The Core Message

Leadership isn’t a title. It's not a destination that you reach and can then sit, comfortable and stagnant, resting on your laurels; it is a continuous, often challenging ascent. Throughout my career as an educator, administrator, and school district superintendent, I have learned that the truest measure of a leader is not how they command others from the peak, but how they communicate and relate to others...how they guide others through the rugged terrain of growth, transition, and unexpected change. It's about the people and their journey of growth!

I founded Keep Climbing LLC because I believe that leadership matters and that people matter. I have a passion to equip leaders, teams, and organizations with the foundational skills, systems thinking, and intentional communication strategies required to navigate complex organizational landscapes and achieve sustainable growth.

My Journey: Grounded in Experience

My approach to leadership development isn't theoretical—it was forged in the trenches of public education over a thirty-year career.

Base Camp (1996–2010): I began my journey as a substitute teacher while working on my Bachelor's degree and raising a family. I entered the classroom as a high school mathematics teacher in 2000, working in two different districts during this span of time. This is where I mastered the art of breaking down complex, intimidating concepts into clear, actionable steps and truly realized the foundational power of effective communication and emotional intelligence.

The Ascent (2010–2019): Moving into organizational leadership, I served in various roles and in two districts: High School Vice Principal, Career & Technical Education Director, and Elementary School Principal. I focused on building systems to address the needs of our high poverty area and rising student needs (academic, emotional and behavioral), mentoring emerging leaders, and alignment across diverse teams and throughout our larger community.

The View From the Summit (2019–2026): I began my Superintendency in July 2019, in the midst of a district reorganization due to the closing of our last elementary school, caused by budget constraints in our community. During that short 10-week summer break, renovations were made to turn a building, originally built as a high school, into our "new" elementary school. Almost every classroom in our district shifted and moved to a new location. Our community was just catching our breath and settling in from this major transition when the pandemic hit. During my tenure, I have navigated leading through change, leading through crisis, high-stakes decision-making, building collaborative relationships with other community leaders and organizations, executing critical stakeholder communications, managing an influx of relief funds and the related building projects, negotiating bargaining agreements with three unions (three times) and large-scale strategic planning. Yet, as challenging as this was, it paled in comparison to the personal loss experienced with the sudden and unexpected death of my husband of 35 years in February 2021. Leading through crisis while also experiencing a personal crisis...a leader's worst nightmare...and one you can't get through without an effective and supportive leadership team around you. You could say that I've climbed a few mountains, and I suspect the same could be said of most leaders that survive in the role long enough. If you are a leader looking for strategies to overcome obstacles, I certainly have some experiences, both successes and failures, to draw from. The key: GROW through what you go through.

Recharged & Prepared for the Next Mountain (current): The depth of my operational background means I understand the unique pressures you face. I know what it looks like when communication breaks down, when strategic momentum stalls, and precisely what it takes to get a team moving forward in alignment again. I know what resiliency does, and does NOT, look like. I know how important it is to develop a forward-thinking, effective leadership team to support both you, and your organization's goals. I am excited to share what I've learned and to support others in their professional growth. 

Accreditations & Honors

Advanced Degrees in Education

Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics Education

Master's Degree in Educational Leadership

Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership

Maxwell Leadership Team Member – Utilizing globally recognized, gold-standard frameworks for executive training, coaching, and speaking.

The Disney American Teacher Award (Nominee) – Recognized on a national level for excellence, creativity, and outstanding success in the classroom during my tenure as a mathematics educator.

The Sylvia Evans Citizenship Award – Honored for leadership, deep community devotion, and impactful service to local families and area organizations.