Feeling Fantastic w/Principal Hannah LeCount

In this episode of Leadership Laps, we sit down with Hannah Lecount, Principal of Vassar Elementary, in her first year as a school leader. After 20 years in education - from classroom teacher to instructional coach to assistant principal - Hannah made the leap to the principalship this year. When asked midyear how she was feeling, her response was remarkable: 'feeling fantastic' and 'so lucky to be here.' Hannah shares what made her first year as principal not just survivable but truly positive, how her decades of preparation equipped her for the role, and what she's learned about the difference between being an assistant principal and leading a school. Her story offers hope and practical wisdom for aspiring principals about what it takes to thrive - not just survive - in that critical first year of school leadership.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:06

There's something powerful about the journey of leadership, the daily steps, the long-term vision, and everything we learn along the way. Welcome to Leadership Labs, where we explore these journeys with the incredible leaders of Aurora Public Schools. In each episode, we hear from those who are helping guide our district to our destination APS, sharing their stories, their challenges, and the lessons they learned along the way. Today I'm joined by Hannah LeCount, principal of Vassar Elementary in her first year as a principal. After 20 plus years in education from the classroom to instructional coach to IB coordinator to assistant principal, uh, this year, Hannah made the lead to the principalship. And when I checked on her mid-year, she said she was feeling fantastic, which I was so glad to hear, and uh called herself so lucky to be here uh and reflecting about Vassar. So uh made me curious to want to explore what it takes to thrive in that critical first year of school leadership. Hannah, welcome to Leadership Labs.

SPEAKER_01 1:07

Thank you.

SPEAKER_00 1:08

Tell us a little bit about who you are first, and then uh what you've learned makes the Vassar community so special.

SPEAKER_01 1:16

Yeah. Um, do you want me to go start way back when? Starting who are you?

SPEAKER_00 1:21

Yeah, where are you from Colorado?

SPEAKER_01 1:23

Okay, so going, yeah, basics. I am from New England, I'm from Massachusetts. One of my fun facts is that my hometown, Wellesley, Massachusetts, we have the oldest high school rivalry in the country. It's back to 1882, and so Wellesley High School, our rivals are Needham, um, but it's the oldest, especially for football games. Um, oldest one in the country. And so that's where I'm from. And I started teaching in Massachusetts before moving out west.

SPEAKER_00 1:50

Amazing. Uh what what other things are uh interesting about you? How long have you been in Colorado?

SPEAKER_01 1:57

Been in Colorado.

SPEAKER_00 1:58

APS.

SPEAKER_01 1:59

Been in Colorado since 2007. I taught in Englewood Schools for um a number of years, and that's where I taught, and then moved into the IV coordinator and instructional coach role there. And that's where I was when I got my admin license at DU. And when I was ready to move into the admin role, Englewood is just so small, there just wasn't wonderful opportunity there. And I had known a known Kathleen Schiverdecker, she was one of my cohort instructors at DU. And so she really like introduced me to APS and um working with her at DU was magnificent. And so she's the one who really brought me over here.

SPEAKER_00 2:37

Amazing.

SPEAKER_01 2:38

Yeah, so I've been in APS since 2019. Heather Stewart hired me as her AP.

SPEAKER_00 2:42

Awesome.

SPEAKER_01 2:43

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 2:44

Um, yeah, tell us now a little bit about what makes Vassor uh so special.

SPEAKER_01 2:49

Vassar has been amazing, and I am so lucky to be here. It's it was a really unique situation where Stacy Stewart, the retiring principal, had been there 19 years. And so, you know, big shoes to fill. And I think um, especially the staff who had been there many years, I think um probably some anxiety about getting someone new after that many years. But um, I can tell what Stacy values is hiring really wonderful human beings because the entire team is just so hardworking, loves children, incredibly supportive of each other, go above and beyond every day to support one another and to do what's best for kids. And so it's honestly been just such a positive transition for me. Um, and and we've grown a lot together, and there's a lot of trust now, so that next year we can really fly now that we know each other.

SPEAKER_00 3:40

What's yellow's mascot?

SPEAKER_01 3:42

The prairie hawk.

