The Catholic School Leaders Podcast

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

In this episode, John explores the excitement and anticipation of Prime Day, drawing parallels to creating that same level of engagement within Catholic schools. He offers insights on building excitement for the new school year and fostering a sense of community and investment among families.00:00 Introduction01:21 Prime Day Introduction03:54 Excitement in Schools05:50 Building Anticipation08:09 Visitor Engagement10:11 Creating Happiness12:20 Conclusion

In this episode, John shares invaluable lessons from his recent trip to Italy. He reflects on how this unique experience has taught him to be a better Catholic school leader. From seizing opportunities and meeting new people, to tackling unexpected challenges and appreciating what you have, John's insights offer practical advice for educators in leadership roles. Tune in for an inspiring recount of his travels and the leadership wisdom he gained.00:00 Introduction3:08 #1: Take Opportunities to Go03:57 #2: Don't Rush05:24 #3: Make New Connections06:47 #4: Break Down Barriers08:57 #5: Rely on Expertise12:32 #6: Say Yes to Unexpected Opportunities14:46 #7: Don't Try to Do Too Much16:29 #8: Expect Unexpected Challenges18:24 #9: Find Holiness Around You21:31 #10: Appreciate What You Have23:11 Conclusion

In this episode, John Mihalyo, shares invaluable advice for new Catholic school leaders. This includes principals, assistant principals, advancement directors, deans, recruitment directors, athletic directors, and other leadership roles in Catholic education. John emphasizes the importance of understanding school culture, establishing key partnerships, investing in personal growth, and maintaining clear communication, consistency, and curb appeal in schools.00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:26 Talking to New Catholic School Leaders01:56 Congratulations and Thanks to New Leaders03:35 Learning from Experience03:44 Understanding and Improving School Culture07:05 Available Support and Free Resources08:46 Highlighting Challenges11:01 Key Partnerships20:31 Listening and Learning13:57 Self-Investment and Professional Growth16:00 Identifying Core Values18:04 Earning Your Stripes23:10 Three Key Cs for Success27:42 Closing Thoughts and Encouragement

In this episode, John Mihalyo sits down with Father Luke Rawicki, the chaplain at Cardinal Gibbons High School, to explore his journey from architectural studies to the priesthood. Father Luke shares his experiences in Catholic education, his worldwide missionary work, and the unique challenges and joys of engaging with young people in a faith-based setting. The discussion also covers the powerful impact of events like World Youth Day and practical strategies for fostering vocations in a modern, fast-paced world.