Leadership Talks

About Leadership Talks

This podcast engages school leaders across Ontario in authentic conversations about their passion and expertise within K-12 education. We hope listeners will gain practical insights and strategies from each other to enhance learning and strengthen their school communities. Most importantly, this podcast will highlight excellence in practice and the joy of school leadership! HOSTS Lawrence DeMaeyer – Professional Learning Advisor, Ontario Principals’ Council Susie Lee-Fernandes – Director of Professional Learning, Ontario Principals’ Council

Publisher

Professional Learning

Category

education · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

1 Nov 2023

Latest episode

7 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

45 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   7 Oct 2026

   S3 EP4 - From Compliance to Community: Student Voice with Structure in Ontario Schools

   Description: I would like to share a practical leadership conversation about how schools can move from compliance-driven discipline toward structured, rights-informed learning communities grounded in dignity, student voice, safety, and shared responsibility. As a Canadian elementary school principal, researcher, and creator of the Web of Rights, my work focuses on a tension many Ontario school leaders know well: schools need structure, safety, and accountability, but those structures must still serve students as rights-bearing people. My doctoral research examined democratic school models in Ontario public elementary schools, and my current work supports educators and leaders in building school cultures where students are not simply managed, but meaningfully included. In this conversation, I could explore what student voice looks like when it is structured rather than symbolic, how leaders can protect dignity during correction or conflict, why fairness is not always sameness, and how rights-informed practice can support safer and more inclusive school communities. The conversation would offer listeners a reflective leadership lens and practical language they could bring back to their schools, especially around conflict, shared responsibility, and building school cultures that serve students rather than simply manage them. OUR GUEST Dr. Cameron McCauig HOSTS Lindsay Diakiw - Professional Learning Consultant, Ontario Principals' Council Susie Lee-Fernandes – Director of Professional Learning, Ontario Principals’ Council Season 3 Episode 3 Transcript

2. 

   23 Sept 2026

   S3 EP3 - Beyond Welcome: What School Leaders Need to Know About Newcomer Family Engagement in the Early Years

   Description: This podcast conversation will explore how school leaders can move beyond symbolic welcome practices toward more meaningful engagement with newcomer families in kindergarten and the early years. Drawing on my research and professional learning work in early childhood education, I will discuss how leadership shapes belonging, trust, and culturally responsive family-school relationships, and share practical considerations for principals and board leaders working in diverse school communities. OUR GUEST Kamini Kamdar HOSTS Lindsay Diakiw - Professional Learning Consultant, Ontario Principals' Council Susie Lee-Fernandes – Director of Professional Learning, Ontario Principals’ Council Season 3 Episode 3 Transcript

3. 

   9 Sept 2026

   S3 EP2 - Equipping Support Staff in Leadership and Learning

   Description: At Golden Learning Centre (KPDSB), the school team has developed and refined norms that focus on empowering educational assistants to build their strategies, strengthen their professional voice, and support student achievement and well-being. Through this collaborative partnership, educational assistants have demonstrated increased efficacy in their roles alongside classroom educators and the Special Education Resource Teacher. Together, they have created a cohesive team that collaborates effectively, shares ideas, challenges assumptions, and ultimately makes a significant contribution to student achievement and well-being. OUR GUEST Michelle Parrish, Keewatin-Patricia District School Board HOSTS Lindsay Diakiw - Professional Learning Consultant, Ontario Principals' Council Susie Lee-Fernandes – Director of Professional Learning, Ontario Principals’ Council Season 3 Episode 2 Transcript

Who has been a guest on Leadership Talks

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Annie Slater
• Mackenzie Colton
• Julia Hayes
• Amy Crummer
• Gillian Kajganich

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Contact Leadership Talks

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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