Early in my educational career, I was a member of a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) advocacy organization. Through a grant from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, the organization’s mission was to expand STEM education access to non-traditional students. One primary function was advocating with federal legislators and policymakers in Washington, DC.

As a school leader, I prioritized partnering with our local legislators. Why? Because they establish policy and funding for education. When I assumed my leadership role, one of my first acts was to meet with local delegation members and offer our school as a resource. We would host events such as town halls, round tables, and focus groups to assist our local delegation.

Our primary role as educators is to equip our students with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to compete in a global economy. However, we need to partner with our local businesses to understand their needs and how to prepare our students for life beyond school. 

As a classroom teacher, I served as the chairperson for our Spirit Committee. During my tenure, I had the opportunity to plan the 20th-year celebration for our High School. It was an excellent opportunity to partner with our community and recognize the impact of our school on the community.

The first time I had the privilege to work with our school board members was when I became the Title I Professional Development Supervisor. While my primary duties were to build and enhance the skill set of our Title I teachers, I was also responsible for briefing and updating our board members. As I worked with our Board members, I saw their commitment and dedication to our teachers and students.

I thought I understood my responsibilities when I assumed my first leadership position as an Assistant Principal. Why? Because I had served in leadership positions while I was in the military. In addition, I was a highly effective teacher; therefore, I thought I was prepared to be a great Assistant Principal.