Shannon Putman welcomes Stephanie Breedlove, District Early Childhood Principal for Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, Kentucky, to kick off 2026. Stephanie shares her extensive educational journey—from classroom teacher in North Carolina to principal in Nelson County, and now leading early childhood programs in JCPS.

The conversation explores the unique challenges of early childhood education, including serving students with disabilities and those from low-income backgrounds. Stephanie emphasizes that relationship-building and creating a culture of care are foundational to effective leadership, arguing that emotionally healthy staff lead to better student outcomes.

Key topics include:

• The shift in kindergarten expectations (now resembling "the new first grade")
• Support for universal pre-K initiatives
• The critical role of technology in preparing students for the future
• Balancing innovation with teacher buy-in
• The importance of visibility and presence as a school leader

Get in touch with Shannon:
Putman XR Consulting
LinkedIn: Dr. Shannon Putman