A local leadership initiative is expanding its reach across Okaloosa County, giving educators and students opportunities to develop leadership skills through immersive, hands-on experiences.
The Leadership Experience Initiative (LEI), founded in 2024 with a mission of “Nurturing Leadership Through Experiences,” is designed to complement leadership development already taking place in local schools. The initiative provides participants with experiences intended to challenge perspectives, build confidence, and encourage personal growth.
Since its launch, LEI has invested in eight local school leaders, sending educators to participate in immersive leadership experiences through the Gardner Carney Leadership Institute over the past two summers.
The initiative expanded its focus in 2026 to include students.
Educators Take Leadership Beyond the Classroom
Four Okaloosa County educators participated in LEI’s 2025 program: Lindsey Smith of Fort Walton Beach High School, Michelle Heck of Choctawhatchee High School, Heather Graham Williams of Bruner Middle School, and Jason McClelland of Pryor Middle School.
The program continued in summer 2026 with four additional educators: Marcelo Mueller of Fort Walton Beach High School, Nichole Humphreys of Choctawhatchee High School, Brittany Tate of Pryor Middle School and Melissa Bowell of Meigs Middle School.
The experience allowed participating educators to step outside their normal responsibilities, reflect on their leadership, and return to their schools with new perspectives.
Marcelo Mueller, assistant principal at Fort Walton Beach High School, described the experience as transformative.
“This was the best professional learning experience any educator could attend. It was truly life-changing,” Mueller said.
He said one of his biggest takeaways was the importance of relationships and a sense of belonging in education.
“Before we can educate, we have to build relationships, make connections, and create a sense of belonging for everyone within our sphere of influence,” Mueller said.
Students Join the Initiative
In 2026, LEI expanded its mission beyond educators by providing four students from Fort Walton Beach High School and Choctawhatchee High School with immersive leadership opportunities.
Students participated in experiences through Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder and Outward Bound.
The participating students were Elyse and Carmelo from Fort Walton Beach High School and Caycey and Karighn from Choctawhatchee High School.
For Caycey, a Choctawhatchee High School student, the experience provided an opportunity for personal reflection and helped her identify her own leadership style.
“Over the 10-day trip, I looked much deeper into myself, exploring new ways to lead and how to be a better person overall,” Caycey said.
She said an activity during the experience helped her identify her leadership style as a “caregiver.”
“I think that says it all,” she said.
Building Leadership Across Generations
LEI said that expanding its program for students represents an important step toward its goal of developing leaders across generations.
The initiative aims to give educators and students experiences they can bring back to their schools and communities, with an emphasis on new perspectives, stronger relationships, and a greater sense of purpose.
LEI plans to continue expanding leadership opportunities for educators and students, including additional opportunities for school-based leaders.
Photo Credit: OCSD | Brittany Tate, Marcelo Mueller, Melissa Bowell and Nichole Humphreys
