Leading with discernment is a vital part of unlocking the greatness in others.
Shanita Rapatalo is a national consultant and expert on literacy, DEI, and education, and helps to create systemic changes to the education system that promote equity, compassion and acceptance. With 20 years of experience in the education sector, she continues to follow her passion for helping to develop and strengthen leaders and practices in the industry to ensure that students can become the best versions of themselves.
In order to unlock the true potential of education, it's crucial to step back and weigh the intent of the education practices with the impact they are having.
While students may be happy and making positive connections, if they are not being held to a high standard and being given the opportunity to struggle through difficult content, they are not being given what they need to thrive.
Truly leading with love means receiving people as they are, giving them access, but putting them to work and allowing them to struggle and experience the hard things they need to get ready for the real world. Equal access and leading with love can be a double-edged sword, so receive others as they are, but lead with mindfulness!
Notes๐ฉ๐พโ๐ผ National Literacy expert, mother, a family rock of Rapatalo household: Shanita is a leader and facilitator.
01:06๐ Growing up in Baltimore City with her grandparents: she set the trajectory for her entire life in high school.
03:27๐ฉ๐พโ๐ซ Her dream was to get into medical school: working at Teach For America and realizing the impact of being a young black woman in the class.
09:27๐ Grad school and Hello Friends Foundation: creating literacy systems and structures for Rapatalo Group.
13:43๐ฉน From nonprofit to entrepreneurship: subtle racism wounded her, and she needed time to heal.
16:53๐คฐ๐พ Rough family circumstances in 2020 and entrepreneurship as a touchdown.
19:57๐๐พ Hustling journey in entrepreneurship: you get control over your life, but it is a grind.
23:55๐ Shanitaโs Grandma ran her daycare, teaching children, and buying them clothes: feeding people and helping everyone.
26:47๐ฏ Community of learners and no judgment zone for kids: family legacy in the classroom is helping kids get out of the class 10 times better.
32:53๐ Judgment versus discernment: seeing things as they are and not harming kids with lowering standards.
37:27๐ถ Love for hip-hop: her brilliance in deciphering and spitting lyrics and her love for Jay-Z.
43:23๐จ๐พโ๐ค Hip-hop culture in the golden era: telling stories through lyrics that are smart, slick, and showing real life.
47:25๐ Shanitaโs RONdering is acceptance: how you show up is how I receive you.
52:15โ๐พ Rapatalo Group work: facilitating literacy structures and support systems, professional development, and career coaching.
53:11๐ Leverage Publishing Group: speak your book into existence with us.
54:51Links:
Connect with Shanita
www.linkedin.com/in/shanita-rapatalo-she-her-44460190
Episode 22
