LADUE, Mo. – In a time when school can sometimes be stressful for students or they may get burned out, a principal in Ladue is rolling through the halls with a new kind of leadership.  

Dr. Stacy Carlock is using skates and joy to transform her school and community. At the Ladue Education Early Childhood Center, Carlock is proving education is more than just about test scores and lesson plans—it’s about love, laughter and fellowship.

She’s a principal on skates, literally.  

“In education today, we have a lot of burnout and turnover. So I really try to keep the mood light here while still learning and having success at the same time,” Carlock said.

Dr. Carlock Joy isn’t just an extra at the Ladue Early Childhood Center; she says it’s essential in setting the tone at the school.

“She has created  a  culture and a climate for early childhood kids like no other,” said superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke. 

Carlock’s leadership has gone viral with videos of her skating and celebrating with students, amassing over thousands of views.

“One day, I just started posting it; I got overwhelmed with the response I was getting. I did not realize there was such a big audience for this—all the comments and the messages I have been getting about how they love what I’m doing,” Carlock said.

Teachers say her authentic style has shifted the culture.

“It is a great place to work. I’m so happy to walk in the door every day; (Carlock) makes it a fun place for the kids, (a) fun place for the staff and makes coming to work everyday enjoyable,” said Jennifer Corcoran, a teacher at Ladue Education Early Childhood Center. 

From morning greetings to new traditions, Dr. Carlock is showing that joy can shape futures. She says keep smiling and she will keep rolling.