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
Lawrence DeMaeyer
Professional Learning Consultant, Ontario Principals’ Council
Susie Lee-Fernandes
Director of Professional Learning and Engagement, Ontario Principals’ Council
Share Your Story
Please consider joining us as a guest by completing our brief proposal form.
Leadership Talks Proposal Form
| 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. |
Episodes
Listen here or visit voicEd Radio. We invite you to subscribe, follow, favorite, comment or just listen.
| Episode 1 - Support to Thrive: Bolstering Resilience and Mental Health in Schools |
Our GuestDr. Kingsley Hurlington, Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board DetailsJoining us in conversation is Kingsley Hurlington to discuss the question - Ever wonder why some youth are seemingly crushed by stress in their lives while others seem to thrive? Resilience is the capacity of individuals to navigate their way to well-being in the face of adversity. In an interactive workshop, we will explore how the principles of resilience can be applied by teachers with individual students, classroom communities and entire schools in practical and meaningful ways that bolster social, emotional, mental – and ultimately – academic and personal success. |
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Episode 2 - Principalship at High Priority / High Needs Elementary Schools
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Our GuestUmar Qureshi, Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board DetailsIn an elementary school that is deemed "high need" within Ontario, the context of the learning is as important as what is being taught and by whom. In our conversation with Umar Qureshi, he discusses his research proposal compiling leadership competencies and standardized considerations to support school leaders. Could leadership considerations be added to the Ontario Leadership Framework (OLF) given the diverse academic and socio-economic circumstances at high need elementary schools in Ontario? A consistent leadership framework to address the student achievement gap would be beneficial with the layered nature of school principalship.
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Episode 3 - Leading Innovation, Finding and Activating School Leaders |
Our GuestJennifer Shortreed, Waterloo Region District School Board DetailsFor this episode, we have Jennifer Shortreed joining us to share some of her experiences working on innovative structures that improve student outcomes over the years, most frequently in Design thinking, Student Success and Online Learning. |
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Episode 4 - Supporting 2SLGBTQQIA+ Staff and Students |
Our GuestBarry Bedford, Simcoe County District School Board DetailsPlease note that this topic may be challenging for different reasons, and while it is not our intent to cause anxiety or stress to anyone participating or listening, we acknowledge that this may be the experience for some people. If needed, we encourage you to reach out for support to a trusted friend or colleague, another personal resource or your organization’s Employee Assistance Program. In this session, Barry Bedford joins us to discuss the realities of being 2SLGBTQQIA+ in today's schools. There is a need to challenge homophobia and heterosexism in school communities (unintentional or intentional) to help create safer, more inclusive learning environments and workspaces. As school leaders, let’s think about how to model best practices for including 2SLGBTQQIA+ issues. |
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Episode 5 - School / Community Read Alouds |
Our GuestGurmeet Gill, Peel District School Board DetailsGurmeet Gill, our guest in this episode of Leadership Talks, has been using school wide and community read alouds to bring the community together. The intentional selection of books support school success goals around equity, including celebrating Black Excellence, learning about Canadian history with the lens of Truth and Reconciliation, and celebrates our students and community. Gurmeet’s support of read alouds, engaged community members, students and staff as her schools’ special guests and as readers. She invites you to embrace your passion, be intentional and take risks as a leader. For herself, she has found exciting work in this area that continues to flourish in many ways. |
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Episode 6 - Teaching Learning Walks and Rolls: Co-creating Learning |
Our GuestDr. Beverly Freedman, Educational Services Consultant DetailsUpdate - Shortly after the release of this episode, we received feedback that the term “walks” is not inclusive as not all individuals walk. We should have included terminology that is universal and does not stem from ableism. We decided to keep this episode available as it does highlight ideas and strategies to support instructional leadership. As we re-evaluate resources, strategies, etc. to support leadership, we are committed to intentional learning about ableism in schooling and society, including our language, that perpetuate bias, barriers and oppression. We encourage our Members to learn more about ableism in education and to reflect on how that shows up in their practice as they find other learnings within this podcast. In this conversation, we chat with Bev Freedman about how COVID disrupted the ways we, as leaders, engage in schools and classrooms. She reminds us of the importance of intentional monitoring of teaching/learning in classrooms. Teaching Learning Walks and Rolls (TLWR) provides a framework to capture observations not only individual classrooms, but rather a broader analysis across classrooms creating a tapestry of learning. There isn't an emphasis on a single data point, instead TLWR uses the data across multiple visits to classrooms, across all grades and subjects, as assessment for learning. When combined with other information, observational data can be used to develop trends and patterns to inform system/school planning. Providing collegial feedback using observational data becomes a form of pedagogical documentation providing the basis for collaborative inquiry, which can increase collective efficacy. Presence in classrooms also increases principal credibility, because feedback is job-embedded, based on on-going, evidence-based teacher practice. TLWRs moves the practice from automatic to intentional using a framework to focus on various forms of evidence in teacher practice. Effective leaders are present and collaborative. TLWRs are evidence-based. Engaging and collaborating – purposeful presence is good for your health and your mind. Let us engage, be purposefully present and learn together! Monograph*Please note that the monograph is for the personal and professional use of OPC Members and Associates. The materials should not be re-distributed or used publicly, or with staff or other groups, without permission from the author. |
