ROCKPORT — Amy Rose is many things to many people — school leader, mother, wife and book author all describe the Rockport woman.
While the long-time Rockport resident may deflect the attention paid to her in favor of the hundreds of students she oversees each day as principal of Rockport Middle and High School, Rose will soon be the centerpiece of a discussion in Rockport’s “Ode to Toad” speaker series.
Rose’s talk is slated to take place at 3:45 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, in the Brenner Room at the Rockport Public Library, 17 School St.
Rose will focus on her leadership philosophy outlined in her two books- “Lead with Purpose. Lead with Love” and “The Fear-Inspired Leader.” After the talk, Rose will sign her books.
“The key message lies in the power of the community in our schools, specifically, in Rockport,” Rose said. “The message will focus on my two self-published books and what inspired me to write them. In short, I will share a bit about my story and the lessons I have learned from the students, families, teachers and community members who have all impacted my journey to and through school leadership.”
“My message is to empower the Rockport community to see our schools’ beauty and the power of leadership at all levels in building a community, a town or a school,” she said.
The discussion also will focus on how to set encouraging examples and just why cultivating connections to the ones you serve produces the best outcomes.
By sharing her own stories, Rose intends to illuminate how to build strong relationships with people, based on the idea that great leadership is born from a “them” and not a “you” mentality.
Rose’s book, “Lead with Purpose. Lead with Love,” was written as a love letter of sorts to the town and community that inspired her.
“Amidst many changes in structures and school leadership last year, I began to journal about the most important pillars of leadership that often serve as my North Star — guiding the direction of my leadership and my life,” she said. “This book reflects the importance of the people we meet along the way, the impact of relationships, and the power of structural leadership, vision, hope and empowerment of all people.”
Rose said communication is integral to the message of her other publication, “The Fear-Inspired Leader.”
“As a school leader, I have learned that the No. 1 means of miscommunication, divide and hate inevitably arises from fear — fear of the unknown, fear of failure, fear of not being accepted, etc. This book seeks to recognize the power of fear in all of us to be used as a powerful signal of something that, when recognized, can channel positive connection, action and understanding in our relationships.”
Rose said as a school leader she is driven by her love for the people in the Rockport community. School leadership is “a calling for me” and not driven to by career aspirations alone, she said.
“I have served in a variety of roles within my 20 years working in the Rockport schools and my desire to lead comes from my true belief in the beauty of our schools and their power to provide an educational experience beyond that of most places,” Rose said. “Rockport is a special place and the kids, families and staff are among the best in the world in my humble opinion. My goal in being a school leader is to help them see and feel the power they have to change the world and contribute to our community in a positive and powerful way.”
Rose said her success not been accomplished alone; she is blessed to have “the most amazing family and friends” who encourage, support and love her.
“I am not sure how they could describe me but a large part of publishing my books was to make sure the people in my life knew how I felt about them,” she said. “That is one thing I hope is clear in the books.”
She and her husband have two children
“I have recently taken over the role as (Rockport) Middle/High School principal and the experience has continued to inspire growth and broaden the range of relationships and partners I have in this journey,” she said. “The staff, students and families have been fantastic and only reinforced my love and desire to make our schools the best they possibly can be for our kids.”
Stephen Hagan may be contacted at 978-675-2708, or shagan@gloucestertimes.com.