From Teaching to Transforming a School: Emma Balter’s Journey at Six to Six Magnet School

What does it take to lead a school to award-winning excellence? For Emma Balter, Principal of Six to Six Magnet School, the journey began after 29 years in the classroom when she unexpectedly stepped into administration. Now, as leader of Connecticut's 2025 Middle School of the Year, she shares the leadership strategies that transformed her school community.Six to Six Magnet School embodies a unique educational model - an inter-district school serving 450 students from Bridgeport and 17 surrounding communities, creating remarkable diversity both ethnically and socioeconomically. True to its name, the school operates from 6am to 6pm, supporting working families with extended hours while delivering exceptional STEM-focused education through powerful community partnerships.Balter's leadership mantra of "growing and changing" reflects her commitment to continuous improvement. She candidly discusses her growth in having difficult conversations, sharing how Glenn Singleton's "Courageous Conversations" helped ground her approach to equity and inclusion.Join us for this inspiring conversation about brave leadership, building administrative alignment, and why maintaining classroom connections matters. Whether you're an experienced administrator or aspiring leader, Balter's journey offers valuable lessons for creating award-winning school communities where both students and educators thrive.