This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting TheCompelledEducator.comAs I step into a new season of life and leadership, I’ve been reflecting on the moments that shaped my journey -- and the leaders just beginning theirs. I originally shared the "The 4 E’s for New School Leaders" in 2022, and since then, I’ve heard from so many of you who’ve found encouragement in its message. With fresh perspective and renewed purpose, I’ve updated it here in hopes that it continues to support and inspire you in your own leadership path.
As I wrap up my 29th year in education, I find myself full of gratitude, reflection, and a renewed sense of purpose. After two incredible years as principal at Hoover High School and nearly two decades as a school administrator, I'm stepping away from the daily rhythm of school life -- not because I’m done leading, but because I’m entering a new season.
This next chapter will look different. I’m choosing to step back so I can care for my parents. At the same time, I’m stepping into something deeply meaningful to me -- continuing my work part-time with the Hope Institute and supporting educators through leadership coaching. I’ve always been passionate about helping others become their best, and I still believe that schools should be incredible, loving places where both students and adults thrive.
In a discussion on the Brand Builders Group podcast, Coach Micheal Burt—former championship high school basketball coach and now performance coach—shared this powerful insight on serving others:
“You cannot lose when you’re serving someone else.”
That simple yet profound statement stopped me in my tracks. It perfectly captures what leadership is truly about -- not tallying wins for yourself, but guiding and uplifting others. As new leaders, remember: our greatest impact comes when we focus on serving others -- because in that service, we ourselves become stronger.
That’s exactly where I am.
I’ve lived my dream. I’ve led schools filled with amazing people and students. Now, it’s my time to give back. To coach. To encourage. To pour into the new leaders who are just beginning their own journeys.
So, this post is for you -- the new school leaders who are learning by doing. The ones who are searching for a boost, a fresh idea, or simply someone to say, You're doing better than you think. I’ve been where you are. I know the excitement. I know the doubt. And I know how powerful a little encouragement can be.
Here are four things I want to share from my heart to yours.
Encourage
The word “encourage” literally means “to put courage into.” And if I could only give one gift to new leaders, it would be this one.
Encouragement isn’t just about making people feel good -- it’s about helping them be brave. It’s choosing to trust, to see the good, and to speak life into people. As a leader, your words matter. A handwritten note, a quick hallway high-five, or a shout-out in a meeting can create lasting impact.
And don’t forget to encourage yourself. I’ve always kept journals -- gratitude journals, reflection journals -- but throughout my leadership journey, this blog has been a source of inspiration for myself as well as others. I have a digital record of quotes that lifted me. Wins I needed to remember. Reflections that helped me grow. If you’re facing imposter syndrome (and most of us do), this kind of journal becomes a powerful reminder of your purpose and progress.
Empathize
Empathy is a leadership superpower.
One of my favorite teachers on this topic is Brené Brown, who reminds us that empathy isn’t about fixing others -- it’s about connecting with them. It’s feeling with people, not for them.
In leadership, empathy looks like slowing down. It’s saying, “I see you. I’ve been there. You’re not alone.” It’s listening without needing to respond. It’s choosing kindness, even when you’re tired or frustrated.
Forbes once outlined five ways to lead with more empathy:
- Change your mind
- Allow the messy
- Use candor productively
- Involve others in decisions
- Foster growth, not judgment
Empathy is how we build trust. It’s how we create safe places for people to take risks and grow.
Eliminate
When I first became a principal, I quickly realized: everything couldn’t be a priority. And that meant I had to learn what to eliminate.
I had to get crystal clear on my personal values and our school’s core values. If something didn’t align -- we didn’t do it. That clarity gave us freedom.
I also made it a habit to ask others, “What can I take off your plate?” and "What can I do for you?" Because I remember what it felt like to be in the classroom. The overwhelm. The constant additions. Leaders can -- and should -- look for what can be removed, simplified, or automated to make life better for staff.
Personally, I also worked to eliminate distractions and energy-drainers from my own routines. And I surrounded myself with encouragers -- people who lifted me up and reminded me why I do this work.
Engage
As a new school leader, you’ll be pulled in many directions -- emails, meetings, reports, and emergencies. But one of the most impactful ways to lead is by being present.
When I completed my doctoral dissertation, I studied the leadership practices of principals through the lens of Kouzes and Posner’s Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership. Their work deeply affirmed the way I view leadership -- not as a checklist of tasks, but as a relationship-centered journey. One of their five practices, Enable Others to Act, continues to resonate with me. Leaders build trust and foster collaboration not through grand gestures, but through daily, visible actions.
Presence matters.
That’s why I made it a priority to be in the hallways -- not just in the mornings, but throughout the day. A quick fist bump with a student, asking a teacher how their child’s soccer game went, noticing when someone’s had a tough day -- these moments build trust. They communicate, “I see you. You matter.”
These might seem like small gestures -- but they build trust, human connection, and a strong school culture.
Randy Conley, Vice President and Trust Practice Leader for Blanchard, highlights that people thrive when four core needs are met:
- to be trusted
- to have hope
- to feel worthy
- to feel competent
Your visible presence -- through consistent engagement -- goes a long way in fulfilling those needs.
Here’s a leadership reflection for you:
How are you creating opportunities to connect with your community -- students, staff, and families -- beyond your desk and your calendar?
Because impactful leadership isn’t just about policies and procedures -- it’s about being seen, heard, and truly present.
Final Thought
As I step into this next season, my heart holds both gratitude and a touch of sadness. It’s never easy to leave a place and people you love. Hoover High has been a place of purpose, joy, and connection for me over the past two years—two of the most meaningful in my entire career. I will carry those memories with me always.
At the same time, I feel incredibly grateful to be able to support my parents in this next chapter. This shift isn’t about walking away -- it’s about walking toward something equally meaningful: continuing to pour into the lives of educators through my work with the Hope Institute and leadership coaching.
You don’t have to have it all figured out to lead well. You just have to keep growing, keep showing up, and keep pouring into others.
And when you’re not sure if you’re doing it right, hear this from me:
You are enough.
You are growing.
You’re doing better than you think.
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