The Empowered Educator Show | Building Systems That Create Success for School Principals

Send us Fan Mail When parents bypass teachers and bring classroom concerns straight to the principal, how you respond can shape your entire school culture. In this episode of The Empowered Educator Show, Dr. Mel explores the leadership challenges behind parent complaints, school communication, and maintaining a healthy chain of command. Discover how your response can influence teacher trust, parent relationships, and the way concerns are handled across your school. Are your current practices strengthening your communication systems—or unintentionally creating a bigger problem? Tune in for a practical leadership perspective you can put to work right away. How to respond when parents bypass teachers without damaging parent relationships or undermining teacher trust. How to establish and uphold a clear chain of command while knowing when to redirect concerns and when to step in as the principal. 🎙️ Support the show Loaded Tea Shop Million Podcasts List Download Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase! Download Fetch app using this link , submit a receipt and we'll both score bonus points. Calling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more. I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources. I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant. Join here: Empowered Educator Community Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance Success email: melinda@empowereducator.com

Send us Fan Mail Support the show Loaded Tea Shop Million Podcasts List Download Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase! Download Fetch app using this link , submit a receipt and we'll both score bonus points. Calling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more. I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources. I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant. Join here: Empowered Educator Community Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance Success email: melinda@empowereducator.com

Send us Fan Mail Standardized testing produces more than scores—it provides evidence school leaders can use to guide instructional decisions. In this episode of The Empowered Educator Show , Dr. Mel explores what standardized assessment data tells you, why it matters, and how to turn results into meaningful improvements in teaching and student learning. You'll learn how to look beyond schoolwide averages, identify patterns in student achievement, use multiple sources of evidence to investigate learning gaps, and establish a cycle of instructional improvement that keeps student progress at the center. Research and resources NAEP 2024 Reading Results — National Center for Education Statistics NAEP 2024 Mathematics Results — National Center for Education Statistics Using Student Achievement Data to Support Instructional Decision Making — Institute of Education Sciences Educational Measurement Glossary — National Council on Measurement in Education Your principal action step: Choose one grade level and subject area. Identify a pattern in the data, determine what additional evidence you need, and work with your teachers to select one instructional response. Then establish how you'll monitor progress and determine whether the response is working. Remember: data becomes valuable when it informs action that improves learning. Follow The Empowered Educator Show for practical leadership strategies that help you lead with purpose through Leader, Logistics, and Learning. Support the show Loaded Tea Shop Million Podcasts List Download Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase! Download Fetch app using this link , submit a receipt and we'll both score bonus points. Calling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more. I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources. I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant. Join here: Empowered Educator Community Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance Success email: melinda@empowereducator.com

Send us Fan Mail Are you a credible principal? Your title gives you authority, but your daily actions build trust. In this episode of The Empowered Educator Show , Dr. Mel talks with Doug Fisher , educational leadership expert and author, about building leadership credibility, strengthening staff trust, and communicating with confidence. Discover how your everyday leadership habits shape school culture, why an open-door policy isn’t enough, and how to keep teaching and learning at the center—even when the demands of the principal’s office feel endless. Doug Fisher is Professor and Chair of Educational Leadership at San Diego State University and a leader at Health Sciences High & Middle College having been an early intervention teacher and elementary school educator. He is a credentialed teacher and administrator in California. Doug was inducted into the Reading Hall of Fame in 2022. Doug has published numerous books and articles on leadership, reading and literacy, leadership, and curriculum design. 🎧 You’ll learn how to build trust, strengthen communication, and become the kind of school leader your staff believes in. Freebie: The Role of Credibility by Douglas Fisher & Nancy Frey Website LinkedIn This episode includes a referral for Upside—a free app that gives you cash back on gas, groceries, and dining. I use it myself and have been saving that extra cash for a vacation. If you want to try it, download Upside and use promo code MELINDA35278 to earn and extra $17 on your first purchase. Support the show Loaded Tea Shop Million Podcasts List Download Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase! Download Fetch app using this link , submit a receipt and we'll both score bonus points. Calling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more. I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources. I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant. Join here: Empowered Educator Community Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance Success email: melinda@empowereducator.com

