Proud Principals Podcast with Tony Cattani

State POY Series - Jerry Mack (Nebraska) - Peer Influencers with Bull Elephants

Jerry Mack is the 2025 Nebraska Secondary Principal of the Year.
Jerry Mack has served as the principal of Chadron High School in Chadron, NE, for 14 years. Under his leadership, the rural school has often been recognized as one of the top schools in the state according to U.S. News & World Report and Niche.com. He has emphasized restorative practices, supported the integration of technology in instruction, and co-hosted a school leaders podcast. He has spoken at numerous conferences to promote communication and school safety, and he has advocated for including universal mental health student screenings in annual health screenings for all students. He is dedicated to creating a positive, supportive environment for both students and staff. His leadership is defined by his commitment to excellence and deep pride in serving his school community.
Email - jerry.mack@chadronschools.net
X- @jerry_mack @ChadronHS
Instagram - @mackjerrye  and @chadronhs

State POY Series - Erica Schnee (Montana) - Strong Foundations - Opening a New School

Erica Schnee is the 2025 Montana Secondary Principal of the Year. 
Erica Schnee has been the principal of Gallatin High School in Bozeman, MT, since it opened in 2020. Previously, she was the assistant principal and a government and economics teacher. An inspirational and dedicated leader who has prioritized community, culture, and student well-being, she has overseen exponential growth in the community’s multilingual student population. Under her leadership, the school has implemented initiatives resulting in a welcoming environment, high student engagement, and academic success for all students. As an administrator, her open-door policy and mentorship have had a significant impact on staff development, leading to a cohesive team.
Episode
Erica shares the following:
- How she opened a new school
- Utilizing consensus process
- Collaborative Leadership Style
- Creating School Culture 
- "Strong Foundations - Expanding to new Horizons"
- X -@GallatinRaptors and @MsSchneeGHS
Instagram - @gallatinraptors

State POY Series - Christian Ledesma (Minnesota) - Growing Enrollment Through BIg Dreams and Culture

Christian Ledesma is the 2025 Minnesota Principal of the Year
Christian Ledesma is the principal of Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis, where he leads with a strong focus on safety, equity, and academic excellence. Returning after the pandemic, he addressed students’ physical and emotional well-being through safety campaigns, increased supervision, and student-led cultural celebrations. Under his leadership, Roosevelt strengthened its partnership with the International Baccalaureate program, emphasizing collaborative planning, professional development, and character education. Ledesma’s leadership has created a culture of care and academic rigor, preparing students to thrive as globally-minded, reflective, and principled members of their communities.
In this episode Christian shares:
- how he grew enrollment 300+ students in 4 years.
    - Community events
    - Junior Teddy Program
    - Academic achievements
Backwards planning of student dreams - asking every student their goal after HS, and creating a plan aligned with their goal. 
- Walking people through hard stuff
Instagram - @Principal_Ledesma Schoo and  @FollowTheTeddy

State POY Series - Kelly Messmer (South Dakota) - Rancher Country with Endless Opportunities!

Kelly Messmer - South Dakota's 2025 Secondary Principal of the Year
Kelly Messmer is a dedicated principal in rural South Dakota who is determined to provide his ranching-country students with opportunities that reach far beyond the traditional classroom. Recognizing the challenges of limited access in a rural community, he has brought career education directly to his school through a mobile experience with skilled instructors each semester. Students now have hands-on learning in welding, electrical work, and carpentry—that expose them to skills that not only prepare them for a possible career opportunity but also lifelong applicable knowledge. His vision ensures that, despite geographic barriers, his students have endless opportunities to succeed and thrive
Kelly Messmer is the principal of Harding County High School in Buffalo, SD. Along with his principal duties, he also serves as the district’s activities director. Previously, he was the district’s technology and testing coordinator. He has been teacher and administrator at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. He strives to ensure every student is treated with respect and given every opportunity to succeed academically and socially. He credits his supportive superintendent, amazing staff, hardworking students, school board, and community for working together to help create a safe and successful learning environment.
 
X- @messmerHC
kelly.messmer@k12.sd.us
 

State POY Series - Ryan Cordia (Nevada) - Innovation in Las Vegas

State Principal of the Year Series - Nevada
Ryan Cordia - 2025 Nevada Principal of the YearNortheast Career & Technical Academy
Ryan Cordia is in his second year as the inaugural principal of Northeast Career and Technical Academy in North Las Vegas, NV. The school is the first in state to implement in-person, self-paced, mastery blended learning, which breaks away from the traditional Carnegie Unit model. As principal, he created a framework for the school where every student receives career coaching and emotional intelligence training each semester. The purpose of this training is to shorten the timeline for students from freshman orientation to revenue generation. Previously, he was named Nevada’s CTE Administrator of the Year and 360Schools’ Principal of the Year.
Instagram - @northeastcta
https://newsroom.ccsd.net/ccsd-administrator-named-2025-state-principal-of-the-year/
(702) 799-7500 (ext. 4101)

