Interventions and Detentions

Episode 3:6 | Customer Service in Education Part 1 of a 2-Part Series When did doing what’s best for kids become less important than keeping the adults happy? Somewhere along the way, education has started to look a little too much like customer service. Parents have expectations. Teachers have expectations. Administrators face pressure from every direction. And sometimes, in our effort to keep everyone satisfied, we lose sight of the reason we’re here in the first place. In Part 1 of this two-part series, I’m taking an honest look at the growing customer-service mentality in education and what it means for school...

Episode 3:5 – The Many Hats of an Educator What happens when you build a career in education without going to college to prepare for all the different roles you’ll eventually take on? Just ask Chris Blaize! In this episode of Interventions and Detentions, I’m joined by my longtime friend Chris Blaize for a conversation about his unique journey through education and the many hats he’s worn along the way. From instructional assistant to transportation director, athletic department secretary, coach, and grounds maintenance, Chris has stepped into a variety of roles that help keep schools running and students supported. Chris di...

Episode 3:4 | Three Minutes: What School Safety Really Means, Part Two What happens after the immediate threat is over? The clock keeps moving, and so does the work of keeping our schools safe. In Part Two of this two-part series, I continue the conversation about school safety, returning to the 2018 Noblesville West Middle School shooting and exploring the responsibilities that extend far beyond those first three minutes. We’ll take a closer look at emergency preparedness, student reunification, recovery, school climate, threat assessment, staff training, documentation, and the importance of communication between schools, SROs, law enforcement, and community partners. I’ll also...

What does school safety really mean? Is it locked doors, security cameras, emergency drills, and knowing what to do when something goes wrong? Or is there a much bigger picture we need to consider? In this episode of Interventions and Detentions, I take a deeper look at school safety, using the 2018 shooting at Noblesville West Middle School as a starting point. We examine the three minutes that changed everything and explore the work that happens both before and after a crisis. From threat assessment and prevention to school climate, student mental health, relationships, emergency planning, and the role of school...

Episode 3:2: They’re Not Their IEP What happens when we start seeing the IEP before we see the child? In this episode of Interventions and Detentions, Brad takes a deeper look at special education, inclusion, accommodations, behavior, expectations, and the responsibility we have as educators to see the whole child. An IEP is an important tool. It tells us about goals, supports, accommodations, services, and areas where a student needs help. But an IEP doesn’t tell us everything about a child. It doesn’t tell us their personality. It doesn’t tell us their dreams. It doesn’t tell us what th...

Thirty days into a new school year. Thirty years into a career in education. And somehow, I’m back where it all started. In 1997, I walked into South Side Elementary as a fifth grade teacher. Nearly 30 years later, I’ve walked back through those same doors, this time as the principal. In this episode of Interventions and Detentions, I’m taking a look at what it feels like to start over when you’re not new to education, but you are new to the building. I’ll talk about leaving Central Noble after four years, returning to East Noble, becoming the new gu...

We’re closing out Season 2 of Interventions and Detentions with a conversation that every educator, school leader, and parent should hear. In this episode, I sit down with Ben Kaplan, President of Books Are Fun, to discuss the Book Blast program and how it’s helping schools across the country build excitement around reading while putting more books into the hands of students. We explore: * What makes the Book Blast program different * How schools can implement it with minimal staff time * Why access to books at home is so important for developing lifelong readers * The role family engagement plays in stud...

After more than a year apart behind the microphone, Kylie returns to Interventions and Detentions for a special reunion episode. In Episode 2:37, Brad and Kylie catch up on everything that’s happened since their last episode together. From career changes and personal growth to lessons learned along the way, this conversation is filled with laughter, reflection, and the kind of authentic dialogue that made listeners enjoy them as co-hosts in the first place. Where has life taken Kylie over the past year? What has surprised her most? What challenges has she faced, and what accomplishments is she most proud of? Br...

What if one of the most effective staff retention strategies in your school doesn’t require a new initiative, a larger budget, or another professional development session? What if it’s appreciation? In this episode of Interventions and Detentions with Brad, we explore why staff celebration is much more than a feel-good activity. It’s a leadership practice that directly impacts morale, engagement, culture, and retention. Brad dives into the realities of educator burnout, why employees stay or leave, and the critical role administrators play in helping people feel seen, valued, and connected to the mission of their school. You’ll learn...

