Episode 421

full
Published on:

7th Aug 2025

Your Title Doesn't Make You Entitled, Even if You're the Principal of a 3,200 Student High School

Summary: Join C.T. and guest Ron Polk, principal of James Logan High School in California’s New Haven Unified School District, as they explore leadership in one of Northern California’s largest high schools with 3,200 students. Ron shares how his own journey from ESL teacher to award-winning principal shapes his mission to build a culture of trust, care, and accountability. He emphasizes being present, approachable, and invested in students’ lives, fostering school pride, and supporting new teachers with a coaching mindset. This conversation highlights practical strategies for creating a supportive team environment where students take ownership, guided by authentic relationships and high expectations.

Key Takeaways:

  • Leadership Rooted in Care and Presence: Ron Polk emphasizes being a visible, approachable presence on campus, fostering genuine relationships with students to build trust and a sense of family within a large school community of over 3,200 students.
  • Coaching Mindset for Staff Support: He supports both new and veteran teachers through coaching, promoting self-reflection and practical strategies to improve classroom management and student engagement, always prioritizing student success.
  • High Expectations Coupled with Support: Ron balances holding students accountable for their effort and behavior with advocating for them and providing care, encouraging self-advocacy and responsibility as essential life skills.
  • Authenticity and Sharing Personal Journey: By sharing his own life story and challenges, he connects with students authentically to inspire hope and resilience, helping them envision possibilities for their futures.
  • Building School Pride and Community: He works intentionally to cultivate school spirit and pride, encouraging students to see their school as a place they belong and from which they carry lifelong connections.
  • Use of Relational Discipline: When discipline issues arise, Ron handles situations thoughtfully—engaging students directly, encouraging reflection, involving parents appropriately, and focusing on growth rather than punishment alone.
  • Data- and Experience-Informed Practices: His leadership draws on decades of educational experience, blending practical classroom knowledge with a deep understanding of community and student needs.


Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Today's Episode

00:32 Meet Ron Polk: An Inspirational Educator

01:29 Challenges and Community at James Logan High

02:28 Building School Spirit and Pride

04:35 Mentorship and Leadership Qualities

07:31 The Importance of Care and Trust

11:38 Being Present and Accessible

17:28 Supporting New Teachers

30:16 Navigating the Pandemic's Impact


Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Ron Polk: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-polk-827015a9/



Whether you're currently wearing the principal badge, aspiring to the big chair, or teaching while secretly taking notes on what you'd do differently, Principal Office Hours delivers actionable strategies you can implement faster than a student being sent to detention.


Subscribe now and join the faculty lounge conversation that's too real for the school board meeting. New episodes drop every week.


Warning: May cause spontaneous leadership growth and occasional inappropriate laughter during staff meetings.

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About the Podcast

Principal Office Hours
Real principals. Real talk. No hall passes required.
Finally—a podcast that proves school principals have personalities (and killer insights, too). Every week, join us for candid conversations with K-12 principals who are navigating the beautiful chaos of educational leadership without losing their minds or sense of humor.

Each 40-minute episode features real principals sharing what actually works in school leadership—from handling helicopter parents and budget nightmares to building school culture that doesn't make everyone roll their eyes. Consider this your professional development that doesn't feel like professional development.

Our guests aren't afraid to share their epic fails alongside their victories. They'll tell you about the initiative that spectacularly bombed during assembly, right before revealing how they turned their school's reading scores around. It's educational leadership with the BS filter turned off.

Whether you're currently wearing the principal badge, aspiring to the big chair, or teaching while secretly taking notes on what you'd do differently, Principal Office Hours delivers actionable strategies you can implement faster than a student being sent to detention.

Subscribe now and join the faculty lounge conversation that's too real for the school board meeting. New episodes drop every week. Warning: May cause spontaneous leadership growth and occasional inappropriate laughter during staff meetings.

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CheeTung Leong