My Three Words for 2026: A New Season, a Clear Compass

For more than a decade now, choosing three words (or one word) for the year has been one of the most grounding practices in my life.

I don’t choose my words quickly. I don’t choose them because they sound good or because they feel aspirational in a surface-level way. I choose them through a process of reflection, prayer, listening, and honesty about what the past year revealed and what the next season is asking of me.

In the past, I thought my words needed to hype me up for the new year. What I’ve learned over time is that the right words don’t energize me as much as they center me. They bring clarity instead of urgency and direction instead of pressure.

The Process I Use

Before I ever write a word down, I ask myself a few quiet questions:

• What did this past year teach me about myself, my limits, and my values?
• Where did I feel stretched, and where did I feel most like myself?
• What do I need more of - not to achieve more, but to live well?
• What kind of person do I want to be this time next year?

I sit with those questions for days... sometimes weeks. I pay attention to patterns. I notice what keeps resurfacing in conversations and in prayer. Eventually, certain words don’t just appear; they stay.

As I looked ahead to 2026, three words remained long after the others faded:

Steady. Rooted. Legacy.

Each one carries a particular invitation. Today, I want to share what they mean to me and how they might serve as guiding words for you too.

STEADY: Peace in Motion

“Steady” has a calm strength to it, like a deep breath before a big moment. I think about this word in terms of consistency over intensity.

“Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty, and persistence.”

- Colin Powell

This year has reminded me that healing (heart, body, spirit) doesn’t happen in bursts. Steady reminds me to show up - day in and day out - for the things that matter: my family, my health, my work, and my faith. It whispers, keep going, one step at a time. It’s a gentle but firm guide that says consistency wins the long game.

When I think about the work I care about - the people I get to serve through The Compelled Educator, the Communities of Character podcast, the Hope Institute, and the connections we share - being steady feels like a gift I can give others as well as myself.

ROOTED: Deep in What Matters Most

“Storms make trees take deeper roots.”

- Dolly Parton

There is a kind of grief we don’t always name - the grief that comes with leaving something you loved deeply, even when the decision was right.

In 2025, I experienced two significant losses. One was deeply personal. The other was professional, but no less meaningful. Stepping away from my role as principal was not just a career change; it was the surrender of a calling that had shaped me, stretched me, and allowed me to serve in ways that mattered deeply to me. It was a place where I felt useful, connected, and fully alive.

What made that loss complicated was this: I didn’t leave because I stopped loving the work. I left because love required something else of me.

Grief has a way of unsettling our sense of identity. When titles fall away and routines disappear, we’re forced to ask harder questions: Who am I without this role? Where do I belong now? What remains when what I loved is gone?

That’s where rooted began to matter more than ever.

Rooted reminds me that while roles can change, identity does not. That purpose is not limited to a position, and calling is not confined to a title. Being rooted means anchoring myself in values, faith, and relationships that remain steady even when circumstances shift. 

Rooted doesn’t promise comfort, but it offers stability. And in a season marked by loss, stability is a gift.

This word reminds me to draw strength from my foundations - family, friends, faith, curiosity, and purpose. It’s a reminder that when storms come (and they always do!), roots help us bend without breaking.

LEGACY: What Lasts Longer Than Me

Legacy isn’t just for big achievements or titles. It’s about the footprints we leave on our journey. From the way we influence a child, to how we show up for a friend, build something meaningful, or how we care for the people we love.

This word keeps me focused on what lasts longer than a single year or season. It strengthens me as I walk through the current season filled with doubt and grief, yet also hope. It shapes how I think about family, relationships, health, work, and character. I think about how the character we model today becomes the foundation for tomorrow. And I especially think about my daughters, my grandson, and the grandson that will be born in 2026. 

To me, legacy isn’t pressure, it’s perspective. It’s choosing what matters long after the day is done.

Legacy asks:

• What am I modeling for the people I love?
• What habits am I forming today that shape tomorrow?
• What will remain because I was here?

“Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you.”

- Shannon L. Alder

So… If I had to choose one word, which one would it be? 

