Showing Up

This week, writing didn’t come as easily. But I’m doing it anyway. Why? Because I’m showing up to reflect on my learning, and even during the weeks when inspiration feels out of reach, the act of writing brings me back to my core. It’s a reminder of why I began this practice in the first …

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Planting Seeds

“We are the beneficiaries of decisions, kind gestures, and actions from those who came before us. This also means our actions and contributions plant seeds for others. They may lie dormant for years, but when the time is right, they’ll take root and grow.” – Karen Eber Recently, my good friend Sean Gaillard shared a …

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Making Learning Accessible

Each year, school organizations work diligently to advance priorities while aligning these efforts with state standards, requirements, and—most importantly the needs of their primary stakeholders: KIDS! The evolving educational landscape brings new challenges, as well as shifting strengths and needs among learners, making the work feel immense at times. Despite this, leaders shoulder a collective …

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More Listening and Learning

“The gifts of those we serve are already there, and they are much easier to find if you choose to look.” George Couros recently shared this sentiment in his blog, and it resonates deeply. Learning is truly a journey, and if you’re in education, I’m sure you feel this too. In today’s rapidly changing world, …

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Leading Through Discomfort

“The heartbeat of education lives inside the walls of schools. Within those walls, you’ll find stories of kids and teachers in the mess of learning.” This sentiment, one I share in my book, The Leader Inside, speaks to the essence of what we strive to build—a learning ecosystem brimming with curiosity, collaboration, creativity, and growth. …

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Letting Others Lead

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 …

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Continuous Learning through Curious Coaching

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 …

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From Blog to Podcast: Turning Reflection into a Conversation with AI

Every week, I read George Couros’ blog posts. Although all of George's thoughts and insights draw me in and encourage me to reflect on my own learning and growth, this particular one titled, “Creating a Podcast with NotebookLM; What are the negatives and positives of that process?” piqued my interest in a different way. Are …

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Defining Moments

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 …

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Uncomfortable, But Growing

“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 …

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