05/08/2026
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! Introducing the maestro, Mr. Dale Craine. Some teachers teach leadership, others develop it in real time.
Mr. Craine was that teacher for me.
He led our concert band and marching band at Curie High School when I attended in the 90s. I played the tenor saxophone, but my biggest growth came when I became one of the first female duo drum majors in a band with more than 100 members.
That role required more than talent.
It required presence, decision-making, and accountability.
He trusted two young girls with that responsibility. And held us to the standard that came with it.
That experience shaped how I lead today. Not just leading from the front, but leading with clarity, communication, and confidence under pressure.
When I coach teachers, I often think: Are we giving students opportunities to practice leadership, or are we just talking about it?
Because leadership is not learned in theory, it is built on experience.
Thank you, Mr. Craine, for trusting me with the baton.
