Proud Principals Podcast with Tony Cattani

Tony Cattani
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Proud Principals Podcast celebrates the incredible work of school leaders making a difference every day. This podcast is your go-to source for recognizing, acknowledging, and sharing the best practices of educational leaders. Join us as we learn about true, proven efforts that transform schools and inspire success. Let’s learn from our Best Resources, Each Other and take pride in the amazing accomplishments happening in our schools.

  1. Sep 26

    #73 - Patricia Riley (New Jersey 2026 NJPSA POY) - Every Single One!

    Every Single One Featuring Patricia Riley, Principal of Hopewell Valley Central High School, New Jersey.  Patricia Riley has dedicated over twenty years to education, including a decade as a high school administrator, supporting students and staff with a focus on growth and excellence. Driven by a lifelong passion for learning, Patricia holds degrees from The College of New Jersey and Rider University and is currently pursuing her doctorate at the University of Pennsylvania. She is passionate about service learning and fostering meaningful community engagement. Known for her relationship-based leadership, Patricia prioritizes connections, collaboration, and celebration as she strives to ensure that every member of her school community feels seen and valued. Every Single One - Show Notes What happens when a principal makes it her mission to ensure that every single student feels seen, valued, and connected? In this episode of the Proud Principals Podcast, I sit down with Patricia Riley, Principal of Hopewell Valley Central High School in New Jersey and the 2026 NJPSA Visionary Secondary School Leader of the Year. With approximately 1,100 students, Patricia understands that creating a strong school culture doesn't happen through one big initiative. It happens through intentional behaviors, repeated consistently, that communicate to students and staff that they matter. In This Episode, Patricia Shares Positive Phone Calls Patricia challenges herself and her staff to make positive calls home, including a 100 calls in a day challenge, to make sure families hear about the good things their students are doing. Positive Praise Referrals Creating opportunities to recognize all students, not just those who traditionally receive recognition. Birthday Cards for Every Student A simple gesture that creates a personal connection and helps students feel known and valued. Notes of Appreciation Patricia uses faculty meetings as opportunities for staff to write notes of appreciation to students.  The Bigger Mindshift At the heart of Patricia's approach is a simple but powerful shift: training ourselves to look for what's going right. Rather than waiting for students to make a mistake or for something to go wrong, Patricia challenges herself and her staff to intentionally look for the positive. When we change what we're looking for, we often change what we see. And when students and staff consistently experience being seen, valued, and connected, culture begins to change. In This Episode The importance of making every student feel seen and valued The 100 Positive Phone Calls challenge Positive praise referrals Birthday cards for every student Creating a culture of appreciation among staff The power of intentional leadership behaviors Shifting from looking for problems to looking for the positive Building connection in a school of 1,100 students Why small gestures can have a big impact Creating a culture where every single one matters Every Single One is a reminder that school culture isn't just about reaching the majority. It's about making sure every single one knows they matter. Patricia Riley  Instagram - @hopewell_valley_central_hs  @patriciariley Email - patriciariley@hvrsd.org

  2. Sep 13

    #72- Dave Walker (New Jersey) - Character Building Through Tiger Teams

    Dave Walker is an educator, leader, and lifelong learner who believes that schools should be places where students feel safe, valued, and inspired. He currently serves as the Principal of School No. 1 in Linden, New Jersey, and has spent nearly two decades in education serving in the roles of substitute teacher, teacher, department chair, Vice-Principal, Principal, and district leader. Dave is an Apple Distinguished Educator, adjunct professor of history at Middlesex College, doctoral student, and passionate advocate for innovation in education, leadership development, and building positive school cultures. Beyond the school walls, Dave is a husband, father of four daughters, content creator, history enthusiast, and someone who believes every day is an opportunity to learn, lead, and make a difference. After serving in a district leadership role, he made the intentional decision to return to the principalship because he truly believes the greatest impact happens when you are working directly alongside students, staff, and families each day. This was his proudest personal career decision, and is critical to his leadership story. He has found that the most important thing was to follow his purpose, not just climb the ladder. One of his proudest efforts as a principal has been working alongside students, staff, and families to strengthen a school culture where everyone feels valued, connected, and supported. Coming to School No. 1, after there had been several leadership changes at the building in the past few years, his focus was on providing consistency, building relationships, and continuing to move the school forward together. This year, working with his amazing Vice-Principal and School Climate Team, they launched Tiger Teams to provide students with character-building opportunities while encouraging leadership and positive choices. Supporting teachers has also been an important focus. Through two unconference-style professional development events, they provided staff members with greater voice and choice in their own learning by allowing them to select PD experiences connected to their interests and needs. Just as they want students to have ownership of their learning, they want educators to feel empowered as professionals.  Ultimately, Dave's greatest pride comes from helping create the conditions where students and educators feel supported, trusted, and excited to grow together. Students should be running into the school excited each day, as should staff! TikTok - @mrwalkerjournals  Instagram - @mr. Walkerjournals  and @school1tigers

