Transformative Principal

In this episode of the Transformative Leadership Summit, Jethro sits down with Kyle Palmer, principal of Lewis and Clark Elementary, to explore how school leaders can develop teacher leaders and build a culture of trust and innovation. Kyle shares the story of how his school evolved from a single maker space initiative—sparked by library teacher Angela Rosheim's genius hour instruction—into a school-wide culture of student-centered learning, STEM integration through Project Lead The Way (PLTW), and maker spaces throughout the building. Central to the conversation is Kyle's philosophy of tight/loose leadership: being firm on learning outcomes and collaborative team expectations while giving teachers genuine autonomy in how they get there. He discusses the power of highly functioning PLCs, the importance of developing leaders (not just followers—a concept drawn from John Maxwell), and why trust, listening, and consistent feedback are the keys to empowering staff. Kyle leaves principals with a simple but powerfu

In this episode from the Transformative Leadership Summit, Jethro Jones sits down with Daniel Bauer, host of the Better Leaders, Better Schools podcast, to explore why relationships are the cornerstone of transformative leadership.Daniel shares a candid, real-time example: his principal's unexpected departure and how a culture of trust and connection shaped how the school community responded to the news. He makes a compelling case for succession planning — not as a contingency, but as an ongoing leadership responsibility. Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administra

In this 'From the Vault' episode of the Transformative Leadership Summit, Jethro sits down with Kimberly Miles, principal of East Gresham Elementary School, to explore her remarkable approach to reading as a leadership practice. Kimberly shares how she strategically selects books — only picking them up after hearing multiple recommendations — and then digs deep using a layered annotation system of underlining, highlighting, color-coded tabs, and 3x5 index card summaries she keeps on hand for professional conversations. She discusses why leaders need to be diverse readers beyond education titles, how she uses books like Make It Stick and Thomas Friedman's work to broaden her thinking, and why she spent two years reading a single book with her staff — and why that was the right call. Whether it's leading book clubs with her leadership team, reading alongside her own adult children, or listening to audiobooks on her commute, Kimberly makes the case that intentional, slow, deep reading is one of the most powerful

In this episode, Mike sits down with Alisha DeLorenzo, educator and consultant from New Jersey, to explore her powerful framework of "Unleash Aliveness." Alisha shares how a deeply personal encounter with loss sparked her mission to help schools move from feeling like a "zombie apocalypse" to places of genuine energy and engagement.Key Takeaways:Aliveness is created when people feel significant and heardChange doesn't come from big initiatives — it comes from small, community-led sprintsLeaders don't need all the answers; the wisdom is already in the buildingTransformative principals are positively disruptive, human-centered, and willing to get out of the wayLinks:LinkedIn: Alisha De LorenzoInstagram: @alishadelorenzoWebsite: alishadelorenzo.com Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all s

Derek Cantrell, principal of Allegheny High School in Virginia, shares how he led the consolidation of two rival high schools after 40+ years of failed merger attempts. As the final principal of Covington High School, Derek navigated the emotional journey of closing one school while building excitement for a unified future.Key insights:The power of intentionality — Communication roadmaps, mingle sessions, scavenger hunts, and family tours helped staff and students from both schools build relationships before day oneBlending traditions thoughtfully — The new school kept Allegheny's name but adopted Covington's mascot (Cougars), merged school colors, and created fresh branding so everyone felt ownershipPut people first — Derek credits listening to concerns, valuing input on staffing and room selections, and involving stakeholders at every step as the keys to successful culture-buildingSmall wins create momentum — From staff eating lunch together voluntarily to scoring a touchdown on the first kickoff of the fir

Dr. Chris Culver, founder of Orange Sparrow, shares his journey from being bullied as a student to becoming an advocate for the science of kindness in education. After working in toxic school environments that led him to call an employee assistance helpline, Chris left traditional K-12 education to pursue a mission of making kindness go viral.Key takeaways:Kindness isn't just "kindergarten kindness" (sharing crayons, saying sorry) — it's a science backed by neuroscience that includes setting boundaries, honest communication, and empathyToday's Gen Z and Gen Alpha students crave human interaction but lack the skills — they need explicit modeling of collaboration and connectionSchools seeing improved test scores, decreased behaviors, and increased attendance when implementing kindness-based approachesLeaders should create clear cultural expectations, gather regular feedback (keep/start/stop surveys), and model vulnerabilityCulture-building isn't about pizza parties — it's about ensuring people feel seen, heard,

