Conversations with School Leaders
This is a podcast that engages school leaders across Ontario in authentic conversations about their passion and expertise in K - 12 education. We hope listeners will gain practical insights and strategies from each other to enhance learning and strengthen their school communities. Most importantly, this podcast will highlight stories, perspectives and the joy of school leadership!
Podcast Hosts
Lindsay Diakiw (she/her)
Professional Learning Consultant
Dr. Susie Lee-Fernandes (she/her)
Director of Professional Learning
Share Your Story
Please consider joining us as a guest by completing our brief proposal form.
Leadership Talks Proposal Form
Season 3 Episodes
Featured Episode
Our Guest
- Dr. Lee Airton (They/Them)
- Ros Salvador (They/Them)
- Tammy Shubat (She/Her)
Biographies:
Dr. Lee Airton (they/them) is an Associate Professor of Gender and Sexuality Studies in Education at Queen's University. Lee works closely with teachers, teacher unions, teacher educators, education authorities, non-profit organizations and researchers to address teacher candidates’ gendered vulnerabilities, the induction and retention of transgender teachers, and challenges in developing gender identity/gender expression-related education policy. Most recently, Lee and colleagues released, “No for Now: Guidance for School Staff on Supporting Transgender Students and Parent-Child Relationships” (www.nofornow.ca) which is informing educator practice across Canada. Learn more about Lee at www.leeairton.com.
Ros Salvador, pronouns they/them, is a Black, queer, non-binary lawyer with fifteen years experience working to advance human rights and social justice. Ros’ human rights work related to the education system includes representing individuals in human rights litigation, as well as having worked as a human rights leader in the education system for five years where developing policy and training related to gender identity and sexual orientation rights in schools has been significant focus of Ros’ work.
Tammy Shubat (she/her) has worked in health promotion and education for more than 25 years, and specifically for the last 18+ years with Ophea, advancing health and well-being in Ontario schools. Currently in the Chief Strategy Officer role, Tammy aligns provincial and national partners, project opportunities, and strategic objectives for Ophea, and for the sector at large. With a practice in grounded in social justice and anti-oppressive approaches in education, Tammy is a proud member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, an advocate, and a mum.
Details
Today in Ontario, public schools are systematically uninviting presentations or performances about homophobia and transphobia, cancelling events for 2SLGBTQ+ students, and restricting the activities of related student groups; school staff are also enabling students to leave conversations and lessons about gender and sexual diversity, and changing practice to remove these topics from the classroom. These actions taken by school staff and administrators may place them at risk of legal exposure as they are clearly discriminatory; and yet, they are taken in good faith as an effort to comply with two recently issued Policy and Program Memoranda: PPM 162 (limited HPE exemption) and PPM 170 ("guest speaker exemption" and detailed advance notice requirement for guest speaker presentations or performances).
In this podcast episode, the guests share their research findings and experiences of working with educators across Ontario schools who find themselves in this predicament, as well as evidence from legal analysis of both PPMs and their reported impacts. The discussion aims to inform OPC members of the risks inherent in emerging practices that seek to follow either PPM, and equip members with the tools to protect themselves and their staff, open conversations within their school boards, and ensure that 2SLGBTQ+ students and families are not being subject to discrimination.
| Episode 0 - Leadership Talks: Getting Started |
Welcome!Join our hosts Susie and Lawrence to hear more about what Leadership Talks is all about. We are looking forward to our conversations with leaders in education sharing their passions, areas of expertise and authentic stories about what drives their leadership journey. |
Episode 1 - The AI-Powered Principal: Reclaiming Time for Connection and Instructional Leadership |
Our Guest
DetailsIn this session, I will demonstrate how school leaders can leverage AI—specifically customized "Gems" and AI agents—to automate administrative heavy lifting and reclaim time for instructional leadership. The modern principal is often buried under "urgent" paperwork that delays "important" human work. I will share practical strategies to streamline: Documentation & Writing: Rapidly drafting newsletters, community memos, and grant proposals while maintaining a warm, professional voice. Teacher Performance Appraisals (TPA): Using AI as a collaborative partner to synthesize observation notes into meaningful, growth-oriented feedback. Strategic Planning: Utilizing AI to analyze school data and climate surveys to inform school improvement plans. The goal isn't to replace the human element but to protect it. By decreasing task completion time for repetitive cognitive tasks, leaders can achieve a healthier work/life balance and spend more time in classrooms and hallways. I will share my personal journey of implementing these tools at the elementary level, showing how AI can be an equity-seeking tool that ensures timely, high-quality communication. We will discuss the ethics of AI and how modeling these tools encourages a culture of responsible innovation for staff and students alike. If you have any questions about this episode, feel free to reach out to Annie Slater at annie.slater@tdsb.on.ca Resources: Principals for the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence |
| Episode 2 - Equipping Support Staff in Leadership and Learning |
Our Guest
DetailsAt Golden Learning Centre (KPDSB), the school team has developed and refined norms that focus on empowering educational assistants to build their strategies, strengthen their professional voice, and support student achievement and well-being. Through this collaborative partnership, educational assistants have demonstrated increased efficacy in their roles alongside classroom educators and the Special Education Resource Teacher. Together, they have created a cohesive team that collaborates effectively, shares ideas, challenges assumptions, and ultimately makes a significant contribution to student achievement and well-being. |
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Episode 3 - Beyond Welcome: What School Leaders Need to Know About Newcomer Family Engagement in the Early Years |
Our Guest
DetailsThis podcast conversation will explore how school leaders can move beyond symbolic welcome practices toward more meaningful engagement with newcomer families in kindergarten and the early years. Drawing on my research and professional learning work in early childhood education, I will discuss how leadership shapes belonging, trust, and culturally responsive family-school relationships, and share practical considerations for principals and board leaders working in diverse school communities. |
Episode 4 - From Compliance to Community: Student Voice with Structure in Ontario Schools |
Our Guest
DetailsI would like to share a practical leadership conversation about how schools can move from compliance-driven discipline toward structured, rights-informed learning communities grounded in dignity, student voice, safety, and shared responsibility. |
Past Episodes
Leadership Talks Podcast Season 1
Leadership Talks Podcast Season 2
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