15: My Why with Leslie Cowell - Dean, Lipscomb University College of Education

Each "My Why" episode uncovers the journey of one educator: a teacher or leader who has chosen to devote his or her life to the education profession. Each story is different, yet each is an exploration of motivation, purpose, and hope.

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Leslie Cowell from Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Cowell serves as the Dean and Professor for the College of Education at Lipscomb University. She has a doctorate in Elementary Education from Auburn University, a master’s degree in Reading K-12 Education from the University of West Florida and a master’s degree in Urban Education from the University of North Carolina in Charlotte. Prior to her position at Lipscomb, she served as the Dean and Professor for the College of Education at Faulkner University in Montgomery for 11 years. Dr. Cowell has taught 4th and 5th grade and worked as an elementary principal. Leslie has been married for 18 years to Dan Cowell, an attorney, and they have three children.

• "For the Lord, not for man."

SHOW NOTES:

College of Education Dean selection announcement from Lipscomb University.

Quotes:

"I really try to remember the Lord's faithfulness. I think an 'aha' moment came just trusting that the Lord has put you in the place where he wants you to be and he's building you and grooming you and giving you experiences. In some cases, you're going to mess up so that you can learn. [...] So don't get frustrated when things are hard or things don't go your way or if something arises that you didn't expect. Because you never know, five years down the road, you're going to look back and go, 'Now I know exactly why I had to do that, because I needed to build this skillset or I needed to meet that person.'" —Dr. Leslie Cowell

"Teachers need to be really intentional about making sure that the practices and instructional methodologies that they're using are inclusive to our diverse learners. [...] Every child has value and can do wonderful things in their life. And we shouldn't think that certain children or certain populations can't can achieve because everybody can. That's the awesome work of a teacher, right? That we have that opportunity to say to every child, 'You were created by God, you are wonderful, and let me see what I can do to help build that up in you so that you can make a difference and use your strengths in whatever capacity the Lord has planned for that.'" —Dr. Leslie Cowell

6-word Memoir:

"For the Lord, not for man." —Dr. Leslie Cowell

CREDITS:

• Producer & Host: Karen Marklein
• Engineer & Editor: Forrest Doddington