Lead Anyway: Teaching Through the Fog When the System Stops Seeing You By Dr. Karissa Thomas You entered education to make a difference—yet now the system feels heavier than ever. Endless paperwork, shrinking resources, and a culture of sacrifice have left too many educators exhausted, invisible, and questioning their purpose. Recognition rarely comes. Change feels slow. But you’re still here, showing up for students. Lead Anyway is the powerful, timely guide for teachers, school leaders, and changemakers who feel overlooked but remain determined to protect their purpose. Award-winning author and global strategist Dr. Karissa Thomas draws from the Mosaic Intelligence Method™ —emotional integrity, cultural flexibility, and identity agility—to help educators reclaim their emotional strength, rebuild confidence, and lead from within. In This Book, You’ll Learn How to: Lead with emotional strength in draining, high-pressure environments. - Restore confidence when your work feels unseen or unappreciated. - Model resilience and steadiness for your team and students. - Establish healthy boundaries without sacrificing compassion. - Navigate systemic dysfunction while protecting your identity and purpose. You’ll Also Find: Practical reflection prompts to help you process challenges in real time. - Research-backed strategies for emotional resilience and identity stewardship. - Micro-moves for daily leadership that center people, purpose, and belonging—even when systems are broken. Why This Matters Now Teachers re-engaging silent classrooms. Professors holding space for first-generation students. Principals supporting staff through burnout. These real-world stories show how you can apply the same principles in your own context. Leadership isn’t about perfection or titles—it’s about presence, wholeness, and the quiet courage to stay human under pressure. Who This Book Is For Whether you’re a classroom teacher, an assistant principal juggling multiple demands, or a school leader supporting teams on the brink of burnout, Lead Anyway offers tools, language, and encouragement to help you stand strong when the system falls short. Perfect for: Teachers seeking career resilience and emotional clarity. - Assistant principals, deans, and school leaders facing burnout. - Educators who feel invisible within the system. - Leadership development for women, underrepresented staff, and emerging leaders. - Mentors and leadership coaches working with school-based teams. Your Next Step This is more than a leadership book. It’s a declaration—one that says: You are not invisible. You do not need permission. You can lead anyway. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Lead Anyway is a compelling and timely resource for educators navigating the weight of burnout, systemic challenges, and the feeling of invisibility within institutions. Dr. Karissa Thomas blends research, lived narratives, and practical frameworks like the Mosaic Intelligence Method(TM) to offer not only validation but also actionable strategies for sustaining purpose and resilience. What sets this book apart is its balance of heart and pragmatism-it acknowledges the emotional labor of teaching while providing clear tools to reclaim identity, foster belonging, and lead with integrity even in difficult environments. Both insightful and empowering, this work serves as a vital guide for teachers and leaders determined to find their voice and impact, even when the system falls short. - Sue ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Lead Anyway is a thoughtful and uplifting guide for educators who feel invisible in systems that overlook their struggles. Through the Mosaic Intelligence Method(TM), Dr. Karissa Thomas explores emotional integrity, cultural flexibility, and identity agility in ways that feel both practical and empowering. I especially appreciated the real stories and reflective questions-it made me pause and think about my own role as a leader, even outside the classroom. It's the kind of book that made me feel both seen and motivated, and I genuinely enjoyed how validating it was to read. - Abigail ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Lead Anyway is the pep talk, toolkit, and battle cry every burned-out teacher or leader needs when the system tries to shut you down. - Paige Dr. Karissa Thomas is an award-winning author, leadership strategist, and founder of The Mosaic Way(TM). She equips leaders and educators to navigate broken systems with emotional integrity, cultural flexibility, and identity resilience. Her work blends research, teaching, and coaching to help professionals lead with clarity and purpose.