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Episode 7 - Supporting Technological Education |
Our GuestBrent Coakwell, Halton District School Board DetailsWith the current demand for Technological Education for Kindergarten – Grade 12, Brent Coakwell joins us on Leadership Talks to share his passion for the trades. He’ll discuss how it’s possible to empower and enhance the experience for students, while supporting principals in an area many are looking to develop a deeper understanding. There are ways principals can help each other through the deep work needed to build capacity in Technological Education. Brent also talks about considerations for planning, timetabling, budgeting, and safety, as well as supporting and mentoring new Tech staff as they enter the field of education. Don’t miss this episode! |
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Episode 8 - Leveraging Student Voice through Culturally Relevant and Responsive Pedagogy |
Our GuestAndrea Carnegie, Peel District School Board DetailsAt Andrea Carnegie’s school, they work on leveraging student voices, especially the voices of Black, Indigenous and students who have been historically marginalized. This empowers students to have more ownership and agency over their learning. |
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Episode 9 - Neuroaffirmative Human Rights Informed Practice |
Our GuestKaren Timm, Durham District School Board DetailsOur conversation with Karen Timm spotlights her passion and expertise in neurodiversity. Neuroaffirmative practice is an essential skill for school leaders, though many may not yet feel equipped to lead in this area. As the growing body of authentically informed research shows, embracing neurodifferences through human rights informed practice is not just beneficial for neurodivergent students and staff, but it fosters anti-oppressive thinking and helps to create habits of mind which are anti-colonial, anti-racist and anti-ableist. When activated through an intersectional approach, our efforts to embrace communication differences, normalise stimming and foster acceptance of authentic ways of being, can have a lasting impact across all dimensions of equity. By challenging ourselves to reframe outdated notions of “normal”, we can become better equipped to lead change that benefits all. By unlearning with intentionality alongside our school communities, we can build safe, inclusive and accessible learning and working environments. Neuroaffirmative practice is pivotal on this journey. As an Autistic school leader and founder of the Neurodivergent Infinity Network of Educators (NINE) and the NeuroRealMe affinity network for school leaders, Karen is uniquely positioned to support critical reflection, unlearning and neuroaffirmative school improvement planning. Join as a co-learner on this journey to reframing normal! Resources
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| Episode 10 - Personal Leadership Journey as an Arab Woman |
Our GuestDiane Merhi, Ottawa-Carlton District School Board DetailsDiane Merhi's story is a testament to the fact that there is no one set pathway to leadership. In this Leadership Talks, Diane shares her personal journey, beginning as an office administrator, transitioning to educational assistant, and eventually taking on teaching and leadership roles. Her lived experiences as a first-generation immigrant navigating the school system, combined with her experiences as an educator, have deeply informed her approach to leadership. |
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Episode 11 - Leading Through Challenging Situations |
Our GuestSteve Oliver - Halton District School Board DetailsSchool leaders are tasked with ensuring the health and safety of the students and staff in school buildings. Many would wonder how to manage when a challenging situation elevates to a level that is out-of-the ordinary. Steve Oliver joins the Leadership Talks team for a conversation to share his journey and what he learned from handling a high profile situation so that colleagues can recognize the resources that are at their disposal to navigate challenging circumstances, while leading in a way that prioritizes and supports the wellness and resiliency of the students and staff in their school community. |
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Episode 12 - STEM Education Leadership Through Inclusive Design |
Our GuestLisa Cole – Director of Programming, k2i academy | Lassonde School of Engineering | York University DetailsIn this episode, Lisa Cole shares how inclusive design approaches may provide an opportunity to co-design and co-implement programs that make system impact in STEM education. She plays a pivotal role at York University’s Lassonde School of Engineering, which launched k2i (kindergarten to industry) academy in June 2020 with a mission to create an ecosystem of diverse partners, committed to dismantling systemic barriers to opportunities for underrepresented students in STEM. The k2i academy engages with youth by bringing STEM to life – connecting directly to school boards and their classrooms, offering innovative work-integrated learning programs, and partnering with community organizations to provide unique, hands-on STEM learning opportunities. Today, they have grown to reach 27,000+ students, teachers, families, and community members, spending 230,000+ hours in virtual and face-to-face engagements, generating almost $6M in funding.
