July 24, 2024 • 27 mins
In this episode of the F.L.O.W. Podcast, we welcome Dr. Sharon H. Porter, an inspiring educator, whose journey began after a memorable experience hearing her fourth grade teacher read Judy Blume's Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. That initial spark led her to become a fourth-grade teacher in Charlotte, NC. Through the years she formed deep connections with students and maintains a cherished drawing from a former second-grade student.
Although Dr. Sharon never envisioned herself as a school leader, a move to the Washington, DC area shifted her perspective and encouraged her to pursue higher education. She discovered a love for media after completing her dissertation, and that was the springboard into becoming an author and podcast host. In this episode, we explore:
- The power of education in shaping lives and communities
- The importance of mentorship and representation
- Sharon’s commitment to building a pipeline of teacher leaders and principals
Connect with Dr. Sharon: Website: www.drsharonhporter.com www.vandpmagazine.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sharonhargroporter Linktree: linktr.ee/sharonhporter
Connect with Angela: Website: www.angelavharris.com Instagram: @coachangelavharris @theflowpodcastwithangela LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/angelavharris Thank you for listening to the F.L.O.W. Podcast. The F.L.O.W. is released bi-weekly on Wednesdays and is available on over 15 platforms. Listen and subscribe to the F.L.O.W. Podcast on your favorite platform today!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Angela Harris (00:05):
Welcome to the flow podcast. Fearlessly leading
our way. This podcast is a spacededicated to spotlighting the
unfiltered voices of black womenand their unique leadership
journeys. I am your host, AngelaV. Harris. I'm an award winning
(00:27):
coach, speaker, author, andchampion for black women. Make
sure to like and subscribe tothis podcast to stay connected
to our conversation. Let's getready to flow
Hello fearless leaders and thankyou for tuning in to the flow
(00:59):
Podcast where we explore thejourneys of black women leaders.
I am your host, Angela V.Harris. Today's guest is Dr.
Sharon H. Porter. Dr. Sharon isan educator, author, publisher
and host. He is president of SHPEnterprise, the umbrella entity
(01:22):
of perfect time SHP. SHPpublishing, SHP media and
graphics and vision and purposelifestyle magazine and media.
She is the executive director ofthe next in line to lead
aspiring principal leadershipacademy and founder of the new
principal roundtable. Hecurrently serves as an
(01:45):
elementary school principal inthe Washington DC metropolitan
area. Welcome to the show, Dr.Sharon.
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (01:52):
Thank you. Thank you so much. I'm excited
to be here.
Angela Harris (01:56):
I'm excited to have you I'm excited to learn
from you. I know you have somany hats that you wear as well
as your bio states you'recurrently an elementary school
principal can you share with usthe moment you realized your
passion for education? Actually,
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (02:15):
the moment of impact I call for education
love was actually in fourthgrade at Cash Elementary School.
My fourth grade teacher wasreading a book by Judy Blume
Tales of a fourth grade nothingand I said I will never forget
it. We were on the carpet. Andsomething just said to me, this
is what I want to do. I want tobe a fourth grade teacher
(02:38):
because I was just so in awe ofthe magic that my fourth grade
teacher delivered. And so that'sreally what got me into
education that moment. And Istayed there in my head through
college. And that's whathappened. I graduated with a
teaching degree and beganteaching. Fourth grade
(03:00):
nonetheless. started outteaching fourth grade. Yeah.
Angela Harris (03:06):
Were there any educators in your family?
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (03:09):
No, actually, no, not that I can,
you know, could think of I loveschool. I've always loved
school. And there was no oneperson, you know, that I really
looked, you know, up to in thefield. But just that one day, I
don't know what happened. Iguess she was really reading
(03:31):
that book. I don't know. But itjust, you know, it just dawned
on me at that moment that youknow, that's what I wanted to
do.
Angela Harris (03:41):
Where was your first teaching job?
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (03:44):
It was actually in Charlotte, North
Carolina and CharlotteMecklenburg. I actually went to
undergrad in North Carolina. SoI'm in Winston Salem, Salem
State University. So I justmoved about an hour or so. And
started teaching in CharlotteMecklenburg, which is one of my
favorite cities. And so yeah, Istayed there. Maybe three years
(04:07):
before relocating to theWashington, DC area.
Angela Harris (04:12):
When you think back on your career as a
teacher, what's been your mostimpactful moment with the
student?
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (04:18):
You know what, it's actually the impact
now, you know that that was somany moons ago, I'd say. But
right now, all of my earlyteaching students are now all
adults. They're married withkids, some are teachers now.
That to me, is the greatestimpact and I'm friends with a
(04:38):
lot of them on social media. Onein particular, that, you know,
that I was very attached to, youknow, I've been part of her life
and you know, I invited to herweddings, her baby showers. And
when she started teaching, ittouched my heart. I still today
have the picture she drew. Thiswas actually when I was teaching
(04:59):
second. Think grades that shedrew saying that I was the best
math teacher ever. I have thatin my office today. And I tell
everybody, she's a teacher nowmarried with three little boys.
That, to me is the greatestimpact. And I think most
educators will say, because youdon't feel the impact right
(05:20):
away, you know, not alwaysright. There are some moments
where you can feel the impact,and you feel that you're making
the difference. But honestly, itcomes two years later, when
those students come back andtell you that you made a
difference.
