Transforming Your School Culture with Principal EL

Our guest for this episode of FocusED is Principal EL. Principal EL believes every child deserves at least one adult who is “crazy about them,” and that leaders must be intentionally curious about students’ lives outside of school to build belonging.Consistency, he explains, is the backbone of strong relationships; students need to know their principal will show up day after day, even after conflict. He believes visible presence in classrooms, hallways, cafeterias, and the yard is non-negotiable if leaders want students to feel seen and safe.He points out that simple moves—sitting with students at lunch, playing chess, listening—often open doors to conversations kids have never had with adults. He believes many students “ask for love in the most unloving ways,” so leaders must stay when it’s hardest, not just when students are easy to manage.For staff, he emphasizes that support starts with small acts: covering a class so someone can use the restroom or bringing a cup of tea on a tough day. He believes real appreciation cannot be confined to Teacher Appreciation Week; it has to live in daily culture and behavior.On staffing, he argues that “the best form of retention is recruitment, and the best form of recruitment is retention,” especially in a hiring market that feels like the Hunger Games. He believes interviews must surface “villagers”—people willing to show up for families and students beyond academics, with real examples of care.He draws a sharp line between a teaching culture and a learning culture. He believes that impact rests less on the ability to teach and more on the willingness to learn, accept feedback, and say, “Can I learn from you?”He cautions that leaders must balance accountability and support because it is easier than ever for teachers to say, “I can quit today.” He believes students still need adults who choose to stay and see the work as a calling, not just a job.Regarding technology, he warns that social media and cell phones sit at the center of many climate issues, from late-night gaming to drama on Instagram. He believes policies like “bell to bell, no cell” help students be more present and less stressed in class.Personally, he shares that gratitude, meditation, running, and time in the gym keep him grounded and able to pour into others. He believes leaders should wake up knowing someone needed them that day and go to bed counting the blessing of being able to serve.Even after 39 years, he jokes about needing a book that would finally teach him how to retire, yet he keeps coming back. He believes the real reason is the student on the bus who asks, “Are you coming back next year?”—a reminder that choosing to stay still changes lives.