We recently connected with Holly Barber and have shared our conversation below.
Holly, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
Before I started building schools, I was usually the only person in the room that looked like me. When you are a Black woman, you are taught to expect that.
It never bothered me. In fact, it motivated and encouraged me. I found myself often motivated to change the dynamic of said room. I began to focus on being an example of what people who look like me can accomplish.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am the Creator and Executive Director of Operations for The Lux School. I am the Head of School for The Lux School: Creative Movement Campus. The Lux School(s) are Montessori – inspired, innovative learning environments where care is provided for children from 6 weeks old to exiting 4th grade (after-school care). The school concept was born from analyzing my needs as a working mom and my time as a classroom teacher. We focus on enthusiastically engaging students and truly supporting parents. At our schools, students are exposed to various enrichment areas, such as fine arts, and allowed to explore them. By exposing children to interests at an early age, we will enable them to truly find themselves and allow teachers to see how they learn best. We instruct students using this information. Our curriculum embeds the various enrichment areas into a state-aligned curriculum from birth through preschool. Our school is also unique in that we work to support parents by allowing extracurricular activities to take place during the day so that parents can allow their children to participate but also reserve precious after-school hours for family time. By partnering with parents to help students love learning and school, we help families and make stronger communities.
This year we opened our first fully Montessori environment for students aged 3 to 6 years old. As a campus, we were recently awarded Texas Rising Star’s 4-star rating, the highest rating possible in Texas. We continue to improve and provide the highest quality education and childcare while beginning work on our second campus. We’re excited to further our Montessori journey.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Discipline, Patience, and Faith, and not in that order. When creating anything to be shared, faith becomes your biggest asset. The ability to believe in what is not yet seen or manifested is paramount. Developing patience will allow you to hear feedback and improve over time. Meditation and vision planning assist with the development of this skill. They help you visualize your plans and execute them without rushing. Discipline will keep you consistent over time. Creativity can be exhausting, and discipline is required to continue.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
My parents lead me to believe I could accomplish anything. By doing this, they created a limitless future for me. My inner script was free to focus on success and breaking barriers rather than insecurities.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theluxschool.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luxschool/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theluxschool/
Image Credits
Cecilia Bustos, Danielle Dones, Nancy Garcia and Faith Hamilton
