5 days ago

CC#71: Retirement Reflections w/ Retiring Principals

In this episode of Cool Coffee, retiring principals Greg Oborny and JJ Libal, of USD 233 in Olathe, share their experiences and insights from their long careers in education. They discuss the importance of building relationships, the challenges of critical conversations, and the best advice they received throughout their journeys. The conversation emphasizes the need for visibility, integrity, and humor in leadership, while also preparing new administrators for the emotional and practical challenges they will face. Ultimately, the focus remains on the students and the impact educators can have on their lives. In this conversation, two experienced principals reflect on their careers, discussing the challenges and rewards of leadership in education. They share insights on the importance of giving, transitioning leadership, and the cherished memories that define their journeys. As they prepare for retirement, they express gratitude for their experiences and look forward to new adventures while emphasizing the human element of their roles.

See below for more on this episode, to connect with the host, and learn more about the KPA and the Cool Coffee Podcast.

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Chapters (timestamps do not account for intro music)

00:00 Introduction to the Principals' Journey
04:53 Lessons from Early Administration
12:12 The Best Advice for New Administrators
19:40 Navigating the Challenges of Leadership
25:53 The Principalship: Giving and Growing
27:00 Transitioning Leadership: Leaving a Legacy
31:57 Cherished Memories: Celebrating the Journey
37:52 Future Endeavors: Embracing Change
43:08 Reflections and Gratitude: The Human Element of Leadership

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FULL TRANSCRIPT (AI generated)

Rick Sola (00:01.076)
All right. Hello. Welcome to Cool Coffee, another edition, a special edition. And we will, we'll just call this a Princi-pals segment because I've got two of my own Princi-pals and I've got to give credit where credit's due. I did not come up with that. That was a former principal friend of mine, Justin Howe, who I've mentioned on this show before. He had the idea of Principals and he is a former principal now in the HR world. So I try not to bring him up too often.

But anyway, so we have some principals here with Mr. JJ Libal and Mr. Greg Oborny, and I'll let them introduce themselves here in a little bit, but they are both retiring principals after long, very successful careers in the chair. And so this is going to be a podcast where some shared wisdom will be given to the millions of listeners of Cool Coffee. And we will start by just doing a quick

introduction. I'll let you introduce yourself. Greg O. Let's hear about you.

Grego (01:05.146)
All right, well, I'm Greg Oborny. I've been with the Olathe District Schools for 39 years. I started my career as a first grade teacher, then was an instructional reading coach, was principal at Northview Elementary for four years, and then have been at the last 25 years. I opened Regency Place and have been here and now am going to live life outside the principalship. Yeah, crazy. Turn 60. What happens?

There's life. That's me.

Rick Sola (01:38.008)
Perfect. And we'll get more into it. And I should have started with this. And this is not any indication of the company that we have on this show, but this has always been able to maintain a family-friendly rating of podcast. And so I know you're retiring and you're both going out the door, but just for the record, we're a family-friendly show. And I'm kind of joking. I'm not setting you guys up at all. But JJ.

a quick road to the chair that you are about to vacate.

J.J. (02:12.948)
Sure, JJ Libal, I'm the retiring principal at Santa Fe Trail Middle School, the best middle school in Olathe, no offense, Rick Sola. But it is, right, right. Yeah, 19 years in Olathe School District, really 15 years as an administrator, all in Olathe. Started off, I'm a farm kid from Southeast Nebraska, and I've taught, my previous career, I've taught in

Rick Sola (02:22.926)
I take a little, but go ahead.

J.J. (02:41.968)
small 1A schools. First teaching job I was the entire social studies department for the high school to urban setting in KCK and then to Olathe. And I was in Olathe as a teacher for four years before I moved over to the assistant principal role at a couple of different middle schools including Santa Fe Trail where I'm at now and retiring after nine years at Santa Fe Trail as a principal.

Rick Sola (03:09.42)
Well, full disclosure, like I said, this is a, we'll call it princi-pals, but JJ and I go back to our coaching days. We coached against each other, each other. were both basketball coaches or social studies teachers together at different schools, but same, same grade level. So we go way back. And then Greg, Greg, I've gotten to know him more in the more recent years. And I think my only regret is I didn't connect with you sooner.

