--- title: Upbeat | Sara Sutton description: Sara Sutton is the principal of Liberty High School in Jefferson County Public Schools (KY), an alternative school and partner with Big Picture Learning. She leads with a focus on culture, accelerated rigorous learning, and career preparation. A former social studies teacher, assistant principal, and Educational Recovery Leader for Kentucky Dept. of Education, Sara brings over two decades of experience in secondary education, leadership, and continuous improvement. She is passionate about building inclusive school cultures where both students and staff thrive. --- # The Upbeat Blog All topics teacher engagement teacher retention HR Leadership K-12 leadership security [![How I’m Starting the School Year Strong: 3 Moves to Keep Great Teachers on My Team](https://teachupbeat.com/hubfs/AAEE%20-%20National%20Working%20Group/workinggroup_image.png) ](https://teachupbeat.com/blog/how-im-starting-the-school-year-strong-3-moves-to-keep-great-teachers-on-my-team) ### [How I’m Starting the School Year Strong:...](https://teachupbeat.com/blog/how-im-starting-the-school-year-strong-3-moves-to-keep-great-teachers-on-my-team) by Sara Sutton ![Picture of Sara Sutton](https://teachupbeat.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Headshot%20Sara%20Sutton.jpg?width=30&name=Headshot%20Sara%20Sutton.jpg) [Sara Sutton](https://teachupbeat.com/blog/author/sara-sutton) Aug 05, 2025 As a principal, I know that how we start the school year sets the tone for everything that follows. And after the past few years—of staff shortages, teacher burnout, and constant change—I’m more focused than ever on one thing: retaining the... [READ MORE](https://teachupbeat.com/blog/how-im-starting-the-school-year-strong-3-moves-to-keep-great-teachers-on-my-team) ### Subscribe to Our Blog ![New logo](https://teachupbeat.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Landing%20Page%20Images/Old%20Upbeat%20Logos/New%20logo.png?width=235&height=86&name=New%20logo.png "New logo") Upbeat is a K-12 education research and consulting company that focuses exclusively on K-12 staff retention through our research-backed survey tool and personalized leadership coaching services.   ###### *[learn@teachupbeat.com](mailto:learn@teachupbeat.com)* (719) 299-0826 ##### Follow Us [mailto:learn@teachupbeat.com](mailto:learn@teachupbeat.com) [Privacy Policy](https://teachupbeat.com/privacypolicy?hsLang=en) [Terms of Use](https://teachupbeat.com/termsofuse?hsLang=en) © 2026 All rights reserved. [teachupbeat.com](https://teachupbeat.com/?hsLang=en)