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 centered around an...

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 single moment, but it...

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 Whisper Became a...