Did you know that many stress leave claims in schools trace back to the relationship between principals and staff? In this episode recorded earlier this year, our guest is Shauna Streich, Case Manager, Disability Benefits Plan, The Manitoba Teachers’ Society. She shares insights from a Manitoba project that tackled the root causes of rising stress leave claims and mental health challenges in schools. The findings were clear: many claims stem from the principal–teacher relationship, highlighting the urgent need for training and support in adult-to-adult dynamics.

Shauna explains how survey data on loneliness, burnout, and psychological safety challenged principals’ perceptions — and why these tough conversations are necessary. She introduced practical frameworks showing how principals can flatten hierarchies, improve communication, and build trust with staff. If you’re a principal, vice-principal, or education leader, this episode offers powerful tools to reduce stress leave, strengthen relationships, and create healthier schools. Be sure to catch our next episode where Shauna Streich reports back on some of the interim findings.

What resonated with you? What challenges do you face in your day to day principal practice? Take 5 minutes to share your thoughts at https://www.restorative.ca/cff

Be sure to check out the website https://restorative.ca

#Education #Leadership #SchoolLeadership #EdLeaders #MentalHealth#RestorativePractices#restorativejustice#traumainformedpractice#emotionalintelligenceinschools#PrincipalWellbeing #TeacherWellbeing #RestorativeLeadership #EducationalLeadership #PsychologicalSafety #StaffSupport#PreventBurnout #LeadWithCare #FlattenTheHierarchy #BuildingTrust #ResilientLeadership

What does it take to build trust with parents who arrive in your office angry or fearful? Our guest on this first episode of Season 11 is Dr. Amy Newman, principal of Newton Elementary in Surrey, British Columbia. She believes the answer lies in restorative leadership—meeting hard conversations with listening, compassion, and resilience. In this episode, she shares how “being like grass” , a quote from Richard Wagamese, allows leaders to bend under pressure without breaking, while modeling this approach for staff and students. From restorative circles to daily hallway conversations, Amy shows how trust is built step by step, moment by moment. She describes how “softening” isn’t weakness but a powerful way to shift energy in the room and open space for real dialogue. With stories of working with students on the edges and building trust with families, Amy brings restorative leadership to life.#education

What resonated with you? What challenges do you face in your day to day principal practice? Take 5 minutes to share your thoughts at https://www.restorative.ca/cff

Be sure to check out the website https://restorative.ca

#Leadership #Education #SchoolLeadership #ConflictResolution #Resilience
#RestorativePractices#restorativejustice#traumainformedpractice#emotionalintelligenceinschools#RestorativeLeadership #Principals #VicePrincipals #EducationalLeadership #TrustBuilding #SchoolCommunity,#ListenToUnderstand #LeadWithCare #BeLikeGrass #TransformConflict

Steve may be “retired,” but his reflections in this episode couldn’t be more relevant.

He shares sharp insights on education’s colonial legacy, especially within Indigenous communities, and challenges us to imagine systems that actually change. From his favorite podcast guests (including Barbara Coloroso and Edward Valandra) to his new role in public recreation, Steve shows how restorative thinking transcends the classroom. This episode is a masterclass in applying relational practice to new phases of life, leadership, and learning.What happens when a seasoned principal and trainer starts winding down… but never really stops?

In this heartfelt episode, Steve reflects on the long arc of his restorative journey—from alternatives to suspension in the early 2000s to podcasting, Indigenous education insights, and even working marathons. Alongside Stan and Shelley, he shares how storytelling, shared meals, and mismatched perspectives created powerful learning for educators and teams. This is a tribute to the value of lived experience—and the importance of stepping back while lifting others up. What resonated with you? What challenges do you face in your day to day principal practice? Take 5 minutes to share your thoughts at https://www.restorative.ca/cff

Be sure to check out the website https://restorative.ca

#SchoolLeadership,#Principal,,#leadership,#restorative practice,#listening,#relationshipbuilding,#connection,#sustainability,#distributedleadership,