SPEAKER_00 3:44

That's right. That's right. I don't want to get wrong with an eagle or something. No, we are a prisoner. Because you're talking about flying next year. Yeah, yeah. That's right. Cool. Uh so you're in your first year as principal. Just tell us how uh year one has gone for you and the investor community so far. It's been three weeks to go.

SPEAKER_01 4:04

It's been incredible. So just to start off with some data, um, we like to measure um how we grow from year to year, not just growth within a year, um, to really measure whether we're closing the gap for kids and providing more opportunity. So we just are finishing up iReady today, actually. Um there were just a few makeups. We wanted to do it early. So here's what's super exciting. At the end of year last year to the end of their yes, this year, we have increased students' reading at um uh uh proficient level, students in the green, by 5%, which is huge. And we've decreased students at risk for tier three by six percent. And so if we are able, again, to continually make those five percent to ten percent gains every year, um, that's our goal. And so our data is in a really great place. We're really excited to get our CMAS results back. Another big celebration is our community partnerships and really transforming Vassar into that schools as community hubs model. Last year, I believe Vassar had two partnerships. This year we have 22. We had set a goal for I think five and we surpassed it. Uh, working with Tilly, our family liaison is amazing. And so she due to her, um, we have 22 community partnerships. We've also established a well-attended monthly coffee and a well-attended quarterly sack. Um, so one of our biggest celebrations is really changing the experience for parents and families and making it shifting to more of a model where parents are our partners and we're gonna do this together and inviting them in more from volunteers to just being in classrooms to participate, participating in decision making. So that's been really special.

SPEAKER_00 5:50

Amazing. Um, let's go back to I guess the Massachusetts days, you're a career educator. Uh, can you tell us what drew you to education initially?

SPEAKER_01 6:02

Yes, I have always loved school from preschool. I started preschool when I was three. Um, loved elementary school, middle school, high school. Wellesley public schools are some of the best performing and most rigorous in the country. And so I grew up with the exemplar for what a meaningful, rigorous um educate public education should be. My mom's also a she was also a teacher. She taught middle school and high school science, and she made it to the final round of teacher of the year in the state of Massachusetts when I was in middle school. So I have been surrounded by exemplary educators my whole life, um, from my own teachers. I can name every single teacher I've had to my mom. And and I just I love school, and um, I did not major in education in college. I actually majored in economics and Spanish because I just loved studying those subjects. And I tried to not work in education for one year after I graduated, and I was in a cubicle in a corporate world and I hated it. And so um my now husband and I decided we needed to go back to school, and so we went back to Boston and I went to grad school, got my master's and license in elementary ed. In Massachusetts, you have to have a master's to teach. Um, and he went to law school. And so then we started uh I started my teaching career in Massachusetts. But it's really just my love of public education.

SPEAKER_00 7:25

That's great. Um can you walk us just briefly through your journey from the transitions from you know, teacher to coach, coach to AP, and now to principal?

SPEAKER_01 7:38

I think I mean being a teacher is such a fun, amazing job. You know, creating a community of learners is the most special thing ever. And I love that. And I taught for seven years, and then I was there was an opportunity in my school in Englewood to move up to that IB coordinator coach role. And I could have kept teaching, but I knew it was a great opportunity and I wanted to broaden my impact and really start working with adults and learning how to work with adults and lead adults and coach adults. Um, and so I did that for about seven years and then moved into administration. And I knew I knew I was ready for admin when I was ready to make a bigger impact, and also like not much made me nervous anymore. And so I wasn't afraid of parents. Um, I could have hard conversations, and so I think it was just feeling really comfortable um with working with adults and just again wanting to make a bigger impact.

SPEAKER_00 8:32

Um, talk to us about the transition from AP to P.

SPEAKER_01 8:36

Yeah. Yeah, well, I was really lucky. So as an AP, you know, I like learned everything from Heather Stewart and I got to work with her for two years. And she immediately, I mean, day one, it was a collaborative approach, had me, you know, leading things on day literally like I mean, first day. Um, and then with Joe Taylor as well, we had very much a co-principal model. And so I got really tremendous experience doing a lot of the things that I'm doing now, um, in a really safe supportive environment, too, because Heather and Joe would just support me. Um, and so when I was ready to make that leap to principal, I think I was just ready. I'm like, I want to do this, you know, on my own. I, you know, I want to be the principal. And then the VASR opening, the VASA position opened up, and that's like my dream school. It is a beautifully diverse school. Um, you know, uh, racially, linguistically, it also had center-based programming, which really drew me to that school. And Montview didn't have any center-based programs. Um, and yeah, and again, the people are just wonderful. So I got my dream job for sure, and I'm incredibly lucky to be there.

