Leadership Talks

S2 EP14 - The Power of Distributed Leadership and Fostering Team Culture

Description: In this episode of Leadership Talks, Julia Hayes, a principal in the Grand Erie District School Board, reflects on the power of distributed leadership and its role in building a strong, people‑centred school culture. Drawing on her first year as a principal in a new board, Julia shares key lessons about shifting away from “leading alone” toward creating conditions where leadership is shared, valued, and nurtured across the school community. Julia explores how meaningful change happens when staff and students alike are empowered to contribute in authentic ways. She discusses elevating student voice, involving support staff in decision‑making, and intentionally creating everyday moments of trust, connection, and collaboration. Through practical examples, she illustrates how shared leadership deepens relationships, builds morale, and strengthens a school’s collective sense of ownership. This conversation will resonate with principals navigating the increasing complexity of today’s work, offering both reassurance and practical strategies for fostering a culture where everyone leads, together. OUR GUEST * Julia Hayes, GEDSB HOSTS * Lawrence DeMaeyer – Professional Learning Consultant, Ontario Principals’ Council * Lindsay Diakiw - Professional Learning Consultant, Ontario Principals' Council * Susie Lee-Fernandes – Director of Professional Learning and Engagement, Ontario Principals’ Council Season 2 Episode 14 Transcript

S2 EP13 - The Power of Belonging When Leading a Unique Population

The Leadership Talks Podcast features Amy Crummer, based as a Principal with Avon Maitland District School Board. Description: When we talk about serving equity-serving or unique populations in a public system - it's not just about doing the work but rather its about doing it intentionally and thoughtfully. A big part of this is listening, being humble, ensuring  safety and a sense of belonging to the people we serve. The individuals who live these experience every day know what works and what doesn't. We need to include their voices in the decisions, and steps of change along the way. That's where the engagement, trust and true impact begin. We must also look honestly at the systems that keep inequities in place, and think about the barriers that exist, how do we challenge, change and overcome them? That means rethinking the status quo, shifting resources, and asking ourselves, who benefits from the way things are now? We also need to hold ourselves accountable, measure our impact, and to be honest about what's working and what isn't. Vulnerability is a gift - when you can create sense of belonging and trust with others who are from a different community than you - positive and united change can happen! OUR GUEST * Amy Crummer, AMDSB HOSTS * Lawrence DeMaeyer – Professional Learning Consultant, Ontario Principals’ Council * Susie Lee-Fernandes – Director of Professional Learning and Engagement, Ontario Principals’ Council * Lindsay Diakiw - Professional Learning Consultant, Ontario Principals' Council Season 2 Episode 13 Transcript

S2 EP12 - Bring a Critical Friend on Your Leadership Journey

The Leadership Talks Podcast features Gillian Kajganich, based as a Principal at West Ferris Secondary School in Northy Bay with NNDSB, and also welcomes Krista Tucker Petrick who is a Principal at Chippewa Secondary School in North Bay with NNDSB. "Friends don't let friends be a principal alone." Over the course of a 15-year interwoven journey in education, we have cultivated a critical friendship-- one that emphasizes “critical” when necessary and “friendship” when it matters most. Leadership in education can often feel isolating and deeply lonely, making it essential to build a strong, supportive network.    We propose taking this idea further to developing critical, trusting relationships with colleagues that foster both professional and personal growth. These relationships serve as a vital support system. As we strive to grow as leaders, vulnerability and trust become essential. A deep friendship offers the kind of honest feedback that others may hesitate to share and that we may not always want to hear.    When faced with complex situations, a critical friend can help navigate the path forward by weighing pros and cons objectively, without a personal stake. In this podcast, we’ll explore the importance of being and having a critical friend. We’ll share examples from our own experiences, reflect on how we support each other, and of course, include a few funny stories along the way.  OUR GUEST * Gillian Kajganich, NNDSB * Krista Tucker Petrick, NNDSB HOSTS * Lawrence DeMaeyer – Professional Learning Consultant, Ontario Principals’ Council * Susie Lee-Fernandes – Director of Professional Learning and Engagement, Ontario Principals’ Council Season 2 Episode 12 Transcript