In years past I’ve used three words, and sometimes just one feels right, too. This year, these three words represent different aspects of the journey I’m on. Steady for consistency and resilience, Rooted for depth and alignment, and Legacy for meaning and long-term impact.

If I had to choose just one, it might be the one that brings them together in a single heartbeat: Rooted. Because when we’re rooted, we tend to stay steady and build legacy without losing ourselves in the noise.

As always, I’d love to hear your word for the year. What’s drawing you? What feels like a compass in the next season of your story?

Here’s to a year defined not just by what we do, but who we become.

Past #My3Words Choices

2014 - Discipline. Intentional. Balance.
2015 - Rhythm. Bravery. Fitness.
2016 - Focus. Purpose. Do.
2017 - Pivot. Go. Grow.
2018 - Lift. Create. Relentless. 
2019 - Practice. Execute. Be.

2020 - Consistent. Empower. Budget.

2021 - Invest. Stretch. Discipline.

2022 - Conquer. (Click to read why I chose only 1 word)

2023 - Heal. Leap. Sow.

2024 - Ignite. Impact. Instigate.

2025 - Elevate. Thrive. Nurture.

Ten Practical Ways to Build Character this Week at School

Simple, meaningful ideas to carry you into the holidays - or to kick off strong in January.

As we approach the last stretch before the holiday break, the energy in schools starts to shift. Students feel it. Teachers feel it. The hallways buzz a little louder, the days feel a little fuller, and routines (and patience!) sometimes stretch thin.

It’s a unique window of time that can feel both challenging and full of opportunity.

This time of year is actually perfect for weaving in small, meaningful practices that strengthen character in your classroom or school community. And if December feels too packed or too fast? January offers a fresh, natural reset.

Either way, character isn’t built in grand gestures. It grows in consistent, intentional, and simple moments, which are the the kinds of moments that students remember long after the semester ends.

Here are 10 practical ways to build character at school, each one quick to implement and impactful over time.

1. Greet every student by name each morning.

Hearing their name - spoken kindly and intentionally - grounds students in belonging. Whether it’s at the door, in the hallway, or before the bell rings, it sets the tone: You matter here.

2. Highlight a “Character Trait of the Week” in announcements.

A short spotlight on traits like empathy, perseverance, or respect can spark conversations schoolwide. Keep it simple, keep it consistent, and invite students to notice the trait in action each day.

3. Incorporate a short reflection question into class openers.

A one-minute prompt of “What’s one thing you can do today to be a good teammate?” helps students build self-awareness and intention. Reflection is one of the most powerful tools in character education.

4. Model respectful language during challenging conversations.

Students learn the most from what they see. Using calm, respectful language, especially in tough moments, teaches emotional regulation and dignity far better than any worksheet ever could.

5. Recognize students showing positive character with quick notes or shout-outs.

Character grows when it’s seen and named. A sticky note, a brief comment, or a quick announcement... it doesn’t have to be fancy to be meaningful.

6. Start each class with a 60-second gratitude or kindness prompt.

A simple, guided moment such as, “Think of one person you’re grateful for today,” helps students build empathy and emotional awareness. It also centers everyone for learning.

7. Create opportunities for students to lead small tasks or routines.

Student leadership doesn’t have to be formal. Handing out materials, leading warm-ups, taking care of the board... these small responsibilities build confidence and agency.

8. Use a rotating classroom responsibility chart to build ownership.

Ownership fosters character. A rotating chart spreads opportunities for responsibility and gives every student a chance to contribute to the classroom community.

9. Incorporate a daily kindness challenge students can complete in under 2 minutes.

Tiny acts create big shifts. Examples:

“Hold the door for someone.”

“Invite someone new to join your group.”

“Say thank you more times than you think you need to.”

Two minutes. Big impact.

10. End the week with a ‘Character Win’ share-out in each class.

Give students a chance to celebrate moments of integrity, kindness, or perseverance, by either something they did or something they saw. These reflections become a powerful culture-builder over time.

A Small Start Can Last All Year
Whether you try one idea before the holiday break or save a few for January’s restart, remember this:

Building character doesn’t require perfection; it requires consistency.  Small practices, repeated over time, shape the culture of a classroom and the heart of a school.