Greg and so but it's it's awesome to be able to connect with you on here

Grego (03:41.736)
middle school principals are such a elite group. You know, I've always been so intimidated and we elementary principals, you know, are not really worthy to be amongst the middle school and secondary folks. But once I finally gained, you know, entry into the secret club with the handshake and all, I have just been so honored and have lots of new insights into your middle school principal ways.

Rick Sola (04:09.89)
Well, I think the barrier that you broke and it's it's apropos that you're wearing a quarter zip right now because once you were a quarter zip at one point and we said, you know what? think he he could he could be part of the middle school club that in a polo, right? Dry fit. Yeah, OK.

Grego (04:22.536)
Yeah, it was dry fit, dry fit. Elementary folks aren't always into dry fit, but I've learned your ways and now. Comfort, extreme comfort.

Rick Sola (04:31.722)
Yeah. Yeah. Well, that's perfect. Well, I'm going to have you both go back and kind of go back to the deep memories of early in your educational career to your first year as an administrator. And just for the record here, first year for you, Greg, in administration, what year would that have been?

Grego (04:53.682)
Probably like 95.

Rick Sola (04:55.638)
Okay, and then JJ.

J.J. (04:58.181)
in 2010.

Rick Sola (05:00.238)
2010. Okay. What was the first hard lesson that you learned as an administrator?

J.J. (05:10.204)
You know, I think for, go ahead, Greg. Okay, so I think, you know, one of the things that I was not as adept at early on was crucial conversations, hard conversations, critical conversation, whatever you wanna call those. You know, I think that...

Grego (05:10.408)
I remember, you go JJ.

J.J. (05:33.652)
That was something that I did not understand as well in the beginning and how to do those well and did some work and some reading on that and some practice with that. I think that that was something that I think you have to learn, especially if you're coming from the classroom and if you're gonna be working in the same building as an administrator that you had taught.

understanding that relationships change. They change and you know now you're the boss, you're the supervisor and you know.

you're looked at a little bit differently at that point. And I would say even between, and you know, at the elementary world with Greg, I mean, I will say this, like nobody works harder than elementary principals, elementary teachers, because it's you, right? You're the one. You're the one in that classroom, you're the one in that building. you know, there's even a different relationship that I would see as being the assistant principal to the principal chair with staff. So I would say that was a lesson that I, or something that I got better at,

wish I'd learned a little bit earlier.

Grego (06:45.096)
Right on track, perfect on those critical conversations that just comes with experience, I think, and you have several of them and you botch them and then you master it. I remember the first time I thought that as a principal, I could make a directive and ask people to do something and just assume they would do it. That was really early on. I had asked my new staff, said, everybody's going to do

classroom newsletter. Now I'd like for you to do it weekly, but I understand that monthly may be more up some of your alley as we get used to this, but it's going to promote home and school communication and this is just something you've never done and it's going to be great. And the SPED people said, no we don't do that.

That's going to be a with IEPs. Nope, we can't. And I said, well, let's talk about then perhaps the objectives that you're working on with content in all of your IEP sessions. No, we're not going to do it. And I went, but yeah. OK.

And so after that, thought, hmm, I'm going to have to learn how to throw things out there, get a response from people, get critical mass, and get feedback and buy-in because saying, we are going to do this, doesn't work.

Rick Sola (08:24.056)
Did you, at what point did you pull out the I am the principal card? Did that ever come out? I've always heard that if that's something that has to be said, then there's a lot that's lost at that point.

Grego (08:39.524)
I was scared to say that after that moment and thought I'm just going to have to be craftier and smarter in conveying that thought but helping people realize that they're coming up with the idea and the initiative of which we need to do.

Rick Sola (08:59.043)
Yeah.

J.J. (08:59.22)
Just to add on that, Greg, I think you bring up a great point. I mean, I think we've all been in that situation. One thing that I found about three or four years ago, think, actually was around COVID when we were all online and looking for professional learning and all those things was a decision-making matrix.

And actually I got kind of a hard time from my staff because they would give me a hard time. Okay, is this a level one? Is this a level two? Is this a level five decision? And make fun of me for it. But then that actually kind of told me that they were paying attention to it. And that kind of helped some because I could say, know, like Greg, I love that term critical mass. Wish I would have heard that a few years ago. Thanks for just sharing that with me now, Greg. Could have used that a while back. But no, I think the idea of the same, yeah.

