Life throws many curveballs and at times people will have to work with what they know and have to get by. For educators, it's another ball game, and public school educators today are facing a lot of challenges, from budget cuts, low or stagnant salaries, and a pandemic. That also means the stakes are even higher for leadership at these schools, and principals have to be committed and dedicated because their jobs are not exactly easy, per The 19th.

Principals have to make strong commitments in order to find success in their jobs and knowing their purpose to achieve that comes with a lot of knowledge of self. But where does the will to do it come from?

In the latest episode of “Change Starts Here” podcast, Dustin Odham talked with Linda Cliatt-Wayman, a former principal of the Philadelphia public school system and author, about her own journey in the education field, becoming a principal, and the plans she had to execute to get there.

The pair also discussed …

• Wayman's path in education, from poverty, being a Special Ed teacher, to becoming principal
• How Wayman ensured her teachers met her expectations as principal
• The relationship the principal should have with their teachers and students

“I had to decide to make sure that I focused on making kids' dreams come true; that every child has a dream, and every child should dream,” Wayman said.

Linda Cliatt-Wayman is an author, educator, and former principal in the Philadelphia public school system. She is also a speaker and a mentor.