This podcast dives into what life is like as an elementary school principal. To make things more interesting, a Catholic school principal! If you have never been to the principal's office before, now is the time!
The season comes to an end with this finale, complete with one final conversation with a child of mine. It has become tradition (can I call it a tradition when I've only had two seasons of this podcast?) that one of my episodes shows the mom-side of my life. So here I am, talking through some of life's biggest questions with my youngest daughter. She'll send you on your way at the end of the episode with "Heads Down, Prayers Up."
Thank you for making this season so much fun for me to record. You can always reach out to me with ideas, who you would like to hear from, or just to say hello! You can email me (jpick@stcecilia.net), follow me on Twitter (@PrincipalPick) or follow my blog (https://juliapick.blog/). "See" you next season when Season 3 becomes available. Mark your calendars for June 2022!
26 Jun 2021
Episode 6 - Remembering My Why
This episode is all about the kids, which isn't that what this job is all about?! In this episode, you're going to hear from eight 8th grade students that are clumped together into groups (of their choosing) and I ask them all sorts of questions. Some of these kiddos have been attending our school (or Child Care Center) since they were itty bitty. These interviews were recorded in mid-May, during the last week of school for these kids. You get to hear their perspective about Catholic school (ugh uniforms), traditions (Cathedralfest), and community (could these kids love their friends any more?)!
During the interviews you'll know why I love my job so much. I get to come to school every day and be around these kids. Every. Single. Day. And I get paid for it!
25 Jun 2021
Episode 5 - It Takes a Village
Allow me to introduce you to Shannon. Shannon is one of the many reasons I love my job. I mean that. I don't know if you'll find too many school administrators saying that parents are one of the reasons they love their job, but at my school, it's true.
Shannon is a Catholic mom who is super supportive of our school and parish community. She's has the cutest family (#boymom) and she continues to be a huge reason why our school community is so successful. You're gonna love our conversation. We talk about school, our faith, COVID, marriage stuff, and much more. I loved recording this episode because it allowed me to learn more about our school through the eyes of another parent.
Feel free to follow me on Twitter (https://twitter.com/PrincipalPick) or my blog (https://juliapick.blog/). Remember: Heads Down; Prayers Up.
23 Jun 2021
Episode 4 - SEL, We, Me, and You!
In today's episode you'll get to "meet" Matthew Jones, a dynamic educator who I am lucky enough to work with at St. Cecilia. Mr. Jones is the writing teacher for Grades 6, 7, and 8 in our school and he is also fills the role of grade level coordinator for middle school and is the co-facilitator for the Curriculum and Instruction Committee. Whew, that's a lot!
As all educators know, we wear multiple hats throughout the day and teachers are no exception. For this episode, Matt talks about the importance of social-emotional learning (SEL) and valuable building relationships is with students. Definitely one of his strongest skills, Matt builds SEL into his every day and every class period with students. The Archdiocese of Omaha is currently implementing SEL into all of their schools and we are fortunate to be a part of this ride with them.
You'll love listening to Matt and I'm hopeful you'll walk away knowing that here at St. Cecilia, community and relationships are our top priority. For more, follow me on Twitter (https://twitter.com/PrincipalPick)or stay connected on my blog (https://juliapick.blog/). Heads down, Prayers up!
22 Jun 2021
Episode 3 - In It Together
This year was tough and one reason most of us made it through was because of our connections to those around us. Whether it was family, friends, colleagues, workout buddies, or whomever helps get you through the day. One of the people I reached out to a lot this year was a friend and colleague, Angie Palmer. This episode is a casual conversation between Angie and myself where we debrief on our year as Catholic elementary principals, moms, and just humans during COVID-19.
You'll love Angie. She's fun, speaks from her heart, and is one of the most faith-filled people I know. She and I both work within the Catholic school network of the Omaha Archdiocese and we tend to find each other at training sessions, administrative meetings, etc. so we can sit close and catch up.
For more about me, feel free to follow me on Twitter (@PrincipalPick (https://twitter.com/PrincipalPick)) or my blog (https://juliapick.blog/). Heads down, prayers up.
21 Jun 2021
Episode 2 - What Were We Thinking?!
I remember back in March 2020, people would say, "you should be journaling every day so that way you remember the pandemic." And I thought to myself "are you crazy, I won't forget this school year."
This episode I share with you the thoughts and actions of what it was like to be inside a principal's mind from May 2020 until June 2021. Was I anxious? Yup. Did I have all the answers? Nope. But was I gonna give it 110% each and every day? You know it.
Enjoy this peak behind the curtain into my life this past year. Follow me on Twitter for more (@PrincipalPick (https://twitter.com/PrincipalPick)) or follow my blog (https://juliapick.blog/ (https://juliapick.blog/)). Heads down, prayers up friends.
20 Jun 2021
Episode I: Introduction to 2020-21
This is an audio outline of what you can expect in Season II of Other Duties As Assigned. The objectives for this season are:
COVID
Communication
Collaboration
This year has been...well...weird. And this season allowed me record a lot of different perspectives (teacher, other principals, students, parents, and even my own kids'). If you were wondering what COVID was like inside a school that was in-person for a full school year, you're gonna love this season!
