From the Classroom to the Capitol: Navigating Power and Policy with Kentucky State Rep. Tina Bojanowski

What happens when a citizen with no political intentions is suddenly called to run for office?

Grab your companion self-reflection guide to this episode

In this episode of The Story I’m Telling Myself, host Rita Ernst sits down with Kentucky State Representative Tina Bojanowski, PhD, to discuss her extraordinary transition from a full-time special education teacher to an influential voice in the Kentucky General Assembly.

Tina shares the vulnerable story of her "five-minute failure"—the day her initial 2016 filing paperwork arrived at the capital just past the deadline—and how that moment became the "spark" for a more intentional, research-driven path to leadership.

As a mother of a child with autism and a PhD in education and social change, Tina explains how she leverages her professional expertise to influence public policy even while serving in a "super minority".

This conversation goes beyond politics to explore the grit required to move the needle on education advocacy, the importance of relationship-building across party lines, and the essential self-care strategies—from butterfly gardening to setting boundaries—that keep a change agent grounded when carrying the weight of the world.

Key Takeaways from This Episode:

• The Transition from Advocate to Legislator: How personal experiences with special education and high-stakes testing drove a teacher to seek systemic change.
• Leading in the "Super Minority": Strategies for influencing legislation and gaining respect through meticulous research and preparation rather than partisan rhetoric.
• Policy vs. Politics: Why focusing on beneficial outcomes for constituents often requires voting outside of party lines.
• The Reality of the "Teacher-Legislator": Balancing a "part-time" government role with a demanding day job and the mental toll of public service.
• Mental Health and Grounding: The role of gardening, the Serenity Prayer, and "escaping" the 24-hour news cycle to maintain the capacity for long-term advocacy.

Connect with Rep. Tina Bojanowski:

Substack: ⁠TinaForKentucky.substack.com⁠ (Always free for followers!)

Email: [email protected]Connect with Host, Rita Ernst

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