Empowered Educator: Leadership in Motion | Educational Leadership, Principal Leadership, Teachers as Leaders

Dr. Mel Vandevort - Educational Leadership, Educational Consultancy, Teacher Transition Coach, Educational Administration, Educational Entrepreneurship
  • 5.0 (22)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Are you a passionate educator stepping into leadership—or thinking about making that leap? Maybe you just accepted your first admin role and feel the weight of leading well. Or you’re a classroom teacher who feels the calling to lead with purpose and impact. The Empowered Educator Show is your space to grow as a leader without losing who you are. I’m Dr. Mel—former administrator turned leadership and instructional coach, educational consultant, and now your guide to navigating the real work of school leadership. With over 25 years in education, I help new and aspiring leaders shift their mindset, strengthen their strategies, and build Confident Classrooms—where teachers feel supported, students are engaged, and learning thrives. Each episode I bring you real talk, practical tools, and heart-centered leadership support designed to help you: Create a school culture rooted in confidence, clarity, and trust Develop teachers who feel empowered, not overwhelmed Lead with boldness, even when the road gets bumpy It’s about becoming the kind of leader who creates ripple effects across classrooms, campuses, and communities. Let’s power up your purpose and put your leadership in motion.

  1. 10H AGO

    Are You Seeing Growth? Don’t Confuse Activity with Impact #233

    Send a text Your school can be busy and still not be growing. In this episode, we unpack the critical difference between activity and real student growth. Just because classrooms are full of movement, collaboration, and completed assignments doesn’t automatically mean learning is happening. You’ll reflect on: Why visible engagement isn’t the same as masteryHow to shift your walkthrough lens from motion to measurable impactThe one leadership question that reveals whether growth is actually happeningIf you’re leading a building and want to move from celebrating busyness to measuring transformation, this conversation will challenge and sharpen your thinking. Because your school doesn’t need more activity — it needs more impact. Download Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase! Download Fetch app using this link, submit a receipt and we'll both score bonus points. Calling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more. I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources. I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant. Join here: Empowered Educator Community Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance Success Grab a complimentary POWER Session With Rubi.ai, you'll experience cutting-edge technology, research-driven insights, and efficient content delivery. email: melinda@empowere...

    8 min

  2. 2D AGO

    Power Surge⚡Carry the Calling, Release the Control #232

    Send a text In this Power Surge, Mel reminds school leaders that they are stewards—not owners—of the people, mission, and outcomes entrusted to them. Rooted in 1 Corinthians 4:2 and the Parable of the Talents, this episode reframes leadership as faithful responsibility with humility, not control. If you’ve been carrying the weight of results, this is your reminder to lead with excellence—and release what was never yours to own. Reflection: Am I leading as an owner—or as a steward? Download Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase! Download Fetch app using this link, submit a receipt and we'll both score bonus points. Calling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more. I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources. I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant. Join here: Empowered Educator Community Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance Success Grab a complimentary POWER Session With Rubi.ai, you'll experience cutting-edge technology, research-driven insights, and efficient content delivery. email: melinda@empowere...

    5 min

  3. 4D AGO

    Power Surge⚡Presidents, Principals, and Personal Energy #231

    Send a text I missed Friday’s episode — and instead of ignoring it, I’m modeling what we expect from our staff: ownership and reflection. In this short Presidents’ Day message, we’re talking about what building leaders can learn from presidential leadership — not about politics, but about presence, resilience, and sustainability. You may not sit in the Oval Office, but you set the tone for your entire building. Today’s reminder: Leadership is about steadiness, not perfection.Your nervous system sets the climate.Rest is not weakness — it’s strategy.As the weather warms up and the sun starts shining, this is your cue to step outside, move your body, reset your energy, and protect your stamina for the long haul. You don’t have to lead perfectly.  You just have to keep showing up. Go lead well this week. Download Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase! Download Fetch app using this link, submit a receipt and we'll both score bonus points. Calling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more. I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources. I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant. Join here: Empowered Educator Community Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance Success Grab a complimentary POWER Session With Rubi.ai, you'll experience cutting-edge technology, research-driven insights, and efficient content delivery. email: melinda@empowere...

    5 min

  4. FEB 11

    Power Surge⚡Lead with Clarity, Not Control #230

    Send a text Download Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase! Download Fetch app using this link, submit a receipt and we'll both score bonus points. Calling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more. I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources. I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant. Join here: Empowered Educator Community Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance Success Grab a complimentary POWER Session With Rubi.ai, you'll experience cutting-edge technology, research-driven insights, and efficient content delivery. email: melinda@empowere...

