Hi, I’m Darlene!
I coach principals who are carrying it all.
When I became a principal, I thought the more I did, the better I was. The more I took on, the more people would appreciate it. I said yes to everything. I stayed late, I took it home, I thought about it all weekend. And I found that it was not sustainable. Honestly, it nearly burned me out.
What changed everything was learning to bring other people into the work. Into the decisions, into the ownership, into the problem-solving. I didn’t have to have every answer. I needed to ask better questions.
That’s what I help principals do now.
Who I work with…
Most of the principals I coach are in their first few years. They got the job because they were great teachers. Then they showed up and found themselves making hundreds of heavy decisions a day, mostly by themselves.
It’s lonely at the top. You used to have a team of colleagues down the hall. Now you’re the one everyone comes to. So you say yes to your staff, yes to your parents, yes to your district, and you feel guilty anyway, because it never feels like enough.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. I’ve been there, and I’ve worked with many, many leaders who are right there now.
How I work…
Together we figure out what’s yours to carry and what isn’t. You learn to set expectations you can sustain, hand off what belongs to others, and build real ownership on your team.
I’ll ask you hard questions, and I’ll hold you accountable. I’ll also understand, because I’ve been in that chair, and I care about getting this right.
This works best for principals who are ready to be honest about what isn’t working, including their own part in it. If you’re looking for someone to tell you you’re doing everything right, I’m probably not your coach.
BUT If you’re tired of carrying it all and willing to look at why, let’s talk!
Your school needs you for the long run. So do your students.
A little bit more about me…
I spent more than 30 years in education, including as a principal and an Assistant Superintendent, and I’ve been coaching school leaders for 10 years. I hold certifications in Cognitive Coaching, Evocative Coaching, and Adaptive Schools, and I’ve completed Systemic Team Coaching training with Peter Hawkins.
