LEAD Public Schools

When Allison Ludwig first walked through the doors of LEAD Southeast Middle School as a Teach for America Corps Member in 2016, she had no intention of leaving the classroom. Fast-forward to today, and the beloved “Coach Ludwig” has just stepped into her new role as assistant principal of instruction (API) – a journey that perfectly embodies LEAD’s commitment to developing homegrown leaders.

A Decade of Growth and Impact

Ludwig’s ten-year trajectory at LSEM reads like a masterclass in organic leadership development. Starting as a 7th-grade social studies teacher and soccer coach, she quickly demonstrated the natural leadership abilities that would define her career. Her versatility became evident when she transitioned to teaching 8th-grade ELA, where administrators knew she would make a significant impact on student reading outcomes.

“Allison was a steady Level 5 teacher year over year during her time in the classroom and a mentor to her peers,” notes Principal Jonathan Brocco. Her excellence in the classroom led to her promotion to ELA instructional manager (IM) in 2022, a role she held for three years before stepping into her current position.

“Allison has positively impacted not only student outcomes and culture in the decade she has spent as LSE, but also her colleagues and adult culture through her leadership.”

–Principal Jonathan Brocco

The numbers speak to her impact: under Ludwig’s leadership as ELA instructional manager, the department saw a 10% increase in student achievement in 2023-24, and in 2024-25, she led the school to a record-breaking 28 exits from the ELPA21 program for multilingual learners.

The Power of Being “Homegrown”

Ludwig’s story illustrates the unique value of developing leaders from within. “Being ‘homegrown’ has truly made my job so much easier,” Ludwig reflects. “Already having the institutional knowledge of our systems, students, and families has made the transition from teacher, to instructional manager, to assistant principal of instruction so much smoother than if I had come into any of these roles fresh.”

This institutional knowledge extends beyond systems and processes – it’s deeply personal. Ludwig knows students and families across the entire LEAD Southeast campus, relationships that prove invaluable in supporting student well-being and outcomes. “It’s also really cool to see former students who are now at LEAD Southeast High School and be able to tell them that I’m an assistant principal!” she shared. “They hype me up just as much as I did when they were students in my 7th and 8th grade classes.”

A Leader’s Nudge Makes All the Difference

Remarkably, Ludwig never initially saw herself in leadership. “I was always super content in the classroom,” she admits. “I loved teaching and interacting with students on a daily basis and didn’t see myself doing anything but teaching.”

It was Principal Brocco’s encouragement that changed her trajectory. “It wasn’t until Brocco pushed me to apply for the ELA instructional manager (IM) role that I felt like leadership outside of the classroom was a possibility for me. His push allowed me to see myself as a leader and gave me the confidence to apply for (and get) the IM role and eventually the API role.”

At LEAD, school and network leaders are constantly and intentionally seeking out individuals who can grow their capacity for leadership, which sets up a pipeline of invested and supported leaders.

“Allison’s relentless pursuit and hunger to grow, willingness to be versatile, and ability to meaningfully relate to a variety of stakeholders across the organization are the driving factors to her success.”

–Principal Jonathan Brocco

Embracing the Big Picture

In her new role as assistant principal of instruction, Ludwig has found joy in seeing “the big picture of the school.” She explains, “As an IM or a teacher your focus is on your specific grade level, subject, and students, which is just a piece of the larger school puzzle. As an API I am able to look at every grade level, subject, and student and collaborate with the School Leadership Team to make decisions that support the entire school.”

“The relationships I built with students as a teacher were also a huge benefit when I stepped into a manager role because they allow me to always stay grounded in our mission and put faces and names to the data I’m so often looking at when making decisions.”

–Allison Ludwig

Advice for Emerging Leaders

For teachers considering their own leadership journey, Ludwig offers balanced wisdom: “Embrace opportunities as they come. You might not think you’re ready to step out of the classroom but if we see leadership potential in you we are going to provide you with the opportunities to prepare yourself to take the next step.”

However, she’s equally quick to emphasize the value of excellent classroom teaching: “Don’t rush into a leadership role. We need excellent teachers to stay in the classroom because that is where the most direct impact on students happens on a daily basis. We can’t do our work without the hard work of great teachers!”

A Testament to LEAD’s Vision

Ludwig’s story exemplifies everything LEAD Public Schools stands for in developing leaders. As Brocco puts it, “LEAD is grounded in the development of leaders through the art of education. You don’t just learn how to become an effective teacher; you learn how to become an effective practitioner and leader.”

From the soccer field where she’s brought home championships to the halls where she now shapes school-wide decisions, Allison Ludwig – forever “Coach Ludwig” to her students – represents the best of what’s possible when schools invest in growing their own leaders. Her journey from content classroom teacher to confident instructional leader is a testament to the power of believing in potential, even when individuals don’t yet see it in themselves.

“We are blessed to have Allison at LEAD!” Brocco said, and after ten years of watching her grow and impact countless lives, it’s clear that LEAD Southeast Middle School is exactly where she belongs.