I still remember the first time I stepped into a classroom as an instructional coach. I had my notebook, my questions, and my curiosity, but I also had something I did not yet have language for: the sense that I was entering magical space. At the time, coaching was a role many didn’t fully understand. …
Before I stepped into a formal leadership role and even before my career in education began as a teacher, I thought a leader's role was to be a manager. I believed their work was about organization, structure, and oversight. It wasn’t until I encountered leaders who inspired me to become the best version of myself …
This week, as I sat in meetings and one-on-one conversations, I noticed something. There were moments where it felt like educators and leaders didn’t need another initiative or plan. They needed space…space to talk, to process, and to be heard. In my book The Leader Inside, I share that “the people who cross your path …
One of the most unsettling thoughts I continue to have as a leader is that I might drift too far from the classroom, too far from what’s real, what’s possible, and what’s happening in the moments that matter most. Sure, I can do my classroom visits and walk-throughs, and I do, intentionally. I can conduct …
The night before work, I have a habit of looking at my calendar to mentally prepare for the day ahead. I noticed that a regularly scheduled meeting had been removed. I looked again… and then texted my team to confirm it was correct. That canceled meeting felt like an open door, an unexpected invitation to …
Continue reading Canceled Meetings AND Serendipitous Moments
This blog series will take you on a journey where we'll delve into six foundational practices that embody how leaders can embrace a coaching mindset. Each practice serves as a stepping stone, guiding us towards instructional change and student success. Together, we'll explore how coaching builds will, skill, knowledge, and capacity, breathing life into the …
Continue reading Leading Through a Coaching Mindset: Lift Instructional Practice (Part 3)
“Connection is why we’re here. It’s what gives purpose and meaning in our lives.” Brené Brown said in her Ted Talk “The Power of Vulnerability.” I have listened to this same Ted Talk multiple times. If you haven’t yet experienced it, I genuinely recommend taking some time to do so. After you listen, you may …
As I ponder the upcoming new year, I find myself frequently reflecting on my journey. The trajectory of my career has been a beautiful one, but it is safe to say that my growth and development as a human being and educator rests on the shoulders of those who generously took the time to mentor …
Nurturing Leaders: Embracing the Next Generation As you live in the world of education, you may have noticed that there are limitless possibilities for shaping and developing the mindsets, actions, and choices of future generations over the course of their career timelines. You have unique opportunities to create experiences that empower learners to choose a …
Have you ever observed leaders who authentically appreciate, trust, and value the people they serve? Those leaders have an innate gift for developing and unleashing the greatness within every person they encounter. They inspire others to humbly give their hearts and minds to others and make contributions to something that matters. I often think about …
Empower. Collaborate. Connect. 