    4 min

  5. FEB 6

    Teachers Are Done With This PD—Here’s What They Actually Want Instead #229

    Send us a text Professional development doesn’t have to feel draining or disconnected. In this episode, Dr. Mel breaks down the biggest disconnect between what teachers are tired of and what they actually want when it comes to PD. Using a simple side-by-side comparison, this conversation offers clarity for teachers, instructional coaches, and school leaders who want professional learning to feel purposeful, practical, and respectful of time. If you’ve ever left a PD session feeling more exhausted than inspired, this one will feel like a breath of fresh air. Download Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase! Download Fetch app using this link, submit a receipt and we'll both score bonus points. Calling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more. I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources. I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant. Join here: Empowered Educator Community Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance Success Grab a complimentary POWER Session With Rubi.ai, you'll experience cutting-edge technology, research-driven insights, and efficient content delivery. email: melinda@empowere...

    13 min

  6. FEB 4

    Lead With Quiet Confidence (Without Needing to Prove Yourself) #228

    Send us a text Confidence in leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room—it’s about being grounded in who you are and why you lead. In this midweek Power Surge, we’re talking about the difference between confidence and arrogance and why true leadership confidence doesn’t need to perform, prove, or overpower others. When leaders lead from clarity instead of ego, their presence becomes steady, trusted, and impactful. Download Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase! Download Fetch app using this link, submit a receipt and we'll both score bonus points. Calling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more. I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources. I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant. Join here: Empowered Educator Community Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance Success Grab a complimentary POWER Session With Rubi.ai, you'll experience cutting-edge technology, research-driven insights, and efficient content delivery. email: melinda@empowere...

    5 min

  7. JAN 30

    Do You Really Need to Explain That? A Leadership Reality Check #227

    Send us a text Have you ever walked away from a leadership conversation thinking, Why did I say all of that? Over-explaining is one of the most common—and sneakiest—leadership traps. In this episode, we’re talking about why leaders feel the pressure to justify decisions, how over-explaining quietly weakens leadership presence, and what it looks like to lead with clarity instead of commentary. This conversation is for leaders who care deeply about people but are ready to stop managing reactions and start leading with confidence. In this episode, we cover: Why strong leaders still fall into the over-explaining trapThe hidden cost of explaining decisions too muchThe difference between clarity and justificationSimple language shifts that build trust and authorityHow to lead calmly without apologizing for your decisionsIf you’re ready to lead with more confidence, less emotional labor, and clearer communication, this episode is for you. 🎧 Listen in and remember: clarity doesn’t need a long explanation. Download Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase! Download Fetch app using this link, submit a receipt and we'll both score bonus points. Calling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more. I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources. I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant. Join here: Empowered Educator Community Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance Success Grab a complimentary POWER Session With Rubi.ai, you'll experience cutting-edge technology, research-driven insights, and efficient content delivery. email: melinda@empowere...

    12 min

  8. JAN 28

    Power Surge⚡Strong Doesn’t Mean Silent #226

    Send us a text Download Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase! Download Fetch app using this link, submit a receipt and we'll both score bonus points. Calling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more. I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources. I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant. Join here: Empowered Educator Community Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance Success Grab a complimentary POWER Session With Rubi.ai, you'll experience cutting-edge technology, research-driven insights, and efficient content delivery. email: melinda@empowere...

    3 min
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5
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

Are you a passionate educator stepping into leadership—or thinking about making that leap? Maybe you just accepted your first admin role and feel the weight of leading well. Or you’re a classroom teacher who feels the calling to lead with purpose and impact. The Empowered Educator Show is your space to grow as a leader without losing who you are. I’m Dr. Mel—former administrator turned leadership and instructional coach, educational consultant, and now your guide to navigating the real work of school leadership. With over 25 years in education, I help new and aspiring leaders shift their mindset, strengthen their strategies, and build Confident Classrooms—where teachers feel supported, students are engaged, and learning thrives. Each episode I bring you real talk, practical tools, and heart-centered leadership support designed to help you: Create a school culture rooted in confidence, clarity, and trust Develop teachers who feel empowered, not overwhelmed Lead with boldness, even when the road gets bumpy It’s about becoming the kind of leader who creates ripple effects across classrooms, campuses, and communities. Let’s power up your purpose and put your leadership in motion.

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