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 WEEKLY

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. 1D AGO

    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

  2. 6D AGO

    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

  3. 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

  4. JAN 23

    The Power and Effectiveness of Group Coaching for Educators with Cheryl Collins #225

    Send us a text In this episode of Empowered Educator, you’ll hear from Cheryl Wells Collins as she shares the power and effectiveness of group coaching for educators and parents. Cheryl explains why group coaching works—how open conversations around challenges and wins create space for growth, clarity, and confidence for everyone involved. You’ll get a glimpse into the types of topics explored in these coaching groups and how participating in community has helped others feel more fulfilled and effective in their roles. Cheryl brings over forty years of experience serving under-resourced communities, including sixteen years as a classroom teacher across grades pre-kindergarten through eighth and leadership as a principal and nonprofit CEO. Now, through her coaching and consulting work, she supports leaders who want to grow from the inside out by focusing on personal development before leading others. This episode is for you if you’re looking for meaningful support, shared learning, and a reminder that leadership growth doesn’t have to happen alone. Website: cherylwcollins.com  LinkedIn Substack Email:  cherylwcollinscoaching@gmail.com  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...

    24 min

  5. JAN 21

    Power Surge⚡Delay, Delete, or Delegate #224

    Send us a text Feeling buried by your to-do list? In this Power Surge episode, Mel introduces a simple but powerful leadership filter—Delay, Delete, or Delegate—to help leaders reduce overwhelm, protect their energy, and focus on what truly matters. Grounded in faith and leadership research, this episode reminds you that effective leadership isn’t about doing everything—it’s about doing the right things well.  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

  6. JAN 14

    Power Surge⚡What Deserves Your YES, Right Now #223

    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...

    5 min

  7. JAN 9

    The Craft of Clarity with Casey Watts #222

    Send us a text Casey Watts is a dynamic speaker, author, and expert in team leadership with over 20 years in education and 10 years of experience coaching educators, entrepreneurs, and leaders. She is the creator of the Clarity Cycle Framework, helping leaders bridge gaps, foster commitment, and create sustainable alignment. Casey is also the founder and host of The Catching Up with Casey podcast, where she and her guests bring clarity to the seemingly small things in leadership that make a big difference.  Casey talks about how clarity precedes capacity, She hits on three types of clarity. She discusses how leaders can transfer ownership to teachers and hold them accountable without micromanaging.  But it requires clarity– clarity of direction, clarity of collaboration, and clarity of identity.  This episode is perfect for aspiring leaders.  Website: Catching Up with Casey LinkedIn The Craft of Clarity Book Free Preview of The Craft of Clarity 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...

    34 min

  8. JAN 7

    Power Surge⚡Finish Strong Without Burning Out #221

    Send us a text Second semester doesn’t start slow — it starts heavy. The calendar is full, expectations are high, and leadership fatigue is real. In today’s Power Surge, you’re reminded that finishing strong isn’t about doing more — it’s about leading with intention and protecting your energy. This episode is a reset for leaders who are capable, committed, and quietly exhausted. Power Surge Reminder You don’t need to push harder to prove your leadership.  You need to manage your energy so you can lead with clarity and purpose. 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...

    7 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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