Angela Harris (05:36):
That's incredible. She's still have the
picture. They
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (05:39):
still have it on us. It's on my desk, it's
on my desk. Yes.
Angela Harris (05:47):
With your extensive experience in
educational leadership, what aresome of the most significant
obstacles that principals facetoday? Well,
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (05:55):
you know, it's so much the education has
changed over the years. I'mdefinitely from when I was in
school, but mostly from when Iwas teaching. We have so many
mental health issues with ourstudents, and is getting younger
and younger, I'm talking pre Kfour years old, with some mental
(06:18):
health challenges, that it takesa while for us to really get the
services that that particularchild needs. And in the
meantime, we all are suffering,you know, the classmates, the
educators, the parents. So Iwould definitely have to say
some of the disciplinechallenges that's across the
(06:40):
board across the nation. When Italk to educators, that's the
one thing that if we could justget right, it will make a world
of a difference.
Angela Harris (06:51):
Okay. You had that pivotal moment when you
knew you wanted to be a fourthgrade teacher? When did you
determine that you wanted totake the step into educational
leadership and pursue being aprincipal?
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (07:04):
Oh, my God, that is a funny story,
Angela, because I never wouldhave met imagined that I would
become a school leader. Becauseteaching was in my heart. Like,
that's all I wanted to do,right. But it really wasn't
until I relocated to the DCarea. It gave me a different
perspective on life. I had neverseen so many African American
(07:28):
people so successful. I hadnever seen so many African
Americans, people all in oneplace. And so when I began, I'm
very observant, right? When Ibegan to look around, at the
people around me, andindividuals who would come to
the school, maybe to do aworkshop, I was amazed at all of
(07:53):
these black people doing greatthings, right? Living in
wonderful communities, where itwas all African Americans,
right. And so we just did notexperience that in North
Carolina. So it was then once Imoved here, I began to see young
black people, as principals, asleaders. I was like, okay,
(08:15):
that's why I know representationmatters. Like that's not just
the same. Like, I found that outwhen I moved here. Because at
home, I didn't see that. So mymind wasn't that I could be
that. Wow, once I came here, Isaw, Wow, I can do, I went right
away, started, I got my master'sgot another because people was
(08:37):
going to school, they werehaving great job, they were
doing everything. And so Idumped in the bag, I jumped in
just like everyone else. Andthat's when I knew and so even
after that, I helped severalpositions in the school
district. But it wasn't until Iwas a regional instructional
specialist. And that's aposition where you're in an area
(08:59):
office really helping anassistant superintendent, you
might help schools, you mighthelp principals. And so once I
began to do that, my confidence,I knew that, hey, I can I can
probably handle the principaljob. And so that's when I went
for it.
Angela Harris (09:14):
Hmm. And did you have any mentors along the way
who guided you as you'repreparing?
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (09:21):
I did not. And which is why today, I have
the new principal round table.And this is why I have my APLs
my aspiring principal leadershipagain, because I truly did not
for whatever reason, I don'tknow why but I did not have that
one person that you know, pushedme helped guide me. And now I
(09:42):
know today like I tell my, myclients, if you don't if someone
doesn't reach out to you reachout to them, You know what I'm
saying? And so that I didn't dothat. And I wish I had it
because things probably wouldhave been a lot smoother, but I
didn't and so that's why I do Isthe work that I do today, so
that I can wrap my arms aroundas many aspiring educational
(10:05):
leaders as possible.
Angela Harris (10:07):
Yeah, I can relate to that as well. So my,
my corporate life was in a techspace. And like you, I didn't
have mentors very early in mycareer towards the end of my
corporate life, at mentors, butI had to navigate some of those
situations by myself. And as aresult of that, I developed a
passion for mentoring, whichultimately propelled me into
coaching is to be able tosupport that person I didn't
(10:29):
have only in my career.
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (10:31):
Exactly, exactly. So, you know, and I,
you know, they always say, Bethe person that you need it. And
that's really what has motivatedme and propelled me to do all
that I do. I, you know, I domany different things. But
somehow, they all come together.And so I, so I've managed that
(10:55):
way. You know, it's like aharmony. You know, there are
some times that I have to putstuff down to do other things.
But for the most part,everything I do really ties
together.
Angela Harris (11:06):
Mm hmm. I want to go back to what you said about
when you first moved to the DCarea, you saw so many successful
black people I grew up here andI now that I'm thinking about
it, all of my principals fromelementary to junior high school
were black majority of my myteachers were black. Yeah,
that's all I knew. That's
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (11:25):
all you knew exactly. And like me, I
never had a black friend sayinglike, never from K to 12. I
never had a black principal. Andso yeah, that's what I'm saying.
And so in, in my mind, duringthat time, my limited vision was
teacher, because that's all Isaw, you know what I mean? And
(11:46):
so I really believe that we haveto expose our kids to, to so
many things, so that they cansee that everything is possible.
You can see it to be it. Yes,absolutely.
Angela Harris (12:01):
Well I know education is constantly
evolving. And based on yourexperience and insight, what are
some of the emerging trends thatyou're seeing in Educational
Leadership?
