Strong leadership is crucial in early childhood education settings. Many education leaders begin their careers as teachers. Carlyn Rahynes, founding principal of Learning Through Play Pre-K Center in the Bronx, New York, is no exception. Here, she offers advice for educators who aspire to leadership roles.

1. Identify why you want to move into leadership. I always say, “Know your why.” Why are you doing this? What do you believe in and stand for? What are you hoping to achieve by moving into a position of leadership? That will guide your work and focus. My “why” is always the children and their families: They’re my North Star. In our centers, children are seen as curious learners whose voices, identities, and experiences are honored. Families feel welcomed, heard, and respected as the experts on their children. They understand what and how their children are learning and feel confident supporting that learning at home.
2. Look for leadership opportunities. Look for opportunities beyond what you’re doing now. This may mean getting outside of your classroom or program. For example, there may be opportunities to work in district and central offices or to serve as an instructional leader to support teachers in content areas like math and literacy. Inside the classroom, you might consider coaching or mentoring new teachers; perhaps by becoming a model classroom that educators can visit to observe high-quality practices. Or consider becoming a leader for your age group or grade level, where you facilitate meetings and support the educators on your team.
3. Consider ways to transfer your skills. Educational leadership is about transitioning from teaching and supporting children to teaching and supporting adults. You need to understand how adults learn. Many professional learning opportunities provide information about making this transition, and programs may offer materials and experiences to help with new credentials.
4. Develop an expansive view of leadership. Leadership that impacts children includes both guidance and support. Leaders guide teachers when they

• Set a clear instructional vision that includes developmentally appropriate practice and advancing equity.
• Establish non-negotiables around areas like curriculum expectations, assessment practices, and aligning with learning standards.
• Model high-quality practices like co-planning and demonstration lessons.
• Support educators by providing necessary resources (materials, curriculum tools, time) and emotional scaffolding. Effective leaders also differentiate their help based on teachers’ individual strengths, interests, and needs.

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