Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket is a wife, mother, principal, author, speaker, and the 2025 President of the Maryland Association of Elementary School Principals. She also serves as an adjunct professor at McDaniel College. Known for her instructional expertise and advocacy, Dr. Edoho-Eket has dedicated her life’s work to supporting all stakeholders in public education. Her best-selling book “The Principal’s Journey: Navigating the Path to School Leadership” offers helpful advice to aspiring leaders. She holds degrees in Early Childhood Education, Curriculum and Instruction, and a doctorate in Leadership and Professional Practice.
Teaching was my first love, but school leadership became my calling.
I never set out to become a school leader. My heart was firmly rooted in the classroom, especially as a kindergarten teacher. I loved the joy and curiosity of my students. My only goal was to be the best teacher I could possibly be, and that desire eventually stirred something deeper in me.
One moment from my first year of teaching still resonates. I was preparing for parent-teacher conferences and had a student whose mother, I was told, had never attended a school meeting and likely wouldn’t come this time either. It was easy for people to think she wasn’t interested, but that assumption didn’t feel right to me. I decided to call her on the phone and talk with her. Through that conversation, I learned she wanted to attend evening conferences but didn’t have reliable transportation. Her absence wasn’t about disinterest…not having a car was a barrier.
I approached my principal and asked if we could brainstorm ways to support this family. My principal listened with openness and empathy, and together we landed on an idea: our school would send a cab to bring the parent to school. That evening, she arrived, attended her son’s conference, and left the building smiling. It was a small act, but it carried enormous meaning. From that experience, I learned to look beyond the surface, to identify real barriers, and to take action. Most importantly, I saw the power of collaboration between home and school, and what was possible when we work together. That’s how the shift began.
Although it was 20 years ago, that moment planted the seed that would later bloom into my passion for school leadership. While I hadn’t envisioned myself in an administrative role yet, I began to notice how many of the skills I used as a kindergarten teacher, welcoming families, maintaining clear communication, setting goals, and tracking progress, were the same skills strong principals used daily. Both roles are rooted in relationships. Both require vision, patience, and advocacy for student success.
For any classroom teacher contemplating a move into leadership, I want to offer some reflections from my own journey. The transition is challenging, but definitely possible with the right mindset and support.
One of the first things I had to learn was to seek out a coach or mentor—and not just one. I found different mentors for different aspects of leadership: one who challenged me on instructional improvement, one who guided me through tough parent conversations, and one who helped me balance it all with grace. These mentors kept me grounded and offered real-time feedback I wouldn’t have received otherwise. Leadership can be lonely, and mentors provide both a mirror and a lifeline. Their wisdom helped me navigate everything from IEP meetings to the emotional weight of hard decisions.
The next shift came in how I managed my time and energy. As a teacher, I was used to juggling a thousand moving parts, but leadership introduced an entirely new layer of complexity. I quickly learned that boundaries were not only helpful, they were necessary. I had to develop discipline around when I checked email, how I structured my day, and most importantly, how I protected time for my family. There’s a temptation in leadership to be “on” all the time, but burnout isn’t a badge of honor. Modeling balance is part of our responsibility as leaders. When we show our staff that we value our families and well-being, we give them permission to do the same.
I also had to get comfortable celebrating, even when things were hard. Leading a school means managing crises, solving conflicts, and navigating the unexpected. But joy is a leadership strategy. I make it a point to celebrate. I started carving out time to build opportunities for joy: a quick morning walk around the building to greet our staff, eating lunch in the cafeteria with students, and making positive phone calls home. Leadership is challenging, yes, but it can also be wonderful when you remember to look for and create joyful moments. When we center joy, we remind ourselves and others of why we do this work. Celebration builds morale, fuels connection, and keeps hope alive, especially during challenging seasons.
For any aspiring leader reading this, I want you to know: your classroom experience is the greatest foundation you could ask for. You already know how to differentiate instruction, manage competing demands, and inspire growth in others. Those are the same skills that strong leaders use, just applied on a larger scale.
Start where you are. Ask questions. Step into leadership opportunities at your school, whether that’s leading a committee, mentoring a new teacher, or planning a family engagement event. Let your assistant principal or principal know that you’re interested in growing and be open to feedback along the way. The road to leadership is not without bumps, but it is filled with purpose. You will make mistakes, you’ll grow, and if you stay focused on students, you will make a positive impact.
Today, I look back on my kindergarten classes and smile. I never imagined the path would lead me here, but I’m grateful every step of the way. What started as a desire to be the best teacher I could be, turned into a calling to lead schools that center students, empower teachers, and build bridges with families. Remember, your classroom is your training ground. The skills you’re building right now will serve you in leadership tenfold. Find mentors who will guide you, start thinking beyond your classroom, and don’t forget to celebrate along the way.
To all the educators who are wondering if you’re ready to lead: if your heart is already leading you to advocate, to support, to think beyond your own classroom, then you’re already a leader. Titles will come. What matters most is how you show up, how you uplift others, and how you stay connected to your purpose.
You’re ready!