The Virtual Principal

One of my favorite takeaways from this conversation was to remember to "reset the baseline". Make sure that listen in tomorrow to find out why you need to reset your baseline while working in schools during the pandemic!

I have just completed 30 years in education, 27 years of it has been in a Title 1, urban setting and 20 proud years as an administrator. I'm from the Detroit area and moved to Florida 3 years ago. I started my Educational Consultant firm to inspire teachers with offering programs, training and coaching opportunities to grow inward so they will shine outward. 

My passion is empowering students as well as teachers, my responsibility as a leader is to provide educators with the vision within themselves that they do have "superpowers" and the belief starts with them. They educate our future, but they can't pour from an empty cup, before they can teach student's about their full potential, they must see their own full potential first. They can't love someone else until they love themselves first. it's creating a growth mindset, be culturally aware and responsive to who they teach and continue that enthusiasm with their passion...remember their WHY.

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Dr.  Summer Wood and I have a casual conversation about how most leadership pathways begin from intimating leadership you have seen to innovating though defining your own leadership style.  Listen in as we engage in conversation around walking in your purpose and servant leadership. 

Dr. Wood's leadHER Recommedations:
Listening: 
Reading: 
Following:

I asked my good friend Erica Terry to take over my podcast for a day! She knocked it out of the park! You don't want to miss out on how to develop your Empowerment Statement! Don't forget to check out her link here for Educators Helping Educators group !

Reading: The Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

You do not want to miss this conversation! Kelly and I get into an amazing conversation about coaching coaches!

Dr. Kelly Morgan Gunn began her career in education as a middle school English/Language Arts teacher in Dallas Independent School District. While a teacher in DISD, she also served as an Adult Basic Education Instructor and Alternative Certification Instructor for new teachers and paraprofessionals.  Eventually, Kelly served as department chair and led her team to a 21 percentage point gain on the state assessment in writing.

Kelly’s career in education has included teaching and learning in several states, including Tennessee, Texas, Louisiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Georgia.  Her background includes research and experience in curriculum and instruction, educational law, culturally relevant teaching, urban teacher development, and urban educational leadership.

Kelly has taught courses in teacher education at the University of Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky University, and Mercer University. Kelly has worked in instructional leadership positions in both traditional public and charter systems. She currently serves as the Executive Director of The Kindezi Schools, a network of charter and partner schools in Atlanta, GA.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English with certification to teach 6-12 from Tennessee State University, a Master’s in Education Administration and an Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction from Louisiana State University, and Doctorate in Urban Educational Leadership from the University of Cincinnati.  Though teacher training and development is her passion and calling, Kelly’s greatest joy comes from quality time with family and her three favorite guys—–sons, Tre and Camden Jace, and husband, C.J.

Dr. Kelly Gunn's LeadHER Recommendations:
Book: 5 Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni & Work Rules: Insights from Inside Google That Will Transform How You Live and Lead by Laszlo Bock
Listening: Jill Scott "Blessed" (Song)
Following: Will Smith, Erinn Cottman & Beyonce 

PSA!!!! Self-care is NOT selfish! Ok, now that this is in the atmosphere get to know our next guest!

Michelle has served as an educator for over 20 years with 7 years as a school based administrator. As an educator, Michelle began her career as an exceptional education teacher and has a diverse set of experiences working as a learning specialist, reading coach, dean, testing coordinator, staffing specialist, leadership coach, an assistant principal of instruction, and principal. In addition to her educational experiences, she recently transitioned from educator to full time entrepreneur serving as a Leadership Coach for women and is the founder of

The Leadership Lifesaver,  a self care subscription box for current and aspiring women in educational leadership. Michelle has a deep commitment to building leadership capacity in others and is dedicated to ensuring each of her clients are creating transformation in their buildings and beyond.

Michelle's LeadHER Recommendations:
Book: Developing the Leaders Around  You  by John Maxwell
Listening: Redefining Wealth Podcast
Following: John Maxwell, Christy B Wright, Christine Cain

Get to know our first LeadHER and listen in to Episode 2 to get the inside scoop on entrepreneurship for educators!

Dr. Deana Stevenson is a business and educational consultant that teaches mostly women how to use their current skillset to position themselves as the go-to authority figure in their industry so they can confidently launch their premier product or service.

During a Global Pandemic she set a goal to help 25 women launch their business by the end of the year and had to quickly change the goal to 50 when she met and exceeded this goal in 60 days.

As a former physician and elementary principal, she understands the need for women to work 20X harder than men to be successful. What she knows to be true is that women actually have the capacity to work 100x harder because they are naturally driven to make an impact on the world.

Dr. Stevenson enjoys helping female educators use their expertise to launch a business through her signature course, The Educational Consultant Lab™️ – a 6-week online course to turn educators into entrepreneurs. She also enjoys encouraging women to pursue their lifelong vision through her Signature Live Event, Manifest Your Vision. 

When she’s not helping her clients build their empire, she enjoys spending time with her husband Dr. Bert Stevenson and their two children Michael and Madison.

Doc Deana' LeadHER Recommendations:
Book: Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller  & The Slight Edge by Jeff Olsen
Listening: Girl CEO Podcast & Amy Porterfield Podcast
Following: Amy Porterfield, Marie Forlio and Nicole Walters