Hello!

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The journey that brought me here started three decades ago. It began as an undergraduate student and humanist psychology major offered at only 17 colleges and universities. With it came the study of cognitive development and a broad lens examining behavioral motivation. Questions such as "How can people regulate their emotions and what happens when they don't?" and "What causes some to be intolerant and others more accepting of difference?" were investigated. Consequently, putting me on the path to developing my understanding of Social Emotional Learning.

Later, I would obtain a Master's Degree in Public Administration focusing on organizational leadership. I would spend two decades researching leadership within public and civic organizations, including my dissertation, as part of completing my doctoral program.  

But it was the beginning of my sons' personal, educational journey that has served as my inspiration. Beginning my academic career by developing the first online classes at Atlanta Metropolitan College, I became a homeschooling mom to three boys with different learning styles. This caused me to hone my skills and develop a multi-sensory curriculum (and I would later find out that it is part of the Orton-Gillingham/Structured Reading Method for dyslexic children but is helpful to ALL kids in learning to read). 

This curriculum was for my bright but often underperformer, struggling reader who would later be diagnosed with dyslexia, and my four grades ahead "gifted" learner. They all would become successful in their own right as law school students, medical school students (my son with dyslexia), and the youngest on his way to becoming a film and media student. The road to success was challenging at times, but it was such a great learning process that shows up in everything I do.

Later, they would transition into public school while I began my journey toward tenure. Both were happening simultaneously, and my deep advocacy roots pushed me to become a staunch equity educational advocate. 

Seeing my son with dyslexia struggle and the academic and emotional struggles my students in college had, I felt like I needed to do something. After becoming a sought-after speaker on student success and assisting marginalized groups through matriculation through college, I left academia and became a full-time educational advocate. 

So, despite all my accolades and recognition, this is personal.

My purpose is to help students and families thrive, thereby making stronger public schools and communities, resulting in a more equitable and inclusive society. 

That is why we at the Leadership Concepts Institute are here.