Leadership is not easily defined because it is rooted in human qualities and characteristics. Education is a people-driven profession, yet there is a beauty of balancing technical leadership with adaptive leadership, which is no easy task. There is no "rule book" to leadership; however, this book is to learn about being "unsupervised" and how new age leadership can create stability and enhance professionalism throughout an ever changing educational environment. Unsupervised Leadership is a practical, tangible, entertaining and REAL way of assessing yourself as a leader, while building your confidence, facing your fears, and elevating others around you.
Dr. Courtney Orzel is the Associate Director for Professional Development for the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA) and has held positions as a superintendent, middle school principal, assistant principal, and teacher. Dr. Orzel has been honored with national recognition from AASA as a finalist for the Women in Leadership Award and leads the IASA SuperWomen initiative in Illinois. She was named IASA's South Cook Superintendent of Distinction in 2020 and currently leads workshops, keynotes, and administrators; academies reaching thousands of educators across the country and is the co-host of the top 10% rated education podcast, Unsupervised Leadership. Kate Koch is the principal of River Valley School and has held positions as a principal, assistant principal, and teacher. She regularly presents to aspiring principals in the field and has been highlighted as an Educator to Watch through North Central Education Department. Kate is the co-host of the top 10% rated education podcast, Unsupervised Leadership.
Courtney and Kate personify what it means to be fierce in your pursuit of advocacy. Unsupervised Leadership will make you shake your head in agreement, feel uncomfortable at times, and want to reach out to colleagues to ensure they are doing ok. Knowing both of them and having listened to the podcast, the book reads like they are in the room with you. From great stories to great suggestions to jokes to lessons...the book has everything you need to grow your leadership capacity...while also leaving time for a beer.--Dr. Joe Sanfelippo, superintendent and author of "Lead Where You Are" The challenge and the promise of leading unapologetically from an authentic, open-hearted and connected place really resonated with me in my personal leadership journey. This book is real talk for real women from real women. The stories and ideas contained are accessible, down to earth, and straight forward. Presented in a no BS way that is light-hearted and serious; intimate and encompassing, as a woman leader you are bound to find your personal experience represented here.--Sandye Brown, CEO of Wide Awake, Inc., and Master Certified Coach This book is FANTASTIC. Courtney and Kate are unabashed in their desire to elevate their female counterpoints in education, leadership, and most importantly in life. The two of them do a masterful job of weaving together snippets from their podcast and best practice and never losing their unique and fierce voices that make their podcast such a success. You will be motivated, you will learn, and most impressively you will feel like you are having a personal conversation with these two dynamic leaders. This is a MUST READ!--Dr. P.J. Caposey, superintendent and author of "Manage Your Time or Time Will Mnage You" Unsupervised Leadership doesn't just paint a picture of stellar leadership, it invites you into the inner circle to learn from the best of the best. From personal vignettes about lessons learned to practical tips on how to effectively lead to a powerful charge to step out of your comfort zone and into your purposeful calling, Courtney and Kate are in it for you! The book closes with these words - "if you don't have a seat at the table, you can always sit with us." This is a table you don't want to miss - not only have they helped me be a better leader, they've challenged me to be a better human!--Dr. Jill Siler, Ed. D., TASA Deputy Executive Director and author of "Thrive Through the Five" We should all be blessed in life to have ONE loyal, confident, kind, loving and selfless friend who wants nothing more than to make YOU the BEST version of yourself. Well I am extremely fortunate to have TWO friends like this with Courtney and Kate. Their real, raw and radical anecdotes and authentic advice in this book are exactly what we all need to be confident, courageous, inclusive and thoughtful leaders and humans. You will be inspired and impressed with their vulnerability, candor and humility. They put it ALL out there...thank you for owning your truths, sharing your stories and giving us all a seat at your table SparkleOn Sisters!--Dr. Bhavna Sharma-Lewis, superintendent and Sparkle Sister
