Talking Honestly: Breaking the Silence about Principal Well-Being

In education, we talk a lot about student well-being and teacher well-being. But principal well-being is often left out of the conversation. There’s an unspoken expectation that school leaders should “just handle it,” no matter how overwhelming the demands.

The problem with that silence is that it isolates principals. When leaders feel they can’t admit stress, they internalize it until it becomes unmanageable. I believe we need to normalize conversations about principal well-being in the same way we are starting to normalize them for students and teachers.

Talking about stress and burnout doesn’t make a principal weak. It makes them real. And when leaders model vulnerability and self-care, it gives permission for their staff to do the same. That creates a healthier culture for the whole school.

Shattering the glass ceiling in education leadership isn’t just about advancing careers—it’s also about breaking through the stigma of silence around mental health and well-being. If we want to keep great principals, we need to give them the space to speak up, seek help, and feel supported without judgment.

Jennifer Levernier

Shattering the Glass Ceiling is a space dedicated to exploring the realities of principal retention, leadership well-being, and the experiences of women in education leadership. Our mission is to create conversations that inspire healthier, more sustainable leadership.

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Why Principal Retention Matters Now More Than Ever

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The Hidden Cost of Principal Burnout