April 29, 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

Innovative Strategies for Navigating School Leadership Roadblocks with Marcela Andres

Marcela Andres shares strategies for creating culturally responsive schools by fostering authentic relationships between educators, families, and communities. She emphasizes breaking conventional rules to align education with community needs

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Concepts & Frameworks

The Empathy-First Framework

Before launching your next big initiative—whether it’s a new schedule, discipline strategy, or tech platform—take 30 minutes to talk with three people who will be affected by it. Sit down with a teacher, a student, and a parent. Ask them three simple questions: What’s working? What’s frustrating? What’s missing? When I led a school-wide advisory redesign, we started with these empathy interviews.

We learned that students didn’t feel seen, and teachers felt it was just another thing. That shaped the entire rollout. Empathy isn’t a just an organic skill—it’s a strategic advantage. When you start by listening, your decisions hit closer to the real need. Don’t assume. Ask. Then build.

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“

It's been our pleasure to work with Jethro Jones for a number of years with my administrative team, working with them on different leadership techniques. And I've seen a great improvement, not only in my principals, but also the impact that's had on our students. And recently we hired Jethro to work with our staff on student driven learning. And he did a great job with our staff over a two day training session that was very well paced and provided great opportunities for our staff to ask questions and develop as a group.

— Greg Doverspike, Superintendent, Durand-Arkansaw School District

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.