About this episode

Dr. Kristilynn Turney discusses her journey in education and strategies for leading change effectively.

In this episode, Mike Caldwell sits down with Dr. Kristilynn Turney, an educational consultant, speaker, and former school principal with 27 years in education. Kristilynn shares her journey from being labeled a "problem child" for talking too much to becoming the first Black principal of two predominantly white suburban schools in the Cincinnati area. Key topics include: The weight and responsibility of being "the first" in leadership Building relationships as the foundation for school transformation Balancing vision with collaborative decision-making Navigating resistance while holding firm on non-negotiables Keeping instruction at the center of every leadership decision Episode Links: Website: DrKristilynnTurney.com YouTube: Dr. Turney Speaks LindkedIn: Dr. Kristilynn Turney Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning: As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that…

People in this episode

Host: Mike Caldwell

Guest: Dr. Kristilynn Turney

Topics covered

• leadership
• school transformation
• collaborative decision-making
• relationship building
• educational consulting
• navigating resistance

Keywords

• educational leadership
• school principal
• change management
• collaboration
• instructional leadership
• first Black principal
• Cincinnati schools

Sponsors

Playworks, IXL, Renaissance Learning

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Renaissance

More episodes of Transformative Principal

• Read to Lead with Kimberly Miles · April 26, 2026 · 32 min
• Unleash Aliveness with Alisha De Lorenzo · April 19, 2026 · 44 min
• Better Together with Derek Cantrell · April 12, 2026 · 48 min
• The Science of Kindness with Dr. Chris Culver · April 5, 2026 · 38 min
• Instructional Coherence with Dr. Gene Kerns · March 29, 2026 · 29 min
• Executive Functions for Every K-3 Classroom with Mitch Weathers & Sarah Oberle · March 22, 2026 · 59 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Transformative Principal podcast page.