I’m Jennifer Levernier, a principal, mom, wife, doctoral student, and writer. This site grew from my experiences in school leadership and my research on principal retention, stress, and well-being. Too often, the stories of those who lead schools go untold. They are stories of long hours, constant visibility, and the pressure to meet expectations that can feel impossible. They are also stories of the quiet toll leadership can take on health, family, and joy.

Through my own journey and my research, I’ve learned that principal turnover is not just about changing jobs. It is 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 and manage stress, and how schools and systems can create more sustainable conditions for leadership. I care about this because I have lived the exhaustion and seen the hidden costs of burnout. 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 narrow definitions of success in school leadership. It is about breaking barriers for women in leadership and for all principals who deserve to thrive, not just survive, in their roles.