 If you try any of these, I’d love to hear how they go.

And if you have ideas to add, share them! Our strength as educators grows when we learn from each other.

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Why “Compelled”? The Story Behind the Word That Guides My Work

Words matter.

They shape our beliefs, guide our choices, and clarify who we want to become.

For years, people have asked me why my blog is called The Compelled Educator, and why compelled became the word I chose to build my work, my writing, and my leadership around. It’s a strong word. A directional word. A word that points you toward action.

And the story behind it goes all the way back to the softball field.

Where It Started: A Coaching Lesson I Never Forgot

Before I was a principal, a speaker, or a character coach, I was a high school teacher and softball coach. I loved the years of coaching. The strategy, the competition, the laughter, the team bonding, and the chance to help young women grow not just as athletes, but as people.

At a coaching clinic I attended early in my career, I got to hear Jeff Janssen speak about his framework called the Commitment Continuum. Jeff Janssen is the author of several books, including Championship Team Building, Seven Secrets of Successful Coaches, and the Team Captain's Leadership Manual. While Championship Team Building and Seven Secrets of Successful Coaches were written over 20 years ago, their message is timeless and still applicable today!

This post includes affiliate links. Thanks for supporting this blog and the work I share at The Compelled Educator.

In The Team Captain’s Leadership Manual, he describes the framework as a tool to help captains, coaches, and leaders recognize the range of mindsets and levels of commitment present on any team, because you can’t lead people well if you don’t first understand where they are.

Janssen explained that on every team, in every organization, and honestly in every school, people fall at different places along the continuum. Some are resistant. Some are reluctant. Others are simply existing, going through the motions. Some are compliant because they know what’s expected, and others are genuinely committed to the work.

But then there’s another level entirely: compelled.

As a coach, I knew exactly who those athletes were. They were the ones who didn’t need constant reminders or external motivation. They practiced hard when no one was watching. They encouraged teammates naturally. They brought energy into the dugout instead of waiting for someone else to create it. Their effort wasn’t driven by pressure, rules, or fear of consequences. It came from somewhere deeper inside them.

And I remember thinking at the time, That’s different. That’s the kind of mindset that changes teams.

The Word That Stuck With Me

Over the years, I started seeing that same quality everywhere. I saw it in teachers who showed up every day with passion and purpose, even when the work was hard. I saw it in school leaders who poured themselves into building positive cultures because they genuinely believed students deserved it. I saw it in colleagues, mentors, and eventually in the schools and leadership teams I’ve had the privilege to support through the Hope Institute. The people who made the greatest impact were rarely the loudest or most recognized. They were simply people who felt deeply connected to the work they had been called to do.

That idea stayed with me for a long time, and when I eventually started writing publicly, I realized that the word compelled perfectly captured the kind of educator and leader I hoped to become.

What It Means to Be Compelled

To me, being compelled has never meant being perfect or having unlimited energy. It doesn’t mean always getting it right. It means being guided by purpose and conviction. It means caring enough to step forward, even when it’s difficult. It means leading from the inside out, not because someone told you to, but because something in your heart tells you the work matters.

That belief has shaped my leadership, my writing, and the way I approach education. It’s why relationships matter so much to me. It’s why culture matters. It’s why character matters. Because the educators and leaders who change lives are rarely the ones operating out of obligation alone. They are the ones who are compelled to serve, to grow, to encourage, and to make things better for the people around them.

And that’s the heartbeat behind everything I share here at The Compelled Educator.

Still Compelled After All These Years

It’s been many years since I stood on a softball field carrying a bucket of balls and a practice plan, but the lessons I learned during those seasons of coaching have never really left me. In many ways, they continue to shape how I lead, how I encourage others, and how I approach this work every single day.

That idea of being compelled, of being driven by something deeper than obligation or recognition, still guides me. It shows up in every blog post I write, every workshop I lead, every podcast conversation I’m privileged to have, and every coaching session where I get to walk alongside educators and leaders who are doing meaningful work in challenging times. It even shows up in the quiet moments of transition and uncertainty, when purpose matters more than position.

