About

My name is Julie McCain and I am a 28+ year veteran educator with a diverse background of knowledge and skills. In 2025, I planned to retire from teaching and turn to consulting full-time, but I received a job offer from a private (part boarding) school in west Austin where my nephew attended and decided to work at least one more year, through his senior year. All of my experience had been in Title I schools until this time: one year in 7th grade and then at a high school campus as an English teacher, department chair, advanced studies cohort chair, and summer interdisciplinary camp coordinator; I have dedicated my career to improving workplace systems through a unique mix of upward, downward, and sideways leadership influence, but to be honest in the last few years, I was struggling to find a satisfactory stride at my job so went on a mission digging for answers.  

My educational background includes studying psychology, leadership, and English, with master’s degrees in Juvenile Forensic Psychology from Prairie View A&M University and Industrial-Organizational Psychology master's degree from the Harvard Extension School, along with a graduate certificate in Organizational Behavior. I also graduated from the prestigious Holdsworth Center’s 2-year educational leadership program, which is a Texas-based nonprofit committed to improving leadership in the public education system. I leaned on my education to help in the areas I was struggling and looked for ways to improve the system around me.

 I believe a focus on developing people, identifying and troubleshooting systemic problems, creating a strong culture, and applying research-based and innovative solutions will make our classrooms stronger for student and educator well-being and performance and love to be part of those processes. My new job has reinvigorated me in the classroom, and instead of wanting to leave, I’m finding myself on fire again with new learnings I can’t wait to share. From my education, I specialize in organizational behavior, strategy consulting, student and adult learning, emotional intelligence development (with specialization in motivation), performance and life coaching, culture building and repair, leadership development, and negotiation and conflict resolution. The interesting perspective that I’m developing from my workplace is this blend of my Title I background with this new independent school teacher experience.

Where this has led me is to the realization that above all, I desire to help. Schools are struggling with enacting the innovating practices necessary for keeping teachers in the classroom and improving upon student success. Restructuring organizations is often necessary to disrupt unproductive norms. Leaders frequently struggle to form, correct, and maintain positive and strong cultures. Conflict is difficult to navigate. There is a true science to motivating others and creating an environment where students and adults alike embrace learning. Life does not have to be so hard! I am staying in the classroom teaching because it is truly my first love, but I decided to continue offering these services part time in hopes I can be of assistance to those who are in need of improvements in any or all of these areas.

If this is where you envision your organization, drop me a message…The destination? Success. All aboard the Growth Train!