This series picked up where the Wallace Foundation’s Principal Pipeline Initiative left off. The Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) in Maryland was among the six districts that participated in the foundation’s five-year effort to improve the training and retention of principals — and share that knowledge with the field.

Since 2011, over 350 administrators have taken part in PGCPS' suite of leadership preparation programs. David Brown, a husband and new father who loves sports and music, was one of them.

He couldn't have expected that a worldwide pandemic would cut short his time in the building with students and staff members. But he drew on his experiences as an assistant principal — and the guidance of his mentors — to support the school community through three months of remote interaction and learning. 

Education Dive gave you a front seat to Brown's journey in a series titled PreparED. And by now, he has a few lessons to share.

PreparED: Prospective principals embrace thrill of leadership in revamped pipeline program: A program ending with a professional development session at a local Six Flags is just one small part of improved principal preparation efforts in Maryland's Prince George’s County Public Schools.

PreparED: The delicate balancing act of a first-year principal: New leader David Brown takes a customer service approach to connecting with teachers and families, while looking for early opportunities to make improvements.

PreparED: Family engagement, 'tailored PD' occupy new principal's first year: As Prince George’s County Public Schools’ David Brown looks for opportunities to improve achievement, he’s holding teachers accountable while relying on them as "content leaders."

PreparED: First-year principal aims for some stability during 'alarming' uncertainty: Prince George’s County Public Schools’ David Brown spends the closure holding remote coaching sessions with teachers and drawing support from other new school leaders.

PreparED: In a year on ‘pause,’ a new principal keeps student growth, staff morale at forefront: In a district focused on administrator prep, David Brown’s first year shows a strong grasp of the technical side of the position made a smoother transition to virtual leadership