The Sneaker Principal Podcast

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 behind it, including the child's home environment, and putting strategies in place to combat it effectively. We're putting the spotlight on the crucial role of parent motivation, the importance of individual attendance data, and the need for early intervention. Let's break down what chronic absenteeism really means and discuss how we can tackle it head-on.
But wait, there's more. We're taking the discussion a step further to question the efficacy of incentives and mentorship in resolving attendance issues. You have to wonder - are incentives leading kids to come to school for the rewards rather than the learning? We're peeling back the layers on this issue to emphasize the need for a climate where students are safe and deeply engaged in their learning, making that the priority over incentives. We'll also be discussing how everyone, from teachers to janitors, can play a part as a success mentor. So, join us as we dig deeper, engage with families, understand the root causes of attendance issues, and provide the support that keeps our students in school where they belong.

Support the show

Thank you for tuning in to The Sneaker Principal Podcast! If you found value in today’s episode, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this podcast with others who are passionate about education, leadership, and making an impact.

📌 Stay Connected:

• YouTube: @TheSneakerPrincipalPodcast
• Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts: Listen on your favorite platform.
• Website: Coming Soon
• Social Media: Follow @snkrprincipal on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter for behind-the-scenes updates and community engagement.

💡 Let’s Keep the Conversation Going:
Your feedback and ideas matter! Share your thoughts in the comments or reach out directly with questions or topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes.

🎙️ About The Sneaker Principal Podcast:
Hosted by Uche Njoku, this podcast explores the intersection of education, leadership, and personal growth. Each episode offers insights, inspiration, and real talk about the challenges and opportunities in schools and beyond.

🌟 Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, let’s inspire change and create a brighter future for our students, educators, and communities.

Until next time, stay inspired, keep leading, and always keep learning! 💪👟

#TheSneakerPrincipal #EducationLeadership #InspirationForEducators

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, one that empowers assistant principals to take charge and contribute to the success of their schools.
This episode is a must for those who believe in shared responsibilities and the potential of every team member to lead. By empowering assistant principals and distributing responsibilities, we create room for deeper conversations and strategic thinking. We discuss how investing time in developing these leaders can create a more responsive, dynamic, and inclusive leadership structure. Our journey explores the ongoing process of decentralizing leadership and the rewards that come with it.
But we don't stop there. We underline the significance of continuous learning and growth, using personal experiences to illustrate the point. The power of learning from others and how it can be used to grow and become better leaders is a key takeaway from this conversation. We believe in reaching out and asking for help, and we encourage all educators to do the same. From empowering assistant principals to fostering a culture of continuous learning, this conversation is set to redefine what effective leadership in schools looks like. Tune in, and let's reimagine leadership together.

Support the show

Thank you for tuning in to The Sneaker Principal Podcast! If you found value in today’s episode, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this podcast with others who are passionate about education, leadership, and making an impact.

📌 Stay Connected:

• YouTube: @TheSneakerPrincipalPodcast
• Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts: Listen on your favorite platform.
• Website: Coming Soon
• Social Media: Follow @snkrprincipal on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter for behind-the-scenes updates and community engagement.

💡 Let’s Keep the Conversation Going:
Your feedback and ideas matter! Share your thoughts in the comments or reach out directly with questions or topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes.

🎙️ About The Sneaker Principal Podcast:
Hosted by Uche Njoku, this podcast explores the intersection of education, leadership, and personal growth. Each episode offers insights, inspiration, and real talk about the challenges and opportunities in schools and beyond.

🌟 Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, let’s inspire change and create a brighter future for our students, educators, and communities.

Until next time, stay inspired, keep leading, and always keep learning! 💪👟

#TheSneakerPrincipal #EducationLeadership #InspirationForEducators

Taking ownership of your journey as an educator is paramount if you are going to last as a teacher or administrator. Long gone are the day that you sit in a singular step waiting for the bliss of retirement. However, if that is all that you want... GREAT! This podcast and/or episode is absolutely not for you. I am speaking to my fellow thinkers, planners and dreamers. Those looking to make a statement for generations to come. There is so much that a teacher can do to leave a long lasting impact on our children, communities and our own families. Let's talk.. let me get you started on taking ownership of your journey as an educator.

Support the show

Thank you for tuning in to The Sneaker Principal Podcast! If you found value in today’s episode, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this podcast with others who are passionate about education, leadership, and making an impact.

📌 Stay Connected:

• YouTube: @TheSneakerPrincipalPodcast
• Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts: Listen on your favorite platform.
• Website: Coming Soon
• Social Media: Follow @snkrprincipal on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter for behind-the-scenes updates and community engagement.

💡 Let’s Keep the Conversation Going:
Your feedback and ideas matter! Share your thoughts in the comments or reach out directly with questions or topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes.