Send us Fan Mail Leadership moves forward through intentional, everyday decisions. In this Power Surge, Dr. Mel shares the SPARK framework: Serve, Prepare, Act, Reflect, and Keep Going. Grounded in Galatians 6:9, this short leadership encouragement reminds principals that meaningful growth takes time, progress begins with action, and faithfulness in the small things makes a lasting difference. Support the show Loaded Tea Shop Million Podcasts List Download Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase! Download Fetch app using this link , submit a receipt and we'll both score bonus points. Calling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more. I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources. I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant. Join here: Empowered Educator Community Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance Success email: melinda@empowereducator.com

Send us Fan Mail Nobody Told Me I’d Be the Fundraising Principal Nobody tells you that becoming a principal might also mean becoming the person everyone turns to when a team, club, classroom, or program needs money. And while your staff may have plenty of creative fundraising ideas, managing all those ideas without overwhelming your families is a whole different challenge. In this episode, Dr. Mel talks about the realities of school fundraising, balancing competing requests, supporting staff creativity, and making sure fundraising serves the bigger picture of your school community. Because sometimes the hardest part isn't raising the money. It's figuring out how much is enough, when to say yes, and how to keep everyone moving in the same direction. 🎧 Tune in for a practical conversation about one of those behind-the-scenes responsibilities nobody puts in the principal's job description—but somebody has to manage. Support the show Loaded Tea Shop Million Podcasts List Download Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase! Download Fetch app using this link , submit a receipt and we'll both score bonus points. Calling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more. I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources. I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant. Join here: Empowered Educator Community Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance Success email: melinda@empowereducator.com

Send us Fan Mail What does your school culture look like when no one is telling people what to do? Using Chick-fil-A as a real-world example, Dr. Mel explores how small, consistent actions shape culture and reminds school leaders that culture is caught, not posted. Scripture: Galatians 6:9 Support the show Loaded Tea Shop Million Podcasts List Download Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase! Download Fetch app using this link , submit a receipt and we'll both score bonus points. Calling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more. I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources. I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant. Join here: Empowered Educator Community Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance Success email: melinda@empowereducator.com

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we’re getting to the heart of what really drives student success— engagement . As a school leader, you have the power to shift your entire building by helping your staff focus on what matters most: connecting students to their learning in meaningful ways. We’ll explore how student engagement impacts achievement, why it’s more than just participation, and what the research says about how it shapes outcomes like graduation rates, test scores, and long-term success. You’ll get real strategies you can bring back to your teachers—from tech integration to interactive structures—all designed to support the whole learner: visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and more. Here’s what you’ll walk away with: ✅ The 3 types of student engagement—and how to spot them ✅ Practical ways to boost classroom energy using tools like Nearpod, Think-Pair-Share, and student-led choice ✅ How learning styles factor into engagement and achievement ✅ Real data that connects engagement to increased academic performance ✅ What building leaders can do today to remove barriers and keep students connected This episode is packed with value for any principal, AP, coach, or instructional leader who’s ready to create a culture where engagement leads to achievement . 📚 Cited Sources (MLA Style): Appleton, James J., et al. “Measuring Cognitive and Psychological Engagement: Validation of the Student Engagement Instrument.” Journal of School Psychology , vol. 44, no. 5, 2006, pp. 427–445. Fredricks, Jennifer A., et al. “School Engagement: Potential of the Concept, State of the Evidence.” Review of Educational Research , vol. 74, no. 1, 2004, pp. 59–109. National Research Council. Engaging Schools: Fostering High School Students’ Motivation to Learn. National Academies Press, 2004. Schunk, Dale H., and Maria K. DiBenedetto. “Motivation and Social-Emotional Learning: Theory, Research, and Practice.” Contemporary Educational Psychology , vol. 60, 2020, 101830. Jimerson, Shane R., et al. “Toward an Understanding of Definitions and Measures of School Engagement and Related Terms.” California School Psychologist , vol. 8, no. 1, 2003, pp. 7–27. Support the show Loaded Tea Shop Million Podcasts List Download Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase! Download Fetch app using this link , submit a receipt and we'll both score bonus points. Calling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more. I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources. I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant. Join here: Empowered Educator Community Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance Success email: melinda@empowereducator.com

