Exactly three years ago, on March 15th, LaRue and I decided to open our own leadership academy for girls. At the time, I believed I had the knowledge and skills to lead a school, but looking back, I now realize how much I had yet to learn. My time at the helm of Coastside Leadership Academy has been one of growth, challenge, and discovery about myself as an educator and leader. As we celebrate Founder’s Day, I am reflecting on the invaluable leadership lessons I have learned along the way.

Leading CLA has required me to be extra confident in my decision-making skills. In my previous roles, I always had someone above me to turn to for support or to reinforce policies. But as President of the Board, the final say—and full responsibility—has rested with me. At first, stepping into this role felt new and often intimidating, but over time, I learned to trust myself and my intuition. It was like learning to navigate without a map—at first, I was hesitant and unsure of the right path. But with each decision, I became more self-assured, trusting my inner compass to guide me in making thoughtful, heart-centered choices.

As President, I have learned time and time again how crucial it is to have support while leading. Working closely with high school students often brought out my own teenage self—something I imagine other leaders working with specific age groups may also experience. There were many moments when I had to pause and ask myself, “Why am I reacting this way?” More often than not, it was because teenage Claire needed attention. With the help of my therapist and support team, I learned to recognize when my own adolescent emotions were surfacing and to separate them from my role as an administrator. This process required deep self-reflection and inner child work, leading to personal realizations. While I never expected healing to be part of my leadership journey, it has been an invaluable gift I have given myself.

In college, my coach encouraged me to “control the controllable” during the game and not focus on things beyond my control. In softball terms, I could control my preparation and mindset, but I could not control the weather, field conditions, or the umpire’s calls. I felt like I had mastered “controlling the controllable” on the softball field back then, but leading CLA has taken this to a new level. In a school setting, there are many things I cannot control, no matter how much I plan, create protocols, or communicate my expectations. This was uncomfortable at first, and I had to learn to let go of the things beyond my control.

Mel Robbins’ book The Let Them Theory helped me with this, and I highly recommend it to all types of leaders. Robbins discusses how much time people waste trying to control others’ actions and reactions when, in reality, the only person we can control is ourselves. By using the phrase “let them,” we release this need for control and, in turn, empower ourselves to say “let me.” This powerful shift allows us to focus on what aligns with our own goals and values. Every morning, I remind myself to say, “let them do them” and “let me do me,” and this reframe in perspective has helped me feel more at peace.

Leading Coastside Leadership Academy has been a life-changing journey of growth, self-discovery, and resilience. Through building confidence, developing self-awareness, and embracing the challenges of leadership, I have become a leader beyond what I could have imagined in 2022. The path has not always been easy, but every lesson has shaped me in ways I never expected. It has been an honor to lead CLA, and I am deeply grateful for the experiences, the growth, and the opportunity to celebrate Founder’s Day as a community one last time.