Transformative Principal

Developing the Leader Within with Christopher Grode School leaders can spend an entire day solving problems and still have little time for the leadership work they want to do. Mike Caldwell talks with Christopher Grode, Ph.D., about creating routines that make room for that work and finding people who can offer an honest outside perspective. Drawing on 19 years as an Illinois superintendent and his research with executive coaches, Chris describes how his view of leadership development changed. He shares his monthly "90 for 90" review, a five-minute morning journal, and the habit of revisiting earlier entries to see what mattered over time. They also discuss his "leadership gateway" of attitudes, behaviors, practices, identity, and purpose, along with the challenge of separating your identity from your job during retirement. Practical ideas from the conversation Track how much of your day goes to reacting and managing, then consider where you want to make more room for leading. Try "90 for 90": spend 9

SummaryElizabeth Cushing, CEO of Playworks, joins Jethro Jones to talk about how play builds belonging, emotional resilience, leadership, and attendance at school. They discuss what changes when recess becomes a predictable, inclusive place where every student can join a game, how adults model connection by playing alongside students, and how junior coaches turn older students into peer leaders.They also talk about the practical side of bringing Playworks into a school: choosing games that keep students moving, reducing conflicts that follow students back to class, using Title I and other funding sources, and helping school communities make recess a meaningful part of the school day.Chapters0:00 — Welcome to Transformative Principal0:59 — What Playworks changes on the playground2:45 — Games that keep every student included5:30 — Bringing play into classrooms7:01 — Why play builds emotional resilience10:16 — Adults, attendance, and belonging13:30 — Junior coaches and student leadership17:25 — How schools pay f

Recorded live at a conference session, Suzanne "Suzie" Myers, Jocelyn Washburn, and Bonnie Palysak from the University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning introduce I-STAR — a new adaptive, web-based platform built on the research-backed Strategic Instruction Model (SIM) writing strategies. The team walks through why they built it (teachers lack time to explicitly teach and grade writing), how it works (teacher-led instruction paired with auto-scoring, adaptive practice, and progress tracking), and shares a moving case study of a student's growth from disjointed to sophisticated writing. They also pull back the curtain on the challenges of translating decades-old paper-based strategies into technology with a non-education-focused development team, including AI-generated practice sentences. The session closes with interactive audience brainstorming for future dashboard features and a call for schools to join their pilot study. We’re proud to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning

Mike Caldwell talks with Nanette Merrill, executive director of the Idaho Charter School Association, about her path from stay-at-home mom to teacher, principal, and now state-level leader. They swap rapid-fire favorites (leadership books, reading habits, best advice), then dig into what makes strong schools stand out—clear mission, visible leadership, and a culture of belonging. Nanette shares insights from visiting dozens of charter schools this past year, the value of mentorship and coaching for school leaders, and her new coaching initiative supporting Idaho's charter leaders.  We’re proud 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 stude

In this episode, live at ISTE, Jethro D. Jones talks with Kip Glazer, principal at Mountain View High School, about her book "Ready to Lead with AI: A Practical Guide for School Leaders." They dive into the emotional weight of school leadership — managing competing stakeholder demands, setting boundaries, and navigating disagreement while staying grounded in research and shared purpose. Kip explains why she actively shares positive stories from her school on social media to counter media narratives that skew toward the sensational, and discusses the post-pandemic emotional toll on educators and parents alike. She closes with a reminder that leadership is about listening, building empathy, and trusting that small, consistent connection has real impact. We’re proud 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 resear

Jethro D. Jones interviews Kevin Donohue, a Catholic school leader turned FACTS Education Solutions consultant, at ISTE 2026. Kevin shares his path from teacher to principal through a residency model in the LA Archdiocese, then dives deep into practical ways AI can support Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) — from scheduling and agenda-building to acting as a subject-matter "expert" or bias-checking moderator. The conversation tackles crucial student data privacy concerns (anonymizing names, avoiding PII in AI tools), and debates where the human/AI line should be drawn in grading versus feedback. Kevin and Jethro agree AI excels at binary, objective tasks (like grading) while human relationship-building remains essential for meaningful feedback and individualized learning paths. We’re proud 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 teacher

