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43: Leading Through Growth
In this episode of the CheckBox Pro Series, Missy sits down with Rachael Sewards, Founder and Executive Director of Solare Collegiate Charter School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Rachael shares her journey from Teach for America corps member in Memphis to founding one of the city's highest-performing public charter schools serving a historically underperforming community.
She opens up about what it takes to lead through rapid growth—from launching Solare as a middle school to expanding into a full K–8 campus—and the lessons she's learned about delegation, communication, and defining her role as her organization matures. Rachael also reflects on her team's impressive results, the power of trying (and sometimes failing) boldly, and how she sustains herself as both a leader and a mom in a demanding season.
Key Takeaways:
- How Solare Collegiate grew from a middle school to a thriving K–8 campus in just seven years.
- Lessons from scaling leadership: knowing when to delegate and when to let go.
- Why embracing mistakes has become one of Rachael's leadership superpowers.
- Building trust with families in a transient community through partnership and persistence.
- Practical habits that protect her time and make the work more sustainable.
Connect with Rachael:
- LinkedIn: Rachael Sewards https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachaelsewards/
- Learn more about Solare Collegiate: https://www.solarecollegiate.org
About CheckBox Pro: CheckBox Pro helps school leaders create sustainability through added capacity—taking repetitive tasks off their plates so they can focus on what matters most. https://www.checkboxpro.com/
Licensed music ID: ILRNI9DIEHE4JTVQ Music: Energizer by Chris Phaze licensed through Premium Beat by Shutterstock ID: ILRNI9DIEHE4JTVQ
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By Missy CouchIn this episode of the CheckBox Pro Series, Missy sits down with Rachael Sewards, Founder and Executive Director of Solare Collegiate Charter School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Rachael shares her journey from Teach for America corps member in Memphis to founding one of the city's highest-performing public charter schools serving a historically underperforming community.
She opens up about what it takes to lead through rapid growth—from launching Solare as a middle school to expanding into a full K–8 campus—and the lessons she's learned about delegation, communication, and defining her role as her organization matures. Rachael also reflects on her team's impressive results, the power of trying (and sometimes failing) boldly, and how she sustains herself as both a leader and a mom in a demanding season.
Key Takeaways:
- How Solare Collegiate grew from a middle school to a thriving K–8 campus in just seven years.
- Lessons from scaling leadership: knowing when to delegate and when to let go.
- Why embracing mistakes has become one of Rachael's leadership superpowers.
- Building trust with families in a transient community through partnership and persistence.
- Practical habits that protect her time and make the work more sustainable.
Connect with Rachael:
- LinkedIn: Rachael Sewards https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachaelsewards/
- Learn more about Solare Collegiate: https://www.solarecollegiate.org
About CheckBox Pro: CheckBox Pro helps school leaders create sustainability through added capacity—taking repetitive tasks off their plates so they can focus on what matters most. https://www.checkboxpro.com/
Licensed music ID: ILRNI9DIEHE4JTVQ Music: Energizer by Chris Phaze licensed through Premium Beat by Shutterstock ID: ILRNI9DIEHE4JTVQ