🎙️ About The Sneaker Principal Podcast:
Hosted by Uche Njoku, this podcast explores the intersection of education, leadership, and personal growth. Each episode offers insights, inspiration, and real talk about the challenges and opportunities in schools and beyond.

🌟 Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, let’s inspire change and create a brighter future for our students, educators, and communities.

Until next time, stay inspired, keep leading, and always keep learning! 💪👟

#TheSneakerPrincipal #EducationLeadership #InspirationForEducators

The Ivy League Hood Rats: A Discussion on Gun Violence as the Leading Cause of Death for American Children and Teens
In this episode of The Ivy League Hood Rats, co-hosts Uche Njoku and Archie Tyson discuss the troubling milestone of gun violence being the leading cause of death for American children and teens. They delve into their own experiences as principals and fathers, discussing the impact that gun violence has on families, schools and society. They also discuss the challenges that hospitals and trauma centers face in treating young patients who have been affected by gun violence, and the steps that are being taken to reduce the toll in communities by promoting gun safety, ramping up mental health services, and more. They also discuss the importance of getting better data on gun violence and the need for a multifaceted approach to addressing the issue. #gunviolence #gunsafety #mentalhealth #pediatrics #publicawareness #theivyleaguehoodrats #ivyleaguehoodrats #thesneakerprincipal

Support the show

Thank you for tuning in to The Sneaker Principal Podcast! If you found value in today’s episode, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this podcast with others who are passionate about education, leadership, and making an impact.

📌 Stay Connected:

• YouTube: @TheSneakerPrincipalPodcast
• Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts: Listen on your favorite platform.
• Website: Coming Soon
• Social Media: Follow @snkrprincipal on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter for behind-the-scenes updates and community engagement.

💡 Let’s Keep the Conversation Going:
Your feedback and ideas matter! Share your thoughts in the comments or reach out directly with questions or topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes.

🎙️ About The Sneaker Principal Podcast:
Hosted by Uche Njoku, this podcast explores the intersection of education, leadership, and personal growth. Each episode offers insights, inspiration, and real talk about the challenges and opportunities in schools and beyond.

🌟 Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, let’s inspire change and create a brighter future for our students, educators, and communities.

Until next time, stay inspired, keep leading, and always keep learning! 💪👟

#TheSneakerPrincipal #EducationLeadership #InspirationForEducators

For 15 years the New York City Department of Education has been integral in Kevin Bryant’s formation as a student, educator, and leader. Prior to becoming an educator, Kevin spent 3 years as a coder and web developer for Metlife. These experiences have shaped much of how he sees the intersection of education and technology to increase student and educator engagement. Kevin entered education through the New York City Teaching Fellows where he taught Mathematics in Canarsie Brooklyn. Seeking to have a larger impact, Kevin obtained his Masters of Education Leadership from Columbia University’s Teachers College Summer Principal Academy and participated in New Leaders Emerging Leaders and Aspiring Principals Program. Throughout his time in the NYCDOE, he served in many leadership capacities, most notably a Turnaround and Master Principal. Kevin has used his role as an urban school leader to ensure that zip code or ethnic background is not an indicator for academic success specifically amongst marginalized groups. He is eager to utilize his passion and background for technology, teaching and learning to challenge traditional teaching methodology as he continues his studies as a doctoral candidate in the Doctor of Education Leadership Program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. (Originally posted in 2019, Operation Impact, https://www.operationimpact.net/people-bios)
Contact: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-bryant-ed-m-9a1a8a54/
________________________________________________________________
Uche L. Njoku, EdM (The Sneaker Principal) at:
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://thesneakerprincipal.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SNKRPrincipal
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/uchelawrence/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Uche+Lawrence
Music: Almanac by Seth Parson

Support the show

Thank you for tuning in to The Sneaker Principal Podcast! If you found value in today’s episode, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this podcast with others who are passionate about education, leadership, and making an impact.

📌 Stay Connected:

• YouTube: @TheSneakerPrincipalPodcast
• Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts: Listen on your favorite platform.
• Website: Coming Soon
• Social Media: Follow @snkrprincipal on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter for behind-the-scenes updates and community engagement.

💡 Let’s Keep the Conversation Going:
Your feedback and ideas matter! Share your thoughts in the comments or reach out directly with questions or topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes.

🎙️ About The Sneaker Principal Podcast:
Hosted by Uche Njoku, this podcast explores the intersection of education, leadership, and personal growth. Each episode offers insights, inspiration, and real talk about the challenges and opportunities in schools and beyond.

🌟 Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, let’s inspire change and create a brighter future for our students, educators, and communities.

Until next time, stay inspired, keep leading, and always keep learning! 💪👟

#TheSneakerPrincipal #EducationLeadership #InspirationForEducators