As another school year comes to a close, educators everywhere are packing classrooms, submitting final grades, and looking ahead to a well-deserved summer break. But before we rush into the next season, what can we learn from the one we’re leaving behind? In this episode of Interventions and Detentions with Brad, we explore the power of reflective practice for both teachers and school leaders. Reflection is not about dwelling on mistakes. It is about transforming experiences into growth. Whether you are a classroom teacher, principal, instructional coach, counselor, or aspiring leader, intentional reflection can help you identify what worked, wh...

In this episode of Interventions and Detentions with Brad, we dive into “The 10-Minute Fix: Small Moves That Change Classrooms.” Education doesn’t always need massive overhauls to create meaningful change. Sometimes the biggest impact comes from the smallest strategies.\n\nBrad shares practical, research-based ideas educators can implement immediately to improve behavior, increase engagement, strengthen relationships, and create calmer, more connected classrooms. From quick behavior resets and engagement tricks to relationship builders and leadership takeaways, this episode is packed with realistic strategies that work in real schools.\n\nWhether you’re a teacher, administrator, interventionist, or support staff member, this epi...

Episode 2:33 – What Should Actually Come to the Office? Office referrals can be one of the most inconsistent systems in a school. What one teacher handles in the classroom, another sends to the office. What feels like a classroom-managed behavior one day suddenly becomes an office referral the next. Over time, that inconsistency impacts teachers, administrators, students, and overall school culture. In this episode of Interventions and Detentions, we take a practical, honest look at: • What behaviors should actually be office-managed • What should remain classroom-managed • Why the “gray area” creates so much frustration • How inconsistent responses affect students and staff • And what schools can...

If things feel a little harder right now in your classroom or school… you’re not imagining it. Late April and May bring a shift. Energy changes, routines get disrupted, and even strong systems can start to feel less effective. It’s not about losing control—it’s about navigating a different phase of the school year. In this episode of Interventions and Detentions, we break down: • Why behavior tends to shift at the end of the year • What’s really driving the change (it’s more than just “kids checking out”) • The most common mistakes schools make during this stretch • And practical...

Social media has changed education—and not just for students, but for teachers and administrators too. There are more voices than ever sharing what leadership should look like. Some of it is helpful. Some of it is inspiring. But some of it… might be oversimplifying a job that’s anything but simple. In this episode, I take an honest, balanced look at the rise of education influencers and how leadership messaging online is shaping expectations inside real schools. From the contrast between creators like Jared Lamb and Gerry Brooks to the broader impact of viral content, we explore the gap betwee...

In Episode 2:30 of Interventions and Detentions, we ease back in from Spring Break with a micro episode focused on one of education’s most familiar and debated traditions… the report card. Where did report cards come from? What were they originally designed to do? Do they truly communicate student learning, or have they become more about labels than growth? In this episode, we explore the history and evolution of report cards, their intended purpose in today’s schools, and where grading and reporting may be headed in the future. Whether you’re an educator, parent, student, or simply someone who remember...

Something shifts in schools every spring—and it’s not just academic. In this episode of Interventions and Detentions, we take a real look at what educators are experiencing right now: shorter attention spans, increased behavior challenges, lower motivation, and overall fatigue from both students and staff. This isn’t about the “summer slide.” It’s about the very real spring slide in behavior, energy, and stamina—and why it happens every year. From routine fatigue and testing pressure to the “almost there” mindset, we break down what’s really driving the shift you’re seeing in classrooms right now. More importantly, we f...

In Episode 2:28 of Interventions and Detentions, we take a deep dive into one of the most overlooked—but most impactful—factors in student success: attendance. While it may seem like a simple daily routine, consistent attendance is directly tied to academic achievement, social development, and long-term outcomes for students. Missing just a few days each month can create gaps that are difficult to overcome. In this episode, we explore Indiana’s attendance laws and guidelines, how schools are working to support students and families, and the growing role attendance plays in school accountability. We also unpack current research on chronic absent...

Remember the excitement of field trip day? The permission slip. The yellow bus. The snacks packed in your backpack. But field trips today look a lot different than they did when most of us were in school. In the newest episode of Interventions and Detentions with Brad, we take a deep dive into the evolution of the school field trip. We talk about: • Where field trips originally came from • Why schools started tying them to academic standards • How schools actually pay for them • The rise of virtual field trips • And what the future of experiential learning might look like If you work i...

Episode 2:26 – Why Some Classrooms Run Smoothly… and Others Don’t Why can two classrooms in the same school, with the same students, feel completely different? One classroom runs smoothly. Expectations are clear, students stay engaged, and learning happens. Just down the hallway, another classroom can feel like a constant struggle to keep things on track. In this episode of Interventions and Detentions, Brad takes a deep dive into the realities of classroom management. What actually works? What systems help teachers create consistent learning environments? And what are some of the common mistakes that make classroom management harder than it needs to be...

