LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK:

Philosophy of Education & Leadership

"Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel." – Socrates

Philosophy of Education:

Education is not simply about transmitting knowledge; it’s about sparking curiosity, igniting potential, and preparing students to thrive in a world that is constantly changing. Every child who walks, crawls, or rolls through our doors carries unique strengths, challenges, and stories. It is our responsibility as educators to honor those differences, believe in their capacity to learn, and provide the conditions where success is possible for all.

Learning does not stop at the classroom door. It happens in the hallways, on the stage, on the field, and in the community. Our role is to equip students with skills that extend beyond academics—resilience, collaboration, creativity, and empathy; so they are prepared not only for tests, but for life. Success is found in those “ah-ha” moments that remind us why we do this work: moments when a student, staff member, or community member sees new possibility in themselves.

Teaching and learning are lifelong processes. Our challenge and greatest reward is helping students discover meaning in what they are learning and how it connects to their lives beyond school. In the words of William Arthur Ward:

"The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires."

I aim to inspire. And I believe inspiration happens when we recognize that education is not a solo act but a collective endeavor. When we empower teachers, engage families, and embrace partnerships, the opportunities for our students become limitless.

Philosophy of Leadership:

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader." – John Quincy Adams

Leadership is not about position or power—it is about people, purpose, and legacy. Research reminds us that leadership accounts for nearly a quarter of a school’s impact on student learning, which means how we lead matters as much as what we teach.

My leadership is shaped by two complementary layers: enduring leadership pillars that define who I am, and guiding practices that ensure those commitments are lived out daily. Together, they form both the compass and the playbook for how I lead—anchoring big decisions while shaping the everyday interactions that build culture, trust, and impact.

Leadership Pillars – The “what” I stand for

Leadership & Integrity
I lead with transparency, integrity, and a commitment to doing what is right for students and educators. Clear, honest, and proactive communication builds trust and reduces division.
Collaboration & Partnership
Strong relationships are the foundation of meaningful progress. Schools thrive when culture and climate make belonging, recognition, and joy non-negotiables, and when partnerships amplify what no single leader or system can do alone.
Special Education Leadership
Every student deserves equitable access to high-quality services. Leading with a focus on equity means ensuring compliance, strengthening supports, and closing opportunity gaps.
Creativity & Innovation
Education is ever-changing. Leaders must remain adaptable, responding with flexibility, courage, and creativity. Innovation keeps us relevant and ensures students and staff are prepared for tomorrow, not just today.
Advocacy & Voice
Leaders must amplify the needs of those they serve. Advocacy means elevating superintendent, staff, and student voices, shaping policy with integrity, and ensuring communities are heard and valued.

Guiding Practices – The “how” I live those pillars every day

Listen First, Lead Second
Build trust through authentic conversations and careful attention before moving to action.
Value Every Voice
Ensure staff, superintendents, and board members feel heard and validated through multiple feedback loops and visible follow-up.
Understand the System Beneath the System
Seek to understand informal networks and hidden dynamics that drive results—then align supports to maximize them.
Communicate Consistently
Transparency builds trust, and trust fuels collaboration. Consistent updates, dashboards, and clarity of expectations are non-negotiables.
Be a Learner-Leader
Model humility and curiosity by seeking to understand finance, instruction, and services deeply, then leading with both confidence and openness.

Core Beliefs Anchored in Practice

Frameworks & Clarity – Success requires clear expectations, aligned systems, and consistent follow-through.
Relationships & Trust – Growth is built on strong connections with students, staff, families, and communities.
Empowerment & Legacy – Leadership is not about what I achieve alone, but about elevating others so that what we build lasts long after us.
Joy & Hope – Even in challenge, leaders must model optimism, perspective, and joy, because students and staff deserve to see it lived.

In the end, great leadership is not management—it is inspiration paired with accountability. My goal is to leave every place and every person better than I found them, by building systems and culture that endure.

Vision for Teaching & Learning:

Relationships are the heartbeat of education. Strong relationships—between teacher and student, staff and leader, school and community—are what transform classrooms into places of belonging. A strong culture and climate provide the foundation for academic growth, behavior supports, and social-emotional learning.

I believe in:

Clarity of Instruction – Aligning goals, assessment, and teaching so students know what they are learning and why it matters.
Inclusive Practices – Using MTSS and UDL frameworks to meet the needs of all learners by providing firm goals but flexible paths.
Empowered Teachers – Supporting professional growth and encouraging educators to innovate, reflect, and refine their practice.

At its core, teaching is about helping students see themselves in the story of learning and equipping them with the skills to write their own future.

Vision for School & Community:

Schools are the heartbeat of rural communities. They are more than buildings; they are gathering places, sources of pride, and anchors of identity. That’s why transparency, proactive communication, and meaningful engagement are not optional—they are essential.

I believe in creating schools that are not only academically excellent but also deeply connected to their communities. This means showcasing student successes, inviting families in, listening with empathy, and making decisions with honesty and accountability.

Education is a shared responsibility, and when schools and communities work together, we don’t just prepare students for the future—we build stronger towns, stronger families, and stronger legacies.

Vision for Systems & Iowa’s Educational Future:

Iowa’s educational system—and its AEAs in particular—has long been recognized as a national model of excellence. For decades, Iowa led the nation in student achievement, educational innovation, and community-centered support. While challenges in recent years have tested that reputation, I believe our best days are still ahead.

The truth is that the foundation remains strong: AEAs provide vital support in special education, professional learning, curriculum, and student well-being that no individual district could sustain alone. Our rural schools, while often resource-limited, are still rich with talent, grit, and community pride. What we need now is not to dismantle these systems, but to reimagine and reinvigorate them—with the right leadership, aligned vision, and shared accountability.

With clarity of purpose, Iowa can once again lead the nation in educational outcomes. That means:

Re-centering AEAs as hubs of equity, innovation, and support for every district.
Recommitting to local control and community voice while ensuring statewide coherence and fairness.
Investing in professional capacity so educators are not just surviving mandates but thriving as leaders of learning.
Restoring trust by making transparency and measurable results the standard, not the exception.

I believe Iowa can regain its status as an educational leader—not by looking backward, but by embracing innovation while holding firmly to the values that once set us apart: community, equity, and a relentless focus on student success. With intentional leadership and collaboration across the system, the results will not just return, they will surpass what we’ve achieved before.

Closing Commitment:

I am committed to being a leader who inspires, empowers, and builds. My philosophy is simple:

Ignite curiosity.
Build culture.
Elevate others.
Leave a legacy.
Dare Mighty Thnigs!

Because at the end of the day, our students deserve nothing less than schools that light their path forward and communities that stand proudly behind them.