Aspiring to a leadership role in education can feel daunting, but it’s a journey fueled by passion, purpose, and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone.
Anna Fitzsimmons, Coordinator of Digital Learning at Belton ISD in Texas, and recent winner of Tech & Learning’s Innovative Leader Award, shares her advice for educators considering a move into a school district leadership position.
Fitzsimmons began her journey as an elementary school teacher and, with the help of allies in the district who championed her talent, found the courage to pursue a leadership role.
Embrace the “Renaissance”
One of the most important takeaways from successful leaders is the ability to see challenges as opportunities for growth.
“A pivotal turning point for my career in this role was during COVID,” says Fitzsimmons. “A lot of people felt like drowning during COVID, but I felt like it was my renaissance. I taught virtual classes in the morning and in-person classes in the afternoon. I realized that I had to shift how I taught the virtual class because you had to engage kids in a very different way. I brought some of those tidbits into my in-person class in the afternoon and I started realizing how well personalized and blended learning worked for all kids. This put me on a path to learn more about implementing personalized learning and rejuvenated me as a teacher.”
Fitzsimmons went on to get her masters at Texas Tech in personalized and blended learning, which was an important first step toward a leadership path and personal mission and vision.
Join the Conversation
Leaders aren’t made in isolation. They emerge from the collective work of their community. Fitzsimmons advises: “Get involved. Volunteer for committees, join professional learning communities, and actively participate in district-wide initiatives. This not only gives you a voice but also allows you to connect with other dedicated educators and administrators.”
Presenting, while it can feel scary, is also a powerful way to share your expertise and learn from others. As Fitzsimmons notes, “the truth is there’s always somebody that will resonate from what you were saying.”
By presenting, you not only learn what’s working and what isn’t, but you also expand your network and showcase your skills to those who might be looking for future leaders. She also emphasizes the importance of joining “anything and everything whether you’re getting paid or not” because it helps you realize you’re not alone and exposes you to different ways of solving problems.
Find Your People and Your Purpose
Fitzsimmons stressed that the people you surround yourself with are crucial.
“Seek out mentors and colleagues who inspire you, challenge you, and support you on your professional journey,” she advises. “These mentors don’t have to be in your field. What’s most important is that they advocate for you and push you to grow.”
Equally important is staying grounded in your “why.” The stress of “imposter syndrome”—the feeling that you’re not good enough or don’t deserve your position—is a common experience, even for the most successful leaders. When you feel this doubt, remember your purpose. For Fitzsimmons, “when I put myself out there, that’s actually where I get the most rewarded because that’s when people do reach out. At one recent presentation, for example, a teacher came up to me and said, ‘Wow, what you said to me impacted my whole day.’ When I have doubts, this kind of feedback is a reminder that people believe in me.”
By focusing on your passion—whether it’s celebrating what your students are achieving or helping colleagues with new technology—you shift the focus away from your own fears and onto the collective good. This helps you move past the self-doubt and into a space of purpose-driven leadership.
Paying it Forward
Fitzsimmons has embraced her new role as Coordinator of Digital Learning by creating engaging professional development programs to support the teachers in her district. She highlights several successful programs that have created a “fun momentum” within her district, proving that investing in teachers’ growth directly benefits students and makes the entire educational ecosystem stronger.
- Tech Tuesdays: This initiative is a series of short, fun videos showcasing how technology partners are used within the district. It’s an easy way to share what’s working and help teachers feel confident using new tools. The program also highlights effective partnerships. As Fitzsimmons explains, it’s about “showing how these partnerships work and also what we’re doing with the tech products in the district.”
- Certifications: The district offers various certification programs, including Google certifications, which are accessible through a self-paced online format or an in-person summer session. Fitzsimmons believes these certifications are empowering because it provides teachers with valuable, practical skills that can be immediately applied in the classroom. The program has grown significantly, starting with just five participants and expanding to more than 80 in a recent summer session.
- Blended Learning Certifications: This intensive 30-hour program has been a huge success. The district celebrates teachers’ accomplishments with badges and public recognition from upper administration, which creates a buzz and encourages others to participate. “Those are just really fun initiatives that end up taking off like fire,” Fitzsimmons says. The enthusiasm generated by these certifications has led teachers to become confident and proactive leaders themselves, with many starting their own PD on their campuses.
Fitzsimmons notes that these programs, while starting small, have been instrumental in creating a culture of organic professional growth. By empowering teachers and celebrating their successes, the district has been able to overcome budget limitations for mentorship or ambassador roles. The result is a self-fulfilling cycle of excitement and learning that ultimately helps teachers and, most importantly, impacts the students they serve.
“The journey to educational leadership is not a linear one,” says Fitzsimmons. “It’s about taking risks, embracing discomfort, and staying connected to your purpose. By getting involved, building your network, and focusing on your core beliefs, you can chart a course that not only benefits your career but also uplifts the entire educational community.”
- Nearpod: This is a tool that Anna Fitzsimmons used during COVID-19 to create a virtual class. She states that it “really helped…me kind of…find my light again,” and that it was instrumental in her realization of the effectiveness of blended learning.
- Google: Fitzsimmons states that they offer certifications that are “very empowering” for teachers and that the district is a “workspace district” dedicated to their products and approach to education.
- Google Meets: Fitzsimmons and her colleague use their video conferencing platform to meet with other districts to talk about things and learn from them.
- Gemini: Fitzsimmons says this AI tool from Google is her “biggest baby right now,” and is being used by teachers to make their jobs easier and help enhance learning.
- Sam’s Lab: A company that provides STEM-related products and services. Fitzsimmons mentions that they’ve had “fun with that” and that it is one of their partners.
- Cybernut: This cybersecurity company was the first tool presented at the district’s “Tech Tuesdays” initiative. Fitzsimmons says it provides a fun gamified approach to cybersecurity.
- Managed Methods: Fitzsimmons states this filtering solution is very good and has “definitely…saved some kids.”
- Renaissance: A company that offers educational solutions, including the Nearpod and Renaissance platforms. Fitzsimmons says, “The Nearpod Renaissance gives us the needed capacity for personalized learning.”
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