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WORTH THE SCROLL
A growing collection of ideas, graphics, and conversations designed to encourage women to lead with confidence and purpose.
I was a classroom teacher finishing my Educational Leadership program when our professor asked, "What's your ultimate career goal?" Around the room, everyone answered, "Principal."
Then one classmate, Debbie, confidently said, "I want to become a superintendent." I remember thinking, Wow... that's gutsy. When it was my turn, I surprised even myself.
"I want to do what Debbie wants to do," I said. "I want to become a superintendent." It was the first time I had ever spoken those words out loud.
Looking back, I realize that was the moment everything changed. Sometimes your dream doesn't begin because you've had it your whole life. Sometimes it begins the moment you give yourself permission to say it.
Never underestimate the power of speaking your dream out loud. It just might be the first step toward making it real.
When I was a school principal, I knew I wanted to become a superintendent. I also knew that earning my doctorate would help open those doors. At the time, only a handful of women were leading school districts in Orange County, and every one of them had a doctorate. That told me something.
My doctorate gave me more than credentials. It gave me confidence. It challenged me to think differently, strengthened my voice, and helped me walk into interviews believing I belonged at the table. Looking back, it was one of the best investments I ever made.
One afternoon when I was serving as a superintendent, a teacher knocked on my office door. She asked if she could speak with me for a few minutes. "I want to become a principal," she said. "Would you be my mentor?" I have never forgotten that conversation.
She didn't ask because she wanted someone to hand her a promotion. She asked because she wanted someone to challenge her, answer tough questions, open a few doors, and believe in her before she fully believed in herself.
The truth is, asking for a mentor may be one of the smartest career decisions you'll ever make. The research is surprising: 63% of women who aspire to leadership say they've never had a formal mentor. Imagine how much talent we're leaving on the table.
If you're looking for a mentor, don't wait for one to find you. Reach out to someone you admire. Ask them to meet for coffee or a glass of wine. Be specific about what you hope to learn. Respect their time. Then do the work.
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