State POY Series - Mark Andresen (North Dakota) - Persistence and Consistency

Mark Andresen is the 2025 North Dakota Secondary School Principal of the Year.
Mark is the principal of Mandan High School in Mandan, ND. Previously, he was a science teacher and girls’ basketball coach. In his 21 years as principal of Mandan, he has worked diligently to improve test scores, graduation rates, and dual credit opportunities, as well as to support and implement numerous programs that benefit all students. Most recently, he played a key role in the team that designed, built, and opened Mandan’s new high school. He has also championed equity, creating programs that support Native American students, English learners, and those with special needs. His efforts have led to remarkable increases in graduation rates and a truly inclusive school environment. Perhaps most impressive is his ability to empower both staff and students, building a culture of collaboration and leadership, from teacher teams guiding major changes to students taking on leadership roles in their community. He is the state coordinator for the North Dakota Association of Secondary School Principals.

State POY Series - Terita Walker (Colorado) - Student Advocacy

Terita Walker - 2025 Colorado State Principal of the Year and NASSP National Principal of the Year Finalist. 
Terita Walker has served as the principal of East High School in Denver, CO, for four years. She has transformed the school into a model of inclusivity, academic excellence, and student empowerment. Through intentional leadership and a deep commitment to equity, she has fostered a culture where students and staff thrive. Recognizing that a strong school culture is built on trust and relationships, she prioritizes direct engagement with students, staff, parents, and the community. She hosts monthly coffee chats for parents and staff, engages regularly with the school’s more than 90 affinity groups, and co-hosts events with the East Angel Foundation. She credits the school’s success to the incredible students, dedicated leadership team, committed staff, supportive parents, engaged alumni, district partners, and the greater East community.
Instagram - @eastangels_madamprincipal
Email - twalker@dpsk12.net
 

State POY Series - Spencer Long (Tennessee) - Making High School Relevant - Career Academies

Spencer Long is the 2025 Tennessee Secondary Principal of the Year.
Spencer Long is the executive principal of Halls High School in Halls Crossroads, TN Knox County. A proud alumnus of Halls, he began his career at Halls as a science teacher and assistant football and baseball coach. He moved into administration with roles as an athletic director and assistant principal. Under his leadership, Halls successfully completed its first year of reorganization as an 865 Academies High School, part of an innovative initiative to better prepare students for college and career pathways. In recognition of his leadership and service to the community, he was named the Halls Business and Professional Association’s Man of the Year in 2023. He currently serves as vice president of the Knox County Schools Association of Secondary School Principals. His leadership philosophy is rooted in servant leadership. He maintains an open-door policy and prioritizes active listening, visibility, and frequent communication with students, staff, families, and the broader community. He believes a principal should be consistently present in classrooms, hallways, the lunchroom, and at extracurricular events to foster strong relationships and a supportive school culture.
Feel free to contact for more information:
X- @HHS_MrLong, @HallsHighTN
Instagram - @spen_long, @hallshightn
Email - spencer.long@knoxschools.org
 
 
 
 

State POY Series - Pierre Orbe (New York) - Believe Before Anyone Else

Pierre Orbe - New York Secondary Principal of the Year - 2025DeWitt Clinton High School New York City
Pierre Orbe is the principal of DeWitt Clinton High School in Bronx, NY. Previously, he was a science teacher and an assistant principal. He leads one of the nation’s most historic schools—alma mater to icons like Stan Lee, Ralph Lauren, and James Baldwin. Under his leadership, DeWitt Clinton’s graduation rate has increased from under 46% to more than 97%, with significant equity gains for Black and Hispanic students, English language learners, and students with IEPs. Listening to student and family voices, he has introduced purpose-driven innovations such as a nursing pathway and EMT certifications, a computer science sequence with industry credentials, and college credit-bearing courses. After-school vocational programs in plumbing, electrical, cosmetology, barbering, tattoo design, and culinary arts have provided students with real-world skills and job prospects. He credits this success to a committed staff, empowered students, and a community ready to reclaim its legacy.
porbe@schools.nyc.gov
Location: 100 West Mosholu Parkway South, Bronx NY 10468
Phone: (718) 543-1000
 

State POY Series - Laura Tobias (Pennsylvania) - Culture Setters, Academic Interventions, & Learning Centers

Proud principal Laura Tobias of State College Area High School, Pennsylvania is an amazing school leader. Laura has created a special place in the shadows of Happy Valley. Her daily positive messages, academic interventions, and learning centers are just the tip of this inspiring conversation. 
If you are looking to model your school after a dynamic school leader, look no farther or just listen to this episode. 
Pennsylvania Principal of the Year 2025  
Contact Mrs. Tobias:E-mail lst13@scasd.orgOffice number 814-272-4074              State College Area High650 Westerly ParkwayState College, PA 16801
X- @LauraTobias18