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Strong school culture doesn't happen by accident. It is built through intentional leadership, consistent systems, and a commitment to the well-being of both students and staff. In this On-Site at the OAESA Conference episode of the Leaders AdvantEDGE podcast, Matt Bradley sits down with Ernest Doc West to explore practical, principal-tested strategies for strengthening school culture, climate, and leadership structures. Drawing from his conference clinic session, Ernest shares insights on building effective leadership teams, supporting teacher leadership, creating systems that promote attendance and student well-being, and fostering a collaborative environment where educators and students can thrive. Guest: Ernest Doc West Recorded: On-Site at the OAESA Professional Conference

From Presence to Progress: How Intentional Walkthroughs Strengthened Instruction and Improved State Report Card Outcomes Host: Matt Bradley Guest: Rachael Coleman Recorded: On-Site at the OAESA Professional Conference What happens when classroom walkthroughs move beyond compliance and become a meaningful tool for instructional growth? In this third On-Site at the OAESA Conference episode of the Leaders AdvantEDGE podcast, host Matt Bradley talks with Rachael Coleman about the power of intentional principal presence in classrooms. Building on Rachael's conference session, From Presence to Progress, they discuss how purposeful walkthroughs, clear instructional look-fors, and high-quality feedback can strengthen teaching, build shared expectations, and contribute to improved schoolwide outcomes. In This Episode: Building a culture of principal presence Identifying meaningful instructional look-fors Making walkthroughs a tool for growth—not compliance Creating sustainable walkthrough practices One strategy every school leader can use to get started Key Topics: Instructional leadership, classroom walkthroughs, principal presence, teacher feedback, instructional improvement, school culture, Ohio State Report Card

In this second On the Road at the OAESA Conference edition of the Leaders AdvantEDGE podcast, host Matt Bradley, Principal at Highland Middle School, sits down with Shayla Ivezzy, Assistant Principal at Maple Leaf Elementary in Garfield Heights, to explore the challenge of balancing the many demands of school leadership. Building on Shayla's conference clinic session, From Busy to Balanced: How Leaders Can See—and Improve—their Daily Work, this conversation takes a practical look at how school leaders can use simple activity-tracking tools to better understand how they spend their time and determine whether their daily work reflects their most important leadership priorities. Shayla shares insights from her own experience analyzing her day-to-day responsibilities, along with strategies principals and assistant principals can use to become more intentional with their time—without adding another complicated task to an already full schedule. Whether you're a principal, assistant principal, or aspiring school leader, this episode offers a simple reminder: You can't change what you don't see. By taking a closer look at how we spend our time, we can make more intentional choices about where our leadership energy goes—and ensure our daily work is aligned with what matters most. Click HERE to view Shayla's presentation and if you missed her session at the conference, she will be presenting at the 2027 Women's Leadership Conference February 22-23.

In our first "On-site at the Professional Conference" edition of the Leaders AdvantEDGE podcast, Matt Bradley sits down with presenters Amanda Steward and Candace Platt to dig deeper into their clinic session, "Empowering Teams Through Student-Level Data Meetings: Strengthening MTSS for Every Learner." Their session highlighted how student-level data meetings anchor an effective MTSS framework and explored practical tools and collaborative structures that support data-driven decisions, strengthen tiered interventions, and improve student outcomes. Amanda and Candace share how intentional, collaborative data conversations help school teams identify student needs, align interventions, monitor progress, and ensure every learner receives the support they need to succeed. Whether you're refining an existing MTSS process or building one from the ground up, this episode offers actionable ideas, proven structures, and practical takeaways you can implement in your own school. Click HERE to view the slides and resources from their session.

Our newest rotating host, Kirk Pavelich, principal at Richfield Elementary in Revere Local Schools, brings us a conversation with two of his former colleagues from North Royalton Elementary School, Mike McGinnis and Katie Bober. We'll be talking about Crushing Your CORE: From Data to Impact and how schools can strengthen Tier 1 instruction through collaboration, data, and engagement. Don't miss this valuable conversation and a sneak peek into their clinic session at OAESA's Annual Professional Conference, The Principal Influence: Leading Schools that Thrive.

On this episode of Leaders AdvantEDGE: On the Road with OAESA, rotating host Joy O'Brien sits down with Dave Haluga, assistant principal at Maddux Elementary in Forest Hills Schools, for a conversation about bringing energy, humor, and creativity to one of the most important topics educational leaders face: legislative updates. Dave shares a behind-the-scenes look at the Tuesday morning conference session he and Brian Lyons will lead at The Principal Influence, where they are transforming policy talk into an engaging, SNL-inspired experience packed with sharp commentary, quick takes, practical insight, and just the right amount of humor. Listeners will hear why staying informed about legislation matters more than ever, how school leaders can make complex information more accessible for their teams, and why learning doesn't have to feel dry to be meaningful. It's a fun and thoughtful conversation about leadership, communication, and finding ways to keep educators engaged while tackling serious topics.

This episode of the Leaders AdvantEDGE podcast, Taking Care of Kids, introduces a new rotating host, Matt Bradley, principal at Highland Middle School. Matt's conversation with Brianne Jaynes, Highland Middle School's school counselor, focuses on a few key initiatives they have developed to support students who may be struggling to engage in learning on a given day. You can connect with Matt for more details at [email protected].

