Send us a text

The principal’s chair looks different from the inside. We pull back the curtain on the quiet costs of leadership—why accountability requires real boundaries, why the job can feel isolating even in a busy building, and how to replace that isolation with a resilient network that actually gets it. Through candid stories and concrete examples, we map out the habits that keep leaders steady: clear communication, consistent expectations, and the courage to tell your school’s story before others write it for you.

You’ll hear how conversations with standout educators sparked practical changes you can implement right away. From piloting Magic School AI to save teachers time, to leaning into clarity so staff and students know the plan, to building a positive social media presence that reflects the real work happening on campus, we break down what moved the needle. We also talk about podcasts as free professional development and how growing a learning community can lead to surprising opportunities like conference presentations and guest trainings.

If you’re a principal, an assistant principal, or a teacher eyeing the big chair, consider this an honest field guide. We share the missteps, the pivots, and the wins—so you can lead with less guesswork and more confidence. Walk away with strategies to set boundaries without losing heart, build a network that keeps you grounded, and drive a culture where clarity lowers stress and amplifies learning. If this resonates, share it with a colleague who could use a boost, then subscribe and leave a review so more leaders can find it.

Episode 14: Principal Mo

Episode 18: Angela Kelly

Episode 21: Dr. Joe Sanfelippo

Episode 31: Dr. Darrin Peppard

Episode 36: Casey Watt

Teach Better Mid Roll Network Ad

Support the show

Connect with Principal JL Click Here:

Want to be a guest on Educational Leadership with Principal JL?

Send Principal JL a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1742787866678447e5bdb89c1

Send us a text

What if the strongest leadership move is to listen first, decide second, and never micromanage? That’s the tought line of our conversation with Principal Shannon Seale, who went from high school social studies to leading a pre-K–2 campus, without losing her sense of humor, her humility, or her focus on what matters most.

We explore the origin of Shannon’s calling to teach, how watching weak leadership shaped her convictions, and why avoiding conflict silently breaks cultures. She shares the two lenses that guide every decision, safety and instruction, and the practical systems that keep her promises real: time-blocked walkthroughs, alarms, and a calendar that catches everything from meetings to lunch detentions. We dig into the jump from high school to elementary, the new ways she learned to speak with first-time school parents, and how she balances autonomy with support so teachers feel trusted and students get consistent, high-quality instruction.

Shannon also opens up about building a leadership team that tells her when an idea is bad, treating school like a team sport where every role matters, and using TikTok and Instagram to learn from educators nationwide while humanizing the principalship. We talk narrative control, positive storytelling, and the simple truth that if you don’t tell your school’s story, someone else will. Finally, she looks ahead to deepening her impact in curriculum and instruction, with doctoral study on the horizon, while staying rooted in the campus work she “completely loves, even when it’s hard.”

If this conversation gave you a useful nudge, follow the show, share it with a colleague, and leave a quick review. Tell us: what’s one leadership habit you’ll change this week?

Connect with Shannon Seale and check out her Tik Tok Lives:

email: shanny.seale@gmail.com

Tik Tok: @mrs.seales

Instagram: @mrs.seales

Teach Better Mid Roll Network Ad

Support the show

Connect with Principal JL Click Here:

Want to be a guest on Educational Leadership with Principal JL?

Send Principal JL a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1742787866678447e5bdb89c1

Send us a text

What if the best instructional leadership doesn’t start with a rubric but with people? We sit down with Dr. Donovan Smalls II to unpack how a former PE teacher and college professor became an assistant principal known for calm under pressure, disciplined time management, and a people-first approach that lifts instruction across a building.

We dig into the pivotal COVID moment that rerouted his career and why choosing to be the solution is the first real test of leadership. Donovan shares how he architects his day—blocking morning walkthroughs, staying visible, and using curriculum work when culture isn’t ready for frequent drop-ins so instruction stays a priority despite bus duty, discipline, and the inbox. He offers candid stories about navigating heated parent meetings with poise, setting boundaries with grace, and keeping the focus on all students, not just the loudest requests. The result is a roadmap for aspiring leaders who want to manage their time, build trust with teachers, and protect the learning environment with emotional intelligence.

We also explore his bestselling book, Beyond the Classroom, and why leading people and organizations must come before leading instruction. Donovan explains how the leadership interview differs from the teacher interview, and how to tell a compelling leadership story that lands the job and sets you up to lead from day one. Along the way, we trade practical examples of classroom visibility that teachers and students actually enjoy, plus the power of national networking to expand your toolkit and confidence. If you’re aiming for assistant principal or principal roles or looking to level up where you are—you’ll find concrete tactics and encouraging perspective you can use this week.

Connect with Dr. Donovan Smalls II:

Website: https://www.donovansmalls2.com/

Instagram: @donovansmalls2

TikTok: @donovansmalls2

Threads: @donovansmalls2

X: @DonovanSmalls2

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donovansmalls2/

Beyond the Classroom: Helping Aspiring School Leaders Navigate Interpersonal & Organizational Complexities for Greater Instructional Impact (Amazon)

The Aspiring School Leader Podcast: (Youtube)

The Aspiring School Leader Podcast: (Apple Podcast)

Teach Better Mid Roll Network Ad

Support the show

Connect with Principal JL Click Here:

Want to be a guest on Educational Leadership with Principal JL?

Send Principal JL a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1742787866678447e5bdb89c1