PMP428: What’s Happened in 2024 and What’s Next for Principal Matters?

Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast with William D. Parker

Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!

We are sharing our weekly episode early this week to avoid intruding on your holidays. In this episode, Will and Jen both share some favorite Christmas memories. Listen to the end, however, for some heartfelt aspirations and hopes for the New Year. We would love to hear from you. Feel free to share your thoughts or photos from the season with us by emailing: [e-mail] or

[e-mail]. Or you can text me (Will) with quick thoughts and Christmas photos at 1-918-698-3770.

Thank you, Guests and Listeners!

This year on Principal Matters, we had the privilege of hosting an incredible lineup of educational leaders and experts who shared insights vital to today’s schools. We began with Mark Geraets, who taught us to ride the waves of new ideas, and enjoyed discussions on leadership dynamics with Jen Schwanke, my regular co-host this year. We dove deep into conflict management, building student connections, accountability, and decision-making—Jen even released a new book on conflict management!

We were honored to have Flip Flippen, who shared his work on Capturing Kids’ Hearts, and Melissa Barlow, an Oklahoma Principal of the Year, who emphasized the importance of connecting every student to caring adults. As the year progressed, we discussed transformative leadership paths with Naheed Bardai and expanded perspectives on principal mindfulness with Dr. Rob Russell and Dr. Dustin Miller.

Turnaround leader Dr. Tameka Hyland brought insights into understanding middle schoolers and school development. Later, we embraced “messy” leadership approaches with Alyssa Gallagher, focused on boundary-setting, and celebrated ten years of Principal Matters.

The year was filled with powerful lessons on inclusivity from Tim Villegas, capacity building with Anne-Marie Maw, and effective feedback techniques with Molly Dexter and her team. Leaders like Bobby Dodd and Dr. Todd Dain shared innovative approaches, and we closed out the fall with lessons on energy and passion, featuring Dr. Jim Van Allan discussing The Energy Bus and David Yeager on mentoring.

We wrapped up with final episodes featuring Danielle Nuhfer, Garth Larson, Kenny Rodriguez, and George Couros. It’s been a year of unforgettable learning. I’m grateful for each guest’s contribution, as we continue to learn and grow together as school leaders.

Scroll to the end of this post to see a complete list of shows from the 2024 archives!

What Did Will’s Engagement Look Like in 2024?

A typical month of professional development for me (Will) is a mix of in-person events, virtual masterminds, and coaching sessions that keep me engaged with school leaders from all over. It starts with in-person sessions, like the one I had this fall with Owasso Public Schools, where I had a chance to connect face-to-face with their leadership cabinet. However, most of my sessions are virtual, which allows me to reach a wide range of educational communities.

For instance, early in the month, I lead Grow Academy sessions with the Ohio School Sponsorship Program and mastermind sessions with the Archdiocese of Louisville. These virtual gatherings provide a chance for leaders to share challenges and strategies, and build strong professional relationships even from a distance. I also lead an ongoing Executive Coaching Series through Principal Matters, which provides reflective leadership development for principals and administrators.

In between these virtual series, I get back on the ground for walkthrough visits, like one I did in Tulsa Public Schools at McClain High School with Principal Rob Kaiser. I also give keynote presentations, such as a recent one for the Louisiana Association of Principals in Baton Rouge. Each of these settings—whether I’m coaching virtually, participating in masterminds, or presenting in person—offers a unique perspective on the challenges and successes educators are facing.

By the end of each month, I’ve been part of sessions from New York to Ohio, from Kentucky to California, all from my own home or office, and I’m always struck by the variety and depth of insight I gain from each group. It’s a blend of sharing knowledge, learning new strategies, and recharging through meaningful connections, all of which help me stay on top of what’s most important to leaders in education today.

