A smiling man with short dark hair and a beard, wearing a dark t-shirt, standing in a room with a white bookshelf and various items in the background.

About Clayton Hucke (M.Ed)

Clay (M.Ed) has 15 years of experience working various leadership roles in public education: Teacher, Assistant Principal, and Head Principal. Clay left his principal role and started Next Steps Mindset Coaching and Consulting in 2023. Clay has thousands of hours of coaching and mentoring experience. Clay is passionate about helping individuals and teams reach their full potential through coaching and experiential learning. Clay empowers individuals and teams by instilling a strong focus in the following areas: Power of Mentorship/Coaching; Leading Oneself Before Leading Others; Self-Reflection Through Knowing Strengths; Creating Positive Culture Through Ownership

  • M.Ed Northeastern State University - School Leadership/Admin

  • B.S. Ok. State University - Economics and Sociology.

  • Bilingual (English and Spanish)

  • School Principal - 10 years

  • Personal Finance Expert

  • World Traveler - Lived in 3 different continents

  • Facilitator - Values in Action Strengths Assessment

  • Real Estate Business Owner

My favorite quote is: “Success is not final; Failure is not fatal; It is the courage to continue that counts.” - Winston Churchill.

I have experienced a lot of success in my life, but have also experienced a bit of failure. Each failure has lead to growth and enriched my story. No matter how much we accomplish in life, there is always something looking to knock us off that pedestal. This is the human condition. For the past 20 years, I have coached youth and adults.

As we have seen the need for a focus on mental health explode over the past few years, I have seen a giant deficit in human connection and trust. I believe that every adult and child would benefit by having a life coach or mentor to guide them through the ups and downs of life. Unfortunately, our society continually devalues the importance of authentic human connection.

Our ‘Village’ has gotten smaller and smaller, and this lack of robust community has resulted in people feeling more and more isolated. There is power in community and there is power in taking actionable Next Steps to better your life. We all need a guide to help us grow. I want to partner with you, your organization, or your school, to maximize your potential. We must take a holistic approach in how we develop our teams. The individuals that work in our organizations are so much more than a means to an end.

My love of travel and adventure has led me to live in three different continents. I spent a year teaching in Chile, South America, resulting in me becoming conversationally bilingual in Spanish.

I started and run a small real estate business. I nerd out on personal finance, and know how to coach individuals into building passive income and grow their net worth. I am an experienced teacher, having been a public school teacher of ESL, Spanish, and Economics. I have a Masters in Public School Administration and have been a public school principal for 10 years with Union Public Schools.

I recently transitioned from a career in public education to start Next Steps Mindset. I have a beautiful wife, Sarah, and 3 amazing kids: Cora, Owen, and Caleb. Lastly, I am a big believer that each of us plays the biggest part in writing the story of our lives!

A smiling man with a beard and short dark hair, wearing a pink button-up shirt, sitting on a tan leather chair in a cozy living room with a bookshelf, a white lamp, and a large potted plant in the background. There is a logo that reads 'Next Steps Mindset' in the lower left corner.

Life Coach - Mentor - Guide - Facilitator - Consultant

I am passionate about helping people! When you have experienced success in something, you want to share it with others. You are the hero in your story, and every hero needs a guide. I want to partner with you, your team, or your school, to help guide you in achieving the best life for you and the best. I use my unique personality and strengths to help you become your best!

My Top 5 Strengths:

Love of Learning

Curiosity and Interest in the World

Zest, Enthusiasm, Energy 

Capacity to Love and Be Loved

Spirituality, Sense of Purpose, Faith

Enneagram (Personality)

Type 3: - Achiever (Energetic, Resourceful, Focused, and Driven)

My Family

  • Having an idea or goal results in only 10% likelihood of completing the goal

  • Consciously deciding that you will do it: 25%

  • Deciding when you will do it: 40%

  • Planning how to do it: 50%

  • Committing to someone that you will do it: 65%

  • Having a specific accountability appointment with someone you’ve committed to: 95%