MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – A Year in Review

Happy holidays, Principal Matters listeners! This week Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to reminisce about the year and share some of holiday traditions that they are looking forward to. Listen in to hear the full conversation, or read the post below to learn more about what we are thankful for this holiday season! A Year in Review from Principal Matters (2025) As I look back on the past year, I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work alongside school leaders across the country through Principal Matters. Whether through districts, state agencies, professional organizations, or individual coaching, the goal has remained the same: helping leaders lead with clarity, confidence, and sustainability during a time when the work feels heavier than ever. Instead of one-time sessions, much of our work this year focused on ongoing partnerships. Through executive coaching, cohort-based leadership programs, in-person learning, and keynote experiences, we created space for leaders to pause, reflect, and grow together — while building trusted relationships with peers who truly understand the challenges of the role. By the Numbers 300+ school and district leaders supported 20+ districts, state agencies, and school networks served 10+ states represented 250+ executive coaching sessions delivered 50+ cohort sessions, workshops, and professional learning experiences More than anything, these numbers represent relationships built over time and a continued shift toward sustained, retainer-style leadership support. Grateful for Our Partners I’m especially thankful for the trust and collaboration of the districts, organizations, and partners we had the privilege of serving this year, including: Districts, Schools, & State Agencies Archdiocese of Louisville Catholic Schools, Louisville, KY State of Ohio (Ohio Department of Education & Workforce) & Adkins Consulting Palo Alto Unified School District / Palo Alto High School, Palo Alto, CA Springfield Local School District, OH Joplin High School, Joplin, MO Brazosport Independent School District, Clute, TX Pecos Barstow Toyah Independent School District, Pecos, TX South Umpqua School District, OR Owasso Public Schools, OK Burlington Schools, OK Holdenville Public Schools, OK Utica Shale Academy, Salineville, OH Northeast Ohio College Preparatory School, Cincinnati, OH Leigh High School, Campbell Union High School District (CUHSD), San Jose, CA Alfred G. Waters Middle School, Appoquinimink School District, Odessa, DE Woodland Middle School, Woodland Public Schools, Woodland, WA Ste. Genevieve High School, Ste. Genevieve, MO Professional Associations & Conferences School Administrators of New York State (SAANYS), virtual & in-person (Lake George, NY) School Administration Manager (SAM) National Innovation Conference, Miami, FL Louisiana Principals Association, Baton Rouge, LA CLAS (Alabama Assistant Principal Conferences) Apptegy Conference (School CEO), Little Rock, AR Southeast Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals (SEMoASSP) Regional Meeting National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) Organizations & Strategic Partners IXL Learning DigiCoach EduSkills Alpaca Better Learning / Summer Pops Grateful for Our Team I cannot do this work alone, and I’m incredibly thankful for the people who make Principal Matters possible: Missy Parker — my wife and the CFO of our company Emily Parker-Eaton — Executive Assistant and Editor/Copywriter for the podcast, social media, and client relations Jen Schwanke — Co-host of the podcast, prolific author, and weekly contributor whose insight and energy shape the show Aaron Fulbright — Designer and manager of the Principal Matters website Grateful for Helpful Friends My most recent book, Whose Permission Are You Waiting For?: An Educator’s Guide to Doing What You Love, was made stronger through the thoughtful proofreading and editing of Megan Doyle. I’m also thankful for our partnership with ConnectEDD Publishing, including Jimmy and Kheila Casas, as well as the outstanding editorial support of Jeff Zoul. New Podcast Music: If you are a frequent listener, you may have noticed our new music for intros, outros, and sponsorships as well as sound clips like, “You’re listening to Principal Matters: The School Leader’s Podcast.” All of these are thanks to the creative skills of my younger brother, Samuel Parker. You can find more of his work on Sam’s YouTube channel. New Branding: This year also marked a complete rebrand for Principal Matters. I’m deeply grateful to MollyKeleneDesigns.com. Molly designed our new logos and brand identity. She captured the heart of this work and gave us a fresh, professional look that truly reflects our mission. New Headshots: Also, I want to give a shout-out to my friend Brian Killian, a master craftsman and photographer at Peters Photography in Dublin, Ohio. Jen Schwanke has had her headshots taken at Peters Photography for years. Then we discovered we have a mutual friend in Brian, who is a childhood friend from my growing-up years in West Tennessee. We met him at the studio when I was doing work in Columbus, as he offered to do new headshots for our website. Here are a few extras we enjoyed from his wonderful hospitality: Looking Ahead to 2026–27? If you’re starting to think about next year’s professional learning, have ideas for guests, episode topics, or sponsorships—or you simply want space to reflect on your leadership—I’d love to connect. I’m offering a complimentary Zoom reflection session to help you think, plan, and clarify next steps. Grateful for Our Guests Finally, 2025 was also another banner year for Principal Matters: The School Leader’s Podcast, now available on YouTube as well as wherever you listen to podcasts. I’m deeply thankful for the many guests who shared their stories, insights, and leadership lessons with our listeners this year.  