SPEAKER_00 9:48

I don't remember if I asked you this uh in the finalist interview, but I say it uh I feel like I say oftentimes when um we have uh uh potentially first-year principals uh coming into role uh uh just that I heard a long time ago that the you know the office of the assistant principal is very close to the principal's office, but the role itself is like a mile away. And I I joke and say, and I disagree, I think it's like a hundred miles away. Yeah um and tell us, you know what in your experience best prepared you to you know be confident and ready uh for you know the principalship.

SPEAKER_01 10:42

Well, I mean, I think one thing to know is there are so many people to support you, and you know, you're not doing it alone. I I mean, like literally there is a person for that when you have a question. Yeah, there is someone here in APS for anything you need help with. And so I think knowing that makes it less scary. I mean, that would be advice that I would have. I do think one um skill or maybe value that I have brought into the principalship that I've had all along since being a teacher is how you treat people. And every single day, every single kiddo in my classroom gets a fresh start and they're looking to see how you engage with them every single day. And are we treating every single kiddo? Um, do we show them that they are seen, they're appreciated, they're valued, um, right? They're part of this community. Um, even if I'm having an off day, yeah, they don't you can't let them know that, right? And so it's that absolutely transfers over for me for leadership. And so with my staff, um, no matter what has happened, every single day is a fresh day. And I will always treat every single person um who comes in that door in a kind, compassionate, respectful way, no matter what. Um, so that is a skill I think that transfers from teaching to coaching to leadership for sure.

SPEAKER_00 12:00

Yeah. Thank you for sharing that. Um as I telegraphed in in the intro, I checked in with you mid-year, um, and you said you're feeling fantastic and so lucky to be here. And and and that's not always how that first year is is described. Um, what has just made it feel so good for you?

SPEAKER_01 12:21

Well, I mean, I think it's a lot. I mean, one, I think I just got really lucky with the team that I was able to join wonderful people. Um I think um another thing I I think is just who you surround yourself with and who are your mentors. And so I would say um surround yourself with positive, consistent, calm, supportive people, yeah, you know, and like who you're reaching out to. And yeah. Um what else? Yeah, I I don't know. I think just this is a really fun job. I don't know. Like, I how lucky are we that we get to lead this building? Like we get to engage with kids, with adults, with parents every single day. It's super fun and challenging. And I think like all the highs and the lows are worth it, like it's all part of it. But at the end of the day, what we're creating is incredible. And so, yeah, that it is really fun.

SPEAKER_00 13:14

You've uh mentioned Heather, Joe, Shiv. Um, are there any other like mentors that you'd like to shout out or folks who you uh look to or call on or learn something from that Yeah, definitely Heather and Mario.

SPEAKER_01 13:28

I'd say they are probably the two I call the most, um for sure. I mean, Marquita was really supportive um ever since I met her, honestly. And um, gosh, who else? I'm like trying to think. I mean, I I'm not I don't hesitate to pick up the phone or email when I need to. Cool. Yeah, my executive coach is wonderful. Marquita set me up with an executive coach and she's been so, so helpful this first year.

SPEAKER_00 13:57

Good. Um what has surprised you the most about being a principal versus being an assistant principal?

SPEAKER_01 14:05

I think just how fun the job. Oh, good. I think there's always some nervousness, you know. Like, I'm like, ah, you know, like, am I ready? What I don't want to fail. I don't like failing. And I think there was just always that worry in the back of my head, like, what if I screw this up?

SPEAKER_00 14:21

Um and a lot of pressure.

SPEAKER_01 14:23

Yeah. And you know, and then your support team is like, no, you're not gonna screw it up. It's gonna be fine. You are ready. You've got this, and you know, and so um, I think it's just been surprising how fun it's been. And you know, I really do love coming to work every day.

SPEAKER_00 14:39

What's been your proudest moment of year one?

