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Empowered Educator: Leadership in Motion | Educational Leadership, Educational Administration, Teachers as Leaders, Teacher Transition
Welcome to Empowered Educator<p>
</p>*Are you an ambitious education professional ready to elevate your career to a leadership position?<p>
</p>*Do you have passions and interests you’re eager to pursue, yet feel uncertain about taking that crucial next step?<p>
</p>*Perhaps you're contemplating entrepreneurship to amplify your impact by launching your own coaching or consulting agency.<p>
</p>
Then this is the place for you!<p>
</p>I'm Dr. Mel, your guide to navigating the transition into leadership. With over 20 years of expertise, I provide the strategies and insights that driven educators like you need to succeed. <p>
</p>
Let’s POWER UP your leadership journey and make a lasting impact on the education.
Episodes
158 episodes
Being Brave on Purpose with Samantha Hamilton #155
Today’s guest is Samantha Hamilton—an award-winning principal, national education consultant, and the author of Brave On Purpose. With over two decades in education, Samantha is known for leading with heart, turning chaos into culture, and help...
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Episode 155
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22:07
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Power Surge⚡From Busy to Productive: Leading with Purpose #154
Main Message (2–3 min): Grab your top three tasks for this week and ask:Does this drive instructional excellence?Does this build a stronger school culture?Does this empower or develop someone on my team?...
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Episode 154
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3:16
🎙️ From AP to Principal: How to Own the Interview When It’s Your Own School #153
🎧 Stepping into the principalship at the school where you already serve as an assistant principal? That internal interview process can feel personal, political, and pressure-packed. In this episode, Dr. Mel coaches you through how ...
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Episode 153
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11:11
💥Power Surge: Finish Strong, Start Clear #152
Main Message (2–3 min): Use these last few weeks to: ✅ Celebrate the wins—no matter how small. Growth happened. ✅ Gather reflections—from your team, your students, and yourself. What worked? What didn’t? ✅ <...
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Episode 152
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4:25
Real Talk on Leading, Retaining, Growing, & Starting Before You’re Ready with Dr. Jana Haywood #151
Dr. Jana Haywood drops truth and strategy for every aspiring leader, burned-out teacher, and game-changing educator ready to make a move. From tackling the teacher shortage to rethinking onboarding, Dr. Haywood shares how authentic relationship...
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Episode 151
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31:27
Power Surge⚡The 3-Minute Reset: Leading with Intention #150
Pause. Breathe. Ask yourself three quick reflection questions:What leadership move did I make this week that aligned with my vision?What’s draining me or my staff that needs my attention?What’s one intentional shif...
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Episode 150
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4:22
No Permission Needed: Building a Culture of Trust and Innovation with Chuck Moss #149
In this episode of The Empowered Educator, Dr. Mel sits down with veteran educator Chuck Moss to unpack what it really takes to build a thriving school culture—one that fuels student achievement and inspires educators to lead from wher...
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Episode 149
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33:19
💥 Power Surge: The Ripple Effect of a Thank You #148
✅ A heartfelt, specific thank you hits deeper than a donut. ✅ Recognize effort, not just outcomes. "I saw the way you deescalated that student in third period—your calm presence made a big difference." ✅ Appreciation fuels ret...
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Episode 148
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4:01
Creating a Culture of Care: Practical Advice for School Leaders with Dr. Chris Culver #147
This episode dives deep into the real challenges and responsibilities of school leadership. From chaotic tornado drills to the emotional weight of imposter syndrome, we hit on what it really means to lead with clarity, communi...
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Episode 147
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31:29
Power Surge ⚡Leading in the Waiting *146
Feeling stuck in the in-between? Whether you’re still in the classroom dreaming about leadership or already in a role but waiting for that next open door, this episode is for you. We’re talking about how to lead well in the waiting season
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Episode 146
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2:49
Power Surge ⚡Is Your Leadership Following the Clock or the Compass❓*145
Are you rushing through your day like a ticking clock, or are you moving with purpose like a compass? This episode helps you pause and reflect on how you're leading—especially when urgency tries to run the show. Aspiring and new leaders, this i...
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2:40
Part 2: Ignite Your Leadership Shine w/LaVonna Roth *144
LaVonna Roth is a keynote speaker, author, and founder of Ignite Your S.H.I.N.E.® who supports leaders like you in uncovering your inner strengths, leading with greater alignment, and building genuine connection with those you lead and serve. B...
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Episode 144
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23:59
Part 1: Ignite Your Leadership Shine w/LaVonna Roth *143
LaVonna Roth is a keynote speaker, author, and founder of Ignite Your S.H.I.N.E.® who supports leaders like you in uncovering your inner strengths, leading with greater alignment, and building genuine connection with those you lead and serve. B...
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Episode 143
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28:32
Power Surge ⚡Leaving a Legacy with Your Leadership Today *142
What kind of leader do you want to be remembered as? Not someday—right now. In this episode, we’re unpacking what it means to leave a legacy through the daily moments: how you encourage, how you show grace, how you handle hard conversa...
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2:37
Power Surge⚡Lead Well, Live Well *141
Spring in schools is no joke. It’s testing season, hiring season, behavior spikes, and burnout all rolled into one. In this Power Surge, I’m encouraging you to stop pushing wellness to the bottom of your list. As an aspiring or new building lea...
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2:55
Crush Your Leadership Interview: 5 Must-Know Strategies to Speak with Confidence *140
Stepping into a leadership role? Whether it's your first time or you're making a move to a new position, the interview is your moment to own your expertise and show why you're the best fit. In this episode, I’m breaking down five...
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Episode 140
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12:40
Power Surge ⚡Called to Serve, Equipped to Act *139
Leadership isn’t just a title—it’s a calling. If you feel pulled toward building-level leadership, this episode is your reminder that the call to serve comes with the responsibility to act. God doesn’t just call the qualified—He equips...
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3:10
💪🏽 The Power of Student Engagement: Unlocking the Path to Achievement *138
In this episode, we’re getting to the heart of what really drives student success—engagement. As a school leader, you have the power to shift your entire building by helping your staff focus on what matters most: connecting students to t...
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Episode 138
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18:47
Power Surge ⚡Iron Sharpens Iron *137
Did you know that iron can’t sharpen itself? It takes another piece of iron—something just as strong—to refine its edges and make it sharper. The same is true for leadership. You weren’t meant to grow in isolation. If you want to be a bet...
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Episode 137
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3:20
🏀March Madness & Leadership: Coaching Your Team to Victory *136
March Madness isn’t just about basketball—it’s a masterclass in leadership. The way championship coaches build their teams, develop talent, and make in-game adjustments mirrors the way strong school leaders create thriving school cultures.<...
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Episode 136
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21:28
Firm, Fair, and Calm: Leading Student Discipline with Confidence *134
As a first-year principal, I’ve quickly realized that not everyone interprets calm leadership the same way. Some staff feel that if a student isn’t being yelled at, they haven’t really been “disciplined.” But I believe in following the handbook...
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Episode 134
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15:57
Lead Your School Into the Ai Future with Gruvy Education *132
William Grube is the founder of Gruvy Education. Through Gruvy Education, he partners with over 200 schools and several state-level organizations to provide AI training. He equips educators with the skills and knowledge to use AI effectively in...
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Episode 132
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26:06
Power Surge: Use Your Purpose & Passion to Be a Great School Leader🔥*131
What truly makes a great school leader? It’s not just about the title or responsibilities—it’s about leading with purpose and passion. In this Power Surge episode, we dive into what fuels impactful leadership and how aspiring and ...
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Episode 131
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3:36