The Classroom as a Leadership Lab

Feb 26

Written By Jacquie Gardy

Leadership doesn’t wait for a meeting agenda. It shows up the moment students walk through the door.

In my teaching days, the first five minutes of first period could include:

a student arriving upset
someone negotiating forgotten homework
a minor argument over a pencil
a broken OHP bulb and one transparency someone had used a Sharpie on (IYKYK)
and a “quick question” that was never quick

And somehow, you’re still taking attendance, adjusting the lesson, and creating a calm space for learning.

This isn’t chaos—it’s leadership.

Educators read the room, triage needs, make micro‑decisions, and model emotional regulation before most people finish their first cup of coffee.

In trainings I’ve attended that are not led by educators or those with teaching backgrounds, I’ve watched leaders struggle with things educators do instinctively. A few that always stand out:

1. Stabilizing the room before solving the problem

Many leaders jump straight into content or correction. Educators steady the space first—they reset the tone so people are actually ready to learn.

2. Sequencing information so humans can use it

I’ve seen brilliant leaders overwhelm their teams simply because they present information in the wrong order. Educators intuitively scaffold—they know what to say first, what to hold back, and how to build understanding step by step.

3. Adjusting in real time without losing the thread

When a plan goes sideways, many leaders freeze. Educators don’t. They pivot, reframe, and keep the group moving without making the disruption the center of the story.

What often goes unnamed is that these daily decisions are leadership—the kind people write books about.

And here’s the part educators rarely see in themselves: these instincts are teachable. They’re transferable. And they’re exactly the kind of lived expertise that becomes a powerful book angle.

The classroom has always been a leadership lab—a place where you refine instincts, test ideas, and guide people forward. The work you do there is already the beginning of a book; it just needs a shape.

If you’re feeling that spark to shape your leadership into something others can learn from, there are a few gentle ways to begin:

The Beginner Book Builder is a one‑month starting point where we take a single story or leadership moment and shape it into a clear, structured idea. After that first month, you can stay on through a light monthly subscription for continued check‑ins, accountability, and momentum as your idea grows.
The Book Blueprint Lab is a six‑week deep dive where we map the whole concept — your angle, your audience, your structure — so you know exactly where your book is headed. And once the six weeks wrap, you can continue in the same subscription model for ongoing support as you move from clarity into creation.
A Discovery Callwhere we can discuss your needs and how I can help you get your voice and ideas out into the world beyond your building.

And if you’ll be at SXSW EDU, I’d love to talk through your idea(s) during my mentor appointments. Bring a moment, a pattern, or even a sticky note—we can shape it together. The appointment slots are full, but there are two walk-up only times. Stop by during the time I’m there and we can chat- whether or not you have an appointment!

Not heading to Austin? You can always book a quick discovery call. Sometimes 20 minutes is all it takes to see the leadership thread that’s been running through your work all along.