The heartbeat of education lives inside the walls of schools. Within those walls live stories, stories of kids and teachers in the beautiful mess of learning. It’s a sentiment I share in my book The Leader Inside, and it holds more meaning for me each time I revisit it. As we celebrate the upcoming Teacher …
In education, embodying a coaching mindset is understanding that growth isn’t about giving answers, it’s about creating space for discovery. A coaching mindset is grounded in the belief that educators hold the capacity to grow, and our role is to support that growth through trust, curiosity, and intentional presence. It’s about asking, not telling. Walking …
Throughout the trajectory of my career, nearly two decades spanning classroom teacher, literacy specialist, instructional coach, building leader, and now district leader, I’ve experienced just about every form of professional development. I’ve devoured books, tuned into countless podcasts, attended energizing conferences, and participated in more professional learning experiences than I can count. But if I’ve …
This week, I found myself in some important conversations with administrators, with teachers, and honestly, with myself. These weren’t just check-in conversations or progress updates. They were real. They circled us back to the relationships we’ve built and reminded us of our shared why: we are a team, here to make teaching and learning better …
Continue reading Coaching and Leading with Curiosity, Courage, and Care
Thriving isn’t a finish line we cross, it’s something we move toward and through, again and again. I believe that our lives and our work aren’t lived on a straight line. They ebb and flow. We move through seasons that shift our priorities, stretch our capacity, and challenge us to keep showing up. And while …
The paths we walk present us with a collection of choices, some small, others life-changing. Each one opens the door for us to summon the momentum within ourselves, take action, and embrace the reality that growth and comfort cannot coexist. I share this sentiment in my book, The Leader Inside because it’s a truth I’ve …
As educators, we are constantly evolving. We are learning, unlearning, and relearning to meet the needs of our students and the ever-changing landscape of education. The best professional growth doesn’t happen in isolation; it happens when we engage with and think about new ideas, challenge our thinking, and apply what we learn in meaningful ways. …
Continue reading Four Books Shaping My Thinking (and Why They Matter in Education)
This week felt like a whirlwind. Stepping into the days after a winter holiday break, my time was filled with important things - observations, professional learning days, community events, and the countless day-to-day interactions that bring both celebrations and some challenges. On top of that, my family obligations had me racing from one place to …
This week, I was surprised to find a few unexpected messages in my inbox, people reaching out with inquiries about my book, The Leader Inside. There are so many moments we never see coming. It still catches me off guard that others take the time to connect with me and are engaging with my writing, …
“Whether or not you are conscientiously following your destiny, your destiny is always following you.” – Martha Beck I have said this before, and I’ll say it again, education is a busy place. Some weeks feel like a whirlwind. Can you relate? It’s like that feeling when you’re driving to work, and suddenly you put …
Empower. Collaborate. Connect. 