We recently connected with Dana Coleman and have shared our conversation below.
Dana, thank you so much for making time for us. We’ve always admired your ability to take risks and so maybe we can kick things off with a discussion around how you developed your ability to take and bear risk?
If we are being honest, very few people in my life would describe me as a risk taker. In fact, my mom would go so far as to tell you about how I brought an extra twelve-pack of pencils to my ACT exam, just in case. And my husband would get laughs describing the excess number of snacks that are stashed in the bottom of backpacks, diaper bags, and car consoles, because no one wants to be caught empty handed when my children decide they’re hungry.
But I beg to differ. I can site quite a few moments over the course of my life where I went out on a limb and tried something…risky. Oh, you want proof? Well for one, I jumped out of a plane at the ripe age of 19 years old, even though I was terrified of airplanes. And four years ago, I took a gamble on myself and decided to strike out as an entrepreneur in the education industry. (For those of you wondering, starting a business is scarier.) What was it that inspired the courage to step out of the plane and to switch careers? The recurring theme I see across the moments where I’ve taken a leap of faith is this: the thing on the other side was always worth jumping for. Allow me to explain…
The year is 2014. I am sitting at a small table at Café Gratitude about to take the biggest plunge of my professional career to date. Taking a breath, I hear my own voice confidently say, “Let’s do it.” I had just agreed to being the founding principal of a growing middle school, which would one day serve over 300 students. Little did I know how that one decision would greatly impact my personal and professional life, particularly in shaping my beliefs about what it means to take calculated risks with confidence and courage. The next six years as a middle school principal were filled with highs and lows. As a school leader, I experienced record breaking student successes and disappointing defeats when my best fell short. I evolved from a novice with uncertainty to a poised leader, and faced moments of helplessness and inadequacy along the way. Throughout these experiences, I learned you only truly fail when you allow yourself to not get back up. With each low point, I’d muster up the courage to try again and use that disappointment as a learning opportunity, to ensure I grew and improved. Still to this day, when I find myself fearing failure I remind myself of these experiences, that maybe knocked me down, but never took me all the way out.
That fateful moment in 2014 over a citrus salad was the first of many pivotal decision points where I would be forced to choose which path to take: the easy, comfortable, familiar path or the challenging, uncomfortable, unknown path. In fact, I found myself staring down another fork in the road in the spring of 2020. Alongside the pandemic came many shifts in my life: I was getting my footing as a new mom, our family had moved to a new part of the city, and my role at work had recently shifted. I was itching to try something new, considering launching my own business and blazing a trail as an independent consultant. The decision to transition out of my role as a school leader was a torturous one. I’d spent nearly the last decade of my life, pouring into the work and people at my school. I’d built relationships with my team that now felt like family. I’d created programs and codified best practices that were etched into the school. My team had seen me through some of the most formative years of my life, and I had quite literally grown up with them. The idea of stepping away ripped at my heart.
Not only that, but I would be leaving a job and building an entirely new career–on my own. What was I thinking? I knew nothing about running a small business. I didn’t know how to acquire clients or partnerships with schools. But I’ll never forget the evening I gained clarity on my decision. I was rocking my 20-month-old daughter to sleep and dreaming about the amazing person she would be someday. I remember hoping that she would have the courage to walk a path that is true to her values and boldly make decisions in alignment with her beliefs. Like a wrecking ball clamoring into the room, it hit me: if that is what I want for her, I must be the one to model those values.
And so, off we went! The summer of 2020 was the launch of Dana Coleman Consulting and the beginning of a whole new era of risk-taking. The learning curve was steep—I had to rapidly acquire skills in business development, rekindle my networking efforts, and dust the cobwebs off my college degree in advertising and marketing.
Though the day-to-day experience of running a business and serving others in the education sector is challenging, it is also my deepest privilege and honor. Whether I’m working one-on-one with leaders to bring their school vision to life or supporting educators in implementing best practices to improve student outcomes, each day I work to bring the highest quality of service to my clients. I enjoy being in the thick of it with educators so we can problem solve the realities in a very practical and tangible way.