Send us Fan Mail UCLA Athletics — John Wooden UCLA Newsroom — Coach John Wooden, 1910–2010 UCLA Magazine — That Championship Season UCLA Magazine — A Legacy in Laces Indiana State University Athletics — Clarence Walker To Be Honored Support the show Loaded Tea Shop Million Podcasts List Download Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase! Download Fetch app using this link , submit a receipt and we'll both score bonus points. Calling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more. I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources. I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant. Join here: Empowered Educator Community Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance Success email: melinda@empowereducator.com

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Empowered Educator Show , Dr. Mel breaks down how school leaders can use beginning-of-year benchmark assessments as more than just numbers on a spreadsheet. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by data, you’ll learn how to turn it into a clear roadmap for instructional decisions. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why benchmark data matters for setting the tone of the school year How to disaggregate and interpret data to reveal strengths and needs Ways to connect data to RTI/MTSS, instructional planning, and PD How to lead data conversations that inspire action instead of anxiety Simple next steps to help your team implement quick wins Whether you’re a new principal, an aspiring leader, or a seasoned educator, this episode will help you use data to drive growth and empower your staff with focus and direction. Support the show Loaded Tea Shop Million Podcasts List Download Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase! Download Fetch app using this link , submit a receipt and we'll both score bonus points. Calling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more. I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources. I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant. Join here: Empowered Educator Community Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance Success email: melinda@empowereducator.com

Send us Fan Mail Support the show Loaded Tea Shop Million Podcasts List Download Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase! Download Fetch app using this link , submit a receipt and we'll both score bonus points. Calling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more. I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources. I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant. Join here: Empowered Educator Community Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance Success email: melinda@empowereducator.com

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Jana Haywood drops truth and strategy for every aspiring leader, burned-out teacher, and game-changing educator ready to make a move. From tackling the teacher shortage to rethinking onboarding, Dr. Haywood shares how authentic relationships, daily visibility, and intentional leadership can transform your school culture—and your career. We dig into: Why building culture starts with your body language How to retain great teachers through daily connection and recognition The power of student ambassadors in onboarding new staff What “do the job before you get the job” really looks like Why you don’t need to feel 100% ready to lead—and how to move anyway Whether you're eyeing your next leadership step or looking for ways to support and retain your staff, this convo will leave you fired up and full of actionable takeaways. ✨ Connect with Dr. Jana Haywood: illuminesolutionsgroup.com 📘 Grab her book Move Without the Ball on Amazon 🎧 Share this episode and tag us with your takeaways! www.illuminesolutionsgroupisg.com Instagram-@illuminesolutionsgroup X-@IlluminesgLLC LinkedIn This episode includes a referral for Upside—a free app that gives you cash back on gas, groceries, and dining. I use it myself and have been saving that extra cash for a vacation. If you want to try it, download Upside and use promo code MELINDA35278 to earn and extra $17 on your first purchase. Support the show Loaded Tea Shop Million Podcasts List Download Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase! Download Fetch app using this link , submit a receipt and we'll both score bonus points. Calling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more. I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources. I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant. Join here: Empowered Educator Community Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance Success email: melinda@empowereducator.com

Send us Fan Mail Support the show Loaded Tea Shop Million Podcasts List Download Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase! Download Fetch app using this link , submit a receipt and we'll both score bonus points. Calling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more. I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources. I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant. Join here: Empowered Educator Community Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance Success email: melinda@empowereducator.com

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Mel breaks down ten high-impact, easy-to-launch family engagement activities that help schools build trust, strengthen relationships, and create meaningful partnerships with families. These ideas work in every school setting — public, private, charter, or Christian — and can be scaled up or down based on your resources. If you’re looking for fresh ways to bring families into the learning experience, this episode gives you the exact blueprint. What You’ll Learn How to shift from “events” to purposeful engagement experiences Activities that promote transparency, trust, and a sense of belonging Ways to get more families participating without adding stress to your staff Tips to make engagement more culturally responsive and equitable How to use student voice and student work to drive participation Simple steps to build momentum and boost turnout for future events Stay Connected Follow Dr. Mel for leadership strategies, instructional mastery tips, and empowerment for educators ready to lead. Join the Empowered Educator Community on Skool for resources, templates, and professional growth content. Support the show Loaded Tea Shop Million Podcasts List Download Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase! Download Fetch app using this link , submit a receipt and we'll both score bonus points. Calling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more. I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources. I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant. Join here: Empowered Educator Community Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance Success email: melinda@empowereducator.com

