Dr. Robert Thornell

Robert Thornell, Ed.D., has over 30 years of education experience and has made it his career

passion to help educational leaders improve their work. Rob is actively involved in professional learning and has presented at the state and national levels on topics ranging from professional learning communities to educational transformation. He is currently serving a term on the Board of Directors of Learning Forward - Texas.

His campus experience includes serving as the Principal of Timberline Elementary School, a PreK-5 bilingual campus, and the Principal of Chisholm Trail Middle School. During his time at CTMS, the school was named a “National School to Watch” by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).  He also has served as Deputy Superintendent in Northwest ISD, a large suburban school district near Fort Worth, TX, where he oversaw multiple departments. Before that role, Dr. Thornell was the Assistant Superintendent for curriculum and instruction with a focus on instructional goals and professional learning communities, and an emphasis on principal leadership.

He currently works with campuses and school leaders throughout the United States as a School Leadership Coach. Rob has published two books for educational leaders. His book, Inside the Principal’s Office, was published in 2021, and his latest book, Juggling the Job (2025). He also shares a weekly newsletter with thousands of readers each week.