The Principal's Handbook
Barb Flowers
Recent Episodes
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Have you noticed that the closer you get to winter break, the quicker every little problem seems to turn into a big one? The weeks leading up to winter break can magnify stress, fatigue, and frustration for both teachers and administrators — and if you’re not intentional, that negativity can spread fast.
In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook, we unpack why December tends to amplify overwhelm and reactivity in school cultures and what it means for you as a leader. You’ll learn how to recognize the emotional patterns that surface this time of year, understand what your staff is really needing beneath the complaints, and lead your building with steadiness when everyone else feels on edge.
Tune in to explore leadership mindsets, emotional regulation tools, and practical moves that help you create stability, support your teachers, and keep your school grounded through one of the hardest months of the year — without burning yourself out in the process. Whether your staff is drained, irritable, or simply “over it,” this episode will help you show up with clarity, compassion, and confidence.
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The Principal's Email Detox
Decisive Leadership- Free Workshop
Principal Checklist to Disconnect From School
Behavior Blueprint for Principals
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Are behavior expectations slipping as holiday events, assemblies, and schedule changes take over your building? December can be exciting, but it can also be one of the toughest months for student regulation, staff consistency, and Tier 1 fidelity. In this episode, we unpack why behaviors tend to increase before break, what students may be silently carrying into the holidays, and how leaders can bring calm, clarity, and predictability when routines start to unravel.
If you want to finish the semester strong without lowering expectations, this episode will help you refocus on what matters most and lead with intention—no matter how festive (or chaotic) it gets.
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As a principal, it’s easy to pour everything into your school and forget about yourself. But your mental health matters—because a healthy, grounded leader creates a healthy school.
In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook, Barb Flowers shares three essential strategies to protect your well-being as a school leader. You’ll learn how to:
- Set and protect boundaries that allow you to truly leave work at work
- Give yourself grace and quiet the perfectionism and self-doubt that fuel burnout
- Reconnect with your why so you can rediscover purpose and joy in your role
Whether you’re feeling stretched thin or simply need a reset, this episode will remind you that taking care of yourself isn’t selfish—it’s essential leadership.
Free Resources for Principals
The 8 to 4 Principal Planner
Decisive Leadership- Free Workshop
Principal Checklist to Disconnect From School
Get 20% of The 8 to 4 Principal Blueprint HERE.
What sets strong instructional leaders apart from those just managing the day-to-day? In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook, you’ll learn five key traits that help principals lead learning, not just logistics.
You’ll discover:
- Why great leaders see themselves as lifelong learners and model that for their staff
- How to protect time for instructional leadership—even when the day gets chaotic
- Ways to use evaluations, PD, and data as tools for genuine teacher growth
- How to clearly communicate beliefs about teaching and learning so your vision sticks
If you’ve ever felt pulled away from instructional priorities by constant fires, this episode will help you refocus on what matters most—growing teachers, improving learning, and leading with purpose.
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Check out my free planner, The 8 to 4 Principal Planner.
Get 20% of The 8 to 4 Principal Blueprint HERE.
Have you ever walked into a PLC and instantly felt the tension in the air? In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook, Barb unpacks why some teacher teams just can’t seem to get along—and what you can do about it as a leader.
You’ll learn:
- How to identify hidden patterns and root causes behind team conflict (it’s not always personalities).
- Mindset and empathy shifts that help you approach tough teams with calm and authority.
- Simple structures and coaching strategies to transform chaos into collaboration.
Tune in to gain clarity, confidence, and a practical plan for your most challenging team dynamics.
Do you want more support with working with teacher teams? Check out my Teacher Team Dynamics Toolkit or my Free Quick Guide to Navigating Challenging Teacher Dynamics