Her Story
About Cameo
From early on as an educator, I felt called to continue growing and stretching myself as both a teacher and a leader. I began my career as an elementary teacher and spent 16 years in the classroom, primarily in first and third grade. In my classroom, it was always essential that students felt seen, valued, and experienced a genuine sense of belonging. As an aspiring leader, I intentionally sought opportunities to work alongside school leaders for more than 10 years—learning from them, refining my practice, and steadily building my leadership capacity.
Stepping into the principal role allowed me to have a broader impact on students and staff. I focus on creating environments where students feel safe, supported, and valued, while building a school culture rooted in belonging, equity, and strong, sustainable systems.
I lead with love, and that is reflected in how I support my school community. When the school community feels trusted, valued, and genuinely enjoys coming to school, they invest more deeply in the vision and mission of the school—and in each other. Modeling the culture you want to see is one of the most powerful leadership tools I have. My days are grounded in relationship-building with both students and teachers, while also managing school operations, supporting instructional growth, ensuring curriculum alignment, and maintaining high expectations.
As one of only two African American female principals in my district, representation deeply matters to me. I believe students cannot aspire to what they do not see, and I carry that responsibility with both pride and purpose.
I am currently pursuing my doctorate in Leadership, Equity, and Inquiry because my goal extends beyond my own leadership role. I am committed to building systems and developing leaders who will continue to create inclusive, equitable spaces where both students and educators can grow to their fullest potential.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Cameo
01What do you attribute your success to?
I have really strong values that guide me. I’m a Christian woman, and my faith shapes how I lead and live every day. I was fortunate to have incredible grandparents who supported me and believed in me from a very young age. My grandpa, in particular, held a high standard for education, and that truly set the bar for me—helping me understand early on the privilege of learning and that I could go as far as I wanted with excellence.
Throughout my life, I’ve been lifted by so many people—people who stepped up when I needed it and never counted me out, even when my circumstances didn’t make success seem likely. Those are the same people cheering me on now. I know firsthand that you never really know what a child is carrying or the struggles they face. I was that child. That’s one of the reasons I’m so intentional about leading from a place of love and care, making sure that I’m a champion for every kid. When you realize your life story could've been different, you approach everything with gratitude, and that perspective guides how I lead and live each day.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I ever got is: when you get an opportunity, make sure to bring someone else along with you. Leadership isn’t just about your success—it’s about creating space for others to grow and be seen.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don’t shrink yourself. Bring all of who you are to the table—your ideas, your voice, your perspective. Lead boldly, even when it feels uncomfortable. Make sure people see you, hear you, and know your worth. Surround yourself with people who lift you up, advocate for yourself, and never doubt that your presence and leadership matter.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think one of the biggest challenges in education right now is burnout. The work has changed so much—there’s more on teachers’ plates, the demands are heavier, and the students’ needs are different. It’s a hard job, and there aren’t enough people entering the field, which makes retaining strong educators even more critical. That’s why leadership matters so much. A strong, supportive leader can make a difference in whether teachers stay, thrive, and even inspire others to join the profession.
At the same time, there’s a huge opportunity here. We have the chance to rethink how we support educators, build stronger school cultures, and create systems where both teachers and students can truly thrive. When we get it right, we’re not just helping individuals succeed—we’re strengthening the whole community and shaping the future.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me in both my work and personal life are faith, integrity, compassion, connection, intentionality, and collaboration. My faith is at the center of everything I do, giving me perspective and grounding. I strive to lead and live with integrity, to approach people and situations with compassion, and to build genuine connections with those around me. I’m intentional in my actions and decisions, and I value collaboration because I believe we accomplish more when we work together and lift each other up.
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