Advertise on podcast: Urban Principal: Leadership Lessons

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Description

This podcast is based upon lessons learned in my 31 years of experience in education--21 as a principal. I spent 10 years turning around a high poverty school, and left to start Nebraska's first focus school--a year-round extended day program centered on leadership, technology and communication. It was named by Harvard's One Nation, Indivisible publication as one of the most innovative and successful schools in the country.

Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from Urban Principal: Leadership Lessons podcast

Schmoker with the Knockout! Pt. IV

2026/04/20

How do we improve instruction? This episode continues our dive into the book Results Now 2.0 and highlights ways to improve academic success! Yes, it’s Schmoker with the Knockout! Pt. IV

Schmoker with the Knockout! Pt. III

2026/04/14

As leaders how do we increase academic success and how do we create effective instruction. This episode continues our dive into the book Results Now 2.0 and unpacks ways to increase student success! Tonight we look at literacy. Yes, it’s Schmoker with the Knockout! Pt. III

Schmoker with the Knockout! Pt. II

2026/04/06

This episode continues our dive into the book Results Now 2.0 and unpacks ways to increase student success! Yes, it’s Schmoker with the Knockout! Pt. II.

Schmoker with the Knockout! Pt. I

2026/03/31

This episode dives into the book Results Now 2.0 and unpacks ways to make schools more effective. Yes, it’s Mike Schmoker with the knockout!

A Tribute to Grandma (Laverne) Harris

2026/03/23

This episode pays tribute to Grandma (Laverne) Harris, a community leader who worked with me as a principal and someone who influenced my leadership. she became a lifelong friend and family member.

Conversations of Growth Pt. II

2026/03/16

Every leader must deal with conversations of growth. This episode continues our dive into the book “Difficult Conversations Don’t Have to be Difficult” by Jon Gordon and Amy Kelly. Hear more by listening to part II.

Conversations of Growth Pt. I

2026/03/10

Every leader must deal with conversations of growth. This episode looks at the book “Difficult Conversations Don’t Have to Be Difficult” by Jon Gordon and Amy Kelly.

Tone of a Leader

2026/03/02

The words you use are important. Even more important is the tone. What you say and how you say it matters. How is your tone and tact as a leader?

Balancing Leadership & Management

2026/02/23

This episode unpacks an article by Alex Schultz from Edutopia on “How to Balance Management and Leadership as a Principal.”

Professionalism?

2026/02/16

What does it mean to use professionalism. Is it unprofessional to have fun at work? This episode talks about the impact and creating a positive culture.

The Olympic Spirit

2026/02/09

This episodes highlights the positive spirit of the Olympics and how leaders can build stronger more effective teams. As a team there nothing people can’t overcome and accomplish together.

Education is the Super Bowl

2026/02/02

Everyday educators cross stadium tunnels to reach the students that are our future. It would be amazing If educators were treated like star athletes. Today, I share the article “If Schools Were Run Like Football Teams” by Virginia MacDonald.

Bouncing Back

2026/01/26

Leaders must be able to bounce back and remain positive when needed. Being able to employ the high road principle of John Maxwell can also help in defining your leadership.

Impact

2026/01/19

This episode reminds leaders of the impact they can make and gives some stories of how to be a change agent that causes a ripple effect on others.

The Messages You Send

2026/01/12

As a leader don’t underestimate the power of the messages you are giving and sending to your organization. Messages can deflate people or give encouragement and motivation. What messages are you sending as a leader?