Jen’s Innovative Offerings This Past Year

In addition to her position as a Deputy Superintendent, Jen Schwanke has been equipping educators and leaders with the tools they need to thrive in today’s school environments. By specializing in conflict management, facilitation, and mediation, Jen’s work ranges in leadership topics. From “Rethinking Data Usage” to help leaders see data with fresh eyes, to “Leading Forward with Courage” which helps leaders face challenges head-on, her sessions are both insightful and practical. Jen’s training on “Public Speaking for School Leaders” builds essential communication skills, while “Women in Leadership” explores the unique experiences of women in education.

Her sessions on “Principal Impact on Teacher Morale” and “Having Difficult Conversations” address the pivotal role leaders play in school climate and communication. Finally, “Professionalism and Self Care” reminds educators of the importance of well-being in professional growth. With an eye for interaction and collaboration, Jen’s professional development creates space for educators to engage in meaningful problem-solving and innovation.

What’s In Store for Principal Matters in 2025?

We are expanding our content, including work from 15 Principal Matters Associates, besides Jen Schwanke and me. These include Don Parker, Timothy Alexander, Jason Jedamski, Lisa Parry, Erika Bare, Tiffany Burns, Jeff Springer, Nick Davies, Rachel Edho-Eket, Tameka Hyland, Frederick Buskey, Anne-Marie Maw, Dan Kelly, Donna Hayward, and Beau Brannon. See their profiles here: https://williamdparker.com/associates/

For podcast listeners, we are running a new schedule in the Spring by including shows on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday:

• Monday Matters will be a short update from Will or Jen on what’s happening in our work and the lessons we are learning directly from our time with education leaders.
• Wednesdays will remain the day for our flagship Principal Matters episode which includes our Q&A’s and interviews with guests.
• On Fridays, we will be sharing Encore Episodes of the most popular content from the past archives of more than 400+ shows.

Stay tuned, and tell us what you like, or send us suggestions if you have ideas for content, guests, or other topics you’d like addressed.

Will’s newest book, is coming in 2025

Finally, I’m excited to share my newest book with listeners and leaders. This is a book, Whose Permission Are You Waiting For? An Educator’s Guide to Doing What You Love is born from the often hard conversations I have with educators who are wrestling with decision-making, especially when it comes to transitions in their careers as educators.

In my new book, I will walk you through a journey of disrupting your thinking about traditional pathways and embracing multiple, flexible routes to success. I start by challenging the notion that there’s only one path, sharing how my experiences as a teacher, principal, executive director, and business owner have taught me the importance of creating innovative pathways.

I talk about the power of consistent action, developing curiosity, and the critical role of reflection and coaching. I tackle the big question: Whose permission are you waiting for?

This book is all about helping you realize that your growth, skills, and dreams are within reach—whether through building systems, monetizing your talents, or developing supportive habits.

Finally, I explore the importance of masterminds, mentorships, pitching yourself, and showcasing your profile. I provide reflection questions for building a path that’s uniquely yours and mapping it backward to reach big goals. In every chapter, I offer practical steps, share personal stories, and challenge you to imagine—and create—a future that aligns with who you truly want to be.

2024 Shows List – Take A Deep Dive in the Archives

PMP378: Surfing the Crest of New Waves with Mark Geraets (January 10, 2024)

PMP379: Systems Leader vs People Leader with Will Parker and Jen Schwanke (January 17, 2024)

PMP380: Dynamics of Building Leaders vs District Leaders with Will Parker and Jen Schwanke (January 24, 2024)

PMP381: Maximizing the Superpowers of Each Individual with Jim Wichman (January 31, 2024)

PMP382: Profoundly Impacting Learning Culture with Dan Kelley (February 7, 2024)

PMP383: The Principal’s Guide to Conflict Management – Jen’s new book! (February 14, 2024)

PMP384: Anticipate, Analyze, and Act with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker (February 21, 2024)

PMP385: Capturing Kids’ Hearts with Flip Flippen (February 28, 2024)

PMP386: Connecting Every Student to Caring Adults with Melissa Barlow (March 6, 2024)

PMP387: Accountability – A Dirty Word or Essential? with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker (March 13, 2024)

PMP388: How Do You Know if You’re Making the Right Decision? – with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker (March 20, 2024)

