Leadership With Latoya Podcast

In the third episode of the Instructional Leadership Series, Latoya and Mike tackle the second core question of Professional Learning Communities. The conversation touches on assessment and the power of teachers immersing themselves in the process of designing aligned and rigorous assessments prior to planning instructional lessons. It's power packed with goodness. Press play!

In this episode, Latoya and Mike identify what a professional learning community isn't, and clearly define what a PLC is-teacher teams who collaborate via inquiry and action research to improve their instructional practices and student outcomes. They go further and give principals some things they can put in place to take the journey to establish true Professional Learning Communities. Press Play! 

In this episode, Latoya and Mike kick off their Instructional Leadership Series. Episodes 8-12 will focus on helping educational leaders enhance their instructional leadership support. We're talking about everything from clarity and focus, to PLCs, feedback and more. If you are a leader who wants to improve your ability to help others improve their practice, educator or not, this series is for you! Press play!

In this episode, Latoya and Mike discuss the challenges and joys of embracing authentic leadership. Leaders who want to release themselves from the pressure of feeling that they have to be perfect, know all of the answers, and can't demonstrate a vulnerability in the presence of those they serve should give this a listen. In the words of Latoya, "The best thing we all could ever be is ourselves!" Be you! Be True! Be a hope builder! Press play!

In this episode, Latoya welcomes guest Chris Chandler (@chrischandler24), a practicing assistant principal, to discuss how the leadership team at this school is making feedback matter. From being transparent and consistent about expected instructional practices to sharing collective feedback via video snapshots, the episode is full of ideas you'll want to put into practice right away! What are you waiting for? Press play!

In this episode, Mike and Latoya explore the challenge that leaders have sometimes moving from the idea stage to execution or vice versa. Their discussion leads them down a path of interesting insights and thoughts about how leaders can improve their abilities on either end of this spectrum. For tools you can use right now, press play!

Are you an aspiring leader? In this episode, Latoya and Mike discuss 5 key lessons for those who aspire to lead. Leading isn't just about managing, evaluating, and directing the work of others. It's about serving, influencing advocating, developing your self and others, and asking the right questions. For tips on the top 5 lessons we believe are most important for aspiring leaders in any field give this episode a listen.

In this episode, Latoya and Mike explore the role of leaders as learners. They provide insight into how leaders can create time and opportunities to learn and self-direct their own development. Far too often, leaders find themselves ignoring their own development as they work to develop others. Latoya and Mike offer practical suggestions about how leaders can develop others and themselves to add value to their organization as well as improve their ability to lead. If you are trying to figure out how you might find the time to contribute to your own development while leading others, this episode is for you. Press play!

In this episode, Latoya and Mike tackle the big C-Communication! It can be a challenge for all leaders, but it is a vital skill in helping accomplish organizational goals and objectives. This episode will give you some ideas about the practical methods you can use to communicate with those you serve effectively. You'll finish with ideas and tips to improve your communication skills as a leader. Press play!

In this episode, Latoya and Mike discuss Latoya's new book, Burned Out, Beaten Up, Fighting Back: A Call To Action For America's Public Educators and how educators can practice positive advocacy! Press Play to learn about the #call2action4ed April Challenge and gather ideas about how you can make positive advocacy a regular part of your work life! Welcome to Season 3! It's going to be epic!

In this episode, Latoya and Michael discuss strategies for leaders to become better listeners. Listening with intention isn't easy, and is a skill that must be practiced. Get ready to learn about some great listening techniques you can put it into practice today! What are you waiting for? Press play!

In this episode, Latoya and Michael discuss the critical conditions that leaders must work to create in order to be successful. From building trust to listenting, leaders have a responsiblity to reflect and adapt their behaviors as needed to maximize organizational productivity. If you're wondering if you've built a strong foundation for future success as a leader, listen to this episode and reflect on your own leadership experiences. What are you waiting for? Press play now!

In this episode Latoya and Michael recap some of their favorite episodes from 2017. They take their discussions on focus and clarity, why good ideas fail, and accountability and support one step further. If you liked any of these past episodes, you'll love this recap. It's stocked full of ideas that are sure to get you thinking about how you might grow in your leadership this year! Press play!

In this episode, Latoya and Michale tackle the idea that leadership, although sometimes mistakenly boilded down to something simple, is really a complex operation. They specifically dive into the idea of how leaders sometimes mistakenly over simplify the idea that their work is simple and how that narrative can dismantle understanding and public perception of what the leader is doing in the organization. This episode is packed full of tips you can use today! Press play!

In this episode, Latoya and Mike discuss the inequity that still plagues the public k-12 school system and ways we can begin to address the root causes of it instead of the symptoms. They suggest a straight forward approach, that is comprehensive in nature, and collective in accountability. If you're interested in ALL meaning ALL when it comes to our children getting the very best education, press play! You'll be glad you did!

In this expisode, Mike and Latoya challenge listeners to think about how they are preparing the next generation of leaders in their organization in ways that ehhance the capacity of future leaders and support the sustainablity of accomplishments. From education to business, leaders have a responsibility to work collaboratively with their team to set a vision, develop talent in others, and put the pieces together for success! What are you waiting for? Press play!

In this episode, Latoya and Mike discuss the changing nature of teaching and learning, the push for a more future focused teaching and learning enviormnment, that conflicts with the traditional structure of school leadership, which remains in its orginal form, in spite of the conditions of the job having changed. Is there room to rethink the structure of the principalship? Are the conditions of the principalship impacting longevity in position? These questions and more are explored in this episode. Press play!

It's easy for leaders to get bogged down in the routine and habitual activities related to their work. Sometimes, those routines and habits lead us to being less aware of how our actions and leadership style is impacting those we lead. In this episode, Mike and Latoya discuss ways to avoid this leadership pitfall, by encouraging leaders to be reflective about thieir practice and purposeful in their planning. You don't want to miss this episode! Press play!

In this episode, we discuss the role of a leader as an advocate. Great leaders advocate on behalf of the folks they serve. Advocacy is a central part of leadership. How so, you might ask? That's because leaders have a responsiblity to advocate in order to communicate the needs, accomplishments, and obstacles they and their organization face. If you're interested in advocating with passion and perseverance as your fuel, listen to this episode!

Of all the things leaders have to keep in mind, equity is certainly one of them. Meeting people where they are to support them appropriately and in an equitable manner is a challenge for every leader. In this episode, Latoya and Mike discuss ways leaders can make sure they are leading with equity in mind by setting an example and modeling this for those they serve. Press play now!