My Blog

Overcoming Comparison: Reclaiming Your Energy and Focus
In Principal in Balance, I explore the connection between burnout and comparison, mainly how emotional exhaustion often stems from absorbing the experiences of others—whether in real life or on social media. Too often, we internalize what we see without context,...

The 5-Minute Brain Dump: A Simple Strategy for Clarity and Focus
Ever feel like your mind is running in a hundred different directions? You’re juggling responsibilities, remembering deadlines, and trying to stay ahead—yet the mental clutter keeps piling up. If this sounds familiar, it’s time to hit reset with a 5-minute brain dump....

Renewed Ground Rules: Leading with Intention in 2025
Set the tone for a transformative year with practical strategies to align your leadership, prioritize what matters, and create balance for both work and life. As we step into 2025, we’re given a fresh opportunity to reset and realign our ground rules—not just for our...

Protecting Your Prep:
Three Ways Leaders Self-Sabotage Deep Work and How to Stop It. Gotta minute? Two words that can completely derail your day. Picture this: you’re heading to a meeting, settling in at your desk to finish an important report, or rushing out the door almost late to your...

Hello
Jessica is the Principal of Alternative Educations Programs in Austin, Minnesota. Previously, she was the principal of Ellis Middle School in Austin, Minnesota, and the principal of the “Happiest Place in Southeastern Minnesota,” the Woodson Kindergarten Center.
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