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (12:10):
Oh, well, definitely, you know, we are
because you talked aboutmentoring. That's one of the
things that has picked up in theeducational field, I say within
the last 10 to 15 years,especially with assistant
principals, my dissertation wason leadership development. And
that was I finished that in2017, it was right at the cusp
(12:30):
of everyone, really bigorganizations and school
districts, really understandingthe impact of preparing
assistant principals to becomeprincipals, we have to prepare
the bench, like and so my nextin line Academy does just that
you cannot wait to prepare aprincipal when they get a
principal position. Like thatmakes no sense. And so really
(12:55):
putting the focus on wrappingyour arms around those soon as
they become a system from evenyour teacher leaders actually.
And I just want to note andteacher leaders doesn't
necessarily mean that they wantto go into administration, but
you find those teacher leaderswho do aspire to administration,
and start cultivating thatleadership, because we have to
(13:17):
build the bench, which is theproblem, we have it. And so when
people get into the position,they are ill equipped to do the
job appropriately. And so andthat's where you come with all
of the issues, all of theproblems. And so that's why
mentoring and coaching is soimportant. And not right when
(13:38):
you get to position but prior toas well.
Angela Harris (13:40):
Yeah, like you said it's succession planning,
you aren't going to have apipeline of talent if you don't
start developing and growing itearly on.
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (13:51):
Exactly.
Angela Harris (13:54):
I know you have your four principles of
leadership. Can you tell us alittle bit about that. And so
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (13:59):
you know, one of the things that I always
like to do is make sure thatpeople understand about
communication, effectivecommunication. First of all, I'm
going to start there. Noteveryone and not every leader
communicates effectively. Andthat is the core of the hallmark
(14:22):
of effective leadership, we haveto be clear on what we're
saying, to our teachers, or toour all of our stakeholders, our
parents, is so important to getthat parent engagement. You have
to communicate often. And andmake sure that it's right,
right. And so that's one of thethings here now that especially
(14:45):
with social media, I don't knowhow educators today stay off of
social media, that's where thepeople are. And, you know,
people so long ago will besending fliers home. They don't
even get home. You know what I'msaying? They Don't even get all
you know, you may have a fewpeople to get them there. But
effective communication is ispivotal, also building those
(15:08):
core relationships. And that'sin anything, not just an
education. And that's the onething about the principles of
leadership is not just abouteducation, it's about leadership
in general, because my mantra isleadership, leadership is good
leadership, regardless of theindustry, right? And so we have
to build those corerelationships. And so you do
(15:30):
that by connecting with people.You can't just meet them and let
it be, you have to cultivatethat relationship. And that's
parents, that students, that'syour staff, that's the
community. And so reallycultivating those relationships
is pivotal. Mm hmm.
Angela Harris (15:50):
Can you tell us how you cultivate those
relationships with the parentsin the community?
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (15:56):
So first of all, by involving them,
right, and so parents want tofeel like they are a part of the
school community. And so you'renot just telling them what's
going on, you are letting thembe a part of that and help them
decide what's going on. So I'mvery big on having a parents
come in, we know that we, youknow, recently came out of
(16:20):
COVID, when everything was shutdown. And then after that,
parents couldn't come into thebuilding. It was just it was
awful, right? And so this year,which is unthinkable was like
the best year out of COVID.Right? This is when everything
was back to normal. You bringthose parents in, you have those
(16:41):
parent meetings, whether it's anofficial PTA, PTO, or any other
formal setting that you havewith parents, and you invite the
fight them in you let them knowwhat's going on, you ask their
opinion, you may help make thosedecisions. So that you it's just
not you. Sometimes we have tomake them by ourselves,
(17:01):
depending on what it is, butmost oftentimes, if you can
include the stakeholders indecision making, you will have
them on board 100%.
Angela Harris (17:10):
I heard you say PTO. I'm not familiar with that
term. What is it?
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (17:15):
PTO? I'm sorry, yes, that's really like
the unlike the PTA is the ParentTeacher Association. And the O
is the organization, parentteacher organization. And that's
when you don't have an officialPTA because with the PTA that is
monitored by the state. The O islocalized. And so yes, and so a
(17:37):
lot of schools opt to do PTOsbecause they keep all have the
funds versus the PTA when yougot to send the majority of your
funds to the state to supportthe state PTA.
Angela Harris (17:51):
I learned something. Thank you for that.
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (17:53):
Yes.
Angela Harris (17:55):
Well, I know that in addition to your role was
principal, you were also thehost on the I am Dr. Sharon Show
a livein studio studio interviewshow and three podcasts. Yes.
What's the motivation behind allof it? And where do you find the
time
Unknown (18:09):
I know Oh, my God. So let me tell you, so the best
thing I can say is, everythinghappened for me during my
dissertation. So from 2014 to2017, I was at Howard
University, getting mydoctorate, right. And so and
what a lot of people don't knowis prior to that I was in
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (18:27):
I'm a huge fan of affirmation. So I just
another doctoral program, onlinefrom 2006 to 2012, count six
years, and did not finish with adoctorial degree. And so, during
the time that I was at Howard, Iwas determined. A lot was going
on between 2006 2012 I lost myfather in 2008, I actually
(18:48):
relocated back to NorthCarolina, then I came back to
the DMV. And so Nevertheless, Idid not finish the degree. I did
earn an educational specialist,but not the doctorate. So when I
started at Howard, I startedwith the mindframe that I'm
going to do all that I need todo to finish this degree in
(19:10):
three years. That was my, youknow, cut off everything. I
stopped doing all of the extrastuff. So what happened in doing
that? I my ideas were blowing,they were just rolling. Oh my
god, I can do this. I can dothat. I wanted to write a book.