Grego (09:44.52)
you

It's vintage.

J.J. (09:49.47)
Timing, my timing is always impeccable. But I think that that is important because there are times where you have to put on that boss hat. But you don't wanna do that every day. There are times where I call it the boss hat. said, hey, this one's a level one. It's a boss hat, right? Like I'm gonna make this decision. But I often call things, hey, going into this decision, it's a level two. And so that means I'm making the decision, but I'm going to get input from you first.

And so if there are any complaints or concerns after that, I can say, well, you knew how the decision was going to be made before I made the decision. so, you know, I understand you're giving your feedback that way, you know? And so I think that helped me a little bit, but I agree with Greg. You know, can't pull that boss card out all the time, right? You have to figure out other ways.

Rick Sola (10:42.157)
Yeah.

So for the record, I hope a little bit of facetiousness came across in that comment. The I am the principal. I kind of go back to the old Center at Life skit with Will Ferrell where he's sitting around the table and getting frustrated because no one's listening and he's like, I drive a Dodge Stratus. I'm in charge of 23 people. I'm a big deal. Yeah, I don't think that's a sign that things are going really well when we have to do that. But you know, some really good stuff there. And yeah, to go back to those early

years and I do think that that's a real challenge early on especially all throughout the principalship but early on especially because Greg alluded to it earlier. We learn from getting burned. We get better at it. But in those early years we don't have the experience to draw on or the foundation or the confidence is probably a big part of that as well to be able just like you said you're like, yeah, I don't know.

But that's a really uncomfortable place to live in. And that's really where our early principals live on the daily. I mean, I remember that. I see both of you shaking your head. think that's really just kind of a reality. So you've kind of gotten through all that. At some point along the way, you received what you probably would coin as the best advice you ever got as an administrator. What advice did you receive?

perhaps early on that you just felt like, just like JJ just said, man, I wish I had known that earlier. But you hear something from all the mentors and all the people that we work around that are so great. Greg, we'll start with you. Best advice that you received early on in your principalships.

Grego (12:33.128)
Well, we talk about it every day at school now, especially starting the year. It's the power of building relationships. You know, we want teachers to build relationships with students and have that rapport and have authentic and real connections. And when we do that, students, there's lots of teaching and learning. They make progress and it's good all around. And I think people definitely have to be real.

principals have to be real with their staff and you've got to have relationships. I had one teacher say, Greg, I don't know what it is, but suddenly you do these Jedi mind tricks and you know, here we're all doing student led conferences and you know, it's just, it's that trust. They trust you, you trust them and you have relationships. And like when, when JJ said those,

critical conversations, that's when you have faith in yourself that you can do those things and they can come from a place of, if I were you, I would want to know. I use that phrase a lot. If I were you, I'd really want to know. So let's talk about it. And then you have that relationship built and the rapport, and then you work through those things.

Rick Sola (13:47.522)
Mm-hmm.

Rick Sola (13:58.446)
Yeah, and you always hope that those conversations are coming after you've built all those relationships and you've got so many deposits. Greg, as far as, you know, 39 years in education, Intentional steps that you have. mean, you're a very natural people person. The things that you do in your building to really kind of just always keep the relationship fire going with your staff. What are one or two of those things that you do?

Grego (14:09.8)
Correct.

Grego (14:29.522)
think we have to have humor. Yesterday at the elementary principals, was talking about the principals handbook, which is this made up entity that I use on my morning show with students about, you know, students and the principals handbook, because you only get the handbook after you go to principal school. And it's the knowledge of all the principals that have come before you. And whenever you have a question, principals go to the principal handbook. And you know,

We had a big snow last night students and in the principal handbook it says on page 1429, remind students to leave snow where nature intended it on the ground. And of course I got a principal handbook from my staff on my last day. I think humor has to be part of it. And you know another thing is just the integrity.

I we all know what we're supposed to do. That little voice that tells you what is the right thing to do. And when there's contentious conversations, parents, students, and we are attacked, I always just tell myself, what is the right thing to do? I really want to say this. I really want to make this point and have the last word. That's not the right thing. What does integrity tell you you need to do? So that's my guiding principle, integrity, humor.

and build your relationships and the rest of Scarborough's Rope and the Seal of Literacy and learning objectives, learning intentions, teacher clarity, those things will fall into place after you have those big pillars of what we just talked about.

