At the CPAA Leadership Retreat this past July, health and wellness weren’t side notes, they were central to everything we did. Four separate sessions were devoted entirely to healing from trauma, building resilience, and rediscovering strength through connection. And yes, trauma is real. It is not just a buzzword tossed around in education circles. School leaders carry it with them every day, and we cannot expect them to lead others well if we do not create space for them to heal themselves. This work isn’t about lip service. It is about modeling what we preach. CPAA has made wellness and healing part of our identity as a union. It was a priority under Troy LaRaviere’s leadership, and it continues as a priority for our new president, Kia Banks. Both leaders have made it clear: wellness is not optional. It is an essential part of how we build sustainable leadership and thriving school communities. Leading a school has never been simple, but in today’s Chicago landscape it feels especially relentless. Budgets shift, policies change, and principals are often asked to carry the weight of crises far beyond their control. Strong schools require strong leaders who have space for wellness, balance, and life outside the building. When our relationship with work is out of balance, it shows up everywhere… in our bodies, in our emotions, and in our relationships. The good news is that it is never too late to take back control of your wellness and to appreciate your role while remembering it is not the whole of who you are. No matter the job… you are not your job. No matter the work… you are not simply what you produce. No matter the position, you are not here only to meet everyone else’s needs. Yes, there will always be something demanding your time. That will never change. But sometimes, the most important thing you can do is give yourself permission to stop, to focus inward, and to simply be.
The job of a principal is often called never-ending, and in Chicago that is no exaggeration. isn’t. It is essential. Leaders deserve to find moments of joy and presence in the work… not just the grind. Because if principalship isn’t a life worth living, then something is deeply out of balance. All jobs need boundaries. All humans need balance. This isn’t just a nice idea... it is essential. It is what makes the work sustainable, and even enjoyable. And enjoyable work is the work you want to continue. Educators know this better than anyone. We remind parents all the time that overscheduling a student isn’t helpful. We meet with counselors about anxious kids who need room to breathe. We insist that students need time to daydream, to laugh, to indulge in activities that are simply fun. Play isn’t a bonus... it is a critical part of learning and development. If that is true for students, it is true for principals too. So ask yourself: if you don’t have time for your own child, are you winning? If your only downtime is sleep, are you happy? If your entire circle is colleagues and community peers, are you balanced? Because without balance, there is no wellness. And when “on call” becomes around the clock, boundaries blur and health begins to break down. Wellness experts are clear about what helps. Their advice is simple: • Set firm boundary hours. Turn off notifications, leave the building when you can, schedule non-work time as a non-negotiable part of your calendar. • Find small rituals that restore… a walk in a Chicago park, a few minutes with music you love, or simple breathwork before the first bell. • Build your support circle. CPAA peers, other principals, trusted colleagues... people who understand when you vent, celebrate, or when you simply need to say “I need help.” • Speak up for structural support. Ask for resources, push back on unrealistic demands, request coaching or professional development aimed at managing workload.
As you lead others, remember: you matter. Your health matters. Your rest matters. In this October of appreciation, take the praise. But more than that, give yourself permission to protect your boundaries, reclaim your evenings, and nurture your own well-being. Because no school’s success should come at the cost of its leader’s health.
CPAA IS VOICE AND POWER REALIZED • 13
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