  3. Aug 15

    #71 - Dr. Salome Thomas-El - Servant Leadership in the Village

    Dr. Salome Thomas-EL lives in Pennsylvania with his family and has been a teacher and principal since 1987. He is currently a K-8 principal in Wilmington, DE and received national acclaim as a teacher and chess coach at Vaux Middle School in Philadelphia, where his students have gone on to win world recognition as Eight-Time National Chess Champions. Principal EL is the author of the best-selling books, I Choose to Stay (Movie rights optioned by Disney Films), and The Immortality of Influence, which stresses the importance of leadership, mentoring, parenting and service to others. He is also the co-author of 3 books on leadership and teacher retention. Dr. EL’s newest book, “Meet Their Needs, and They’ll Succeed (ASCD), was released in 2025. He speaks to groups around the country and appeared on C-SPAN, CNN, and NPR Radio. Principal EL has studied school leadership abroad in England and at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. He holds a doctorate in Education Leadership from Wilmington University in Delaware. He has received the Marcus A. Foster Award as the outstanding School District Administrator in Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania’s distinguished Martin Luther King Award. Reader’s Digest Magazine recognized Principal EL as an “Inspiring American Icon.” Dr. EL was featured on Good Morning America and appeared on the Oprah Radio Network.   Servant Leadership in a Village What if the greatest lessons students learn in school aren't found in a textbook—but across a chessboard? In this episode of the Proud Principals Podcast, Tony Cattani sits down with Dr. Salome Thomas- EL (Principal El), a dynamic school leader from Delaware, to talk about one of his proudest accomplishments: leading his students to become 8-time National Chess Champions. But this conversation isn't really about chess. It's about self-regulation, resilience, perseverance, and learning how to respond when you don't win. Principal EL shares how chess became a powerful vehicle for developing students' minds while exposing them to opportunities and experiences that extended far beyond the game, and even beyond high school. Students learned how to think strategically, manage emotions, handle setbacks, and keep moving forward. In This Episode, You'll Learn: How an 8-time national championship chess program became a vehicle for student development. Why losing can be one of the most powerful learning experiences students encounter. How chess develops self-regulation, resilience, strategic thinking, and perseverance. Why exposing students to experiences beyond the traditional classroom can change their trajectory. How the lessons students learned through chess continued to benefit them beyond high school. Why extracurricular opportunities can become powerful engines for equity, engagement, and student success. The 4 C's of Principal EL's Leadership Throughout the conversation, Principal EL shares the four principles that guide his leadership:  Crazy About Kids Everything begins with an authentic commitment to students. Curious Great leaders remain learners. They ask questions, explore possibilities, and refuse to become comfortable with the status quo.  Culture of Love Students and adults need to know they are valued, supported, and cared for. Consistent Adults Students thrive when the adults around them show up consistently, build relationships, and provide stability. Memorable Takeaway Principal EL's story is a powerful reminder that sometimes the most meaningful learning happens when we give students opportunities to struggle, think, compete, lose, recover, and try again. Eight national championships are impressive. But the real victory is what those experiences helped students become.

