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46: From Vision to Reality
In this episode of the CheckBox Pro Series, Missy sits down with Shonqualla West, Founder and Superintendent/CEO of Unparalleled Preparatory Academy, for an honest conversation about what it really means to lead during a school's founding year.
Shonqualla shares how growing up in a small rural town with limited school choice shaped her belief that students deserve early opportunities to explore who they are, what they're good at, and what's possible for their future. That belief now lives at UPA, a career immersion middle school where students "try on" careers through STEM-focused, hands-on, and interdisciplinary learning.
She reflects on the realities no one prepares founders for—the constant zooming in and out, the many hats, and the tension between staying deeply involved while learning when to step back. Shonqualla also talks candidly about building her first leadership team, the importance of strong operations support, and the joy of seeing students and families choose—and take pride in—a school that began as an idea on paper.
She closes by naming her leadership superpower—bringing bold visions to life through community buy-in—and offers hard-earned advice for other founders: pace yourself, give yourself grace, and keep going.
Key Takeaways:
- What makes the founding year uniquely challenging—and uniquely formative.
- Why founders must constantly "zoom in and out" to lead effectively.
- The importance of hiring strong operations leadership early.
- How UPA helps students explore identity, strengths, and careers starting in middle school.
- Why community pride and student joy are powerful indicators of success.
- A reminder that grace is essential for sustainability in leadership.
Connect with Shonqualla:
- Learn more about Unparalleled Preparatory Academy https://upaschools.org/
- Connect with Shonqualla on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/shonqualla-west-m-ed-35b463229/
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 Shonqualla West, Founder and Superintendent/CEO of Unparalleled Preparatory Academy, for an honest conversation about what it really means to lead during a school's founding year.
Shonqualla shares how growing up in a small rural town with limited school choice shaped her belief that students deserve early opportunities to explore who they are, what they're good at, and what's possible for their future. That belief now lives at UPA, a career immersion middle school where students "try on" careers through STEM-focused, hands-on, and interdisciplinary learning.
She reflects on the realities no one prepares founders for—the constant zooming in and out, the many hats, and the tension between staying deeply involved while learning when to step back. Shonqualla also talks candidly about building her first leadership team, the importance of strong operations support, and the joy of seeing students and families choose—and take pride in—a school that began as an idea on paper.
She closes by naming her leadership superpower—bringing bold visions to life through community buy-in—and offers hard-earned advice for other founders: pace yourself, give yourself grace, and keep going.
Key Takeaways:
- What makes the founding year uniquely challenging—and uniquely formative.
- Why founders must constantly "zoom in and out" to lead effectively.
- The importance of hiring strong operations leadership early.
- How UPA helps students explore identity, strengths, and careers starting in middle school.
- Why community pride and student joy are powerful indicators of success.
- A reminder that grace is essential for sustainability in leadership.
Connect with Shonqualla:
- Learn more about Unparalleled Preparatory Academy https://upaschools.org/
- Connect with Shonqualla on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/shonqualla-west-m-ed-35b463229/
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