Jethro D. Jones sits down with Evin Schwarz (co-founder of Thinkering) at ISTE/ASCD 2026 to discuss the partnership between Thinkering and the BE Podcast Network. They dig into why teacher voice matters more than ever, how podcasting helps educators clarify their thinking and build community, and the mechanics of Thinkering's 10-week cohort program that turns teachers into changemakers. Evin shares powerful stories — from a $80 poetry slam to a school garden that tackled food insecurity — illustrating how small acts of teacher-led innovation ripple outward. The conversation closes with reflections on teacher retention, the sub shortage, AI's disruptive role in education, and how listeners can get involved with Thinkering. We’re proud 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 Universi

In this episode, Jethro sits down with Dr. Erin Bailey, VP of Literacy Programs and Research at Reading Is Fundamental, to explore two exciting 2026 developments. Erin shares the growth of Skybrary, RIF's e-book app offering 1,000 read-to-me picture books, now with a free tier providing 100 books per household — a number rooted in research linking book access to reading and academic achievement. She also discusses RIF's acquisition of August House Publishing, bringing 185 titles focused on oral storytelling into RIF's mission of book access. The conversation turns to Erin's own podcast, Reading Inspires, covering the realities of podcast production, building thought leadership, and RIF's core belief that reading should above all be joyful. We’re proud 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 John

Jethro D. Jones sits down with Simon and Jill from ClassVR at ISTE 2026 to talk about the company's newest VR innovations in education. They dive into Thrive, a sensory regulation product designed to support students who struggle with dysregulation, and preview ClassVR's new STEM library, which lets students safely experience hands-on experiments (like chemistry reactions and dissections) that are often limited by budget or safety concerns in real classrooms. The conversation also explores how VR builds "organic skills" that develop over time, why immersive, judgment-free environments help students practice soft skills, and what schools should consider before adopting VR — from full-solution onboarding to keeping VR sessions short and focused for maximum engagement. We’re proud 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 ind

Kate O'Connell, an international education consultant and leadership coach based in Cambodia, joins the podcast to discuss her journey from classroom teacher to headship across four countries. She unpacks the difference between coaching and mentoring, and how she blends both to help school leaders find their own answers. The conversation also covers Link Leaders' new "Leadership Studios"—peer cohorts that create safe spaces for leaders to connect and grow—and why differentiated, problem-based support is key to effective professional development. Kate closes with her mission to humanize education through leadership, and simple advice: get a coach. We’re proud 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 techno

Jethro D. Jones interviews Jamie Candee (CEO of Edmentum) about bridging the gap between K-12 education and career readiness. They discuss how AI is reshaping the job market, why "durable skills" matter more than ever, and how schools can expose students to career paths early through career exploration tools, workplace internships, and real-world partnerships (like Edmentum's MajorClarity platform and Roadtrip Nation videos). Candee shares personal stories — including her son Milo's journey exploring baseball-adjacent careers — to illustrate how students can find purpose beyond the traditional "doctor, lawyer, teacher" track. The conversation also covers practical advice for principals looking to build career-connected learning pathways in their own schools. We’re proud 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

At ISTE 2026, Jethro Jones sits down with Mike Anderson to discuss his new book, Hugging Porcupines: Practical Strategies for Supporting Kids Who Struggle with Behavior in School. They explore why some students disengage, resist connection, and act out — and how teachers can respond with strategies built on the "three-legged stool" of academic engagement, respectful discipline, and positive relationships. The conversation covers building classroom rules collaboratively, the difference between consequences and punishments, and why problem-solving conferences (not just sending kids to the office) are key to real behavior change. We’re proud 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’ t

Pete Hall joins Jethro Jones live at ISTE 2026 to discuss his new book, Reaching and Teaching Kids Who Don't Fit in the Box. They dig into the five core reasons students disengage from school (not fitting in, academic gaps, boredom, lack of support, and emotional struggles), and share practical strategies teachers can use immediately — including setting self-concordant student goals, using AI to personalize entry tasks around student interests, and asking "cognitive interest cue" questions that spark curiosity instead of just testing recall. The conversation also explores shifting from "who knows the answer" questioning to more inclusive approaches that invite all students to participate, even with wrong answers. Pete closes with details on his book's pre-sale discount. We’re proud 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

