Proud Principals Podcast with Tony Cattani

State POY Series - Dr. Jonathon Guthrie (Arkansas) - Opening a New School and Setting a Culture of Involvement, Engagement and Academic Success

Dr. Jonathon Guthrie, Proud Principal of Bentonville West High School, Arkansas shares how he and his team opened Bentonville West, which just completed it's 9th year.
As part of the State POY Series - Jonathon Guthrie is the Arkansas Principal of the year - 2025. 
He led his team to set the culture, hiring the staff, ordering every desk, chair and trash can!
Bentonville West High School has seen academic growth and success earlier than some expected with the intention of  "Winning them Over". 
 
Dr. Jonathon Guthrie
Bentonville West High School
1351 Gamble RoadCenterton, AR. 72719479-286-9800
jguthrie@bentonvillek12.org
 

State POY Series -Middle School - Miguel Salazar (Texas) - Beyond the Classroom

Miguel Salazar is the principal of Sundown Middle School in Sundown, TX. Previously he was a math teacher, coach, assistant principal, and high school principal. He is dedicated to fostering positive school cultures, promoting equity, and ensuring student success. His leadership philosophy is rooted in the belief that a thriving educational community is built upon shared accountability, high standards, and continuous improvement. He champions proactive strategies to cultivate a positive school culture, focusing on building genuine relationships, addressing mental health needs, and celebrating student achievements. He is committed to equipping students with the academic, social, and emotional skills they need to succeed, and credits his staff for their willingness to carry out this vision.
2025 NASSP Finalist for National Middle School Principal of the Year

State POY Series - Adam Lancto (Michigan) - Building the Bridge: MTSS and Modern Pathways for Secondary Success

State Principal of the Year Series - Michigan's Adam Lancto
Adam Lancto is the principal of Grandville High School in Grandville, MI and the 2025 Michigan Secondary Principal of the Year. 
Previously, he served as assistant principal. A visible leader who consistently attends student and community events, he championed students by creating programs such as the Student Voice Committee to help students feel a sense of belonging, and courses that align to the world of work, including auto maintenance and repair, aeronautics, and EMT training, so students can explore college and career opportunities. Under his leadership, he has built a robust MTSS system with a dedicated academic intervention period, a schoolwide PBIS system, and a guaranteed and viable curriculum. These efforts have reduced failure rates and chronic absenteeism, and increased student performance.
 
X- @AdamLancto81
Instagram -@grandvillehighschool
 

State POY Series - Kelly Whittaker (Kansas) - Individual Plan of Study for EVERY Student

Kansas' 2025 Principal of the year, Kelly Whittaker has served as the principal of Ottawa High School in Ottawa, KS, since 2018. Previously, she served as an assistant principal of Shawnee Heights High School and Goshen High School in Indiana. She taught special education at the elementary and middle school levels before transitioning to a career as an administrator. Under her leadership, Ottawa’s graduation rate has consistently increased from 80.5% to an average of 95%. She has also implemented a robust advisory program that includes student-led conferences, giving students a voice through the Jostens Renaissance Program, and strengthening the school culture and climate. She credits this success to a phenomenal staff, outstanding students, and community support.
Contact Kelly for more information:
X- @kelwhitt217
Website - https://www.usd290.org/o/ohs/page/administration
 

State Principals of the Year Series - Dr. Jason Di Giulio (Vermont) - From Fortress to Family: Reimagining School as a Community

Jason Di Giulio, EdD, is the principal of Hazen Union School in Hardwick, VT. He is known for his transformational leadership, particularly in advancing the community schools model in rural Vermont. Under his guidance, Hazen Union has expanded access to mental health services, family engagement programs, and strategic partnerships with local organizations and higher education institutions. Di Giulio’s background as a commissioned Army officer, college and high school educator, and scholar in both poetry and education uniquely informs his inclusive and innovative approach to school leadership. His commitment to equity, collaboration, and whole-child support has positioned Hazen Union as a responsive, student-centered educational institution.
https://hazen.ossu.org/en-US/principals-page-851d29d4
 

State Principals of the Year Series - Damon Lewis - (Connecticut) - Creating Opportunities for ALL students

Damon C. Lewis, EdD , is the principal of Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy in Norwalk, CT. Previously, he was the assistant principal. Under his leadership, Ponus Ridge, a 6–8 middle school, reduced chronic absenteeism from 31% to 8% in one year. His school has increased the number of minority students in the gifted and talented program, and the number of female students in accelerated math. He has championed an equity-driven and “Every Day Counts” culture where PSAT scores for grade 8 students outpaced national, state, and district metrics. He is the facilitator for the Black Male Administrator cohort in the district and mentors younger principals. He has expanded course offerings to include coding, computer science, robotics, music technology, immersive media; more than 20 after-school clubs; a Hispanic parent group; an in-school food pantry for families; and a care closet.
Dr. Lewis is a NASSP Finalist for the National Middle School Principal of the Year. 

State Principals of the Year Series - Chase Christensen (Wyoming) - Leader Apprenticeship and Work Based Learning for Seniors

2025 Wyoming Principal of the Year, Chase Christensen shares how he led a state initiative to provide an apprenticeship for aspiring administrators and created  work based opportunities for his seniors. 
Chase serves as the state coordinator for the Wyoming Association of Secondary School Principals, championing public education and leadership development. Recently, he initiated a statewide apprenticeship program through the association, designed to offer mentorship and potential financial support for aspiring school leaders. Deeply committed to filling the leadership pipeline and advancing equitable school funding, he attributes the district’s success to the unwavering dedication of its teachers, staff, students, and families. He also recognizes the collaborative spirit of Wyoming’s principals in guiding and mentoring the next generation of educational leaders.
Sheridan County School District #3 - Clearmont, Wyoming. 
cchristensen@shr3panthers.com
 

State Principals of the Year Series - Efa Huckaby (California) - Pride, Purpose & Passion

Efa Huckaby, the 2025 California Principal of the Year from Liberty High School in Brentwood, CA shares the details of his how he and his school community defined and implemented the expectations of what it means to be a Liberty High School Warrior. This includes their Welcome Week activities. 
Instagram -
@efahuckaby
@Libertyhighofficial

State Principal of the Year Series - Texas' Dr. McCowan Jr. - Creating Positive School Culture Through Student Voice

Texas Principal of the Year, Dr. Winston McCowan Jr. of Chisholm Trail High School, Fort Worth, Texas shares how his  student "Ranger Voice" committee enhanced their school community. This campus wide student led committee consists of students from all athletic teams, clubs, and organizations to represent student voice. 
Contact Dr. McCowan Jr. for more information
Email - wmccowan@ems-isd.net
X/Twitter - @McCowanWinston
Instagram - drwinjr98

Proud Principals Podcast - State Principal of the Year Series (1) - Alabama's Dr. Matt Epps - Empowering Student Agency & Leadership to Inspire Student Led Initiatives

Alabama's 2025 Principal of the Year, Dr. Matt Epps of Career Technical School in Columbiana, Alabama shares his strategies of personalizing a students' educational journey through student voice and leadership. The personal inventory assessment was intentional to gain insight to the students' perception of their skill sets and the school's role in helping them better achieve their goals. The results have been incredibly insightful for student and staff growth., and this was in 1 year of Dr. Epps' tenure at C-Tech. Can't wait to see year 2 and beyond!
See some the survey tools utilized during this process. 
Contact Dr. Epps for more information:
Instagram - Drmathewcoachepps
X/Twitter - @drMatCoachEpps
Student Self Assessment
Student Culture Survey
NASSP’s 2025 State Principals of the Year