The k2i academy works with system leaders in publicly funded school boards. They are committed to working with diverse partners to question current systems, create opportunities for collaboration, investigate challenges, and design approaches to implement in partnership. |
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Episode 13 - Equity and Mental Health: Strategies for Navigating Challenges |
Our GuestAnjali Bajaj - Toronto District School Board DetailsFor this episode of Leadership Talks, we welcome Anjali Bajaj, a secondary vice-principal with the Toronto District School Board. |
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Episode 14 - Debunking the Myths Around Virtual Learning |
Our Guests
DetailsAs the school leaders of Peel Elementary Virtual School, Raquel Cariati-Cardoso and Sumeeta Merwar, have comprehensive understanding of virtual learning's role in the educational landscape. Their insights are backed by practical experience that focus on ensuring that students' diverse needs are met effectively in an innovative virtual space. Having been at the forefront of implementing virtual learning methods that cater to individual student, Raquel and Sumeeta have many success stories and examples that demonstrate how virtual learning has positively impacted the students that attend virtual school. There is flexibility to provide comprehensive support, specialized resources and an inclusive learning environment for all students. This is not the same virtual learning that happened during the pandemic. |
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Episode 15 - Special Education 6-week Co-learning and Instructional Cycle |
Our Guests
DetailsThis conversation is with Dinusha Gunasingham and Samantha Stephen, who join us as representatives of the Transformational Administrators' Network; a group of administrators and educators invested in championing change management. With a focus on whole school implementation (for the benefit of ALL students), this group co-created the Transformative Administrators' Toolkit (TAT), an administrative toolkit that includes resources, materials, tools and frameworks that can be utilized by administrators to shift white supremacy culture by deprivatising practice, employing evidence-based processes, setting direction through high expectations, centering and affirming students’ intersecting identities and fostering a climate of collaboration, responsibility and accountability that includes students, families and staff as active agents.
The purpose of the 6-week Co-learning and Instructional Cycle is to action, in the most effective and intentional way, an individualized program to meet students' specific academic and socio-emotional needs using informed instruction.
*Note, the tool will only be shared with support in understanding the conceptualization. This allows the creators to ensure that the elements, use and framework are not used in a manner that operates outside of their original vision. They welcome inquires from anyone who is interested and open to a conversation and/or learning session. |
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Episode 16 - Working on a Mentally Healthy You: Some actionable steps |
Our Guest
DetailsMichelle Sigmann is a principal, a certified wellness coach and an author of a book that guides individuals through a framework of setting goals and actionizing their visions. Her leadership style lends itself to authentic ways of teaching and leading. In this conversation with Leadership Talks she touches on her personal story where overwhelm and stress almost had her at rock bottom. The experience galvanized her new outlook and is now fuel for her passion for supporting and coaching others.
School leaders tend to believe that they should have all the answers. Michelle speaks about real, sustainable work and action that can be implemented. You can show up feeling less overwhelmed and stressed. You can balance the busy and transfer renewed energy into strategies that can be used in your school building. Consider starting your day with you (5-10 minutes) using these three easy guidelines:
Resources (with notes from Michelle):
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| Episode 17 - Is It Healthy High Achievement or Perfectionism? |
Our Guest
DetailsSchool leadership provides a wonderful opportunity to influence change and growth. Schools naturally foster high achievement and celebrate those that walk our halls. Unfortunately, sometimes the strategies also reinforce perfectionist tendencies, foster self-sabotage and invoke the feeling of being an imposter. |
| Episode 18 - Affirming and Centering Two-spirit, Indigiqueer Black, Racialized 2SLGBTQQIA+ Persons with Multiple Intersecting Identities in K-12 |
Our Guests
Please note that this episode mentions self-harm and/or suicide. While we don’t want to cause anxiety or stress, we acknowledge that this may be the experience for some people. If needed, we encourage you to reach out for support to a trusted friend or colleague, another personal resource or your organization’s Employee Assistance Program. Included here for reference is TDSB's resource page for Immediate Support/Help. DetailsRobert Durocher (Métis/French, he/him), centrally assigned to the Urban Indigenous Education Centre of Excellence, partners up with Jordan Applebaum (he/him) to discuss the importance of Gender and Sexuality Alliance’s (GSA’s) in schools to support 2SLGBTQQIA+ students and community members. Affinity groups can work together to lead, centering Indigenous, Black, and racialized student voices. It is a crucial time to focus on joy for Two-spirit, Indigiqueer, trans, 2SLGBTQQIA+ students and communities with intersecting identities. This is why Robert and Jordan are sharing their experiences in this episode and why they support GSA staff advisors through the TDSB GSA Network which reaches students and staff across the system. Initiatives include the annual EnVision Conference, Two-spirit, Indigiqueer Conference, Queer Nature walks, GSA Network Meetings, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ Pen Pals for literacy, joy, education, and building community connections. TDSB GSA Network has a website and helps organize events, such as conferences, field trips for GSA members and Pride events. For more information visit: TDSB GSA Network |
