Transcending Leadership

  Trust the Journey Series February 22, 2025 Not Yet - Part 4 I had accomplished so many of my personal goals that year. My focus was no longer on myself. It was on serving students, staff, and administration. Teachers felt valued and seen. They were trusting me - and asking for help with research, planning, and with assessments. I was helping them improve their practice, and in turn students were growing. We were seeing great things!  When the news came that there would be a Reduction in Force and that some would not have a job the next year, I was not sure where that would leave me. BUT, for the first time, I was prepared to "trust the journey". I could now clearly see God's hand in all those "no's" of the past. He placed me with the right people at the right time this year. I was ready for whatever He had next for me. I immediately went to His word: Trust in Him at all times; pour your heart out to Him; God is a refuge for us. Psalm 62:8 Those who wait fo...

  Trust the Journey Series February 15, 2025 Not Yet - Part 3 One of the principals that had interviewed me in the past called me out of the blue one summer. She offered me an Instructional Coach position over the phone. She told me that she saw something in me that would benefit her school and that she hoped I would be the connecting link between the teaching staff and the administrative staff. She explained her expectations and I accepted them. In that instant, my professional life changed. Over the next year, I learned more about what school leadership was than I ever had. Working with grown ups is hard! I was expected to be an expert, but as you have learned, I was NOT. The teachers and paraprofessionals at my new school did not know me at all. They did not know my work ethic, my strengths, or how far I had come. I was starting over, and I had to make a plan if I wanted to gain their trust and support them. My principal had been an Instructional Coach previously, and offered gr...

  Trust the Journey Series February 8, 2025 Not Yet - Part 2 There was a new opportunity at my own school. I had begun leading professional development on campus and was trusted by many. I thought this was going to be the big opportunity. I was prepared for the interview, I knew the needs of my school, and I was determined that I would be able to make it an even better place to learn and grow.  I was ready!! When we (as a staff) got the email that someone else had been hired, my emotions were all over the place. I was angry, I was sad, I was disappointed, I was hurt. I had known my principal for many years - and my heart was broken - this "not yet" really became personal. I could not do 40 years of this!  As I jumped into the Word, several reminders became the lifeline for me:   First , the story of Joseph and his brothers reminded me that God's plan is perfect. Even though hard things are thrown at us, there is purpose in them. (Joseph was sold into slavery, be...

  Trust the Journey Series February 1, 2025 Not Yet - Part 1 When I had been teacher all of three years, I began to feel a call towards school leadership. I talked it over with my husband and jumped into graduate school to work on my Masters Degree. It took three years to earn that degree having one baby during that process and expecting another as I walked across the stage in December of 2005.  I was armed with the paperwork I needed, six years of teaching experience, and an eagerness to move into some kind of leadership role - but paused to spend the next school year at home with my two young children. This is when I heard the first "not yet," which was my choosing - and have never regretted it. 2007 - Shortly after returning to work, I was anxious to show that I was ready. I spoke with my administration about my future at our school. I held many leadership roles including grade level chair, sponsors of several clubs and teams, and a willingness to serve in any capacity....

  January 12, 2025 Being a leader is so much more than a title or position. Leadership is a service mindset. If you are not willing to serve, you are not ready to lead.  When we think of school leaders, we often think of the manager or boss of the school.  They make the rules and make sure we all follow them. We also think about how we would do things differently if we were in charge.  We would put people first. We would listen more. We would organize more effectively, ensure higher standards, communicate better, and treat everyone the same...  Each person has their own story of how they were called to leadership. Some of you may be leading now - and some of you are looking to move into a leadership position. We can each share all the things that have gone right with our journey - the things that make us marketable and accepted. It takes a bit more vulnerability to look back at our failures and setbacks. Facing these areas are how we grow.  Being vulnerable...