Name: Matthew Ohlson

Title: Executive Director & Professor

Organisation: University of North Florida

Matthew A. Ohlson is the Executive Director of the Taylor Leadership Institute and Associate Professor of Leadership at the University of North Florida. A former teacher and administrator in the Boston Public Schools and the Florida Virtual School, Dr. Ohlson earned his Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from the University of Florida and has served as a Leadership Coach to 7 Olympians, 20 professional athletes, and more than 500 educational leaders throughout the nation. Dr. Ohlson’s research and community engagement work have been focused on collaborating with K12 schools, athletic teams, nonprofits, and businesses to increase recruitment, retention, and achievement using leadership development as a catalyst for increased outcomes.

For his efforts, Dr. Ohlson has received more than 23 external grants and has been awarded the Florida College Access Network (FCAN) Innovator Award, HR.com LEADS Award, the NPR American Graduate Champion, National Jefferson Award for Public Service, the Gender Equity Award, and the Work of Heart Award from United Way. Dr. Ohlson also serves as the Leadership Advisor to UNF Athletics and serves on the Board of the Ronald McDonald House, the Jacksonville Youth Crisis Center, and Franklin Covey Higher Education.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Educational Leadership!

I hope Matthew's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as an Educational Leader?

Two key areas stand out—ensuring that staff feel valued and appreciated, and effectively telling our story before someone else does. Teachers are often underpaid and overworked, making it essential for educational leaders to help them feel recognized and significant. When educators feel valued, they are more engaged, motivated, and ultimately change the lives of students.

The second area is the power of storytelling. In education, we don’t always take the time to celebrate our impact on students, the community, and the school as a whole. If we don’t share our successes, others will shape the narrative for us. My greatest challenge was ensuring that everyone, both internally and externally, understood the difference we were making, not just through anecdotal success stories but also through meaningful leading and lagging indicators.

2. How did you become an Educational Leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

I started out as a fourth-grade teacher, following in the footsteps of both my parents and teachers as well. I love my students, but I quickly learned that there was so much work to be done both in terms of policy and practice in my school and within the school district. My next step was to be a lead teacher, documenting new teachers, and then I moved into administration. My nickname became Dr. Happy as I try to instill positivity into the school culture.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

I am now a professor, training the next generation of educational leaders. When I was a school leader, I focused on maintaining a sense of balance by prioritizing what truly mattered. I made a conscious effort to schedule my priorities rather than simply prioritizing my schedule. This meant stepping out of my office to connect with students, teachers, and classrooms, rather than spending all day responding to emails or putting out fires. I knew that true leadership required presence, and I made it a priority to build meaningful relationships every day.

At home, I applied the same philosophy. I understood that you can’t pour from an empty cup, so I was intentional about making time for what mattered most—my family. Rather than trying to separate work and life, I integrated them. My family became part of the school culture, and I involved my children in activities, so I never felt like I was missing out on either aspect of my life. That sense of connection and balance was invaluable.

4. What's a recent lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of as an Educational Leader?

I learned a valuable lesson from author Jon Gordon about the importance of two key practices. First, ensuring that people know their why. Burnout doesn’t come from the work itself—it comes from forgetting why you do it. When educators stay connected to their purpose, they find the motivation to push through challenges. Second, talking to yourself rather than just listening to yourself.

As school leaders, we often overthink, dwelling on what we could have done better or what still needs to be done. But when you intentionally speak to yourself, you shift your mindset. It allows you to focus on the impact you’ve made, cultivate gratitude for the opportunity to do meaningful work, and recognize the difference you’re making in the lives of teachers, students, and the community.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your journey as an Educational Leader so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted you?

Two books fundamentally changed the way I lead. First and foremost, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey provided a structured approach to leadership, helping me bring order and process to the often chaotic world of educational leadership. This book taught me how to manage my time effectively while following a clear roadmap for intentional and impactful leadership.

The second book, Day One by Drew Dudley, emphasizes the power of everyday interactions and how even the smallest moments can have a transformational impact on others. As an educational leader, this lesson is especially meaningful because we don’t always get to see the long-term effects of our work on students. However, by shifting our mindset from having to engage with students, staff, and community stakeholders to getting to, we can fully appreciate the daily opportunities we have to make a difference.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young educator who aspires to be an Educational Leader, what would you say to them?

One piece of advice I would give is to remember that leadership is a marathon, not a sprint. This means taking time to celebrate victories along the way, no matter how small. It could be a meaningful conversation with a struggling teacher, offering motivation and support, or welcoming a new family into your school community. These moments may seem minor, but they can have a profound impact, often long before we see gains in test scores or student achievement.

When it comes to your top faculty, always give your absolute best. Too often, leaders focus on fixing problems rather than celebrating successes. Your star teachers—the ones consistently making a difference—need to feel valued and appreciated. If they don’t, they may leave for a school, or even a new profession, where they do. A culture of recognition and support isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential for retaining great educators and fostering long-term success.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as an Educational Leader, so far?

One meaningful story that comes to mind is the power of believing in your students. Sometimes, all it takes is one person to see their potential for them to step into the best version of themselves. I had a student in one of our leadership programs who participated in a visioning activity where we discussed their biggest dreams. When she hesitantly shared one of hers, she immediately dismissed it as “ridiculous and absurd.” I challenged her, asking, If everything you are capable of came true, what would that look like? She then drew a picture of herself wearing the uniform of a dream sports team—a goal so ambitious that only a select few in her home country ever achieved it.

That day, something shifted. We planted a dream in her heart and mind, and from that moment on, she worked harder than ever, believing in that dream as if it were already happening. Years later, I received a text message with a picture of her in that very uniform. She had made the national soccer team and had even scored a goal on a global stage. I often tell my students and teachers: Once you believe in how great you are, you will be.