The Sneaker Principal Podcast

Welcome to another episode of The Sneaker Principal Podcast! Today, I’m reflecting on a weekend of mindfulness, family, and the journey toward a healthier, more intentional life. Fresh from a wellness retreat in Massachusetts, I explore the importance of connecting mind, body, and spirit—not just for school leaders like me, but for anyone looking to live a more fulfilling life.

In this episode, I dive into:
 • The tran...

In this episode of The Sneaker Principal Podcast, I take you on a journey through my weekend at Kripalu, a wellness and mindfulness retreat nestled in the beautiful Berkshires of Massachusetts. As a public school principal and educational leader, I reflect on the toll our work takes on mental health, the weight of responsibilities we carry, and the importance of finding spaces for self-care and restoration.

I share insight...

Welcome to the first episode of the new season of The Sneaker Principal Podcast! It’s been a journey since I last intentionally created podcast content, and I’m thrilled to dive back in. In this episode, I reflect on why I’ve decided to return to this space and how I plan to build an authentic platform for educators, school leaders, and creatives alike.

As an NYC public school principal, content creator, and educator, I share insigh...

Welcome to this episode of the Sneaker Principal podcast, where we explore the significance of Algebra 1 in our education system. As an experienced school leader, I'll share why Algebra 1 is crucial and challenge educators to prevent it from becoming a barrier for students. We'll also discuss the role of principals in promoting math education and its impact on students' success, both academically and in their future ...

What if true leadership in education isn't about having all the answers, but about embracing the unknown? In this enlightening episode of The Sneaker Principal Podcast, I take you on a journey through the intricate and often unpredictable world of school leadership. Here, we'll dive into the challenges and the unexpected beauty found in embracing uncertainty. This episode goes beyond the traditional view of leadership; it...

In this enlightening episode of The Sneaker Principal podcast, join host Uche Njoku as he explores the vital role of photography in school leadership. Discover how the Canon R, coupled with its RF 15-35mm and 24-70mm lenses, is revolutionizing the way school leaders capture and share pivotal moments, shaping the identity and community perception of their schools.

Delve into the world of visual storytelling and understand w...

What if creativity was your secret weapon to overcoming the burdens of school leadership? Join us, as we draw upon my two decades of experience to reveal how thinking outside the box can not only help you tackle the challenges of managing a school, but also bring balance to your personal life. We are about to embark on a fascinating exploration of the role of creativity in leadership and problem-solving, and how it can breathe new ...

Feeling like an imposter in your own shoes? You're not alone. Through the lens of my personal journey, we peel back the layers of the seldom-discussed yet common phenomenon of imposter syndrome among school leaders. As a school principal, I’ve experienced it firsthand, and it's time we openly address this. 

This episode dispels the myth that a school principal is a fountain of knowledge, always ready with solutio...

Have you ever considered the life-changing potential of fasting? Join me on a journey where we delve into water fasting and its impressive ability to combat cancer. My recent two-day water fast, which ended just before Thanksgiving Eve, brought an unexpected sense of community within my school. It's a testament to how personal health choices can resonate and inspire those around us.

Curious about the details of fasting? Having ...

Have you ever struggled with managing my health while trying to excel in a demanding career? Absolutely. In this episode, I'll take you through my personal journey, sharing the highs and lows of my water fasting experience and the remarkable impact it had on my energy levels.

I'll also emphasize the importance of self-care and health optimization, highlighting the consequences of neglecting well-being for the sak...

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by life’s relentless demands, feeling as though everything is spiraling out of control? I know this feeling all too well, and it's exactly what we're unpacking in today's episode. My personal wake-up call came in 2015, following a car accident that forced me to confront the state of my health head-on. I realized then that I had been putting my work and responsibilities ahead of my own w...

Are we ready to take on the issue that's pulling students out of the classrooms and hindering their academic growth? Because it's high time we expose the silent epidemic of chronic absenteeism, defined as missing 10% or more of the school year, that's causing a ripple effect in our education system. This is not just a conversation about students skipping school - it's about understanding the complex factors behi...

Who says that the key to successful school leadership lies solely in the hands of the principal? This episode is about to challenge that notion. We're turning the spotlight on the power of decentralizing leadership in schools and the remarkable difference it can make. Over-centralization can lead to slow decision-making processes, burnout, and exhaustion. We dare to imagine a different, more balanced approach to leadership, on...

Have you ever considered fear to be a secret weapon in school leadership? As we peel back the layers of this rarely discussed topic, we uncover how fear, often viewed as a crippling force, can be harnessed and transformed into a powerful asset in achieving school excellence. I walk you through my unique journey of leading a struggling school to success, and the pivotal role that fear played in that process.

We delve into t...

Have you ever wondered what it's like to step into a struggling school and turn it around? Drawing on my five-month tenure as the interim acting principal at PSIS 224 in New York City, I share the intricate details of my journey, taking a deep, hard look at the school's narrative and finding ways to effect change. From our bold decision to rebrand the school to "Exploration and Discovery", rallying the staff, st...

Strap yourself in as we embark on an intense journey of personal discovery and intense disappointment, underscored by the harsh reality of school bullying. My own daughter was the victim, a revelation that shook me to my very core. Her story served as a stark reminder about the imperative role we educators play in protecting our students from the psychological and physical torment that bullying inflicts. Despite my position as a sc...

Welcome to a journey of unprecedented emotions as we embark on a fresh school year. This one holds a special place in my heart, as it is my daughter's first step into the educational sphere. With 19 years of experience as an educator, I'm no stranger to yearly beginnings. This time, however, the added dimension of parenthood bestows a whole new perspective. Join me as I navigate the ups and downs of this unique year, feel...

Today, we're pulling back the curtain on education with Malcolm Harvin Connor, a principal with a vision. How can we prepare our children for the future? Malcolm believes the keys are reading, writing, and critical thinking, and he's not afraid to set high expectations. Whether you're in the classroom or on the school bus, Malcolm insists that everyone plays a role in creating an educational environment that you&apos...

Imagine your leadership team - a cohesive unit, bound by trust and shared commitment, capable of creating a successful future together. That's what we're exploring today with Uche Anjoku, a seasoned educator who will share how trust can be the water that binds your team together, and the role it plays in overcoming obstacles. We will learn from a compelling example of a school where a veteran teacher tried to sow discord,...