Episode: 411

Episode Title: School Leaders in the Trenches

It’s not just teachers who are quitting education. School counselors and administrators are also reaching a breaking point. Let’s talk about it, next on The Perna Syndicate.

Ep 411 show:

It’s a new week on The Perna Syndicate and I’m your host, Mark Perna! For two years now, teachers have coped with unbelievable pressure. And I hate to say it, but this might just be the beginning. The effects of the pandemic will be ongoing for many years—in fact, things have changed forever. 

Teachers clearly need their community’s support, but they’re not the only ones struggling. Counselors and school leaders—administrators, superintendents and principals—are facing their own set of challenges. An October survey found that 63% have considered quitting because they feel trapped in a no-win situation. 

The million-dollar question is: what happens if they do? 

I’m not a school administrator, but I work with these visionary leaders every day and I get a front-row seat to the problems they’re dealing with. It’s pretty grim, but you know what? I’m inspired by the way they keep rising to the challenge. 

At the same time, things can’t go on like this forever. Everyone has a breaking point, and we’ve got to support these leaders before they finally throw in the towel and exit the profession for good.

I recently chatted with Dr. Shawn Bishop, a superintendent in Michigan, about this topic. This week, we’ll explore what it’s like to be a school leader in the trenches and how each of us can be part of the solution, rather than part of the problem. 

Tune in tomorrow for a peek into the high-pressure stakes of leading education in these contentious times. We’ll see you back here on the next episode of The Perna Syndicate…take care!