Welcome to episode 188 of the Leaning Into Leadership podcast! In this mid-month episode, Darrin is joined once again by his recurring guests, Todd Bloomer, a high school principal from San Antonio, TX, and Dominic Armano, an elementary principal from Long Island, NY. Together, they dive into the human side of leadership, sharing stories, challenges, and practical insights for leaders at every level.

Topics Covered in This Episode:

• Weathering the Storm (Literally and Figuratively): From snow days to unexpected challenges, the trio shares how school leaders navigate the unpredictability of their work while keeping students' needs at the forefront.
• Making Tough Decisions: Darrin reflects on a recent blog post about the emotional and professional toll of making hard leadership calls. Todd and Dominic add their insights on balancing what's right for kids and the community while managing personal resilience.
• Telling Your Story: Dominic leads a discussion on the importance of branding and public relations in education. Todd and Darrin share strategies to effectively showcase your school’s values and successes without fear of being seen as "flashy."
• Learning from Other Leaders: Todd challenges Darrin and Dominic to share inspiring practices they've seen in schools recently, highlighting leadership newsletters and a deeply integrated SEL curriculum.
• Focus for 2025: The group wraps up by sharing their personal resolutions and goals for the year, including self-care, leadership clarity, and embracing challenges.

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership decisions are rarely black-and-white; staying focused on what's best for kids can guide tough choices.
• Strong relationships and clear communication are essential for building trust and minimizing pushback.
• Social media and storytelling are critical tools for creating a positive narrative about your school and its values.
• Self-care isn't selfish—it's necessary for showing up as your best self in leadership roles.
• Innovative ideas from peers and colleagues can inspire and improve your leadership practice.

Resources Mentioned:

• Darrin’s blog post on leadership decisions
• Fired Up Leadership by Dr. Frank Rudnesky

Connect with Us:

• Darrin Peppard: Website | Twitter
• Todd Bloomer: Twitter
• Dominic Armano: Twitter