S2 EP11 - Equity & Anti-Racism Leadership: Moving Theory into Practice. A Critical Discussion on Race and Education

The Leadership Talks Podcast welcomes Nicole Aloise, based in the Toronto District School Board. This session explores targeted interventions of a Scarborough high school that supports the learning and excellence of Black students, centered around anti-oppression and anti-racism. Learning how a whole school journey with a focus on a critical discourse on the impact of race in education, increased the development of a progressive teaching & learning culture, based on critical reflection and anti-racist discourse. Through leadership capacity building school, school staff fuse theory into practice through a PLC model that entails staff engaging in critically conscious pedagogy that focuses on the impact of race, identity and education. Using CRRP as the foundation, staff challenge /critique dominant cultural norms and narratives that uphold the status quo collective vigilance which purposely sustains the traditional educational trajectories of black and racialized students in public education.   This longitudinal PLC model has increased staff awareness and understanding of the impact of power imbalances, centering of whiteness , power and privilege, systemic and institutional racism, and the effects on the education system, their individual practice and student outcomes. For more information about Leadership and PLC Learning resources, please contact Nicole Aloise  via email at nicole.aloise@tdsb.on.ca.  OUR GUEST * Nicole Aloise, TDSB HOSTS * Lawrence DeMaeyer – Professional Learning Consultant, Ontario Principals’ Council * Susie Lee-Fernandes – Director of Professional Learning and Engagement, Ontario Principals’ Council Season 2 Episode 11 Transcript

S2 EP10 - Creating Collaborative Learning Communities Through Lesson Study

The Leadership Talks Podcast welcomes France Thibault, former Superintendent with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, for a conversation where she shares her experience leading teachers through the experience of the "Lesson Study". France found the strategies transformative for her professional practice, for the teachers' cross- and interdepartmental  collaboration, for the development of profoundly creative differentiated instruction to reach all students, and to build a learning community which embraced critical thinking among both the students and the teachers. France also mentions her experience with Cooperative Learning and the weekly meetings of small groups of schools where Principals were able to deepen their understanding of their role and share their experience and knowledge. The parallels were obvious, and this work was received enthusiastically throughout her tenure. Additional Resources:  * John Hattie's Visible Learning: the Sequel: A synthesis of over 2,100 Meta-Analyses relating to Achievement [https://www.corwin.com/books/visible-learning-the-sequel-285467?srsltid=AfmBOooSu4_krOAgy3tl9YnfoVVM8e3_KJHVJBB4VAzx-Lfr5Nn303bS] * P14: Lucy West [https://youtu.be/ewbFiI7FCpA?si=j7pAS4dqbAo7kb4R] https://youtu.be/ewbFiI7FCpA?si=j7pAS4dqbAo7kb4R * P16: Lucy West - Questioning [https://youtu.be/X0ffXMXSpaI?si=vB3MvPlugxE6Wdjk] * P28 Lucy West - Culture of Classroom Discourse [https://youtu.be/HLD6q8WaO-U?si=KzwUI1x9uEUefJ1u] https://youtu.be/HLD6q8WaO-U?si=KzwUI1x9uEUefJ1u * Leading Lesson Study: A Practical Guide for Teachers and Facilitators [https://www.corwin.com/books/leading-lesson-study-228390?srsltid=AfmBOopqfd34jO_k_GDK8XryrWPf4FY1ujpWUEHFjDqzqjLyc8AmmeZ3] by Jennifer Stepanuk et al OUR GUEST * France Thibault, OCDSB HOSTS * Lawrence DeMaeyer – Professional Learning Consultant, Ontario Principals’ Council * Susie Lee-Fernandes – Director of Professional Learning and Engagement, Ontario Principals’ Council Season 2 Episode 10 Transcript