The Catholic School Leaders Podcast

In this episode of the Catholic School Leaders podcast, John Mihalyo discusses leadership in Catholic education during the festive season, urging school leaders to also prepare for the return to school in January. From maintaining normalcy to effective communication and self-care, John shares practical tips to ensure a smooth transition back to school after the holidays.

In this episode, John Mihalyo and John Mariucci discuss the differences between leadership and management in educational settings. They explore the challenges and strategies for transitioning from managerial roles to leadership positions, emphasizing the importance of vision, strategic thinking, and continuous improvement. The conversation touches on practical tips for new leaders, the significance of building trust and relationships, and the essential qualities of effective leadership.

In this episode, John Mihalyo is joined by Dr. Brett Salkeld, an archdiocesan theologian and the founder of Making Every Class Catholic. The discussion revolves around integrating Catholic identity in the classroom, practical ways to achieve this, and the significance of permeating Catholic values across various subjects in education. Brett shares insights from his book, 'Educating for Eternity,' and emphasizes the importance of framing education within a Catholic worldview for both teachers and students.

In this episode, host John Mihalyo talks with Tanya Sheckley, an innovative educator and leader. They explore what it means to challenge the status quo in education, the importance of community engagement, and how to facilitate meaningful change in schools. The discussion delves into fostering a culture of learning and innovation, the role of fear in resisting change, and the significance of having a clear vision and communicating it consistently.

This episode features the second part of John's interview with Leanne Nicol. Leanne shares her extensive experience in leading school improvements in faith-based schools and offers valuable advice on creating a strong school culture, building trust, and inspiring leadership. This discussion dives into the Paschal mystery of life, death, and resurrection as a metaphor for cultural change in schools, addressing common challenges leaders face and providing practical strategies for navigating transitions.

In this episode, John Mihalyo interviews Leanne Nicol about the importance of school culture, leadership, and the role of core values in Catholic education. They discuss how school culture is defined, its critical role in creating a great Catholic school, and the fundamentals of aligning core values with everyday practices. Leanne also shares insights from her experience with the Sydney Catholic Schools and her upcoming book, The Fierce Hearted Leader. Tune in next week for part two.

In this episode, John Mihalyo chats with Dr. Karen Dudek-Brannan, the founder of Dr. Karen LLC. They discuss executive functioning, language literacy, and how therapists and educators can design impactful interventions. Dr. Karen shares invaluable insights and practical strategies for Catholic school leaders, teachers, and parents to support student success both in and out of the classroom.01:58 Discussing Executive Functioning02:30 Importance of Reviews and Sharing03:46 Keys to a Successful Catholic School05:30 Dr. Karen's Background in Education05:42 Executive Functioning Explained05:50 Dr. Karen's Interventions and Strategies18:38 The Role of Collaborations32:40 Strategy Highlights34:06 Early Executive Functioning Skills Development41:11 Commonly Asked Questions43:53 Empowerment Through Collaboration

In this episode, John discusses the importance of performing an annual 'physical' or check-up for Catholic schools. He covers key areas including enrollment, fundraising, and budgeting, offering practical advice and strategies to ensure schools are set up for success. 00:22 The Seasonal Shift00:44 Annual Physical for Your School08:13 Fundraising & Advancement13:05 Budgeting

In this episode, John discusses the importance of identifying and promoting the unique qualities of each Catholic school. He challenges listeners to think beyond the expected answers and highlights strategies for honest and accurate representation of their schools' strengths. Additionally, the episode offers a free resource, 'The Keys to a Successful Catholic School', to help schools engage in meaningful conversations about their unique attributes.00:36 The Question: What Makes Your School Unique?05:33 Beyond the Baseline06:27 Being Honest and Accurate07:59 Thinking About the Future10:03 Keys to a Successful Catholic School14:28 Recap

In this episode, John Mihalyo offers valuable insights into enhancing the enrollment process at Catholic schools. This episode addresses the importance of evaluating current enrollment strategies, engaging parents for feedback, and ensuring a welcoming school environment. John also discusses the significance of continuous improvement and provides actionable tips to streamline the enrollment process for the upcoming school year.04:54 Importance of Reviewing Enrollment Processes06:33 Tip 1: Engage Parents for Feedback08:41 Tip 2: Apply to Your Own School10:17 Tip 3: Conduct a Parking Lot Audit14:13 Bonus Tip: Avoid the Trap of Tradition

In this episode, John Mihalyo interviews Alex Jones, founder of the Hallow app, to discuss the journey and impact of the app on people's prayer lives. They dive into topics like the Hallow Summit, the diversity of prayer leaders on the app, and the incredible stories of how the app has transformed lives. They also touch on the role of the app in Catholic schools, how it's helping children and families pray together, and plans for future updates, including exciting Advent content.05:41 Prayer and Transformative Stories19:17 Implementing Hallow in Catholic Schools44:59 Future Plans for Hallow