I wanted to just do all thethings I wanted to start a
(19:32):
podcast, I wanted to doeverything. And of course I
could do nothing because my mindwas focused, right. And so once
I finished that degree in 2017,that's when everything was born.
I wrote my first book, I startedmy first podcast, and it has
just grown into a love of media,which I never knew I had. Um, I
(19:55):
love it. It is a passion and ifI can stop right now and Just do
it. That's what I will be doing.And so I in the I Am Dr. Sharon
show came from again, mydissertation. Because at the
end, it was so hard. That was myaffirmation to myself every day.
I Am Dr. Sharon. I Am Dr.Sharon. I would say that every
(20:18):
morning. And so when it was timeto name my podcast, I was like,
hey, that's it. That's what gotme through. So it's the I Am Dr.
Sharon show. And so it startedout as online. And I was invited
to actually come into studio in2018. And so I've been in studio
ever since with the I Am Dr.Sharon show. But I have also
(20:42):
kept my podcasts, it wasprobably three back then I'm
probably doing about five now.And then with the shp Media
Network, I also produced severalpodcasts for others. So I'm just
loving this immediate space thatI'm in. Yes.
(21:02):
lit up when I heard you say thatthe name from your show was
birthed from an affirmation, Ido affirmations like, all day
every day, like in my mind allthe time. I'm saying it's
something.
I love it. Oh, my goodness, Ilove that.
Angela Harris (21:17):
Well keeping in line with that. I know you're
also an author and thepublisher, several book series.
Tell us all about that. Yeah, so
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (21:24):
the love is my women who lead series, I
started that and 2018 withbecause leadership, first of
all, is my through line througheverything that I do is about
leadership. And so I startedlooking at women in leadership,
and I wanted to really helpamplify their voices and put
(21:44):
their stories out. And so Istarted with 20 women that I
interviewed, and I shared theirstories, and the first woman who
leaves since then we've probablyI think we're like when 10 or 11
Now on women who lead. And sothe first one really was a
combination of differentbackgrounds, different
industries, I had attorneys, Ihad educators, I had athletes, I
(22:08):
had everybody in that one. Theothers that came after that were
industry specific women who leadin business, women who lead in
tech women who lead in financeand law and medicine. And so and
women who lead in sportsactually released back in March.
And so I released one everywomen's history month, every
(22:29):
month, it's one that's released.And so super excited about that.
And so now that's really, that'smy love. That's the one that I
really am passionate about. Ialso have the HBCU experience
book series that I launched whenBennett College in Greensboro,
North Carolina was going throughtheir challenges, and their
(22:51):
doors were almost closed. So Iwanted to give back not only to
my HBCU, but also others. And soI started the HBCU experience.
And this is where I gatheralumni from various HBCUs to
share their experience. Ipublish it, and part of the part
(23:12):
of the funds go to an alumniassociation or to that
university directly. And
Angela Harris (23:18):
That's wonderful. That's wonderful. I love the
intentionality about releasingduring women's history month and
just want to share somethingactually I just learned myself
that April is actually blackwomen's history month and I
interviewed the founder Shabattle. She's in episode three
of the podcast, Black Women'sHistory Month. Yes.
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (23:37):
Absolutely.
Angela Harris (23:40):
Well, Dr. Sharon, before we wrap up, I have one
final question for you. With allthat you do, how do you recharge
when you aren't fearlesslyleading? Oh,
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (23:52):
you know what, Angela, that I'm gonna
tell you, I believe in rest andrelaxation. I really do. And so
any downtime that I have, that'sexactly what I do. I don't do a
lot of as they the self care forme, it's rest. That is my self
care. I cannot operate. If I'mtired. Like I am just not the
(24:13):
same person. I'm not a nightowl. But I am an early bird. And
so I go to bed early. But I riseearly, you know, three o'clock
in the morning. I'm rising. Ihave to be at I leave for school
about 630. And so from aboutthree till about 530 I'm doing
(24:35):
all of my business stuff. I goto school, I come back. I only
have a short few hours afterwork because I'm spent after
working with 400 Little Kthrough five scholars. So I
don't have a lot of time in theevening. So my time to recharge
is really to get in the bedearly so that I can rise early
the next morning.
Angela Harris (24:57):
What time are you normally in bed?
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (24:59):
I tried to be getting to bed no later than
eight or nine o'clock. I try mybest. I try my best, but between
eight and 9pm I want to bealready showered already getting
myself ready for the night. Sothat I can sleep because three
o'clock comes real quick.
Angela Harris (25:16):
Yes. Yeah. And that's probably takes a lot of
discipline. Yes. Yes. Well, Dr.Sharon, I certainly enjoyed
having you on the show today.How can our listeners stay
connected with you? Absolutely.
Unknown (25:29):
So my website is drsharonhporter.com. And so you
can find all of my informationthere. Link tree is Sharon H.
Porter. So you can definitely goto link tree and I'm sharing a
supporter there. But alleverything that I do is on both
of those sites. And I would loveto connect with your audience.
Okay, and I will definitely makesure that I share all the
(25:51):
information with the listenersin the show notes. Awesome.