Rick Sola (16:17.1)
No, I love that. And I love the principal handbook. That might be something I need to steal and just kind of reference, especially to kids. love the, well, now you know, I've got the handbook here. no, that's really great there. JJ, best advice.

Grego (16:28.712)
You

J.J. (16:35.42)
Yeah, I think two things. One, I heard from an assistant principal when I was teaching that I worked with. And I really didn't think about it until I obviously became a principal. But there are very few emergencies in education. obviously,

You know, we had bad weather last night. That's right. An emergency takes shelter. But other than that, there are very few emergencies. There's why I know that one thing that I learned when I made a decision too quickly.

and didn't take to 48 hours, usually did not go as well. And I know that can be frustrating to staff sometimes because they want an answer right now. But I try to remind myself there are very few things in education that can't wait 24 to 48 hours. Like Greg said, before you respond to that email, before you say something, give yourself push pause, I guess would be the shorter version of that. Number two would be visibility.

And I would say I credit Mike Wolgast for that, who I worked with at Pioneer Trail. And I really didn't understand that until I became a principal. But I heard just to a tell here, Mike, tell me all the time, be visible. And so many of parents may not make it into the building, but they see you out there at the crosswalk. In my case, they saw me weed eating because that's what I like to do. And they thought it was just for the school, but it was also for me because it part of my therapy.

But that means so much to staff and to students and to parents, right? That they are visible. We see you at every game. We see you at every concert. Not that you have to attend all those things the entire time, but when you're there, and I would add one thing to that, active visibility. So when you're there, you fist bumping parents? Hello, nice to see you again. Thanks for coming tonight. How's it? So being actively visible and being...

J.J. (18:32.424)
and then really pushing pause on things that do not need a decision right now.

Rick Sola (18:39.446)
Yeah, no, that's great. I love that active visibility piece because sometimes it, don't know, we can be visible, but there's a million things rattling through our brains. And so it's easy to not be engaged with whatever it is. It could be just a supervision of a, concert or basketball game, to be, to be active, I love that. as, yeah, as we transition still along the line of advice, but

thinking to someone who may come to you, you hey, JJ Gregg, I'm starting my very first principalship or I'm starting my very first role in administration. You have years and wealth of wisdom, which is a lot of experience. What would you want to impart or what advice would you want to give to someone who is asking you in June before August for some advice?

J.J. (19:40.958)
Greg, I'll let you start on that one. I'm still thinking about it.

Rick Sola (19:42.21)
Hahaha.

Grego (19:45.052)
Well, I'm going to be totally blunt and family friendly on this response. But when someone comes to me and says they're interested in the Principalship Administration, my first question to them is, are you sure you want to come to the dark side? And they'll go, what? And I say, yes, this is the Darth Vader dark side. You have.

great highs in this job, but there are some lows and the depths that will rock your health, your mental health, your physical health, your family life, and you've got to be prepared to work on balance and know that the work is never done. You will never be good enough.

There's always going to be someone that's unhappy with the decision you've made or you haven't met their needs. Your needs are going to be secondary to your staff, your students, your community. You will not get to show true emotions because you're going to be a leader. And it's going to take over your entire life. And

It's just the best thing ever at times. And it is awful at times. And you've got to have thick skin. So you better get yourself a good moisturizer, some sunscreen, and be prepared because it will impact every aspect of your life. And you probably will earn about $15 an hour when it's all said and done with the amount of time

Rick Sola (21:18.702)
You

Grego (21:34.854)
that it takes in your existence. Are you ready to come to the dark side?

They look at me and often go, thanks Mr. O, I'll think about this. To me it's the truth though.

Rick Sola (21:52.62)
Yeah. But you know, wrapped up in all of that, all the challenges you said, but it's the best and there's so much to love about it. And I've said on this show before many times, just how I do think the principalship is the best job in education. There's just so many things with it. It doesn't mean it's easy. If it feels easy, we're probably not doing it the right way.