PMP389: Building a Systems Transformation Pathway with Naheed Bardai (March 27, 2024)

PMP390: Mindshifts for Leaders with Dr. T.J. Vari (April 3, 2024)

PMP391: Hiring Tips from the Field with Principal Beau Brannon (April 10, 2024)

PMP392: Small Steps to Big Joy with Kim Strobel and Jen Schwanke (April 17, 2024)

PMP393: Turnaround Leadership with Dr. Tameka Hyland (April 24, 2024)

PMP394: Lessons from a First Year Principal with Tomas Macaluso (May 1, 2024)

PMP395: Embracing MESSY Leadership with Alyssa Gallagher and Jen Schwanke (May 8, 2024)

PMP396: Leadership Approaches to Conflict Resolution with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker (May 15, 2024)

PMP397: Maximizing Feedback to Teachers with Molly Dexter, Brandon Mawhorter, and Kathleen Beckham (May 22, 2024)

PMP398: Leveraging Executive Internal Communication for Stronger Brands with Brittany Keil (May 29, 2024)

PMP399: Boundary Setting for Leaders and Educators with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker (June 5, 2024)

PMP400: Celebrating 10+ Years of Principal Matters (June 12, 2024)

PMP401: Inspiring and Developing Others with Northwest Rankin High School Admin Team (June 19, 2024)

PMP402: Building Trust with Dr. Todd Dain (June 26, 2024)

PMP403: Be the Change with Principal Baruti Kafele and Dr. Jen Schwanke (July 3, 2024)

PMP404: Managing Expectations and Accountability with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker (July 10, 2024)

PMP405: Building Capacity in Your Leadership with Anne-Marie Maw (July 17, 2024)

PMP406: Thinking Inclusive with Tim Villegas (July 24, 2024)

PMP407: Supporting Teacher Growth with Justin Baeder and Jen Schwanke (July 31, 2024)

PMP408: De Facto Leadership with Dr. Karen Dudek-Brannan and Dr. Jen Schwanke (August 7, 2024)

PMP409: Ready for Real Life with Andrew McPeak (August 14, 2024)

PMP410: Innovation in Leadership with Bobby Dodd (August 21, 2024)

PMP411: Collaborative Response with Kurtis Hewson (August 28, 2024)

PMP412: The Principal’s Journey with Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket (September 4, 2024)

PMP413: The Art of Transformational Coaching with Elena Aguilar and Jen Schwanke (September 11, 2024)

PMP414: Managing Your Priorities with Mark Shellinger (September 18, 2024)

PMP415: Reclaiming Purpose with Frederick Buskey (September 25, 2024)

PMP416: Every Student Has a Name with Will Parker and Jen Schwanke (October 2, 2024)

PMP417: How to Design Smarter Schedules with David James and Jen Schwanke (October 9, 2024)

PMP418: Maintaining Your Passion with Wes Cottongim (October 16, 2024)

PMP419: Energy Bus for Schools with Dr. Jim Van Allan (October 23, 2024)

PMP420: Mentoring Mindset with David Yeager (October 30, 2024)

PMP421: Smarter Budgets, Smarter Schools with Nate Levenson and Jen Schwanke (November 6, 2024)

PMP422: Pathway for Mindful Teachers with Danielle Nuhfer (November 13, 2024)

PMP423: Extinguishing Fires Within Assessment and Grading Reform with Garth Larson (November 20, 2024)

PMP424: Principal as Mentor and Coach with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker (November 27, 2024)

PMP425: The Power of Engagement with Dr. Kenny Rodrequez (December 4, 2024)

PMP426: What Makes a Great Principal with George Couros (December 11, 2024)

PMP427: The Fulcrum Position in Education with Olina Banerji (December 18, 2024)

Wishing you a great holiday season. You can stay connected with us in many ways:

[e-mail]

[e-mail]

Text Will with quick thoughts and Christmas photos at 1-918-698-3770. Thank you again for doing what matters!

The post PMP428: What’s Happened in 2024 and What’s Next for Principal Matters? appeared first on Principal Matters.