Jethro interviews Sondra Jolovich-Motes, principal of Dee Elementary in Ogden School District. Here is some background information about Dee Elementary: Dee Elementary, formerly dead last, sees huge gains in reading scoresOgden schools see dramatic spike in student proficiency scoresDee Elementary school gradeLinks that JM talks about: Teaching Channel is one way JM helps teachers identify where they can use some help.  Annette Brinkman did some work with JM and Dee Elementary. University of Virginia Turnaround School Program. Books: Driven by Data: A Practical Guide to Improve InstructionLeverage Leadership: A Practical Guide to Building Exceptional SchoolsSponsor: http://paperlessprincipal.com learn how to be a paperless principal. Remove clutter, streamline your processes. Check out this episode!

This great interview with Bernardo Villar is broken up over two episodes. I hope you enjoy it. It was a great interview for me. Bernardo Villar is the principal of the Title I school Vae View Elementary in Layton, UT. In this interview, you will learn about the following ways Dr. Villar is a transformative principal:Word of the year: rigorHow to get teachers to ask for helpHow to not be defensiveHow to ask for help and thus generate buy-inHow to run data team meetingsHow to create an environment that invites students and parents to be a part of the school community. Thanks again to my sponsor: Paperless PrincipalCheck out this episode!

In this second part of the interview with Bernardo Villar, we will learn about the following:How Dr. Villar communicates with parents enough that they miss his communication when he leaves a school.Twitter and FacebookHow Dr. Villar acknowledges the positve in every teacher and every student......which leads to improved student behavior. What you can do to be a transformative principal, according to Dr. VillarA focus on making sure every student feels comfortable in his school. Thanks to our sponsor: Paperless PrincipalCheck out this episode!

Sandra is a great principal at Sandy Elementary. She has received numerous awards in her 7 years as an administrator:Community Leader of the Year Rookie of the Year Distinguished Principal of the Year CITES Recognition National Board Certified TeacherAnd, she is pretty much always being praised and recognized by her peers. I am fortunate to be able to work with her.Here is Sandy’s web site and Twitter.Big Goals: Wants to make people feel like they are at home-that her school is a family. Wants to be with the children as much as possible. Wants to provide a holistic education, especially to her disadvantaged students.It is interesting to hear that she strives to really know her students, but is ok with not knowing every student’s name. I find this fascinating. In the last episode, Dr. Villar was very focused on knowing every student’s name. I don’t know that either way is the best method, but I do believe that their intent is the same. They both want their students to know that they are cared for and feel safe. That is what matters.Check out this episode!

I listened to the podcast Staff Loungin’ where the Rockstar Principals were guests. They were discussing the "accountability movement" in education. The host of the podcast mentioned that Arne Duncan and Michelle Rhee scared him (and that the accountability movement was also scary) and then Jon and Nick both said that they appreciate it. This is just my opinion, but it seems that teachers dislike the accountability movement because they know that their kids are learning every day, so it seems asinine to have so much pressure to prove their learning on high-stakes tests. It seems that administrators and those higher up like the accountability movement better because they don’t know that kids are learning every day, because they don’t see it as much. I know for me, I like accountability and data because I can see from a bird’s eye view what is going on and why. That is important to me. As you get higher up, I can certainly see why and how the accountability movement is so vital.What do you think? Am I off base here? Or does the distance from the classroom encourage the accountability requirements?Have a Good Life.

Jethro is joined by Jeff Paul (@okprincipal), principal of Smith Elementary, where he had the unique opportunity to take over for a principal who had been there for the previous 25 years! In this part of the two-part interview, Jeff talks about the challenges and positives associated with his unique situation. He also talks about the evaluation system his district recently started. I hope you enjoy this. Please tweet, post on facebook, or email to share it with your principal friends. Also, if you have someone that you think is a transformative principal, please let me know who they are by emailing me at jethro.jones@gmail.com. Or you can hit me up on twitter @jethrojones. Check out this episode!

In this second part of the interview with Jeff Paul, we will learn about:How he handles the stress of being a principalHow you can be a transformative principalWhy you should follow the people below on TwitterThe special thing in his officeJeff says these are the twitter accounts to follow:@williamparker, @KleinErin, @@principalspage (MichaelSmithSupt), @ToddWhitaker, @educationweek, @NMHS_Principal (Eric Sheninger), @drjolly (Darin Jolly), @principalJ, @andygreene.Check out this episode!

In this episode, I am priveleged to interview Doug Hallenbeck. Doug was recently named the Assistant Principal of the year from the Utah Association of Secondary School Principals. Doug has worked under four really great principals and he shares some great insight about how to be an amazing assistant principal.I wanted to interview Doug because he has a great story. He is a thoughtful, caring, and transformative leader. He has been a guiding force in our district since its inception. We are very fortunate to work with him.In this first part of the interview, Doug discusses:How he got to where he is.How he manages working under someone who has a different leadership style and may make different decisions than he.The mentors that have helped him become a better leader.Why he turned down a principalship and stayed as an assistant.Advice for new principals from his perspective as an Assistant Principal.You'll really enjoy this interview with Doug. He is amazing.Let's make sure to give him a few hundred more followers on Twitter. He is @Hallen100.Check out this episode!

In this second part of the interview, I am priveleged to talk with Doug Hallenbeck. Doug was recently named the Assistant Principal of the year from the Utah Association of Secondary School Principals. Doug has worked under four really great principals and he shares some great insight about how to be an amazing assistant principal.I wanted to interview Doug because he has a great story. He is a thoughtful, caring, and transformative leader. He has been a guiding force in our district since its inception. We are very fortunate to work with him.In this second part of the interview, Doug discusses:How to attract and retain great talent.A nice little side discussion about general trends in teaching hiring.His advice for an assistant principal to be a transformative assistant principal like him.What special thing he has in his office.His experience discussing education with Chinese educational leaders.How he makes parents feel good when their kids get in trouble.What he suggests APs should do to be transformative Assistant Principals.Here is more information about the Tier 2 retirement in UtahYou'll really enjoy this interview with Doug. He is amazing.Let's make sure to give him a few hundred more followers on Twitter. He is @Hallen100.Check out this episode!

In this episode I have the great opportunity to interview Melinda Miller (@mmiller7571). I have followed her for a long time on Twitter, and I loved the podcast she did with @ScottElias called Practical Principals. That great podcast partly inspired me to start this podcast. I still haven't found a podcast that talks about the real issues that are facing toOur conversation covers these topics:How she gets teachers on board with technology.How she allows teachers to filter out what she says and when.She gives her thoughts on requirements for teacher's blogs, which are a requirement for her.How Melinda deals with the roadblocks of implementing new things (including technology).How she knows how hard to push her teachers, and what to focus on when she is pushing her teachers.How she allows her faculty to talk to her about when she is pushing too hard.How she implemented 1:1 Chromebooks in 4th grade when a bunch of other stuff was coming down the pike.How she prepares for the beginning of a new school year. (And here is the ASCD article on her flipped faculty meeting.) Keep your flipped faculty meetings short, to the point, and give teachers plenty of time to look at the information.Most important tip for starting flipped facutly meetings.How important it is to have video or audio to help people not misunderstand what they are doing wrong.Check out this episode!