J.J. (22:18.132)
and

Rick Sola (22:19.264)
And I love that you shared all that because I think anybody who's listening to this can probably relate pretty deeply with all of that. But it's also encouraging as a reminder of what it is that we're doing. And Greg, I bet you've had former students now, I 39 years in education, I mean, they're well into adulthood. There's probably some grandkids that are coming through. The profound impact that you've had and what better legacy is there than to positively impact.

kids and families. But there's a sacrifice that comes with it. that's great advice. JJ.

J.J. (22:57.3)
It's always about the kids for me, you know, and love what Greg said there. You know, decisions that you make that are best for kids are not always going to be what's most convenient for adults. And so I think you have to keep that in mind because one thing that I would tell a new administrator coming in is that you will not...

I cannot prepare you for the number of adult things that you will deal with, with dealing with adults as much or more that you deal with kids. Because you have to remember that you're taking on everything else too. Anything that is personal and going on in their lives, a divorce, a breakup, a...

you know, passing, that all comes to you as the principle too, right? For you to handle. You know, everybody else is, you know, things that are, the burdens that they're carrying too can come to you quite often. So, but I would say the focus still has to be on the kids and we are here. They are our clients. I say all the time, you know, we have the best kids and we have to believe that. And so,

What I would say is, is, you know, keep the focus where it needs to be and that's ultimately on the kids that we serve. And it's, and now you're doing that as a principal for an entire building, but there are going to be some decisions that you make that's going to be what's best for a kid, maybe even on an individual discipline situation where the teacher wants one thing, the parent wants something, and you have to, you have to do what's best for the kid in that situation. And that teacher may not be feel supported.

for whatever reason. So you have to be able to do that, but understand that that's why you were put in that chair. You were put in that chair because you are a leader, because somebody saw something in you to lead an entire building. And so, you get the opportunity to make that decision. And some of those things can be very life-changing as well for students. just, I mentioned this the other day in our, is get a praise box, find something that you can put notes in.

J.J. (25:08.389)
of praise over the years and then get those out. Put them on an album, find those things because those are gonna be important later on. You know, from whether it be from staff or students or parents. So that would be my advice.

Grego (25:23.27)
Recently, I told a teacher, and this was like May 15th, and this was in the principal's handbook that they gave me, I had a bit of a melodramatic moment. And I was talking to this teacher and I said, good grief. I'm just like Shell Silverstein's The Giving Tree. I give, I give, I give, I've got no branches. I give, and now I'm simply just a stump. That's all I am. I'm just a stump. There's nothing left of me.

Rick Sola (25:47.625)
Ha ha ha.

Grego (25:53.004)
And of course we laughed and I thought that really is the principalship. We give, we give, we give. And then suddenly there's just nothing left but a stump. But you know what, over summer, you grow back into this great, big, powerful Kansas cottonwood tree and then throughout the year, you know, you're losing everything, Shel Feverstein.

Rick Sola (26:18.347)
Yeah.

Grego (26:20.732)
but it always comes back and it feels so good when you do give and it comes back and you still have that capacity to give.

Rick Sola (26:30.734)
That's a great analogy. love it. There's a theme wrapped in there somewhere. I'm trying to figure out how to incorporate that into a school wide theme. Maybe that's a little dark of a theme. I don't know. That's maybe a little melancholy or something. no, everything that you both just said is just so great. to be able to capture that here and like I said, hope people will hear this because there's so much there, especially those who are getting into the profession.

Grego (26:39.368)
You

Rick Sola (27:00.716)
Or maybe they're just finishing their first or second year where you really feel beat down and you talk about thick skin. It takes a little time to really get comfortable with that because you're building that confidence and all that. You know, I know a big part of, especially for both of you, because you care so much about your communities, the school that you're stepping away from. I know there's a lot of prep that is and has gone into.

leaving in a good place for the person who's stepping into your chair. Just talk briefly about what are some of those things that you made sure to do to ensure that your community in the building is really left in the best possible place for that person.

J.J. (27:49.428)
You know, I'm glad you talked about that. was just talking with Leah, Dr. Cogswell, will be taking the principalship at Santa Fe Trail. And it's funny how things kind of come across like Twitter or whatever happens to be just at the right time. But I just, it was about, you know, basically about transition. And it talked about how, you know, are you building something that is strong only when you're there or also when you're out of the room?

