Meet Beth
Choosing the best character on the West Wing is a fool’s errand--who could pick between Josh… CJ… President Bartlet… ??! It’s impossible to pick. I know this, because in the past my eyes would bolt open at 2:43 a.m., thanks to the pressure and responsibility sitting on my shoulders. I wouldn’t be able to fall asleep and so West Wing it was.
I spent those late nights wondering, pondering, agonizing over how to make sure my school and organization could make the impact I knew was possible-–but navigating within systems that don’t always want to change–and in fact, welcome the status quo. It wasn’t until years later that I realized this was something felt by so many people in leadership positions across all kinds of organizations. In fact… there’s a good chance you’re feeling the very same thing now.
I’ve felt that way a lot–when I led the Teach For America Institute, when I founded and ran an independent charter school network on the far South Side of Chicago, or when I was facilitating instructional professional development for hundreds of teachers at KIPP. Like Hamilton, I like to be in the room where it happens, and I also know and deeply feel the realities of that room–the path forward is often murky, the trade-offs and choices can be daunting and the moral imperative of the work makes the stakes even higher.
It can be energizing, isolating, inspiring, lonely–all of the things, all at once. The highs are high and the lows are low; there are days when you think, “How can I do anything else?” and days when you think, “How can I do this for one more day?”
I’ve had my own highs: winning a national award for excellence in teaching… founding and leading a whole dang school, Chicago Collegiate–which has the highest-rated open enrollment high school on Chicago’s South Side, 100% college acceptance for all seniors, and had the highest math and reading growth of all 100+ charter schools in the city of Chicago after only two years of existence.*
I’ve been low too—plenty of times. Toxic staff actions that infected the team and caused a massive downward spiral… academic results that fell far short of our goals… leading through times of crisis and upheaval… running on fumes for resources all the while trying to find a way…
Why did I keep on keeping on?
Because 100% of all Collegiate seniors are accepted to at least two colleges. My school equipped students with options to be first-generation college graduates.
Because the first-year teachers I led in the KIPP Gaston College Prep Rookie Academy wayyyy back in the day continue to amaze me: 50% are or have been school leaders, 38% are or have been systems level leaders and 28% are master teachers to this day more than fifteen years later–all this in a profession where 60% of teachers leave in their first five years.
Because I dug into do the work to diversify the leadership and teaching teams at my school: leadership went from 50% BIPOC to 88% BIPOC; teachers from ~14%—~70%. Our school transformed in many ways and I kvell just thinking about it.
Maybe you’re keeping on for similar reasons. Maybe you know this is where you want to be; it’s just not the way you want to keep doing things. Maybe you know how important the work is, and you see the potential to make a much-needed difference in your corner of the world.
This is why I became a leadership consultant and coach: because I want to help you keep your why and create your own way (a new way, one that hopefully doesn’t include 3 a.m. Netflix binges). This is hard work, and it’s important work, and leaders need and deserve help too.
*If you came to this page looking for the full list of accolades, you can check out my LinkedIn here.
My Values
Radical Candor
I care AND challenge, sincerely asking about your personal life, *and* saying what needs to be said to move you towards your goals. Look, I’m from the Midwest–I had to really work to develop my muscle to be direct and speak the unfiltered truth. Now that I can do that on the regular, I’m never going back–because we all need and deserve that from each other.
Justice
I care about what’s right and that fuels me. I learn, reflect, think and consider my role in this world as a cis-gendered white woman, and how I can actively bend the arc of the moral universe towards justice (to paraphrase Dr. King).
Equity
My three children can vouch for the fact that I’m always saying “fair is not always equal”--and this for sure shows up in my work. Considering how different individuals and groups of people experience the world and designing solutions around that is key to ensuring equity. It’s uphill work in this world—and incredibly important and motivating.
Love
That Rent song had it right: “Measure your life in love.” That’s what I try to do–and tap into the love I have for leading, people, growth and learning, and using that love to shape this world for the better.
Joy
Positivity is my #3 Clifton Gallup Strengths and it shows. I bring contagious enthusiasm and can get others excited. I laugh, smile and can find the good in any situation. (Like many people with Strengths, I thought everyone was this hyped about everything… but nope, that’s my Positivity.)
Reasons why it’s time for us to connect
You are serious about changing your situation–you truly really deeply do want a different reality and are willing to do the work with me to get there.
You are ready for an outside perspective to help you see the forest for trees–and welcome the perspective that brings and some real talk about how to navigate these challenges.
You are looking for a committed partner to help you get the outcomes you need–when I’m with you, I’m with you. I ride or die for my leaders.
You are ready to engage with radical candor, knowing that feedback will come with both care and challenge.
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“Beth’s energy, enthusiasm, unflappable optimism, and resilience in the face of challenge helped us to develop and implement multiple HR initiatives, including leadership and professional development programs as well as systems and processes.”
Shannon D., Chief Operating Officer