March 11, 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

4 Simple Steps to Improve Communication with Jennifer Jennings Transformative Principal 604

Jennifer Jennings provides actionable strategies for improving school communication by building trust, engaging communities, and creating consistent messaging plans. She highlights tools like digital signage and visual displays to enhance outreach and foster positive school culture

Listen now

Concepts & Frameworks

Culture Happens Either Way

Your school has a culture. The only question is whether you’re actively shaping it or letting it shape itself. Culture isn’t built during professional development days. It’s built in the hallway conversations, the way people talk in staff meetings, how students are greeted in the morning. I once walked into a building and could immediately feel the tension—tight smiles, whispered complaints, a "wait until they leave" vibe. Contrast that with a school where teachers smiled, students held doors open, and laughter echoed. Neither happened by accident. Culture is the collection of behaviors you tolerate, encourage, and celebrate. So ask yourself: What’s the story your school tells without saying a word? And what are you doing to write that story every day?

Just double-checking something real quick. We've got you down as [IDENT_SINGULAR GOES HERE], and we want to make sure you’re getting content, stories, and tools that actually match where you’re at. If we got it right, awesome. If not, choose an option below and set us straight.

What best describes your role in education?

I'm a Principal with 3+ Years Experience

I'm a Principal with 1 - 3 Years Experience

I'm an Assistant Principal

I'm a District-Level Administrator

I'm a Teacher

I'm not in the field

Boost Your School's Image

Path to Positive Press

Elevate your school's reputation with proven strategies for getting positive press.

Buy Now

“

Jethro's interactive approach made the application more possible. Seeing the AI world as a tool to solve a problem versus a teaching/learning tool was helpful.

— Kurt, Arizona School Administrators Conference

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.