To The Audaciously Bold Women in Education,
This I promise you!
by Katie Kinder
I came across this meme on social media the other day, and I was all, “YES! This is the vibe we need to have!” And I think in theory, we all believe this with pumping fists in the air, but when it comes down to it in my experience, I haven’t seen this play out well for strong women in leadership positions. This is my opinion on why…
Excerpt from Untold Teaching Truths:
According to Harvard Business Review and Marianne Cooper’s work, ‘Opinionated women are less likely to be popular amongst the staff, but bold, opinionated men are more likely to be trusted.’
WHY?! As a tenaciously, bold woman in education, I have had my fair share of run-ins with people in power. To my surprise, the most flack I’ve ever gotten as a passionate educator, as a believer in innovation, was primarily from other women. I think their disapproval stems from being a woman and having power withheld all of their lives. Some women feel like there is not enough power to go around. They’ve scraped and clawed their way through life, but still feel stifled by our male dominated culture. Hear me now, it is changing. As a teacher of kids between the ages of 11-15, the youth will most definitely save us. Women, let us be uplifters. Let us allow others to shine. There is enough power and love to go around. Hold space for other strong women because there is enough space for all of us. To those women in leadership positions, don’t silence other women. Don’t be threatened by the audaciously bold, passionate educators who work for you. Harness and use their power to elevate the culture in your schools and districts.
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My message to all leaders in education, female, male, and otherwise:
Fight feelings of defeat about the systemically broken public education system. Do not take out your frustrations and need for power on your staff or worse… kids. That will only drive teachers out of this profession. Instead, relentlessly promote the positive on your campus, and help fix this system from the inside. Let us surround ourselves with people on fire for education, and let us relentlessly do what is best for kids. I’m a huge fan of the winningest team of all time, the US Women’s National Soccer Team. I think of these badass women on the same mission. Working together. Practicing their craft until mastery is gained. I’m sure there have been some disagreements amongst the players, coaches, and trainers, but when push comes to shove, these ladies have the same goal. No pun intended. This hard work and passion for success is the mentality I want to foster in schools. We might disagree, and we might argue, but when it comes down to it, we are on a mission to always do what is best for our student population. Full Stop. Uplift. Empower. Amplify. Appreciate.
So, women in education and everywhere, this I promise you… I will celebrate your wins. I will lift you up in your valleys; I will roll my window down at Walmart to tell you I love your outfit, earrings, sass, shoes, spunk; you name it, I will celebrate it.
As an emerging thought leader and speaker in education spheres, I promise to help the next up and coming teacher/speaker/consultant because, “Turn around and help her too because it wasn’t long ago that she was YOU!”
When I win, you win. When you win, I win. I promise to relentlessly hold space for strong, audaciously bold women, and I will strive to do so with kindness, and a helping hand.
Teach On, beautiful warriors!
Katie 🙂
Katie Kinder
Author & Speaker
Katie Kinder has been an educator since 2006. She believes that life is fun, and learning should most definitely be fun. A teacher of the year, top five district finalist, OKC Rotary Teacher of the Month, professional development leader, and a top 100 educator in Oklahoma on Twitter, Katie has learned a trick or two in the classroom.
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