Today we’d like to introduce you to Marci Houseman.
Marci, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My years as an Army brat have influenced where I am today in so many ways. Living overseas and moving regularly taught me to bloom wherever I was planted. Additionally, a heartfelt appreciation for our country and the men and women who wear the uniform to protect the freedoms we enjoy has been a guide as I have navigated life in various political spheres.
I was born at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma while my father was serving in the Vietnam War. I was a year old when he returned from the war. During his absence, I was cared for by my mother, my grandmother, and my great-grandmother. I am confident that the grit that Oklahoma natives are known for is embedded deep within the fabric of who I am. My great great grandmother Sullins was an Oklahoma homesteader. Her early years as a mother were spent in a sod house. She overcame incredible challenges while fiercely loving her family. Her example of grit and perseverance was passed down from generation to generation and I hope that I have passed it on to my four children.
My father retired from the Army while we were living near Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. After graduating high school, I headed to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. As a Chemistry major, I had plans to become an optometrist. Gratefully, some experiences I cherish pointed me toward my calling in life: education. I graduated with a degree in Elementary Education and launched my career in Alpine School District.
Fast forward almost 30 years. I have worked with students across the education spectrum – from elementary to high school. I have served as a turnaround principal and an education consultant. Leveraging my years of experience in education and coaching, I currently help state education leaders identify professional learning solutions that align with the science of reading. I support state education leaders as they design strategic plans for implementing relevant and impactful professional learning that empowers teachers to align instruction with science. And I collaborate with advocacy groups and associations to raise awareness of the need to provide teachers with tools and training that align to research best practices.
In addition to the professional consulting and coaching that I provide in the education space, I work with a variety of businesses and organizations as a member of the Sandy City Council. In that role, I have observed a significant gap between communication research and practice. Presenters often miss the opportunity to achieve the impact they desire due to poor delivery. And I want to change that.
As the owner of Chasing Impact, I help leaders and organizations close the gap. Throughout my career, I have helped education leaders close the gap between research and practice and I eagerly leverage my expertise to help individuals, teams, and organizations rise to their full potential in their pursuit of excellent communication.
In my communication coaching, I invite participants to reflect on the following questions: When you deliver a presentation, does your message stick? How do you know? Are your listeners grateful to have spent time with you? How do you know? Are those in attendance better off because of the message you shared? How do you know?
I then explain that if they answered no (or I don’t know) to any of the questions, I can help.
Elite athletes have coaches. Grammy award-winning musicians have coaches. CEOs of Fortune 500 companies have coaches. Coaching is an investment that moves the good to great and the great to stellar. I am passionate about helping others define a more compelling message and present their messages in a way that sticks. We are all chasing impact in one form or another. Too often, poor messaging stands in the way of achieving the impact we most desire. With my help, individuals, teams, and organizations can elevate their practice while moving people to action.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
As a young educator, I didn’t want to believe politics came into play in education. Over the years, I have realized that politics comes into play in many aspects of our lives. I have many stories of fellow educators who had more interest in the status quo than in evaluating the impact of our instructional practice. It was often difficult to be the educator or leader pursuing change for the sake of student learning. I was often told to “stop making us look bad.” However, I decided early on that I would keep my WHY at the focus of all I did – even if it meant I rocked the boat.
I have carried this mindset into my service on the City Council as well. I have kept taxpayers at the forefront as I have cast my vote on controversial topics. Sometimes I have been in the majority and sometimes I have been in the minority. Regardless, I have backed up my decision with data, facts, and advocacy on behalf of taxpayers. I work hard to understand the perspective my colleagues bring and seek to build consensus. However, there are certain principles that I will not compromise and that invites unique challenges.
Throughout the many obstacles and challenges I have faced, I have learned to value the analogy of the tennis ball. It isn’t about the fall or the impact. It is about the bounce. Failures and setbacks are part of life. And when we embrace the bounce that follows the impact of the fall, we will find ourselves at a higher level of performance than we were before the impact. I know that I am a better daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend, and colleague because of the lessons I have learned in the face of adversity.
And I have had plenty of opportunities to learn the value of the bounce.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Of all the titles I have carried, my favorite by far is Mother. I have loved being the mother to my four children and now the grandmother to my first grandchild. Throughout my mothering years, I have been fortunate to directly educate hundreds of students and impact thousands of students through my coaching and consulting with school and district leaders. Though I have been named Teacher of the Year at the school, district, and even regional levels, what I am most proud of is the work I have done to transform instruction.
I have a fierce belief that all children can learn. And I am frustrated by the gamble we far too often witness from classroom to classroom. Though all teachers love their students, not all teachers effectively teach their students. Every student in every classroom in every school in every state deserves to have a teacher who is armed with the knowledge and commitment to align instruction with science. As I help states invest in empowering teachers, I am helping teachers change more lives more often. And next to being incredibly proud of my amazing children and their contributions to the world around them, this effort is the work that brings me great joy.
In addition to my various roles in education, I am most proud of my ability to roll up my sleeves and get to work. I believe I have a keen ability to bring people together to collaborate effectively to address challenges. I am a solutions-oriented leader who has worked hard to become a Multiplier. I seek to bring out the very best in others so that they can find their wings and soar far beyond what they ever thought possible.
We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Many people may not know that I ran for Mayor…unsuccessfully. It was a tough loss. I worked hard. I overcame challenges. I presented a compelling reason to vote for me and connected with hundreds of residents. In the end, I lost and it was devastating. However, I believe that things always work out the way they are supposed to…even if we don’t understand what the future holds. I have come to trust in my all-time favorite scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6.
“Trust in the Lord thy God with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”
I like to believe that I have taught my children grit and resilience as they have witnessed my loss and the subsequent actions I have taken to overcome that loss. As a leader in our community, it is essential to model grit and optimism. I have been shaped by so many others over the years. The most notable lessons have come as I have watched them overcome significant adversity with grace, poise, and sheer grit.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://chasing-impact.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chasingimpact3/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090669098979
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marci-houseman-edleader/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/marcihouseman
