Proud Principals Podcast with Tony Cattani

#57 - National POY - Tracie Anderson Swillie (South Carolina) - Trust the Process

Dr. Tracie Anderson Swilley is the 2025 NASSP National secondary Principal of the Year and 2024 South Carolina Principal of the Year. Dr. Tracie Swilley  Assistant Superintendent of Academics in Fairfield County School District in Winnsboro, South Carolina. 
Dr. Tracie Anderson Swilley was the principal of Fairfield Central High School in Winnsboro, SC.
Tracie’s leadership has shaped Fairfield Central into a model of learning. Her approach to cultivating future leaders and fostering a culture of high expectations.
Under Dr. Swilley’s 12+ year leadership, Fairfield Central High School has seen remarkable improvements in:
math proficiency rates rose from 46% to 74%, and reading proficiency improved from 60% to 76% in the last three years.
The school has achieved the highest graduation rate in school history at 90.1% after two years of her leadership. the graduation rate had been around 70 percent.
Eighty-one percent of graduates in the class of 2024 were accepted to two or four-year higher education institutions.
Last school year, the school received an overall “good” rating Before that,in its first time 37-year history. 
Contact Dr. Tracie Anderson Swilley
Website - https://www.educate-her.com
Email - Tswilley21@gmail.com
X - @PrincipalTSwil
 

#56 - Shawn Ryan (Medford, NJ) - Grace Before Grades

Shawn Ryan is the principal of Medford Memorial Middle School in Medford, New Jersey. 
Shawn shares how Medford Memorial Middle School is addressing the needs of mental health with a systematic and sustainable approach. This work began prior to Covid due to the rise of anxiety among his students. They observed the emotional needs of their students and impact on their education. Shawn outlines how Mental Health First Aid and Rutgers University's Center of Comprehensive Mental Health were significant in the process. He shares the needs assessment, mapping, MTSS, weekly check-ins, data collections led to appropriate interventions. 
The impact on the Medford Memorial Middle School community:
- Students became comfortable sharing 
- Trust
- Supports for students
- Staff Impact
- Cultural Shift
I encourage you to listen and learn to this amazing leader. Feel free to reach out to Shawn for more information. 
sryan@medfordschools.net
 

#55 - Jessica Quinter Ed.D (Park Forest Elementary School, PA) - Positive School Culture

Jessica Quinter Ed.D is the principal of Park Forest Elementary School in State College, Pennsylvania. 
Jessica shares her proudest effort of developing a positive school culture through her daily efforts of:
- Being Present
- Building Trust
- Celebrating her staff and students
Jessica is an active member of NAESP. Please see below for her journey. 
Professional Preparation:
Ed.D, Educational Leadership and Management, Drexel University, 2018
M.Ed., School Principal Specialization, St. Francis University, 2005
B.S., Elementary Education, Juniata College, 2000
Professional Experience:    
Principal, Park Forest Elementary School, State College, PA, 2021-present
Principal, Juniata Valley Elementary School, Alexandria, PA 2009-2021
Federal Programs Coordinator, Juniata Valley School District, Alexandria, PA, 2007-2021
Classroom Teacher, Juniata Valley Elementary School, Alexandria, PA , 2001-2009
Classroom Teacher, Hyndman-Londonderry Elementary School, Hyndman, PA 2000-2001
Professional Affiliations:
NAESP Zone 2 Director, 2023-present
PA Principals Treasurer and Executive Committee Member, 2020-2023
PA Principals Regional Representative on Board of Directors, 2017-2020
PA Principals Conference Committee, 2020-2023
PA Association of Federal Programs Coordinators Vice President, 2021-2023
PA Association of Federal Programs Coordinators Regional Representative on Board of Directors, 2017-2020
Pennsylvania School Study Council, Elementary Principal Representative, 2017-2021
Commonwealth Education Blueprint Steering Committee, 2017-2019
Other Positions:
Class of 2000 Reunion Committee, Juniata College, 2005-present
Alumni Council President, Juniata College, 2009-2010
Alumni Council Board Member, Juniata College, 2002-2009
Member, Friends of Raystown Lake, 2004-present
Member, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 2019-present

