Washington Collado, a Principal of the Year honoree and author, shares his transformative journey in education. He emphasizes leading with intention and building safe, trusting relationships within schools. Collado reflects on his upbringing in the Dominican Republic and the loss of his mother, shaping his commitment to underrepresented voices. He discusses integrating diverse histories into curricula for educational equity. Previewing his upcoming book, he highlights strategies for collaboration and community engagement crucial for high-poverty schools.