January 22, 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 Long Game of Recruiting and Retaining Teachers with Jethro Jones and Eric Makelky Transformative Principal 527

Strategies for long-term teacher recruitment and retention.

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Concepts & Frameworks

Weekly Check-In Rituals

Every Monday, ask your building leadership team two questions: What’s one thing you’re excited about this week? And what’s one thing you’re unsure about? It takes five minutes and completely changes our team culture. Excitement builds momentum. Vulnerability builds trust. Some weeks, you'll laugh. Some weeks, you'll cry. But every week, you'll show up more human—and more connected. You don’t need a retreat to build culture. Start with a ritual. Start small. But start consistently. Those little moments compound into something powerful.

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“

This workshop helped me feel that we are not alone, because that is what this feels like. Many are moved from classrooms and highly effective teaching teams into “office” jobs. Connecting with others made me feel not alone

— Kerry, AP Workshop Participant

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.