Lift Off!
Navigating Power, Harnessing Possibility: A Guide for Leading Schools through Uncertain Times is now available, and it’s right on time for aspiring and sitting leaders getting ready for the next school year.
Last week, I attended a workshop focused on federal policy and its impact on education. The presenters broke down 10 education priorities/actions within the current administration:
Eliminate the Education Department & Reduce Other Agencies
Minimize Federal Role & Transfer Responsibility to States
Reduce Federal Education Funding/Programs & Safety Net
Expand Public Funding for Private School Choice, including Religious Schools
Dismantle DEIA & Reverse Civil Rights Enforcement
Redefine Gender Equity Rights
Disrupt and Remake Higher Education
Decrease Immigrant Student Rights/Benefits & Increase Enforcement
Limit Education R&D and Data
Advance Additional Education Priorities- i.e., workforce development
I had a lot of questions, and I quickly saw the red thread between all of these areas- there is a clear orchestrated effort to take away protections and higher education opportunities if you are undocumented, if you are Black, if you’re Brown, transgender (add any minoritized group HERE), and instead push these groups towards workforce development.
The message I walked away with is that this administration has been busy, and they are not done. There are still steps they are actively pursuing in all of these areas.
This is why YOU need to be in the room at my upcoming FREE workshop: Leading through Uncertainty: A Navigating Power Workshop on Wednesday, May 27th at 11:00 AM CST. In this 60-minute virtual workshop, you’ll be introduced to contextual intelligence and begin to apply the ideas from Navigating Power, Harnessing Possibility. You will walk away with concrete strategies on how to lead in this current moment, as well as how to integrate the book into any upcoming professional learning session.
Would love to see you there!
Other Writings within Leading-Within!
Every month, I write about what’s happening in the world for me, share an interview with a leader of the global majority, and provide a rundown of what I’m reading, listening to, and watching. Issue #71 -Entrepreneur is the latest one.
Ways to Partner with Leading-Within, LLC:
Strategic Partnership: Individual coaching and group training for system and school-level leaders who need support in navigating the informal and formal political structures within their organization and community
Resource Development: Develop tools and strategies for leaders of the global majority and those developing their contextual intelligence
Research & Writing: Partner with districts, universities, and organizations to help them assess and document best leadership practices across the diaspora
Reach out to mary@mriceboothe.com to discuss more.
If this is your first time reading, please go back and read my Introduction post.
Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think. If you like it, please share it with your network and don’t forget to hit the “heart” button and leave a comment.


Congratulations on the book, Mary! While I'm not in the formal education arena anymore, I plan to share it with my friends who are. I will pass along the info on the workshop, too. Keep up the amazing work!