In this episode, Mike Caldwell interviews Mike Huguelet, Executive Director of the Iowa Coalition of Public Charter Schools, about building Iowa's charter school movement from the ground up. Huguelet shares his path from teaching in Chicago (co-founding Noble Schools) to leading counseling programs in Des Moines Public Schools, and eventually launching the Iowa Coalition in 2023 — a state with one of the newest charter laws in the country (passed 2021). We’re proud 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 episode, host Mike Caldwell sits down with Jo Lane, an educator support and instructional coach with 16 years of experience, who is currently a principal coach based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Jo shares insights from her new book, Burn the Script: How Great Coaches Disrupt Thinking and Transform Practice, released May 19th.The conversation dives deep into the concept of "mental fossils" — the ingrained beliefs and behavioral scripts educators develop from past professional experiences that often hold them back from growth. Jo breaks down how beliefs are anchored by three factors: skill, identity, and value, and explains why simply teaching a skill isn't enough to change behavior if underlying beliefs aren't addressed.Show Notes:Substack: EduCoach by Jo LeinLinkedIn: Jo LeinBook: Burn the Script: How Great Coaches Disrupt Mindsets and Transform PracticeInstagram/TikTok: @educoachbyjo We’re proud to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and so

In this episode of the Transformative Principal podcast, host Mike Caldwell talks with Jason Leshowitz, a New Jersey arts administrator and founder of Rejection Proof Career, about his upcoming book The Rejection Proof Educator. Jason shares how educators and school leaders can translate their skills and experience into compelling resumes and interview answers, whether they're pivoting upward into leadership or transitioning into education-adjacent careers like ed tech and instructional design. The conversation covers reframing your professional story, building relevant experience before an opportunity arrives, using LinkedIn (and Facebook) to network effectively, and practical strategies for standing out in a competitive job market.Show Notes: Website: rejectionproofcareer.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jason-leshowitzInstagram: @rejectionproofcareerBook: The Rejection-Proof Educator: Translating Your Experience into Better Pay and Bigger Opportunities (coming soon) We’re proud to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s co

In this vault episode of Transformative Principle, host Jethro Jones interviews Glenn Robbins, principal of Northfield Community School in New Jersey and NASSP Digital Principal of 2016. Glenn shares how he builds a culture of innovation by prioritizing autonomy, transparency, and authentic collaboration among staff, students, and community. He discusses meeting daily with his union president to take the pulse of the building, using design thinking charettes to co-create a school-wide "Life Ready Manifesto," encouraging staff and students to bring problems paired with two solutions, and how owning his own mistakes publicly broke down trust barriers early in his tenure. Glenn measures success not by test scores, but by the enthusiasm of kids who don't want to leave school. We’re proud 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

In this vault episode of Transformative Principal, Jethro Jones revisits an interview with Amy Fast, then assistant principal at McMinnville High School in Oregon, originally recorded for the Transformative Leadership Summit. Amy shares how a tragic college shooting in nearby Roseburg prompted her and her principal to proactively survey all 2,100+ students about their wellbeing, connectedness, hopefulness, and sense of significance — rather than simply reacting with more security measures. We’re proud 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 episode,  Rachael Thrash — educator, author, and Senior Director at Big Bad Boo Studios — joins Mike Caldwell to challenge the gap between student voice and student ownership. With 25+ years in education, Rachel argues that GPA-gated student councils and empty surveys exclude the students who need to be heard most. Through real examples of students solving real school problems, she shows what happens when kids are given genuine agency. She also walks through her new book Let the Learners Lead, a practical toolkit for educators ready to co-create school culture with students — not just for them We’re proud 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 st

Mike Caldwell sits down with Scott Bess, President of the Indiana Charter Innovation Center and a member of the Indiana State Board of Education, for a wide-ranging conversation about what's broken in K-12 education — and what's actually being done to fix it. Scott shares his winding path from classroom teacher to CIO at Goodwill Industries to education innovator, including the founding of the Excel Centers: a now-nationwide network of 60+ charter schools helping adults without diplomas earn credentials and transform their economic trajectories. Scott argues passionately for blowing up discrete subject areas, seat-time requirements, and the Carnegie Unit, while making the case for micro schools as a scalable, flexible alternative to traditional schooling. He also shares an exciting — and underutilized — vision for AI in education: not as a tutor for students, but as an operating system that maximizes teacher impact by matching kids to instruction exactly when they need it. The episode wraps with a look at Ind