"I'm just tired of feeling alone."
A school leader said this to me recently, and, as a school leader myself, I knew exactly what she was talking about
Maybe you feel it too.
You carry the weight of expectations from every direction—students, staff, parents, boards, policymakers.
You're expected to have answers for everyone else, yet you rarely have a space to ask your own questions.
Research from the RAND Corporation paints a stark picture when it comes to the lifespan of a school administrator:
85% of principals report job-related stress — higher than teachers (73%) and far higher than other working adults (35%).
Nearly half (48%) are experiencing burnout, and 28% report symptoms of depression.
Between 20–30% of principals leave their roles within five years, with burnout cited as a major reason.
School leaders report worse well-being than any other working adult.
This isn't just a personal crisis. It's an educational one.
When school leaders burn out, the entire school community feels the ripple effect.
Here's What I Know to Be True
I've spent years working alongside visionary educators who are reshaping what school can be, and one thing has become crystal clear:
Leaders need communities just as much as they need strategies.
Community for school leaders isn't a luxury. It's a lifeline.
Yet too often, we're isolated in our roles—expected to lead with wisdom, grace, and energy while rarely receiving the support we desperately need.
Leadership is too complex, too human, and too high-stakes to be done in a vacuum.
That's why every school leader needs a community of practice—a space where you can be honest, vulnerable, creative, and inspired.
A space where you can be reminded that you're not crazy, you're not alone, and you're not the only one trying to lead with heart in a system that can feel daunting at best.
Introducing: The Flourishing School Leaders Community Cohort
I am a HUGE believer that kids need caring teachers to flourish and thrive
And that caring teachers need caring administrators so that they can flourish and thrive
The flourishing of school leaders is ESSENTIAL to the well-being of the entire learning environment
I’ve been sharing in this space for a while now that I’m working on resources to help connect, center, coach, and guide school leaders deeper into authenticity, purpose, hope, and meaning, believing that, if we can give school administrators the strength and care to lead their learning communities well, we can create healthier, more innovative schools where everyone flourishes!
To that end, I'm launching something I wish had existed when I was in school leadership:
A community of practice for bold, purpose-driven leaders committed to thriving personally and professionally while leading schools where students and staff do the same.
This isn't another meeting or webinar.
It's a trusted circle where you can:
Share what's really happening behind the scenes, without judgment
Learn from peers who understand the same challenges and stakes
Access coaching and tools to stay energized rather than burned out
Design schools that help everyone—leaders, teachers, and students—flourish
Here's How It Works
Starting January 2026, we'll gather monthly for 60-minute live sessions:
30 Minutes of Expert Teaching on a Given Topic
Deep dives into topics that address your real challenges and reignite your sense of purpose
15 Minutes of Small Group Pair and Share You will get to the chance to build rich, authentic connections with people in roles just like you who get the beauty and the challenge of school leadership
15 Minutes of Live Q&A
Get coaching on your specific situations and learn from peers who understand your world
2026 Topics Include:
Leading from Your Why: Reconnecting with Your Purpose
The Trust Accelerator: Building Psychological Safety For Your Team
Beyond Burnout: Sustainable Leadership Practices
The Strategic 'No': Protecting What Matters Most
Creating Ecosystems of Purpose, Meaning, and Mattering
Designing Your Personal Operating System for Well-Being
Future-proofing Education
Pursuing Innovation and Creativity for the 21st Century (And Beyond)
Fostering Authentic Joy in Schools
Cultivating Gratitude and Resilience (When Everything Feels Hard)
...and more topics designed specifically for the seasons and challenges you'll face throughout the year.
This isn't just professional development. It's not another credential or compliance requirement.
It's a movement to rekindle purpose, passion, and joy in school leadership—and to create schools where everyone can flourish.
A strong community of practice isn't about adding one more thing to your plate.
It's about creating space for you to breathe, think, learn, and be supported as you do some of the most important work in the world.
But here’s the thing: I want YOU to help me create this!!
I don’t want to build this in isolation
I want to design it with you and for you
I’ve put together a short survey to better understand what you most need right now as a school leader. It is completely anonymous and confidential
Your input will directly shape the resources, gatherings, and coaching opportunities we launch first.
When you do, you’ll be among the first to get access to the tools, guides, and leadership frameworks I’m creating — and you’ll receive an invitation to join our growing community of practice
PLUS: You will get 30% off the price of the cohort forever by being a founding mastermind
My deep hope is that this is the beginning of a movement to rekindle purpose, passion, and joy in school leadership — and to create schools where everyone can flourish
I’d love for you to be part of it
A strong community of practice isn't about adding one more thing to your plate.
It's about creating space for you to breathe, think, learn, and be supported as you do some of the most important work in the world.
To your flourishing,
Scott