We also launched a Monday Matters show, where Jen Schwanke and I provide updates on current happenings in our work with leaders, as well as a shorter show for weekly inspiration. With deep gratitude, we would like to thank all the incredible guests who shared their time, insights, and leadership on Principal Matters in 2025. Your voices, stories, and expertise continue to shape meaningful conversations for school leaders everywhere.  Thank you to Tracie Anderson Swilley, Amanda Austin, Danny Bauer, Bethany Bilodeau, Cale Birk, Todd Bloomer, Karen Borchert, Beau Brannon, Derek Cantrell, PJ Caposey, LaDonna Chancellor, Margaret Coates, Tyler Comeau, Jenn David-Lang, Angela Diggs, Mike Fitzpatrick, Kate Anderson Foley, Tony Frontier, Wilnic Gideon, Daman Harris, Donna Hayward, Brent Jaco, Carlos Johnson, Greg Johnson,  Jeff Jones, Baruti Kafele, Robert Kaiser, Brandi Kelly, Nason Lollar, Eric Mace, Kim Marshall, John Marinucci, John Mihalyo, Derek Mitchell, Mike Nicholson, Ohio State University Grad Students, Darrin Peppard, Lana Penley, Ross Romano, LaVonna Roth, Tanya Sheckley, Danny Steele, Michelle Steingart, T. J. Vari, Steve Ventura, Tim Villegas, and Crystal Williams. Your generosity and commitment to leadership and learning make this work possible, and we are truly grateful for each of you. Thank you for being a part of the Principal Matters Community. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas & Winter holiday, and Happy New Year. Thank you for doing what matters! With appreciation,William D. Parker P.S. Below is an entire list of our 2025 shows with links if you want to listen back or check them out for the first time: 2025 Podcast Shows & Guests 12/17/2025 – The Instructional Leader in You with Danny Steele 12/10/2025 – From Classroom to Crisis and Beyond with Dr. Greg Johnson 12/03/2025 – Lessons from Transition with Beau Brannon 11/26/2025 – Leading a Community of Educators with Steve Ventura 11/24/2025 – Subscriber Holiday Special 11/19/2025 – Lessons From the First Year with Dr. Robert Kaiser 11/12/2025 – Radically Excellent School Improvement with Dr. Kate Anderson Foley 11/05/2025 – Road to Awesome with Darrin Peppard 10/29/2025 – Elemental Educator with Tyler Comeau 10/22/2025 – Lead with H.O.P.E. with Dr. Brandi Kelly 10/15/2025 – Staying Committed to Inclusivity with Tim Villegas 10/08/2025 – Instructional Coaching with Crystal Williams 10/01/2025 – AI with Intention with Tony Frontier 09/24/2025 – Being a Ruckus Maker with Danny Bauer 09/17/2025 – Leading Collaboratively with LaDonna Chancellor 09/10/2025 – Better Together with Derek Cantrell 09/03/2025 – Human Capital Management with OSU Grad Students 08/27/2025 – Leaning into Leadership with Darrin Peppard 08/20/2025 – Supporting New Teachers, Part 2, with Jenn David-Lang and Kim Marshall 08/13/2025 – Supporting New Teachers with Jenn David-Land and Kim Marshall 07/23/2025 – Permission to S.H.I.N.E. with LaVonna Roth 07/16/2025 – Listening to Your Teachers with Karen Borchert 07/09/2025 – Empowering Student Agency with Dr. Mike Nicholson 07/02/2025 – Cybersecurity in Schools with Mike Fitzpatrick 06/25/2025 – Maximizing Systems, Focus, and Impact with PJ Caposey 06/18/2025 – Leading with Wellness in Mind with Dr. Angela Diggs 06/11/2025 – Reaching Every Student with Dr. Tracie Anderson Swilley 06/04/2025 – What is my Value Instructionally with Baruti Kafele 05/28/2025 – Instructional Excellence with Michelle Steingart 05/21/2025 – Inclusive & Supportive Schools for Every Learner with Dr. Eric Mace 05/14/2025 – The Antiracist School Leader with Dr. Daman Harris 05/07/2025 – The Blueprint for Administrators with Todd Bloomer 04/30/2025 – Recovering After Fire with Lana Penley  04/23/2025 – Powerful Voices in Education with Donna Hayward  04/16/2025 – Leading with Simplicity and Harmony with John Marinucci 04/09/2025 – Why Every Student Deserves a Pathway with Dr. T.J. Vari 04/02/2025 – Keys to Successful Schools with John Mihalyo 03/26/2025 – Ease the Pain – Guidance for Safety and Regulation with Dr. Bethany Bilodeau 03/19/2025 – TRUST Principles for Professionalism with Dr. Nason Lollar 03/12/2025 – Rebel Educator – Classrooms of Imagination and Impact with Tanya Sheckley 03/05/2025 – Living on the Leadership Edge with Margaret Coates 02/26/2025 – Partners in School Innovation with Dr. Derek Mitchell 02/19/2025 – Achieving Remarkable Outcomes with Dr. Amanda Austin 02/12/2025 – Empowering Teen Learners with Dr. Wilnic Gideon 02/05/2025 – Power Engage with Carlos Johnson 01/29/2025 – The Benefits of Trust with Brent Jaco 01/22/2025 – Finding Solutions with Jeff Jones 01/15/2025 – Culturizing for Impact with Cale Birk 01/08/2025 –  Connecting Leaders with Ross Romano  01/01/2025 – Finding Solutions with Jeff Jones The post MONDAY MATTERS with Jen Schwanke and Will Parker – A Year in Review appeared first on Principal Matters.