Thank you. Well, again, thank
Angela Harris (25:56):
you so much for being here today, Dr. Sharon,
and to our listeners. Thank youso much for tuning in until next
time.
Thank you for listening to theflow podcast. As we wrap up
today's episode. Always rememberyour unique path, your voice and
(26:21):
your leadership matter. If youloved what you heard, subscribe
now to stay updated on ourlatest episodes. Take a moment
to leave a review and share thisepisode with someone who can
benefit from theseconversations. You can stay
connected with me on Instagramat the @theflowpodcastwithangela
(26:46):
or visit me on the web atangelavharris.com. Until next
time, take care, stay inspiredand keep fearlessly leading in
your own way.
Welcome to the flow podcast. Fearlessly leading
our way. This podcast is a spacededicated to spotlighting the
unfiltered voices of black womenand their unique leadership
journeys. I am your host, AngelaV. Harris. I'm an award winning
(00:27):
coach, speaker, author, andchampion for black women. Make
sure to like and subscribe tothis podcast to stay connected
to our conversation. Let's getready to flow
Hello fearless leaders and thankyou for tuning in to the flow
(00:59):
Podcast where we explore thejourneys of black women leaders.
I am your host, Angela V.Harris. Today's guest is Dr.
Sharon H. Porter. Dr. Sharon isan educator, author, publisher
and host. He is president of SHPEnterprise, the umbrella entity
(01:22):
of perfect time SHP. SHPpublishing, SHP media and
graphics and vision and purposelifestyle magazine and media.
She is the executive director ofthe next in line to lead
aspiring principal leadershipacademy and founder of the new
principal roundtable. Hecurrently serves as an
(01:45):
elementary school principal inthe Washington DC metropolitan
area. Welcome to the show, Dr.Sharon.
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (01:52):
Thank you. Thank you so much. I'm excited
to be here.
Angela Harris (01:56):
I'm excited to have you I'm excited to learn
from you. I know you have somany hats that you wear as well
as your bio states you'recurrently an elementary school
principal can you share with usthe moment you realized your
passion for education? Actually,
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (02:15):
the moment of impact I call for education
love was actually in fourthgrade at Cash Elementary School.
My fourth grade teacher wasreading a book by Judy Blume
Tales of a fourth grade nothingand I said I will never forget
it. We were on the carpet. Andsomething just said to me, this
is what I want to do. I want tobe a fourth grade teacher
(02:38):
because I was just so in awe ofthe magic that my fourth grade
teacher delivered. And so that'sreally what got me into
education that moment. And Istayed there in my head through
college. And that's whathappened. I graduated with a
teaching degree and beganteaching. Fourth grade
(03:00):
nonetheless. started outteaching fourth grade. Yeah.
Angela Harris (03:06):
Were there any educators in your family?
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (03:09):
No, actually, no, not that I can,
you know, could think of I loveschool. I've always loved
school. And there was no oneperson, you know, that I really
looked, you know, up to in thefield. But just that one day, I
don't know what happened. Iguess she was really reading
(03:31):
that book. I don't know. But itjust, you know, it just dawned
on me at that moment that youknow, that's what I wanted to
do.
Angela Harris (03:41):
Where was your first teaching job?
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (03:44):
It was actually in Charlotte, North
Carolina and CharlotteMecklenburg. I actually went to
undergrad in North Carolina. SoI'm in Winston Salem, Salem
State University. So I justmoved about an hour or so. And
started teaching in CharlotteMecklenburg, which is one of my
favorite cities. And so yeah, Istayed there. Maybe three years
(04:07):
before relocating to theWashington, DC area.
Angela Harris (04:12):
When you think back on your career as a
teacher, what's been your mostimpactful moment with the
student?
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (04:18):
You know what, it's actually the impact
now, you know that that was somany moons ago, I'd say. But
right now, all of my earlyteaching students are now all
adults. They're married withkids, some are teachers now.
That to me, is the greatestimpact and I'm friends with a
(04:38):
lot of them on social media. Onein particular, that, you know,
that I was very attached to, youknow, I've been part of her life
and you know, I invited to herweddings, her baby showers. And
when she started teaching, ittouched my heart. I still today
have the picture she drew. Thiswas actually when I was teaching
(04:59):
second. Think grades that shedrew saying that I was the best
math teacher ever. I have thatin my office today. And I tell
everybody, she's a teacher nowmarried with three little boys.
That, to me is the greatestimpact. And I think most
educators will say, because youdon't feel the impact right
(05:20):
away, you know, not alwaysright. There are some moments
where you can feel the impact,and you feel that you're making
the difference. But honestly, itcomes two years later, when
those students come back andtell you that you made a
difference.
Angela Harris (05:36):
That's incredible. She's still have the
picture. They
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (05:39):
still have it on us. It's on my desk, it's
on my desk. Yes.
Angela Harris (05:47):
With your extensive experience in
educational leadership, what aresome of the most significant
obstacles that principals facetoday? Well,
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (05:55):
you know, it's so much the education has
changed over the years. I'mdefinitely from when I was in
school, but mostly from when Iwas teaching. We have so many
mental health issues with ourstudents, and is getting younger
and younger, I'm talking pre Kfour years old, with some mental
(06:18):
health challenges, that it takesa while for us to really get the
services that that particularchild needs. And in the
meantime, we all are suffering,you know, the classmates, the
educators, the parents. So Iwould definitely have to say
some of the disciplinechallenges that's across the
(06:40):
board across the nation. When Italk to educators, that's the
one thing that if we could justget right, it will make a world
of a difference.
