“My job as principal is not ‘to do’ all the work required to run my school. My job is to build the capacity of my staff to do the work required to run our school. My job is to get work done through my staff, and The Breakthrough Coach Program gave me a sound model for how to go about that.”

Challenge: New Role, Old Mindsets

Alex Merritt, Principal of Alex Sanger Preparatory School in Dallas ISD, had been the school’s AP for three years prior to stepping into the principalship. As AP, he primarily handled all staff, parent and student complaints, questions and feedback that made their way to the administrative level. As Alex explains it, “When I was AP, I acted as the first line of defense for all issues great and small. I was the ‘Chief Cook and Bottle Washer’ around here and it was my job to stand in the ‘heat of the kitchen’ and solve problems.”

Unfortunately, because of Alex’s stellar reputation as Sanger’s AP, his first year as principal presented unique challenges. Alex eagerly accepted his promotion, but his school community continued to regard him as the go-to-guy for “everything and the kitchen sink,” and Alex willingly obliged. 

He admits, “In my first year as principal, I was holding on to every project, every parent concern, every difficult conversation, like it was still mine to handle. My mindset was ‘nobody is going to take care of this better than me,’ and I encouraged my school community to relate to me in this way.”

Not only did Alex face this identity crisis, but Dallas ISD had simultaneously adopted brand-new, K-8, reading and math curricula which Alex and his two new APs needed to implement at Sanger that same year. 

“I ultimately paid a huge price for making myself the center of the Sanger universe. I had no boundaries and I maintained ridiculous hours. Most nights I didn’t arrive home until 7:00 p.m. and I was working at least one full day on the weekend,” says Alex. 

About three months into the job, Alex concluded that something had to give, or he and his team would face the reality of early burnout.

Mindset Shift: Don’t Do, Build Capacity

In December 2023, Alex participated in PHASE 1 of The Breakthrough Coach Program. He immediately realized the program offered an “operating system” that could ease his transition from AP to Principal, and empower his team to address the massive transitions they were facing.

“During PHASE 1, I finally understood that my job as principal is not ‘to do’ all the work required to run my school. My job is to build the capacity of my staff to do the work required to run our school. My job is to get work done through my staff, and The Breakthrough Coach Program gave me a sound model for how to go about that.” 

Solution: Empower The Team

Alex returned to Sanger and immediately began implementing The Breakthrough Coach system. He converted his conventional office into a conference room where he could have meaningful coaching conversations with his team about the work they needed to do. 

He began to meet daily with his secretary to organize, delegate and execute day-to-day operational tasks that, in the past, she had chased him down to handle. “Then I let go of managing my own calendar and put it in Veronica’s hands. What a relief! She did a much better job than me at scheduling my meetings, ordering my priorities, and scheduling my time in classrooms. By September 2024, I was spending 2 days every week observing classrooms and grade level planning meetings.”

Outcomes: Student Growth – Principal Saved

One year into Alex’s strategic implementation of The Breakthrough Coach operating system, Sanger is experiencing noticeable growth. Student achievement, as measured by Texas’ standardized assessments, is improving. “We went from 52% of students on grade level in all subjects at the end of Spring 2024, to 60% on grade level at the end of the first quarter of fall 2024, and projections for the school’s continued growth are promising,” says Alex.

As a second year principal, Alex now averages a 45-50 hour work week – a stat that he deemed impossible a year ago – and spends two full days every week in classrooms. He has also created regular time to address his personal well-being and hobbies, including exercising daily and serving on the board of Shakespeare Dallas.  

Conclusion:

Alex’s journey from “Chief Cook and Bottle Washer” to “Executive Chef” at Sanger has been nothing short of remarkable, and he is thrilled with the results. “I’m more confident and competent at work. I’m in classrooms where I should be. I know what’s going on with my teachers, students and curriculum, and I’m making the difference I was put here to make.”

Looking to ease your transition into a new leadership role? Start with The Breakthrough Coach today!