  4. Aug 8

    #70 - Dr. Jessica Cabeen - Leading Without Losing Yourself

    Dr. Jessica Cabeen is the Principal of Alternative Programs for Austin Public Schools in Austin, Minnesota. She is also an author, speaker, and leadership coach who helps educators lead with clarity, purpose, and sustainability. Jessica is passionate about building school systems where students feel seen, staff feel supported, and leaders can do meaningful work without losing themselves in the process. Jessica shares one of her proudest experiences as a principal has been seeing former students years after they graduated or moved on from middle school and getting to know who they are becoming as adults. In the day-to-day pace of school leadership, it can be easy to focus on schedules, systems, behavior, achievement, and all the immediate needs in front of us. But some of the most meaningful reminders of why this work matters come years later, when a former student stops by, sends a message, or crosses your path in the community. Those moments remind Jessica that school leadership is not just about one school year, one program, or one moment in time. It is about planting seeds. It is about creating spaces where students feel seen, known, and supported, even if we do not always get to see the impact right away. Jessica is proudest when she gets to witness former students stepping into adulthood, finding their voice, building a life, and sometimes remembering that school was one of the places where someone believed in them. That is the work that stays with me. The Drip Effect: Breaking Free from Hustle Culture Email - jessicacabeen@gmail.com Instagram - @JessicaCabeen X- @JessicaCabeen Website - https://jessicacabeen.com/

  5. Jul 25

    #69 - State POY Series - Mark Sullivan (Mass.) - Creating Pathways with Purpose

    Creating Pathways with Purpose In this episode of the Proud Principals Podcast, Tony Cattani sits down with Mark Sullivan, Principal of Burlington High School in Burlington, Massachusetts. Now in his 20th year in Burlington and serving as principal since 2012, Mark shares the work that he is most proud of: transforming the student experience by refining the vision of what it means to be a Burlington graduate. Recognizing that students need more than traditional coursework to prepare for life after high school, Mark and his team developed a comprehensive system of career pathways, internships, industry experiences, and dual-enrollment opportunities that help students explore their interests while gaining valuable real-world skills. What makes this story especially powerful is that it wasn't built overnight. Mark walks listeners through the intentional process his team followed, from visiting schools already doing the work, to identifying lessons learned, developing a local vision, securing state accreditation, pursuing grants, and building partnerships with higher education institutions and industry leaders. In This Episode, You'll Learn: How Burlington High School reimagined the profile of its graduates through pathway programs and internships. Why visiting other schools and learning from their successes and challenges accelerated the process. The importance of building a collaborative team to create a shared vision and implementation plan. How state accreditation, grant opportunities, and strategic partnerships helped bring the vision to life. The process of designing pathway coursework that aligns with workforce and college demands. How Burlington developed pathway opportunities in: Business Cybersecurity Finance Computer Science Technology The benefits of dual-enrollment partnerships, including opportunities with UMass Lowell. Why career exploration before college can provide students with a significant academic and professional advantage.   Leadership Advice from Mark One of the most refreshing aspects of this conversation is Mark's willingness to share both successes and challenges. He encourages school leaders interested in developing pathways and internship programs to reach out, learn from one another, and recognize that meaningful innovation is built through collaboration. Whether you're a principal, superintendent, counselor, or teacher leader, this episode provides a practical roadmap for creating career-connected learning experiences that prepare students for success beyond graduation. 🎧 If you enjoyed this episode: Subscribe to the Proud Principals Podcast for conversations with exceptional educational leaders from across the country. Leave a review to help other school leaders discover the show. Share this episode with a colleague interested in pathways, internships, career readiness, or innovative high school programming. Because the greatest resource in education has always been... EACH OTHER!   Mark Sullivan Email - sullivan@bpsk12.org X - @bhsprincipal Tony's Instagram - @TonyCattaniProudPrincipal

