This week on This American Principal, we meet Alex, a Central Valley superintendent who went from sleeping on his laptop as a rookie teacher to running a TK–8 district in his hometown. From navigating a bus driver shortage to aligning curriculum and launching daily student check-ins, Alex shows how small, intentional systems can make a big difference.

His story is a reminder that when leaders keep it simple, stay flexible, and lead with heart—because it’s for the kids—schools become places where both adults and students thrive.