Peabody Experts Guide Leaders on Principal Pipelines

Vanderbilt Peabody College faculty share research-backed strategies for developing and sustaining effective school principals.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Professors from Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development participated in the National Conference on Education, presenting research on building sustainable principal pipelines and effective school leadership practices. They engaged with district leaders from across the country on evidence-based frameworks for preparing, supporting and retaining impactful principals.

Why it matters

Effective school leadership is critical for improving student outcomes and school performance, but many districts struggle with principal turnover and shortages. The Peabody experts' research-backed strategies provide district leaders with practical tools to develop and sustain strong principal pipelines, a promising approach for tackling these challenges.

The details

At the conference, Professor Ellen Goldring shared a framework for principal pipeline sustainability, emphasizing the need to build in sustainability from the start through four key phases: creating readiness, initial implementation, institutionalization, and ongoing evaluation and renewal. Four dimensions of sustainability were highlighted: strategic alignment, clarity of intent, institutional elements, and maintaining priority. Goldring discussed this framework with district leaders from North Carolina, South Carolina and Pennsylvania. Professor Jason Grissom also presented research on effective principal practices, which informed a panel discussion with superintendents developing leadership pipelines in Tennessee, Oregon and Texas.

  • The National Conference on Education was held in February 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.
  • The Learning Environments Action Research Network (LEARN) symposium took place in Nashville in conjunction with the National Conference on Education.

The players

Ellen Goldring

Professor at Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development.

Jason Grissom

Professor at Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development.

Timisha Barnes-Jones

Chief of Schools, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, North Carolina.

Burke Royster

Superintendent, Greenville School District, South Carolina.

Tony Watlington, Sr.

Superintendent, Philadelphia School District, Pennsylvania.

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What they’re saying

“It was fascinating to hear how each district was approaching the work of preparing and supporting school leaders to engage in the practices research says are key, including evidence-based feedback and coaching, investing in strong school climates, and managing school resources strategically.”

— Jason Grissom, Professor (Mirage News)

The takeaway

The Peabody experts' research-backed strategies provide district leaders with practical frameworks and best practices for developing and sustaining effective school principals, a critical step in improving student outcomes and school performance.