Title: 1) School Principal; 2) Executive Coach
Company: 1) Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District; 2) Dinah McMichael Coaching and the International Coaching Federation
Location: Cypress, Texas, United States
Dinah McMichael, school principal at the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District and executive coach at Dinah McMichael Coaching and the International Coaching Federation, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Business Owners for dedication, achievements, and leadership in executive and leadership coaching.
Dedicated to elementary grade education for nearly 20 years, Ms. McMichael has expanded her expertise into the realm of executive coaching in recent years. She started her professional journey in 2006 as a second- and third-grade teacher for the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District, where she has remained in a variety of roles since. For several years, Ms. McMichael served as an instructional specialist and Title I coach at Yeager Elementary School. This position gave her the opportunity to embrace professional coaching for the first time, as she taught several science teachers how to analyze data and adapt their lessons to succeed for all students.
In 2011, Ms. McMichael stepped into a greater leadership role, becoming the assistant principal for Horne Elementary School. She then fulfilled the same position at Woodard Elementary School. Recognized for her capabilities, Ms. McMichael was asked to become the principal of Lieder Elementary School in 2019, where she has served to this day. Inspired by the quote “Be the change you wish to see in the world,” she views educational leadership as a continuous balance between resilience and compassion.
In addition to her primary vocation, Ms. McMichael has offered her services as an executive coach through her own organization, Dinah McMichael Coaching, since 2021. Her company is officially credentialed through the International Coaching Federation, showcasing her professionalism and skill in this endeavor.
Ms. McMichael’s performance in education has been boosted by her own academic journey. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Ouachita Baptist University, graduating with honors in 2006. Subsequently, Ms. McMichael earned a Master of Education in administration from Lamar University in 2009. She is currently pursuing a doctorate at Abilene Christian University. Ms. McMichael has also backed up her abilities through continued learning. She was certified as a principal mentor by the National Association of Elementary School Principals in 2023 and as an associate coach by the International Coaching Federation in 2024.
Among her many achievements throughout her career, Ms. McMichael is especially proud of guiding Lieder Elementary School through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. She provided key support to both faculty and students in the transition to virtual learning and back to in-person. Despite the complications of this time, Ms. McMichael ensured that the school gained lighthouse certification from Franklin Covey, a high honor for a school that marks the institution as one that prioritizes principles of leadership. This accolade is in keeping with the school’s motto of “At Lieder, we lead.”
On top of her commitment to education and leadership coaching, Ms. McMichael also devotes time and energy to her family as a loving wife and mother to two children. She enjoys reading, cooking, and attending and serving in her local church. Looking ahead, Ms. McMichael plans to continue spreading her philosophy on leadership through speaking at conferences and writing articles. She also intends to start a podcast titled “Strong Leaders, Strong Schools,” where she can share stories of the great work done by schools across the country.
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