---
title: "Hire Ground Podcast Episode 13: Put Your Masks on First, Leaders"
description: When leaders go 90 mph 90 hours a week, it implicitly tells teachers they need to burn out too. Leaders need to model humanity.
---

[Executive Search Insights & Leadership Strategies | Edgility Search ](https://edgilitysearch.com/executive-search-insights)

# [Hire Ground Podcast Episode 13: Put Your Masks on First, Leaders](https://edgilitysearch.com/executive-search-insights/episode-13-put-your-masks-on-first-leaders)

 Written by [Christina Greenberg](https://edgilitysearch.com/executive-search-insights/author/christina-greenberg) | Feb 25, 2026 5:15:00 AM

#### Episode 13 of [Hire Ground Podcast](https://www.hire-ground.org/listen) with [JoAnn Gama](https://www.linkedin.com/in/joann-gama-b0b89217a/)

In this episode of Hire Ground, hosts [Christina Greenberg](https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinalgreenberg/) and [Josh Czupryk](https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-czupryk/) sit down with [JoAnn Gama](https://www.linkedin.com/in/joann-gama-b0b89217a/), founder of GEMS (Gama Education Management Services) and founder of IDEA Public Schools, to dive deep into school leadership, sustainability, and talent retention strategies.

Joanne shares practical insights on building resilient educational systems, modeling sustainable leadership, supporting teachers through strong cultures, and creating clear leadership pipelines that keep great educators thriving for the long haul.

#### Listen on your platform of choice:

- [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hire-ground/id1833270312)
- <https://open.spotify.com/show/4pgeZnbgugzREwl4IBjPdX?si=168970c335694815&nd=1&dlsi=ad100f95e43d48ca>[Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/4pgeZnbgugzREwl4IBjPdX?si=168970c335694815&nd=1&dlsi=ad100f95e43d48ca)
- <https://lnkd.in/gwVBZ2JR>[YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@EdgilitySearch/podcasts)<https://lnkd.in/gynCJV7Z>
- <https://lnkd.in/gynCJV7Z>[Hire Ground Website](https://edgilitysearch.com/hire-ground-podcast)

 

Hire Ground is the essential podcast for K12 leaders and talent professionals navigating the ever-changing landscape of educational leadership hiring.

Hosted by Christina Greenberg, CEO of [Edgility Search](https://edgilitysearch.com/), with over 20 years of executive search expertise, and Josh Czupryk, founder of [Josh's K12 Jobs Blast](https://www.k12jobsblast.org/jobsboard), this podcast blends high-level data insights with real-world stories to uncover how to find, hire, and retain the right leaders for the right organizations at the right time.

Follow along and join the conversation on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/hire-ground-podcast/posts/?feedView=all).

[View full post](https://edgilitysearch.com/executive-search-insights/episode-13-put-your-masks-on-first-leaders)

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