NASSP’s 2025–26 National High School Principal of the Year, Tony Cattani, hosts the Proud Principals Podcast, which celebrates the incredible work of school leaders. Each week, the principal of Lenape High School in Medford, NJ, interviews a fellow educational leader to learn how they inspire success. In every podcast, Cattani asks his guests: “What is your proudest principal effort?” Read on for what he said when he sat on the other side of the microphone and answered that question himself.
What’s the story behind your podcast?
It all started with wanting to make more teachers more like our best teachers by encouraging personalized professional development for our staff. But we don’t have the time or money to bring in outside speakers. In 2017, I realized we already have so many dynamic teachers in the building. What would happen if each of us could self-reflect, identify our own strengths, and share them with each other? That was the genesis of the Peer Observation Program, which eventually led to the podcast.
Tell me more about the program.
The idea was rolled out slowly as a pilot. I picked about 30 influential staff members across ages and experience levels, and I asked them to identify their instructional superpower. Do they promote a growth mindset? Do they check for understanding? Do they create dynamic lessons? Or do they have superior classroom management skills? In our school, 795 classes are taught a day, which translates into 795 learning opportunities. I encouraged my teachers to find a colleague whose strength they wanted to emulate and observe their classes for just 25 minutes to learn new skills.
What happened next?
The result of the Peer Observation Program was that teachers gained new levels of confidence. They took pride in their instruction and wanted to share their efforts. Today, our school is a place where staff share their best practices to strengthen another teacher’s instructional repertoire. Our counselors gained insights into how to match students with a particular teacher’s strength for the best learning opportunities. The isolation teachers sometimes feel because they are separated by cinder-block walls began to crumble. Our classroom doors are open with endless opportunities for personalizing professional development.
What made you observe other principals?
I realized that as the principal, if I was going to ask my teachers to do a really hard thing, I had to model that behavior myself. So, I began asking other principals in New Jersey what their strengths were and if I could visit their schools. I didn’t care if a principal had a unique leadership skill or if they just had new carpet installed in their building. I simply wanted to see them in action. School leaders visited my faculty meetings, pep rallies, team meetings, and lunch and learns.
What inspired you to launch your podcast?
Once I started visiting other principals and their schools 10–12 times a year, people asked me how I was going to share the knowledge I was gaining. Some suggested I write a book, but I would rather talk than write. My wife knew that about me and encouraged me to start a podcast.
What is your proudest principal effort?
Finding a way to use our best resources, each other! I’m proud to be part of that kind of community.