This is the second part of John Mihalyo's interview with Greg Aitchison, a passionate religion teacher known for making faith come alive in the classroom. Greg shares practical advice for teachers on how to integrate technology, show genuine care, and create engaging lessons that resonate with students. The conversation also highlights the importance of involving parents in faith education, building relationships with students, and sharing valuable resources for Catholic educators.01:59 Innovative Teaching Methods14:29 Personal Faith Journey28:30 Resources

In this episode of the Catholic School Leaders Podcast, host John Mihalyo interviews Greg Aitchison, a religion teacher and founder of CatholicReligionTeacher.com. John and Greg discuss the importance of teaching religion with the same passion as other subjects, Greg's personal faith journey, and practical tips for engaging students in the classroom. This is the first part of a two-part series where Greg shares his unique approach in teaching religion with passion. 04:56 Greg's Background and Journey05:01 First Year Teaching Experience09:48 Seminary and Notre Dame ACE Program30:19 Engaging Students in the Classroom23:53 Making Prayer Interactive

In this episode, John chats with Tracy Tanner, President and CEO of Wealthy Habits, about the importance of financial literacy for youth. They explore how Wealthy Habits' engaging and practical approach to financial education helps students develop smart money habits, make informed financial decisions, and understand the long-term impact of their financial choices. Tracy shares her journey in creating Wealthy Habits, the success stories of the students, and why financial literacy is crucial for the future of our youth.00:00 Introduction01:49 About Wealthy Habits01:56 Tracy Tanner's Background28:40 Importance of Relevant and Interactive Learning30:46 Partnership Opportunities with Wealthy Habits

In this episode, John Mihalyo discusses the development of future Catholic school leaders with John Marinucci, principal of St. Francis College in Brisbane, Australia. They explore the journey of becoming a Catholic school leader, the importance of faith in leadership, and strategies for nurturing the next generation of administrators.00:00 Introductio05:04 Guest Introduction: John Marinucci07:53 John Marinucci's Leadership Journey08:58 Advice for Current and Future Leaders20:31 Business and Faith in Leadership36:22 Transitioning from Teacher to Leader55:47 Conclusion

In this episode John sits down with Jamison Mahar, Principal of Our Lady of Loretto Catholic School, to discuss her experiences and insights from completing her first year in the role. Topics include:leadership strategiescommunity engagement managing school cultureadvice for new principalsthe importance of a strong prayer life00:00 Introduction03:51 Challenges and Strategies in the First Year04:20 Building Community and School Culture04:20 Managing Time and Tasks05:05 Balancing Responsibilities and Relationships08:03 Adapting to Challenges and Learning18:35 Advice for New and Aspiring Principals39:20 Looking Ahead: Goals for the Second Year43:30 Conclusion

In this episode, John interviews Amy Ely, director of the STEM program at Detroit Catholic Central High School. They discuss the incredible STEM initiatives led by Amy, the vision behind these programs, and the impact on students and the broader community. Amy shares her journey from industrial hygiene chemist to passionate STEM educator, highlighting innovative projects like the aviation program, outreach with Gleaners Food Bank, and the integration of STEM across various disciplines.00:00 Introduction02:42 Amy Ely's Background04:46 What is Detroit Catholic Central High School?05:40 How Amy Got Here08:15 Understanding STEM08:55 STEM in Education11:25 Uniting the School Community13:47 Community Outreach18:19 STEM and Technology20:20 Alumni Involvement24:30 Encouragement for Schools Starting STEM Programs35:56 Future of STEM at Detroit Catholic Central39:52 Advancement and Vision45:43 Vision 100: Looking 25 Years Ahead47:30 Conclusion

In this episode of the Catholic School Leaders podcast, host John Mihalyo sits down with seminarian Rob Lane to discuss his journey to the priesthood and how Catholic schools can support seminarians. Rob shares insights from his formation, experiences in seminary life, and the importance of support from Catholic communities.01:18 Guest Introduction02:36 Rob Lane's Upbringing and Faith04:25 Discernment Journey11:04 Typical Day in the Seminary31:09 Challenges in Seminary Life34:56 Supporting Seminarians38:15 Future Plans

In this episode, John discusses the significance of meaningful professional development in Catholic schools. He addresses common challenges schools face in implementing it and offers solutions. Topics include:budget constraintstime managementsubject area diversityteacher reluctancebenefits of on-campus professional development00:00 Introduction00:31 Importance of Professional Development02:02 Common Challenges and Solutions02:29 Overcoming Budget Constraints06:03 Maximizing Time for Professional Development09:22 Addressing Subject Area Diversity11:01 Engaging All Teachers12:35 Benefits of On-campus Professional Development13:49 Strategies for Implementing Professional Development18:42 Conclusion and Call to Action

In this episode, John discusses the critical differences between talking and effective communication for Catholic school leaders. He offers various strategies for enhancing communication within the school community, including consistency, use of social media, and the importance of clear and relevant content. John also shares practical tips for implementing a reliable communication plan and emphasizes the significance of keeping the school community engaged and informed.00:00 Introduction00:45 Importance of Communication02:43 Strategies for Effective Communication04:24 Role of Social Media04:40 Consistency in Communication10:20 Content Relevance17:26 Website Utility21:57 Final Thoughts