Teacher retention has been a growing concern for years and principal shortages are now rising alongside it. Data from Frontline Education’s 2026 K-12 Lens survey shows reported retention rates fell four percentage points in a single year. New research from the Learning Policy Institute points to a common thread: principals are among the strongest influences on whether teachers stay or leave. So, what does intentional leadership development look like, and what impacts does it have? Dr. Kathryn Shuler, Chief Schools Officer at Orange County Public Schools (OCPS), along with Dr. Ashlynn Ramirez and Angela Feliciano, will share how their district has built a suite of leadership development opportunities to grow its next generation of school leaders from within.