Episode 48: I Choose to Stay: Dr. Salome Thomas-EL’s Journey from the Chessboard to the Classroom to Leadership!
Description
A single question from a group of students rerouted a career—and sparked a movement. That’s how Dr. Salome Thomas-EL, widely known as Principal EL, went from TV production to a life in education, using chess to teach math, identity, and grit while building a school culture where kids line up to get in. We talk about the early days in Philadelphia, why engagement must precede information, and how a chessboard became intellectual capital that changed how students saw themselves and how others saw them.
The story stretches from neighborhood classrooms to national championships, but the wins don’t stop at trophies. Former players graduated from Temple Law, UVA, Cornell, Penn State, and HBCUs, carrying with them skills that rarely show up on state tests; critical thinking, self-regulation, empathy, and patience. Along the way, Principal EL lays out his Four C’s: be Crazy about kids, be Curious about their lives, be Consistent as adults, and build a Culture that blends joy with high expectations. He explains why high school reform starts in kindergarten, how strategic losses teach more than streaks, and what it takes to keep talented educators choosing to stay.
We also dive into his new book, Meet Their Needs and They’ll Succeed, a field guide for trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and relentlessly practical leadership. From the hospital metaphor that reframed teacher care to the often overlooked power of after-school programs and community partners, every story points to the same truth: when the right adults show up with belief and structure, kids rise. If you’re an aspiring principal or a veteran leader, you’ll leave with actionable ideas, renewed purpose, and a reminder that service is the heart of leadership.
If this conversation moved you, subscribe, share it with a colleague who needs a spark, and leave a review; what’s one change you’ll make this week?
Connect with Principal EL:
Website: https://www.principalel.com/
X: @Principal_EL
Instagram: @dr.principalel
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/PrincipalEL
Teach Better Mid Roll Network Ad
Click Here to Connect with Principal JL:
United States