Gene Kerns, Vice President and Chief Academic Officer at Renaissance Learning, joins the show to discuss instructional coherence—a trending concept in education that asks whether all the programs, assessments, and interventions schools purchase actually work together as a system.Notes:- Instructional Coherence.- Connecting in appropriate ways.- How do you know if there is instructional coherence?- Each part we add has the potential to become a silo.- Incoherence vs. coherence.- Our students who are struggling the most have to carry the most cognitive load.- 1 vendor vs. multi-vendor situations. - Article pairing of assessment and instruction.- Power of aligning to textbooks/curriculum- Just because we are giving kids more time doesn't mean they are getting the learning they need.- Emphasis on grade level content.- Review only what is absolutely necessary and immediately relevant to what you're doing right now.- Lesson Creator with AI for the teachable moment.- Check out Renaissance Learning Webinars- Renaissa

In this episode, first grade teacher Sarah Oberle and Organized Binder creator Mitch Weathers discuss their new book, Executive Functions for Every K-3 Classroom. They explain how core executive functions—working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility—develop between ages 4-8 and can't be trained like skills. Instead, teachers should design environments that preserve students' limited cognitive capacity for learning.Links:US Book Purchases: Book 1: Executive Functions for Every Classroom, Grades 3-12: Creating Safe and Predictable Learning EnvironmentsBook 2: Executive Functions for Every K-3 Classroom: Promoting Self-Regulation for a Strong StartOutside of the US Book Purchases: Book 1: Executive Functions for Every Classroom, Grades 3-12: Creating Safe and Predictable Learning EnvironmentsBook 2: Executive Functions for Every K-3 Classroom: Promoting Self-Regulation for a Strong StartLinkedIN:Sarah OberleMitch WeathersWebsites:https://sarahoberle.com/https://organizedbinder.com/ Learn more about toda

In this episode, Mike Caldwell sits down with Dr. Kristilynn Turney, an educational consultant, speaker, and former school principal with 27 years in education. Kristilynn shares her journey from being labeled a "problem child" for talking too much to becoming the first Black principal of two predominantly white suburban schools in the Cincinnati area.Key topics include:The weight and responsibility of being "the first" in leadershipBuilding relationships as the foundation for school transformationBalancing vision with collaborative decision-makingNavigating resistance while holding firm on non-negotiablesKeeping instruction at the center of every leadership decisionEpisode Links:Website: DrKristilynnTurney.com YouTube: Dr. Turney SpeaksLindkedIn: Dr. Kristilynn Turney Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks and IXL:We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportun

In this episode, host Mike Caldwell sits down with Dr. Marie Bordeleau, a veteran Catholic and public school leader with over 25 years of experience, to discuss the realities of school leadership. Marie shares insights from her upcoming book, The Dust and the Glory, exploring how principals can navigate criticism, avoid burnout, and find joy in the chaos. From the importance of staying "in the arena" to setting boundaries and embracing slow, steady progress, this conversation offers practical wisdom for any school leader feeling the weight of the job. Marie also reflects on leading through crises like 9/11, the 2008 recession, and COVID—and why mission-driven, servant leadership is the key to holding schools together when everything feels fragile.Links:Website: InTheArena.comEmail: marie@inthearenacoaching.comBook: The Dust and the Glory: Finding God in the Chaos of Catholic School Leadership (March 2026) - LinkedLeaders Profile: https://linkedleaders.com/mentors/7f7772dd-f9a3-4160-91f2-c08fbe3380d6 Learn mor

In this episode, Nick Pretasky draws on his experience as an Alaskan backcountry guide to share three essentials for leadership: Bond, Mastery, and Belief. He explains why leaders fail when they forget they're leading humans—and why every leader needs a coach. The episode closes with a powerful story about a student who carried a teacher's handwritten note in his pocket for months, reminding us that small acts of recognition can be transformative.Links:LinkedIn: Nick PretaskyLinkedLeaders  Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks and IXL:We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a

In this episode from the Transformative Leadership Summit vault, host Jethro Jones interviews Brad Gustafson, about becoming an innovative leader in education. Brad emphasizes that innovation starts with identifying your "why" - his is creating a relevant, connected learning environment where students are excited to come to school. LinkedLeaders: You need support. Get just-in-time mentoring at LinkedLeaders.comWe’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

In this special episode, Jethro Jones defends his doctoral dissertation on how school principals can use AI for innovation rather than just efficiency. The research challenges the common "save time" narrative around AI in education and introduces the concept of "cognitive equity" - using AI to expand capabilities and solve problems that weren't previously possible.Through a full-day workshop with 11 Wyoming principals, Jethro demonstrated that when professional development focuses on authentic problems rather than tools, leaders can create innovative solutions like student mental health check-in apps, digital citizenship games, and curiosity trackers. The study revealed three key barriers (time, training, and resources) and emphasized the importance of sustained, problem-focused professional development that allows for productive struggle. LinkedLeaders: You need support. Get just-in-time mentoring at LinkedLeaders.comWe’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform fo

