Hi Team!
First, thank YOU so much for taking the time to read my blog, The Unorthodox Principal. I completely understand just how freaking busy you are so it means the world to me that you are here. My blog posts will be all about outside the box leadership, how the culture and climate of your organization/school is EVERYTHING, drenched in authenticity, and relevant about the shit we go through each day as educators and HONESTY. I think I can be funny and I cuss a little bit too, so buckle up for this crazy ride that has been 20 years in the making.
Also, I want to be CRYSTAL CLEAR about something before you read another word. EVERY single thing that I will discuss in my blog would NEVER occur without my relentless love for students and teachers. I mean unconditional love. All of the shit that will be discussed are real life experiences that have happened to me over the years. Some of the results and practices that have resulted from my living through those experiences may seem outrageous and over-the-top, but they have all WORKED. I was successful because my students, teachers, and families NEVER questioned the fact that I always had their best interests at heart and that I would always show them unconditional love during the darkest hour. Now, I didn’t like them all the time, but hell that is the same with my husband and I married his ass! My love has NEVER waivered. I urge you to always lead with LOVE, even when it gets hard, then you must love that much harder.
A little bit about me…I have been in the public education arena for almost 20 years. What makes me sort of an enigma, is that I have run the gauntlet of educational positions. I started as a paraprofessional, then progressed on to become a teacher, coach, assistant principal, head principal, and ultimately a superintendent thought partner. I think that one of the main reasons for my success is being able to relate to classified and certified staff in the decision making process and in day to day operations and communications. Also, making $8.38 per hour when I started has always kept me grounded and fighting for better wages for all school employees. Like the old Ricky Skaggs song, “ Don’t Get Above Your Raisin” has kept me humble and thankful, no matter what role I have had the pleasure of serving.
I taught alternative school, “at-risk” 11th and 12th graders south of St. Louis, Missouri for 10 years. I was also the dance coach and loved the balance that both of these positions afforded me to learn and grow from such different groups of students, or so I thought. I realized very quickly that all students and adults are one choice away from being “at-risk” and that is where I began my crusade for removing labels put on students. We are all humans, we all make mistakes, and that is that. I will get more into that down the road. From my time at the alternative school, which I still say are some of my best years of my life, I transitioned into administration. I can say transition now after 10 years, however the interviewing process and job hunt was hell for me and I actually had a stroke one day teaching class, which they said was induced by high stress. Folks, our brains are powerful things…trust me, I know!
I was an assistant principal of a large high school in southeast Missouri and then was appointed to two different elementary schools over the next few years as a transformational principal. I will get into SO MUCH more detail about both schools as we continue our journey.
I am also a proud army wife and when my husband got a promotion to state headquarters during the height of the pandemic, we moved to Columbia, Missouri. There, I worked with the athletic department at the University of Missouri as a success coach for collegiate athletes during COVID.
My husband had a wild idea that we should move back to my hometown, which I hadn’t lived in for 20 years and apply to be the principal of the primary school. I had no clue the job was even open, but once again I took a leap of faith, applied, interviewed, and in less than a week accepted it. We then bought a house that wasn’t for sale, but my mom talked a lady into selling it to us, moved on a Friday and I started work the following Monday. It was a whirlwind to say the least.
Life for me has always been fast and furious and I believe because of that it has kept my fire and passion alive. Currently, I am a keynote speaker for schools, districts, organizations, and businesses. I founded Cheers2Teachers and The Unorthodox Principals groups on Facebook, I am the co-author of RUCKUS, and I am currently writing my second book!!! I am a bonus mom(BoMa) and got my first pet at 40 years old and am now an annoying dog mom as well!!!
I can’t wait to share my journey with you and support you in yours as well.
Big Love,
Leigh
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