Joy O'Brien's conversation with Maddux Elementary's head custodian, Mike Abbinante, dives into the heart of school culture — the people and programs that keep our schools thriving. They share some innovative ways that Mike's leadership in the building has positively impacted their PBIS Program and overall culture in the building.

This On the Road with OAESA episode of Leaders AdvantEDGE, features OAESA President-elect and principal of Maddux Elementary in Forest Hills Schools, Joy O'Brien in conversation with Forest Hills colleague, Dan Hamilton, principal of Sherwood Elementary. Dan shares his passion for servant leadership and the history behind why this is the heart of his core value system. Check out this deep-dive conversation that highlights a key service project that Principal Hamilton spearheaded in his school community. Tune in and be inspired! Connect with Principal Dan Hamilton by email ([email protected]) or phone 513-231-7565.

In this episode, OAESA President-elect Joy O'Brien sits down with author and motivational speaker Joe Beckman for a conversation about reclaiming human connection in schools and in life. Joe shares the "why" behind his work, what it really means to "just look up" amid the daily pressures of school leadership, and how adult connection influences student resilience. Joy and Joe also explore the need to find joy in school leadership—and offer a sneak peek at what attendees can expect from Joe's keynote at the OAESA summer conference, The Principal Influence: Leading Schools that Thrive. Show notes from this episode:  Be sure to get registered to see Joe in person at our conference at: https://oaesa.org/principalinfluence/  Click HERE to check out the swag that Joy and Joe talked about in the podcast. Join others in wearing of of the t-shirts to the conference and win cool stuff!  Off-mic, Joe shared a heartwarming story about a student he connected with who wrote and performed "I Love Your Face" because Joe's presentation meant so much to him! Check it out HERE.  Don't miss your chance to make amazing human connections and meet Joe Beckman in person at OAESA's Annual Professional Conference The Principal Influence: Leading Schools that Thrive.   Many thanks to our corporate partner, Lexia, for generously sponsoring this podcast.

Dr. Nick Neiderhouse, Principal at Rossford Local Schools and Federal Relations Coordinator on the OAESA Board of Directors, hosts fellow OAESA administrators, Lori Green, Colleen Mudore, Julie Gulley, and Bob Buck in a conversation sharing their takeaways from the NAESP United Conference. Tune in to learn about the importance of making your professional learning a priority and the value of connecting with colleagues both across the state and throughout the country. Find all OAESA professional development opportunities on the events page of our website: https://oaesa.org/events/

A principal mentorship program is designed to provide guidance, support, and professional development opportunities to new school administrators. Tune in to learn how OAESA/OASSA's grant-funded Beginning Administrators Mentorship (BAM) Program, has impacted both mentors and mentees with the addition of the Leadership Immersion Institute for mentors through NAESP. Episode Host: T.J. Ebert, principal at Independence Primary School Guests: Abbey Bolton, principal at Davey Elementary in Kent City Schools; Colleen Mudore, principal at Knollwood Elementary in Sheffield-Sheffield Lake Schools, Adam Dugas, principal at Bellflower Elementary in Mentor Exempted Village School District Show notes: Register for the OAESA Professional Conference: Centennial Celebration so you can attend the clinic session led by T.J. Ebert, Abbey Bolton, and Colleen Mudore! Inspired by our mentors' stories? Click  HERE to learn more about becoming a mentor. Know of a new administrator beginning their first or second year? Share  these details with them so they can take part in this grant-funded opportunity. Read the  Principal Navigator article that shares more about Abbey Bolton's experience.

In this episode, Dr. Becky Hornberger has a conversation with school safety experts, Dr. Amy Klinger and Amanda Klinger, about their approach to helping schools address the topic of school safety. Tune in to dive deeper into why you should shift from a 'response' mindset to a mindset of prevention and learn ways to integrate school safety into your daily building culture. To learn even more, sign up for OAESA's Virtual Second in Command Institute where today's guests will present a session and share even more about this important topic.  Resources from the conversation:  Visit the Educator's School Safety Network Website, https://eschoolsafety.org/ Learn more about their training opportunities: https://eschoolsafety.org/schedule  Check out the School Safety Free Period podcast: https://eschoolsafety.org/podcast

With so many ed-tech options available, this episode focuses on the importance of evaluating the efficacy of these digital resources. Dr. Becky Hornberger's conversation with Hee Jin Bang, VP of Efficacy, Research, and Evaluation at Age of Learning—OAESA's newest corporate partner— and Carmen Alvarez, Early Childhood director at Harlingen Consolidated Independent SD in Texas shares details about an opportunity for Ohio educators to take part in a research study evaluating Age of Learning's unique resources My Reading Academy and My Math Academy.   Episode Resources: Overview of Research on My Math Academy and My Reading Academy Informational flyer with link to My Reading Academy Research Recruitment Informational flyer with link to My Math Academy Research Recruitment

As the school year draws to a close, we hope you are as excited as we are for our upcoming Annual Professional Conference, Stay Gold: Honoring Our Past. Inspiring Your Future. To share in this excitement, Dr. Becky Hornberger sits down with current OAESA Board President and opening keynote speaker for our summer conference, Carrie Sanchez. In this conversation, Carrie shares insights on her leadership journey, the importance of being involved with your professional associations, and key takeaways from her upcoming keynote at this year's Professional Conference, Stay Gold. Thank you to our corporate sponsor, Horace Mann, for supporting this podcast.