Get the tools, skills, and strategies you need to be the leader you want to be.
Next cohort begins January 2027
You don’t have to carry it all.
North Star Group Coaching is a 12-week small group for principals and school leaders, at any stage, who are carrying it all and ready to stop doing it alone.
Hi, I’m Darlene.
When I became a principal, I thought the more I did, the better I was. I said yes to everything, and I made most of those heavy decisions by myself. It wasn’t sustainable. What changed everything was learning to bring other people into the decisions and the ownership.
After more than 30 years in education and 10 years coaching school leaders, that’s what I help principals do now, so you don’t have to carry it all alone.
Lead with Clarity. Connect with Purpose. Live with Balance.
Leading in education today isn’t easy. It’s complex, fast-moving, and—at times—lonely. You’re expected to support your team, manage competing priorities, and make sound decisions, all while maintaining your own sense of balance and fulfillment.
The North Star Network (NSN) was created for leaders like you — passionate, purpose-driven educators who want to lead with confidence and connection without losing themselves in the process.
Services
Darlene’s invaluable coaching is a tremendous asset.
Darlene has served as my educational leadership coach for over a year at San Gabriel Unified School District. Darlene’s invaluable coaching is a tremendous asset to me as she provides invaluable guidance and ideas to help me design and promote my professional goals, district initiatives, team building and positive school culture. Darlene is approachable and willing to discuss all educational topics. I continue to learn from Darlene and appreciate how she shares her vast knowledge and professional experiences with me.
– Sandra Alley, Principal
Darlene’s experience and knowledge in educational leadership have taken me to the next level of my principalship.
Her coaching has allowed me to build leadership capacity and strengthen administrator-teacher relationships.
– Tuoi Nguyen, Elementary
Darlene possesses the ability to convey messages of great complexity in a clear, succinct, but nuanced manner that has proven invaluable.
A sample of exemplary advice is, “Foremost address matters of compliance, so that time can be devoted to what you are most passionate about.
– Muhammad Abul_Qawi, Principal, Continuation High School
What’s Yours to Carry?
A Checklist for Overloaded Principals
This checklist will help you figure out which is which. It takes about 15 minutes. Do it honestly, and you’ll walk away knowing exactly where to start.