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Mel walks through ten research-backed family engagement strategies that help strengthen trust, boost achievement, and change the way families experience your school. Engagement isn’t about “getting parents to show up.” It’s about partnership — real, reciprocal, relationship-centered partnership that helps kids win academically, emotionally, and socially. Sources SchoolStatus — family engagement & communication best practices: https://www.schoolstatus.com/blog ParentPowered — research on family engagement outcomes: https://parentpowered.com/blog/family-engagement U.S. Department of Education — family engagement guidance: https://www.ed.gov/birth-grade-12-education/resources/families New Leaders — relationship-centered engagement research: https://www.newleaders.org/blog/family-engagement Panorama Education — family engagement frameworks: https://www.panoramaed.com/blog/family-engagement-comprehensive-guide Support the show Loaded Tea Shop Million Podcasts List Download Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase! Download Fetch app using this link , submit a receipt and we'll both score bonus points. Calling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more. I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources. I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant. Join here: Empowered Educator Community Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance Success email: melinda@empowereducator.com

Send us Fan Mail Support the show Loaded Tea Shop Million Podcasts List Download Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase! Download Fetch app using this link , submit a receipt and we'll both score bonus points. Calling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more. I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources. I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant. Join here: Empowered Educator Community Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance Success email: melinda@empowereducator.com

Send us Fan Mail You sent the email. You made the announcement. You posted the message. So why are people still confused? 🤔 As a principal, communication isn't simply about getting information out . It's about making sure the right people receive the right information, understand why it matters, and know what to do next. In this episode of The Empowered Educator Show , Dr. Mel introduces the CLEAR Communication Framework —a simple five-step approach you can use before sending your next email, making your next announcement, or having your next important conversation. In This Episode, You'll Discover: Why more communication doesn't necessarily mean better communication How to Clarify exactly what needs to be communicated Why connecting the Why to your message matters How to identify Everyone who actually needs to know How to choose the right Approach for your message Why every important communication should end with a clear Response How to prevent the endless cycle of “Wait…what are we supposed to do?” Support the show Loaded Tea Shop Million Podcasts List Download Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase! Download Fetch app using this link , submit a receipt and we'll both score bonus points. Calling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more. I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources. I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant. Join here: Empowered Educator Community Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance Success email: melinda@empowereducator.com

Send us Fan Mail Support the show Loaded Tea Shop Million Podcasts List Download Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase! Download Fetch app using this link , submit a receipt and we'll both score bonus points. Calling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more. I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources. I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant. Join here: Empowered Educator Community Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance Success email: melinda@empowereducator.com

Send us Fan Mail Support the show Loaded Tea Shop Million Podcasts List Download Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase! Download Fetch app using this link , submit a receipt and we'll both score bonus points. Calling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more. I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources. I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant. Join here: Empowered Educator Community Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance Success email: melinda@empowereducator.com

Send us Fan Mail Back-to-school season can make even experienced principals feel like they're racing against the clock. But the goal isn't perfection—it's readiness. In this episode, Dr. Mel challenges principals to stop sweating the small stuff and focus their energy on the things that actually matter: Getting the essential systems ready Delegating to capable staff members Protecting teacher capacity during in-service And more! Recent back-to-school guidance from principals also emphasizes realistic schedules, classroom preparation time, differentiated support for new staff, and avoiding information overload during the opening days of school. The Big Question Are you preparing your school—or are you trying to control your school? Research & Resources Edutopia's July 2026 discussion with three principals on back-to-school planning highlights the importance of realistic schedules, teacher preparation time, strategic communication, and differentiated support for new teachers. Learning Policy Institute research identifies mentoring, coaching, collaboration, and other induction supports as important components of effective support for beginning teachers. Recent professional-learning guidance also emphasizes balancing informational sessions with teacher-led, work-based learning. Support the show Loaded Tea Shop Million Podcasts List Download Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase! Download Fetch app using this link , submit a receipt and we'll both score bonus points. Calling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more. I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources. I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant. Join here: Empowered Educator Community Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance Success email: melinda@empowereducator.com