As a curious investigator of understanding people, how they develop, learn, grow, and find purpose in their life, James is constantly asking, “What is my job on this planet? What is it that needs doing, that I know something about, that probably won’t happen unless I take responsibility for it?” This pursuit of purpose led James into many roles in K-12 and higher education including teacher, principal, school turnaround leader, consultant to principals, superintendent, and core faculty roles where he focused on reforming schools to make them work better for all students. All of these endeavors included addressing personalized learning and social-emotional development. His latest “job that needs to be done” appeared when he realized leading well can only be done by becoming more aware of yourself. Today, James is deeply engaged in finding ways to support school and district leaders with their own SEL through such efforts as his latest book The Daily SEL Leader: A Guided Journal. When he’s not busily researching or working with others, James is chasing his four dogs, watching the Red Sox, or cooking for his wife at home.