The final months of the school year are not about planting anything new, they are about harvest. This is where leadership changes posture.

Principals are now expected to be instructional leaders, operational managers, crisis responders, community liaisons, data analysts, and human capital specialists.

Much like a muscle that weakens without use, the brain's executive functions can deteriorate when automation consistently does the heavy lifting.

Artificial intelligence, political shifts and growing questions about the value of a college degree are pushing schools to adapt. While no single solution exists, unplugged learning could help.