#53 - Patrick McKee (Valley View HS, Ohio) - School Culture Unlocks Achievement

Patrick McKee is the principal of Valley View High School in Germanton, Ohio. 
Valley View has worked hard to improve the school culture of our building for both staff and students. At the end of the day, when staff enjoy coming to work and students have a strong relationship with the teachers, achievement will happen.
Patrick shares the impact of:
- Fist Bump Fridays
- Teacher Retention
- Advisory Time
- Spartan Time - Student Leadership program
 
X-@ValleyViewHS
Instagram - @valleyviewspartans

#54 - Neil Burti (Cherry Hill, New Jersey) - CARUSI CARES about Student Voice

Neil Burti, Director of Secondary Schools in the Cherry Hill Public Schools District in New Jersey. 
2024 New Jersey Visionary Secondary School Leader of the Year
Dr. Neil Burti Jr. was the principal of John A. Carusi Middle School, in Cherry Hill, NJ. Previously, he served as a principal at the elementary, middle, and high school levels and taught college courses at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. For the past decade, he has supervised clinical internships for pre-service administrators, mentored novice administrators seeking licensure, and chaired dissertation committees. During that time, his schools have received both state and national recognition, and he has presented his work around the country.
Neil shares how Carusi Middle School created an opportunity for his students to amplify their voice in identifying expectations to making school decisions. 
 
Contact Dr. Neil Burti to better understand the approach.
nburti@chclc.org
 

#52 - State POY Series - Miles Shea (DoDEA) - Built for This

Miles Shea is the Principal of Quantico Middle School in Virginia for the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) and was recognized as the DoDEA Principal of the Year. Miles is known for transforming student success and supporting military families through initiatives like advanced AP courses and robust STEM programs. He has extensive experience within the DoDEA, previously serving at West Point Middle School and in multiple international locations. He fosters a positive, high-achieving environment for military-connected students. 
Mr. Miles J. Shea arrived at Quantico Middle High School on November 16, 2020, after serving as Principal of West Point Middle School on United States Army Garrison West Point in New York.
A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Shea earned his bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and his master’s degree in Educational Leadership. Mr. Shea has served successfully as a classroom teacher, coach, committee chair, school improvement chair, assistant principal and principal and he has been nominated as Principal of the Year multiple times. As a parent he has also served as President of Project Graduation. He and his wife, a teacher at Crossroads Elementary School, have had the good fortune to serve DoDEA schools in Japan, Germany, Ft. Stewart, GA, Belgium, England, West Point and now Quantico.
Among his accomplishments he conceived, designed, and implemented a full-time Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program at Feltwell ES. It was named a powerful practice during accreditation and has been profiled on the Armed Forces Network. In addition, he led his basketball team to a league championship while stationed in Germany. At West Point Middle School, he developed several innovative programs including Bulldog Bistro, Bulldog Learning Academy, EXL Mentoring, and the school was awarded a Blue Ribbon for school year 2019-2020. Under Mr. Shea’s leadership, QMHS has transitioned to the Greater Piedmont Athletic Conference (GPAC) and continues to have highly successful internal reviews in the Mid-Atlantic District. Mr. Shea believes strongly in a positive school climate with high expectations for all, shared leadership and developing vibrant partnerships throughout the community to deliver a world class education to our DoDEA students.
Mr. Shea grew up in a family of eleven children and is an avid golfer, boater, cyclist, and lifelong learner. Mr. and Mrs. Shea’s daughter is a DoDEA graduate, and they are Lolli and Pops to their three wonderful grandchildren!
Email:
miles.shea@dodea.edu
Address:
3307 Purvis RoadQuantico, VA 22134-2198United States
Phone: 
571-660-9555

