In this episode, Olympia Della Flora talks about how tragedy can fire up courage and why we must always both learn from elders and empower those coming behind us.

Ms. Della Flora began her educational career in Columbus City Schools as a teacher and continued to take on more progressively challenging roles. Ms. Della Flora has found ways to collectively engage multiple stakeholders including students, staff, families, and community members to find creative solutions versus focusing on problems. As a school principal, she was able to successfully lead efforts to move one of the lowest performing elementary schools in Ohio out of failing status. Ms. Della Flora strongly believes that schools should continuously seek ways to address and support the whole child when it comes to learning, addressing not only academics but social emotional outcomes as well. During 2018-2022 Della Flora worked in Connecticut for Stamford Public Schools where she served as the Associate Superintendent for School Development. She has recently relocated back to Ohio where she is currently serving as the first female and first person of color to serve as the Superintendent in Marion City Schools in Marion, Ohio.

Ms. Della Flora has received numerous awards and recognitions for her contributions to education. She obtained the highest certification a teacher can earn, National Board Certification, in Early Childhood and was named an Emerging Leader by ASCD. One of her most humbling achievements includes delivering a TED Talk in 2019 titled, Creative Ways To Get Kids To Thrive in School, in which she has received over 3.5 million views.

You can learn more about Olympia and her work at www.olympiadellaflora.com.