“I’ve always known that education was my calling. Even as a child, I was teaching with dolls and playing school with my cousins. But it wasn't until I was in college that I reflected on the educators who had the most profound impact on me—it was my teachers. They shaped my life, and I knew I had to follow in their footsteps.

Education is the most rewarding field you can enter. It’s not just about teaching—it’s about shaping futures, creating opportunities, and making an impact that lasts a lifetime.

As a principal, the work can get overwhelming with logistics and responsibilities. But whenever I feel that stress, I walk through the halls, visit classrooms, and spend time with the kids. Seeing their faces light up when I work with them reminds me why I do this—it’s all about them. They’re my grounding force.

Leading by example is at the heart of my philosophy. One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received is, 'never stop being a teacher.' Even as a principal, I continue to teach—not just to the students, but to the adults in our community. It’s about creating a learning environment for everyone, where growth and development never stop.

When it comes to building a school culture, I truly believe in the importance of creating a sense of belonging. At our school, we strive to be mirrors and windows into the kids’ lives—offering them spaces to share their thoughts and feelings and giving teachers the opportunity to check in with them. This constant exchange helps us maintain a community where everyone feels seen and heard.

Success looks like our scholars actually being able to achieve. And while people might need different resources to get that, our responsibility is to remove any barriers that scholars might have [in their way]. We are really intentional about making learning engaging and relevant for our students.

At the end of the day, it’s all about giving our kids boundless possibilities. We don’t want them to feel limited by the paths we once had; we want them to make informed choices about their futures. It’s important for me to instill in them the belief that they can achieve whatever they set their minds to. If we equip them with the right tools and resources at the right time, they will soar.”

-Shenequa LaGuerre