This essay recounts the experience of a math teacher as she began to view herself as a teacher leader. The four different schools in which she worked over four school years and in two cities set the stage for reflection and growth that transcend school context. She shares her journey as she focused on reaching students quickly and establishing herself as a leader as her school environment changed. Creating empathy and joy became hallmarks of her work as an educator and the fuel for her work as a teacher leader. This article speaks to the struggle of finding pathways to leadership and advocating for change as a young professional and a "new" teacher in multiple contexts.