Leading from Love

Leading from Love

When I walk into my classroom each morning, I don’t just see desks and whiteboards — I see potential. Every student sitting there carries a story, a spark, and a chance to be seen. My job is to help them believe that their voice matters.

Over the years, I’ve worn a few different hats — sailor, chef, advisor, and now teacher. Each role taught me something different about leadership. But the one thing they all had in common? None of them worked without love.

People often assume that my time in the military means I run a tough classroom. And sure, I can be firm when I need to be. But real leadership — the kind that lasts — doesn’t come from toughness. It comes from empathy, consistency, and care. You can’t build people up by breaking them down.

When Math Meets Real Life

In my classroom, math isn’t just about equations or test scores — it’s about understanding how the world works. I’ve watched students light up when they realize that percentages, patterns, and problem-solving exist everywhere — in the songs they love, the games they play, even the money they spend.

One of my favorite projects had students “investing” in imaginary stocks and tracking how those numbers changed every day. They didn’t just learn math; they learned curiosity. They started asking big questions:Why do prices rise and fall?What causes a company’s value to change?How does this connect to my own choices?

That’s when I knew something was working — when math turned into a conversation about life.

Meeting Every Learner Where They Are

No two students learn the same way. Some think out loud; others need silence. Some see math in pictures; others hear it in rhythm. So I try to teach the way I wish someone had taught me — through movement, visuals, music, and collaboration.

We use games, songs, and digital tools to make learning interactive and fun. Sometimes, I’ll catch a student humming a math song or turning a formula into a rap. That’s when I know they’re not just memorizing — they’re owning it.

Creating that kind of environment takes flexibility, patience, and humor. But when students feel seen, they stop hiding from challenges and start leaning into them.

Building Confidence Through Voice

One of the most powerful moments in my classroom is when a student speaks up for themselves — not out of defiance, but out of confidence. I build that culture through conversation and reflection. When a student struggles, we talk about it — no judgment, just honesty.

Over time, they start to self-advocate. They ask for help. They tell me what they need. They even start looking out for each other. That’s leadership in its purest form — learning to use your voice to create change.

What It Means to Lead from Love

Leading from love doesn’t mean being soft. It means being steady. It means showing up even when you’re tired, listening even when you disagree, and believing in people even when they don’t believe in themselves.

Love is what makes a classroom — or any team — sustainable. It’s the reason people grow, collaborate, and take risks.

I’ve led sailors across oceans, cooks through dinner rushes, and now kids through equations and essays. And no matter the setting, the same truth always applies:

Leadership isn’t about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge.

Final Thought

Every day, I tell my students: Show up ready. Be kind. Stay curious.That’s really what I’m trying to do myself. Teaching has taught me that success isn’t measured by how much control you have — it’s measured by how much trust you build.

Leading from love doesn’t just change classrooms. It changes people. And that’s the kind of math I’ll keep working on.