I know what it means to take a chance. Before my years as an educator, I knew I wanted to make a difference in the lives of kids. I recognized that making a difference meant stepping into tough situations with no fear in facing hardship head-on, so I started my career in juvenile probation. These kids needed someone in their corner. Someone to guide them and give them opportunities to show up in their own lives.
It didn’t take long for me to recognize that so many of the issues that the kids I was in charge of in juvenile probation had issues at home that were exasperated in their school environments. More or less, no one was standing up for them and guiding them. No one believed that they were not the sum of their poor decisions, but deserved a chance, and very few were giving them those chances. They had written them off and I couldn’t just stand by and watch their lives wither away, so I decided to enter education.
I took my belief in the lives of students and set the bar high. High for my school, my students, and my staff. With a clear vision, strategies planning, and research-driven decision making, I worked hard to transform our school culture. We worked to put programs in place that would meet students where they were at, creating opportunities for them to grow both academically and emotionally. I worked hard to also support and empower my staff, leading by example and encouraging an engaging learning environment that could assist students in achieving their goals.
Hard work and focus paid off, and in 2008, our commitment to excellence in our school got me recognized for educational excellence, and I was named a finalist for the National Distinguished Principal of the Year.
My desire to create lasting impact and legacy in students and their families has never ceased. I co-created a non-profit, Chance to Soar, have held leadership roles in non-profit organizations that help raise funds, actively write curriculum, and have created educational opportunities for low-income families.
With a Master of Education from Texas Christian University and a Doctorate of Education Administration from Baylor University, I am committed to making education more effective for the long haul.
Mental health has become a major factor impacting the workplace, both in terms of productivity and employee satisfaction. We have an opportunity to create positive change – let’s take action together! By coming together, we can find strategies that’ll help your employees access their passion and energy at work tomorrow. It’s time for us to make this journey towards creating a balanced workforce full of joys & triumphs; one step closer to really soaring high!
