Alone With Our Principals

I Lost to an Eight Year Old: Conversations from the Model Schools Conference

On this episode, Chris talks with presenters and participants at the Model Schools Conference in Nashville, TN.  From Decherd Elementary School in Decherd, TN we have principal Chris Hawkersmith, assistant principal Megan Geer, and 4th grade teacher Amber Steele.  From Ness City Junior/Senior HS in Ness City, KS, we talk with principal Tom Flax and teacher Dawn Flax.  And to close the episode, our guests are principal Boyd Marley and assistant principal Kelly Thornhill from East End Community School in Portland, ME.

The Second-Toughest Kid in Class: Highlights from Our Guests' School Stories

On this bonus episode, we have collected some highlights from previous episodes where our guests talk about funny and memorable experiences they had as students. you'll hear from Kingston Elementary School Principal Ben Skinner, City of Hesperia Assistant Manager Mike Blay, Superintendent of Fall Creek, WI schools Dr. Joe Sanfelippo, first grade teacher Renee McAnulty, Maple Elementary Principal Mike Ponce de Leon, and HUSD Director of Student Services Isaac Newman-Gomez.

Six of One is Worth Two in the Bush: Reflections on a Pandemic

Chris, Eric, and Carrie discuss what we've learned from working through the COVID-19 pandemic, and how we'll use what we've learned as we return to full-time instruction.  We also share stories from when we were students, including the wit and wisdom of Chris's 9th grade World Cultures teacher, "Rocky" LaNunziata.

Because We Had a Backhoe: The Ryan Kistner Foundation and Ewing's Sarcoma

Katie Kistner is the president of the Ryan Kistner Foundation, an organization devoted to increasing awareness of Ewing's Sarcoma.  She is also an executive secretary in the Hesperia Unified School District's personnel department.  

A Little Bit Off His Rocker: The Care and Feeding of Elementary Principals

Our guest is Valerie Turpen, the Director of Elementary Education for the Hesperia Unified School District.  Among her responsibilities is working with elementary school principals and providing support for them in their duties.  We talk about the challenges and rewards of her job, and of course, we have some fun deciding which fictional characters would make good principals.

Be a Coffee Bean: Author/Speaker Damon West

Damon West is a nationally-known speaker and author of the books The Change Agent, The Coffee Bean, and The Coffee Bean for Kids.  He has shared his message with schools, companies, and sports teams throughout the country.  During our conversation, we talk about Damon's background and what it takes to "be a coffee bean."

Hiding the Broccoli in the Milkshake: Engaging Students Through Creativity and Thematic Instruction

Amazing first grade teacher Renee McAnulty joins us to talk about the creative ways she inspires students, particularly in the area of writing. We discuss the adventures of Sparkle the Elf, leprechaun traps, and school mascots.  In the "extra credit" segment, we decide which Marvel characters would make the best (and worst) first grade students.

Cricket Dynasty: Hacking Leadership with Dr. Joe Sanfelippo

Dr. Joe Sanfelippo is the superintendent of school in Fall Creek, Wisconsin, and is a nationally-known author and speaker.  On this episode, we talk about his book "Hacking Leadership," his "One Minute Walk to Work" social media series, and which NFL rules could use adjustment.

Stop, Drop, and Catch the Baby: Leadership and Compassion in the Healthcare Profession

Our guest this time is Jeff Roth, a Senior RN Clinical Stroke Program Manager with Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center in Sun City, AZ.  We discuss his role in working with stroke patients, their families, and other healthcare professionals.  Also: How would the characters in some of our favorite TV shows handle the Covid-19 pandemic?

When Morris Comes Home, He and I Will Just Have a Little Chat: Author/Speaker Mike Robbins on Embracing Sweaty-Palmed Conversations

Author/speaker Mike Robbins joins us this week to talk about his latest book, "We're All in This Together."  We also chat about Mike's minor league baseball career, and offer advice to Cameron from Ferris Bueller's Day Off about how to approach his father about the wrecked Ferrari.