In a year marked by uncertainty and constant disruption, school principals were forced to lead in ways they never had before. This episode reflects on how leaders moved their communities from anxiety to action—navigating immigration fears, embracing transparency, strengthening belonging, and rebuilding trust with staff and families. Through candid insights, we explore why listening, intentional relationships, and responsible use of technology became the anchors of stability during one of the most chaotic years in education.

Related Channel: The Principal Street Podcast

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If you’ve ever caught yourself wondering how reading instruction should evolve in an AI-driven world, this episode is for you. We trace how literacy has moved from textbooks to tablets to intelligent tools — and explore what that shift means for your classroom. You’ll hear how AI and digital platforms can help personalize reading, spark curiosity, and support every learner’s journey toward deeper comprehension and engagement.

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Related Resources: Great Habits, Great Readers

Juliana Worrell is the Chief Schools Officer K-8 for Uncommon Schools. Previously, Juliana served as an assistant superintendent, managing 14 of Uncommon’s North Star and Brooklyn elementary schools. Under Juliana’s leadership, her schools have consistently outperformed end-of-year state exam averages, with nearly all outperforming their respective states’ highest performing subgroups. Juliana is co-author of the book Great Habits, Great Readers, which is a comprehensive guide for K-4 Reading instruction.

Jen Schwanke, Ed.D., is a longtime educator who has served as a teacher and leader at all levels. She is the author of five ASCD books, including her most recent title, Trusted: Trust Pillars, Trust Killers, and the Secret to Successful Schools. She is also the author of the newsletter for school leaders titled “Principal Problems with Dr. Jen.”Schwanke co-hosts “Principal Matters” Podcast. She has been active in developing and presenting training, professional development, and keynote addresses to various organizations around the United States. An instructor in educational administration at The Ohio State University, Dr. Schwanke currently serves as a Deputy Superintendent in Ohio. jenschwanke.com.

Lisa Leaheey taught English at North Providence High School for the entirety of her 23-year career. A lifelong voracious reader and movie buff, she spends every day sharing her passion for stories with her students, and she continuously seeks out new ways to elevate her students’ individual strengths and to support their individual needs.

Listening skills are more critical than ever. In this episode of Principal Street, the discussion centers on the crucial role of listening in educational leadership. The hosts explore how empathetic listening can transform school culture, empower staff and students, and enhance communication. They introduce the Five Ear Model of Listening, emphasizing the importance of active listening in fostering trust and collaboration within school communities. The conversation also addresses the importance of measuring listening effectiveness and modeling effective listening practices for students.

Follow on X: @jonHarper70bd @bamradionetwork @LynSharratt

John Hattie, PhD, is an award-winning education researcher and best-selling author with nearly thirty years of experience examining what works best in student learning and achievement. His research, better known as Visible Learning, is a culmination of nearly thirty years synthesizing more than 2,100 meta-analyses comprising more than one hundred thousand studies involving over 300 million students around the world. He has presented and keynoted in over three hundred international conferences and has received numerous recognitions for his contributions to education. His notable publications include Visible Learning, Visible Learning for Teachers, Visible Learning and the Science of How We Learn; Visible Learning for Mathematics, Grades K-12; and 10 Mindframes for Visible Learning.

Lyn Sharratt, EdD, is a practitioner and researcher working in remote and urban settings worldwide. Lyn is an Adjunct Professor at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Canada; a Fellow at University of Melbourne, Australia; an author consultant for Corwin Press; an advisor for International School Leadership with the Ontario Principals’ Council; and consults internationally, working with system, school, and teacher leaders at all levels in Australia, Canada, Chile, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Lyn focuses her time and effort on increasing each student’s growth and achievement by working alongside leaders and teachers to put FACES on their data, taking intentional action to make equity and excellence a reality for ALL students.

Amy Fast, Ed.D – Superintendent, Dayton, Oregon, United States · Superintendent · Dayton School District – Experience: Superintendent · Principal · Book Author · High School Assistant Principal · Instructional Coach · Classroom Teacher. McMinnville School District.