From paddles labeled “The Board of Education” to restorative circles and progressive discipline systems, school consequences have changed dramatically over the last 100–150 years. But have we truly evolved… or simply swung the pendulum? In this episode of Interventions and Detentions, Brad takes a deep dive into the history of school discipline — from one-room schoolhouses and zero tolerance policies to PBIS frameworks and trauma-informed approaches. He breaks down what progressive discipline actually means, how consequences should develop from kindergarten through high school, and why leadership consistency matters more than ever. Drawing on research, developmental psychology, and real-world leadership experience, this episode explores: ...

rushed to put a screen in every child’s hands. It made sense in 2020. But in 2026… does it still? In this episode of Interventions and Detentions, Brad asks the uncomfortable question many educators are thinking but not saying out loud: Have we gone too far with devices in elementary classrooms? Students in some grades are spending close to two hours a day on school-issued screens. Research shows comprehension can drop when reading digitally. Attention spans are shifting. Social development looks different. And some districts across the country are quietly scaling technology back in K–5 while keeping it strong in secondary settin...

Episode 2:23 – Recess Matters More Than You Think When was the last time we really stopped to think about recess? In this episode of Interventions & Detentions, Brad takes a deep dive into the history of recess in American schools, how it has evolved over time, and why it may be one of the most misunderstood parts of the school day. From the impact of high-stakes testing to the debate over recess before or after lunch, this conversation explores how scheduling decisions shape student behavior, regulation, and learning. Brad also unpacks the social power of recess — where leadership emerges, conflict is navigated, and...

Making Learning Visible — A Conversation on Visible Grading with Dave Nagel What if grading didn’t signal the end of learning, but instead helped students see where they are, where they’re going, and how to get there? In this episode, Brad is joined by Dave Nagel, educational consultant, coach, and co-author of Grading Visible Learners: Learning With Fluidity, Not Finality, for a thoughtful conversation on Visible Grading and its connection to student learning. Dave unpacks how traditional grading practices can unintentionally shut learning down—and how visible grading shifts the focus from point accumulation to clarity, feedback, and growth. Drawing...

Season 2, Episode 21 The Code We Don’t Talk About: Ethics, Teaching, & the Lines We Cross We see posts about teacher ethics all the time. We like them. We share them. We agree with them. But we rarely slow down and talk about what ethics actually look like on our hardest days. In this episode, Brad takes a post he came across while scrolling Facebook on The Teachers Community and turns it into a real, honest conversation about ethics in education—beyond posters, policies, and sound bites. This is not an episode about calling teachers out. It’s about calling ourselves back i...

Classroom management hasn’t changed — but the culture around it has. In this episode of Interventions and Detentions, we examine how enforcing expectations now happens in a climate where authority is questioned, limits are challenged, and support for educators is inconsistent. This isn’t about better strategies or stricter rules. It’s about what happens when the shared understanding that adults deserve dignity while doing their job breaks down. If you’ve ever felt blamed for holding the line everyone claims to want held, this episode puts words to that reality.

In Episode 2:19 of Interventions and Detentions, Brad sits down with Stuart Smith, a veteran educator who recently made the jump from the 5th grade classroom to the assistant principal’s office. With over 27 years in education, Stuart shares honest insights on leading former peers, navigating the realities of administration, and keeping a teacher’s heart while stepping into leadership. This episode is a must-listen for educators curious about leadership and administrators who remember what those first days in the office really felt like.

In this episode of Interventions and Detentions with Brad, we take a realistic look at when peer mediation works, when it doesn’t, and why power dynamics matter. We also clarify how peer-led programs like Sources of Strength support school culture without replacing mediation. Grounded in real middle school leadership experience, this conversation focuses on student safety, appropriate interventions, and practical decision-making in high-needs schools.

2025 was a year that asked a lot of educators. In this reflective solo episode of Interventions and Detentions, I pause to look back on the wins, the wounds, and the work that defined the year in schools. I unpack the major themes that surfaced across classrooms and leadership offices—instruction coming back to the center, behavior as a signal rather than a problem, leadership fatigue, and the growing parent-school divide. I also reflect on the conversations that shaped this podcast in 2025 and the quiet victories that too often go unnoticed. This episode isn’t about trends or quick fixes. It’s abou...

