IASP Podcast

Indiana Association of School Principals (IASP)
  • 5.0 (12)
  • Education
  • Updated Weekly

IASP Podcasts

  1. 2h ago

    IASP Advocacy Podcast 9.18.26

    Hi, everyone! We've spent a lot of time this year talking about cell phones in schools—but removing a student's phone doesn't necessarily remove screens from the school day. In this week's IASP Advocacy Podcast, I'm taking a closer look at student screen time, educational technology, and AI through the lens of one word: intentionality. The research is more nuanced than simply saying screens are good or bad. Purpose matters. Development matters. What students are actually doing with technology matters. And increasingly, school leaders may need to be ready to help policymakers think through those distinctions. In this episode, I explore: What current research says about educational technology and student learning Why "engagement" and "learning" aren't necessarily the same thing What New York City's new approach to AI and screen time may signal The importance of productive struggle as AI becomes more common Six questions school leaders can use to examine technology use in their own buildings One question I keep coming back to is: What does intentional, developmentally appropriate technology use look like in our schools? And maybe the goal shouldn't simply be less screen time. Maybe it should be more intentional screen time. Resources mentioned in the episode APA Expert Report on Children's and Adolescents' Learning with Educational Technology https://www.apa.org/pubs/reports/children-adolescent-learning-educational-technology Dorris et al. — Mobile Devices and Literacy/Numeracy Outcomes https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11190352 PISA 2025 Results, Volume I: Future-Ready Students https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/pisa-2025-results-volume-i_73451bc5-en.html New York City Public Schools — Guidance on AI and Screen Time https://www.schools.nyc.gov/about-us/policies/guidance-on-artificial-intelligence ExcelinEd — "AI, Screen Time and What It Means for Young Learners" https://shows.acast.com/policy-changes-lives-an-excelined-podcast/episodes/ai-screen-time-and-what-it-means-for-young-learners-michael I hope this episode gives you a useful framework for looking at technology use in your own school—and for the policy conversations that may be ahead. Thank you for all you do for students and schools across Indiana!

  2. 2d ago

    IASP Leadership Podcast Season 8: Episode 269 (Relationships Are the Work: Intentional Leadership, Influence & Legacy with Mike Pinto and Steve Baker)

    What do people remember most about a leader? Often, it is not a program, initiative, or accomplishment. It is how that leader made them feel. In this episode of the IASP Leadership Podcast, Dr. Tiffany Barrett sits down with longtime Indiana school leaders and friends of IASP, Mike Pinto and Steve Baker, for a heartfelt and often humorous conversation about relationships, intentionality, influence, and legacy. Mike shares why he believes relationships are at the heart of school culture and leadership, including his memorable "hug" philosophy, the importance of noticing the small details about people, and why strong school identities are built through genuine care and connection. Steve reflects on 40 years in education and shares the story of the starfish that became a symbol of his leadership at Bluffton High School. He also tells the powerful story of reconnecting with a former student who reminded him that sometimes a leader's greatest impact is simply refusing to give up on someone. Together, Mike and Steve remind us that relationships do not happen accidentally. They require intentionality, presence, listening, and a willingness to truly see and value the people we lead. In this episode: • Why trust is built through relationships • How small moments can create lasting memories • The connection between leadership identity and school culture • Why leaders must intentionally listen and be present • How relationships carry our legacy forward • Simple ways to help people feel seen, valued, and supported One challenge for this week: Be intentional. Find one person in your school who needs to know they matter, give them your time, and truly listen. Because leadership is ultimately about making a difference, one person at a time. Lead on, Indiana!