Angela Harris (06:51):
Okay. You had that pivotal moment when you
knew you wanted to be a fourthgrade teacher? When did you
determine that you wanted totake the step into educational
leadership and pursue being aprincipal?
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (07:04):
Oh, my God, that is a funny story,
Angela, because I never wouldhave met imagined that I would
become a school leader. Becauseteaching was in my heart. Like,
that's all I wanted to do,right. But it really wasn't
until I relocated to the DCarea. It gave me a different
perspective on life. I had neverseen so many African American
(07:28):
people so successful. I hadnever seen so many African
Americans, people all in oneplace. And so when I began, I'm
very observant, right? When Ibegan to look around, at the
people around me, andindividuals who would come to
the school, maybe to do aworkshop, I was amazed at all of
(07:53):
these black people doing greatthings, right? Living in
wonderful communities, where itwas all African Americans,
right. And so we just did notexperience that in North
Carolina. So it was then once Imoved here, I began to see young
black people, as principals, asleaders. I was like, okay,
(08:15):
that's why I know representationmatters. Like that's not just
the same. Like, I found that outwhen I moved here. Because at
home, I didn't see that. So mymind wasn't that I could be
that. Wow, once I came here, Isaw, Wow, I can do, I went right
away, started, I got my master'sgot another because people was
(08:37):
going to school, they werehaving great job, they were
doing everything. And so Idumped in the bag, I jumped in
just like everyone else. Andthat's when I knew and so even
after that, I helped severalpositions in the school
district. But it wasn't until Iwas a regional instructional
specialist. And that's aposition where you're in an area
(08:59):
office really helping anassistant superintendent, you
might help schools, you mighthelp principals. And so once I
began to do that, my confidence,I knew that, hey, I can I can
probably handle the principaljob. And so that's when I went
for it.
Angela Harris (09:14):
Hmm. And did you have any mentors along the way
who guided you as you'repreparing?
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (09:21):
I did not. And which is why today, I have
the new principal round table.And this is why I have my APLs
my aspiring principal leadershipagain, because I truly did not
for whatever reason, I don'tknow why but I did not have that
one person that you know, pushedme helped guide me. And now I
(09:42):
know today like I tell my, myclients, if you don't if someone
doesn't reach out to you reachout to them, You know what I'm
saying? And so that I didn't dothat. And I wish I had it
because things probably wouldhave been a lot smoother, but I
didn't and so that's why I do Isthe work that I do today, so
that I can wrap my arms aroundas many aspiring educational
(10:05):
leaders as possible.
Angela Harris (10:07):
Yeah, I can relate to that as well. So my,
my corporate life was in a techspace. And like you, I didn't
have mentors very early in mycareer towards the end of my
corporate life, at mentors, butI had to navigate some of those
situations by myself. And as aresult of that, I developed a
passion for mentoring, whichultimately propelled me into
coaching is to be able tosupport that person I didn't
(10:29):
have only in my career.
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (10:31):
Exactly, exactly. So, you know, and I,
you know, they always say, Bethe person that you need it. And
that's really what has motivatedme and propelled me to do all
that I do. I, you know, I domany different things. But
somehow, they all come together.And so I, so I've managed that
(10:55):
way. You know, it's like aharmony. You know, there are
some times that I have to putstuff down to do other things.
But for the most part,everything I do really ties
together.
Angela Harris (11:06):
Mm hmm. I want to go back to what you said about
when you first moved to the DCarea, you saw so many successful
black people I grew up here andI now that I'm thinking about
it, all of my principals fromelementary to junior high school
were black majority of my myteachers were black. Yeah,
that's all I knew. That's
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (11:25):
all you knew exactly. And like me, I
never had a black friend sayinglike, never from K to 12. I
never had a black principal. Andso yeah, that's what I'm saying.
And so in, in my mind, duringthat time, my limited vision was
teacher, because that's all Isaw, you know what I mean? And
(11:46):
so I really believe that we haveto expose our kids to, to so
many things, so that they cansee that everything is possible.
You can see it to be it. Yes,absolutely.
Angela Harris (12:01):
Well I know education is constantly
evolving. And based on yourexperience and insight, what are
some of the emerging trends thatyou're seeing in Educational
Leadership?
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (12:10):
Oh, well, definitely, you know, we are
because you talked aboutmentoring. That's one of the
things that has picked up in theeducational field, I say within
the last 10 to 15 years,especially with assistant
principals, my dissertation wason leadership development. And
that was I finished that in2017, it was right at the cusp
(12:30):
of everyone, really bigorganizations and school
districts, really understandingthe impact of preparing
assistant principals to becomeprincipals, we have to prepare
the bench, like and so my nextin line Academy does just that
you cannot wait to prepare aprincipal when they get a
principal position. Like thatmakes no sense. And so really
(12:55):
putting the focus on wrappingyour arms around those soon as
they become a system from evenyour teacher leaders actually.
