Motherhood & Leadership Archives

How is motherhood linked to leadership?

Motherhood & Leadership

In this conversation, Baar discusses the parallels between motherhood and leadership, balancing working mum guilt and how she is continuously evolving as a leader through the guidance and support of others.

Baar joined the teaching profession later in life as a second career. As she says, she pivoted and found a new role to fit her purpose as a mother.

As a reflective leader, Baar recognises and believes that supporting others and receiving guidance is the best way to do leadership.

I have to be intentional and make a conscious decision on the type of leader I want to be.”

Baar Hersi

Assistant Principal

Baar Hersi is a mother of four, who currently works as Assistant Principal in an inner London school, responsible for raising attainment, KS4 pastoral and DEI.

She founded the British Somali Educators Association, which comprises of a collective of Somali Educators who are committed to establishing educational equity for Somali students and their communities. Outside of the classroom, Baar’s advocacy and activism has helped close the attainment gap and improve the home and school relationship of her local Somali Community. She serves as Vice co-chair of her residents’ association- working closely with local councillors to challenge practices and policies which negatively impact her local community.

Highlights:

10:21 Leadership burger – learning, juggling and striving
14:45 Leading others
18:14 Navigating difficult conversations
23:19 Holding space
29:07 Working mum’s guilt
41:18 Coaching

Resources
Diana Osagie
Angela Brown
Hannah Wilson

The Motherhood & Leadership series is a collaboration with The MTPT Project.

All nine episodes of The Motherhood & Leadership Series are sponsored by Teach First Networks. Find out details about all the networks on offer at www.teachfirst.org.uk/networks

Have you left a review for Voicing Education – The Podcast?

Each and every review really does make a difference. If you are enjoying the episodes, I’d just like to ask for you to share your appreciation.

Please leave a review:

Head to voicingeducation-thepodcast/apple or search Voicing Education – The Podcast in Apple Podcasts. (This is easier to do on your phone.)
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How has saying yes served you?

Motherhood & Leadership

Saying yes and seizing opportunities is often encouraged in the personal growth arena. But what are the experiences after saying yes?

In this conversation, Naomi discusses her career journey and how saying yes has served her whilst maintaining a balance in her family life. Naomi’s highlights the importance of making choices for yourself.

There are parallels between being a mother and a leader.

I think saying yes has meant that I have been able to move through things.”

Naomi Shenton

Principal

Naomi is a mum to two young daughters. She has held a range of senior leadership positions in education and most recently is founding principal of a new special free school opened in September 2022.

Having worked both part time and full time in leadership roles, Naomi promotes flexible working opportunities for others. Saying yes to opportunities has certainly led to her personal growth.

Previously a MTPT Project representative, Naomi now acts as an advocate for the charity.

Highlights:

4:07 Circle of safety
5:24 Opening a new school
13:23 Return to work coaching
17:07 Seizing opportunities and saying yes
24:31 Negative voices

Resources

The MTPT Project

The Motherhood & Leadership series is a collaboration with The MTPT Project.

All nine episodes of The Motherhood & Leadership Series are sponsored by Teach First Networks. Find out details about all the networks on offer at www.teachfirst.org.uk/networks

Have you left a review for Voicing Education – The Podcast?

Each and every review really does make a difference. If you are enjoying the episodes, I’d just like to ask for you to share your appreciation.

Please leave a review:

Head to voicingeducation-thepodcast/apple or search Voicing Education – The Podcast in Apple Podcasts. (This is easier to do on your phone.)
Scroll down and click the 5-star rating.
To show extra appreciation and support – please add a quick sentence (or two) to share what you enjoy about the show.

What does it take to be a ‘human’ leader?

Motherhood & Leadership

Jade is a human leader. She has worked in both the state and independent sector; and has held a variety of leadership roles. Jade believes that motherhood and leadership do not need to compete.