In this special handoff episode of Transformative Principal, host Jethro Jones announces he's passing the podcast to Mike Caldwell, founder of LinkedLeaders, as Jethro transitions to his new role as Director of Operations at Life Lab, a character education company creating video curriculum for middle and high schools—a move that aligns perfectly with his doctorate in character education, which he's defending the day after this episode airs. The episode explores why this partnership makes sense, as both Transformative Principal and LinkedLeaders focus on supporting school leaders through connection, mentorship, and learning from others' experiences, with Mike's platform connecting principals with mentors who have actually done the work they're struggling with through features like "Leadership Suites" that give districts their own dedicated spaces while accessing a broader community. Jethro shares insights about using AI tools like Open Claw to streamline operations and eliminate repetitive tasks in his new rol

In this vault episode from the Transformative Leadership Summit, host Jethro Jones interviews Will Parker, a high school principal from northeastern Oklahoma, about implementing KRAs (Key Responsibility Areas) in schools. Will shares how he adapted Dave Ramsey's organizational management concept to create clarity and accountability for all staff members—from secretaries and counselors to administrators. The conversation explores how defining specific responsibility areas upfront prevents confusion, enables cross-training, improves hiring processes, and creates a supportive environment where everyone understands their role. Will emphasizes that KRAs are living documents revisited annually, helping schools manage organizational structure effectively, especially during transitions like budget cuts or staff changes. LinkedLeaders: You need support. Get just-in-time mentoring at LinkedLeaders.comWe’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, scien

15:19.5In this episode of Transformative Principal, host Jethro Jones interviews Benny, a 16-year-old sophomore at Alpha School in Austin. Benny discusses his Alpha X project—a YouTube channel explaining how video games are educational.The conversation explores Alpha School's innovative model, which combines AI-based academics in the morning with passion-driven project work in the afternoon. Benny shares insights on how video games teach critical life skills like problem-solving, resilience, teamwork, and communication through active learning environments.Jethro challenges Benny to stop perfecting his first video and start publishing immediately, emphasizing that consistent practice beats endless research. They discuss the importance of learning through doing, the value of failure in video games versus traditional education, and how Alpha School's approach helps students develop real-world skills.Alpha School academics and workshops. Benny’s youtube channelUploading many videos as opposed to researching to ma

In this episode of Transformative Principal, host Jethro Jones speaks with Stan Koterba, an Ohio principal working on his doctorate in educational leadership. Stan shares his powerful personal journey of battling leukemia during his doctoral program and how that experience shaped his dissertation focus on principal self-efficacy—the belief that positive thinking and visualization directly impact leadership effectiveness.Dissertation Accountability groupStarted his dissertation in 2014, Leukemia slowed him down, but he persevered and is back on track!What self-efficacy means: Visualizing success and optimism that it’s going to work out.Personal experience first, and thinking about it. Tackle the toughest thing first. Start with the smallest win, and then keep going. Email is a procrastination tool. Schedule send is your friend!School email off my cell phone. Schedule times on your calendar. You are worthy of that yourselfDon’t get too busy with the busywork to do the real work!Text blast for phones to communic

In this episode of Reject the Premise, Jethro and Danny challenge three common misconceptions in educational leadership. They argue that leadership development isn't a luxury but a necessity, emphasizing that top performers in every field invest in coaching and that having a coach demonstrates maturity rather than inadequacy. They reject the notion that leadership must be lonely, encouraging leaders to build supportive communities and connections rather than remaining isolated. Finally, they reframe innovation as a mindset focused on problem definition rather than an expensive, technology-dependent endeavor. Throughout the conversation, they stress that leaders must take ownership of their own development rather than waiting for districts to provide it, and they share practical examples of how constraints can actually fuel creativity and meaningful change in schools.Key Takeaways:Leadership development is not a luxury - it's essential. When you get better as a leader, everybody wins. Top performers across all

In this episode, Jethro Jones interviews Mike Goldstein, co-founder of Reset Teen Coaching and author of "I'll Do It Later." They discuss the challenges teens face with executive function, especially those with ADHD, and the trial-and-error nature of finding strategies that work. The conversation covers the limitations of one-size-fits-all approaches in education, the importance of supporting students and families, and the need for school leaders to rethink homework and support systems. Mike shares practical advice for principals, emphasizing the value of providing help during the times students struggle most, such as evenings, and encourages educators to partner with families and adapt to each student’s unique journey.Jethro’s current struggles with exerciseCase studies focused on the teens who are struggling with ADHDStrategies that could work with a certain situationHumility that you’re going to try different things for different kids. Kids don’t just have to struggle through school. College can cut both w

In this special "reverse interview" episode of Transformative Principal, host Jethro Jones is interviewed by Mike Caldwell. Jethro reflects on his journey as a podcaster, the evolution of his career, and his philosophy on education, innovation, and personal growth. The conversation covers the origins of the podcast, lessons learned from hundreds of interviews, the role of AI in education, and Jethro's next chapter with Life Lab.