Megan Brittany-Fruia Zara, M.Ed

I attribute my success to maintaining a beginner's mindset and embracing the lead learner role in everything I do. Throughout my career, I've been fortunate to have wonderful mentors who supported me. My current boss at UTA is the reason I've been able to innovate there, giving me space to rethink and try things, understanding that everything is just iterations. When I taught 6th grade, I had a principal who opened a middle school in Frisco, and I loved being on ground floor things, so I jumped in. He was an amazing leader who led from the back. He was open and vulnerable about his struggles. One of the first things he shared with people starting the campus was 'if you think you know it all, go ahead and pack your things. No one does. We're all learning here.' I loved the way he led with kindness, compassion, empathy, and vulnerability. He apologized when he was wrong. He loved Star Wars and embraced his weirdness, walking around with a lightsaber and a cloak through the hallway. I realize now, as I'm about to turn 40, that authenticity is everything. I watched him lead with authenticity, and it's the most beautiful thing. The more I lead with my authenticity, even if it rubs people the wrong way, the more right things go and the more people I support. I value meaningful connections and networking. I'm an introvert and I'm autistic, so I struggle socially, but I lean into meaningful connections, and they're so wonderful. I've learned that leadership and networking don't have to look one specific way.

The best advice I can give, which reflects what I've learned throughout my career, is to maintain a beginner's mindset and embrace the lead learner role in everything we do. I've learned from leaders who modeled that no one knows it all and we're all learning together. My former principal, who opened a middle school in Frisco, told us on day one: 'if you think you know it all, go ahead and pack your things. No one does. We're all learning here.' That philosophy of leading with vulnerability, authenticity, and a willingness to keep learning alongside others has shaped how I approach my work. The more I lead with my authenticity, even if it rubs people the wrong way, the more right things go and the more people I support.

I think the best advice I could give is to maintain a beginner's mindset and embrace the lead learner role in everything you do. Education and technology are constantly evolving, and the willingness to keep learning alongside others is one of the most powerful approaches you can bring to this work. I've also learned that leadership and networking don't have to look one specific way. I'm an introvert and I'm autistic, so I struggle socially, but I lean into meaningful connections, and they're so wonderful. You don't have to fit a certain mold to be a leader or to make an impact. Lead with your authenticity. I've watched leaders who embraced their authenticity, and it's the most beautiful thing. The more I lead with my authenticity, even if it rubs people the wrong way, the more right things go and the more people I support.

One of the biggest challenges I see in education is the financial barriers to leadership and professional development. I do the work that I do because barriers to leadership need to be removed. Access to professional recognition, networking opportunities, and visibility shouldn't be limited by someone's financial situation. Throughout my career, I've focused on creating systems that work for everyone and removing obstacles that prevent people from reaching their potential. The open education movement I'm part of is fundamentally about access, equity, and ensuring that learning opportunities and resources are available to all, not just those who can afford them.

The values most important to me are authenticity, care ethics, meaningful connection, and access. I've learned that the more I lead with my authenticity, even if it rubs people the wrong way, the more right things go and the more people I support. I'm an introvert and I'm autistic, so I struggle socially, but I lean into meaningful connections, and they're so wonderful. I value leadership that comes from different places, not just traditional hierarchical positions. I've never had a leadership title or leadership pay, but I've learned that you can lead from wherever you are. Care ethics and design thinking centered on care are central to my work. I want to help people feel like they can just do things without fear, that they don't have to feel bad about learning something new. What I heard most from teachers I supported that feels the best is 'we just feel like we can do things with you. It's not scary. You don't make us feel bad.' I also deeply value removing barriers to leadership and access. I do the work I do because barriers prevent people from reaching their potential, and I believe in creating systems that work for everyone. My involvement in the open education movement reflects this commitment to equity and access.