Dr. Salome Thomas-EL has been a teacher and principal since 1987. He is currently a K-8 principal in Wilmington, DE and received national acclaim as a teacher and chess coach in Philadelphia, where his students were recognized as Eight-Time National Chess Champions. Principal EL is the author of the best-selling books, I Choose to Stay (Movie rights optioned by Disney Films), and The Immortality of Influence (foreword by Will Smith). He is also the co-author of 3 books on leadership and teacher retention. Dr. EL's newest book, Meet Their Needs, and They'll Succeed, was released in April 2025. He speaks to groups around the country and appeared on C-SPAN, CNN, and NPR Radio. Principal EL has studied school leadership abroad in England and at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. He holds a doctorate in Education Leadership from Wilmington University in Delaware. He has received the Marcus A. Foster Award as the outstanding School District Administrator in Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania's distinguished Martin Luther King Award. Dr. EL has appeared on GMA and the Oprah Radio Network.