

For those considering educational leadership, his advice is refreshingly straightforward: "Be great at your job... see that there's an opportunity to lead right where you are." This mindset has guided his own career transitions, including his upcoming move to financial advising where he'll continue applying the relationship-building skills developed through decades in education.

Ready to be inspired? Listen now to discover how maintaining your educational "fire" can create an impact that "will last for generations."

Email Dr. Josh Wilken at: Jwilken@as-ne.com

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What happens when a school truly embraces "we're all on the same team" as more than just a catchy phrase? The transformation can be remarkable.

At Hastings High School, my journey as principal began with a fundamental belief that everyone—from teachers to custodians to students—plays an essential role in our school community. This wasn't just wishful thinking; it was an intentional approach to building a culture where trust, collaboration, and shared purpose could flourish.

My 60-90-30 transition plan became the roadmap for putting this belief into action. Those first 60 days were devoted entirely to relationships: conducting one-on-one conversations with every single staff member (all 120 of them!), learning existing systems, and becoming a visible, approachable leader. Rather than bulldozing in with changes, I listened and learned what was already working well. The following 90 days allowed us to celebrate successes while collaboratively analyzing challenges around issues like cell phone usage and attendance. By the final 30 days, we were implementing solutions that everyone had helped develop.

This methodical approach has yielded powerful results three years later. Delegation happens naturally because trust flows in all directions. Problem-solving becomes more efficient as we tap our collective wisdom rather than working in isolation. Staff members feel genuinely valued when they see their input translated into meaningful action, and our students benefit from witnessing adults who model true collaboration.

The foundation of intentional belief building creates a self-reinforcing cycle: when people feel they're truly on the same team, they behave accordingly. What belief might transform your school if you led with similar intention? Share your thoughts and experiences—I'd love to hear how you're building your own culture of belonging and teamwork.

60-90-30 Day Transition Plan PDF

Episode 18: Transforming School Leaders: Insights from Angela Kelly's Leadership Journey!

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