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. FEB 14

    #57 - National POY - Tracie Anderson Swillie (South Carolina) - Trust the Process

    Dr. Tracie Anderson Swilley is the 2025 NASSP National secondary Principal of the Year and 2024 South Carolina Principal of the Year. Dr. Tracie Swilley  Assistant Superintendent of Academics in Fairfield County School District in Winnsboro, South Carolina.  Dr. Tracie Anderson Swilley was the principal of Fairfield Central High School in Winnsboro, SC. Tracie’s leadership has shaped Fairfield Central into a model of learning. Her approach to cultivating future leaders and fostering a culture of high expectations. Under Dr. Swilley’s 12+ year leadership, Fairfield Central High School has seen remarkable improvements in: math proficiency rates rose from 46% to 74%, and reading proficiency improved from 60% to 76% in the last three years. The school has achieved the highest graduation rate in school history at 90.1% after two years of her leadership. the graduation rate had been around 70 percent. Eighty-one percent of graduates in the class of 2024 were accepted to two or four-year higher education institutions. Last school year, the school received an overall “good” rating Before that,in its first time 37-year history.  Contact Dr. Tracie Anderson Swilley Website - https://www.educate-her.com Email - Tswilley21@gmail.com X - @PrincipalTSwil

    58 min

  2. FEB 7

    #56 - Shawn Ryan (Medford, NJ) - Grace Before Grades

    Shawn Ryan is the principal of Medford Memorial Middle School in Medford, New Jersey.  Shawn shares how Medford Memorial Middle School is addressing the needs of mental health with a systematic and sustainable approach. This work began prior to Covid due to the rise of anxiety among his students. They observed the emotional needs of their students and impact on their education. Shawn outlines how Mental Health First Aid and Rutgers University's Center of Comprehensive Mental Health were significant in the process. He shares the needs assessment, mapping, MTSS, weekly check-ins, data collections led to appropriate interventions.  The impact on the Medford Memorial Middle School community: - Students became comfortable sharing  - Trust - Supports for students - Staff Impact - Cultural Shift I encourage you to listen and learn to this amazing leader. Feel free to reach out to Shawn for more information.  sryan@medfordschools.net

    43 min

  3. JAN 31

    #55 - Jessica Quinter Ed.D (Park Forest Elementary School, PA) - Positive School Culture

    Jessica Quinter Ed.D is the principal of Park Forest Elementary School in State College, Pennsylvania.  Jessica shares her proudest effort of developing a positive school culture through her daily efforts of: - Being Present - Building Trust - Celebrating her staff and students Jessica is an active member of NAESP. Please see below for her journey.  Professional Preparation: Ed.D, Educational Leadership and Management, Drexel University, 2018 M.Ed., School Principal Specialization, St. Francis University, 2005 B.S., Elementary Education, Juniata College, 2000 Professional Experience:     Principal, Park Forest Elementary School, State College, PA, 2021-present Principal, Juniata Valley Elementary School, Alexandria, PA 2009-2021 Federal Programs Coordinator, Juniata Valley School District, Alexandria, PA, 2007-2021 Classroom Teacher, Juniata Valley Elementary School, Alexandria, PA , 2001-2009 Classroom Teacher, Hyndman-Londonderry Elementary School, Hyndman, PA 2000-2001 Professional Affiliations: NAESP Zone 2 Director, 2023-present PA Principals Treasurer and Executive Committee Member, 2020-2023 PA Principals Regional Representative on Board of Directors, 2017-2020 PA Principals Conference Committee, 2020-2023 PA Association of Federal Programs Coordinators Vice President, 2021-2023 PA Association of Federal Programs Coordinators Regional Representative on Board of Directors, 2017-2020 Pennsylvania School Study Council, Elementary Principal Representative, 2017-2021 Commonwealth Education Blueprint Steering Committee, 2017-2019 Other Positions: Class of 2000 Reunion Committee, Juniata College, 2005-present Alumni Council President, Juniata College, 2009-2010 Alumni Council Board Member, Juniata College, 2002-2009 Member, Friends of Raystown Lake, 2004-present Member, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 2019-present

    38 min

  4. JAN 24

    #53 - Patrick McKee (Valley View HS, Ohio) - School Culture Unlocks Achievement

    Patrick McKee is the principal of Valley View High School in Germanton, Ohio.  Valley View has worked hard to improve the school culture of our building for both staff and students. At the end of the day, when staff enjoy coming to work and students have a strong relationship with the teachers, achievement will happen. Patrick shares the impact of: - Fist Bump Fridays - Teacher Retention - Advisory Time - Spartan Time - Student Leadership program   X-@ValleyViewHS Instagram - @valleyviewspartans

    39 min

  5. JAN 17

    #54 - Neil Burti (Cherry Hill, New Jersey) - CARUSI CARES about Student Voice

    Neil Burti, Director of Secondary Schools in the Cherry Hill Public Schools District in New Jersey.  2024 New Jersey Visionary Secondary School Leader of the Year Dr. Neil Burti Jr. was the principal of John A. Carusi Middle School, in Cherry Hill, NJ. Previously, he served as a principal at the elementary, middle, and high school levels and taught college courses at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. For the past decade, he has supervised clinical internships for pre-service administrators, mentored novice administrators seeking licensure, and chaired dissertation committees. During that time, his schools have received both state and national recognition, and he has presented his work around the country. Neil shares how Carusi Middle School created an opportunity for his students to amplify their voice in identifying expectations to making school decisions.    Contact Dr. Neil Burti to better understand the approach. nburti@chclc.org

