The Story Behind Thought Growth
Thought Growth was founded by Dr. Brett Lemley, a seasoned educator with over three decades of experience in education and leadership. After years of helping educators and leaders navigate challenges, he realized the power of personal coaching to break mental roadblocks and clarify goals. Inspired by his own journey and the desire to help others overcome obstacles, Brett created Thought Growth to empower individuals to unlock their potential and achieve clarity in both their personal and professional lives.
Letter From Our Founder
Hi There,
Early in life, I realized my passion for learning. After graduating high school, I pursued college not with the intention of becoming a teacher, but to find a career that would be financially rewarding. However, through a winding path, I found myself in education classes and discovered my true calling: teaching. I have dedicated my adult life to education, not only because it is a noble cause, but because I believe it can be a matter of life and death for some children.
As a teacher and coach, I never imagined leaving the classroom until my principal moved to another school, and I experienced my first leadership transition. This transition, and the challenges we faced, helped me understand the critical role a principal plays in shaping the campus culture and supporting teachers. Motivated by this realization, I took the leap to become an administrator. My goal was to help teachers feel as supported and motivated as I did before the leadership change, thereby enhancing the experiences of all students.
As I grew more proficient in campus leadership, I had similar thoughts about district leadership. I believed that by helping principals build a positive culture, we could support even more teachers and students across the district. This belief sparked my move into district leadership.
Throughout my journey, I have served as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal, and central office administrator at the cabinet level. I have worked in mid-sized, large, very large, and the largest district in our state, each presenting its own challenges and rewards. I have had the privilege of working with some of the best educators and leaders in the country and have witnessed countless student successes, some of which have been nothing short of miraculous. Conversely, I have also seen the negative impact of ineffective leadership on individuals and organizations.
In my various leadership roles, I have coached individuals through both difficult and growth-filled times. These experiences led me to found Thought Growth. Just as I discovered my love for teaching years ago, I realized I have a passion for helping people get unstuck and find clarity. In short, I love coaching.
At Thought Growth, our focus is on YOU – understanding what your inner voice is telling you and whether it is an ally or a saboteur in your pursuit of goals.
If you’re feeling stuck or uninspired, or if you need help finding a clearer path forward, I’d love to partner with you. Together, we can build a plan to move from where you are to where you want to be.
Let’s talk soon.
Brett
Official BioDr. Brett Lemley is an educational leader with over 32 years of experience in shaping positive learning environments and empowering future leaders. His career began as a teacher and athletics coach, where he spent a decade before transitioning into school administration. Brett served as a principal for 12 years in both middle school and Early College High School settings within Clear Creek ISD.
Brett’s leadership roles expanded to district-level positions, including Director of Secondary Education for Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD, Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education in Fort Bend ISD, and Senior Executive Director in Houston ISD. In these roles, he played a critical part in building positive school cultures by fostering relationships and empowering educators to achieve their vision for effective education.
As a seasoned team builder and culture architect, Brett brings a wealth of experience into his coaching practice, helping both emerging educators and seasoned professionals navigate the complexities of today’s educational landscape. In addition to his work in public education, Brett also offers coaching to individuals seeking to declutter their thoughts and clarify their paths.
Brett holds a Doctoral Degree and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Houston-Clear Lake, where his dissertation focused on students’ preferred educational environments. He also earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Texas at Austin, with minors in Classic Civilizations and Mathematics. Brett is dedicated to continuously refining his coaching skills and is passionate about helping individuals get “unstuck” and move forward in their personal and professional lives. Outside of his work, Brett enjoys reading, exercising, traveling, and spending time with his family and friends.