  6. Jul 18

    #68 - Marty Geoghegan (Massachusetts) - Relationships are Everything

    Martin Geoghegan is the proud principal of the Henri A. Yelle Elementary School in Norton, Massachusetts. He is going into his ninth year of being an elementary school principal after being a middle school principal for 11 years and a high school assistant principal for three. Prior to his move into administration, he was a high school English teacher. Marty is currently the president of the Massachusetts School Administrators Association and has been on the Board of Directors for MSAA for close to 10 years. He is the former president of MASCD and a board member there for over 10 years. He has presented locally, statewide, as well as at national conferences on leadership, school culture, and utilizing social media for building community engagement. He lives on the South Shore of Massachusetts with his wife and has two grown boys who have graduated from college.   What does it take to create a school where students don't just attend—but actually run through the doors each morning? In this episode of the Proud Principals Podcast, Tony Cattani sits down with veteran Massachusetts principal Marty Geoghegan, principal of Henri A. Yelle Elementary School, to discuss the intentional leadership practices that have shaped his remarkable 23-year career as a principal spanning elementary, middle, and high school. With 9 years as an elementary principal, 11 years in middle school, and 3 years at the high school level, Marty shares the leadership philosophy that has remained constant throughout every grade level: relationships first, culture always. Marty believes every student should be excited to come to school—so much so that they run into the building. That vision doesn't happen by accident. It is the product of thousands of intentional interactions, visible leadership, and celebrating the everyday moments that make schools special. In this episode, you'll hear about: How Marty creates a school culture where students genuinely look forward to coming to school. His leadership philosophy of conducting classroom walkthroughs with "eyes wide open"—not simply looking for compliance, but discovering what teachers do exceptionally well and identifying how to better support them. How sharing positive classroom stories and learning experiences through social media strengthens school pride while highlighting teachers' outstanding work. The story behind the school's beloved "You Are Wonderful" sign, a tradition that has brought smiles to students for over 12 years, with Thursday photo opportunities celebrating positivity and belonging. How Lancer Learner Time (RTI) provides targeted English Language Arts and Mathematics support so students receive exactly what they need, when they need it. Why Marty continues to teach a class as principal and how staying connected to instruction strengthens his leadership and credibility. The incredible impact of personal outreach—including making approximately 340 positive phone calls home to families to celebrate students and strengthen relationships. Practical ideas for creating visibility, trust, and meaningful connections with students, staff, and families. Memorable Takeaway Marty reminds us that the most effective principals don't simply manage schools—they intentionally create environments where students feel valued, teachers feel supported, and families feel connected. Whether you're an aspiring administrator or a veteran school leader, this episode is filled with practical strategies you can begin implementing immediately to strengthen your own school culture. 🎧 Listen now and discover how intentional leadership can transform the everyday experiences that make students excited to walk through your school's doors. Marty's Instagram - @hayschoolnorton Email - mgeoghegan@norton.k12.ma.us Instagram - @TonyCattaniProudPrincipal

  7. Jul 11

    #67 - Jamie Selfridge (Maine 2025 POY) - Creating an Environment that Feels Different

    Jamie Selfridge Caribou High School, RSU 39    Email -jselfridge@rsu39.org Jamie Selfridge is the principal of Caribou High School in Caribou, ME. She has led the development of a robust Extended Learning Opportunities program that connects students with real-world experiences through local partnerships. This work has significantly enhanced student engagement and achievement, particularly in a rural setting. An active member and former facilitator of the NASSP Rural School Leaders Network, she contributes to national efforts focused on student-centered leadership and school improvement. In her eight years as an administrator, she thrives on collaboration. She advocates for equity and innovation in rural education and continues to lead with the belief that every student deserves access to high-quality learning experiences that begin with a strong and positive school culture.   What makes students excited to walk through the front doors of school each morning? For Jamie Selfridge, the answer isn't found in a single program—it's found in the intentional experiences that shape how students and staff feel every day. In this episode of the Proud Principals Podcast, Tony Cattani welcomes Jamie Selfridge, the 2025 Maine Principal of the Year, who leads a school of approximately 450 students in grades 8–12. Jamie shares how her leadership philosophy centers on creating a school culture that is unmistakably welcoming, kind, and filled with purpose. From the moment students arrive each morning to the celebrations that recognize their growth, every interaction is designed to let students know they belong. Jamie reminds us that culture isn't created through grand gestures—it's built through countless intentional moments that make school feel different. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why personally greeting students each morning sets the tone for learning and belonging. How simple engagement games can strengthen relationships and build school spirit. The power of sending positive postcards home to celebrate students beyond academics. How the "What's Your E?" initiative encourages students to intentionally plan for life after high school through Education, Enlistment, or Employment. The story behind "Pumpkin in the Packet" and how memorable traditions help strengthen school culture. Why building an extraordinary culture is always a team effort—not the work of one leader alone. Memorable Takeaway Jamie's leadership demonstrates that the strongest school cultures are built intentionally, one greeting, one celebration, one relationship, and one shared experience at a time. Her passion for creating a place where both students and staff genuinely want to be is contagious and offers practical ideas that every school leader can begin implementing immediately. 🎧 If you enjoyed this episode: Subscribe to the Proud Principals Podcast for inspiring conversations with exceptional school leaders from across the country. Leave a review to help other educators discover the show. Share this episode with a principal or leadership team looking to strengthen their school culture through intentional, relationship-driven leadership. Because the best schools don't happen by accident—they're built by people who care deeply about every student, every day. The greatest resource in education has always been... Each Other! @TonyCattaniProudPrincipal