And can you be a cheerleader for what happens next? And is there momentum to move forward? And I think that that is really, really good. It's really hard. I I found it hard, right, to kind of step away and say, okay, I won't be here or I'm not involved in planning and decision making for next year at this point. And that's not easy, but what you have to realize is that it's not about you.

first of all, and you have to, it's really about the kids and moving forward and, you know, sometimes change is good. And so, you know, I would just say that, understand that, you know, your legacy is about what moves forward in that situation, not necessarily about what was left behind in that situation. So that's kind of how I've looked at these last, you know, couple of months as it's gotten closer to the end.

Grego (29:11.912)
Well, JJ, I'm glad that you have you expressed that it has been hard, especially with a new person. I have felt that immensely and then told myself this shouldn't be hard. But after 25 years, I opened the building, I've hired everybody. I've planted bushes like you. I've I've trimmed every. My DNA is all over this building.

Rick Sola (29:12.354)
Great.

Grego (29:36.284)
with sweat, blood, tears, and my life. And so giving that up to a new leader has really been challenging for me, because this has been my life, my passion, Regency Place. But I love the successor, Tricia Putoff, and...

I've really worked hard to make sure that she has every success possible. Everything is going to be done for her. I've got files ready. She's going to come into this clean office, which is not right now. And the year is pretty much planned for her. And then she gets to take that and do what she wants to. And I will be totally supportive of whatever comes up. I've tried to include her in all of our end of the year events so that everybody knows that we are aligned and good friends. The community knows that we're good friends.

which adds comfort to the transition. And strangely enough, I received a picture from a former staff member taken probably back in 2007. This is me.

Rick Sola (30:45.207)
See that, yeah.

Grego (30:45.896)
Eilish Man Bag that was, you know, very popular in those 2000s. And here's Tricia, who was friends with people in my building and we were at a staff function. And we're both talking, laughing, jamming, dancing. Who would have known that in 2025, she would be taking over the love of my life and I'm gonna be okay with it.

Rick Sola (31:12.728)
Yeah, what a great picture to have that unearthed at this point and that's pretty cool. I'm assuming she's seen this, right?

Grego (31:16.156)
Yeah

Grego (31:22.76)
Oh yes, yes. We, we...

Rick Sola (31:25.088)
Is it gonna be put up in the building? It really should.

Grego (31:30.408)
Well, it's a family friendly building, Rick, with family friendly language and imagery. And probably this was at a favorite watering hole back in the mid 2000s that's probably no longer in existence. And I'm thinking that perhaps another PLC opportunity for the community to us getting along might be more appropriate.

J.J. (31:36.424)
Hahaha.

Rick Sola (31:41.1)
Yes.

Rick Sola (31:56.27)
That is an answer only someone with years of principal experience could provide. That's fantastic. You know, I'll say the last couple of months, maybe it's the last several weeks or maybe it's the last year. Talk about or just share what's been your favorite memory.

Grego (32:04.008)
.

Rick Sola (32:20.074)
over the kind of, I guess, just the home stretch. And so wherever you want to put that, but as part of your retirement, you you both have alluded to some of, and I've seen pictures on, on Twitter of some really great things and your communities, they love you. But what's been one of your, favorite memories of, cause I've heard it so many times before and Greg, actually you said this at the district retirement that, you know,

You find that you hear so many great things when you retire. It's unfortunate that we don't hear those things until we retire. But what's been your favorite memory over the last couple months?

J.J. (32:56.338)
For me, really, I told my staff, made it very clear, and like Greg talked about to a directive that people don't follow, I made it very clear, I thought, that I didn't want anything. just want to walk away, right? Well, you know.

that didn't happen, but you know, it was great. So I think one of the favorite memories I have is the, we do a spring show at the end of the year and Rick would know what that's all about, your cheerleaders and drill team and you know, put on a performance and they had gotten from my wife a list of like some of my favorite rock songs, cause it was a rock and roll theme and they did a montage of those songs, tribute and then.

I got out there and was dancing with them, had the Brett Michaels wig on, that kind of thing out there, you know, because it was us dressing up for the event, and that was really special. And that brought goosebumps, and still does, I have goosebumps right now thinking about that, and a tear, you I think that will always be.

Rick Sola (33:51.351)
Yeah.

