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What Leadership Means to Me
What Leadership Means to Me
To me, leadership isn’t about giving speeches or being at the front of the room all the time. It’s about being the person people come to when they’re overwhelmed, unsure, or trying to figure out the next right step. I lead by staying grounded, listening, and helping others feel a little more capable in hard moments. Whether it's with my students, my colleagues, or my community, I believe leadership means showing up consistently, humbly, and with purpose.
Leading in the Classroom
Leading in the Classroom
In my classroom, leadership looks like creating a space that is consistent, joyful, and student-centered. I build trust through clear routines and boundaries, while also making room for humor, reflection, and compassion. I lead my students by modeling what it means to be a thoughtful, responsible person in a shared space.
Quote from Journal #27:
“I’ve built a space where students feel safe, respected, and challenged. I’m clear with my expectations and consistent with my routines, but I also make room for humor, care, and flexibility.”
Quote from Journal #25 (September 2025):
“I’m doing what I say I’ll do instead of chickening out because it felt uncomfortable. I coded my late penalties into Canvas… students know I’m not messing around and they’re so much better about getting their work in and communicating with me.”
Leading at School
Leading at School
Beyond my classroom, I’ve taken on several leadership roles that allow me to support students and colleagues alike. I sponsor our Latino student group, advise Extended Essays, and help students through the college application process.
Quote from Journal #27(October 2025) :
“I run Las Comadres, our Latino student group. I also serve as the Extended Essay advisor, and many students come to me for college help, scholarship guidance, or just advice when they feel stuck.”
Quote from Journal #18 (April 2025):
“Las Comadres is more than a club. It’s a home base. A place where students can speak Spanish or Spanglish without being corrected, where they can explore their identities and learn about their rights.”
Below is a picture from our Dia de los Muertos Mixer
Leading in the Community
Leading in the Community
Outside school, I lead through service and justice work. As a religious school director and board member of two Southern nonprofits, I focus on building inclusive Jewish spaces and educational programs rooted in compassion, equity, and action. My leadership is grounded in creating community and connection wherever I go.
Quote from Journal #27 (October 2025):
“I’m the director and a teacher at my synagogue’s religious school, where I write curriculum, plan programs, and mentor students. I also sit on the board of directors for two Southern-based 501(c)(3) organizations focused on justice and education.”
Mentorship and Support
Mentorship and Support
One of the most meaningful ways I've grown as a leader is by mentoring new teachers. I’ve helped first-years figure out classroom routines, grading systems, how to talk to parents, and how to take care of themselves while doing this job. A lot of the time, it’s not about having all the answers. It’s about listening, sharing what I’ve learned, and showing that it’s okay to mess up. I try to be the kind of person I wish I had when I was starting out, someone calm, honest, and real about both the hard parts and the joys of teaching.
Quote from Journal #28 (November 2025):
“I tell them that everyone messes up, and that the real work of teaching is learning how to keep going with grace and humor.”
Quote from Journal #23 (June 2025):
“More than anything, I think I’ve shown them that there’s no one right way to teach. It’s about figuring out who you are in the classroom and how to bring all those pieces of yourself together in a way that works.”
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