Influential Woman · Education

Elizabeth Cantrell

Talent Management Specialist, Huntsville City Schools

Huntsville, AL 35801

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Bachelor's degree from Athens State University (2007) Degree Master's degree in Educational Leadership from University of Alabama (2014) Member Alabama Educational Association (AEA) Member Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS)

Her Story

About Elizabeth

I have been in the education field for 19 years, and I am currently a Talent Management Specialist, a position I've held for a little over a year. My number one responsibility is recruiting high-quality educators, and my other main focus is mentoring and working with new educators. Before this role, I worked in local schools as a director, principal, and assistant principal. I've done a lot of things throughout my career. What I consider one of my strengths is that I have worked with every grade level from pre-K through 12th grade in some professional capacity, which is something that doesn't happen very often in the education world. Most of the time you're either at one grade level or another, but I've worked across the entire spectrum. What inspired me to get into this field is that I've always loved children and watching them grow and develop and be the very best that they can be. I've always cared about children's emotional and mental health, and I always felt like they need nurturers in their life.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Elizabeth

01What do you attribute your success to?

I think my willingness to try different things and not be scared to work in different grade levels or different schools or try new things is probably why I've been able to be pretty successful over the years. I haven't limited myself to one area or been afraid to step outside my comfort zone and take on new challenges across the education field.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

The best career advice I ever received was to believe in yourself, because if you don't believe in yourself, nobody will either. This has been a guiding principle throughout my career and has helped me take on new challenges and leadership roles with confidence.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

The advice I would give is to learn a work-life home balance from the beginning. Give it your all during the day, but when it's time to leave, leave. Don't burn yourself out too early. There's always more work to be done, so it's important to pace yourself and maintain that balance right from the start of your career.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

I think the biggest challenge is changing the stigma of what it is to be an educator. Educators and education have a bad rap, and one of the hardest things is to encourage people that it's okay to be an educator, to love what you do, and to love kids. It's a very valuable position and not something to be ashamed of. The benefits of being an educator may not come as outward awards and recognition, but the stories that happen behind closed doors and the way that you impact individual people, kids, and teachers is where the real value is. That's what it's all about.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

I value hard work and servant leadership. Giving back is very important to me, and I never expect my staff or employees to do something I wouldn't do myself. I believe in an all hands on deck approach at all times, doing what's best for kids at all times. If I wouldn't sweep the bathroom, then I wouldn't ask someone else to do it either. That's the kind of leadership I believe in.

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