1:35 –Family’s influence—connections between church, home, and school. • 

1:50 – Education as legacy – father’s grit, mother’s service – inspired her to teach • 

2:45 – Fell in love with teaching while working with ESL adults in college • 

3:30 – Parenting as life’s ultimate classroom • 

4:10 – Parenthood reshaped her empathy; every child’s story matters • 

5:00 – Calmness sets classroom tone; composure equals caring • 

6:00 – Intelligence is not synonymous with impact – empathy drives learning • 

6:40 – Specific and kind feedback supports growth • 

7:05 – Clear expectations free creativity; freedom within structure builds trust • 

8:15 – Open communication forms psychological safety for students • 

9:00 – “Teaching is leading and learning at once.” Reflection as renewal • 

9:55 – Calm, kindness, and connection define leadership • 

10:50 – On professionalism – how mentors modeled integrity and joy • 

11:35 – Gretchen Abernathy’s mentorship: setting tone for a lifetime of teaching • 

17:35 – Lessons from City Park leaders, and her son’s influence • 

18:20 – Gratitude for reflection and renewal through conversation

Music for Lead. Learn. Change. is Sweet Adrenaline by Delicate Beats

Podcast cover art is a view from Brunnkogel (mountaintop) over the mountains of the Salzkammergut in Austria, courtesy of photographer Simon Berger, published on www.unsplash.com.

Professional Association of Georgia Educators

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Lead. Learn. Change. the book

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