Leaders are often challenged by countless priorities and limited time, but knowing when to focus and when to lean on others can make all the difference. Yet, when there are too many priorities and only one you, what do you do? When the weight feels heavy, it's easy to get overwhelmed. In those moments, we …
“Lauren, I know you’re busy, but can we talk for a few minutes?” That’s a text I received from several teachers this week. Was I busy? Of course. I was in the whirlwind of meetings, professional learning sessions, phone calls, emails, and dealing with the impromptu events that inevitably come up. It’s busy. But here’s …
I often ask myself, “What kind of leader do you want to be, Lauren?” My answer: The type of leader I always needed. That is the sentiment I share in my book The Leader Inside. As I was walking out of my high school office yesterday, I heard a familiar voice say, “Lauren, I left …
Continue reading Continuous Learning through Curious Coaching
“Lauren - Thank you for today - it was time well spent.” I opened this simple yet profound message in my inbox today. Have you ever had those weeks where everything seems to blur together because you’re juggling so many important tasks that it’s hard to be fully present in each interaction, moment, or experience? …
We all have moments in our lives that live at the forefront of our memories. Often, it's hard to recognize these defining moments as they unfold. In their book The Power of Moments, Chip Heath and Dan Heath write, “Defining moments shape our lives, but we don’t have to wait for them to happen. We …
This week, we facilitated several professional learning experiences for teachers across the district. Yes, not just me — WE. We are all hands on deck, not only because we need to be but because we want to be. Why? Because we are shaping learning experiences that will impact all of our students and their future. …
Coaching is a vehicle to creating lasting impact in educational organizations, especially when districts are fully invested in allowing a coaching mindset to flourish. From my perspective, if you work in an educational setting, you are a coach and an instructional leader for the kids, colleagues, and communities you serve. What I have come to …
"Always be kind and considerate to others, as you would hope others would be to you. Being kind and considerate includes wanting people to grow." – George Couros The sentiment above was shared in George Couros’ latest post, which you can read here. His words resonate deeply as we kick off another school year, where …
In this week’s post, I’m excited to share an excerpt from the chapter titled From Teacher to Leader: An Open Roadmap of Advice from my book, The Leader Inside: Stories of Mentorship to Inspire the Leader Within. I hope you find it helpful, whether you’re embarking on a new school year, starting your career in …
Continue reading 8 Pieces of Advice for Teachers and Leaders
“Bad news: You’re growing, and it’s uncomfortable. Good news: It’s uncomfortable, but you’re growing.” — Rachel Wolchin Even after 19 years in education, the start of a new school year still brings a mix of emotions—daunting, scary, unfamiliar, and, yes, uncomfortable. Can you relate? In the days leading up to my return, my sleep is …
Empower. Collaborate. Connect. 