Leadership comes in many forms and the incumbent power that accompanies a leadership role is something that must be acknowledged and addressed.

Lisa Nelson is a former teacher and principal in New York City and is currently a CFES Program Director.

As a school principal, I was by definition a leader. Leadership comes in many forms and the incumbent power that accompanies a leadership role is something that must be acknowledged and addressed. As a school leader, I worked to engage all of the constituents in my school’s community – teachers, staff, students, and families. Although I knew that I had tremendous power, I wanted those who worked for me and with me to also feel empowered. I worked to give all members of our school’s community voice and to engage them in identifying and articulating challenges while simultaneously searching for productive solutions. For me, leadership and teamwork were intertwined. As long as we all worked together for what was best for the students and the school, the path was clear.

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