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Stop Calling Grown Women “Kiddo” I am 55 years old. I’ve worked since I was 16. I spent 34 years in education, most of them in leadership roles. I’ve presented in rooms filled with thousands of people. I’ve earned a doctorate. I’ve been published. I’ve led districts, built programs, managed teams, and navigated crises. Across my entire career (from my twenties to this very day), men I have worked for and alongside have called me “kiddo.” Not once. Not occasionally. Consistent

In a profession built on standards, pacing guides, learning targets, and measurable outcomes, the idea of provoking uncertainty can feel counterintuitive. We are trained to plan for clarity, anticipate misconceptions, scaffold understanding, and ensure students “get it.” Structure matters. Purpose matters. Intentionality matters. So does discomfort. Growth doesn’t happen in certainty. Growth happens when certainty is disrupted. Some of the most powerful learning moments I’ve

There is a quiet pattern in schools that is so familiar it often goes unnamed. It begins with competence. Reliability. The ability to see what needs to be done and step in without being asked. It begins with trust. The kind that leaders rely on, colleagues lean into, and students benefit from every single day. Then, slowly, the asks start to multiply. Not because the teacher asked for more, but because they can do more. They handle complexity with grace. They don’t complain.

There’s a special kind of damage that happens when someone unready for leadership gains power. It’s not always loud or visible. Sometimes it’s whispered in group chats named “sabotage.” Sometimes it’s measured on a dry-erase board that reads, “Days since someone cried.” Sometimes it’s hidden behind a smile and a stolen credit for another person’s work. I have seen all of it. Leaders who weaponize control, who hoard information, who keep mental (and sometimes literal) files on

Fundamental Friday: Integrity at the Interview Table When educators and leaders pursue new opportunities, the unspoken tension often...

Mindful Monday: Be a Part of the Conversation So often, conversations happen around us, in meetings, classrooms, communities, and even at...

When Myth Becomes Mandate Political mythology is powerful. It shapes national identity, stirs collective pride, and offers narratives of...

When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the foundations of schooling, many of us found ourselves looking up and seeing no clear direction....

Leadership is more than encouragement; it’s about empowerment. There’s a subtle but powerful difference between saying “I’m so proud of...

In every thriving organization, there’s a common thread: employees feel seen, valued, and inspired. And at the heart of that feeling?...

Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action."  — Peter Drucker In the...

In a world flooded with hot takes and quick reactions, the ability to pause, consider, and reflect is a quiet yet powerful asset. We...

Leadership isn’t just about showing up. It’s about lifting others while you're there... and making sure they still rise when you're not....