From Bud to Bloom: Lessons in Leading with Heart
I remember watching a child in one of my early classrooms stare at the floor while the rest of the class read aloud. His silence was met with assumptions. His pace was mistaken for defiance. But what no one saw—not in his test scores, not in his IEP—was his brilliance. He wasn’t lost. He was waiting for someone to meet him where he was.
That moment planted something in me.
Not just a question—but a calling:
What if education made space for every kind of growth—on every timeline?
That question became a path of its own. First in my classrooms, then in my doctoral research, and now through Hilltop Communities and PATH—Promoting Arts, Teamwork, and Hope. These initiatives were built not out of ambition, but out of necessity: to offer children and communities something different. Something human.
Growth Looks Different for Everyone
In nature, we don’t rush a bloom.
We don’t shame a seed.
We don’t compare a vine to a tree.
Why, then, do we do this to children?
Our systems often reward speed, sameness, and compliance. But children are not data points. They are living stories. Some bloom brightly. Others stretch slowly. And all of it—all of them—is worthy.
The bud is not broken for being closed.
It is simply on its way.
What We’re Cultivating
Through PATH and Hilltop, we’re creating spaces for growth that honor both inner and outer worlds. Whether it’s a student in Honduras painting with purpose, or a college intern discovering their leadership through service, the learning is rooted in something deeper: connection, dignity, timing.
We offer:
Strengths-based learning
Expression through art, story, movement, and sound
Culturally immersive experiences
Educational consulting and leadership development
A belief that children—and communities—already hold the wisdom they need to thrive
This work spans borders, but the philosophy is simple:
Meet people where they are. Water what’s already growing. Trust the process.
I’ve spent my career building tools, training educators, and reframing what “support” really looks like. My Trifecta model—developed during my doctoral research—combines inclusive co-teaching practices, collaboration, and community-building. I may share more about that soon. For now, I’m sharing this story because it feels like a seed worth planting.
If it resonates, you can follow the journey on Instagram @hilltopcommunities
You’re welcome here—exactly as you are.
Blog Post Title Three
It all begins with an idea.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
Blog Post Title Four
It all begins with an idea.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.