LEAD Principal Named Finalist for 2025 Nashville Emerging Leader Award
Congratulations are in order! LEAD Southeast Middle Principal Jonathan Brocco has been named a finalist for the 2025 Nashville Emerging Leader Award (NELA) in Education. The NELAs honor young professionals in the Nashville area for their career accomplishments and community contributions across 16 industry categories.
“Being selected as an NELA Finalist is an absolute honor,” said Brocco. “Serving as the principal of LEAD Southeast Middle is both a blessing and privilege daily, and this recognition is additional affirmation that I am living my purpose.”
Brocco, who has been part of the LEAD network since 2020, will enter his second year as principal at LEAD Southeast Middle in August. He began his career at LEAD as an instructional coach at LEAD Southeast Middle and was promoted to assistant principal of instruction before becoming the school’s principal in 2024.
“Being a principal is tough work; it requires energy, drive, empathy, and creativity,” said LaVoe Mulgrew, head of schools. “Jon possesses all of those leadership competencies in abundance. While he is driven and holds himself and others to the highest standards, he does so in a way that makes people want to work for him. He is beloved by his staff and students.”
Choosing to pursue a career in education and public service is often rooted in personal experience, and that rings true for Brocco.
“Growing up, twenty-six different people lived in our home with us from the time I was a kid until I left for college,” said Brocco. “Learning the stories of people whose lives were different from mine allowed me to begin grappling with privilege and the ways that social structures and systems profoundly impact people’s lives, economic freedom, and well-being. Education was one of those critical levers, so I decided to dedicate my life to the work.”
In addition to this recognition, Brocco was also named the 2024 Administrator of the Year by the Tennessee Charter School Center, which resulted in Senator Jeff Yarbro filing a resolution honoring Brocco’s work in Nashville. Brocco was also recently accepted into Vanderbilt University’s Executive MBA Program and awarded a scholarship for his service in the nonprofit sector.
“These opportunities simply would not be possible without LEAD Public Schools,” said Brocco. “LEAD does an outstanding job at recognizing talent and supporting professional development. Above all, it is person-centered. Every leader I know in the network is able to share specific, tailored opportunities that LEAD provides in order to foster and celebrate our professional growth, which funnels all the way down to improving outcomes for kids and families. When we say, ‘you matter here,’ we mean it.”Click here to see the full list of finalists for the 2025 Nashville Emerging Leader Awards. The winners will be announced at a ceremony on July 31.
