Cool Coffee with Kansas Principals

KPA: Kansas Principals Association
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Education
  • Updated Biweekly

Welcome to Cool Coffee with Kansas Principals! By and for school administrators, this podcast is intended to promote candid discussion and offer insight from a building leader’s perspective. The goal is to bring timely, interesting, comical, and/or relevant conversation for the building principal to enjoy. Brew your coffee and take a sip before it cools...this is Cool Coffee with Kansas Principals.

  1. 13h ago

    CC#129: Make It Easy to Do the Right Thing - A Principal's Perspective by Inge Esping - McPherson MS

    Topic: Make It Easy to Do the Right Thing Inge Esping Principal McPherson Middle School USD 418 McPherson Public Schools X - @Mac Middle Pups FB - @MMSBullpups The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE. YOUR input on Cool Coffee is WANTED! Click HERE to share thoughts and interest for you or a colleague on being on the show! Click for ALL Cool Coffee episodes! Connect with Cool Coffee on... Follow us on X: @KSPrincipals; @KPACoolCoffee Facebook: KSPrincipals Contact the host: KPACoolCoffee@gmail.com

    CC#129: Make It Easy to Do the Right Thing - A Principal's Perspective by Inge Esping - McPherson MS

  2. 1d ago

    CC#128: The Almost Mentality - A Principal's Perspective by Toby Ruder - Summit Trail MS

    Topic: The Almost Mentality Toby Ruder Principal Summit Trail Middle School Olathe Public Schools - USD 233   The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE. YOUR input on Cool Coffee is WANTED! Click HERE to share thoughts and interest for you or a colleague on being on the show! Click for ALL Cool Coffee episodes! Connect with Cool Coffee on... Follow us on X: @KSPrincipals; @KPACoolCoffee Facebook: KSPrincipals Contact the host: KPACoolCoffee@gmail.com

    CC#128: The Almost Mentality - A Principal's Perspective by Toby Ruder - Summit Trail MS

  3. 2d ago

    CC#127: Maximizing Your Building Leadership Team - A Principal's Perspective by Frank Bell - Gardner-Edgerton HS

    Topic: Maximizing Your Building Leadership Team Principal Frank Bell Gardner-Edgerton High School  USD231 REGISTER FOR THE 2026 KPA CONFERENCE The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE. YOUR input on Cool Coffee is WANTED! Click HERE to share thoughts and interest for you or a colleague on being on the show! Click for ALL Cool Coffee episodes! Connect with Cool Coffee on... Follow us on X: @KSPrincipals; @KPACoolCoffee Facebook: KSPrincipals Contact the host: KPACoolCoffee@gmail.com

    CC#127: Maximizing Your Building Leadership Team - A Principal's Perspective by Frank Bell - Gardner-Edgerton HS

  4. 5d ago

    CC#126: The Importance of Trust - A Principal's Perspective by Danielle Ambrosia - State College Area HS

    Topic: The Importance of Trust Danielle Ambrosia Assistant Principal - State College Area High School, Pennsylvania 2026 APOY State College Area School District @apambrosia on IG   The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE. YOUR input on Cool Coffee is WANTED! Click HERE to share thoughts and interest for you or a colleague on being on the show! Click for ALL Cool Coffee episodes! Connect with Cool Coffee on... Follow us on X: @KSPrincipals; @KPACoolCoffee Facebook: KSPrincipals Contact the host: KPACoolCoffee@gmail.com

    CC#126: The Importance of Trust - A Principal's Perspective by Danielle Ambrosia - State College Area HS

  5. 6d ago

    CC#125: Inspire Greatness - A Principal's Perspective by Travis Rogers - Wichita South HS

    Topic: Inspire Greatness Travis Rogers Principal Wichita South High School USD259 Wichita, KS X - @travisrogers83   The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE. YOUR input on Cool Coffee is WANTED! Click HERE to share thoughts and interest for you or a colleague on being on the show! Click for ALL Cool Coffee episodes! Connect with Cool Coffee on... Follow us on X: @KSPrincipals; @KPACoolCoffee Facebook: KSPrincipals Contact the host: KPACoolCoffee@gmail.com

    CC#125: Inspire Greatness - A Principal's Perspective by Travis Rogers - Wichita South HS

