February 09, 2026

Hi ,

I felt like an idiot.

I’ve been using AI for years, but this week I took an assessment on how well I can use AI. It was humbling to say the least.

The challenges were very technical, included word games, outputting things just right, and process/flow charts. Man, it was tough. It was a timed test, and I never got the first question right. I had to skip it and come back later, which I did, and I’m glad I did because I still couldn’t figure out how to get it to format it correctly, even when I told it EXACTLY what to do!

This week, we’ve got two awesome LIVE events.

First up is AILeader Office Hours. I’m presenting at VAESP next week, and going to use this to answer your last minute questions before that presentation. AI keeps moving fast, and we all need a place to come ask questions and not feel like an idiot.

Second, is my monthly Big Impact Mixer. You never know what is going to come out of these, but this week we are going to share networking strategies and tips. Some come with your best ones. We’ll talk about networking for business, relationships, connections, jobs, and whatever else you can think of.

But I’m not going to be the “guru” this week. The smartest person in this room will be the room. So, if you’ve got something awesome you do, come share. If you want to learn something awesome, come share.

Here’s a tip to whet your whistle, though. Every time I enter into a new relationship with someone, I expect that it will last for 10 years.

Thinking with a long time horizon immediately deepens the relationship and removes the icky transactional feel. Just walking into a meeting with that intention forces you to slow down and see where you’re at.

All the best!

Jethro

PODCAST Episode

The Antidote to Teacher Burnout: Culture of Care with Matthew Ebert Transformative Principal 585

Matthew Ebert emphasizes creating authentic spaces for educators to thrive by fostering care and accountability, reducing meetings, and encouraging teacher-led initiatives. He discusses strategies like using Slack for communication and viewing schools as teams rather than families

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Concepts & Frameworks

Hiring Isn’t About Filling a Spot

Too often, hiring is treated like emergency triage—someone leaves, we scramble, we settle. But every hiring decision is a chance to shape your school’s culture. Instead of asking, “Who can do the job?” start with, “Who will elevate this team?” I once delayed hiring for a key position because we hadn’t found the right fit. That delay turned into an opportunity. We redefined the role, cast a wider net, and ended up hiring someone who transformed the way we supported students. Don’t rush. Be intentional. Each person you add isn’t just filling a gap—they’re shaping your school’s future.

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“

It's easy to be isolated, whether you're in a big school or small school. It's nice to have some like-minded principles that you can go to if you need help. And also Jethro has been great just personally, anytime I've needed help or struggled with something, he always has, some great wisdom to share with me and some strategies.

— Eric Makelky, Principal, Wyoming

Jethro Jones

Transformative Principal

Education and leadership nerd, and founder of Transformative Principal. You might know me from my latest books, How to be a Transformative Principal and SchoolX, and the longest running ed leadership podcast, Transformative Principal.