And I just want to note andteacher leaders doesn't
necessarily mean that they wantto go into administration, but
you find those teacher leaderswho do aspire to administration,
and start cultivating thatleadership, because we have to
(13:17):
build the bench, which is theproblem, we have it. And so when
people get into the position,they are ill equipped to do the
job appropriately. And so andthat's where you come with all
of the issues, all of theproblems. And so that's why
mentoring and coaching is soimportant. And not right when
(13:38):
you get to position but prior toas well.
Angela Harris (13:40):
Yeah, like you said it's succession planning,
you aren't going to have apipeline of talent if you don't
start developing and growing itearly on.
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (13:51):
Exactly.
Angela Harris (13:54):
I know you have your four principles of
leadership. Can you tell us alittle bit about that. And so
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (13:59):
you know, one of the things that I always
like to do is make sure thatpeople understand about
communication, effectivecommunication. First of all, I'm
going to start there. Noteveryone and not every leader
communicates effectively. Andthat is the core of the hallmark
(14:22):
of effective leadership, we haveto be clear on what we're
saying, to our teachers, or toour all of our stakeholders, our
parents, is so important to getthat parent engagement. You have
to communicate often. And andmake sure that it's right,
right. And so that's one of thethings here now that especially
(14:45):
with social media, I don't knowhow educators today stay off of
social media, that's where thepeople are. And, you know,
people so long ago will besending fliers home. They don't
even get home. You know what I'msaying? They Don't even get all
you know, you may have a fewpeople to get them there. But
effective communication is ispivotal, also building those
(15:08):
core relationships. And that'sin anything, not just an
education. And that's the onething about the principles of
leadership is not just abouteducation, it's about leadership
in general, because my mantra isleadership, leadership is good
leadership, regardless of theindustry, right? And so we have
to build those corerelationships. And so you do
(15:30):
that by connecting with people.You can't just meet them and let
it be, you have to cultivatethat relationship. And that's
parents, that students, that'syour staff, that's the
community. And so reallycultivating those relationships
is pivotal. Mm hmm.
Angela Harris (15:50):
Can you tell us how you cultivate those
relationships with the parentsin the community?
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (15:56):
So first of all, by involving them,
right, and so parents want tofeel like they are a part of the
school community. And so you'renot just telling them what's
going on, you are letting thembe a part of that and help them
decide what's going on. So I'mvery big on having a parents
come in, we know that we, youknow, recently came out of
(16:20):
COVID, when everything was shutdown. And then after that,
parents couldn't come into thebuilding. It was just it was
awful, right? And so this year,which is unthinkable was like
the best year out of COVID.Right? This is when everything
was back to normal. You bringthose parents in, you have those
(16:41):
parent meetings, whether it's anofficial PTA, PTO, or any other
formal setting that you havewith parents, and you invite the
fight them in you let them knowwhat's going on, you ask their
opinion, you may help make thosedecisions. So that you it's just
not you. Sometimes we have tomake them by ourselves,
(17:01):
depending on what it is, butmost oftentimes, if you can
include the stakeholders indecision making, you will have
them on board 100%.
Angela Harris (17:10):
I heard you say PTO. I'm not familiar with that
term. What is it?
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (17:15):
PTO? I'm sorry, yes, that's really like
the unlike the PTA is the ParentTeacher Association. And the O
is the organization, parentteacher organization. And that's
when you don't have an officialPTA because with the PTA that is
monitored by the state. The O islocalized. And so yes, and so a
(17:37):
lot of schools opt to do PTOsbecause they keep all have the
funds versus the PTA when yougot to send the majority of your
funds to the state to supportthe state PTA.
Angela Harris (17:51):
I learned something. Thank you for that.
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (17:53):
Yes.
Angela Harris (17:55):
Well, I know that in addition to your role was
principal, you were also thehost on the I am Dr. Sharon Show
a livein studio studio interviewshow and three podcasts. Yes.
What's the motivation behind allof it? And where do you find the
time
Unknown (18:09):
I know Oh, my God. So let me tell you, so the best
thing I can say is, everythinghappened for me during my
dissertation. So from 2014 to2017, I was at Howard
University, getting mydoctorate, right. And so and
what a lot of people don't knowis prior to that I was in
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (18:27):
I'm a huge fan of affirmation. So I just
another doctoral program, onlinefrom 2006 to 2012, count six
years, and did not finish with adoctorial degree. And so, during
the time that I was at Howard, Iwas determined. A lot was going
on between 2006 2012 I lost myfather in 2008, I actually
(18:48):
relocated back to NorthCarolina, then I came back to
the DMV. And so Nevertheless, Idid not finish the degree. I did
earn an educational specialist,but not the doctorate. So when I
started at Howard, I startedwith the mindframe that I'm
going to do all that I need todo to finish this degree in
(19:10):
three years. That was my, youknow, cut off everything. I
stopped doing all of the extrastuff. So what happened in doing
that? I my ideas were blowing,they were just rolling. Oh my
god, I can do this. I can dothat. I wanted to write a book.
I wanted to just do all thethings I wanted to start a
(19:32):
podcast, I wanted to doeverything. And of course I
could do nothing because my mindwas focused, right. And so once
I finished that degree in 2017,that's when everything was born.
I wrote my first book, I startedmy first podcast, and it has
just grown into a love of media,which I never knew I had. Um, I
(19:55):
love it. It is a passion and ifI can stop right now and Just do
it. That's what I will be doing.And so I in the I Am Dr. Sharon
show came from again, mydissertation. Because at the
end, it was so hard. That was myaffirmation to myself every day.
