This site was born out of lived experience in school leadership and my research on principal retention, stress, and well-being. Too often, the stories of those in leadership roles go untold—stories of the long hours, the constant visibility, the pressure to meet expectations that sometimes feel impossible, and the quiet toll it takes on health, family, and joy.

What I’ve seen, both in my own journey and through the research, is that principal turnover is not just about job changes—it’s about human beings reaching a breaking point. When leaders leave, schools lose stability, teachers lose support, and students lose a champion. At the heart of this site is the belief that leadership should not come at the expense of well-being.

My work focuses on understanding how principals experience stress, how they manage it, and what schools and systems can do differently to make the role sustainable. I care about this because I’ve lived the exhaustion and seen the hidden costs of burnout. And I also believe there is a better way: one where leaders are supported, valued, and encouraged to build balance into their work and their lives.

Shattering the Glass Ceiling exists to spark honest conversations, share insights, and challenge outdated definitions of success in school leadership. It’s about breaking barriers, not only for women in leadership but for all principals who deserve to thrive—not just survive—in their roles.