Coming Soon
To Amazon
Friday, March 13, 2026
About the Book
One Step at a Time is a deeply personal memoir about how life can change in a single moment and how healing rarely happens all at once.
After surviving a school shooting while serving as an assistant principal and athletic director, I was forced to confront trauma, identity, leadership, and what truly matters. This book is not only about what happened that day. It is about everything that followed. The quiet moments. The hard decisions. The unraveling and the rebuilding. The slow and often uneven process of rediscovering peace, purpose, and presence.
This is a story about survival, but it is also a story about what it means to keep going when the life you knew no longer fits.
Why I Wrote This Book
I did not write this book to relive trauma. I wrote it to make sense of it.
For a long time, I carried this story quietly. Some parts felt too heavy to share. Other parts felt impossible to explain. Over time, I realized that many people are walking through their own versions of sudden change, loss, burnout, or transition, often feeling alone in the process.
This book is my attempt to tell the truth about what healing actually looks like. It is slow. It is imperfect. It requires patience, support, and a willingness to take life one step at a time. My hope is that by sharing my story honestly, others might feel less alone in theirs.
Who This Book Is For
This book may resonate with you if:
You have experienced a sudden life-altering event
You are navigating trauma, loss, or burnout
You are questioning your identity after a major transition
You are a leader, educator, parent, or caregiver carrying more than most people realize
You are learning how to slow down and rediscover peace
Early Reader Reflections
These reflections come from early readers and beta reviewers and will continue to be shared here as the release approaches.
“The humanity in this book made it feel less like reading a story and more like sitting down with a friend. While the subject matter is heavy, the reflections on shifting priorities and what truly matters left me feeling hopeful. It reminded me how powerful presence and gratitude can be.”
— Trevor, Olathe, Kansas
“The raw honesty and clarity of the writing makes the story deeply relatable, especially for those balancing leadership and family life. It reaffirmed the importance of presence over productivity and the courage it takes to choose what truly matters. The story stayed with me long after I finished reading.”
— Jack, Olathe, Kansas
“This book is written with care, honesty, and reflection, making it easy to connect with on a human level. The way it explores trauma and growth encourages readers to pause and examine their own lives. It’s a story that stays with you and invites meaningful self-reflection.”
— Danelle, Shawnee, Kansas
“The power of this story comes from how thoughtfully it weaves an entire life journey into one defining moment. The vulnerability makes it feel cinematic, allowing the reader to experience the story through the author’s lens. It reinforces that our lives are shaped not by one event, but by the full tapestry of who we’ve been and who we’re becoming.”
— Erin, Olathe, Kansas
“This book captures the reality of burnout in education with honesty and compassion, reflecting the unseen effort so many educators give without recognition. The chapters surrounding the shooting were difficult to read, yet deeply important in showing how trauma unfolds over time. What stayed with me most was the hope woven into the healing process and the invitation to reflect on what truly matters.”
— Becky, Scott City, Kansas
“This book is both deeply personal and powerfully reflective, offering insight into trauma, leadership, and healing. The writing conveys not just what happened, but the emotional weight that followed. It left me with a strong sense of hope and appreciation for the quiet strength it takes to keep moving forward.”
— John, Lenexa, Kansas
“What stood out to me was how clear and approachable the writing felt, even when the subject matter was heavy. The way the story returned to themes of healing and self-reflection felt grounding, especially for anyone searching for clarity or peace. This book gently reinforces that vulnerability is not weakness and that asking for help is a brave step forward.”
— Amy, Scott City, Kansas
“This book captures the deep commitment and quiet sacrifices educators make long before anyone notices. The honesty around burnout, trauma, and healing was powerful and eye-opening, especially in showing how someone can believe they are ‘fine’ while still carrying so much pain. The reflection questions made this feel like both a personal journey and a meaningful resource for others.”
— Connie, Colby, Kansas
“This book offers a clear and organized journey through an incredibly difficult experience, balancing physical recovery, emotional healing, and reflection. The honesty around isolation and silence after the shooting adds depth and truth to the story. Above all, it leaves the reader with a sense of hope that peace can still be found.”
— Anonymous
“Hearing this story from the author’s perspective was both heartbreaking and inspiring. The honesty around what happened after the shooting, especially the silence that followed, was deeply impactful. It’s a powerful reminder of how much presence and acknowledgment matter in moments of crisis.”
— Anonymous
“This story is told with sincerity and heart, making complex emotions around trauma and healing feel accessible and human. It offered both honesty and hope, reminding me how important it is to acknowledge pain while continuing to move forward. The message of resilience stayed with me long after I finished reading.”
— Margene, Norman, Oklahoma
“While the shooting initially draws you in, it’s the honesty about overwork, anxiety, and missed moments with family that makes the story resonate on a deeper level. The book highlights how subtle, everyday choices can quietly erode our well-being. It prompted me to reflect on my own need for affirmation and how aware I am of that need in others.”
— Rusty, Olathe, Kansas
“The honesty of this story makes it deeply impactful, especially in showing how healing is rarely linear. It challenged me to think differently about mental health and the importance of asking for help. The vulnerability throughout the book made it both relatable and meaningful.”
— Nicole, Olathe, Kansas