The Principal Leadership Lab Jeff & Adam

Cindy Bailey, Dean of Northeast Wisconsin Tech College, sits down with Jeff & Adam, on The Principal Leadership Lab 2.0. 

Some key highlights shared with us: 


What you start with doesn’t have to be the ending.
Pay attention to the doors, because there are opportunities on the other side.
Always wanted to be on the sidelines, but made a shift.
Worked with a trucking company to share the business with HS students….eventually led to the UW system despite not having the necessary credentials.
The campus dean took a gamble on Cindy and her hunger for learning.
Lots of preparation for her current role, lot of influences

15:10:09 - Calendar your time

15:10:20 - Get out of the office

15:10:29 - Use your admin assistant

15:10:48 - Observe and make changes with people not for people.

15:11:04 - Do lunch supervision because it is fun.

15:13:34 - Don't be an island.  Connect with NASSP and Twitter.

15:14:10 - Use podcasts and read EdWeek because my cuz Peter DeWitt is there... LOL!!

Dr. Matthew Sowcik has been teaching for over 20 years and is currently an assistant professor of Leadership Development at the University of Florida.

Author of “The H-Factor” - Exploring the Intersection of Humility and Leadership to Move from Good to Great

Dr. Matt focuses his research on humility and the creation of organizational leadership programs. He also teaches both undergraduate and graduate-level courses concentrated on interpersonal leadership development, organizational leadership and advanced leadership theory.

Leadership Journey


Liked the idea of human behavior and leadership; From PA, went to NYC, got his PhD from Gonzaga; Wilkes U right out of his PhD; was recruited to come down to Florida to teach other PhDs on humility

In the book, talks a lot about being present.

The XFactor example of humility and how the singer’s lack of humility played a role in the discussion with his daughter.

Jim Collins -  humility and determination is what we need to move from good to great.

…companies like the Kellogg Company, Tinder, Kronos, E. & J. Gallo Winery, World Wide Technology, and Teach For America are just a few other successful companies that have committed to “humility” as a core organizational value. (from Matt’s research)

Humility as a mindset

We are incomplete until we take our last breath

…and where is it “taught” in the curriculum?

Humility allows you to take risks.

Why isn’t humility at the front and center?  Possible western culture of winning versus introspection.



What top two skills do you recommend that new educational leaders need to have at the ready?

Questions and action in the book will provide guidance.

Go back to humbling yourself.  Our perspective is just one POV.

Grow from your mistakes.  We need each other.

The Undercover Boss is a great example to observe without limits.  Ask, How do they need me?

Collective humility as an organization.



HOPEFUL

My own kids - my two boys, that they grow up and be wonderful humans.



Buy the Book - “The H-Factor” - Exploring the Intersection of Humility and Leadership to Move from Good to Great



CONNECT WITH MATT

Matt Sowcik on LinkedIn

Email: sowcik@ufl.edu



CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS

INSTAGRAM

Dr. Jeff Prickett

Adam DeWitt

TWITTER

Dr. Jeff Prickett

Adam DeWitt

FACEBOOK

Principal Leadership Lab

Dr. Jeff Prickett

Adam DeWitt

Join Adam & Jeff as we chat with Assistant Principal and new author Dan Wolfe!

Dan Wolfe has been an educator for almost 25 years; everything from being a classroom teacher, instructional coach, District Curriculum Specialist and an administrator.

Recently wrote first book called “Becoming the Change: Five Essential Elements that Guide Each of Us Towards Becoming Our Best Selves” it focuses on the five elements of Social Emotional Learning (SEL): Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills and Responsible Decision Making. This book allows readers to take a self-assessment on each of these five areas and throughout the book learn strategies to help guide them towards growing in certain aspects within each area. The unique feature of this book is the reader will be able to pick and choose their own pathway in how they use this book as they have the ability to decide at the end of each chapter whether to reread that same section or choose a different chapter to read based on what area they feel they need to work on next. This part of the book is based on the similar style seen in the Choose Your Own Adventure series from the mid 1970’s through the late 1990’s.



Leadership Journey

Got the education bug in HS.

Working with new leaders; principal prep program.

Principal Project using PBIS principles in order to become a principal.

