Where can I listen to this podcast?

This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.

Does this podcast accept guests?

Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

Leading From the Middle

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by Courtney Tate, Ph.D.

5.0(1 reviews)

5 episodes

Updated Daily

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Podcast Overview

Instructional coaching is the heartbeat of school improvement, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood leadership roles in education. Hosted by researcher and leadership coach Dr. Courtney Tate, Leading From the Middle explores the complexity of navigating instructional change without formal authority. This season, we dive deep into the lived experiences of Black Women Instructional Coaches (BWIC) to uncover what it truly means to influence teaching and learning from the center of our school systems.

Language

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Publishing Since

3/20/2026

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Recent Episodes

June 19, 2026

Rewriting the Script: Counterstories and Confident Leadership with Dr. Felecia Tolliver

Who writes the script for your leadership journey? In this episode of Leading From the Middle, Dr. Courtney Tate dives into Dimension 1: Identity of the BWIC Framework to explore counterstories—reclaiming our narratives to disrupt dominant, restrictive systemic assumptions. Joining the conversation is Dr. Felecia Tolliver, Director of Educational Support Programs. From classroom teacher to district executive, Dr. Tolliver opens up about the traps of over-functioning, self-abandonment, and muting oneself to fit into a systemic "box." Together, they share how to step out of survival mode, stand on your earned expertise, and use boundaries as ultimate identity protection. <ul><li>Systems Thinking vs. Management: Shift your boundary by asking to be leveraged in strategic thinking at the forefront, not just execution after the plane is already built. </li><li>Identity Protection: Reframe your boundaries—they are not a rejection of the work; they are a shield to keep from losing yourself in the process. </li><li>Drop the Exhaustion: True leadership value is never measured by your level of burnout or over-functioning</li></ul>

May 25, 2026

Leading Through the Lean: Resilience, Resistance, and Reclaiming Your Energy with Dr. Damion Lewis

Coaching isn’t just about pedagogy; it’s about people. And where there are people, there is heavy emotional labor. In this episode of Leading From the Middle, Dr. Courtney Tate sits down with leadership expert Dr. Damion Lewis to unpack Dimension 2 of the BWIC Framework: Resilience.Whether your district calls it Social Emotional Learning (SEL), professional life skills, human development, or character culture, the core truth remains the same: instructional coaches bear the unique psychological toll of being the system's "shock absorbers. They bridge high-level district mandates with the immediate, raw realities of the classroom.

April 17, 2026

Redefining Leadership Identity with Dr. Shanita Anderson

"You are there because you are supposed to be. Period. Your expertise is the evidence, and your impact is the receipt."In this episode, Dr. Courtney Tate is joined by her first guest, Dr. Anderson, a former state-level instructional coach, professor, and mentor, to dive into the first dimension of the BWIC Leadership Framework: Identity. In this masterclass conversation, we discuss:<ul><li>The Teacher-to-Leader Shift: How to move from being one of the teachers to an instructional authority without a formal administrative title.</li><li>The Identity Paradox: Navigating the friction of being hyper-visible when there is a fire to put out, yet invisible when it’s time for high-level strategy.</li><li>Credibility & Authority: Why you should never feel the need to run down your credentials and how to let your expertise be your shield.</li><li>Navigating Relationships: Maintaining relational trust with former peers while upholding instructional integrity with administrators.</li><li>Redefinition of Self: How BWICs can rewrite their own leadership narrative to ensure they are seen, heard, and valued.</li></ul>Reflection for today: Are you allowing the system to define your role, or are you showing up as the architect of your own professional identity? Next Episode: Dimension Two — Resilience: Navigating the emotional labor of change.

5 total episodes available

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Frequently asked questions

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What is Leading From the Middle?: Instructional coaching is the heartbeat of school improvement, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood leadership roles in education.

Hosted by researcher and leadership coach Dr. Courtney Tate, Leading From the Middle explores the complexity of navigating instructional change without formal authority. This season, we dive deep into the lived experiences of Black Women Instructional Coaches (BWIC) to uncover what it truly means to influence teaching and learning from the center of our school systems.
How often does this podcast release new episodes?: This podcast updates daily.
Where can I listen to this podcast?: This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
Does this podcast accept guests?: Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

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