J.J. (34:06.592)
you know, an amazing thing. And the fact that the kids took the time to do that and that the sponsors to put that together, choreograph something and have it go off, that was amazing. And so that's one that I will always take forward. And then I think just the number of cards and emails and things that I've gotten, you know, that I've received has been tremendous from the community. They see it. You may not always hear it all the time, but they do recognize

and appreciate the work that goes in and taking care of their children.

Grego (34:43.57)
JJ, I was like you, I was thinking, okay, let's keep the celebrations minimal, but at some point I didn't have control over it and they weren't listening and I just had to lean in and go with it. And that was really tough for me to be the center of attention and have all this thrown at you that really is so validating for you as a person, as professional, and as your career.

Rick Sola (34:43.586)
JJ,

Grego (35:14.332)
But after you kind of get used to it and you open yourself up to it, it really does help bring, I think, some closure to our careers and the power and legacy that we've left with this district. Again, I will say, I had a moment where a former parent called me.

I saw the name on the phone and I had an immediate, it's the last time I talked to this parent eight years ago. In June was a knockdown drag-out, not kind conversation at all about some critiques that things weren't brought up and it wasn't positive. You know, I held my own and I saw that name and thought, my, well that parent had called

and wanted to share that the boys were doing exceptional, going to college, had one graduating this year, and that their best years were at Regency Place. And he just wanted to let me know that. And he remembered the last time we had visited. And he had thought about calling since then, but this just felt like the right time. And I thought, another example, do the right thing.

Rick Sola (36:32.962)
Wow.

Grego (36:37.362)
You don't always have to get the last word, Mr. O'Borne. And that does come around. And that disgruntled parent that...

Extended the olive branch eight years later With something I really remember as much as I do cards and everything here that doing the right thing and Being a human being is so much what this job is all about and we lose sight of it It's hard because there are so many pressures and we're trying to be effective all the time and you just want to get this done but relationships and being human

That's how you get it done.

Rick Sola (37:22.444)
Yeah, that's awesome. What a gift too, because you know that's something that I think so much in education we we don't see the fruition. Things come to fruition that we may have planted and to be able to have that eight years later. What a nice gesture on on their part and that you remember that so so clearly. You know, like I said, I have seen and heard of and then of course our district celebration. So many great things on on your behalf and in.

It's just great, greatest to see that two very deserving principles and for the record, going to miss you both greatly at our district meetings and just connecting with you. But I also know that you're the kind of people that are just a phone call away and you'd be willing to talk about anything, but just two of the best. I want to leave this with just quickly your plans now for the future, because I know

August is going to have a different feel. And JJ, I know you've got a little bit of an educational road ahead of you still, but I know it's going to feel much different. I say August. It's really like your summer is going to feel very different. So what are those plans here in the upcoming school year?

J.J. (38:39.654)
And so I will be in charge of in-school suspension at a middle school in Park Hill School District and be an hourly employee and looking forward to that. I coach girls basketball. I think this is a good transition before my ultimate goal is to get back in the classroom.

as a social studies teacher. And so I'm looking for this transition time and had an opportunity yesterday to go work with some of the kids at a basketball camp. And it was so much fun to be back in the gym, knock off some of that coaching rust and learn and like, well, this is different than how I taught it 20 years ago, but that's okay. Let's learn more. And so I'm super excited about that, you know, and,

being able to work with kids and try to make a difference, difference individually with students. Take some of things that I've learned and put in place at CNFA Trail. And then eventually though I want to get back into the classroom. That's where my heart is and continue to coach.

Grego (39:45.82)
JJ, I admire you so much for, you know, continuing having your feet and dabbling in education. That's great. I'm honestly scared to do that for fear that this school for 25 years has been the love of my life. And I would feel like I'm cheating if I were to do something else, you know?

Rick, you're so in tune. I am not looking forward to August because I know I'm going to be having, you know, I should be posting class lists. I should be doing this. So I plan to be out of town in Cape Cod during August to be entirely away from that so that I'm not going to be too focused. But look forward to...

having a life outside of school, which I really haven't. All these years I've been so school focused. As I've told my staff when I announced this, Regency Place will learn to survive and thrive without Mr. O, and Mr. O needs to learn how to thrive and survive without Regency Place.

So that is my goal is learning how to thrive and survive without the school schedule and being effective and Mr. Snap, which by the way, this doesn't work at home.

