Ellisha Newton, M.Ed.

I attribute my success to relationships and the SING (S-I-N-G) framework I developed for students, which also guides my own approach to growth and impact. With a background in music education and a strong commitment to integrating the arts, I’ve learned to connect people and ideas in meaningful ways. During my time as a district instructional coordinator across five campuses, I earned the reputation of an “educator whisperer” because I could help leaders, teachers, and coaches see their alignment despite differences in perspective or context. That experience strengthened my ability to see the bigger picture in any setting, and it reinforced my belief that relationships are the foundation of clarity, collaboration, and success in every area of life.

One of the best pieces of career advice I received was from my professors, who encouraged me to pursue regular education rather than music teaching at a time when music positions were being cut. While it was difficult to hear, their guidance helped me think more strategically about long-term stability and opportunity, and it ultimately broadened my path in education and allowed me to make a greater impact across multiple disciplines.

I would advise young women entering this field to prioritize self-care and intentionally build strong relationships and professional networks. Creating a solid support system is essential, because it allows you to sustain your ability to serve others effectively over the long term. When you take care of yourself and surround yourself with the right people, you are better equipped to grow, lead, and make a meaningful impact.

One of the biggest challenges—and opportunities—in education right now is bridging the gap between the high-level critical thinking skills students are expected to demonstrate and the real-world practice needed to develop them. Too often, students are asked to think deeply without enough hands-on, applied learning experiences to build those skills, which is what led me to create the Gamified Edition as an extension of project-based and problem-based learning. At the same time, educators are still addressing significant learning recovery needs, including both the “summer slide” and the ongoing impact of the COVID slide, which has left gaps not only in academic skills but also in emotional processing and engagement. This moment presents an opportunity to reimagine instruction in ways that are more experiential, supportive, and responsive to both student learning and well-being.

The most important value in my work and personal life is self-care, which I intentionally center in everything I do because I believe you cannot effectively pour into others if you are not first taking care of yourself. I integrate this mindset into my professional development sessions, courses, and daily life through consistent practices such as reading scripture, singing, and spending time in nature, and I reinforce it through my involvement with GirlTrek, which emphasizes wellness and community care. Alongside self-care, I deeply value family and relationships, and I actively support my mother-in-law and her sister in their daily needs. Ultimately, I believe strong relationships and intentional self-care are essential to sustaining well-being and building healthier, more connected communities.