Tch Talks 10: Women Leaders in Education: Linda Darling-Hammond

Our new series, Women Leaders in Education, shares powerful narratives from female trailblazers in education. Our first interview is with Linda Darling-Hammond. An educational leader focused on bridging education and policy, Linda Darling-Hammond is an advocate, author, reformer, professor, and policymaker. She has been instrumental in shaping many areas within the education ecosystem, including teaching standards, assessments, educational systems, and education policy. Teachers across the nation continue to be inspired and encouraged by her powerful and thoughtful messages.

As I sat down with Linda to ask her about her motivations, inspiration, and current work, I was both excited and nervous to interview one of the most influential educational leaders in the history of American education. When Linda first accepted my invitation, my anxieties were calmed by a quotation from Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg: “If you’re offered a seat on a rocket ship, don’t ask what seat! Just get on.”

As our conversation played out, I was encouraged and uplifted by Linda's many wise and timely remarks. Here are some of my highlights:

• Listening to her speak about the importance of keeping teacher voice at the forefront of the work and students “at the heart,” (1:25) reminded me of the importance of teacher leadership.

• Linda touched on challenging conversations, a timely and relevant topic as we struggle nationally to find common ground on many issues. Linda (8:19) lays out a pathway to successfully negotiate challenging conversations in ways that hold true to one’s values. She also reminds us that “the kids are depending on us."

• One focus of Linda’s work is the continuing teacher shortage. She lays out a direct plan (13:00) for addressing this shortage in her work at the Learning Policy Institute.

• Linda points to the positive results that occur when teachers and policy makers exchange ideas and viewpoints (17:45).

Listen to the entire interview below:

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As she advocates for positive change, works to move education forward, advocates for supportive teacher networks, and furthers the implementation of ideas that increase student growth, Linda Darling-Hammond has become a role model for so many educators and a central force in shaping the face of education in our nation.

I’d like to sincerely thank Linda Darling-Hammond for her willingness to take some time out of her very busy schedule to talk with me and for her invaluable contributions to the field of education on behalf of teachers and students.

Crystal Morey is a K-6 instructional coach in Kent, Washington. Crystal spent the past seven years teaching middle level mathematics. She’s a strong advocate of inquiry based mathematics instruction, as well as increasing student voice in the classroom. Crystal has partnered with a variety of organizations on projects, including Illustrative Mathematics, Washington STEM, and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction in Washington State. When not teaching, Crystal is a mom to two energetic children. She utilizes her many life experiences to speak about the challenges and opportunities many educators face.