.png)
Empowered Educator: Leadership in Motion | Educational Leadership, Principal Leadership, Teachers as Leaders
Are you a passionate educator stepping into leadership—or thinking about making that leap?</p>
<p>Maybe you just accepted your first admin role and feel the weight of leading well.</p>
<p>Or you’re a classroom teacher who feels the calling to lead with purpose and impact.</p>
<p><strong>The Empowered Educator Show</strong> is your space to grow as a leader without losing who you are.</p>
<p>I’m Dr. Mel—former administrator turned leadership and instructional coach, educational consultant, and now your guide to navigating the real work of school leadership. With over 25 years in education, I help new and aspiring leaders shift their mindset, strengthen their strategies, and build Confident Classrooms—where teachers feel supported, students are engaged, and learning thrives.</p>
<p>Each episode I bring you real talk, practical tools, and heart-centered leadership support designed to help you:</p>
<p>Create a school culture rooted in confidence, clarity, and trust</p>
<p>Develop teachers who feel empowered, not overwhelmed</p>
<p>Lead with boldness, even when the road gets bumpy</p>
<p>It’s about becoming the kind of leader who creates ripple effects across classrooms, campuses, and communities.</p>
<p>Let’s power up your purpose and put your leadership in motion.</p>
Empowered Educator: Leadership in Motion | Educational Leadership, Principal Leadership, Teachers as Leaders
Small School, Big Impact: Launching Micro Schools with David Richards *178
In this powerful episode of The Empowered Educator, Dr. Mel chats with David Richards—founder of ChangemakerEDU and passionate advocate for micro schools. Together, they dig into the why, what, and how of this growing movement that's redefining what learning can look like when you strip it down to relationships, purpose, and personalization.
Whether you're an educator burnt out by the bureaucracy or a leader dreaming of starting your own school-within-a-school, this conversation will open your eyes to a bold new future in education.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- What defines a micro school—and why size really does matter
- Why 80% of micro schools are privately funded (and how the other 20% make it work)
- How ChangemakerEDU supports educators in launching and sustaining their own micro school through coaching, cohort learning, and business planning
- The biggest challenges micro schools face—and how connection and community help overcome them
- Real talk on flexibility, burnout, funding, and the deep impact of personalizing education
🎧 Tune in to hear:
- The structure and spirit behind micro schools
- The different types of micro schools and how they're growing across the country
- David's insights into building a school that truly reflects your vision and values
- The ChangemakerEDU model—and why it just might be your next move
Download Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase!
Download Fetch app using this link, submit a receipt and we'll both score bonus points.
Calling All Educators!
I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more.
- I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources.
- I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant.
Join here: Empowered Educator Community
Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance Success
Grab a complimentary POWER Session
With Rubi.ai, you'll experience cutting-edge technology, research-driven insights, and efficient content delivery.
email: melinda@empowere...