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How a High School Principal Starts the School Year on a Strong Note

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Manage episode 496095473 series 3490483
Content provided by Nsightz Inc. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Nsightz Inc or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

Summary: Join C.T. and guest Joseph Blasher, principal of Castlemont High School in Oakland, California, as they discuss how data-driven leadership prepares a diverse urban high school for a strong academic year. Joseph shares his six-week planning approach focused on attendance, literacy, and student engagement, aligning staff, students, and families around clear priorities. He highlights the use of empathy interviews by teachers to understand student challenges and the importance of ongoing reflection through department meetings and coaching. This conversation offers practical strategies to build momentum early, adjust plans responsively, and foster a supportive, rigorous school culture.

Key Takeaways:

  • Data-Informed Planning: Joseph emphasizes using diverse data sources—attendance, literacy assessments, student surveys—to prioritize focus areas and track progress.
  • Structured Six-Week Cycles: A detailed six-week plan guides student engagement, attendance efforts, and academic interventions, allowing timely reflection and adjustments.
  • Empathy Interviews: Teachers conduct regular qualitative check-ins with students to understand barriers and adapt teaching responsively.
  • Collaborative Practices: Weekly department meetings and coaching encourage continuous improvement, shared strategies, and professional development.
  • Clear Roles and Communication: Defined responsibilities for staff, students, and families create alignment and accountability for meeting school-wide goals.
  • Holistic, Trauma-Informed Approach: Leadership balances academic rigor with social-emotional awareness, responding to community challenges with resilience and care.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Overview

00:45 Meet the Principal: Joseph Blecher

01:20 About Castlemont High School

03:10 Challenges and Emotions of Graduation

04:14 Using Data to Prepare for the School Year

06:29 The Six-Week Plan

07:21 Setting Priorities and Goals

25:22 Empathy Interviews and Teacher Support

30:08 Advice for New Principals

Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Joseph Blasher: linkedin.com/in/joseph-blasher-142938b

Whether you're currently wearing the principal badge, aspiring to the big chair, or teaching while secretly taking notes on what you'd do differently, Principal Office Hours delivers actionable strategies you can implement faster than a student being sent to detention.

Subscribe now and join the faculty lounge conversation that's too real for the school board meeting. New episodes drop every week.

Warning: May cause spontaneous leadership growth and occasional inappropriate laughter during staff meetings.

  continue reading

100 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 496095473 series 3490483
Content provided by Nsightz Inc. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Nsightz Inc or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

Summary: Join C.T. and guest Joseph Blasher, principal of Castlemont High School in Oakland, California, as they discuss how data-driven leadership prepares a diverse urban high school for a strong academic year. Joseph shares his six-week planning approach focused on attendance, literacy, and student engagement, aligning staff, students, and families around clear priorities. He highlights the use of empathy interviews by teachers to understand student challenges and the importance of ongoing reflection through department meetings and coaching. This conversation offers practical strategies to build momentum early, adjust plans responsively, and foster a supportive, rigorous school culture.

Key Takeaways:

  • Data-Informed Planning: Joseph emphasizes using diverse data sources—attendance, literacy assessments, student surveys—to prioritize focus areas and track progress.
  • Structured Six-Week Cycles: A detailed six-week plan guides student engagement, attendance efforts, and academic interventions, allowing timely reflection and adjustments.
  • Empathy Interviews: Teachers conduct regular qualitative check-ins with students to understand barriers and adapt teaching responsively.
  • Collaborative Practices: Weekly department meetings and coaching encourage continuous improvement, shared strategies, and professional development.
  • Clear Roles and Communication: Defined responsibilities for staff, students, and families create alignment and accountability for meeting school-wide goals.
  • Holistic, Trauma-Informed Approach: Leadership balances academic rigor with social-emotional awareness, responding to community challenges with resilience and care.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Overview

00:45 Meet the Principal: Joseph Blecher

01:20 About Castlemont High School

03:10 Challenges and Emotions of Graduation

04:14 Using Data to Prepare for the School Year

06:29 The Six-Week Plan

07:21 Setting Priorities and Goals

25:22 Empathy Interviews and Teacher Support

30:08 Advice for New Principals

Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Joseph Blasher: linkedin.com/in/joseph-blasher-142938b

Whether you're currently wearing the principal badge, aspiring to the big chair, or teaching while secretly taking notes on what you'd do differently, Principal Office Hours delivers actionable strategies you can implement faster than a student being sent to detention.

Subscribe now and join the faculty lounge conversation that's too real for the school board meeting. New episodes drop every week.

Warning: May cause spontaneous leadership growth and occasional inappropriate laughter during staff meetings.

  continue reading

100 episodes

All episodes

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