Personal Learning Goals
Why this degree? ​​
August 2024
I want to become more competent and confident in my future leadership roles.
May 2025
I want to become more compassionate, competent, and confident in my future leadership roles.
LDR 603 – Personality Assessments
Identified Empathy as a Personal Blind Spot.
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Key Insight:
While I could sympathize with others,
I struggled to express genuine empathy.
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LDR 604 – Character Development in Practice
Through intentional practice and focused learning, I strengthened my empathy and made it a core part of my Character Virtues.
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Vocational Goals
August 2024
My Calling
I have a deep calling from God to both teach art and coach football, two seemingly different worlds that, to me, are deeply connected through creativity, discipline, and passion.
Leadership in Two Arenas
In both professions, eyes look to you and people wait for you to speak first. These roles require clarity and conviction qualities I’ve grown to embrace and refine.
Not Either Or, But Both
I’m not seeking a career where I must choose between teaching and coaching. Instead, I’m committed to roles where I can do both, fully and faithfully.
Equipped to Lead
Through Taylor University’s Master of Leadership program, I’ve been equipped with the tools and insights to lead with compassion, confidence, and competence. This program has helped shape me into the kind of leader these vocations deserve.
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Vision: Living the Calling
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Short Term
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Today, I’m blessed to live out this calling both teaching and coaching in the place I love most: Taylor University.
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Next year, I’ll be back at Taylor, continuing to serve in both roles.
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Long Term
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While I’m unsure of the exact physical location, whether in higher education or high school, I know this: I will always be doing both. Teaching and coaching are not just jobs they are my vocation.​
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Personal Leadership Label
Who am I? Whose am I?
At the start of this year and my assistantship, I felt strongly that my leadership label would be "Advocate". In this current phase and position of influence, I feel I have lived out this role fully and authentically.
Being an Advocate has meant:
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Championing others’ voices and perspectives
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Using your influence to elevate others
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LDR 606 : "Bring my players up as opposed to my bosses message down."​
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Standing up for what is just and equitable
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Creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and supported​
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While I’ve fully lived out this label in this season, I recognize that leadership evolves and so will I. I expect this label may not define my leadership style for the rest of my life.
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I don’t just want to teach and coach, I want to be an advocate in both spaces. An advocate for students, for athletes, for growth, for character, and for purpose.
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I lead because He leads me.
I serve because He first served.
And I teach because I’ve been taught by the greatest Teacher of all.
My model for teaching is God Himself.
The best example of a teacher is found in Scripture, where Christ leads with truth, patience, correction, grace, and love.
It is through time with Him in prayer, in the Word, and in quiet moments of reflection that I gain the strength to lead. Any wisdom I offer, any direction I give, comes not from my own power but from being an overflowing vessel of His provision.
Advocacy Through Teaching & Coaching
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A Commitment to Lifelong Leadership
I will ensure that my leadership does not end, because I’m committed to keeping alive a call to curiosity.
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Leadership stagnates when pride takes root, but I will remain humble before the Lord, continually asking questions, seeking wisdom, and creating space for growth.
To lead well, we must resist the temptation to “settle in our ways.” Instead, we must stay curious, stay teachable, and surround ourselves with the right people, those who challenge us, sharpen us, and walk with us.
Growth is not a phase, it’s a posture.
I intend to carry that posture throughout my life and leadership.