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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
Data with Direction: Turning Benchmarks into Better Instruction #185
In this episode of The Empowered Educator Show, Dr. Mel breaks down how school leaders can use beginning-of-year benchmark assessments as more than just numbers on a spreadsheet. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by data, you’ll learn how to turn it into a clear roadmap for instructional decisions.
From spotting trends and setting growth targets to leading meaningful data conversations with staff, Dr. Mel shares practical steps to move from analysis to action. You’ll also hear common pitfalls to avoid—like focusing only on deficits or overloading teachers—and strategies to build confidence and clarity around data use.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- Why benchmark data matters for setting the tone of the school year
- How to disaggregate and interpret data to reveal strengths and needs
- Ways to connect data to RTI/MTSS, instructional planning, and PD
- How to lead data conversations that inspire action instead of anxiety
- Simple next steps to help your team implement quick wins
Whether you’re a new principal, an aspiring leader, or a seasoned educator, this episode will help you use data to drive growth and empower your staff with focus and direction.
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Calling All Educators!
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- 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.
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