In today’s fast-paced world, especially in the education profession, the power of a strong network cannot be overstated. As leaders, we face daily challenges—whether it’s navigating difficult policies, handling student behavior issues, or motivating staff. And while the problems may seem overwhelming at times, we don’t have to face them alone.

Principal Lewis Bradford with students at Northwest Rankin High School. PHOTO COURTESY OF LEWIS BRADFORD

Building a network is more than just adding people to a contact list. A network is about challenging each other to grow, supporting one another through the highs and lows, and bouncing ideas off trusted colleagues. One of the simplest and most impactful ways I’ve found to build and maintain such a network is through some of my group text messages.

The National Admin Group

My first experience with the power of networking through text messaging came from the Metro Principals Group, which includes administrators from areas such as Jackson, Clinton, Pearl, Flowood, Brandon, Madison, Ridgeland, Germantown, Raymond, and beyond. This group, made up of over 25 school leaders from across Mississippi, was an incredible resource for sharing ideas and tackling challenges.

I didn’t start the group but was invited to join as an assistant principal. Being a part of this group allowed me to engage with my peers on a variety of complex issues, such as school threats, attendance, tardiness, social media challenges, and vaping. It provided invaluable exposure to challenging topics, and this experience was essential as I transitioned into the lead principal role. Having people to lean on during that time was a major asset, and the connections I made helped me feel supported in my new position. This network proved that no matter the challenges, I was not alone in facing them.

In 2022, I was honored to be named the Mississippi Assistant Principal of the Year. This achievement brought me to Washington, D.C., to accept my award from NASSP. At the awards ceremony, I met an incredible group of educational leaders from across the country. As we shared our experiences during the event, I realized something profound: We all faced the same challenges. No matter the size of our schools or the states we came from, we were navigating the same complex issues in
our roles.

Through this group, I’ve realized that even though we work in different parts of the country, we are all striving toward the same goal: to provide the best educational experience for our students.

Remembering the success of the Metro Principals Group, I extended a simple invitation to my new colleagues: “Let’s stay in touch through a group text.” And thus, the “National Admin Group” was born. What started as a way to maintain casual contact soon became a key tool for professional growth and support. In fact, when I shared the idea with NASSP CEO Ronn Nozoe, he loved the concept and supported its potential to foster collaboration among school leaders nationwide.

If you’re a school leader interested in something similar, I suggest you do the following:

1.  Create a network. Whether you’re a new leader or a seasoned one, you need a group of people you can lean on. Look beyond your local area—there’s so much value in connecting with people outside of your immediate circle. You’ll gain fresh perspectives on issues you’ve been tackling and learn new strategies you may not have considered.

2.  Use this network. It’s not enough to just have a group of colleagues in your phone contacts; you need to be active. The National Admin Group has thrived because we regularly engage with one another. Sometimes it’s a simple: “How’s everyone doing today?” Other times, it’s a more serious discussion: “How are you handling a difficult policy change?” By sharing both our successes and challenges, we’ve built a strong foundation of trust and collaboration.

3.  Participate in it. Being part of a network means showing up. We all have busy schedules, but I’ve found that when I take the time to engage with my colleagues, I always learn something valuable. It’s in these casual text exchanges that innovative ideas are born. Whether we’re discussing how to motivate our staff, manage student behavior, or implement new policies, the ideas we bounce off each other are invaluable.

Providing Support

The real value of the National Admin Group isn’t just in the exchange of ideas—it’s in the support we provide one another. This group has become a lifeline, offering encouragement during tough times and celebrating each other’s successes. Knowing that I have a group of colleagues-turned-friends who understand the unique challenges I face has made a huge difference in how I approach my role as a
school leader.

Through this group, I’ve realized that even though we work in different parts of the country, we are all striving toward the same goal: to provide the best educational experience for our students. And knowing that we have a support system in place, no matter how far apart we are, makes the journey that much easier.

For other school leaders considering starting something similar, I can’t recommend it enough. The principalship can sometimes feel isolating, but these networks remind you that while that feeling may be real, it doesn’t reflect reality. An active support group not only provides access to others’ strengths but also serves as a comforting reminder that you belong to a larger community working toward the same goals.

In the end, networking isn’t about making connections for the sake of it—it’s about building relationships that enrich your professional life and help you grow as a leader. Sometimes, all it takes is a simple text to turn a colleague into a friend and a contact list into a support system.

Lewis Bradford is the principal of Northwest Rankin High School in Flowood, MS.