Rick Sola (41:08.706)
Hahaha.

Grego (41:10.96)
Snaps don't work.

Rick Sola (41:14.222)
I don't think they would work at my home either.

J.J. (41:17.204)
I just tried that on this call and got a dirty look. So I'm just saying, you know, yeah, it wasn't for my dogs either. It was like, you know, so yeah, there you go. I like that.

Grego (41:17.476)
Hahaha!

Grego (41:33.616)
It's a big adventure. I really don't know what to expect. And I guess we work all of our lives to get to this point. And I have faith that it's all going to work out and be great.

J.J. (41:48.306)
Yeah, I would just echo there, Greg, because I mean, it's a little bit grieving, right? I mean, there's a little, even though it's so hard and there's so much and, you know, and, you know, I hated a countdown, you know, a countdown of days. I just, didn't like countdowns, you know, but it is a little bit of a grieving process because when it becomes such a part of who you are and what you do, it's your identity.

You know, right? And so now that has to change. And so I agree with you 100%. It will feel different when you've done this your entire life. And for me, that's all I've known, because my parents were educators, right? And so I have not known anything but going to school and doing school things since, you know, since I was a little kid. So.

Rick Sola (42:38.966)
Well, really profound there and just really awesome to hear. just everything as I'm thinking about just this whole talk, everything that has really been talked about this whole cool coffee podcast is created to celebrate the principalship. And I can't think of any better way than to hear two amazing principals reflect on their career and share some advice and talk about next steps. There's just so much about the principalship that

is hard and challenging but so rewarding and I hope nothing but the best for both of you as you embark on a summer that will be entirely different than it has been for many, many years. And Greg, figure out that watering hole that picture was taken into and then when you come back from Cape Cod in September, October or whenever, let's all get together and...

And we'll just, you can catch up and hear about things and perhaps be reminded that, no, that's been a really good couple months that I've had not having to worry about all this stuff.

Grego (43:45.393)
You

might even bring back that man bag and treat you both to a healthy beverage.

Rick Sola (43:53.378)
Yeah, there you go. There you go. That sounds perfect. I'd be totally up for that. And guys, thank you so much. And as a testament to both of you, trying to schedule this, it was incredible because we're in summer and I know Greg tomorrow is actually the last official day of contract, but like it was dancing around commitments because you're still meeting, you're still working, you're still doing things for your building. This has not been checkout mode for the last few weeks or whatever.

You're working, you would talk about working bell to bell, you guys are working bell to bell. So thanks for all that you've done for education, for your communities, for your people. And thank you for coming on to this show here today.

Grego (44:35.846)
Rick, your listening skills, your hosting skills, your paraphrasing skills are remarkable. I mean, this is like late night TV with your host skills. Seriously. So I'm gonna give you some positive snaps.

Rick Sola (44:54.414)
Well, thank you very much. I thought I was sensing a little teetering on pandering or sarcasm or something, but no, thank you. Thank you so much. It's been awesome.

J.J. (44:55.522)
You

Grego (44:56.381)
your town.

Grego (45:04.68)
It's genuine. Genuine.

J.J. (45:07.028)
Well, I will echo that because Rick, you and I go way back and Rick likes to give me a hard time, but we are also big planes, trains, automobiles, fans and brothers in Seinfeld in that. And so I, you know, I will just say that you do a great job with this, right? And I'm not saying that in some sarcastic Seinfeld way, like.

Rick Sola (45:17.058)
Ha ha ha.

Rick Sola (45:29.166)
Well, you're.

J.J. (45:32.34)
or anything like that. You do a great job with this. And in all seriousness, the fact that you're highlighting, because I think people can forget about the role of the principal sometimes, right? And not understand that we're human too. And you're bringing that human element to this. And so thank you for doing that. I hope that you keep doing this, because this is great.

Rick Sola (45:56.77)
Well, you're very kind. And we made it through this whole talk. And there was not one single Seinfeld quote or reference the entire time. That's pretty remarkable. there you go. Well, guys, thank you so much. Have an awesome rest of the day, weekend ahead, and an awesome summer to you.

Grego (45:56.968)
Agreed.

J.J. (46:06.718)
We'll make up for that. We'll make up for that at that watering hole.