“Being terminated is not a death sentence.”
At times, ambition hits snags. But rarely do these snags come in the form of two dramatic firings. Yet, this was the destiny of once principal, now educator coach, Edward Gordon.
“People know the story about me being terminated from a position mainly one time to make the transition (to educator coach), but it’s really twice.”
No one would have given Edward a second glance if he left education altogether. For many, it would’ve been a logical solution to find a new field. And for Edward to redefine himself and enter a fresh tier of his professional career.
But Edward didn’t follow that path. Instead, he used these moments of extreme disappointment to contemplate his life.
And reached his hand right back into the symbolic hornets nest that had stung him — twice.
U-Turn
On March 15th, 2024, Edward talked about this loss of both his jobs as principal. He realized at that moment, it was the five-year anniversary of his last termination. But from the gleam in his eye, it was crystalized that his fate had switched from despair to hope.
The consequences of Edward being let go in 2016 and 2019 have transformed him into a bolder person. In times of trial, his gaze fixed on what made him most light up — mentorship.
“So I believe my ability to coach and to mentor aspiring and current school leaders is my strength. And I had to learn to identify that as being my strength just by an experience that I went through of not having a coach or a mentor myself and being terminated from a position.”
On this mighty rock of faith, Edward opened the Gordon Leadership Academy in 2020.
From that stage, he won clients. But with many businesses, a slow start is the norm. As satisfaction is felt by your market, word spreads, opportunities stack up. And pleased clients start the referral process in motion.
Hungry For More
But, when Edward met connections on LinkedIn and found the people he could most help, he encountered international school leaders. This population offered a new opportunity.
“… when I started to work with them, these leaders were in developing countries, and they at the time … could not pay the US rate for coaching services. But I still had a heart to be able to support them.”
A starving crowd was knocking, but the financial backing hadn’t materialized in Gordon Leadership Academy. Edward heard the sound of service, but didn’t have the funds to open that door. Add to that, he was still figuring out how to survive and thrive through adversity.
A Spiritual Odyssey
It wasn’t a simple process for Edward to discover his passion again. It took a total metamorphosis to understand that harsh setbacks don’t always mean quit. Meekness leads to epic adventures.
“But I would say, you know, l’m a believer, and I believe that God puts you in different situations. So, you really have to be adaptable to where He wants you to be at certain stages of your life. And be able to grow and move on there.”
Edward, thinking back, remembered the benefits hiding in being fired from two positions as school principal.
“There are many people that wouldn’t have passed and prepared themselves to become certified school principals or superintendents based on the work that I’ve done over the last five years.”
Treading the water of genuine humility, Edward recalls his finer moments.
“There are many educators that would not have advanced as being principals beyond the two-year point without my work in education for a time. There are now global educators that would not understand how to position themselves for global educational opportunities. (That is) if I didn’t do the work that I’m doing right now. So, l’m grateful for the terminations. I’m grateful for the push.”
Fast Forward Four Years
In 2024, Edward kicked off his nonprofit, the Gordon Leadership Foundation. His inspiration appeared as he reflected on the sting of struggling moments he dealt with as a principal lacking a mentor.
“There was a need for me to receive some advice, some support from other individuals, and I didn’t have that. And once I learned how to receive advice and support from others, I knew that I needed to help others to be able to get where they are right now to where they want to go in life.
Edward told of the revelation behind his non-profit venture.
“And it wasn’t just for individuals here in the United States,” he said of the foundation. “But I had a desire … to be able to support educators, individuals in other countries…so they can have as many opportunities as (are) in the United States.”
Offering weekly sessions via technology is set up for the purpose of international school leadership skill development. The target isn’t better communication between countries, yet that takes place too, as visitors introduce themselves.
“Even from that initial spark, there are immediate connections. … Oh, you do this in this country, or you do this in that country? When we’re off this call, let’s connect.”
“I love that type of exchange,” Edward expressed.
Seeds of Harmony
Small challenges such as adjusting to daylight savings time zones have presented themselves. Still, Edward is satisfied with the early efforts. Newly revealed goals now arise such as getting the exact same educators to come back to the meetings they first frequented.
Attendees understand through these discussions, that they confront the same challenges regardless of geography. There are places to bond within those widely experienced statistics.
“Soft skill development is universal,” Edward explained.
Strong Foundation
At present, Edward’s free coaching, mentoring, assessments, and training help out 27 developing countries, these represent areas in Africa, the Caribbean, Oceania, and Asia.
His travel plans involve visiting schools in other countries to witness the cultural differences firsthand. Future trips are scheduled for Uganda, India and even Barbados.
Feel the Passion
Edward feels blessed by the opportunities that presented themselves after his terminations from two school leadership positions. He’s grown to thrive within the uncomfortable positions within his life.
Today, his extended services to school leaders are Edward’s excitement.
“And this is what drives me every morning to wake up and to answer phone calls to be a thought partner with other school leaders and help them get to the next level. This is my excitement! This is what drives me right now!”
Edward wants to share his passion. That charisma motivates him to call for partnerships within the foreign countries of the educators his services help. He envisions forming solid relationships with banks, ministries of education, and tourism boards to aid him with his international educator professional development efforts.
The Give Back
Edward sees bringing on a virtual assistant. And he plans on setting up donation links so coaching participants can donate. He is also open to guest speakers on stage to lend their expertise to enrich his virtual training experiences. As a nonprofit, Edward believes that if someone can’t give monetarily, they can at least tell others about his cause.
Wrap Up
If you want to give back, contact Edward via his page, Gordon Leadership Academy or Gordon Leadership Foundation.
Quick review of the why research storytelling process for storytellers.
- Find a story worth telling
- Set up an interview to get pitch specifics
- Do research to tie up areas the interview didn’t get to
- Pitch story and relay expectations to businessowner(s)
- When/if approved set up further meetings as needs arise
- Draft story, edit, revise, submit for publication
As the spotlight on entrepreneurs closes for this month, let me know in the comments, if you’d like to know the inside process of how strategic storytelling works.
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