Cool Coffee w/ Kansas Principals
Welcome to Cool Coffee with Kansas Principals! By and for school administrators, this podcast is intended to promote candid discussion and offer insight from a building leader’s perspective. The goal is to bring timely, interesting, comical, and/or relevant conversation for the building principal to enjoy. Brew your coffee and take a sip before it cools...this is Cool Coffee with Kansas Principals.
Episodes
The 2024 Kansas Secondary Principal of the Year, Principal Shawn Henderson of Hays High School in Hays, Kansas, joins the show and discusses the challenges and triumphs of opening a new school building and shares insights from his dual role as a principal and project manager, emphasizing the importance of planning, teamwork, and culture. He also explores the value of mentorship, and strategies for effective communication and time m...
In this episode of KPA's Cool Coffee, host Rick Sola reflects on the new year and what a break means for the building principal. He discusses the challenges school principals face as they prepare for the second semester as well as new goals moving forward into the second half of the school year. Sola also highlights Cool Coffee as a platform for principals to connect, share insights, and support one another in their leadership role...
Episode Summary
In this conversation, Cool Coffee host, Rick Sola, interviews Courtney Domoney, the principal of the upcoming Wolf Springs Middle School in Blue Valley School District. They discuss the unique challenges and opportunities of opening a new school, including the importance of building a strong team, creating a welcoming culture, and engaging with the community. Courtney shares her journey in education, her vision for ...
(part 2 of 2) In this episode of "Cool Coffee," host Rick Sola moderates a panel of four principals from Kansas, discussing their journeys into administration and the challenges they face. The panelists, including principals Midge Simmons, Dr. Jenny Woolever, Robert Cave, and Travis Rogers, share personal stories about their motivations for becoming administrators, the importance of authenticity and trust in leadership, and strateg...
(part 1 of 2) In this episode of "Cool Coffee," host Rick Sola moderates a panel of four principals from Kansas, discussing their journeys into administration and the challenges they face. The panelists, including principals Midge Simmons, Dr. Jenny Woolever, Robert Cave, and Travis Rogers, share personal stories about their motivations for becoming administrators, the importance of authenticity and trust in leadership, and strateg...
Topic: Student Recognition
Mr. Frank Bell
Gardner-Edgerton High School Principal
X: @bellfgehs
The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE.
YOUR input on Cool Coffee is NEEDED! Click H...
Summary
In this 103rd episode of Cool Coffee w/ Kansas Principals, Principal Brian Barackman shares the unique house system at Indian Trail Middle School in USD 233. Discussed is how this system fosters community and enhances the student experience through its building and camaraderie amongst grade-levels. Mr. Barackman connects what his school is doing with the house system and its PBIS system. Listen in to hear more from another ...
Instructional Leadership Doesn't have to be Scary!
- Barney Pontious
- Principal
- Garfield Elementary
- USD 503
- X= @mr_pontious
- Garfield Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GarfieldSchoolParsonsKS
Sign up to submit your own Principal's Perspective!
The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principa...
Topic: How to Make PD Relevant to Staff
Assistant Principal Megan Black
Olathe West High School
USD 233 - Olathe
X: @MaBlackOW
The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE.
Topic: Bridge Builders to strengthen the school and home connection
Principal
Simpson Elementary
Russell USD 407
The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE.
Diversifying the High School Experience
Principal Kerry Lane
Olathe East High School - Olathe USD 233
X: @Kerry282542
The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE.
Calling Others Into Leadership
Lincoln Elementary School
The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE.
Addressing Our Own PD Needs
Joel Wells
Principal
Elmont Elementary
X: @jwesu5
FB: @elmontusd345
The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE.
In this episode of Cool Coffee with Kansas principals, host Rick Sola engages with two accomplished principals, Inga Esping and Heather Calvert, as they share about the session they will lead at the KPA Conference on November 5th and 6th, 2025. They also discuss their educational journeys, the importance of data-driven instruction, and the role of social-emotional learning (SEL) in building a positive school culture. They also high...
Leadership: “Perspective Matters” Cort Haynes Principal Maize South Middle School Maize USD 266 X: @CortHaynes
The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE.
Encouraging Teacher Leadership
Ottawa High School, USD 290
X: @kelwhitt217
The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE.
- Perspective Topic : Productive Struggle
- Dr. Justin Bogart
- Principal
- Piper High School
- X: @apbogart ; Piper School District, USD 203
The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE...
April Baugh Spearville Elementary Principal USD381 Facebook-April Hosheit Baugh TikTok-@prinicpalbaugh
Sign up to submit your own Principal's Perspective!
The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more abo...
State Assessments in October!?
K-12 Principal
Cunningham - USD 332
Sign up to submit your own Principal's Perspective!
The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about th...
Supporting students’ social-emotional learning to build a stronger school culture
Principal
McPherson Middle School
USD 418 - McPherson Public Schools
2025 Kansas Middle School Principal of the Year
Facebook https://facebook.com/mmsbullpups
X: @IngeSpinga
Sign up to submit your own Principal's Perspective!
The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lif...
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