Description

Join host Cate Tolnai for a powerful conversation with Dr. Natasha Rachell, Director of Instructional Technology for Atlanta Public Schools, who shares her remarkable journey from retail management to educational technology leadership. Discover how one principal's belief in her potential launched a 22-year career, and learn Dr. Rachell's transformative "Executive Board" framework—seven essential people every educator needs in their corner to thrive, grow, and lead with purpose.

🎯 What You'll Discover:

When Someone Sees Your Potential Before You Do 🌟

• How a substitute teaching opportunity became a life-changing moment when a principal said, "You're going to make me proud. You're my star."
• Why nontraditional paths into education can bring fresh perspectives and unexpected strengths
• The ripple effect of one person taking a chance on you—and how that shapes your entire career trajectory

The Executive Board Framework: Your Seven Essential People 🤝

• The Mentor - Someone who guides you based on their experience and wisdom
• The Sponsor - An advocate who opens doors and vouches for you in rooms you're not in yet
• The Challenger - The person who pushes you outside your comfort zone and asks the hard questions
• The Peer Coach - A colleague who walks alongside you, sharing struggles and strategies in real-time
• The Connector - Someone who expands your network and introduces you to opportunities
• The Visionary - A forward-thinking leader who helps you see beyond current limitations
• The Accountability Partner - The person who keeps you honest about your goals and growth

Leading AI Integration with Heart and Ethics 🤖

• How Atlanta Public Schools is implementing AI from leadership to students with responsibility and equity at the center
• Why "the teacher will always be the magic"—technology amplifies the human, never replaces it
• Creating a district-wide culture where innovation meets intentionality and every student has access

Building Belonging Through Intentional Relationships 💫

• The power of warmth, authenticity, and showing up fully as yourself in educational leadership
• How mentorship creates lasting impact—and why being mentored prepares you to mentor others
• Why surrounding yourself with people who advocate for you isn't selfish; it's strategic and necessary

Say Yes Before You're Ready 🚀

• How saying "yes" to opportunities—even when you feel unprepared—creates exponential growth
• The courage required to step into roles that stretch you beyond your current skill set
• Why the support of your Executive Board makes taking risks possible

Creating Undeniable Impact in 2025 ✨

• Dr. Rachell's guiding motto for the year: making impact that cannot be ignored or overlooked
• Empowering educators to embrace creativity, collaboration, and technology to reimagine classrooms
• How digital equity and future-ready learning create opportunities for every student to thrive

Key Takeaways:

✨ Your career path doesn't need to look like everyone else's—sometimes the most powerful journeys start with an unexpected yes 
✨ One person's belief in your potential can change the trajectory of your entire life—and you can be that person for someone else 
✨ The Executive Board framework gives you a practical blueprint for building the relationships that fuel growth and resilience 
✨ Leading with AI means keeping the human in the loop—technology should amplify connection, creativity, and critical thinking 
✨ Intentional relationships and mentorship create belonging that transcends titles, districts, and career stages 
✨ Say yes before you feel ready—courage comes from community, and your Executive Board will help you rise to the challenge 
✨ Making undeniable impact means showing up authentically, advocating for equity, and empowering others to thrive

🎯 Perfect For:

• Educators considering career transitions or nontraditional paths into leadership
• Leaders building mentorship cultures and intentional professional development systems
• Anyone navigating AI integration in schools and seeking ethical, human-centered approaches
• Teachers and administrators who want to build their personal Executive Board for support and growth
• Ed leaders working toward digital equity and ensuring all students have access to innovation
• Anyone who needs permission to say "yes" before they feel fully ready

Resources & Mentions:

🏆 ISTE Distinguished District Award (2023) - Atlanta Public Schools 
📱 Tablet2Read Initiative - 8,500 iPads deployed to young learners in Atlanta
 🎮 District-wide eSports Pipeline Program - Competitive gaming expanded to all elementary and middle schools
 📰 EdTech Magazine "30 IT Influencers to Watch" (2024) 
🤝 Partnerships with Verizon, Apple, Microsoft, and Google for Education 
✍️ Dr. Rachell's contributions as ISTE Community Leader and national speaker

Connect With Dr. Natasha Rachell:

Twitter/X: @NatashaRachell
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasharachell/
Website: https://natasharachell.com/
Blog: https://natasharachell.blogspot.com/

About Dr. Natasha Rachell:

Dr. Natasha Rachell is a passionate and dynamic leader in educational technology, currently serving as the Director of Instructional Technology for Atlanta Public Schools. With over twenty years in educational leadership, she has dedicated her career to transforming teaching and learning through innovative, equitable, and student-centered technology integration. Dr. Rachell earned a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership with a focus on Effective Schools, an Educational Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction, a Master's in Education Administration, and a Bachelor's in Biology Pre-Med. Her groundbreaking initiatives include the Tablet2Read program, district-wide eSports integration, and comprehensive AI implementation across Atlanta Public Schools. 

Honored as one of EdTech Magazine's "30 IT Influencers to Watch" in 2024 and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, Dr. Rachell has also led her department to receive the ISTE Distinguished District Award in 2023. She has secured millions in funding for instructional technology and cultivated partnerships with leading tech companies to ensure equitable access for all students. Guided by her 2025 motto of creating "Undeniable Impact," Dr. Rachell continues to inspire educators nationwide through speaking engagements, publications, and unwavering commitment to digital equity and future-ready learning.

This episode is a testament to the power of mentorship, the courage to embrace opportunities before you feel ready, and the importance of building intentional relationships that sustain you through every season of leadership. Whether you're just starting your journey or leading at the district level, Dr. Rachell's wisdom will inspire you to identify your Executive Board, lead with heart, and create undeniable impact in the lives of students and educators.

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