In this episode of Interventions & Detentions, Brad sits down with Andrew Barrand, first-year principal at Lakeland Intermediate School, to explore the powerful connection between high-quality instruction and student behavior. Together, they discuss how engaging teaching practices, proactive classroom strategies, and Conscious Discipline can reduce behavior issues before they begin. Andrew also reflects on lessons learned in his first year as a building leader, the shift from classroom teacher to principal, and advice for educators aspiring to lead—all while keeping teaching and learning at the center of school leadership.

In this episode, Brad digs into The Parent Divide—the growing gap between what some parents expect from schools and what educators can realistically provide. From communication challenges to shifting responsibilities, Brad breaks down the tensions, the misunderstandings, and the real stories happening inside today’s classrooms. Listen as he offers honest reflections, practical insights, and a grounded perspective from inside the principal’s office. New episodes drop every Friday at 8 a.m. Listen on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and wherever you get your podcasts.

In this Thanksgiving mini-episode, Brad shares two simple but meaningful ways he practiced gratitude and generosity in his school this week—from writing personalized notes to every staff member to teaming up with the counselor to give teachers an extra thirty minutes of breathing room. With real stories from kindergarten and first grade life, this quick episode is a reminder that small, intentional gestures can transform a school’s culture. Interventions and Detentions…Where the Real Learning Begins.

In this episode, I sit down with principal and author Brian Kulak to talk about why adult SEL isn’t optional and how emotionally intelligent leadership shapes everything that happens in a school. We dig into what leaders can do to support the people who care for kids, the impact on students when adult SEL is ignored, and why strong staff culture is the foundation of every great school.

this episode of Interventions & Detentions, Brad opens up about the emotional realities of school leadership — the weight you carry, the pressure you absorb, and the moments that make the job feel heavier than anyone realizes. Drawing on his journey from a 5th-grade classroom in 1997 to 22 years in the principal’s chair, Brad shares honest reflections on burnout, staying grounded, and what it truly takes to reset when everything feels overwhelming. Whether you’re a new leader, a veteran administrator, or someone who simply understands the emotional toll of serving others, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and practical strategies to help you ke...

This week, Brad dives into how adult actions, tone, and consistency shape everything kids do — and how real change starts with us. Because better behavior doesn’t begin with rules… it begins with relationships. Interventions and Detentions — Where the Real Learning Begins.

In this special episode of Interventions and Detentions, I share a heartfelt tribute to my late father, who passed away at the age of 91. The episode opens with his obituary and reflects on his life growing up on a farm in Wawaka, Indiana, his time in the Army, his years as an IHSAA official and youth coach, and his deep love for IU basketball, the Indy 500, and his family. It’s a touching look at a humble man who left a lasting legacy through his character, work ethic, and devotion to his sons and granddaughters.

What really drives student behavior? In this episode, Brad dives deep into the power of connection over control, exploring why relationships, regulation, and understanding matter more than punishment. From practical interventions that actually work to reflections on the quiet kids who often go unnoticed, this episode looks at the heart of what education is all about: people. Because every kid has a story and every educator has a reason.

Episode 2.8 – The Primary Grind What’s a day in the life really like for a primary school principal? In this episode, Brad welcomes special guest Kim Kabrich, principal of Lakeland Primary School, for a real and relatable look into the joys, challenges, and surprises of leading a building full of little learners. From morning drop-off chaos to heartwarming classroom moments and everything in between, Brad and Kim share stories that’ll make educators nod, laugh, and maybe even tear up a little. Stick around for a fun round of rapid-fire questions at the end — because even principals need a brain break!

What’s it really like growing up as the principal’s kid? In this week’s episode of Interventions and Detentions, I sit down with my daughters, Madi and Meredith, to find out! They share the real story of being “PKs” — from tagging along to school events when they were little, to walking the halls of the same school where their dad was in charge.

Episode 2:6 – So I Married a Principal Interventions and Detentions – Where the Real Learning Begins In this special episode, Brad welcomes his wife, Shari Targgart, to the mic. Together they share stories, laughs, and honest reflections about what it’s like to be married to a school principal. From the everyday challenges to the lighter moments, this behind-the-scenes conversation gives listeners a personal look at life beyond the office.

Why are so many good teachers leaving the profession? In this solo episode, I dig into the research, share some honest reflections, and ask the hard questions: •Is burnout worse in teaching than in other professions? •Why do the days of teachers staying 30 years in the same grade feel like a thing of the past? •And most importantly — what can we do to keep great teachers in our schools? It’s a mix of data, storytelling, and a little humor (yes, including some rapid-fire questions.)