Cool Coffee with Kansas Principals

Show Summary
In this episode, Dr. Jessica Cabeen shares her journey through various educational roles, her insights on leadership, balancing work and family, and introduces her latest book, The Drip Effect: Breaking Free From Hustle Culture. Also a keynote speaker at the November 4th/5th KPA principal conference in Wichita, Dr. Cabeen discusses ongoing learning, practical strategies for effective leadership, prioritization, and self-care from a seasoned principal. This fun conversation also provides a preview of Dr. Cabeen will talk about in November!
Connect with Dr. Cabeen on LinkedIn.
 
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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Connect with Cool Coffee on...
Follow us on X: @KSPrincipals; @KPACoolCoffee
Facebook: KSPrincipals
Contact the host: KPACoolCoffee@gmail.com
 
Episode Chapters
00:00 - Welcome, conference context, and why Dr. Jessica Cabeen is the right guest01:09 - Dr. Cabeen’s morning coffee routine and early start01:36 - Her path to the principal chair across multiple school levels04:02 - What middle school leadership taught her about kids and culture06:10 - How school leadership led to speaking and book writing07:56 - Mentors, deep work, and the discipline of writing books09:09 - The theme of balance running through her work10:19 - Learning the hard way while leading and parenting12:14 - Why self-care matters for leaders of any gender14:42 - Previewing The Drip Effect with coauthor Jimmy Casas15:12 - The four parts of the framework: pause, clarify, act, refine16:06 - Why leaders struggle with doing too much themselves17:04 - Refinement, micro-moves, and giving initiatives time to work18:09 - Work guilt, delegation, and reframing what your role should be18:57 - Honesty with colleagues about struggle and boundaries21:47 - What KPA attendees can expect from her session23:28 - Shouting out the Austin Online and Austin Area Learning Center staff

Topic: Building A Lancer Legacy (Collaboration across the district) 
Principal April Baugh
Spearville Elementary School
USD 381-Spearville 
FB- April Hosheit Baugh
 
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: A Communication Lesson in Six Words
Principal Rick Sola
Chisholm Trail Middle School
Olathe Public Schools - USD 233
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 - Monday Ramp! Start the week with an all school gathering.
Ryan Creadick
Principal
Kingman Elementary School 
USD 331 Kingman Norwich
Instagram - @mr.pickleheadkes_eagle
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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: Learning to Let Go
Principal Jenny Steele
Manchester Park Elementary School
USD233
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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: 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!
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: 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!
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: 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!
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: 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!
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

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!
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