Episode Details

Happy holidays, Principal Matters listeners! This week Will Parker and Jen Schwanke take some time to reminisce about the year and share some of holiday traditions that they are looking forward to. Listen in to hear the full conversation, or read the post below to learn more about what we are thankful for this holiday season!

A Year in Review from Principal Matters (2025)

As I look back on the past year, I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work alongside school leaders across the country through Principal Matters. Whether through districts, state agencies, professional organizations, or individual coaching, the goal has remained the same: helping leaders lead with clarity, confidence, and sustainability during a time when the work feels heavier than ever.

Instead of one-time sessions, much of our work this year focused on ongoing partnerships. Through executive coaching, cohort-based leadership programs, in-person learning, and keynote experiences, we created space for leaders to pause, reflect, and grow together — while building trusted relationships with peers who truly understand the challenges of the role.

By the Numbers

• 300+ school and district leaders supported
• 20+ districts, state agencies, and school networks served
• 10+ states represented
• 250+ executive coaching sessions delivered
• 50+ cohort sessions, workshops, and professional learning experiences

More than anything, these numbers represent relationships built over time and a continued shift toward sustained, retainer-style leadership support.

Grateful for Our Partners

I’m especially thankful for the trust and collaboration of the districts, organizations, and partners we had the privilege of serving this year, including:

Districts, Schools, & State Agencies

• Archdiocese of Louisville Catholic Schools, Louisville, KY
• State of Ohio (Ohio Department of Education & Workforce) & Adkins Consulting
• Palo Alto Unified School District / Palo Alto High School, Palo Alto, CA
• Springfield Local School District, OH
• Joplin High School, Joplin, MO
• Brazosport Independent School District, Clute, TX
• Pecos Barstow Toyah Independent School District, Pecos, TX
• South Umpqua School District, OR
• Owasso Public Schools, OK
• Burlington Schools, OK
• Holdenville Public Schools, OK
• Utica Shale Academy, Salineville, OH
• Northeast Ohio College Preparatory School, Cincinnati, OH
• Leigh High School, Campbell Union High School District (CUHSD), San Jose, CA
• Alfred G. Waters Middle School, Appoquinimink School District, Odessa, DE
• Woodland Middle School, Woodland Public Schools, Woodland, WA
• Ste. Genevieve High School, Ste. Genevieve, MO

Professional Associations & Conferences

• School Administrators of New York State (SAANYS), virtual & in-person (Lake George, NY)
• School Administration Manager (SAM) National Innovation Conference, Miami, FL
• Louisiana Principals Association, Baton Rouge, LA
• CLAS (Alabama Assistant Principal Conferences)
• Apptegy Conference (School CEO), Little Rock, AR
• Southeast Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals (SEMoASSP) Regional Meeting
• National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP)

Organizations & Strategic Partners