Photo courtesy from www.zacbauermaster.com
Elementary Principal Zac Bauermaster Leads with Heart, Hope, and a Focus on People
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Asia Tabb
Photo courtesy from www.zacbauermaster.com
Aired; July 30, 2025
Listen to the podcast to hear the full conversation.
Zac Bauermaster didn’t always picture himself as an elementary school principal. In fact, he thought he’d be a high school social studies teacher and basketball coach for life. But his journey through education took unexpected turns—and ultimately led him to a role he now embraces with deep passion and purpose.
“I had great teachers and coaches growing up, and I always loved school,” Bauermaster said. “But what I found, no matter the level—high school, middle school, or elementary—is that education is a people business. What I truly love about it is connecting with people and getting to know their story.”
Bauermaster, who now serves as principal at Providence Elementary School, has held nearly every role in education, from classroom teacher to administrator. His career spans various grade levels, giving him a broad perspective on student development. “I’ve shaken hands with seniors on graduation day and welcomed kindergarteners on their first day of school,” he said. “It’s a privilege to be part of both milestones.”
At the heart of his leadership philosophy is a commitment to prioritizing people—especially his staff. “There’s such a burnout culture in the world right now,” he explained. “I want longevity in education. I want teachers to love what they do here at school.”
Part of that commitment means modeling balance. “I try to care well for my family—my wife Carly, and our three kids, Olivia, Elliot, and Isaac. I want our teachers to be able to do the same,” he said. “When they’re at their best personally, they can be at their best professionally. That creates a domino effect—for kids, for families, for our entire school culture.”
To promote that healthy culture, Bauermaster takes action in tangible ways. One example? Limiting after-hours emails.
“I call it ‘email crickets.’ I won’t send emails in the evening or on weekends, and I encourage our staff not to either,” he said. “Phones can connect us with people far away, but they distance us from the people right in front of us. Just one work email at night can pull someone out of a moment with their family.”
He also introduced a “staff bingo” initiative last year, encouraging faculty to engage in activities that reenergize them—like planning a family night or leaving their phones behind on purpose. “We had small prizes, like a gift card to a local coffee shop, but really it was about encouraging habits that help people operate from a place of overflow rather than overcommitment,” he said.
And the results have been powerful. “The best compliment I’ve received as a principal is when a staff member’s spouse tells me, ‘This school year, they were more like themselves again.’ That fires me up.”
In addition to his work in the school building, Bauermaster is also an author. His most recent book, Day by Day: 180 Days of Hope and Encouragement, offers short daily reflections aimed at educators and leaders.
His inspiration to write came from a deeply personal place. “In 2015, I went through a difficult season with anxiety and depression,” he shared. “That’s when I started journaling. It gave me a space to pause, reflect, and put my thoughts on paper.”
He now sees writing as a legacy. “Eventually, I won’t be here—but maybe my kids, or even great-grandkids, will find my books someday and get to know a little bit about my heart.”
For Bauermaster, writing is simply another way to connect. “I think everyone has a story worth sharing. And journaling is a great place to start. Sometimes we don’t stop the doing long enough to do the thinking.”
His staff has embraced his writing, too. “A few teachers are working through the Day by Day devotional together,” he said. “They’ll send me messages about parts that encouraged them, and that means the world to me.”
At every level—whether in the classroom, at home, or on the page—Zac Bauermaster is committed to pouring into people.
“I want to be an encourager,” he said. “Because when we lift others up, especially in education, the impact ripples far beyond what we can see.”