Since the inception of DCC, I’ve experienced a gradual evolution of self-trust. Although there remain days fraught with uncertainty, I’ve fortified my confidence in problem-solving and persist through obstacles in an effort to do better for others. I’ve grown to realize I’m not expected to know all the answers, none of us really are, but I am expected to work to find the answer. I also find reassurance in the fact that nothing is truly permanent. We all have the power to change our minds and adjust course when things don’t turn out the way we initially anticipated.
So although I may not fit the conventional mold of a risk-taking thrill-seeker, I believe I’ve developed the capacity to act from a place of confidence rather than fear. Nowadays, when contemplating risks, though fear may arise initially, I recall the advice of my girl Jess Sims: I want it a little bit more than I’m afraid of it.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m a former school leader turned education consultant. If you’re like most people, the realities of what I do on a day-to-day basis is probably a little confusing. Put simply: I develop school leaders and teachers to ensure their schools thrive!
Much of my coaching and support draws on my own personal experiences, dating back to when I began my career as a middle school math and science teacher in Kansas City. I was very fortunate to have some incredible coaches who poured into me during my first few years in education, and as such, quickly established a track record of producing exceptional student results. I’m a math nerd at heart, and one of the highlights of my career was founding a math department of new teachers that increased the student proficiency of our founding cohort from 49% to 96% over four years. My leadership experience spans roles such as principal, assistant principal, and instructional coach. I’ve had the privilege and honor of working alongside some tremendously talented educators throughout the years, and my school was even recognized as the 2015 Charter School of the Year and named a RELAY Program Platinum School recipient.
In hopes of expanding my impact as an education consultant, I founded Dana Coleman Consulting in 2020, which provides support and development for schools nationwide, specializing attracting & selecting, training & retaining high quality educators. Since then, DCC has provided customized development and coaching to over 25 schools, networks, and ed-adjacent organizations. I’m deeply committed to working with educators at all levels to create classrooms where students are equally challenged and supported.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
People First I’ve always been a “people person,” and I think that has been a core value I’ve carried with me in all aspects of my life, work included. I value relationships: getting to know others for what makes their heart race and the scary things that keep them up at night. I find true happiness in helping and serving others, and believe everyone has unique talents and gifts that make the world a better place. Staying committed to people allows me to better support those I work with because our relationship is built on a foundation of mutual respect and trust.
Be A Hype Girl
One thing about me: I’ve always been a hype girl. Love it or hate it, my high school cheerleading days have followed me well into adulthood. I’m a deep believer in the power of breathing confidence and affirmation into others while simultaneously equipping them with the tools they need to be amazing. The leaders and teachers I work with on a daily basis make that so easy to do. They are the ones achieving goals on a daily basis that many people would say are impossible. I love being the cheerleader that’s able to celebrate and spotlight those victories. Teaching is not always glamorous and is definitely not for the faint of heart. When I think back to moments when I was a school leader and have doubted myself, the people who took the time to encourage me and believed in me more than I believed in myself, those were my people. And that’s who I aspire to be for others.
Stay Steady
Many people will describe me as “even keeled” or “calm, cool, and collected.” To me this describes an ability to stay steady and constant through life’s highs and lows. There will be days and years when things are popping and I feel on top of the world, and there will also be days and years when I feel defeated and helpless. Regardless of life’s highs or lows, I strive to be the same person and approach each day with the same resolve and demeanor.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Yes! I’m always looking to connect with others! I’d love to meet folks in the education space or other entrepreneurs. I love learning about the great things people are doing and collaborating to make us all stronger. Maybe you’re a school leader looking for support, a teacher wanting to refine your craft, or a leader in an ed-adjacent organization, let’s connect! If you’re a fellow entrepreneur and want to talk shop, I’m all ears! I also love speaking and presenting at conferences and events if that’s in your wheelhouse. Reach out to me on LinkedIn or Instagram!
Contact Info:
- Website: danacolemanconsulting.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dana_coleman_consulting/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DanaColemanConsulting
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dana-coleman-consulting
Image Credits
Ashley Thorton (@photosasloveletters) Jenny Nolan (@Jenny.nolan.snaps)
