In this episode of Build Momentum, we are joined by Katie Lash. Katie is the Director of the East Central Education Service Center in Indiana. Katie is a former fourth-grade teacher, a special education teacher, and a former principal. She has also been an adjunct faculty member at Indiana University East since 2015.

Katie will be joining as a co-host in this season of Build Momentum, and together we will be exploring how to leverage key partners, constituencies, and the media to authentically impact organizations and the leaders who champion them.

Some Questions I Ask:

• How did we meet? (0:48)
• Will you tell us about your background and how you got into the work you're in now? Also please share more about your role at the East Central Indiana Service Center. (3:36)
• Could you tell us more about the role service centers play in the education system and how you help students and superintendents throughout multiple districts? (5:49)
• What are you hearing these districts are facing right now in terms of challenges, particularly related to teacher retention? (8:39)
• Do you think [the teacher shortage crisis] has been going on within your community for a long time or is more serious now than ever? (14:30)
• What are you excited about as we enter 2022-23? school year? (16:13)
• What are you seeing companies do well in thought leadership? Can you share any of the strategies that you think lead to richer discussions and more authentic connections between companies and individuals? (19:18)
• What do you hope to achieve and what takeaways do you want people to have on the coming season of this podcast? (24:01)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• How Katie and Sarah met (1:17)
• Katie’s background and role at the East Central Indiana Service Center (3:44)
• The role of service centers in the education system (6:01)
• Education challenges amidst COVID and the teacher shortage in education (9:03)
• What’s yet to come for the 2022-23 school year (16:23)
• Thought leadership strategies to help companies build authentic connections with individuals (19:53)
• What to expect  on Build Momentum Season 3 (24:31)

Quotes:

“We don't necessarily have a teacher shortage. Teachers exist, [but] they're leaving this particular field. There are plenty of licensed teachers. Teachers are a really hot commodity to be recruited into other professions.”

“Sometimes I am the decision maker—there might be a product that, depending on what it does, the service center itself needs to buy. But in other situations, maybe we're not the purchaser—we might be the door. We know the districts well and know exactly what they're looking for. And so sometimes, I can get [a vendor] right to the person they need to be talking to, and they can skip 10 steps because I already know who they need to meet.”

“I'm really excited to see the districts authentically using the service center and letting me help convene them as a lot of fun and just hearing them brainstorm together.”

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