  6. Sep 24

    CC#124: Learn and Earn with Ohio 2026 APOY Deanna Elsing

    2026 Ohio Assistant Principal of the Year, Deanna Elsing, Associate Principal of Mayfield High School in Mayfield, Ohio*, discusses the innovative "Learn and Earn" program employed at Mayfield High School. This program provides students with paid work experiences in various trades and industries, emphasizing soft skills, career exploration, and real-world readiness. Recorded over the summer, conversation also gets into the different pace of the summer months...enjoy! *Since recording, Deanna has accepted a position as the Director of Secondary Education for the Auburn Career Center. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING! Leave a like and leave a comment for this episode and Cool Coffee with Kansas Principals on your favorite podcast platform! Contact the guest: Deanna Elsing Contact Cool Coffee host, Principal Rick Sola or at KPA's Cool Coffee Podcast. The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE. Provide Cool Coffee feedback! Click HERE to share thoughts and guest suggestions. Click for ALL Cool Coffee episodes! Connect with Cool Coffee on... Follow us on X: @KSPrincipals; @KPACoolCoffee Facebook: KSPrincipals Contact host Principal Rick Sola or at KPA's Cool Coffee Podcast.   Episode Chapters (time stamps do not account for show intro) 00:00 Introduction to Deanna Elsing and the Learn and Earn Program 01:02 The school year timeline and summer break in Ohio 02:24 What is the Learn and Earn program? 02:54 Addressing oversubscribed career tech programs in Ohio 03:56 Targeting students without access to traditional programs 04:53 Participation growth and program expansion 06:02 Paid pathways in manufacturing, auto, health, and facilities 08:05 Preparing students for workplace expectations 08:33 Teaching soft skills and professional standards 09:57 Field trips and real-world exposure 10:54 Employer interviews and student self-promotion 11:38 Attendance, punctuality, and soft skills expectations 12:43 Impact of Ohio's cell phone ban on student behavior 13:42 Student feedback on soft skills and soft skills challenges 15:54 Success story: Sydney’s journey from dropout risk to employment 18:33 Sydney’s pathway to college and career success 19:55 Celebrating employment signing day and student achievements 20:53 Students exploring different career paths and changing directions 24:22 Post-high school pathways: employment, college, and trade schools 27:01 Building industry relationships and employer engagement 28:02 Growing the employer network and community partnerships 29:42 Lessons learned: starting small and iterating 31:01 Advice for districts considering similar programs 32:46 Bragging on the team and student resilience 33:34 Summer priorities: family, recharge, and personal growth

  7. Sep 10

    CC#123: Leadership from the Dance Floor and the Balcony with Principal Justin Coffey - Ulysses HS - USD 214

    Episode Summary Principal Justin Coffey from Ulysses High School, USD 214, shares his journey from a high school teacher to a principal, emphasizing the importance of leadership balance, intentionality, and community in education. Discover practical insights on managing school responsibilities and fostering a strong school culture through Justin's "dance floor vs balcony" analogy.   THANK YOU FOR LISTENING! Leave a like and leave a comment for this episode and Cool Coffee with Kansas Principals on your favorite podcast platform! Contact the guest: Principal Justin Coffey Contact Cool Coffee host, Principal Rick Sola or at KPA's Cool Coffee Podcast.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Justin's background 01:31 Justin's journey into education and leadership 08:43 The dance floor and balcony analogy explained 12:08 Strategies for getting on the balcony 16:33 Building trust and delegation with team 20:58 Advice for new principals feeling overwhelmed 23:13 Justin's community and school culture in Ulysses 30:48 The importance of connection and community in schools   The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE. Provide Cool Coffee feedback! Click HERE to share thoughts and guest suggestions. Click for ALL Cool Coffee episodes! Connect with Cool Coffee on... Follow us on X: @KSPrincipals; @KPACoolCoffee Facebook: KSPrincipals Contact host Principal Rick Sola or at KPA's Cool Coffee Podcast.

  8. Aug 27

    CC#122: Leadership Lessons from Louisiana's 2026 POY - Justin Wax

    Episode Summary In this engaging interview, 2026 Louisiana Principal of the Year, Justin Wax of Denham Springs Junior High School, shares insights on leadership, school culture, community engagement, and effective communication strategies that foster a thriving educational environment.   THANK YOU FOR LISTENING! Leave a like and leave a comment for this episode and Cool Coffee with Kansas Principals on your favorite podcast platform!   Connect with Principal Wax: Email: Justin Wax   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Leadership and Community Engagement 02:55 The Importance of School Culture 05:42 Building a Strong School Community 08:38 Empowering Staff and Students 11:05 Effective Communication Strategies 13:51 Hiring for Cultural Fit 16:46 Balancing Leadership and Family Life 19:22 Celebrating Team Successes 22:16 Final Thoughts and Community Acknowledgments   Contact Cool Coffee host, Principal Rick Sola: rfsola@olatheschools.org or KPACoolCoffee@gmail.com The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE. Provide Cool Coffee feedback! Click HERE to share thoughts and guest suggestions. Click for ALL Cool Coffee episodes! Connect with Cool Coffee on... Follow us on X: @KSPrincipals; @KPACoolCoffee Facebook: KSPrincipals Contact host Principal Rick Sola: rfsola@olatheschools.org or KPACoolCoffee@gmail.com

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to Cool Coffee with Kansas Principals! By and for school administrators, this podcast is intended to promote candid discussion and offer insight from a building leader’s perspective. The goal is to bring timely, interesting, comical, and/or relevant conversation for the building principal to enjoy. Brew your coffee and take a sip before it cools...this is Cool Coffee with Kansas Principals.

Information

  • Creator
    KPA: Kansas Principals Association
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    129
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Cool Coffee with Kansas Principals