Fayth Jenkins

I attribute my success to my willingness to learn from failure. While mistakes and setbacks are never easy, I’ve learned not to dwell on them but instead use them as opportunities to grow. Each experience where things didn’t go as planned helped me build resilience, seek out mentors and support, and become resourceful in finding solutions. Over time, I’ve learned that success comes not from avoiding failure, but from how effectively I respond to it and move forward.

The best career advice I’ve ever received was from a principal early in my elementary teaching career who told me, “You cannot exist on an island.” At the time, I didn’t like hearing it because I preferred staying in my classroom bubble where I felt comfortable and in control. However, she challenged me to step outside of that space, build relationships, and engage with others instead of isolating myself in my work. Over time, I came to understand the value of collaboration and connection, and as a school leader, I now see how essential it is to stay engaged with people rather than retreat into isolation, especially when things feel overwhelming.

My advice to young women entering my industry is to be very intentional about the path you’re choosing and realistic about the challenges, especially around representation in leadership. Don’t come in trying to fit into someone else’s legacy—define your own. I encourage people to look for problems that need solving, challenge “we’ve always done it this way” thinking, and find the right collaborators to help create meaningful change. Real impact comes from bringing your own perspective and being willing to do things differently.

The biggest challenges in my field include ongoing under-resourcing, budget constraints, and the continued underrepresentation of women—particularly women of color—in leadership roles. These factors can limit both innovation and equitable access to opportunities across the system. At the same time, there are significant opportunities to create meaningful change through stronger community partnerships, targeted support for underserved students, and focused initiatives such as strengthening math education pathways, which can expand access, improve outcomes, and increase visibility for future leaders.

Integrity is one of my core values, and it’s something I consistently model in both my work and personal life—doing the right thing even when no one is watching. Respect is equally important to me; while I value being respected, I place even greater emphasis on consistently showing respect to others, even in difficult situations. Excellence is another guiding principle—I believe in doing things with intention and care, because nothing should be done halfway. For me, excellence comes from attention to detail, accountability, and the discipline to give my best effort in everything I do.