The Modern Principal Podcast

Staff Attendance Isn’t the Problem - Your System Might Be

This episode starts with a question a lot of principals are asking right now: how do you actually improve staff attendance?

It’s complicated! The issue usually isn’t that people are taking days off. Staff are entitled to their time, and they should use it. The real stress comes from what happens in the building when they’re gone - coverage gaps, sub shortages, and the same people getting pulled over and over again.

Karen and Christy unpack how this quickly turns into what feels like a culture problem, when it’s often a system problem. If there’s no clear, fair plan for coverage, frustration builds fast. But when there is a consistent system in place, it actually creates trust. People know things won’t fall apart without them.

They also dig into the role of belonging - how people feel at work matters more than most leaders think. Not in a vague, “positive culture” way, but in the small, daily actions that show people they’re seen, valued, and part of something. That doesn’t eliminate absences, but it does reduce the kind that come from disengagement and burnout.

There’s a practical side too. Clear expectations, consistent communication, and strong onboarding - especially for mid-year hires - make a bigger difference than most people realize. Because clarity without consistency just creates confusion.

At the end of the day, this isn’t really about attendance. It’s about whether your systems and your culture can actually support your staff when they need to be out - and whether the load is shared in a way that feels fair! 

Preventing Burnout…of yourself

A listener wrote in saying she’s  working 12-hour days, giving up weekends, and still feels like she  can’t keep up - and asking, “Is this just the job?” And the honest answer is… it’s common, but that doesn’t mean it’s sustainable.

In this episode, Karen and Christy unpack what burnout actually looks like in school leadership, especially in those first few years when the learning curve is steep and nothing is systematized yet. Because that’s really the shift - burnout isn’t about how hard you’re working, it’s what happens when the job keeps asking more than your systems can support. They talk through why this tends to hit mid-year, how your energy quietly sets the ceiling for your entire building, and what actually helps (and no, it’s not as simple as just turning your email off). There’s also a real conversation about boundaries - why they matter, why they’re harder than they sound, and what it actually looks like to hold them.

At the end of the day, working more hours isn’t the solution. At some point, something has to be built differently.

If you’re feeling this right now, the question becomes: where is the job taking more than your systems can give - and what’s one boundary you know you need to set, but haven’t yet?

We’re Back: Where We’ve Been + What’s Changed

After an unplanned hiatus (longer than intended—and yes, people noticed), Karen and Christy are back behind the mic!

This episode isn’t a deep-dive into systems or research. It’s a reset.

They unpack where they’ve been professionally, what’s shifted in their roles, and what they’re seeing differently now—especially after stepping out of (and back into) school leadership.

Underneath the humor and witty banter, they DO promise a clear throughline: Leadership perspective changes when your role changes, and what you value becomes much clearer with distance.

Ongoing Feedback for Teachers

On this episode of The Modern Principal, Karen and Christy hilariously explore humorous pet peeves in education, particularly the 'icks' that they experience. The conversation shifts to effective feedback strategies for teachers, emphasizing the importance of timing, motivation, and context in delivering feedback. We share insights on building a feedback culture within schools and overcoming mental blocks associated with giving and receiving feedback. 

The New Principal's First 90 Days

In this episode of The Modern Principal, Christy and Karen delve into the critical first 90 days of a new principal's role. They explore the importance of learning, contributing, and leading effectively, while also emphasizing the need for clear expectations and putting systems in place. Check out this episode to help you enjoy the role and prioritize the well-being of students and staff!

 

For more resources, including a 90-day plan, check out: https://themodernprincipal.com/81826/the-new-principals-first-90-days/

New Principal Planning

Are you new to the principal role and wondering what you're missing? You have a whole list of tasks but don't actually know what to do?! This is the episode for you! Here's all the thoughts we would have if we got a "do-over" of the first year again! 

We chat about: 
- looking at your school through the 4 organizational frames (Bohlman and Deal)
- people to schedule meetings with
- questions to ask and people to talk to
- quick tips for your mindset

Visit www.themodernprincipal.com for more! 

References:
Bohlman and Deal
Bryk and Schneider

Summer Planning for Principals

"When you guys say you are planning over the summer, what are you actually doing?" We get this question a lot! So we've broken it down to tell you all the things we do during the summer to make the school year go smoother! 

You'll hear about:
- planning for the holidays
- systems for committees
- calendaring
- updating policies and procedures
- and more! 

Find more at www.themodernprincipal.com !

References:
EDUTOPIA Article
Center for Student Achievement Solutions

Leading Effective Meetings

Have you ever worried your staff are sending "This meeting could have been an email" memes to each other during your weekly staff meeting? In this week's episode, Karen and Christy walk you through the basics of facilitating meetings that get results!

Learn how:

- to use meetings to further your vision

- prepare meetings where work gets done

- make meetings more efficient

If you like this episode, be sure to check out our Leading Effective Meetings course with even more examples, resources, and information! 

References:
How to Run a Meeting by Antony Jay, Harvard Business Review
The Economic Impact of Bad Meetings, TED
Steven Rogelberg
The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker

New Season Kick-Off!

Karen and Christy are BACK in action! Hear about what they've been up to over the last school year, where they're headed this year, and what you can expect from this new season of The Modern Principal Podcast!

How to Sustain Your School's Vision

This conversation explores the importance of sustaining a vision in education and provides practical strategies for doing so. Christy and Karen share personal anecdotes about their experiences as  principals, highlighting the challenges and successes they encountered. They discuss the role of mindset and implementation in achieving a shared vision, emphasizing the need for clear roles and frequent feedback. The conversation also delves into the importance of tackling hurdles and conducting SWOT analysis to address weaknesses and threats. Additionally, the hosts explore ways to involve families and share stories to reinforce the vision. Listen to find out more about vision sessions and engaging in collective thinking to keep the vision alive!