Category: Leadership

  • The Road Didn’t Change

    The Road Didn’t Change

    Lasting improvement in schools isn’t about making better plans. It’s about seeing more clearly. By uncovering the hidden signposts, leaders can replicate the bright spots and avoid the pitfalls of the past.

  • A Hand to Hold

    A Hand to Hold

    This afternoon, my grandson reached for my hand during our walk. Somewhere along the way, I found a leadership lesson I wasn’t looking for.

  • Let’s Talk Accountability

    Let’s Talk Accountability

    Accountability isn’t just about punishment; it’s about encouragement and support. By using systems and routines, you can create a safe space for honest conversations and progress tracking.

  • Trusting the Pilot

    Trusting the Pilot

    These are my people. My daughters, my son-in-laws, and my grandchildren. They are my heart walking around outside my body. Looking at this picture reminds me that before the memories were made, I trusted a complete stranger to get us there safely. That thought sparked a lesson on leadership I wasn’t expecting.

  • The Leaders Who Stop

    The Leaders Who Stop

    Traffic stopped. Not for an accident, but for a turtle. And, I found the leadership lesson in it. Perhaps you will too. More reflections like this in Late-Lee, available on Amazon.

  • Late-Lee is finally here.

    Late-Lee is finally here.

    What started as reflections and stories written from the heart has become a real book I now get to share with others. I’m grateful, humbled, excited, and honestly a little emotional. Thank you to everyone who encouraged me along the way. https://a.co/d/09mO7sf4

  • What the Tide Leaves Behind

    What the Tide Leaves Behind

    As the school year winds down and the temperatures rise, the beach becomes a sanctuary of relaxation and reflection. I find solace in watching families set up their spaces, each with their own unique routines and stories. This time of year is a reminder of the beauty in change and the importance of cherishing the…

  • The Connection

    The Connection

    In a world where people often become numb and pass one another by, it’s refreshing to remember the importance of human connection. Children, with their innate ability to truly see others, remind us of this crucial aspect of life. Educators, in particular, play a vital role in fostering this connection, reminding us that people matter…

  • Getting the Boil Just Right

    Getting the Boil Just Right

    At the Crawfish Festival, the perfect boil is all about balancing the seasoning and heat, just like effective leadership requires understanding and adapting to the needs of the team.

  • When the Work Is Done, Love Them Well

    When the Work Is Done, Love Them Well

    This time of year is a pivotal moment for schools. With only a few days left, it’s crucial to make the most of the remaining time. By shifting the focus from recovery to preparation, we can ensure that our students enter the testing window with confidence and determination.

  • Before the Bloom

    Before the Bloom

    Spring is a reminder that change is possible, even when it seems daunting. Just as a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly, we can overcome challenges and emerge stronger and more resilient. Let’s celebrate this season of renewal and hope, and continue to nurture the growth of our students and our community.

  • Spring Cleaning the Leadership Closet

    Spring Cleaning the Leadership Closet

    Spring cleaning my closet taught me something about leadership. By turning every hanger backward and examining my wardrobe, I discovered clothes I rarely wore, just like outdated leadership practices that we keep on autopilot.

  • The Noise We Don’t Notice

    The Noise We Don’t Notice

    A sugar detox isn’t just about cutting sweets; it’s about recalibrating your life. From sneaky Oreo wrappers to newfound mindfulness, this journey reminded me that true leadership involves embracing change and finding strength in vulnerability.

  • The Fourth Leaf

    The Fourth Leaf

    Finding a four-leaf clover is a reminder to look closely. Leadership is about doing the same, uncovering hidden strengths and opportunities in the face of adversity.

  • Lemon Meringue and Leadership

    Lemon Meringue and Leadership

    When people celebrate Pi Day, my mind drifts to my mother’s kitchen, where the aroma of lemon meringue pie created a sensory feast. Baking that pie taught me a lesson in leadership: just as Pi’s ratio stays true, effective leadership demands balance, attention, and adjustments.

  • The Middle Miles

    The Middle Miles

    March reveals the true impact of perseverance. Kindergarten teachers, like marathon runners, plan meticulously, teaching routines until they become second nature. By March, their classroom culture shines, showing the power of persistence.

  • Grace for Leaders Who Are Still Learning

    Grace for Leaders Who Are Still Learning

    Leadership isn’t about perfection; it’s a journey of growth through reflection and grace. Mistakes are opportunities for learning, not failures.

  • Data is a Form of Care

    Data is a Form of Care

    Looking closely at student data isn’t about compliance. It’s about care. This post reflects on how honest data conversations, strong systems, and intentional follow-through are acts of leadership love.

  • Love Is a Leadership Decision

    Love Is a Leadership Decision

    Love in leadership is a daily decision. This reflective post explores intentional care, accountability, and the small choices that shape strong school cultures.

  • Leading with Love

    Leading with Love

    February has a way of showing up differently. In schools, the shift is easy to spot. Hallways take on softer colors. Paper hearts line the walls. Student work is framed by smiling faces with accordion arms and legs, each labeled proudly. Valentine’s bags sit beneath desks, carefully guarded, waiting for the moment somebody shares one.…