Pizza, Planning, and Catholic School Leadership
John Mihalyo is not a cook, and he’ll be the first to tell you. But when he set out to recreate the pizza from his hometown shop in Weirton, West Virginia, for his own family, his first try ended with a borrowed recipe, the broiler, and the smoke alarm going off. In this solo episode, John shares how a guy with no kitchen skills got to the point where his kids now pick Dad’s pizza over takeout, and what that journey teaches us about leading a Catholic school.
Every school leader has a fire alarm moment. The budget comes back upside down, the enrollment number comes in short, the big event doesn’t bring in what you hoped, or a teacher you love isn’t coming back. John talks about why copying another school’s recipe rarely works, why walking back into the kitchen after a setback takes a little courage, and three questions to ask when things go wrong: What worked? What didn’t? Who knows something I don’t? He also speaks to the many principals, advancement directors, and pastors who were never handed the recipe for the job they’re doing now.
If you’ve ever been tempted to throw your hands up and say “we’re never doing that again,” this episode is for you. Grab a piece of paper, think about your most recent fire alarm moment, and make one small adjustment. A little more water. A little more flour.
Learn more about today's sponsor, Renaissance:
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 students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.
