Episode 67: Principal Baruti Kafele on Transformational School Leadership, Turnaround Strategies & Instructional Leadership

Episode 67: Principal Baruti Kafele on Transformational School Leadership, Turnaround Strategies & Instructional Leadership

From Educational Leadership with Principal JL by Jeff Linden

April 13, 2026 · 56 min · Episode 67

About this episode

Principal Baruti Kafele discusses transformational educational leadership and turnaround strategies in schools.

Connect with the Show Here! Some schools don’t need a new program, they need a leader whose voice actually lands. I sit down with Principal Baruti Kafele, a nationally recognized turnaround principal, author, and longtime educator, to unpack what transformational educational leadership looks like when the work is real and the stakes are high. We trace his path from teaching fifth grade to leading schools in highly urban communities, and why he believes culture and climate aren’t side project...

People in this episode

Host: Jeff Linden

Guest: Principal Baruti Kafele

Topics covered

  • transformational leadership
  • turnaround strategies
  • instructional leadership
  • school culture
  • urban education

Keywords

  • transformational leadership
  • Baruti Kafele
  • school turnaround
  • instructional leadership
  • urban education
  • school culture
  • educational leadership

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Educational Leadership with Principal JL

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