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Episode 19 - Project Based Learning and Student Engagement |
Our Guest
DetailsStudents clearly express that they want to see themselves in what they learn. For this episode, Andrea Gill joins us to share some of the student led projects that have taken place in her schools. By fostering student voice in schools, student interest and goals are centred in their learning. Student census data alongside qualitative data, supports initiatives in learning that reflect student identity, lived experiences and community funds of knowledge. Project-based learning increases engagement in students as they are in the drivers’ seat for their learning, with the educator serving as a mentor who scaffolds tasks and provides feedback. This model of teaching increases collaboration across the school fostering interconnection, increasing community-based school model and inter-peer coaching, mentorship and leadership. This is an exciting and engaging conversation to have and Andrea looks forward to sharing it. |
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Episode 20 - Self-regulation |
Our Guests
DetailsThis podcast, with guests Linda Cotnam and Sharlene McHolm, will give an overview of the classroom realities, in a way that only experienced educators can bring. They discuss what self-regulation is and what it is not. Together we invite our audience to explore the factors that impact self-regulation for both the child and the adult supporting them. |
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Episode 21 - Community Circles |
Our Guest
DetailsIntegrating circles is a simple, yet profound, practice to positively impact individuals in a school community. The goal of this podcast is to share information on how circles can be implemented in varied ways. Goals include building a strong sense of community, promoting active listening and restorative practices, and creating safe and inclusive learning environments. Resources
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Episode 22 - Cell Phone Use in Schools |
Our Guests
DetailsJosh Windsor joins us in conversation with Dr. Alison Yeung to share how they have worked together to educate parents regarding the use of cell phones and the impact of social media on teen mental health. Josh has implemented some school wide flexible policies to support student learning and assist students to self regulate with regards to their use of social media during learning time. Episode 22 Transcript PDF |
| Episode 23 - Equity and Mathematics |
Our GuestNicole Andrée Vernon, Durham District School Board DetailsJoining us for this episode is Nicole Andrée Vernon, who shares with us how she explored the ways in which Equity might support the success of our Mathematics classrooms, and at the institutionalized level. Teaching Equity and Mathematics T.E.A.M. Leadership is a mathematical leadership initiative that she developed in 2022 to monitor instruction, guide student learning, and build on school mathematical education improvement processes. T.E.A.M. Leadership ensured that students were centered, reflected and affirmed within their classrooms and schools. The primary goals of T.E.A.M. were to consider our mathematical classrooms, institutional & system issues from an Equity, Diversity and Inclusive lens as it relates to:
As a lead learner, Nicole focused on teaching practices that included opportunities for students to engage in active learning, and to probe, analyze and evaluate "the Silenced Dialogue" - the voices of those who have been marginalized because of race, gender, socioeconomic class, dominant language & ethnicity. Nicole continues to ensure that one’s teaching is within the context of ‘a system vision of excellence in education,’ and continues to co-construct shared reflections and encourage critical, courageous dialogue in collaboration with a network of courageous critical friends about the impacts of structures, power relations and mathematical inequalities. |
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Episode 24 - CALMfident Leadership: Nurturing principal well being |
Our GuestVinita Mongia, Peel District School Board
DetailsThis podcast is dedicated to empowering Principals to prioritize their well-being while navigating the challenges of educational leadership. Vinita Mongia, a recently retired Principal and now a Leadership Consultant for School Leaders, introduces her transformative “CALM” Resilience through Self-Care Framework, designed specifically for Principals. Vinita shares actionable self-care strategies, that not only enhance leadership effectiveness, but also reduce stress. Her insights will inspire you to invest in your personal leadership journey, fostering greater CALM, CONFIDENCE, and clarity in your role. Unlock the power of well-being in your leadership—tune in now to transform your success from within, feel inspired, and reignite your “CALMfident” leadership journey. Free Webinar: November 27 at 7:00 p.m. EDT
Resources:
Episode 24 Transcript PDF |
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