CC#77: Tragedy and the Role of Principal w/ Principal Tom Simmons - El Dorado MS

Content Warning: This episode discusses the topic of suicide and digital blackmail targeting teens. Listener discretion is advised. 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (https://988lifeline.org/) Languages: English, Spanish Hours: Available 24 hours Call 988 Text 988   -------------------------------------------------------------------- Episode Summary In this episode of Cool Coffee, host Rick Sola speaks with Tom Simmons, principal of El Dorado Middle School in USD 490, about the challenges faced by principals, particularly in the wake of a tragic event involving a student. Tom shares insights on navigating communication with the community, supporting students and staff, and the importance of mental health awareness. The discussion emphasizes the need for proactive measures in addressing issues like sextortion and suicide prevention, while also reflecting on the personal toll such events take on school leaders. Tom highlights the strength of the El Dorado community and the supportive environment fostered within the school. Connect with Principal Simmons [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])   Chapters (timestamp does not account for intro--add 39 seconds) 00:00 Introduction to Tom Simmons and His Journey 05:58 The Impact of a Tragic Event 11:21 Navigating Communication and Community Response 17:16 Support Systems for Students and Staff 22:26 Reflections on Personal Well-being and Leadership 28:59 Looking Ahead: Preventative Measures and Awareness 35:34 Closing Thoughts and Community Strength ----------------------------------------------------------------------- The mission of the Kansas Principals Association (https://www.ksprincipals.org/o/kpa) , an organization committed to educational excellence and the lifelong success of all students, is to develop and support all principals through optimized learning, collaborative leadership, networking, and service. Read more about the KPA HERE (https://www.ksprincipals.org/o/kpa) .   YOUR input on Cool Coffee is NEEDED! Click HERE (https://forms.gle/nSVj4nNw1Yn74WVu8) to share thoughts and interest for you or a colleague on being on the show! Click for ALL Cool Coffee (https://coolcoffee.podbean.com/) episodes! Connect with Cool Coffee on... Follow us on X: @KSPrincipals (https://x.com/KPACoolCoffee) ; @KPACoolCoffee (https://x.com/KPACoolCoffee) Facebook: KSPrincipals (  / ksprincipals  ) Contact the host: X @MrRickSola (https://x.com/MrRickSola) , [email protected], (mailto:[email protected],)  or [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SHOW TRANSCRIPT (timestamp does not account for intro--add 39 seconds) Content Warning: Please note this episode discusses the topic of suicide and digital blackmail targeting teens. Listener discretion is advised. Rick Sola (00:01.77) Hello and welcome to Cool Coffee with Kansas principals. Today I'm joined by Mr. Tom Simmons, principal of El Dorado Middle School in El Dorado, Kansas. Welcome Tom. Tom Simmons (00:13.518) Thank you, glad to be here. Rick Sola (00:15.754) Yeah, I'm really excited to have you here and recently learned you guys are the Wildcats as well. So from one Wildcat to another welcome both at my school, but also I don't know if you're not a K-State Wildcat, I don't think, are you? you are, you are, okay. Well, there we go. Wildcat squared here for both of us. Tom Simmons (00:28.204) I am. Tom Simmons (00:33.166) I'm a chocker, I'm a wildcat, I'm a jet. I'm a multiple of those, but I probably hone in more to the wildcats. I've enjoyed my time there, so. Rick Sola (00:42.262) Well, that's awesome. I hope our K-State Wildcats can get it done, get it going here this season. before we get going, just a quick plug out for the show. For all listeners, your feedback is important to us and we would love to hear from you. So please check the show notes for a way to leave feedback or even contact me directly with topics or guest ideas. Also, if you're so inclined, give us a like, give us a follow on your favorite podcast platform and help spread the word on the amazing principles. we have right here in the state of Kansas. And I am really excited, Tom, to have you here today, just to learn more about you, learn more about El Dorado, but talk about a really important and just a really important topic that we'll get to here in a bit. But the show, we always kick off with just a road to the chair that you're in right now. So where did you come from to end up where you're at right now? Tom Simmons (01:40.6) Well, I grew up in Western Kansas in Garden City. I'm probably be like a lot of principals. I didn't have that traditional route to this chair. I started out in athletic training. All my friends were football players, but they were of the size needed to ...