[Podcast Episode] From Brick-and-Mortar to Brilliant Microschools: Principals Share Their Journey

Host Patrick Tzakalako (Director of Admissions and Partnerships at Brilliant Microschools) interviews new principals Gina Yorko (Lower School) and Kelly Radigan (Upper School) about their paths into education and leadership. Gina, an elementary and special education educator with 14 years in inclusive classrooms, left brick-and-mortar teaching due to pressure and became a Brilliant tutor and then microschool principal. Kelly, formerly in broadcasting/economics, shifted to special education through volunteer work, taught in NYC public/charter schools, andjoined Brilliant to escape red tape and focus on student support. They discuss challenges of virtual leadership (building community, delegating, managing time), misconceptions about online learning, and key skills emphasized at Brilliant Microschools: time management and student choice. They share student success stories around restored confidence and love of learning, and highlight current initiatives like buffer week projects, a talent show, and a band club creating a graduation song.

Timestamps:

00:00 Choice Driven Learning
00:18 Welcome to Tiny Talks
01:08 Gina Education Journey
02:38 Kelly Path to Teaching
05:08 Becoming School Leaders
07:14 Burnout in Brick and Mortar
08:11 Principal Challenges Online
09:04 Delegation and Growth
10:18 How Principals Collaborate
11:12 Behind the Scenes Reality
12:30 Stigma Around Virtual School
13:43 Myths About Online Learning
14:28 Leading Online Schools
14:54 Skills Students Need
16:46 Advice for Hesitant Parents
18:23 Student Success Stories
21:35 Rapid Fire Round
23:18 Future of Education
24:18 Classroom Highlights
25:28 Closing, Thanks, and Outro