Dive Brief:

• Texas elementary school principal Todd Nesloney talks in a video interview, about taking a job as a principal, without any administrative or managerial experience.
• Webb Elementary was considered "failing," yet Nesloney managed to turn it around by seeing his position as "lead learner" instead of a traditional principal.
• By calling himself a "lead learner," eSchoolNews reports, "it's meant to highlight the fact that he, like everyone else at the school, was growing and learning as they navigated change."

Dive Insight:

The shift away from a top-down approach is a notable change from traditional school leadership, and aims to encourage risk-taking.

In the video, a partnership between eSchoolNews and Lesson Planet's Professional Development Learning Network, Nesloney stresses inclusion and collaboration while navigating change.

"We want a school where the kids feel valued," the lead learner said. "We want them beating down the doors in the morning and crying when they have to leave in the afternoon."