“Never forget where you come from” - important to stay connected to the classroom

“Having a Servant Leadership mindset”

Pre-Show: mentioned that his Supt. wanted him to move schools ½ through the year because of his experience in SEL… how do you prepare for this upheaval/change?


Helped write the SEL standards, tapped for his background to more vo another school
Everything happens for a reason
You have to adapt to the situation

Moving into the AP role - what can new APs do to prepare for the upcoming year?

Self Awareness & Social Awareness - look at these two aspects of SEL and reflect on your own strengths and weaknesses

Do a lot of observing those first two weeks

What top two skills do you recommend that new educational leaders need to have at the ready?

Remember where you came from and keep a servant leader mindset.

How do you help a new employee understand the culture of your organization/ How do you hire teachers?

Do they have a growth or fixed mindset?  Balance is key.



HOPEFUL

Hopeful for a better tomorrow. “Be the Change”

Socially Aware

Empathy, not Sympathy



CONNECT WITH DAN!

Becoming the Change on Amazon

Dan Wolfe on Twitter



CONTACT THE HOSTS!

INSTAGRAM

Dr. Jeff Prickett

Adam DeWitt

TWITTER

Dr. Jeff Prickett

Adam DeWitt

FACEBOOK

Principal Leadership Lab

Dr. Jeff Prickett

Adam DeWitt

Join Adam & Jeff as we continue Season 2 with the Principal Sir Joseph Banks HS in Sydney, New South Wales. Murray is a Choice Theory Instructor, dedicated to ensuring equity in outcomes for all. 

Leadership Journey

800 students in his high school currently. 

Started in a performing arts HS.

A significant other tapped him on the shoulder to encourage him to pursue a lead teacher position and other positions grew from there.

Didn’t aspire to be a principal.

Outgrew his teaching role.

All of the roles led to this role at Sir Joseph Banks HS.

“Sometimes people see something in you that you don’t see in yourself”

“We need to start with the heart, the relationship”

When he was hired, he was charged with making his school a “School of Choice” - kids were clamoring to get out at the time

Bus drivers were passing by students with their school uniforms.



How do you help a new employee understand the culture of your organization/ How do you hire teachers?

Identify people’s areas of wisdom & strengths

Teach the values that we want to see every day

Our words are very impactful - we need to choose them wisely

Lots of different cultures - 29 different cultural groups

Our teachers are really skilled at tapping into children’s cultural needs & backgrounds

New staff begin with choice theory.



Leadership Challenge/Opportunity

Continuity of Learning - ensuring every student had a device

Flipping lessons online - staying innovative, ensuring kids want to learn, stay motivated.

“Every student leaves one foot into the future.”



HOPEFUL

Future for our students. Creating better versions of themselves.

For the future - 100% feel fully equipped.



GUEST CONTACT INFO

Murray on Twitter



HOST CONTACT INFO

INSTAGRAM

Dr. Jeff Prickett

Adam DeWitt

TWITTER

Dr. Jeff Prickett

Adam DeWitt

FACEBOOK

Principal Leadership Lab

Dr. Jeff Prickett

Adam DeWitt

Join Adam and Jeff as we speak with Michael Bennett, principal of Kewaunee High School, located just outside of Green Bay, Wisconsin. 

Leadership Journey

Born in Beloit and started teaching outside Houston, TX.

3rd year in current position

Came in Fall of ‘19, before the Pandemic

We have learned from pandemic life; live streaming is real

As new principals enter our profession, what leadership advice will you offer them?

Roll your sleeves up and get at it.

Problem solving at it’s best

Need to be able to multi-task

Conversation around valedictorian & the value of taking AP classes

Why is there so much turnover in our education?  Is there anything principals can do to improve that?

The title is just a title, I don’t want to see myself as a harsh disciplinarian. I need to have relationships with kids AND teachers

What brings you HOPE?

I CAN TURN OUT STUDENTS who are productive members of society.



GUEST CONTACT INFO: 

Instagram



HOST CONTACT INFO: 

INSTAGRAM

Dr. Jeff Prickett

Adam DeWitt

TWITTER

Dr. Jeff Prickett

Adam DeWitt

FACEBOOK

Principal Leadership Lab

Dr. Jeff Prickett

Adam DeWitt