Stories that Shape: Leadership and Legacy in Education With Cheryl Wills

“When good people speak up, evil has to hide.”

Cheryl Wills

In this episode, Cheryl Wills, Journalist, explores how personal narratives, authentic leadership, and a deeper understanding of history can transform education and strengthen school communities.

Hosted by NAESP member, author, and keynote speaker Adam Welcome, NAESP Leadership Conversations returns for Season 2, offering fresh insights and professional growth opportunities from top educational thought leaders. In each conversation, you’ll discover innovative strategies to enhance your leadership, foster collaboration, increase job satisfaction, and gain practical tools to apply in your daily work.

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 Top Takeaways:

1. Leverage Personal Narratives to Deepen Learning
   Incorporate personal and community stories into curricula to make historical content more relevant and emotionally resonant for students.
2. Reaffirm the Relevance of Black History Month Year-Round
   Ensure that Black history is not confined to February—integrate diverse voices and stories throughout the academic year to build inclusive learning environments.
3. Model Vulnerability in Leadership Communication
   Share personal experiences when speaking to staff or students—authentic storytelling fosters trust and connection in school communities.
4. Cultivate Emotional Intelligence in Leadership Practice
   Effective leaders demonstrate emotional control, respectful decision-making, and empathy—especially in high-stress or conflict situations.
5. Address Conflicts with Compassionate Directness
   When tension arises among staff, prioritize respectful, one-on-one conversations that seek understanding rather than blame.
6. Prioritize Self-Care to Sustain Leadership Excellence
   Recognize that caring for your own well-being is not selfish—it’s essential to leading others effectively and modeling balance for your school community.
7. Use Family and Community Histories to Spark Student Engagement
   Encourage students to explore their genealogy as a means to connect classroom learning to their own lives and identities.
8. Illuminate the Contemporary Impact of Historical Events
   Show students how history shapes the present—connecting past events to current issues builds critical thinking and civic awareness.
9. Foster Cross-Cultural Dialogue and Healing
   Create opportunities in your school or district for conversations across differences, acknowledging the past while building shared understanding and future collaboration.
10. Preserve and Celebrate Local History
    Support projects that highlight and maintain historical landmarks, artifacts, or traditions within your community to create authentic learning opportunities.

Reflection Questions:

• How am I creating space for personal narratives—both my own and others’—to enrich learning and build stronger connections within my school community?
• In what ways am I ensuring that diverse historical perspectives, especially Black history, are integrated into our curriculum beyond designated months or events?
• How do I model authentic and empathetic leadership, particularly when addressing challenges or engaging in public speaking with staff, students, or families?
• Am I actively supporting staff and students in exploring their identities and histories as a means of deepening engagement, belonging, and historical understanding?
• What am I doing to preserve and honor the historical and cultural heritage of our local community within the school environment?

Additional Resource:

• Honoring a Civil War Veteran