In this conversation, Jade shares her thoughts on shared parental leave, the gender gap disparity and the importance of seeing yourself in leadership.

Being a human leader means valuing yourself and others as a complete person. Our challenges and successes are part of the experience.

*CONTENT WARNING* This episode discusses fertility challenges and miscarriage.

Highlights

12:07 Seeing yourself in leadership
16:47 Promotions
18:19 Fertility challenges
22:10 Miscarriages
31:46 Shared parental-leave
35:30 Gender pay gap

Resources

I really see leadership and motherhood in a very holistic way and it’s not one fighting against the other. We are all just human beings and they are just different facets to us.”

Jade McLellan

Deputy Headteacher

Jade works full-time at St Dunstan’s College a 3-18 independent day school in South East London. She is responsible for pastoral care and safeguarding and teaching French.

Jade lives in London with her husband, two children and a menagerie of pets.

Highlights:

12:07 Seeing yourself in leadership
16:47 Promotions
18:19 Fertility challenges
22:10 Miscarriages
31:46 Shared parental-leave
35:30 Gender pay gap

Resources

Leadership Matters

The Motherhood & Leadership series is a collaboration with The MTPT Project.

All nine episodes of The Motherhood & Leadership Series are sponsored by Teach First Networks. Find out details about all the networks on offer at www.teachfirst.org.uk/networks

Have you left a review for Voicing Education – The Podcast?

Each and every review really does make a difference. If you are enjoying the episodes, I’d just like to ask for you to share your appreciation.

Please leave a review:

Head to voicingeducation-thepodcast/apple or search Voicing Education – The Podcast in Apple Podcasts. (This is easier to do on your phone.)
Scroll down and click the 5-star rating.
To show extra appreciation and support – please add a quick sentence (or two) to share what you enjoy about the show.

How do you build a pro-family school?

Motherhood & Leadership

Hayley has worked collaboratively to build a pro-family school which enables all to thrive. She is a forward thinking leader who considers change that benefits staff, pupils and parents. The emphasis on building a village of support is clearly one of the vital pillars in this model of leadership.

In this conversation, Hayley discusses challenging experiences, decision-making and how she has worked collaboratively to build a pro-family school which benefits all stakeholders.

*CONTENT WARNING* This episode discusses miscarriage and stillbirth.

My baggage makes me who I am. My baggage makes me the leader I am, the teacher I am. It influences the way I interact with parents.”

Hayley Leyshon-Brady

Headteacher

Hayley is the mother to three boys, aged 9 and 3½ years old. She also has a son, Edward who was stillborn and would be nearly 5 years old.

At present, Hayley is the Co-Head of a small one form entry village school in Oxfordshire.

In 2011, Hayley’s leadership journey began with her first phase leadership role – 12 years. Three babies, two part-time leadership roles and a pandemic later she is about to embark on her first full-time Headship in September.

Working with inspirational leaders has taught Hayley that what really matters is the people within the building. Her lived experiences and forward thinking Governors have helped her to shape a pro-family ethos for the school.

Highlights:

06:03 Stillbirth, sickness and absence policy
10:17 Considering co-headship and forward thinking governors
14:19 Miscarriage policy and wellbeing
19:49 Village of support and mum guilt
27:44 Part-time leadership
37:57 Benefits and challenges of a co-headship

Resources

Resilient Leaders

The Motherhood & Leadership series is a collaboration with The MTPT Project.

All nine episodes of The Motherhood & Leadership Series are sponsored by Teach First Networks. Find out details about all the networks on offer at www.teachfirst.org.uk/networks

Have you left a review for Voicing Education – The Podcast?

Each and every review really does make a difference. If you are enjoying the episodes, I’d just like to ask for you to share your appreciation.

Please leave a review:

Head to voicingeducation-thepodcast/apple or search Voicing Education – The Podcast in Apple Podcasts. (This is easier to do on your phone.)
Scroll down and click the 5-star rating.
To show extra appreciation and support – please add a quick sentence (or two) to share what you enjoy about the show.

