Women’s History Month: Inspirational Quotes from K-12 Leaders

In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re celebrating women’s voices in the K-12 field. Today we hear from eight of our New Leaders alumnae who serve at every level of leadership—from teacher leader to superintendent. 

For more than 20 years, New Leaders has equipped equity-minded education leaders to be powerful and positive forces for change, especially in the most marginalized communities. We have developed more than 8,000 equity-focused leaders—60 percent of whom identify as leaders of color—who impact more than two million students in our K-12 school system.

There is no better time to empower more women to lead. Across the country, school systems are led predominantly by men. Approximately 30 percent of superintendents are women, with a much smaller percentage identifying as leaders of color. Yet, the vast majority of public-school educators are women (76 percent), with only 20 percent identifying as teachers of color.

We know leaders naturally recognize the leadership capacity of others. Tapping future leaders on the shoulder and motivating them, particularly women and teachers of color, to step into more leadership opportunities and stretch beyond their role enables them to influence positive outcomes for more students, more teachers, and more communities. Simply put: Empowering other women has a magnifying impact. 

In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re sharing eight inspirational quotes to uplift and affirm you—and remind you to keep cultivating the leadership of those around you, too. 

“We can question the traditions behind schooling—and we should.

We can pause. We can reflect. We can think about school in different ways.”

- Iris Ferrufino, Assistant Principal

‍

“You can see obstacles for what they are.

Or you can see them as many great leaders do: a speed ramp that will help you get to where you need to go even faster. Flipping that paradigm can be freeing.”

- Dr. Melissa Kim, Deputy Chancellor 

‍

“We all battle with the imposter syndrome as leaders.

But when you question whether or not that is true, it’s because you are being stretched and you are growing. And that means you are doing the right work.”

- Katie Carmany, District Administrator

‍

“Education is a passport to the world. 

We are serving our community with a conviction about the rights of every child and the hopes and dreams that immigrant parents bring to the United States.”

- Mukta Sambrani, Principal 

‍

“The time we take for ourselves enables us to lead with grace. 

You can become so overwhelmed with the amount of work and the need to care for all the members of your district that you forget to care for yourself.” 

- Dr. Zipporah Hightower, Superintendent 

‍

“I never once had a K-12 teacher who reflected my Arab-American heritage.

Many students of color and students from rural communities, like me, do not sit where I am sitting today. You shouldn’t have to get lucky to have a life of choice or opportunity.”

- Mya Baker, Vice President, Education Consultant

‍

“We need to bring joy back into our schools.

We did so much disconnecting during the pandemic. It's time for us to do more connecting. To celebrate, to dance, to fist pump.” 

- Clariza Dominicci, Principal 

‍

“Take risks and be vulnerable.

Being authentic is a great way to really connect with your community.” 

- Daniela Anello, Head of School 

‍

{{light-hex}}