The Strong Podcast host, Mike Montoya, looks ahead to the future of school leadership, unpacking why the next hiring cycles will define whether schools stabilize or continue to struggle with turnover and burnout.
In this episode recorded, Mike reflects on what’s coming in 2026 and beyond for K–12 education, with a sharp focus on hiring season and leadership trends. Drawing on years of experience placing more than 90 school leaders and interviewing tens of thousands of candidates, he speaks candidly about the growing strain on principals and district systems alike. He names a clear inflection point in education, where teacher shortages, principal turnover, and fragmented talent pipelines are colliding.
Mike explores why strong school leadership almost always begins with excellent teaching experiences paired with early-career mentorship and development. While there’s no national consensus on how to grow great leaders, research from organizations like the Wallace Foundation reinforces what Mike has seen firsthand: principals have a powerful, positive impact on school outcomes when they are supported and allowed to stay. Frequent leadership transitions, he explains, create organizational chaos that disrupts culture, instruction, and student success.
It is unrealistic to expect one leader to manage instruction, operations, and community engagement alone. Mike shares examples of long-tenured principals who, with the right systems and support, built thriving school communities where both students and adults flourished. These environments serve learners across the spectrum through intentional resource allocation, data-informed decisions, and a deep commitment to belonging.
Looking ahead, Mike predicts moderate turnover in the near term, with increased movement expected around 2027. Rather than competing in a tight market, he urges systems to double down on developing their own people. He offers a grounded, hopeful vision for how schools can invest in leaders who love the work and stay long enough to make a lasting difference. Tune in for a thoughtful look at what it will take to build stable, thriving schools in the years ahead.
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Episode 11