Leading with Heart: How Principal Michael Conklin is Transforming a Small School Community

KEY POINTS:

· Relationships First: Conklin emphasizes the power of personal connections with students and staff, especially in small school communities where principals can know each student by name.

· Technology for Accountability: The implementation of SmartPass has improved instructional time by tracking and reducing unnecessary hall pass usage.

· Mental Health Initiatives: Programs like Leader in Me and Hope Squad are helping students build leadership skills and provide peer-to-peer support, fostering emotional well-being and resilience.

Our guest, Michael Conklin is the Principal of Eldred Junior/Senior High School, bringing a wealth of experience and a passion for community-centered education. His career began in the Florida Union Free School District in New York, where he served as a special education and classroom teacher before transitioning to administration. With a background that includes roles as Co-Principal/Assistant Principal at Valley Central High School, Conklin's return to a smaller district like Eldred reflects his commitment to fostering close-knit educational environments.

Conklin holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Mount Saint Mary College, along with dual master’s degrees from the New York Institute of Technology in Instructional Technology and Long Island University in Educational Leadership. His leadership philosophy emphasizes building positive climates and cultures within schools, prioritizing communication, accessibility, and community engagement.

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