Proud Principals Podcast with Tony Cattani
Proud Principals Podcast celebrates the incredible work of school leaders making a difference every day. This podcast is your go-to source for recognizing, acknowledging, and sharing the best practices of educational leaders. Join us as we learn about true, proven efforts that transform schools and inspire success. Let’s learn from our Best Resources, Each Other and take pride in the amazing accomplishments happening in our schools.
Episodes
Jamie Selfridge Caribou High School, RSU 39 Email -jselfridge@rsu39.org
Jamie Selfridge is the principal of Caribou High School in Caribou, ME. She has led the development of a robust Extended Learning Opportunities program that connects students with real-world experiences through local partnerships. This work has significantly enhanced student engagement and...
What happens when a school commits to creating systems where every student, every teacher, and every leader is expected to keep growing?
In this episode of the Proud Principals Podcast, Tony Cattani welcomes Dr. Carmen Maring, Principal of Gull Lake Middle School in Richland, Michigan. Serving approximately 750 students in grades 6–8, Dr. Maring has bui...
Scott Jung is the Superintendent of New England Public School District in North Dakota.
What does it take to restore the pride of a school district with a rich tradition while building a culture where teachers want to stay and students thrive?
In this episode of the Proud Principals Podcast, Tony Cattani sits down with Scott Jung, Superintendent of New England Public Schools in North...
Chelsea Gallagher is the 2025 Washington Principal of the Year
Chelsea has served as the principal of Mt. Spokane High School for five years. She began her career with eight years of teaching high school English, followed by one year as Dean of Students and six years as an Assistant Principal. Gallagher knew in third grade that education was her calling, despite a brief childhood dream of becoming a professional ghost buster. Her c...
David Zatta is the principal South Plainfield Preschool in New Jersey. He makes sure his Tiny Tigers identity as part of everything they do. Through their words, visuals, celebrations, and family involvement, they help thier youngest students and their families feel like they belong. He is proud of their hands-on, theme-based curriculum and the strong connections we have built with parents through real-world connection event...
Kim Aman is South Dakota's 2026 Elementary School Principal of the Year. Kim is the proud principal of Simmons Elementary School.
Simmons Elementary School has improved support systems for students, especially those with behavioral and social-emotional needs, while creating a positive, inclusive environment based on a “Kids First” philosophy.
Kim has been in education for about 34 years. She started out as a preschool t...
Gisela Ciancia is New Jersey's 2025-2026 Visionary Elementary School Leader of the Year. She is the proud principal of Roosevelt Elementary school in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Ciancia is highly regarded for her culture-building and hands-on approach to education. Some of her most notable achievements and initiatives include:- Visionary Leadership: She earned the prestigious ...
Joe Ballard is the 2024 NASSP Oklahoma High School Principal of the Year
Joe is the principal of Poteau High School in Poteau, OK. He is known for his unwavering dedication to educational excellence and inclusivity. A proud member of the Cherokee Nation, he has been a trailblazer in promoting cultural heritage. He implemented a groundbreaking policy that allows Native American students to wear Native regalia during graduation cerem...
Jeff Linden is a dedicated school administrator, former teacher, coach, and military veteran committed to fostering a culture of excellence in public education. Currently serving as the Principal of Hastings High School in Hastings Public Schools, Jeff is a dynamic leader focused on empowering teachers, staff, and students, supporting educators, and building strong school communities. Educational Journey & Leadership Exp...
Blaine Wise is a passionate and dedicated educational leader with 17 years of experience in Oklahoma public schools. He currently serves as the principal of Glenpool Middle School, where he has led since 2021, cultivating a positive, high-performing school culture that has earned statewide recognition. In 2025, he was honored as the OASSP/OMLEA Middle Level Principal of the Year.
This episode with Blaine shares the following:
1. Fu...
Dr. Tracie Anderson Swilley is the 2025 NASSP National secondary Principal of the Year and 2024 South Carolina Principal of the Year. Dr. Tracie Swilley Assistant Superintendent of Academics in Fairfield County School District in Winnsboro, South Carolina.
Dr. Tracie Anderson Swilley was the principal of Fairfield Central High School in Winnsboro, SC.
Tracie’s leadership has shaped Fairfield Central into a model o...
Shawn Ryan is the principal of Medford Memorial Middle School in Medford, New Jersey.
Shawn shares how Medford Memorial Middle School is addressing the needs of mental health with a systematic and sustainable approach. This work began prior to Covid due to the rise of anxiety among his students. They observed the emotional needs of their students and impact on their education. Shawn outlines how Mental Health First Aid and Ru...
Jessica Quinter Ed.D is the principal of Park Forest Elementary School in State College, Pennsylvania.
Jessica shares her proudest effort of developing a positive school culture through her daily efforts of:
- Being Present
- Building Trust
- Celebrating her staff and students
Jessica is an active member of NAESP. Please see below for her journey. Professional Preparation:-
<...
Patrick McKee is the principal of Valley View High School in Germanton, Ohio.
Valley View has worked hard to improve the school culture of our building for both staff and students. At the end of the day, when staff enjoy coming to work and students have a strong relationship with the teachers, achievement will happen.
Patrick shares the impact of:
- Fist Bump Fridays
- Teacher Retention
- Advisory Time
- Spartan Time - Studen...
Neil Burti, Director of Secondary Schools in the Cherry Hill Public Schools District in New Jersey.
2024 New Jersey Visionary Secondary School Leader of the Year
Dr. Neil Burti Jr. was the principal of John A. Carusi Middle School, in Cherry Hill, NJ. Previously, he served as a principal at the elementary, middle, and high school levels and taught college courses at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. For the pa...
Miles Shea is the Principal of Quantico Middle School in Virginia for the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) and was recognized as the DoDEA Principal of the Year. Miles is known for transforming student success and supporting military families through initiatives like advanced AP courses and robust STEM programs. He has extensive experience within the DoDEA, previously serving at West Point Middle School and in multi...
Heather Pino-Beattie is the principal of Montgomery High School in New Jersey.
Heather proudest work as a principal has been creating and growing the Montgomery STARR Program ((Shifting Through Awareness, Regulation, and Relationships), a mental health program that now touches every secondary school in her district. From the start, it was clear that you cannot be trauma-informed without being culturally competent, and you can...
Shauna Haney Principal of Ogden High School is the 2025 Utah State Principal of the Year and a 2025 NASSP National Principal of the Year Finalist.
Shauna Haney is the principal of Ogden High School in Ogden, UT. Previously, She was an assistant principal and exercise science, health, special education, and physical education teacher. A two-time Teacher of the Year (2008, 2013), she also received a Distinguished Leadership Awa...
Dr. Cody Killen - Principal of Brandon High School in Rankin County, Mississippi
Dr. KIllen is a fixture in professional organizations. He has served on the board of MPE, served as board president of MASSP, presented at MASA, MPE, and NCEE, and even taught leadership development sessions for aspiring principals. For him, professional organizations are lifelines for school administrators.
Board President- Mississippi Association of ...
Dr. Todd Dain Overland Park, KS Shawnee Mission South High School
2023 Kansas State Principal of the Year
NASSP Board of Directors
Todd shares is proudest effort of cultivating a culture for all students to be successful. Listen and learn about his "Culture Keepers" student led team which embodies their core values.
Also to listen for:
- Hard Hat Hero recognition
- Champion of Culture recognition
- Hiring Process - ask this o...
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