Oak Mountain Academy

As I sit down to share my story, I realize that my career and life have never followed a straight line. I have often described my professional journey as anything but linear, and I say that with both gratitude and humility.

If you had told me in my early years that I would one day be the Head of School at Oak Mountain Academy, I would have been skeptical, to say the least. In many ways, I can trace the origins of my leadership style back to my roots in the performing arts, where lessons of collaboration, creativity, and resilience were first instilled in me.

My journey began on stage, not in a classroom. I spent many years immersed in the world of theatre, where I learned not only how to perform, but how to listen, adapt, and respond to the unexpected. The lessons I learned in those early years proved to be surprisingly transferable.

Whether I was rehearsing for a play or teaching students in a classroom, I was working with people, discovering purpose, and creating new possibilities. The theatre became a place where I could experiment with ideas, but also where I learned that mistakes were not only inevitable, they were an essential part of the creative process.

The Intersection of Performing Arts and Education

At some point, the stage began to feel like a stepping stone to something greater. As I grew in my craft, I found myself drawn to the world of education. I began working at a public performing arts school, where I quickly realized that the skills required for teaching were strikingly similar to those required in the performing arts.

Both demanded creativity, structure, empathy, and, above all, the ability to guide others through moments of uncertainty. It was not long before I understood that teaching, much like performing, is a form of leadership: a way to inspire, ignite passion, and help others grow in ways they might not yet see in themselves.

It was within the walls of that public school that my career in education truly began. From there, I moved into various leadership roles, including Director of Theatre, Academic Department Chair, Dean of Student Services, Assistant Principal, and eventually Principal. Each role came with its own set of challenges, as well as immense opportunities for personal and professional growth. I would be the first to admit that when I started in those positions, I did not feel fully prepared.

Looking back, however, I can see how those roles shaped me, adding new layers of understanding and responsibility. They also taught me that growth often comes from stepping into the unknown, a lesson that became especially clear when I transitioned into the role of Head of School at Oak Mountain Academy.

Stewarding a Culture of Learning

At Oak Mountain Academy, my responsibilities extend far beyond overseeing day-to-day operations. I am entrusted with the sacred duty of stewarding the school’s mission, which means fostering a culture of learning, collaboration, and overall excellence. I have come to realize that my true role is to create an environment where people—faculty, students, and families alike—feel seen, valued, and empowered.

“The Nova Discovery Experience™ is more than just a curriculum. It’s a philosophy that permeates everything we do at Oak Mountain Academy. It’s about fostering engaged, curious learners who can think critically, collaborate effectively, and apply their knowledge to real-world problems.”

This is not the only work I do. My professional life extends well beyond the walls of Oak Mountain Academy. I founded The REAL Theatre, a nonprofit organization that uses the performing arts to foster community connection and discovery. I also run PJ Productions, a company that produces live art with a focus on empowering individuals and communities.

In addition, I own PM Retreat Properties, a commercial real estate business, and serve as the founder and president of PJY Consulting, where I assist schools, universities, and arts organizations with strategic planning, program development, and marketing. While these ventures may appear unrelated at first glance, they are all rooted in the same core mission: leading people on a journey of discovery.

Whether I am helping a student find their voice in a classroom, guiding a theatre production to the stage, or supporting a school’s strategic development, my work is always centered on discovery. I have come to understand that leadership is not about having all the answers. It is about creating space for others to discover their own answers and, in doing so, discover themselves.

The Heart of Leadership

Managing these ventures alongside my role as Head of School can be overwhelming at times. But the truth is, I do not do it alone. I am fortunate to be surrounded by capable leaders in each organization who manage day-to-day operations. My role, for the most part, is to provide vision, guidance, and support.

I also could not do any of this without the unwavering support of my wife, Marie. She has been my steady anchor throughout this journey, keeping me grounded and reminding me of what truly matters, especially when life presents unexpected challenges.

In March 2022, Marie was diagnosed with stage four metastatic breast cancer, and our world was suddenly turned upside down. While the medical system is filled with remarkable expertise in treating illness, we quickly realized it was not as well equipped to address the emotional, spiritual, and relational needs of patients and their families. We found ourselves navigating uncharted territory, grappling not only with the disease itself, but with its profound impact on our identity, relationships, and sense of purpose.

During this time, we experienced moments of genuine human connection through compassionate caregivers who saw Marie not merely as a diagnosis, but as a person. These experiences revealed a significant gap in healthcare, one that could be addressed through supportive care that treats the whole person, not just the illness.

This insight led us to create The Marie Yuran Endowment for Cancer Patient Supportive Care, established in partnership with Tanner Medical Center and housed within the Tanner Foundation. The endowment is dedicated to providing comprehensive supportive care for cancer patients and their families, addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

The endowment honors Marie’s strength and grace while ensuring that others facing cancer receive the same care and support we were fortunate to experience. In many ways, it has become part of a living legacy that continues to grow and evolve.

This journey also inspired my book, Holding On and Letting Go: A Story of Love, Life, & Loss. It is a deeply personal account written not from a place of expertise, but from lived experience. The book reflects on lessons of faith, resilience, love, and loss, with each chapter paired with reflection prompts to help readers navigate their own difficult seasons. All proceeds support The Marie Yuran Endowment, ensuring the work continues beyond our personal story.

Returning to Oak Mountain Academy

One of the most pivotal moments of my leadership came during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many schools, we were forced to adapt quickly. In the midst of chaos, we found clarity. We stripped away excess and focused on what truly mattered. For years, we had asked students to be creative problem-solvers. Now, we had to do the same. We led with purpose, trust, and clarity, even without a playbook.

Offering a Skills-Based Instructional Model

In that moment, we made a decision that would shape the future of Oak Mountain Academy. We started focusing more on skill development and quickly noticed the accelerated rate of content mastery within our students. This shift became the foundation of what would later be known as The Nova Discovery Experience: A Skills-Based Instructional Model™ that emphasizes collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving over rote content coverage.

The Nova Discovery Experience™ is a methods-based instructional philosophy that permeates every aspect of school life. It fosters engaged, curious learners who can think critically, collaborate effectively, and apply knowledge to real-world challenges.

This approach has resulted in sustained academic performance above local, state, and national norms. More importantly, students are growing as individuals. They understand how they learn, how to collaborate, and how to lead with empathy and purpose. That, to me, is the true measure of success.

Finding Balance Between Innovation and Human Connection

Leadership development is another area of deep focus at Oak Mountain Academy. I believe leadership is not something assigned later; it is cultivated daily. We have built a culture where leadership is about purpose, not position. Teachers lead with clarity, confidence, and care because they understand their “why,” which strengthens both professional growth and student outcomes.

Leadership is developed through lived experience. Teachers lead inquiry-based projects, facilitate professional learning, and serve on committees that shape the school’s direction. This hands-on approach, combined with personalized development, ensures leadership is practiced, not just discussed.

Technology is approached with the same intentionality. Technology is never the goal; it is a tool. If it enhances learning, collaboration, and communication, we embrace it. If not, we let it go. AI, for example, is used to support skill-building and critical thinking, not replace it. The focus remains on balancing innovation with human connection.

Where Tradition and Innovation Walk Hand in Hand

Looking ahead, my hope for Oak Mountain Academy is that it continues to be a place where tradition and innovation walk hand in hand. I want it to be remembered as a community where faith, academic excellence, and character formation are inseparable, and where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to grow.

As for my legacy, I hope it honors those who have walked alongside me. If Oak Mountain Academy continues to send students into the world with a strong sense of identity and a commitment to using their gifts in service to others, I will consider my work here a success.