This post is a special collaboration between Lauren Kaufman and Dr. Sonia Matthew—two educators reflecting on their parallel journeys, defining moments, and the lessons that continue to shape their work as leaders in education.

I’m about to begin my 20th year in education.
Yes, 20 years.

As I was driving to work the other day, the Green Day song Good Riddance came on Spotify.
“I hope you had the time of your life.”
That lyric immediately transported me back to my senior prom. I could see myself standing on the dance floor with my friends, watching the video montage of our childhood—elementary school through high school, wondering how we had arrived at that moment in time.

Have you ever looked back like that and wondered how you got to where you are now? -Lauren

It’s funny how a simple question like “How did we get here?” can send you spiraling back through time. For me, it often leads straight to the high school hallways. I remember them vividly – the lockers slamming closed and the constant buzz of teenage energy.

Those hallways were the epicenter of our universe. My group of friends and I would gather there, sharing gossip and a lot of laughs. Those high school hallway moments, though fleeting, truly were the fondest memories of joy and togetherness. We had not a care in the world beyond getting our homework done – and even that felt secondary to the far more pressing matters of who was dating whom and what we were doing that weekend. – Sonia

As I continued driving, I found myself in my own montage. Not of school dances or teenage milestones, but of the winding, meaningful path I’ve traveled in education. Looking back, moving forward, the early years came rushing back. My younger sister helping me prep for interviews, coaching me with phrases like, “If I had my own classroom, I would…” All the “nos” that came before my first “yes”—the one that changed everything. That yes came from Beth Longo, my first principal, who took a chance on me not because of a traditional resume, but because I had worked with her daughter in the cosmetics industry. (A story I shared in George Couros’ Because of a Teacher.) -Lauren

Being born and raised in Ottawa, Canada, I always knew finding a teaching job close to home could be a challenge. But back in 1998, a different idea sparked my curiosity: what if I could teach in America? I’d researched the possibilities and believed there were more opportunities south of the border.

With that dream in mind, my parents drove me to Michigan, just across the border. It was at a job fair there that something truly unexpected happened. The very first recruiter I spoke with “snatched me up,” as I like to say. She saw something in me, something I later learned was simply me being myself. She appreciated my authenticity and recognized a potential that others might have missed.

I wasn’t an easy sell for everyone at that fair, though. In fact, not one other recruiter in that massive hall was willing to take a chance on a Canadian teacher, primarily due to the daunting immigration hurdles. It seemed like an uphill battle. But just like that, I was hired! This incredible recruiter took me under her wing, guiding me through the process.

And then, just like that, I had my own classroom, all the way in Texas. It was a whirlwind, a leap of faith, and the beginning of an incredible adventure. Looking back, I’m still amazed at how one person’s belief in me opened up a world of possibilities. -Sonia

Jamie Kern Lima’s words from her 2025 Washington State University commencement speech repeats in our minds:

“The power of possibility is already inside you right now.”

It reminded us that every step we take, even the uncertain ones, carry the potential to shape who we are and who we are still becoming.

“So how will you lean into possibility and take the next step forward?”

I thought about the hours spent setting up my first classroom—my sister-in-law showing me how to staple bulletin board paper just right, and how to choose the perfect themed border. I remembered the pride of becoming a reading specialist in the very district I grew up in, then shifting into the role of instructional coach. I remembered the nudges from colleagues who believed in me, the ones who told me I should pursue leadership. And I remembered the pattern: more “nos” followed by that one powerful yes.

And that brings me here: reflective, grateful, and still growing. – Lauren

For over 15 years, I poured my passion into teaching, and while the classroom was always my first love, the leadership opportunities that emerged alongside it were truly amazing. I cherish every single one of them.

I remember those early days, constantly trying to “figure it out” and “get it right.” My evenings were spent online, researching new strategies and ideas. The next day, I’d eagerly put them to the test in my classroom. What really fueled me, though, was the desire to share and guide my colleagues. This is where my leadership “muscle” truly began to develop – through the simple act of bringing people together and sharing what I’d learned.

Leadership, especially in education, is undeniably a journey, not a destination. Opportunities would arise, and I embraced them wholeheartedly, and still do. There’s just so much to do and learn in this field; the process is ever-changing. As I reflect and continue to grow, I’m incredibly grateful to be a leader in education. – Sonia

On Mel Robbin’s podcast, Jay Shetty reminds us:
“Momentum doesn’t come from knowing where you’re going. It comes from knowing where you don’t want to be anymore.”
And Adam Grant builds on that idea in his best selling book Hidden Potential when he says:
“The true measure of your potential is not the height of your peak but how far you climb from where you start.”
It’s a reminder that success doesn’t come from skipping the struggle—it’s earned through it. Every twist, turn, every path taken, and small step forward matters more than we realize.

As we reflect on the people who lifted us along the way, we’re reminded of a line from Lauren’s book The Leader Inside:
“Gifts live within exceptional educators, waiting to be unwrapped at the right place, at the right time, with the right people.”

 As we continue looking back on the paths that brought us here and moving forward into the work still ahead, we’re reminded that every step, every twist, every uncertain moment has shaped who we are as educators and leaders. And if this journey has taught us anything, it’s this: we have had the time of our lives… and the best parts are still unfolding.

Looking Back, Moving Forward – Three Key Lessons

Our journeys in education, from those carefree high school memories to the defining moments that shaped us as leaders—have been layered, unexpected, and full of growth. As we look back, these are three key lessons that continue to guide us forward:

1. Embrace the Unexpected Opportunity

Sonia’s move to teach in the US, sparked by a simple online search and sealed by one recruiter’s belief, taught her the power of saying “yes” to the unexpected. Sometimes, the most transformative paths appear when you’re least looking for them, or when someone sees potential in you that you might not yet fully grasp. For Lauren, it was a principal who did not go by a traditional resume but through a common connection.  

2. Curiosity Fuels Continuous Growth

We both believe that learning never stops. Whether Sonia was spending her evenings researching new teaching methods or enthusiastically testing them out the next day, her desire to “figure it out” and “get it right” was a constant driver. The curiosity and willingness to experiment are essential, especially in a field as ever-changing as education. They’re what allow us to adapt, innovate, and continuously improve.

3. Leadership is About Empowering Others

Our “leadership muscle” didn’t develop from a formal title, but from a genuine desire to share and guide our colleagues… We learned that true leadership isn’t a destination; it’s a continuous journey of bringing people together, fostering collaboration, and sharing knowledge. It’s about empowering others to grow and succeed, creating a ripple effect that strengthens the entire community. Being a leader means always seeking to lift others up. Like Principal Longo who took a chance on Lauren, as leaders, we do the same for one another.

Learn More About Dr. Sonia Matthew, NBCT

Follow her on X HERE; Follow her on Linkedin HERE

Dr. Sonia Matthew’s experience, spans over 27 years, includes roles as a teacher, reading specialist, talented and gifted coordinator, middle school assistant principal and currently as an elementary school assistant principal in Maryland. As a National Board-Certified Teacher, Dr. Matthew also trains national board candidates across the state of Maryland for MSEA (Maryland State Education Association). In 2012, she was selected as an MSDE Master Teacher, representing her state. Most recently, Dr. Matthew was named the 2025 Maryland National Assistant Principal of the Year by both MAESP and NAESP (National Association of Elementary School Principals).