    44 min

  6. JAN 10

    #52 - State POY Series - Miles Shea (DoDEA) - Built for This

    Miles Shea is the Principal of Quantico Middle School in Virginia for the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) and was recognized as the DoDEA Principal of the Year. Miles is known for transforming student success and supporting military families through initiatives like advanced AP courses and robust STEM programs. He has extensive experience within the DoDEA, previously serving at West Point Middle School and in multiple international locations. He fosters a positive, high-achieving environment for military-connected students.  Mr. Miles J. Shea arrived at Quantico Middle High School on November 16, 2020, after serving as Principal of West Point Middle School on United States Army Garrison West Point in New York. A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Shea earned his bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and his master’s degree in Educational Leadership. Mr. Shea has served successfully as a classroom teacher, coach, committee chair, school improvement chair, assistant principal and principal and he has been nominated as Principal of the Year multiple times. As a parent he has also served as President of Project Graduation. He and his wife, a teacher at Crossroads Elementary School, have had the good fortune to serve DoDEA schools in Japan, Germany, Ft. Stewart, GA, Belgium, England, West Point and now Quantico. Among his accomplishments he conceived, designed, and implemented a full-time Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program at Feltwell ES. It was named a powerful practice during accreditation and has been profiled on the Armed Forces Network. In addition, he led his basketball team to a league championship while stationed in Germany. At West Point Middle School, he developed several innovative programs including Bulldog Bistro, Bulldog Learning Academy, EXL Mentoring, and the school was awarded a Blue Ribbon for school year 2019-2020. Under Mr. Shea’s leadership, QMHS has transitioned to the Greater Piedmont Athletic Conference (GPAC) and continues to have highly successful internal reviews in the Mid-Atlantic District. Mr. Shea believes strongly in a positive school climate with high expectations for all, shared leadership and developing vibrant partnerships throughout the community to deliver a world class education to our DoDEA students. Mr. Shea grew up in a family of eleven children and is an avid golfer, boater, cyclist, and lifelong learner. Mr. and Mrs. Shea’s daughter is a DoDEA graduate, and they are Lolli and Pops to their three wonderful grandchildren! Email: miles.shea@dodea.edu Address: 3307 Purvis Road Quantico, VA 22134-2198 United States Phone:  571-660-9555

    41 min

  7. JAN 3

    #51 - Heather Pinto-Beattie, Montgomery, New Jersey - Belonging by Design

    Heather Pino-Beattie is the principal of Montgomery High School in New Jersey.  Heather proudest work as a principal has been creating and growing the Montgomery STARR Program ((Shifting Through Awareness, Regulation, and Relationships), a mental health program that now touches every secondary school in her district. From the start, it was clear that you cannot be trauma-informed without being culturally competent, and you cannot be culturally competent without being trauma-informed. STARR was their response to that truth. The program keeps students in their least restrictive environment while providing intensive support for both mental health and academics. It centers on relationships, regulation, and a sense of belonging. Whether a student is formally in the STARR program or not, the foundation of belonging that is at the center of STARR has become the foundation for every aspect of Montgomery High School. What started at the high school level now serves students across all three secondary schools and has transformed how our staff supports every learner. STARR has reduced out-of-district placements, expanded access to care, and, most importantly, helped students feel seen, safe, and valued. The most significant impact is cultural. STARR has reshaped their school community. It allows Heather and her staff to meet students where they are, whether they are thriving, struggling, or somewhere in the middle. It gives them the chance to tell every student that they matter, and that they will challenge them academically while supporting them socially and emotionally. That balance of care and expectation is what makes STARR the work Heather Pino-Beattie the most proud of. X- @PrincipalPino   Instagram - Principal Pino @MHS_Cougar_Den

    40 min

  8. 12/27/2025

    Episode 50 - State POY Series - Shauna Haney (Utah) - Welcome and Wanted

    Shauna Haney Principal of Ogden High School is the 2025 Utah State Principal of the Year and a 2025 NASSP National Principal of the Year Finalist.  Shauna Haney is the principal of Ogden High School in Ogden, UT. Previously, She was an assistant principal and exercise science, health, special education, and physical education teacher. A two-time Teacher of the Year (2008, 2013), she also received a Distinguished Leadership Award in 2014. Under her leadership, Ogden was one of Utah’s first schools to implement a no cell phone policy. Her leadership has also helped retain 90% of her teaching staff post-COVID, due to her focus on positive school culture and recognition of faculty and staff. Ogden is making strong progress on goals in literacy, graduation, PBIS, and talent development, and she credits its success to a dedicated faculty and staff, amazing students, and a supportive community. Shauna focuses her meaningful share on the following: - Making students and staff to feel welcome and wanted at Bogden - How to build back her staff by intentional approached of relationship building. - How she supports staff so they can support students.  - Interview practices to identify educators that care about others. - CompliMINT Cards - Tiger High Fives

    38 min
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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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