Cool Coffee with Kansas Principals

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!
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

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!
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
 
 

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!
Connect with Cool Coffee on...
Follow us on X: @KSPrincipals; @KPACoolCoffee
Facebook: KSPrincipals
Contact the host: KPACoolCoffee@gmail.com

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
Facebook: KSPrincipals
Contact the host: KPACoolCoffee@gmail.com

Topic: Inspire Greatness
Travis Rogers
Principal
Wichita South High School
USD259 Wichita, KS
X - @travisrogers83
 
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

2026 Ohio Assistant Principal of the Year, Deanna Elsing, Associate Principal of Mayfield High School in Mayfield, Ohio*, discusses the innovative "Learn and Earn" program employed at Mayfield High School. This program provides students with paid work experiences in various trades and industries, emphasizing soft skills, career exploration, and real-world readiness. Recorded over the summer, conversation also gets into the different pace of the summer months...enjoy!
*Since recording, Deanna has accepted a position as the Director of Secondary Education for the Auburn Career Center.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING! Leave a like and leave a comment for this episode and Cool Coffee with Kansas Principals on your favorite podcast platform!
Contact the guest: Deanna Elsing
Contact Cool Coffee host, Principal Rick Sola or at KPA's Cool Coffee Podcast.
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.
Provide Cool Coffee feedback! Click HERE to share thoughts and guest suggestions.
Click for ALL Cool Coffee episodes!
Connect with Cool Coffee on...
Follow us on X: @KSPrincipals; @KPACoolCoffee
Facebook: KSPrincipals
Contact host Principal Rick Sola or at KPA's Cool Coffee Podcast.
 
Episode Chapters (time stamps do not account for show intro)
00:00 Introduction to Deanna Elsing and the Learn and Earn Program01:02 The school year timeline and summer break in Ohio02:24 What is the Learn and Earn program?02:54 Addressing oversubscribed career tech programs in Ohio03:56 Targeting students without access to traditional programs04:53 Participation growth and program expansion06:02 Paid pathways in manufacturing, auto, health, and facilities08:05 Preparing students for workplace expectations08:33 Teaching soft skills and professional standards09:57 Field trips and real-world exposure10:54 Employer interviews and student self-promotion11:38 Attendance, punctuality, and soft skills expectations12:43 Impact of Ohio's cell phone ban on student behavior13:42 Student feedback on soft skills and soft skills challenges15:54 Success story: Sydney’s journey from dropout risk to employment18:33 Sydney’s pathway to college and career success19:55 Celebrating employment signing day and student achievements20:53 Students exploring different career paths and changing directions24:22 Post-high school pathways: employment, college, and trade schools27:01 Building industry relationships and employer engagement28:02 Growing the employer network and community partnerships29:42 Lessons learned: starting small and iterating31:01 Advice for districts considering similar programs32:46 Bragging on the team and student resilience33:34 Summer priorities: family, recharge, and personal growth

Episode Summary
Principal Justin Coffey from Ulysses High School, USD 214, shares his journey from a high school teacher to a principal, emphasizing the importance of leadership balance, intentionality, and community in education. Discover practical insights on managing school responsibilities and fostering a strong school culture through Justin's "dance floor vs balcony" analogy.
 
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING! Leave a like and leave a comment for this episode and Cool Coffee with Kansas Principals on your favorite podcast platform!
Contact the guest: Principal Justin Coffey
Contact Cool Coffee host, Principal Rick Sola or at KPA's Cool Coffee Podcast.
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Justin's background01:31 Justin's journey into education and leadership08:43 The dance floor and balcony analogy explained12:08 Strategies for getting on the balcony16:33 Building trust and delegation with team20:58 Advice for new principals feeling overwhelmed23:13 Justin's community and school culture in Ulysses30:48 The importance of connection and community in schools
 
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.
Provide Cool Coffee feedback! Click HERE to share thoughts and guest suggestions.
Click for ALL Cool Coffee episodes!
Connect with Cool Coffee on...
Follow us on X: @KSPrincipals; @KPACoolCoffee
Facebook: KSPrincipals
Contact host Principal Rick Sola or at KPA's Cool Coffee Podcast.

Episode Summary
In this engaging interview, 2026 Louisiana Principal of the Year, Justin Wax of Denham Springs Junior High School, shares insights on leadership, school culture, community engagement, and effective communication strategies that foster a thriving educational environment.
 
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING! Leave a like and leave a comment for this episode and Cool Coffee with Kansas Principals on your favorite podcast platform!
 
Connect with Principal Wax:
Email: Justin Wax
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Leadership and Community Engagement02:55 The Importance of School Culture05:42 Building a Strong School Community08:38 Empowering Staff and Students11:05 Effective Communication Strategies13:51 Hiring for Cultural Fit16:46 Balancing Leadership and Family Life19:22 Celebrating Team Successes22:16 Final Thoughts and Community Acknowledgments
 
Contact Cool Coffee host, Principal Rick Sola: rfsola@olatheschools.org or KPACoolCoffee@gmail.com
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.
Provide Cool Coffee feedback! Click HERE to share thoughts and guest suggestions.
Click for ALL Cool Coffee episodes!
Connect with Cool Coffee on...
Follow us on X: @KSPrincipals; @KPACoolCoffee
Facebook: KSPrincipals
Contact host Principal Rick Sola: rfsola@olatheschools.org or KPACoolCoffee@gmail.com

In this episode, Ariel Jankord shares her insights on building strong PLCs, establishing effective routines at the start of the school year, and creating a positive school culture. She discusses practical strategies for principals to foster collaboration, set expectations, and support staff development.
Connect with Principal Jankord:
Email: Ariel Jankord
More Cool Coffee Episodes Featuring Ariel Jankord:
CC#58: "Leading from the Extremes" - A Principal's Perspective 
Click for ALL Cool Coffee episodes
Contact Cool Coffee host, Principal Rick Sola: rfsola@olatheschools.org or KPACoolCoffee@gmail.com
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.
Provide Cool Coffee feedback! Click HERE to share thoughts and guest suggestions.
Click for ALL Cool Coffee episodes!
Connect with Cool Coffee on...
Follow us on X: @KSPrincipals; @KPACoolCoffee
Facebook: KSPrincipals
Contact host Principal Rick Sola: rfsola@olatheschools.org or KPACoolCoffee@gmail.com
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and guest background02:03 What is a strong PLC and its practical application03:52 Establishing expectations and routines for PLCs06:06 Using data and assessments effectively in PLCs08:57 Guiding teams and fostering collaboration11:01 Norms, autonomy, and team ownership12:46 Role of principal in leading PLCs15:02 Meeting schedules and team support16:56 Common assessment practices and grading19:05 Classroom observations and visible practices21:01 Start-of-year routines and community building22:51 Fun activities and staff engagement25:08 Welcoming new students and families27:03 Common mistakes and advice for new principals29:06 First days of school and building relationships31:59 Rapid fire questions and personal insights