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Welcome to The Principal’s Handbook, your go-to resource for principals looking to revamp their leadership approach and prioritize self-care. I’m Barb Flowers, a certified life coach with eight years of experience as an elementary principal. Tune in each week as we explore strategies for boosting mental resilience, managing time effectively, and nurturing overall wellness. From tackling daily challenges to maintaining a healthy work-life balance, we’ll navigate the complexities of school leadership together. Join me in fostering your sense of purpose as a principal and reigniting your passion for the job.

Welcome, Mike!
Today, I’m excited to have Mike Geraghty, a high school principal, join us. We worked together in the same district, and Mike has a wealth of knowledge and experience to share. Welcome, Mike!

Mike:
Hey, Barb, thanks for having me. It’s great to be here. I remember when we were both board approved at the same meeting back in 2016. You were board approved as assistant principal, and I was as athletic director. Time flies!

Barb:
It sure does! So, Mike, you have an unorthodox path into education. Could you tell us more about your background?

Mike:
Absolutely. I didn’t follow the traditional route into education. After graduating from Bowling Green, I initially considered law school but ended up joining the Navy and went through officer candidate school in Pensacola, Florida. I spent six years in the Navy, eventually achieving the rank of Lieutenant. But I knew it wasn’t the path I wanted for the rest of my life. After several deployments, I shifted gears. I decided to pursue a career in education, became a science teacher, and later earned my master’s degree in teaching from Kent State. I taught chemistry, biology, and environmental science for six years before transitioning to administration. In 2016, I became an athletic director and later moved into a principal role. It’s been a great experience ever since.

Barb:
It’s been amazing to see your growth, especially in the high school setting. Today, I wanted to talk about getting ready for the new school year and give principals advice on how to prepare. You bring the high school perspective, while I’ll cover the elementary side. So, let’s dive in!

Mike:
Sounds great. It’s definitely a different world at the high school level, but I think there’s a lot we can learn from each other.

Barb:
Absolutely. Let’s start with priorities. What are the key objectives you’re focusing on as you prepare for this school year?

Mike:
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is not to overwhelm staff at the beginning of the year. Some are eager, while others may still be in “summer mode.” The key is to keep things simple and focused. This year, we’re continuing to emphasize good teaching and building relationships with students. Our staff knows that the most important thing is to connect with students—once you do that, everything else falls into place. We’ll also continue to focus on improving our PLC work. We started breaking our PLCs down into content areas and even into end-of-course exam subjects like English 10 and Algebra 1. We’re using data from MAP testing and released test items to be more intentional with our PLCs.

Barb:
That’s such a great approach. Clear goals help avoid overwhelming the staff while still keeping the focus on what’s important. I also love that you mentioned building relationships—students remember how you make them feel far more than the content they learn.

Mike:
Exactly. And consistency is key. As a principal, it’s important to articulate what you want for the year and give teachers a clear vision. It helps reduce the chaos and allows everyone to align their efforts. The message is simple: Focus on good teaching, relationships, and collaboration.

Barb:
I couldn’t agree more. Even in elementary schools, setting the tone for the year with a clear, consistent message is crucial. And with PLCs, even if they’ve been in place for years, it’s important to continually tweak and improve them. It’s all about those small wins.

Mike:
Exactly. When we started, we knew it wouldn’t be perfect, but we’ve made progress each year. It’s about continuous improvement.

Barb:
Definitely. Now, how do you engage the community and parents as you prepare for the school year? What initiatives do you have in place?

Mike:
Community engagement is critical. We have several groups, like our athletic booster club, PTA, and alumni associations, that play a vital role. We involve them in our school leadership team and even get input from them on our PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) strategies. We’re also gearing up for FalconFest, which is like a small carnival before our first home football game. It’s a great way to bring the community together and get them excited for the school year. Local businesses and alumni play a big role in making it happen.

Barb:
That sounds like a fantastic community event! We did something similar at the elementary level, where we had community booths at our open house. It gave new families a chance to connect with local sports and organizations, and it was a big success.

Mike:
I love that idea! It’s a great way to connect with the community early on and get everyone excited for the year.

Barb:
Absolutely! Now, what about helping students transition from middle school to high school? How do you ensure that freshmen feel welcome and prepared?

Mike:
For the past few years, we’ve had a freshman first day. It’s a day dedicated to welcoming the freshmen, where we go through their bell schedule, introduce them to their teachers, and let them experience the high school environment before it gets too overwhelming. We also give them a freshman handbook with icebreakers and reflections to help them adjust. It’s been a great way to get them comfortable before the full school year begins.

Barb:
That’s such a great initiative! In elementary, we do something similar with staggered kindergarten starts to help them adjust, and it’s always so beneficial.

Mike:
Absolutely. It’s all about making that transition smooth, especially for students who might be nervous about moving to a bigger school.

Barb:
Definitely. Now, how do you support new teachers as they transition into the school year?

Mike:
We have a young staff, so we focus a lot on supporting new teachers. Our district holds new teacher orientation before the whole staff comes back, which covers logistics and expectations. Then, we spend time with them, go over broad expectations, and remind them that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. We also assign mentors who check in with them regularly, not just for classroom support but for navigating the school environment as a whole. It’s important they feel supported from the start.

Barb:
That’s so crucial. Having a mentor who’s not your evaluator really helps new teachers feel more comfortable. It’s about building those relationships from the beginning.

Mike:
Exactly. And I always try to check in with new teachers regularly. It’s not just about being approachable; it’s about creating a culture where they feel comfortable reaching out.

Barb:
Absolutely. Checking in regularly makes a big difference. And I always recommend having it on your calendar, or it can easily slip through the cracks.

Mike:
Agreed. And as the year progresses, it’s about building trust and making sure they know they’re not alone.

Barb:
I love all of this advice. Before we wrap up, do you have any final tips for principals as they get ready for the school year?

Mike:
Keep it simple and focus on relationships. Don’t overwhelm your staff with too much at the beginning. Be visible, especially in the first few weeks, and make sure your staff knows you’re there to support them. And, always be present for your students and staff, whether it’s through teacher check-ins or simply being out in the hallways.

Barb:
Great advice, Mike. Thanks so much for being here today. I’m sure principals will find your insights incredibly helpful.

Mike:
Thanks for having me, Barb. It’s been great talking with you.

Barb:
If you’d like to reach out to Mike, I’ll include his contact information in the show notes. Thank you all for tuning in, and I’ll see you next time!

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