What happens when a school leader dares to lead with heart, courage, and an unwavering belief in every child's potential?

In this powerful episode, host Scott Garvis welcomes Jayme Braida, Principal at Columbus Elementary and newly named Iowa’s Elementary Principal of the Year. Jayme shares her deeply personal leadership journey from overcoming childhood adversity to shaping school culture around belonging, connection, and care. Drawing from her upcoming book Seen. Heard. Valued., Jayme unpacks the transformative power of relational leadership and the responsibility educators have to see every child and adult in their building.

From stories about her sister’s struggle with school disengagement to building attendance systems rooted in empathy, Jayme reflects on the real work of equity-driven leadership and how vulnerability, reflection, and action can build schools where students thrive, not just survive.

Whether you’re a principal, teacher, or aspiring educational leader, this episode offers inspiration and actionable insights to build culture from the inside out.