This season is all about connecting with others in my community, sharing our experiences from this past school year, and having some laughs along the way. Please connect with me on Twitter (@PrincipalPick (https://twitter.com/PrincipalPick)) or follow my blog (https://juliapick.blog/ (https://juliapick.blog/)) for more!
23 Aug 2020
Episode 10 - Week in Review
One week down for the 2020-21 school year and....it's too early to count how many are left. This episode is a summary of each day with in-person instruction, in masks, with all of the safety precautions in place for COVID.
Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@PrincipalPick) for updates on when to expect the next season of Other Duties As Assigned. Until then, heads down and prayers up for all students, teachers, and educators for the 2020-21 school year.
3 Aug 2020
Episode 9 - New Mindset Needed
It's the night before returning to school and just like a kid, I can't seem to settle my mind! This episode I share with you three ingredients to success that I believe all of us need this school year from our communities. Whether you are starting in-person, remote, or with a hybrid in between, a growth mindset is needed to make this all work.
For future episodes ideas or to offer feedback, feel free to contact me at jpick@stcecilia.net. Until next time, hearts open and prayers up!
17 Jul 2020
Episode 8 - Hannah Squared
What are administrators thinking when interviewing teacher candidates? This episode sheds some light on this and then you get to hear from two of our new team members - Hannah and ummmm (checks notes) Hannah! These two energetic young women are new to the St. Cecilia community and new to teaching. So prayers up for their first year!
1 Jul 2020
Episode 7 - Planning Considerations for Fall 2020
This one is a short one folks! All it takes is ten short minutes to listen in and see how you can help support all the educators in your lives this summer, fall, and probably beyond that!
20 Jun 2020
Episode 6 - Kid Segment 1
This week's podcast is all about having fun! In addition to being the principal at St. Cecilia Cathedral Grade School, I am also a mom to four kids, three of which who attend school there. Since we are on summer break and social distancing rules still apply in our community, this week's Kid Segment is just two of my kids and I talking about, well...see for yourself!
10 Jun 2020
Episode 5 - What to do?
How is the St. Cecilia community responding to the killing of George Floyd? This week's episode I talk about how to recognize the phases of action/inaction that I have seen in the community around me. I also share what parents in the white community can and should be doing right now to bring about change.
Thank you to Joe Truss (Twitter @trussleadership) for his support in having me share his tweets during the episode. An article titled 'Advice for the Newly Woke White Teachers on Teaching Black Children' in Education Week can be found here (https://mobile.edweek.org/c.jsp;jsessionid=95FD22C605D8470285530FFCCF3479D1.vincent2?item=http%3a%2f%2fapi.edweek.org%2fv1%2fblog%2f100%2findex.html%3fuuid%3d80832&cid=25920011&intc=mob-topnav) where Mr. Truss was interviewed for.
30 May 2020
Episode 4 - Milly Garcia Talks Family
In this week's episode, I talk about the most honored part of Catholic education, family. Well, I don't talk about it much but I have one of St. Cecilia's legends, Milly Garcia, discuss what it means to her. Milly just turned in her keys to St. Cecilia and retired this year. I wanted to "get her on tape" to talk about her teaching experiences, advice for colleagues, and anything else that came up! Best of luck with retirement Milly and remember you can always come back home if you get bored!
22 May 2020
Episode 3 - COVID 19
Want to know what Mrs. Pick, a Catholic school principal, thinks about COVID-19?! This episode is maybe not what you think. We could all write a book on the negatives of this health pandemic but I am sharing with you three important take-aways and what this virus has taught me about education.
I am looking for topics for next week's podcast. Please email me at jpick@stcecilia.net if you have something you would like for me to cover!
15 May 2020
Episode 2 - The Woman, The Myth, The Legend - Cathy Lyons
This week I introduce you to the most important part of Catholic education - tradition! Each school has its' own thing, whether it's an event, fundraiser, or special day. There is a reason we love our uniforms so much and it's because we've had them for 45 years!
Cathy Lyons, a 4th grade teacher at St. Cecilia Cathedral, is our special guest this week. After a full career at St. Cecilia, she is turning in her keys and retiring at the end of next week. Not only did she attend St. Cecilia as a kid, but so did her kids, and she has so much wisdom to offer all of us through this time of distance learning. You'll love her, as everyone here at St. Cecilia does! Lots of questions were submitted by her current 4th graders, fellow colleagues, and her first Kindergarten class from 1977.
*Please forgive the microphone goof this week. I promise to make sure both are working next week so you can hear me more clearly.
8 May 2020
Introduction
This is the introduction to a podcast that pulls the curtain back on education. Coming to you in the middle of the COVID-19 health pandemic, many parents are experiencing the growing pains of what it means to be a teacher. How can I get this kid to listen to me? Do they really have to know how to multiply fractions? When was the last time I multiplied fractions as an adult? When is an acceptable time to have wine?
Being a principal is weird. You spend your day putting on so many different hats: solving bathroom mysteries (what IS that in the corner), handwriting analysis on dropped notes, conflict resolution, and even vomit patrol. I spend 90% of my day doing the last bullet point of my contract - other duties as assigned.
Join me on this journey to learn more about what happens in the principal's office because I'm guessing it's not what you expect.
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