#51 - Heather Pinto-Beattie, Montgomery, New Jersey - Belonging by Design

Heather Pino-Beattie is the principal of Montgomery High School in New Jersey. 
Heather proudest work as a principal has been creating and growing the Montgomery STARR Program ((Shifting Through Awareness, Regulation, and Relationships), a mental health program that now touches every secondary school in her district. From the start, it was clear that you cannot be trauma-informed without being culturally competent, and you cannot be culturally competent without being trauma-informed. STARR was their response to that truth. The program keeps students in their least restrictive environment while providing intensive support for both mental health and academics. It centers on relationships, regulation, and a sense of belonging. Whether a student is formally in the STARR program or not, the foundation of belonging that is at the center of STARR has become the foundation for every aspect of Montgomery High School. What started at the high school level now serves students across all three secondary schools and has transformed how our staff supports every learner. STARR has reduced out-of-district placements, expanded access to care, and, most importantly, helped students feel seen, safe, and valued. The most significant impact is cultural. STARR has reshaped their school community. It allows Heather and her staff to meet students where they are, whether they are thriving, struggling, or somewhere in the middle. It gives them the chance to tell every student that they matter, and that they will challenge them academically while supporting them socially and emotionally. That balance of care and expectation is what makes STARR the work Heather Pino-Beattie the most proud of.
X- @PrincipalPino
 
Instagram - Principal Pino @MHS_Cougar_Den 

Episode 50 - State POY Series - Shauna Haney (Utah) - Welcome and Wanted

Shauna Haney Principal of Ogden High School is the 2025 Utah State Principal of the Year and a 2025 NASSP National Principal of the Year Finalist. 
Shauna Haney is the principal of Ogden High School in Ogden, UT. Previously, She was an assistant principal and exercise science, health, special education, and physical education teacher. A two-time Teacher of the Year (2008, 2013), she also received a Distinguished Leadership Award in 2014. Under her leadership, Ogden was one of Utah’s first schools to implement a no cell phone policy. Her leadership has also helped retain 90% of her teaching staff post-COVID, due to her focus on positive school culture and recognition of faculty and staff. Ogden is making strong progress on goals in literacy, graduation, PBIS, and talent development, and she credits its success to a dedicated faculty and staff, amazing students, and a supportive community.
Shauna focuses her meaningful share on the following:
- Making students and staff to feel welcome and wanted at Bogden
- How to build back her staff by intentional approached of relationship building.
- How she supports staff so they can support students. 
- Interview practices to identify educators that care about others.
- CompliMINT Cards
- Tiger High Fives

#49 - Dr. Cody Killen - Brandon H.S., Mississippi, "Scavenger Hunt PD"

Dr. Cody Killen - Principal of Brandon High School in Rankin County, Mississippi
Dr. KIllen is a fixture in professional organizations. He has served on the board of MPE, served as board president of MASSP, presented at MASA, MPE, and NCEE, and even taught leadership development sessions for aspiring principals. For him, professional organizations are lifelines for school administrators.
Board President- Mississippi Association of Secondary School Principals Board Member- Mississippi Professional Educators
We encourage you to contact Dr. Killen for additional information about the episode. 
Email -cod502@RCSD.MS
Instagram - @CodyKillen1
X- @ckillen1

#48 - Dr. Todd Dain (Kansas) - Culture Keepers

Dr. Todd DainOverland Park, KSShawnee Mission South High School
2023 Kansas State Principal of the Year
NASSP Board of Directors
Todd shares is proudest effort of cultivating a culture for all students to be successful. Listen and learn about his "Culture Keepers" student led team which embodies their core values. 
Also to listen for:
- Hard Hat Hero recognition
- Champion of Culture recognition
- Hiring Process - ask this one question!
- One relationship at a time
- Importance of Trust
With over 30 years in education, Dr. Todd Dain brings a wealth of experience as the Principal of Shawnee Mission South High School since 2015. An Emporia State University alumnus, where he excelled in track and field, and a Doctorate holder from Baker University, Dr. Dain has worn many hats—teacher, coach, and administrator. His journey spans from Blue Valley Southwest HS as Associate Principal to impactful roles at Olathe Northwest HS, Shawnee Mission East, Shawnee Mission West, and Washburn Rural HS. Beyond his academic achievements, he’s a celebrated athlete from Silver Lake, Kansas, boasting multiple state championships in football and track. Life off-campus sees him alongside his wife, Dr. Jessica Dain, cherishing moments with their three children: Andie, Ashton, and Brock.
X- @SMSouthTDain
Email - ToddDain@smsd.org