Power Quote: “If I make them better, that makes me better”Description:Today’s guest is the 2025 NASSP National High School Assistant Principal of the year – how cool is that! This was such a fun interview. You are going to hear Saani talk about a number of things he’s done as an AP and I want you to pay attention to how each thing is interconnected with each other thing. I’ll say more about that in the show summary, but listen for the connections. Sponsor Spot 1:Administrators, you walk through classrooms, take notes, and you plan to follow up… but how much of that feedback actually reaches teachers in a meaningful way?With digiCOACH, you don’t just observe—you coach in the moment. Provide clear, specific feedback instantly and track progress over time. No more forgotten notes or lost opportunities—just real conversations that drive real change.With digiCOACH, you’re not just giving feedback—you’re building a system for growth. Track trends, measure progress, and give teachers the real-time feedback they love. Ready to make coaching more impactful? Start today at digiCOACH.com.Guest Bio:Saani Perry, from South Carolina, serves as Assistant Principal at West Florence High School. A visionary and servant leader, he champions academic growth, student wellness, and mentorship. Known for impactful initiatives and community engagement, Perry is dedicated to creating inclusive, success-driven school cultures. He proudly represents Phi Beta Sigma.Warmup questions:We always like to start with a celebration. What are you celebrating today?Is there a story that will help listeners understand why you are doing what you do?Questions/Topics/PromptsThink about who you were in your first year as an AP and who you are today. What are biggest differences? What has not changed?We are in the people business, but the assistant principalship is a task-driven job. How do you keep people first?You’ve been innovative and led several key initiatives at West Florence. Can you talk about the implementation process, especially how you worked with teachers and the community? (May need to tweak this question – I’m basing it off what I read)The last few years have seen a lot of political turmoil, which has only accelerated in 2025. Every community, and therefore every school, is impacted differently, but between the “otherizing” of specific groups of people (young and old), rhetoric around DEI, and unpredictable federal funding how is your school impacted? At the close of the school year, what will you do to 1) recharge yourself and 2) plan for your own growth?Sponsor Spot 2:I want to thank IXL for sponsoring this podcast…Everyone talks about the power of data-driven instruction. But what does that actually look like? Look no further than IXL, the ultimate online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. IXL gives you meaningful insights that drive real progress, and research can prove it. Studies across 45 states show that schools who use IXL outperform other schools on state tests. Educators who use IXL love that they can easily see how their school is performing in real-time to make better instructional decisions. And IXL doesn’t stop at just data. IXL also brings an entire ecosystem of resources for your teachers, with a complete curriculum, personalized learning plans, and so much more. It’s no wonder that IXL is used in 95 of the top 100 school districts. Ready to join them? Visit ixl.com/assistant to get started.Closing questions:What part of your own leadership are you still trying to get better at?If listeners could take just one thing away from today’s podcast, what would it be?Before we go, is there anything else that you’d like to share with our listeners?Where can people learn more about you and your work…Sponsor Spot 3:In your leadership role, you’re responsible for the thousands of details it takes for your school to function like a well-oiled machine! So, when it’s time for the school trip, let someone else do the heavy lifting! Kaleidoscope Adventures has been planning exceptional travel experiences for more than 30 years. They handle ALL the details from start to finish so that you don’t have to worry about a thing. Online registration and payments, convenient crowdfunding options, impeccable customer care, and an expert team make planning your school’s student trip so easy! Get in touch with the pros at Kaleidoscope Adventures at the link down in the show notes and cross one more thing off your never-ending to-do list! Summary/wrap upTrust – presence (visible and listening)One piece at a time, but each piece is relatedIntention“If I make them better, they make me better.”We are on the same teamThank you to our sponsors!IXL: https://www.ixl.com/assistant Kaleidoscope Adventures: https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/the-assistant-principal-podcast-kaleidoscope-adventures/digiCOACH: https://digicoach.com/ Sanni’s links:Email: saaninperry@...