As a young girl, Misa Terahira Lawrence grew up attending business meetings in Japan to assist her blind father. She observed and learned the nuances of listening and asking the right question. The art of “drawing out” is the basis of her philosophy as a leader and educator.
Misa has her Master’s Degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She earned the Top Educator of the Year award at the United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School as she developed a flagship program called Preflight, which had On Course at its foundation. She worked with cadet leaders to help them become more reflective, effective military leaders. Leading instructors from very different mission elements (military trainers, academic instructors, and athletic coaches) to teach Preflight transformed the culture.
Misa and her husband Daniel have applied the On Course principles in their family lives when they learned that their first-born son would not walk, would not talk, and would have severe to profound cognitive delays. Of all the On Course principles, personal responsibility became a daily challenge: how can we respond proactively in this seemingly hopeless situation?
With a background in education in the public, private, and government sectors over 15 years, Misa currently teaches at St. Paul College in Minnesota. She enjoys fishing, reading, and eating.