Leading From Your Heart with Jamie Lugo
Aug 16, 2022
In today’s fast-paced world, balancing the demands of work, family, and personal well-being can often feel like a juggling act. However, some individuals seem to make it look easy—leading by example, while making time for themselves and their loved ones. One such person is Jamie, an educator, leader, and mother, whose approach to life is an inspiring mix of dedication, humility, and self-awareness. In a conversation with Kassy, Jamie opens up about her journey as an educational leader, the importance of prioritizing self-care, and how she balances the numerous demands on her time.
Leading with Heart and Impact
As an educator, Jamie has always felt a deep connection to her students and their families. She believes that a positive rapport with families is crucial, and she takes immense pride in fostering those relationships. But now, as a school administrator, her role has evolved into something even more fulfilling. While her responsibilities have grown, Jamie speaks with passion about the ripple effects of her leadership on her staff and students.
For Jamie, every moment of growth, whether it’s a teacher gaining confidence or a student reaching a milestone, is a source of pride. The beauty of her job lies not just in the individual moments but in how they connect and amplify across the whole school community.
However, she acknowledges the often-overlooked side of being in school leadership. It’s easy for teachers and staff to think of administrators as just “the ones in charge,” making decisions from behind closed doors, caught up in data crunching, budgets, and logistics. But Jamie is quick to remind us that principals, special education directors, and school leaders are also in education because they care deeply about students and staff. Their love for the work, although sometimes unseen, is very much present, and it’s an integral part of their leadership.
Finding Balance: The Secret to Jamie’s Success
The question that many of us ask when we see someone thriving in multiple areas of their life is: How do they do it all? How does Jamie manage to balance her leadership role, a vibrant family life, and her personal well-being?
Jamie’s answer? Start the day with self-care.
For Jamie, making time for herself in the morning is non-negotiable. With the support of her husband, she heads out early for some physical activity before the day begins. Whether it’s a CrossFit workout, a trail run, or a solo hike, Jamie believes that by taking care of her own health and well-being first, she’s able to show up as a better leader throughout the day. It’s her “me-time,” a crucial part of her routine that sets the tone for her work and personal life.
Her husband’s support in this is invaluable. He takes care of the morning routine with their children, allowing Jamie the time to focus on herself. This commitment to prioritizing health is also something Jamie has passed on to her children, who have embraced active lifestyles of their own. They often accompany her to the gym, creating a shared family bond around fitness.
But it’s not just about physical health. Jamie also emphasizes the importance of knowing when to disconnect and put family first. Weekends are often filled with camping, hiking, and soccer games, where she can switch gears and focus fully on her family. This balance isn’t always perfect, but it’s a continual effort to reset and recalibrate when needed.
The Key to Personal Growth: Self-Awareness
If there’s one piece of advice that Jamie offers for personal growth, it’s this: Get to know yourself. Recognizing your flaws and embracing areas where you can improve is the first step toward becoming a better version of yourself. For Jamie, this has been particularly important in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The trauma experienced by so many, including educators, has prompted her to reflect on her own weaknesses and how she can better handle them.
Self-awareness isn’t about being harsh on yourself—it’s about being humble enough to understand that no one is perfect. Once you identify areas of growth, you can take deliberate steps to improve. For Jamie, this often means taking time to meditate or getting in a workout before starting her day. These small practices help her stay grounded and focused, ensuring she’s in the best possible frame of mind to lead, serve her students, and be present for her family.
The Takeaway: It’s Not About Perfection, It’s About Balance
In the end, Jamie’s story reminds us that achieving balance doesn’t mean doing everything perfectly—it means knowing what works for you and making the necessary adjustments when life throws curveballs. Whether it’s carving out time for self-care, prioritizing your family, or acknowledging areas for personal growth, the key is to stay connected to what matters most.
Jamie’s approach to leadership and life is a beautiful example of how dedication, humility, and self-awareness can lead to meaningful impact both at work and at home. If there’s one lesson to take from her story, it’s this: Know yourself, make time for what matters, and never lose sight of why you’re doing what you do.