  3. Sep 11

    IASP Advocacy Podcast 9.11.26

    School Leaders, About a month into the school year, patterns are beginning to emerge—including which students are already struggling to get to school consistently. This week on the IASP Advocacy Podcast, I'm talking about chronic absenteeism, the barriers that keep students from school, and what school leaders can do about them. With attendance now factoring into Indiana's accountability model, there's certainly additional urgency around this issue. But accountability isn't the most important reason attendance matters. We can invest in great curriculum, instruction, interventions, programs, and people—but students have to be there to benefit from them. 💡 A Timely Opportunity: Lilly Endowment's Opportunity to Learn Project If your school or district is working to address non-academic barriers to student success, don't miss the Opportunity to Learn Project. Eligible Indiana public school corporations, charter schools, and charter networks outside Marion County can apply for planning grants of $50,000–$100,000 to better understand and develop solutions to non-academic barriers affecting students. And you don't have to have the solution figured out yet—that's the purpose of the planning process. The planning grant application deadline is September 15 at 5:00 p.m. ET. ➡️ Opportunity to Learn Project – RFP & Application Information: https://indianalifelonglearningprojects.org/opportunity-to-learn-project-rfp/ 📚 Free Attendance Resources As you look at your own attendance data, here are several free resources worth sharing with your team: Indiana Department of Education – Chronic Absenteeism Resources Indiana-specific guidance, root-cause tools, tiered interventions, family resources, and more. https://www.in.gov/doe/chronic-absenteeism/ Attendance Works – Principal Toolkit Leading Attendance: A Toolkit for Principals includes tools for building an attendance team, understanding your data, engaging families, and developing a schoolwide strategy. https://www.attendanceworks.org/resources/toolkits/for-principals-leading-attendance/ Attendance Works – Attendance Playbook More than two dozen strategies for reducing chronic absence, organized by tiers of intervention. https://www.attendanceworks.org/resources/attendance-playbook/ Student Attendance Success Plans Ready-to-use tools that help students and families identify barriers and develop a plan for getting to school consistently. https://www.attendanceworks.org/resources/student-attendance-success-plans/ Attendance Works – Free Data Tools Free tools and spreadsheets to help schools identify attendance patterns and students who may need support. https://www.attendanceworks.org/resources/data-tools/

  4. Sep 9

    IASP Leadership Podcast Season 7: Episode 268 (Leadership Is Not a Solo Sport: Voices from INALI)

    In This Episode Leadership journeys that shape perspective and purpose Why statewide relationships expand a leader's vision The power of honest mentors and trusted thought partners School-community celebrations, from literacy growth to early college access An invitation to connect through IASP programs, conferences, and stories Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 00:43 Meet the INALI leadership panel 02:51 Leadership journeys and inspiration 03:29 Why relationships beyond your district matter 06:46 The value of trusted leadership networks 08:31 Mentors, honest feedback, and learning from mistakes 10:01 School and community celebrations 17:13 Closing reflections and invitation to connect Links and Resources IASP programs and events: https://iasp.org Share a leadership or student-success story: tbarrett@iasp.org Indianagram: https://iasp.org/indianagram/

  5. Sep 2

    IASP Leadership Podcast Season 8: Episode 267 with Dr. Bret Bailey, 2026-2027 IASP President

    Indiana school leaders need connection, practical support, and the courage to make the most of their opportunity to serve. Dr. Bret Bailey, principal of Hamilton Heights Middle School and 2026-2027 IASP President, joins Dr. Tiffany Barrett to open the new season of the IASP Leadership Podcast. Bret reflects on the mentor who first recognized his leadership potential, shares his vision for helping administrators succeed in Indiana's changing accountability environment, and explains why leaders need one another. He also discusses the School Leader Paradigm, healthy ways to remain grounded, and the importance of calling leadership out in others. His final message is a timely challenge: our window to make a difference is open for only a season, so use each conversation and each day to help others thrive. In This Episode ·   Bret's unexpected path from English teacher to middle school principal and IASP president ·   His vision for helping Indiana leaders succeed in a changing accountability environment ·   Why connection, practical resources, and the School Leader Paradigm matter this year ·   How trusted people, reflection, and healthy practices help leaders stay grounded ·   A challenge to recognize potential and invite someone else into leadership Timestamps ·   00:00 Welcome and season introduction ·   00:43 Meet Dr. Bret Bailey ·   01:50 Bret's leadership journey ·   03:27 A vision for IASP and Indiana leaders ·   04:45 What school leaders need this year ·   07:29 Staying grounded in demanding work ·   09:54 Calling leadership out in others ·   11:17 The open window of opportunity ·   12:11 Closing reflections and IASP updates Guest Information Dr. Bret Bailey is the principal of Hamilton Heights Middle School and the 2026-2027 President of the Indiana Association of School Principals. He began his education career at Tri-Central and joined Hamilton Heights as an English teacher in 2009. He later served as dean of students and assistant principal before becoming middle school principal. Bret credits mentor Jared Mason with recognizing and encouraging his leadership potential and introducing him to IASP. Links and Resources Indiana Association of School Principals ·   IASP district meetings and fall conferences: visit iasp.org for current dates and registration. Author: Indiana Association of School Principals (IASP) Language: English Copyright: Indiana Association of School Principals

