My Educational Leadership Philosophy

Community, Achievement, & Support

Education is about the people: the students, staff, families, and community created together. The most effective learning happens when we build strong relationships first, maintain high academic expectations, and support both with thoughtful systems that enable everyone to thrive. Having worked with both middle and high school students across various settings, I've seen that this balance of connection, challenge, and structure creates environments where adolescents discover their strengths, teachers feel empowered, and communities are proud of their schools.

Core Beliefs:

Meeting People Where They Are: My special education background has taught me that if someone is struggling, it's typically a lack of skill rather than will. When we start where people are and scaffold appropriately, folks are much more likely to succeed—particularly during the critical high school years.
High Expectations & Appropriate Support: Students rise to challenges when given the right support. A tiered framework allows us to design core instruction that works for most students while providing targeted interventions for those who need additional help, ensuring all high school students remain on track for graduation.
Effective Behavior Management: Clear, consistent systems for behavior management create environments where students feel safe and learning can flourish. My experience implementing positive behavior supports helps students develop self-regulation skills critical for success in high school and beyond.
Community Connection: Schools thrive when they are deeply connected to their communities. At the high school level, this means developing meaningful partnerships with local businesses, community colleges, and other organizations that create pathways to post-secondary success.
Leadership Through Coaching: Effective leadership means building trust through consistent actions, transparent communication, and genuine listening. This approach is particularly valuable when supporting teachers with challenging student behaviors and complex adolescent needs.

Leadership Approach

I approach leadership as a blend of coaching, clear expectations, and strategic support. My experience has taught me the importance of being both visible and accessible, which I believe are hallmarks of effective high school administration, especially for an associate principal focused on behavior management.

Growing up in a small town while later working in urban settings has given me unique perspective on educational challenges and opportunities. I understand both the tight-knit nature of rural school communities and the innovative practices that can enhance student experiences.

I believe that taking care of teachers allows them to take care of students. This means providing clear expectations, regular feedback, and necessary resources for managing diverse classrooms. I prioritize removing obstacles from teachers' paths while maintaining accountability for student outcomes.

Strong systems provide the foundation that makes everything else possible. They create the organizational structure where both consistency and innovation can flourish. As an associate principal focused on behavior management, I would implement systems that are both preventative and responsive, creating structures that encourage positive behavior while providing clear, consistent consequences when needed.

What My Philosophy Means for You

For Students

An associate principal who's present in your day by greeting you in the morning, working in the hallways, and celebrating your wins, big and small
Clear routines and expectations that help you know exactly what success looks like
Real opportunities to shape your school experience through student leadership and feedback
Support that meets you where you are, no matter if you need extra help or extra challenge
Learning that connects to your life in the community while opening doors to opportunities beyond
A school culture where making mistakes is part of learning, not something to hide

For Families & Community

Communication that's consistent, useful, and respectful of your time instead of hunting for information
Multiple ways to engage that fit your schedule, interests, and comfort level
An associate principal who understands special education and will work towards appropriate services
A school that functions as both a community anchor and a launching pad for students' futures
A leader who acknowledges when things aren't perfect and involves families in finding solutions
A leader who's visible at town events, respects local traditions, and invests in community relationships

For Faculty

A leader who remembers what it's like to be in the classroom and makes decisions with teacher wellbeing in mind
Systems that work towards automating the tedious stuff so you can focus on the meaningful work of being with students
Professional development that's targeted to your needs, chosen in partnership with you
A coaching approach that starts with your strengths and builds from there
Support for the full range of student needs through practical MTSS implementation
Someone who celebrates your successes publicly and addresses challenges privately
Clear role clarity so you know exactly what's expected and can excel without constant second-guessing
Support for trying new approaches with a safety net for when things don't go as planned

For School Leadership

Data translated into actionable insights by turning numbers into narratives that inform strategic decisions
Budget management that aligns spending with our values and stretches every dollar
An associate principal who can navigate relationships strategically, knowing when to collaborate and when to advocate
Regular updates that give both the challenges and the opportunities
A partner who understands rural education from personal experience and professional practice
Special education expertise that ensures compliance while fighting for the services our students deserve
Strategic thinking that balances short-term needs with long-term vision for a school’s future