Cool Coffee with Kansas Principals

Topic: Taking Care of YOU!
Principal Kelly Whittaker
Ottawa High School
USD 290
 
REGISTER FOR THE 2026 KPA CONFERENCE
The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE.
YOUR input on Cool Coffee is WANTED! Click HERE to share thoughts and interest for you or a colleague on being on the show!
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Contact the host: KPACoolCoffee@gmail.com

Topic: Making the Most Out of Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences
Principal Joel Wells
Elmont Elementary School
Seaman Schools, USD 345
 
REGISTER FOR THE 2026 KPA CONFERENCE
The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE.
YOUR input on Cool Coffee is WANTED! Click HERE to share thoughts and interest for you or a colleague on being on the show!
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Topic: Relationships...Especially When Difficult
Dr. Megan Hankins
Principal
Louisburg Middle School
 
REGISTER FOR THE 2026 KPA CONFERENCE
The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE.
YOUR input on Cool Coffee is WANTED! Click HERE to share thoughts and interest for you or a colleague on being on the show!
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Topic: Common Sense and the Little Things
Eric Sacco
PreK-8 Principal
Clifton-Clyde Grade and Middle School
USD 224
@SaccoEric
REGISTER FOR THE 2026 KPA CONFERENCE
The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE.
YOUR input on Cool Coffee is WANTED! Click HERE to share thoughts and interest for you or a colleague on being on the show!
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Perspective Topic: Scoreboards
Stefanie Lane
Building Principal
Lincoln Elementary 
USD 379/ KS
https://www.facebook.com/lincolncubpride
REGISTER FOR THE 2026 KPA CONFERENCE
The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE.
YOUR input on Cool Coffee is WANTED! Click HERE to share thoughts and interest for you or a colleague on being on the show!
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Episode Summary
Sarah Thomas, 2026 Kansas Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year and current AP at Ross Elementary School in Dodge City, Kansas, shares her journey, insights, and the rewarding challenges of educational leadership. Discover how her dynamic approach and community focus drive success and foster a positive school culture.
Connect with the guest: Sarah Thomas
USD 443 - Dodge City
 
REGISTER FOR THE 2026 KPA CONFERENCE
The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE.
YOUR input on Cool Coffee is WANTED! Click HERE to share thoughts and interest for you or a colleague on being on the show!
Click for ALL Cool Coffee episodes!
Connect with Cool Coffee on...
Follow us on X: @KSPrincipals; @KPACoolCoffee
Facebook: KSPrincipals
Contact the host: KPACoolCoffee@gmail.com
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Sarah Thomas and her role01:20 What does an elementary assistant principal do?02:26 The excitement of managing unpredictability in schools03:22 Winning the assistant principal of the year award07:01 Overview of Ross Elementary School08:54 Building community through engagement events10:17 Proud moments and leadership values12:42 Surprising moments in school administration14:10 Path to educational leadership16:39 What drew Sarah to administration?18:18 The impact of positive communication with families20:58 Balancing confidentiality and support in counseling22:25 Describing her school in one word23:13 The joy of celebrating successes24:24 Embarrassing moments and lessons learned26:43 Looking ahead and upcoming recognitions27:58 Bragging on her staff and school community29:07 Closing remarks and gratitude for the opportunity

Topic: Make It Easy to Do the Right Thing
Inge Esping
Principal
McPherson Middle School
USD 418 McPherson Public Schools
X - @Mac Middle Pups
FB - @MMSBullpups
The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE.
YOUR input on Cool Coffee is WANTED! Click HERE to share thoughts and interest for you or a colleague on being on the show!
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Topic: The Almost Mentality
Toby Ruder
Principal
Summit Trail Middle School
Olathe Public Schools - USD 233
 
The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE.
YOUR input on Cool Coffee is WANTED! Click HERE to share thoughts and interest for you or a colleague on being on the show!
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Contact the host: KPACoolCoffee@gmail.com
 
 

Topic: Maximizing Your Building Leadership Team
Principal Frank Bell
Gardner-Edgerton High School 
USD231
REGISTER FOR THE 2026 KPA CONFERENCE
The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE.
YOUR input on Cool Coffee is WANTED! Click HERE to share thoughts and interest for you or a colleague on being on the show!
Click for ALL Cool Coffee episodes!
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Topic: The Importance of Trust
Danielle Ambrosia
Assistant Principal - State College Area High School, Pennsylvania 2026 APOY
State College Area School District
@apambrosia on IG
 
The mission of the Kansas Principals Association, an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE.
YOUR input on Cool Coffee is WANTED! Click HERE to share thoughts and interest for you or a colleague on being on the show!
Click for ALL Cool Coffee episodes!
Connect with Cool Coffee on...
Follow us on X: @KSPrincipals; @KPACoolCoffee
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