  8. Jul 4

    #66 - Dr. Carmen Maring (Gull Lake Middle School, Michigan) - Growth is Not an Option - It's the Expectation

    Growth Is Not an Option—It's the Expectation with Dr. Carmen Maring What happens when a school commits to creating systems where every student, every teacher, and every leader is expected to keep growing? In this episode of the Proud Principals Podcast, Tony Cattani welcomes Dr. Carmen Maring, Principal of Gull Lake Middle School in Richland, Michigan. Serving approximately 750 students in grades 6–8, Dr. Maring has built a culture centered on one unwavering belief: "Growth is not an option." Throughout this inspiring conversation, Carmen shares how intentional systems—not isolated initiatives—have transformed her school into a place where continuous improvement is simply part of the culture. From hiring exceptional educators to investing in meaningful professional learning, she explains how every decision is made with one goal in mind: growing learners while developing leaders. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why creating sustainable systems is more powerful than chasing new programs. How hiring for Hungry, Humble, and People Smart characteristics strengthens school culture. The impact of instructional coaching built on transparency, trust, and continuous feedback. Practical strategies for strengthening literacy through reading, writing, and student engagement. Why it's critical for every teacher to have clarity about what students should know and be able to do. How faculty meetings can become meaningful professional learning opportunities instead of informational sessions. How principles from Teach Like a Champion help elevate instructional practice across an entire school. 🎧 If you enjoyed this episode: Subscribe to the Proud Principals Podcast for more conversations with outstanding educational leaders from across the country. Follow on Instagram - @TonyCattaniProudPrincipal Leave a review to help other principals discover the show. Share this episode with a colleague committed to building a culture of continuous growth. Because the greatest resource in every school has always been... EACH OTHER! Contact Information and Bio Dr. Carmen Maring - NAESP Board of Directors Gull Lake Middle School Gull Lake Community Schools Richland, Michigan cmaring@gulllakecs.org Carmen Maring has led Gull Lake Middle School for ten years, building on her previous experience as a dean, a school counselor, and an assistant principal. During her tenure, many of her most successful initiatives for instructional and school improvement have been so effective that they have quickly been adopted at the district or county level. For example, after successful implementation at the building level, Maring’s instructional coaching program and approach to instructional rounds have both been replicated, going on to elevate teaching practices beyond Gull Lake. Maring has also taken an innovative approach to school achievement that is now the norm in her district. Rather than attempt to reach three or four school improvement goals at once, Gull Lake Community Schools now identify one top-line goal that all school stakeholders work toward. Recently, Maring guided her staff in identifying literacy as a top priority, setting the goal for all students to “read, write, and speak with purpose,” which took center stage in dialogue and data analysis across all professional development activities, ultimately leading to increased achievement over three years. The school has also become an exemplar of STEM education under her leadership, with all students gaining hands-on learning experiences before graduation. Maring holds a B.A. from Hope College, an M.A. from Western Michigan University, and an Ed.D. from Michigan State University.

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Proud Principals Podcast celebrates the incredible work of school leaders making a difference every day. This podcast is your go-to source for recognizing, acknowledging, and sharing the best practices of educational leaders. Join us as we learn about true, proven efforts that transform schools and inspire success. Let’s learn from our Best Resources, Each Other and take pride in the amazing accomplishments happening in our schools.

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