I Am Dr. Sharon. I Am Dr.Sharon. I would say that every
(20:18):
morning. And so when it was timeto name my podcast, I was like,
hey, that's it. That's what gotme through. So it's the I Am Dr.
Sharon show. And so it startedout as online. And I was invited
to actually come into studio in2018. And so I've been in studio
ever since with the I Am Dr.Sharon show. But I have also
(20:42):
kept my podcasts, it wasprobably three back then I'm
probably doing about five now.And then with the shp Media
Network, I also produced severalpodcasts for others. So I'm just
loving this immediate space thatI'm in. Yes.
(21:02):
lit up when I heard you say thatthe name from your show was
birthed from an affirmation, Ido affirmations like, all day
every day, like in my mind allthe time. I'm saying it's
something.
I love it. Oh, my goodness, Ilove that.
Angela Harris (21:17):
Well keeping in line with that. I know you're
also an author and thepublisher, several book series.
Tell us all about that. Yeah, so
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (21:24):
the love is my women who lead series, I
started that and 2018 withbecause leadership, first of
all, is my through line througheverything that I do is about
leadership. And so I startedlooking at women in leadership,
and I wanted to really helpamplify their voices and put
(21:44):
their stories out. And so Istarted with 20 women that I
interviewed, and I shared theirstories, and the first woman who
leaves since then we've probablyI think we're like when 10 or 11
Now on women who lead. And sothe first one really was a
combination of differentbackgrounds, different
industries, I had attorneys, Ihad educators, I had athletes, I
(22:08):
had everybody in that one. Theothers that came after that were
industry specific women who leadin business, women who lead in
tech women who lead in financeand law and medicine. And so and
women who lead in sportsactually released back in March.
And so I released one everywomen's history month, every
(22:29):
month, it's one that's released.And so super excited about that.
And so now that's really, that'smy love. That's the one that I
really am passionate about. Ialso have the HBCU experience
book series that I launched whenBennett College in Greensboro,
North Carolina was going throughtheir challenges, and their
(22:51):
doors were almost closed. So Iwanted to give back not only to
my HBCU, but also others. And soI started the HBCU experience.
And this is where I gatheralumni from various HBCUs to
share their experience. Ipublish it, and part of the part
(23:12):
of the funds go to an alumniassociation or to that
university directly. And
Angela Harris (23:18):
That's wonderful. That's wonderful. I love the
intentionality about releasingduring women's history month and
just want to share somethingactually I just learned myself
that April is actually blackwomen's history month and I
interviewed the founder Shabattle. She's in episode three
of the podcast, Black Women'sHistory Month. Yes.
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (23:37):
Absolutely.
Angela Harris (23:40):
Well, Dr. Sharon, before we wrap up, I have one
final question for you. With allthat you do, how do you recharge
when you aren't fearlesslyleading? Oh,
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (23:52):
you know what, Angela, that I'm gonna
tell you, I believe in rest andrelaxation. I really do. And so
any downtime that I have, that'sexactly what I do. I don't do a
lot of as they the self care forme, it's rest. That is my self
care. I cannot operate. If I'mtired. Like I am just not the
(24:13):
same person. I'm not a nightowl. But I am an early bird. And
so I go to bed early. But I riseearly, you know, three o'clock
in the morning. I'm rising. Ihave to be at I leave for school
about 630. And so from aboutthree till about 530 I'm doing
(24:35):
all of my business stuff. I goto school, I come back. I only
have a short few hours afterwork because I'm spent after
working with 400 Little Kthrough five scholars. So I
don't have a lot of time in theevening. So my time to recharge
is really to get in the bedearly so that I can rise early
the next morning.
Angela Harris (24:57):
What time are you normally in bed?
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (24:59):
I tried to be getting to bed no later than
eight or nine o'clock. I try mybest. I try my best, but between
eight and 9pm I want to bealready showered already getting
myself ready for the night. Sothat I can sleep because three
o'clock comes real quick.
Angela Harris (25:16):
Yes. Yeah. And that's probably takes a lot of
discipline. Yes. Yes. Well, Dr.Sharon, I certainly enjoyed
having you on the show today.How can our listeners stay
connected with you? Absolutely.
Unknown (25:29):
So my website is drsharonhporter.com. And so you
can find all of my informationthere. Link tree is Sharon H.
Porter. So you can definitely goto link tree and I'm sharing a
supporter there. But alleverything that I do is on both
of those sites. And I would loveto connect with your audience.
Okay, and I will definitely makesure that I share all the
(25:51):
information with the listenersin the show notes. Awesome.
Thank you. Well, again, thank
Angela Harris (25:56):
you so much for being here today, Dr. Sharon,
and to our listeners. Thank youso much for tuning in until next
time.
Thank you for listening to theflow podcast. As we wrap up
today's episode. Always rememberyour unique path, your voice and
(26:21):
your leadership matter. If youloved what you heard, subscribe
now to stay updated on ourlatest episodes. Take a moment
to leave a review and share thisepisode with someone who can
benefit from theseconversations. You can stay
connected with me on Instagramat the @theflowpodcastwithangela
(26:46):
or visit me on the web atangelavharris.com. Until next
time, take care, stay inspiredand keep fearlessly leading in
your own way.
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