The longer I spend in education and leadership spaces, the more convinced I become that our schools and communities desperately need compelled leaders. We need people who are grounded in purpose, who lead with integrity and compassion, and who are willing to keep showing up for others even when the work feels difficult. We need leaders who don’t simply react to the moment, but who rise to meet it with courage, empathy, and hope.

That belief is at the center of why I continue to write and share here. It’s why I coach. It’s why I speak. It’s why I remain so passionate about leadership, culture, and character.

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Hope, Healing, and a New Chapter in the Work I Love

A New Season and A Renewed Mission

One thing life continues to teach me is that our stories rarely unfold the way we script them. Instead, they move in seasons. Some are joy-filled, some are challenging, and some quietly reshape us from the inside out.

As many of you know, I first retired from Hoover High School in 2021. When I re-joined Hoover High as Principal in 2023, I never expected to retire again two years later, on July 1, 2025. I fully expected to stay much longer. I loved the work, the people, the students, the culture. My two years there were rich with connection and purpose, and I still carry those relationships with deep gratitude.

But when my parents’ needs increased, I knew my plans had to shift. Stepping away from Hoover was not easy, but it was the right decision. It was a values-aligned decision. And because of that choice, I received one of the greatest gifts of my life: the chance to be with my mom during her final months.

ICYMI: Lessons from My First Teacher - My Mom

Those days were filled with laughter, stories and quiet moments, with a kind of presence that only becomes possible when everything else is put aside. I will forever be grateful for that time. And now, I’m thankful for these days with my dad as he navigates his own health journey.

This season has brought my core leadership beliefs into even sharper focus. Not long ago, I spoke with a group of master’s students at Samford University about the Nine Essentials for Creating an Exceptional Culture, and I shared a truth that has guided me for years:

When your values are clear, your decisions become easier, even when they are hard.

Settling Back Into Work I Love

When I retired, it was also shared publicly that I would be returning to the Hope Institute as a Senior Character Coach. Now that some time has passed, it feels right to share a bit more about what this season has felt like and the work I’m grateful to do again.

Returning to Hope Institute isn’t a new beginning so much as a continuation. It's a return to meaningful, mission-driven work that has always felt like home. Supporting school leaders and helping schools strengthen their culture through character development is work that stirs me. It challenges me. It fulfills me.

And in this season of personal transition, it has been an anchor.

Communities of Character: Season 4

Another bright spot has been restarting the Communities of Character podcast. After taking a pause during a year of doctoral work, principalship, family, and transition, pressing “record” again felt both vulnerable and energizing.

And y'all, the guests this season have been incredible.

They’ve shared stories of courage, resilience, service, and leadership that have strengthened my own heart. Their insights remind me why this work matters, why character matters, and why community is so essential in every space we lead.

I can’t wait for you to hear each conversation.

Lessons I’m Carrying Into This Season

As the holiday season approaches, I'm reminded that it is a time of gratitude, reflection, and slowing down. I’ve found myself holding onto a few lessons this chapter has reinforced:

Gratitude changes everything.

Even in grief. Even in transition. Even in the unknown. There are blessings tucked into every corner when we pause to look for them.

Patience is a form of strength.

It asks us to breathe, to trust, and to release our timeline in exchange for a bigger one we can’t yet see.

Faith steadies us.

It reminds us that we never walk alone, even in seasons that stretch us.

Your core values will always tell the truth.

When life becomes noisy, values become a compass: quiet, steady, and clear.

Moving Forward With Hope

I miss Hoover greatly. I miss the kids, the staff, the rhythms of school life, and the joy of leading alongside incredible educators. But I also know this is exactly where I’m meant to be right now.

This is a season of caring, of guiding, of rebuilding, of listening, of serving. And I’m grateful. I'm deeply grateful for how the story is unfolding.

Thank you for continuing to walk alongside me. Thank you for reading, listening, and encouraging. And thank you for believing, as I do, that character and compassion can change not just schools, but lives.

Here’s to this season, and the next one, too.