In this episode of Transformational Educators, Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket, Principal of Waterloo Elementary and coauthor of Relational Intelligence, reveals how she rebuilt a grieving school culture with relational trust, summer playground meetups, and a push-up contest that changed everything.

What happens when a new principal steps into the shoes of a beloved leader, and chooses connection over control?

Host Dr. Matthew Flippen explores how Dr. Edoho-Eket used feedback, trauma-informed practices, and joyful leadership to create a schoolwide behavior system rooted in safety and consistency. This story is for any school leader who believes change begins with relationships.

In this episode

• The power of humility and humor in school leadership
• How to lead through transition after a beloved principal departs
• Gathering real feedback that drives meaningful change
• Building trust with students, staff, and families from day one
• Creating trauma-informed, relationship-centered behavior systems
• How “PAW Pals” mentoring reduced discipline issues and improved attendance
• What leaders can learn from push-up contests and popsicles
• Real data showing how relational practices improved school climate