Leading with Compassion and Purpose: A Conversation with Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez

An Imperfect Leader

Intro: Hartford, Connecticut was the location of my very first hockey game. The Hartford Whalers vs the NY Rangers. And what a scene it was. During the second period, there was an obvious offense because both benches cleared and both teams were absolutely brawling! I find myself in Hartford at least once a year and so every year, I revisit, in my mind, that very violent episode in my life. But now, after talking with my guest, Dr. Torres-Rodriguez, I have a delightful replacement memory and for that, I am grateful.

My mentor, Dr. Linda Henke, the creator of the human-centered school transformation model I speak so much about wrote:

The shift away from the heroic leader who goes it alone, to the transformational leader who attends to the field is perhaps the most fundamental change in the work of school leadership.

She continues by asking readers to rethink the metaphor of a leader as hero and consider, instead, a different metaphor --- someone like a midwife or a gardener or a minister. Someone who tends to the needs of others.

My guest this week cares so deeply for her district because her district is so personal to her - she graduated from the district and then returned to lead it.

She leverages the voices of her entire system, inside and outside the organization, including the voices of her children. She considers the technical skills, the emotional intelligence, and a lens focused on equity in order to make sound decisions.

And she uses all of this knowledge and skill in recounting her after action review – the recommendation to her board to consolidate or close schools in her school district. Thanks for tuning in!

BIO: Dr. Torres-Rodriguez was named the 2022 National Superintendent of the Year by the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS), received the 2019 Award for Educational Leadership from the Connecticut Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (CALAS) as well as the 2019 Prospanica National Brillante Award for Educational Excellence.

Dr. Torres-Rodriguez is a member of the Governor’s Workforce Council and serves on the Hartford Promise Board. She also co-chairs the Mayor’s Cabinet for Young Children in Hartford.

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At the end of every interview we have for teacher candidates, we say, “What questions do you have for us?” And they always ask, “What kind of support can I expect?” And we always say, “Don't worry, we'll give you a mentor.”

But it's not real mentorship. I mean, it's support with the difficult kid, or the field trip form, or the grade card. But it isn't coaching.

That's where partners like EdConnective step in. Because they provide real coaching, observations and feedback with practice. EdConnective ensures that every student thrives by facilitating exceptional educator growth. If you're looking for support for your people, for your leaders, for science of reading efforts, for recruitment and retention initiatives, check out EdConnective.com.

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An Imperfect Leader: Leadership in (After) Action is supported by ILAA, LLC, a firm dedicated to supporting aspiring, new, and established leaders. For more information, please find them at www.human-centeredleaders.com.

Music for An Imperfect Leader was written and arranged by Ian Varley.

Sam Falbo created our artwork, a wood-print inspired daruma doll butterfly.