Leading by Doing: Inside Project Infinity’s Leadership Style

Leadership sets the tone for everything

When parents visit schools, they often notice the classrooms, therapy services, and student work on the walls. What they may not see, but what matters just as much, is leadership. Leadership is the force that shapes a school’s culture. It determines whether staff feel supported, whether families feel heard, and whether students experience stability.

Unfortunately, in many schools, leadership feels distant. Administrators stay in offices while teachers shoulder the daily struggles. Families hear polished promises during tours but later discover a different reality. Staff turnover rises, and students pay the price with disrupted routines and inconsistent teaching. Parents sense it, too. As one mother told us, “We told the director everything during enrollment, but when school started, none of the staff seemed to know our child at all.” 

The problem with distance

When leadership is disconnected, cracks show quickly:

• Teachers lose motivation when they don’t feel seen or supported.

• Promises made to families during enrollment fail to match the day-to-day experience.

• Students experience turnover and instability as staff leave or burn out.

In this environment, trust erodes. Families may start to feel like customers in a business transaction rather than partners in their child’s growth. Teachers burn out faster. And students, the ones who need consistency most, face the instability of a revolving door.

The Infinity Model: leadership by example

At Project Infinity School, leadership is different. Carly, our founder, describes her approach simply: “If I say we’re building something, I’ll be in the classroom helping to create it.” She also reminds her team, “I will never ask staff to do something I wouldn’t do myself. I always put myself in their shoes before committing them to anything.”

That philosophy, leading by doing, sets the tone for the entire community. Leaders here don’t hide behind closed doors. They work alongside staff, model collaboration, and embody the values they expect others to uphold. This hands-on style builds credibility with staff and trust with families.

What it looks like every day

• Visible presence: Carly and her leadership team spend time in classrooms. They read with students, observe therapy sessions, and even step in during transitions. Staff see leadership engaged, not distant.

• Co-creation of programs: New initiatives, like functional academics or concert showcases, aren’t announced from the top down. They’re built collaboratively with teachers and therapists, then refined together.

• Walking the walk: Carly shared in her interview, “Last week, I didn’t even bring my computer to work. I spent the entire day in the classroom.” That level of involvement shows staff and parents that leadership isn’t just words on a website.

• Modeling values: Students watch adults demonstrate resilience, problem-solving, and accountability. Leaders show what it means to collaborate and persevere, providing living examples for children to follow.

• Supportive feedback: Instead of handing down criticism, leaders frame feedback as collaboration: “Let’s brainstorm together about how this lesson could work better.” Teachers feel empowered rather than policed.

What families and staff see

Parents often remark that Project Infinity “feels different.” They see leaders greeting families at drop-off, observing in classrooms, and speaking candidly during parent meetings. One father told us, “At our old school, leadership was invisible. Here, I see the director supporting teachers and even helping set up classrooms. That gives me confidence that the program is solid.”

Teachers echo that sentiment. They describe feeling empowered instead of drained, supported instead of isolated. Staff turnover is low because teachers feel valued, which gives students the consistency they need to thrive.

Why it matters

Leadership by doing isn’t just a philosophy—it creates tangible outcomes:

• Trust – Families believe in the program because they see promises backed by action.

• Motivation – Teachers feel supported, leading to higher energy in classrooms.

• Consistency – Students benefit from stable staff and sustained programs.

• Credibility – Leadership earns respect by modeling integrity and presence.

• Community – Collaboration thrives when everyone sees leaders rolling up their sleeves.

• Hope – Families feel confident their child is in a school where words and actions align.

A better path forward

Strong schools are built not just on curriculum and therapies, but on leadership that shows up every day. At Project Infinity, leading by doing creates a culture where teachers feel supported, families feel heard, and students experience the consistency they need to thrive.

Schedule a tour today and experience how leadership by example makes all the difference at Project Infinity.