The Blog

Just two weeks ago, I traded my south-eastern South Carolina sunshine for the energy of Manchester, UK — a city with industrial roots and a present-day heart for innovation, creativity, and excellent coffee  (yes, really! ☕). What began as a professional trip turned into one of the most invigorating leadership experiences of my career, and I’m excited to share what I learned, sipped , and brought home to our school community. Why Manchester? Why KED? Why Now? The trip centere

Last week, I stood on a stage at the CIE Academic Showcase and received the Pursuit of Excellence Award . I smiled. I said thank you. I felt deeply honored. But if I’m being honest, my mind didn’t go to the banner, the applause, or even the word excellence . It went back to the very beginning. To folding chairs. To borrowed spaces. To unanswered questions. To grief. To courage that didn’t feel brave at the time...just necessary. This award may have been handed to me in a sing

Two Years In: What This Latte-Fueled Leadership Journey Has Taught Me Two years ago, I pressed “publish” on something that felt deeply personal and quietly brave. Leadership With a Latte wasn’t created to go viral. It wasn’t built on algorithms or aesthetics. It was born from real leadership moments...early mornings, hard conversations, grief, growth, and the steady courage it takes to lead with integrity when no one is watching. And today, it turns two. What Started as a Whi

There’s a quiet expectation placed on educational leaders that no one ever says out loud—but everyone seems to believe. That if you’re doing it “right,” you’ll have it all together. You’ll be calm. You’ll be confident. You’ll have answers. You’ll be steady, even when everything else feels like it’s spinning. And if you don’t? Well… maybe you just aren’t cut out for leadership. That’s the myth. And December has a way of exposing just how heavy that myth really is. The Myth

The Spark of the Trip This past month, I had the incredible opportunity to travel with the Charter Institute at Erskine School Leaders Cohort to vibrant New Orleans, Louisiana — a city where the scent of coffee and jazz isn’t the only thing stirring in the air. Education innovation is brewing here too. We visited four high-performing charter schools  in the New Orleans area, each breaking records in student proficiency and growth. From arts-integrated elementary campuses to a

There’s something sacred about the way a baseball field lights up under Friday night lights. Something powerful about a third grader's...

There’s something undeniably powerful about that first sip of cold brew on a hot summer morning—it’s bold, smooth, and energizing. And as...

In South Carolina, public charter schools have long stood in the gap, serving families who needed something different, something better,...

☕ A Leadership With a Latte Reflection from Washington, D.C. There are moments in leadership when you don’t just feel the weight of your...

There’s something almost sacred about the first sip of coffee in the morning — that pause, that inhale, that connection to the present...

"Don’t mistake compliance for commitment.” When I first heard that line at a leadership summit, I nearly choked on my latte. It hit me...

There’s something magical about sipping your morning coffee in a new city—the aroma of roasted beans mixed with the crisp Scandinavian...

It’s been a while since I’ve sat down to write a blog post. My coffee cup has been full—but not with my usual latte musings. Instead,...

Welcome back to Leadership With a Latte , where we explore the brew that fuels great leadership! Today’s topic is one that requires a...

Being a charter school leader in South Carolina is akin to operating a mini-school district. As a charter school principal, I face the...

Welcome back to Leadership With a Latte, where we delve into the realities of educational leadership with a cup of coffee in hand and a...

As we sip our morning lattes and prepare for another day of leading our schools, it’s important to recognize that the role of an...

Dear Educators, As we embark on this year’s Teacher Appreciation Week, I find myself reflecting on the profound impact that educators...

Hello there, education enthusiasts! Welcome back to Leadership With a Latte, where we infuse your morning (or afternoon!) with...

Dear Leaders, Grab your favorite latte, because today we're diving into the delicate art of balancing priorities as an educator and...