Her Story
About Margaret
Margaret Schultz is an experienced educational leader with more than two decades of service in public education. She currently serves as an Assistant Principal with Ferndale Public Schools, where she focuses on supporting students, staff, and families through equity-centered leadership and instructional excellence. Throughout her 24-year career, Margaret has served as a high school mathematics teacher, school administrator, and instructional equity leader, building a strong foundation in teaching, professional development, and educational transformation.
Margaret began her career as a high school mathematics teacher, spending 10 years developing engaging instructional practices and supporting student achievement. She later transitioned into educational administration, serving as an Associate Principal for six years and as Director of Instructional Equity and Title IX Coordinator for five years at Bloomfield Hills Schools. In these leadership roles, she guided professional learning initiatives, advanced inclusive school practices, supported Title IX compliance, and helped create environments centered on belonging, access, and student success.
A passionate advocate for equitable and restorative education, Margaret is a trainer with International Institute for Restorative Practices and has spent more than a decade helping educators implement restorative approaches in schools. She has also collaborated with equity-focused organizations, including the National Equity Project, and participates in communities of educators dedicated to improving educational outcomes. Margaret holds a Master of Education in Mathematics Teacher Education from Wayne State University and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration from Purdue University College of Education. Her leadership philosophy centers on believing in students, partnering with families, and leading with compassion while ensuring decisions reflect what is best for children and communities.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Margaret
01What do you attribute your success to?
I think it comes down to not giving up, and believing in kids. I believe in our kids. I believe we have a responsibility to help them make our world better. Especially right now, when the world feels tough, having hope is extremely important. I have a lot of hope for our future because every day I'm around kids who I believe have the ability to change it.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I've ever received is to not be afraid to do what's right for kids, even when not everyone agrees with you. Working closely with families is critical to student success, and it's something we have to prioritize.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't be afraid to lead with your heart, and always remember that putting kids first is the right decision — even when others try to convince you otherwise.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I'd say the biggest challenge isn't just funding, though that's always volatile and especially concerning right now with the current administration cutting back the Department of Education. It's really the degrading of our profession — teachers aren't valued the way we should be, and there's so much competing noise and misinformation about what we actually do.
But even with those challenges, I see real opportunity. Every day I'm around kids who give me hope for what's possible, and I think there's an opportunity right now for us to rebuild trust — to show families and communities what teachers actually do and why it matters. If we can work closely with families and keep putting kids first, we have the chance to change the narrative around this profession.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
To me, it's about seeing people for who they truly are and giving them the space to be that. We all have different strengths, and I care a lot about how we can lift each other up and bring out the best in one another. Collaboration matters deeply to me, and so does simply caring about people — everyone should feel excited to come to work. In my personal life, it comes down to my kids, and making sure they grow up happy and healthy.
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