In this episode of the PeopleBench Podcast, host Steve Merly sits down with Jarrod Vance, Principal of Crestview Elementary School in Ashland, Ohio. After 17 years as a middle school teacher, Jarrod made the unexpected leap into leading a PreK–4 building — and discovered a whole new understanding of culture, leadership, and what it means to support great educators.

Jarrod shares how he rebuilt his passion for education, why fun and relationships are non-negotiables in his building, and how trust, communication, and perspective shape every decision he makes. From navigating rural-district realities to helping teachers see themselves as leaders, this episode offers a grounded, candid look at building a school where people truly want to stay and grow.

If you care about culture, retention, teacher well-being, and leadership that actually feels human, Jarrod’s story will resonate deeply.

Key Moments

01:27 Why Jarrod left the classroom after 17 years

03:31 Moving from middle school to PreK–4 — and what shocked him most

05:45 Building a school where adults and kids have fun again

07:44 Why relationships come before content

10:10 Over-communicating on purpose and building trust

12:20 Amazing Race, Clue Week, and joyful staff culture

16:27 Supporting teachers before burnout hits

19:53 How Jarrod develops leaders across his building

24:41 Leading across a wide developmental span: PreK vs Grade 4

28:55 Urban vs rural: different needs, different strengths

36:21 The leadership lesson Jarrod learned the hard way

39:14 Advice for teachers considering a jump into leadership

43:21 What gives Jarrod optimism about the future of education

Why You’ll Love This Episode

This episode highlights what school leadership looks like when culture, trust, and people come first. Jarrod shares how he:

• Builds a positive, joyful environment where staff want to stay

• Uses relationships and trust to guide every leadership move

• Helps teachers see their own leadership potential

• Supports staff through tough moments with honesty and care

• Balances fun with high expectations for students and adults

• Brings perspective from both urban and rural districts to improve practice

Jarrod’s blend of humility, humor, and clarity offers a refreshing look at what it takes to lead a modern elementary school with heart.

Connect with Jarrod Vance
Website: https://www.crestviewschools.net/

Connect with PeopleBench
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peoplebench
Website: https://peoplebench.com

If this conversation gave you new insight into culture, leadership, or retention, share it with a colleague and subscribe for more people-first leadership conversations from the PeopleBench Podcast.