SUMMARY
This episode is a special one. Michelle Kinder sits down with Dr. Jeannie Stone, a former superintendent and fierce advocate for equity in education, for a deeply honest and inspiring conversation. Hosts Michelle Kinder and Chris Kent Phelps set the stage, sharing why this episode—and Jeannie herself—means so much.
Jeannie shows up with warmth, transparency, and wisdom as she reflects on her experience in public education. From navigating the complexities of leadership to standing firm in her commitment to equity, she opens up about what it really means to lead with heart. She shares how she built a culture rooted in what she calls "the teacher's eyes," and how she used data, deep listening, and high expectations to close achievement gaps and truly see every student.
Michelle and Jeannie dive into both the challenges and the joys of the work—what it takes to create transformative change, the value of mentorship, and how to foster real, necessary conversations about race and equity in schools.
After the interview, Chris and Michelle return to unpack the conversation and reflect on its powerful takeaways—making space to celebrate the educators doing the hard, beautiful work of showing up for kids every single day.
TAKEAWAYS
Every child deserves to be seen and supported in their educational journey.
Open conversations about race and equity are necessary for progress.
Mentorship plays a crucial role in shaping educators' careers.
Every educator has the power to create change within their locus of control.
Listening to students' stories is a sacred responsibility for educators.
Transformative changes can lead to significant improvements in student outcomes.
CHAPTERS
00:00 – The Impact of Mentorship in Education
03:02 – A Journey Through Education: From Teacher to Superintendent
05:52 – The Teacher's Eyes: A Leadership Philosophy
12:12 – Equity in Education: A Personal Commitment
18:14 – Facing Challenges: The Reality of Racial Equity
23:48 – Transformative Changes: Implementing the ACE Model
29:57 – Navigating Controversy: The Cost of Advocacy
36:13 – Looking Ahead: The Future of Equity in Education
45:09 – The Responsibility of Educators
48:41 – Current Role and Impact in Education
51:21 – Reflections on Leadership and Legacy
54:49 – The Importance of Listening and Seeing Students
56:52 – The Journey of Writing and Healing
01:00:05 – Belief in the Power of Education
01:02:19 – A Love Letter to Educators
01:03:13 – Reflections on the Conversation
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Oxygen for Educators is produced by Ripplemaker Project and proudly sponsored by Tacky Box.
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