Proud Principals Podcast with Tony Cattani – Details, episodes & analysis

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

In this inspiring episode of the Proud Principals Podcast, we sit down with Principal Jen Cimaglia, from Hardyston Elementary, Franklin, NJ who saw a critical learning gap in her school and took bold, informed action to close it. Jen shares the story behind her decision to implement the Wilson Reading System — a structured literacy program designed to support students with language-based learning difficulties.

Listen as she walks us through the “why” and “how” behind this game-changing initiative, the impact it's had on student achievement and confidence. The results have been transformative, changing the trajectory of students' academic lives and bringing a renewed sense of purpose and success to educators.

This episode is a must-hear for any educational leader searching for practical, proven ways to support struggling readers. Jen Cimaglia’s thoughtful leadership and dedication to doing what’s best for kids shine through every step of the process.

If you're interested in learning more about how the Wilson Reading System could benefit your school community, don’t hesitate to reach out to Jen directly — she’s eager to support fellow educators looking to make a difference.

Contact Jen Cimaglia at @Hardyston_principal on Instagram

Neel Desai, proud principal of Grandview Elementary School, Piscataway, NJ shares how his summer home visits to his rising Kindergartners has impacted his school community for the better. Want to improve your relationship with your community, ease the transition for your students, and have your first interaction with your students and families be a positive one, listen and learn. 

For more info - contact Neel Desai at Grandview Elem. by email - ndesai@pway.org

X-@NeelDesaiBA

Proud Principal Joe Martin and Tracy Matozzo, Director of Curriculum and Instruction of Rancocas Valley Regional High School in Mt. Holly, NJ share their proudest effort of implementing a Freshman Seminar course to address a variety of needs to assist their students transition to high school. This initiative is positively impacting their school culture. If you are a high school educational leader, this is a must listen. Feel free to contact Joe Martin for more information. 

Phone: 609-267-0837 ext. 3223

 Email (jmartin@rvrhs.com) »

Proud Principal, Chris Turnbull of Timberlane Middle School in Pennington, New Jersey shares his proudest principal effort of how his school community created an outside learning environment at Bear Tavern Elementary School, Titusville, NJ. 

Chris Turnbull is the 2022 New Jersey Visionary Principal of the Year and 2022 NAESP National Distinguished Principal. 

Proud Principal - Timberlane Middle School, Pennington, NJ.    609-737-4000, EXT. 4112

christopherturnbull@hvrsd.org

X- @cturnbull15

Michelle Papa, Proud Principal of Richard Butler Middle School, Butler, NJ shares how her school became one of 13 middle schools to be a New Jersey School to Watch and how it impacted their Butler school community. 

Contact Michelle Papa to explore this possibility for your school. 

Phone: 973-492-2079 x7201

Email: mpapa@butlerboe.org

Proud Principal of New Hope -Solebury Lower Elementary School, New Hope, PA, Dr. Jennifer Bloom shares her brain based learning strategies for her Little Lions (K-2). She shares how this work has helped her students regulate their emotions while learning about their brain. This includes amygdala reset stations throughout the school with a heart rate monitor, puzzles, stickers, music, and so much more. It has had a powerful impact. 

Contact Dr. Jennifer Bloom for more information. 

Lisa Sabo, Principal of Palmyra Middle/High School in Palmyra, NJ is proud of how she empowered her staff to enhance the culture of their school community. Lisa identified areas of consistent concern in her school and had every staff select the area in which they were interested in contributing to improve. The topics ranged from policy, scheduling, student climate, staff morale, to school beautification. 

The staff's voice was heard as they led the work and the positive results! 

Ryan Gorman, Principal of Cinnaminson High School in New Jersey, takes pride in their Affinity Group, a vital initiative that unites students from diverse backgrounds. This group fosters mutual learning and strengthens a school culture rooted in respect and understanding. 

Ryan Gorman Contact Info

Dr. Travis Bloom of Charles Boehm Middle School in Pennsbury, Pennsylvania is proud of his efforts of amplifying student voice through student podcasting. If you are interested in enhancing your school brand through student podcasting, this is the episode for you.   Dr. Travis Bloom Phone: 215-428-4220, extension 30801