People Leader or Instructional Leader with Eric Makelky

“I’ve had more opportunities to be a people leader and build relationships and trust, and then the instructional leadership seems to go much better.” Being a school principal is no easy feat – they\'re pulled in a multitude of directions each day, trying to balance the demands of teachers, students, parents, and district leaders. Traditionally, principals are thought of as the instructional leader, ensuring that teachers are using best practices to help students achieve academic success. However, the principal’s impact as an instructional leader can be even greater when they focus on people leadership first. In this episode, Eric Makelky shares his reflections on how being a people leader affects his impact as an instructional leader at his school. Eric also discusses: The district’s role in providing a positive employee experience What he struggled with most his first year as a new administrator And the foundation of all good things in leadership Eric Makelky is a secondary principal in rural Wyoming, guest host of the Transformative Principal Podcast, and former teacher, coach, and instructional facilitator. Episode links: Transformative Principal Podcast