
Supporting School Leaders Through the Daily Grind with Marie Bordeleau
From Transformative Principal by Jethro Jones
March 8, 2026 · 42 min · Season 13 · Episode 705
About this episode
Mike Caldwell interviews Dr. Marie Bordeleau about the challenges of school leadership and practical strategies to navigate them.
In this episode, host Mike Caldwell sits down with Dr. Marie Bordeleau, a veteran Catholic and public school leader with over 25 years of experience, to discuss the realities of school leadership. Marie shares insights from her upcoming book, The Dust and the Glory , exploring how principals can navigate criticism, avoid burnout, and find joy in the chaos. From the importance of staying "in the arena" to setting boundaries and embracing slow, steady progress, this conversation offers practical wisdom for any school leader feeling the weight of the job. Marie also reflects on leading through crises like 9/11, the 2008 recession, and COVID—and why mission-driven, servant leadership is the key to holding schools together when everything feels fragile. Links: Website: InTheArena.com Email: marie@inthearenacoaching.com Book: The Dust and the Glory: Finding God in the Chaos of Catholic School Leadership (March 2026) - LinkedLeaders Profile: https://linkedleaders.com/mentors/7f7772dd-f9a3-4160-91f2-c08fbe3380d6 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…
People in this episode
Host: Mike Caldwell
Guest: Dr. Marie Bordeleau
Topics covered
- school leadership
- burnout
- servant leadership
- crisis management
- education
Keywords
- school leadership
- burnout
- servant leadership
- crisis management
- education
Sponsors
Playworks, IXL, Renaissance Learning
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: The Dust and the Glory
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