In this episode, Chris and Michelle introduce the brilliant Dr. Laura Lata, Executive Director of the Tulsa Higher Education Consortium—who Chris has aptly nicknamed “the queen of collaboration.”
From there, Michelle and Laura dive into a powerful conversation about leading with empathy in education. Laura shares her belief that education is people work, not a system where you plug in inputs and expect predictable outcomes. It’s human, relational, and deeply complex.
They explore how psychological safety creates space for innovation, how communities of practice can break through isolation, and why reclaiming teacher agency is essential. Laura reminds us that educators are icons, innovators, and often the “parent profession”—creating something from nothing every single day.
Highlights from the conversation include:
✨ “It just takes one friend.”
✨ “Teaching is the parent profession.”
✨ “You can reclaim agency in your work.”
✨ “Education is people work.”
Chris and Michelle return at the end to unpack the conversation and reflect on the heart of Laura’s message. This episode is a meaningful reminder of the emotional depth, creativity, and community that fuel the work of educators every day.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Creating Spaces for Recognition
03:37 Introducing Dr. Laura Lata
04:30 Laura's Journey in Education
08:14 Balancing Perspectives in Education
11:34 Communities of Practice in Higher Education
13:23 Real-World Examples of Collaboration
19:28 Navigating Bureaucracy and Tradition
28:21 Addressing Educator Exhaustion
34:09 Fostering Psychological Safety for Innovation
43:11 Facilitating Authentic Conversations
47:10 Reclaiming Educator Agency
54:20 The Heart of Education: Connection and Community
57:52 Celebrating the Role of Educators
01:00:23 Reflections on the Conversation
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Oxygen for Educators is produced by Ripplemaker Project and proudly sponsored by Tacky Box.
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