  6. Aug 28

    IASP Advocacy Podcast 8.28.26

    IASP Members, What does it look like to open a brand-new school while also navigating the priorities, initiatives, and expectations facing school leaders across Indiana? On this week's IASP Advocacy Podcast, I'm joined by Dr. Jane Bitting, principal of the new Willow Creek Middle School, for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership at the start of a new school year. We begin with Jane's experience opening a new building and use Dr. Katie Jenner's latest weekly update as a jumping-off point to talk about what principals are paying attention to—and how leaders keep their school's culture and priorities at the center of the work. From there, we turn to an important academic conversation. Indiana has a lot to celebrate when it comes to literacy. Five consecutive years of growth on IREAD didn't happen by accident. So, what can we learn from that success as we turn our attention to math and numeracy? We talk about: The opportunities and challenges that come with opening a brand-new school What principals take away from Dr. Katie Jenner's weekly updates and statewide priorities How school leaders can protect and preserve a strong school culture as new initiatives and expectations are introduced What Indiana got right in its focus on literacy What it could look like to bring that same intentionality and focus to math and numeracy Thank you to Dr. Bitting for joining me and sharing her perspective on leadership, culture, and the work of keeping student learning at the center of it all. Have a great weekend!

  7. Aug 26

    IASP Leadership Podcast Season 8: Episode 266 (Leading for Students: Meet IASP's Dave Strouse)

    IASP welcomes Dave Strouse as its newest Assistant Executive Director. After 20 years in school administration, including 13 years as principal of Batesville Middle School, Dave brings deep experience, a strong connection to IASP, and a passion for serving school leaders and students across Indiana. In this conversation, Dave shares his leadership journey, what drew him to IASP, and what he hopes to accomplish in his new role. He offers an encouraging reminder to never lose sight of your why and previews new student leadership lessons designed for elementary, middle, and high school students. These practical resources will help schools strengthen student voice and develop young leaders through the School Leader Paradigm. Listen for an encouraging start-of-year conversation grounded in service, purpose, and possibility.

  8. Aug 21

    IASP Advocacy Podcast 8.21.26

    IASP Members, The start of a new school year always brings challenges—and this year, Mother Nature has certainly added a few of her own. In this week's IASP Advocacy Podcast, IASP Executive Director Dr. Todd Bess joins me to welcome school leaders back and, more importantly, to recognize the leadership you continue to demonstrate as you navigate whatever comes your way. From there, we turn our attention beyond Indiana to talk about IASP's new national affiliation with the National Principals Association (NPA). What does having one national association representing PreK–12 school leaders mean for Indiana principals? Todd shares the story behind the formation of NPA, why IASP chose to become a founding state affiliate, and how this partnership can strengthen professional learning, connection, and—especially—advocacy for school leaders at the national level. Want to learn more about the benefits of bringing school leaders together under one national association? Watch this short video. And, of course, no conversation with Todd would be complete without a shameless plug! This week's plug is for IASP's Aspiring Leader Institute. As you begin the year, think about the rising stars in your building or corporation. Who has leadership potential? Who is ready for an opportunity to grow? Sometimes all it takes is a school leader tapping someone on the shoulder and saying, "I think you'd be good at this." We'd love for you to make that tap and encourage a future school leader to take the next step. Click here to learn more about the IASP Aspiring Leader Institute. Thank you for your leadership—and welcome back!

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5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

IASP Podcasts

Information

  • Creator
    Indiana Association of School Principals (IASP)
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2019 Indiana Association of School Principals
  • Show Website
    IASP Podcast

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