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My journey in education began in 2000 when I became a music teacher. I chose this career because it combined my passions: music and teaching children. I have witnessed many educational changes after more than twenty years in the NYC public school system. However, some of these changes, in my opinion, have not contributed positively to student achievement or the development of a purpose-driven school culture. My frustrations with these issues have driven me to seek ways to improve the support educators receive in the classroom. I have personally experienced times when I struggled to teach without adequate training, failed to voice my true concerns, and lacked meaningful support over the years. Additionally, I have observed leaders only addressing surface-level issues within the school. I entered this program to understand whether I could create real change. Is it possible? Which schools are successfully making a significant impact on their students?

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Sean

My passion for Educational Leadership comes from several places.  My first motivation comes from working with leaders who are disconnected from the inner-city students, high need communities of color, and what it takes to bridge the achievement gap for these students.  My second motivation comes from the motivation to help impact the lives of students and provide students of all performance levels and economic backgrounds the tools needed to succeed in their post-secondary pursuits.  In the school community and curriculum, a focus on technology, personal finance, the foundational knowledge and soft skills needed to graduate college,. enter the work force, and independent living will be an emphasis of the schools mission, vision, and culture.

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As a first-generation student, my passion for educational leadership stems from a deep desire to serve and uplift my community. I’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of education, and I’m driven to create opportunities for others to succeed, just as I was supported along my journey. This journey has shown me that leadership isn’t just about authority, it’s about building genuine connections within the community. I’ve learned that true leaders listen, support, and inspire those around them.

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I always had a desire to further my career - I wanted to have a bigger reach beyond my 4 classroom walls...

The defining moment for me was 2 years ago, after moderating the 5th grade Spelling Bee for the first time, while the auditorium was bustling with claps and cheers, my assistant principal walked over to me and whispered in my ear, "You NEED to be an AP." I smiled ear to ear. It just felt right.

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I've always been very passionate about education and have felt schools can help develop so many important skills in young people. I have always had very positive experiences in school as a student and have felt inspired by my classmates and have felt the support of my teachers and other adults in the building. It's very important to me that students receive consistently strong and rigorous education in which skills such as effective communication, problem solving, and critical thinking skills are always fostered. The main reason why I want to pursue educational leadership is because I want to help shape this kind of student experience on a broader scale. In the past nine years of teaching, I have worked under multiple administrations and I have seen the impact of working in a school that is run by fear vs a more collaborative environment. It's helped me understand the kind of environment I want to foster and be a part of in the future. It's very important that not only students feel empowered but also that teachers feel empowered and inspired by the everyday work they do. This journey has made me think about so many aspects, such as the importance of having a shared mission and vision, having coherence, developing a positive school culture, and ultimately making every decision that will increase student outcomes. There wasn't a specific defining moment that shifted my direction; I always knew I wanted to be an administrator when I started teaching.

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I have always enjoyed teaching and supporting other educators. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work in different schools, and I’ve seen firsthand how powerful the role of an administrator can be in shaping the entire school environment. Effective administrators have a significant impact on teacher development, school culture, and ultimately, student learning. A strong administrator has the ability to transform a school for the better, and I’ve witnessed the opposite as well—how poor leadership can take a thriving school and lead it in the wrong direction.

These experiences, combined with my passion for coaching and supporting fellow teachers, were key reasons I decided to pursue a career in administration. I was also greatly encouraged by my own administrators, who helped me recognize the potential of this path and supported me in making the decision.

My journey hasn’t been without its challenges. There are aspects of the job that I absolutely love, and there are others I could do without. However, I’ve learned that it’s impossible to please everyone. The key is to do your best, lead with knowledge, and add a bit of heart. I’ve come to realize that even small actions can make a big difference in a school community.

Through this experience, my appreciation for leadership has grown immensely. I now understand just how difficult—and thankless—the role can be. The moment I truly realized that I enjoy this work was when I saw the projects I was involved in start to make a noticeable, positive difference in the school. That’s when it all clicked for me.

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My spark to study educational leadership came from my desire to help other psychologists, like myself, navigate the nuances of supported students with educational disabilities. Challenges I have faced include working with administrators who do not understand special education or working with parents who are in denial about their child's needs. The journey in this program has changed my view on leadership, because I see how systems impact how a leader operates. Nevertheless, we must strive as leaders to do the best we can within systems to meet the needs of all students.

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My Educational Journey

What sparked your passion for Educational Leadership?

I was drawn to this program because of my interest in supporting a sustainable leadership model in my current setting, an alternative high school in Brooklyn.

What sparked your passion for Educational Leadership?
🚀 What challenges have shaped your path?

My first year of teaching was the 2019-2020 school year, and having to navigate the switch to remote in my first year was challenging but I learned a lot about what accessibility looks like under different contexts.
🔄 How has this journey changed your view on leadership?

I understand leadership in a different way. Leadership is collaborative, and is as much
🌟 Was there a defining moment that shifted your direction?

There have been many different moments in my career that have expanded my understanding of what good leadership looks like in a community school context. -Alis

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My passion for educational leadership stems from a deep commitment to ensuring that students, particularly those from marginalized communities, are not limited by their circumstances. I want to create opportunities for students to be exposed to diverse experiences in music, arts, theater, sports, engineering, and beyond, helping them realize their full potential.

Having taught in both charter and public schools, I have gained firsthand insight into the varying academic and administrative structures. Seeing the disparities in student experiences and the ways leadership impacts learning environments has reinforced my desire to be part of the decision-making process that drives positive change.

This journey has led me to reflect deeply on the challenges of implementing meaningful change. I often consider whether I would be able to make necessary improvements without resistance, but I remain committed to advocating for what’s best for students and educators alike.

There wasn’t one specific moment, but rather an ongoing realization that I want to be actively involved in shaping educational policies and practices. My goal is to help ensure that all students receive a high-quality education that prepares them for success beyond the classroom.

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Mini Blog- My Educational Journey

I really love to make things better. I've been highly involved in bettering my work places: Gymnastics clubs, summer camps, alternative pre-k programs, middle schools, and finally... my current newcomer high school. I see problems but I also see solutions and I want to work together to improve things.

The system of education is incredibly frustrating and the hoops and bureaucratic nonsense we need to jump through in order to help any student is nauseating. I feel so strongly about helping students but constantly feel frustrated by the inability to actually get to the helping part. I believe that knowing the ins and outs of leadership and the law of the state, city, and Department of Education, will empower me to help students quickly... or at least faster than they are being helped now.

The defining moment for me was needing to increase my salary to make a living wage. However, I have always thought about leading. I want to be the good one after being at the help of so many "bad ones." I want to include all voices in decision-making. I want to ensure the most vulnerable are empowered to share their voices and that their voices are heard.

Leadership is harder than we think it is. My wife has been principal and I've seen the difficulties she's faced and the issues she's been blamed for (everything). Despite this, I want to lead because if it has to be someone, it might as well be me.

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Mini Blog - My Educational Journey