Principal Impact Exchange Provides Community of Support for Veteran Building Principals

This school year, a pilot program is taking strides to improve the retention of seasoned school principals in Multnomah County. The principal is a critical leader in the school community, and unfortunately, experienced administrators are seen less and less in the field of education. A lack of veteran principals can significantly impact student outcomes, school culture and climate, and support for newer administrators in the field.

As a former administrator herself, Natasha Jackson knows first-hand the challenges that school principals face. Natasha noticed many principals like herself moving into non-school-based roles, not because there were greater opportunities, but because the work became too difficult. The role of a principal is infinitely complex. Principals serve as instructional leaders, advocates, social workers, finance managers, substitute teachers, and most are single administrators of the building without an assistant or vice principal.

“When you walk into the field of administration, you give a lot, but you also give up a lot,” shared Natasha.

She began to bring together a group of principals from the region who then became the Design Team for the Principal Impact Exchange (PIE). The Design Team submitted a proposal to MCREN to fund PIE in the 2025-26 school year, and the proposal was selected.

The Principal Impact Exchange is an 8-week cohort-based learning experience for principals in years 3-5 designed to address administrator burnout, isolation, and retention challenges by providing a supportive, structured space for building-level leaders to strengthen leadership capacity while sustaining personal wellness. 

• Consistent job-alike support and professional connection
• Practical leadership tools for day-to-day building challenges
• Reflective and restorative practices to reduce stress and build resilience
• Structured sessions centered on real leadership experiences and problem-solving

During the program, principals are given tools and information to enhance their practice as well as a safe space to connect with other principals and to be vulnerable. Natasha selected a diverse range of presenters and guest speakers for the curriculum.

“I brought a team of people together, both from traditional and non-traditional education environments. We incorporated the voices of people who oversee non-profit organizations that work in education to speak to the importance of community partners. We included school teachers who brought a lens of family and community engagement. And even a former teacher & principal who currently mentors principals who are needing tools and strategies to help prioritize the work.”

Principal Impact Exchange is now in its 4th week of the first pilot cohort with 17 building principals from across Multnomah County, ranging from alternative education, elementary, secondary, and even a virtual school. The districts represented come from both large and small districts.

Natasha says that, regardless of where they come from, principals universally say they are lonely in the work. The power of PIE lies in its ability to bring principals together to build community.

“Principals get to go to this neutral place and bring their whole self,” said Natasha. “It’s a community where there’s someone who relates to you and what you are going through. Isolation breeds depression, and that begins to affect how we show up.”

The program is already making the impact it intended. Although sessions are held in the evenings in the middle of the school week, attendance is strong.

Principals are able to build a network of support and relationships through PIE that Natasha hopes will last for years to come. The goal is not only to host PIE each school year, but also to build opportunities for past cohorts to continue coming together in community for one another. 

MCREN is proud to support the Principal Impact Exchange and the work that Natasha and the Multnomah ESD is doing to retain experienced administrators in the region. If you are interested in learning more about this program, please contact Natasha Jackson, Climate & Culture Senior Program Administrator for Multnomah Education Service District.