Amy Klaber

Amy attributes much of her success to the strong mentorship she received early in her career. As a quiet student, her high school band director recognized leadership potential in her and encouraged her to serve as drum major, while also guiding her toward a career in music education. That early encouragement sparked a pattern that would continue throughout her professional journey—mentors and colleagues recognizing leadership strengths and encouraging her to step into new opportunities.

While pursuing her master’s degree, her principal encouraged her to become a curriculum resource teacher at a time when she was unsure whether leadership was the right path. That opportunity became seven years of professional growth, allowing her to deepen her expertise in instructional leadership and curriculum development.

Her selection by the State of Florida for the Florida Turnaround Leaders Program further shaped her leadership approach, providing specialized training in leading schools through complex change.

These experiences have shaped Amy’s belief that leadership is not simply about seeking positions, but about remaining open to opportunities to serve, grow, and make an impact. She approaches her work with a commitment to continuous learning and reflection, believing that effective leaders must challenge their own thinking, remain curious, and continually strive to grow alongside the educators and students they serve.

The most valuable career advice I received came from early mentors who encouraged me to step into roles I had not yet imagined for myself. As a quiet student, my high school band director encouraged me to pursue music education, setting me on the path that would shape my career. Years later, while I was pursuing my master’s degree, my principal encouraged me to become a curriculum resource teacher at a time when I questioned whether leadership was the right direction. Her confidence in my potential challenged me to see possibilities in myself that I had not yet fully recognized.

Those experiences taught me an important lesson: sometimes others recognize your strengths before you do. Throughout my career, colleagues and mentors have continued to encourage me to pursue opportunities that initially felt beyond my reach. I learned that when someone you respect invites you to take on a challenge you are unsure you can meet, it is often because they see potential worth trusting.

Saying yes to those opportunities has not always been comfortable, but that willingness to trust the belief others have in you—and to step forward even when the path feels uncertain—has been transformative in both my professional growth and my leadership journey.

Know your boundaries, but don’t be afraid to challenge yourself and say yes to opportunities that push you beyond your comfort zone. Earlier in my career, I worked with Cornell Cooperative Extension in New York, where I developed and led a program for middle school girls who were struggling with relationships and decision-making. Through week-long camp experiences in a wooded setting, we focused on helping young women discover their strengths, build self-esteem, and understand their self-worth.

That experience reinforced an important lesson: growth often happens when we step just beyond what feels comfortable. Healthy boundaries are essential, but so is the willingness to take on challenges that stretch your abilities.

Throughout my career, mentors and colleagues have encouraged me to pursue leadership opportunities at times when I did not yet see that potential in myself. Learning to say yes to those challenges—despite the uncertainty—has been one of the most important factors in my professional growth. Often, when someone asks you to take on a responsibility you’re unsure you can handle, it’s because they see strengths in you that are worth trusting.

Amy identifies the increasing complexity of educational leadership, educator burnout, and the expanding expectations placed on schools as some of the most significant challenges in the field today. At the same time, she sees meaningful opportunities to strengthen leadership development, invest in school turnaround efforts, and more intentionally align educators with roles that match their strengths and passions.

She believes the growing emphasis on student access, community partnerships, and leadership pipelines creates powerful opportunities to shape the future of education. By developing strong leaders and building systems that support both educators and students, schools can respond to today’s challenges while creating more sustainable and effective learning environments.

One of the values that guides both my professional and personal life is helping people find where their passions and strengths can make the greatest impact. Whether it’s students pursuing their goals, parents advocating for their children, or educators who are passionate about teaching or leading programs, I believe that when people are placed in roles where they feel purpose and connection, they thrive—and the entire community benefits.

I also place a high value on continuous learning and growth. Effective leadership requires curiosity, reflection, and a willingness to challenge your own thinking. If I ever reach a point where I’m no longer learning, growing, or improving the systems around me, then I know it’s time to reassess. Growth—both personal and professional—has to remain a constant.

In my personal life, family is my top priority. I value the time I can unplug and spend with them. We live near downtown Winter Garden and enjoy simple moments together—bike rides along the nearby trail, lunch downtown, visits to the farmers market, and occasional trips to Disney. Those experiences provide balance and help keep me grounded in the work I do each day.