Proud Principals Podcast with Tony Cattani

Blaine Wise is a passionate and dedicated educational leader with 17 years of experience in Oklahoma public schools. He currently serves as the principal of Glenpool Middle School, where he has led since 2021, cultivating a positive, high-performing school culture that has earned statewide recognition. In 2025, he was honored as the OASSP/OMLEA Middle Level Principal of the Year. This episode with Blaine shares the following: 1. Fun Staff Introductions - Celebrate Your Staff (as seen on TikTok blainewiseleadership 2. Motivation Monday and Follow-Up Friday 3. Connection Wall X - @blainewiseleadership

Dr. Tracie Anderson Swilley is the 2025 NASSP National secondary Principal of the Year and 2024 South Carolina Principal of the Year. Dr. Tracie Swilley Assistant Superintendent of Academics in Fairfield County School District in Winnsboro, South Carolina. Dr. Tracie Anderson Swilley was the principal of Fairfield Central High School in Winnsboro, SC. Tracie’s leadership has shaped Fairfield Central into a model of learning. Her approach to cultivating future leaders and fostering a culture of high expectations. Under Dr. Swilley’s 12+ year leadership, Fairfield Central High School has seen remarkable improvements in: math proficiency rates rose from 46% to 74%, and reading proficiency improved from 60% to 76% in the last three years. The school has achieved the highest graduation rate in school history at 90.1% after two years of her leadership. the graduation rate had been around 70 percent. Eighty-one percent of graduates in the class of 2024 were accepted to two or four-year higher education institutions. Last school year, the school received an overall “good” rating Before that,in its first time 37-year history. Contact Dr. Tracie Anderson Swilley Website - https://www.educate-her.com Email - [email protected] X - @PrincipalTSwil

Shawn Ryan is the principal of Medford Memorial Middle School in Medford, New Jersey. Shawn shares how Medford Memorial Middle School is addressing the needs of mental health with a systematic and sustainable approach. This work began prior to Covid due to the rise of anxiety among his students. They observed the emotional needs of their students and impact on their education. Shawn outlines how Mental Health First Aid and Rutgers University's Center of Comprehensive Mental Health were significant in the process. He shares the needs assessment, mapping, MTSS, weekly check-ins, data collections led to appropriate interventions. The impact on the Medford Memorial Middle School community: - Students became comfortable sharing - Trust - Supports for students - Staff Impact - Cultural Shift I encourage you to listen and learn to this amazing leader. Feel free to reach out to Shawn for more information. [email protected]

Jessica Quinter Ed.D is the principal of Park Forest Elementary School in State College, Pennsylvania. Jessica shares her proudest effort of developing a positive school culture through her daily efforts of: - Being Present - Building Trust - Celebrating her staff and students Jessica is an active member of NAESP. Please see below for her journey. Professional Preparation: Ed.D, Educational Leadership and Management, Drexel University, 2018 M.Ed., School Principal Specialization, St. Francis University, 2005 B.S., Elementary Education, Juniata College, 2000 Professional Experience: Principal, Park Forest Elementary School, State College, PA, 2021-present Principal, Juniata Valley Elementary School, Alexandria, PA 2009-2021 Federal Programs Coordinator, Juniata Valley School District, Alexandria, PA, 2007-2021 Classroom Teacher, Juniata Valley Elementary School, Alexandria, PA , 2001-2009 Classroom Teacher, Hyndman-Londonderry Elementary School, Hyndman, PA 2000-2001 Professional Affiliations: NAESP Zone 2 Director, 2023-present PA Principals Treasurer and Executive Committee Member, 2020-2023 PA Principals Regional Representative on Board of Directors, 2017-2020 PA Principals Conference Committee, 2020-2023 PA Association of Federal Programs Coordinators Vice President, 2021-2023 PA Association of Federal Programs Coordinators Regional Representative on Board of Directors, 2017-2020 Pennsylvania School Study Council, Elementary Principal Representative, 2017-2021 Commonwealth Education Blueprint Steering Committee, 2017-2019 Other Positions: Class of 2000 Reunion Committee, Juniata College, 2005-present Alumni Council President, Juniata College, 2009-2010 Alumni Council Board Member, Juniata College, 2002-2009 Member, Friends of Raystown Lake, 2004-present Member, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 2019-present

Patrick McKee is the principal of Valley View High School in Germanton, Ohio. Valley View has worked hard to improve the school culture of our building for both staff and students. At the end of the day, when staff enjoy coming to work and students have a strong relationship with the teachers, achievement will happen. Patrick shares the impact of: - Fist Bump Fridays - Teacher Retention - Advisory Time - Spartan Time - Student Leadership program X-@ValleyViewHS Instagram - @valleyviewspartans

Neil Burti, Director of Secondary Schools in the Cherry Hill Public Schools District in New Jersey. 2024 New Jersey Visionary Secondary School Leader of the Year Dr. Neil Burti Jr. was the principal of John A. Carusi Middle School, in Cherry Hill, NJ. Previously, he served as a principal at the elementary, middle, and high school levels and taught college courses at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. For the past decade, he has supervised clinical internships for pre-service administrators, mentored novice administrators seeking licensure, and chaired dissertation committees. During that time, his schools have received both state and national recognition, and he has presented his work around the country. Neil shares how Carusi Middle School created an opportunity for his students to amplify their voice in identifying expectations to making school decisions. Contact Dr. Neil Burti to better understand the approach. [email protected]