It wasn’t until I became a mom that I decided to go into teaching. For 7 years, I worked in manufacturing, but there was something about becoming a parent that compelled me to want to make a difference in children’s lives, even beyond my own family. And so I became a teaching assistant until I earned my degree, and then spent 12 years in the classroom. During those years, I learned a lot about what creates a stimulating learning environment. I’m sure that I did a lot of things wrong at first, but I gained insights that have been invaluable in helping me become an effective administrator today...