SPEAKER_01 14:43

I think all the work we've done with parents in a pretty short amount of time, parents and partnerships and that big rock three this year for us has been, we've like surpassed our goals in every way. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 14:54

As you know, too, we've got a handful of uh incoming first year uh principals here in APS. And uh yeah, just curious, you know, what advice you would give to someone about to start their first year?

SPEAKER_01 15:10

I my advice is to sweat the small stuff. And when something feels off or something happens that doesn't meet our expectations of how we treat each other, how we show up, address it. Um, again, everyone is watching and they're they pay attention to what you celebrate and what you hold accountable, what what you hold people accountable to. And so my advice is to sweat the small stuff and have those difficult conversations no matter what.

SPEAKER_00 15:39

Love it. Yeah. Uh is there anything that you wish you knew uh before starting in this role?

SPEAKER_01 15:45

Just like I mentioned earlier, that there's a person for that. There is a support person in APS to help you with literally anything that you would need help with. So not to be nervous about that.

SPEAKER_00 15:55

Good. And are there any leadership books or resources of podcast or uh uh PD that has really helped you or supported you through this first year? Yes.

SPEAKER_01 16:08

I am a big reader and podcast listener and audiobook listener. Um, I have always loved Bamberg Santoyo's work. So I have read like leverage leadership and data driven instruction at least a few times, each over the last X number, over the last seven years or so. Um I also love Atomic Habits, which I read for more personal reasons, but I think there's some really cool ideas and strategies in that book. I've read some that you have recommended, um like the five, uh what is it, the five um dysfunctions of a team. That was one that you had recommended on social media, and I read that and loved it. Um you know, so um anything and I all like leadership stuff I love. I'll even listen to How I Built This, um, which is a podcast not unique to education, but it's just like leadership and success stories. Um, there's coaching real leaders, which depending on the episode, I might tune in. That's a good one. And Elena Aguilar's Bright Mornings podcast I've listened to, like historically as well.

SPEAKER_00 17:14

Yes, good.

SPEAKER_01 17:15

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 17:15

Uh what about music-wise? What songs or artists uh have been on your mom's playlist this year?

SPEAKER_01 17:22

I'm a very nostalgic person, so I have been jamming out to a lot of 90s music lately. My kids know all like 90s artists, so it's been a lot of like TLC, um Nirvana, Green Day, Boys to Men. Do you know these artists who exist at all? Yeah, I don't know.

SPEAKER_00 17:41

You've listened. Okay, uh this is the third-year anniversary. Uh this album came out in 1994. It's my favorite album of all time.

SPEAKER_01 17:50

Okay, all right, cool.

SPEAKER_00 17:50

All right, so my my my jam is 90s hip hop.

SPEAKER_01 17:54

I love 90s hip hop.

SPEAKER_00 17:55

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 17:56

So lots of 90s is what's been playing.

SPEAKER_00 17:59

Yeah, cool.

SPEAKER_01 18:00

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 18:00

Uh Lightning Round, what does destination APS mean to you and the Vassar community?

SPEAKER_01 18:08

Opportunity.

unknown 18:09

Good.

SPEAKER_00 18:10

And as you finish year one and look toward year two, what excites you the most?

SPEAKER_01 18:16

Um, ready to fly. Yep, we trust each other. We've got our four team, we know what we're doing, ready, ready to fly, prairie hugs.

SPEAKER_00 18:24

And then last uh uh question is what message would you share with aspiring principals about making the leap?

SPEAKER_01 18:33

Yeah, go for it. Um, find your trusted inner circle of mentors who you know will be there for you as a sounding board, and you'll pick up the phone whenever you need them. And yeah, go for it. You'll learn a lot about yourself as a leader.

SPEAKER_00 18:50

Yeah. All right. Well, Hannah, thank you so much for sharing a little bit about your first year uh journey with us. Your story reminds us that with the right preparation, strong mentorship, a genuine love for the work, that critical first year can be not just survivable, but truly fantastic. And that I would say Baxter and the Royal Public School community is really likely to have you. Um and so, yeah, join us next time as we continue exploring the past of those who are helping guide us for definitely yet. Until then, keep running your rate of purpose. Okay, thank you.