Tom Hoerr earned his Ph.D. at Washington University in St. Louis (and his master's degree at UMSL). A former teacher and school leader, he led the New City School in St. Louis for 34 years and was also a principal at Pershing School in the School District of University City, MO. Hoerr has written five books - the most recent is The Formative Five: Fostering Grit, Empathy, and Other Success Skills Students Need - and more than 140 articles and book chapters. He has written “The Principal Connection” column in Educational Leadership since 2004. He initiated and led the Non-Profit Management Program at Washington University, and currently leads the New Heads Network for ISACS (the Independent Schools of the Central States). Hoerr has presented at conferences and schools throughout the United States and in Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Dubai, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Mexico, the Philippines, New Zealand, and Singapore. He has been awarded honorary doctorates by Harris Stowe State University (from where he received his bachelor's degree) and UMSL.

Tom believes that the role of a principal is to help create a school culture in which everyone grows. His website is www.thomasrhoerr.com.