Leading Beyond Titles: Empowering Education

In this inspiring episode of Empowering Women in Educational Leadership, we are joined by Dr. Erica Avent, Assistant Professor at the University of Mississippi in Elementary Education. Dr. Avent shares her unique journey from the classroom to leadership roles, demonstrating how you don't need a formal title to make a significant impact. Starting in education and working with curriculum, she often found herself doing the work of a leader without the official title. Determined to advance and support others, she pursued an alternate route into administration, where her passion for mentorship blossomed.
Dr. Avent details her work in federal programs, where she supported teachers within tiered systems and cultivated mentorship programs for both new teachers and administrators. She loved helping people grow but found herself bogged down by the paperwork. This realization led her to transition into higher education, where she could focus on creating programs for students, supporting university freshmen, and eventually teaching future educators. Her journey highlights the important lesson that leadership isn’t defined by a position but by the influence and support you offer to those around you.
Throughout the episode, Dr. Avent shares her personal mantra of "educating, empowering, and elevating," believing that education transforms, empowerment is a game-changer, and elevating others is key to collective growth. She discusses her role in the Ed Sparks program at Ole Miss, which reignites passion for education and focuses on increasing diversity in the teacher pipeline, ensuring quality education for all.
In addition to her professional path, Dr. Avent opens up about the personal challenges she has faced. As a mother of a daughter with a learning disability, she talks about the complexities of balancing her career and family life. She emphasizes the importance of giving yourself grace, recognizing when to step back, and allowing others to help. 
A champion of body positivity, Dr. Avent also discusses the confidence struggles she has faced. She shares a powerful mantra she teaches her children: "I am beautiful, I am smart, I am talented, I am great." Through this, she highlights the value of self-acceptance and reminds listeners to embrace who they are, no matter the obstacles.
In this heartfelt and empowering conversation, Dr. Avent discusses the importance of mentorship, community, and being unapologetically yourself. She shares her belief that everyone is exactly where they are supposed to be and encourages women to step into their power, cultivate their leadership, and embrace the journey with authenticity and grace. Whether you’re an educator, leader, or someone looking for inspiration, this episode is packed with valuable insights on growth, leadership, and empowerment.

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Dr. Erica Avent is an Assistant Professor of Teacher Education with the University of Mississippi. Prior to this position, she was the Coordinator with the the LuckyDay Residential College. She has inspired and motivated the children of Mississippi schools for 18 years, as a classroom teacher in grades 3-6 and school/district administrator.

She served as a board member for the Mississippi Association of Educators. Additionally, she is a past mentor teacher with the Mississippi Teacher Fellowship Program. She is a National Board Certified Teacher who earned her Ed.S, M.A., and B.A from the University of Mississippi. In 2020, she received her Ed.D in Elementary Education with an emphasis on African American teacher recruitment and retention in K-12.

She has expertise in community engagement, teacher mentorship, and student success in K12. She is a seasoned educator who has developed community initiatives and programs targeting the inclusiveness of African American students and communities. She has presented at national conferences around her work. She has researched and presented on the barriers that African American students and teachers face in public education. 

Her focus has been on helping to diversify the teacher pipeline so that all students can see representations of African American teachers in their schools.

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