Jim Sporleder

Jim Sporleder is a veteran educator, trauma-informed school consultant, and author known for his pioneering work as principal of Lincoln High School in Walla Walla, Washington, where he led the transformation of the alternative high school into a trauma-informed school documented in the award-winning documentary Paper Tigers. He worked in the Walla Walla School District for 28 years, beginning as a special education teacher at Garrison Middle School, later serving as assistant principal and principal there, and becoming principal of Lincoln High School in 2007; he retired from that role in 2014. Sporleder holds a bachelor’s degree from Azusa Pacific University in Physical Education and K–12 Special Education, a master’s degree in Curriculum from Northwest Nazarene, and an administration degree earned in 1993.

As a national trainer and consultant in trauma-informed practices, Sporleder has served as a coach and trainer with the Children’s Resilience Initiative and works with schools across the United States to become trauma-responsive. He is co-author, with Heather T. Forbes, of The Trauma-Informed School: A Step-by-Step Implementation Guide for Administrators and School Personnel, and his work, experience, and leadership in trauma-informed education underpin his contribution as foreword writer to The Reignited Educator: Rediscovering Emotional Engagement and Purpose in Your Profession.[3