How do you juggle curveballs?

Motherhood & Leadership

As mothers know, curveballs are thrown at us daily and we survive. During this conversation, Monique discusses how she has juggles those curveballs, resilience and the value of stepping out of your comfort zone.

It is clear that Monique is always striving to do the best for pupils and models this in her leadership. She believes that building relationships with everyone is the key to making things happen. Her honesty is present in her leadership and at home.

It’s about making sure you ground yourself back to: what do I want to achieve? What is the outcome of this?”

Monique Berry

Deputy Headteacher

Monique has juggled many curveballs during her career and it is through them that she has progressed and grown.

Monique Berry is a mother of two girls and a full-time Deputy Headteacher in a primary school in Dunstable. She has been in education for 16 years and senior leadership for 9 years.

Monique’s passion and expertise lies in inclusion, behaviour and alternative education. In addition to this, she has offered outreach work in secondary and primary schools.

Highlights:

15:08 Social needs, mum guilt and balance
21:40 Handling Ofsted
25:57 Curveball of change
28:41 Being 10% Braver
33:55 Barriers
36:24 Resilience

Resources

Ted Talks:
Ken Robinson – Do schools kill creativity?
Rita Pierson – Every kid needs a champion

Jaz Ampaw-Farr

The Motherhood & Leadership series is a collaboration with The MTPT Project.

All nine episodes of The Motherhood & Leadership Series are sponsored by Teach First Networks. Find out details about all the networks on offer at www.teachfirst.org.uk/networks

Have you left a review for Voicing Education – The Podcast?

Each and every review really does make a difference. If you are enjoying the episodes, I’d just like to ask for you to share your appreciation.

Please leave a review:

Head to voicingeducation-thepodcast/apple or search Voicing Education – The Podcast in Apple Podcasts. (This is easier to do on your phone.)
Scroll down and click the 5-star rating.
To show extra appreciation and support – please add a quick sentence (or two) to share what you enjoy about the show.

How do you grow a family AND career?

Motherhood & Leadership

This conversation with Madeleine Fresko-Brown is empowering. Women can grow a family AND career.

Madeleine shares her courageous leadership journey, offers insight into shared parental leave, and highlights the value of ‘cheerleaders’.

There are many pathways into leadership. As an inspiring leader and mother, Madeleine models the power in self-belief and truly going for what you want.

It is possible to grow a family and grow a career at the same time as a woman, as it is as a man.

Madeleine Fresko-Brown

Vice Principal

Madeleine has just started a new role as Vice Principal in a large academy, responsible for teaching & learning and outcomes. Prior to that, she was Assistant Headteacher (Quality of Education). She trained through Teach First and carries the mission of making the education system work for every child close to her heart. She works full time and has two children aged 3 and 5.

Madeleine is currently growing her family AND career.

Highlights:

10:27 Shared parental leave
15:46 Mum guilt and work balance
17:54 Gender Pay disparity
20:37 Network and support
30:25 Managing workload

Resources
Kinza Barrett –Teacher’s SPL
MTPT Project
#WomenEd

Books:

Make it Stick by Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger and Mark A. Mcdaniel

The Motherhood & Leadership series is a collaboration with The MTPT Project.

All nine episodes of The Motherhood & Leadership Series are sponsored by Teach First Networks. Find out details about all the networks on offer at www.teachfirst.org.uk/networks

Have you left a review for Voicing Education – The Podcast?

Each and every review really does make a difference. If you are enjoying the episodes, I’d just like to ask for you to share your appreciation.

Please leave a review:

Head to voicingeducation-thepodcast/apple or search Voicing Education – The Podcast in Apple Podcasts. (This is easier to do on your phone.)
Scroll down and click the 5-star rating.
To show extra appreciation and support – please add a quick sentence (or two) to share what you enjoy about the show.