Dr. Brad Gustafson, principal of Greenwood Elementary School in Wayzata, is our latest podcast guest! Brad is not only a principal and active MESPA member but also an accomplished author and will be the closing keynote speaker at Institute 2022. Hear about Brad's latest book, The 6 Literacy Levers, and how embracing reading and challenging his own thoughts about literacy have made him a better leader. Don't miss Brad's keynote on Friday, Feb. 4th at Institute 2022! Click here to register and come back together with MESPA. Go to bradgustafson.com to see a list of Brad's books and learn more about his work.

Our opening thought leader for Institute 2022, Adam Welcome, joins Bret on the podcast! Adam talks about his career journey and his philosophy of simplifying your plans for a greater chance of success. Hear about the inception of "Kids Deserve It" and Adam's approach to making an impact on educators as a speaker. Don't miss Adam's keynote on Wednesday, Feb. 2nd at Institute 2022! Click here to register and come back together with MESPA. Go to mradamwelcome.com to see a list of Adam's books, and connect with him online via @mradamwelcome across social media platforms.

It's a first for MESPA PrincipalCast! Bridgewater Elementary School principal Nancy Antoine returns to the podcast to speak with Bret about receiving the 2021 MN NAESP National Distinguished Principal Award. Listen for Nancy's approach to difficult conversations about equity, and what it means to be a Nationally Distinguished Principal. The 2022 NDP award is open for applications! Visit mespa.net/NDP to learn more and download an application.

In this episode, Jen Olson—principal at Humphrey & Winsted Elementary Schools in the Howard-Lake-Waverly-Winsted School District—talks about what it's like to be a principal of two schools at the same time, work/life balance, being a female leader in her community, and the advocacy efforts of principals that go on at a state and national level.

Welcome back to the MESPA PrincipalCast! In this episode, Gabe Hackett—elementary school principal in Monticello—talks about his journey to the principalship, the power of finding support through social media, and tips for how to create a positive and productive school culture. You can find Gabe on Twitter @LME_Principal or read his blog at gabehacket.edublogs.org.

In this encouraging episode, Dr. Brad Gustafson, elementary school principal in Wayzata, former National Distinguished Principal, and author of "Renegade Leadership" and "Reclaiming our Calling" discusses the shift we're seeing in education with another period of Distance Learning looming on the horizon. While Distance Learning isn't ideal, Dr. Gustafson and Bret Domstrand have a candid conversation about what is going right, the realities of being a principal during this time, and different ways to approach this challenge. You can find Dr. Gustafson on Twitter @GustafsonBrad or visit his website, bradgustafson.com.

Podcast host Bret Domstrand interviews the constantly curious Dr. Katie Pekel of the University of Minnesota's Minnesota Principal Academy. Dr. Pekel has worked as a middle school and elementary school principal, ultimately ending up as the Principal in Residence with the Minnesota Principal Academy. In this episode, they discuss Dr. Pekel's passion for research and what academic research looks like when it's implemented in a real life classroom. Dr. Pekel also talks about what it's like working for the University of Minnesota, the success of MPA, and her respect for the legislative process.

Podcast host, Bret Domstrand sits down with MESPA Legal Counsel and Lobbyist, Roger Aronson to discuss how came to be a lobbyist for educators. Roger, a born and bred Minnesotan talks about his career trajectory, what it's like working as a legislator, and how he maximizes his time and nourishes relationships with politicians on our behalf.

Join host Bret Domstrand and 2019 National Distinguished Principal, Dr. Eric Skanson as they discuss a variety of topics including how Eric balances being a father  and a principal while having his own children in his school, and how becoming NDP impacted him. In this easy conversation, Eric also discusses his educational philosophies and shares advice for fellow leaders.

This episode live from MESPA Institute 2020 features NAESP National Distinguished Principal Award finalist and MESPA Past-President, Nancy Antoine. Nancy is principal of Bridgewater Elementary in Northfield, MN, and she discusses the importance of being an involved leader, professionally and personally. Nancy explains what motivates her as an educator and talks of issues near and dear to her heart.