From Empathy to Equity - The ebb and flow of reciprocal leadership | Ebony Green | TEDxNewburgh

Summary

The speaker reflects on the transformative impact of educators in their life, emphasizing the reciprocal nature of teaching and learning. Through personal anecdotes about influential teachers and the lessons learned, they illustrate how belief, wisdom, love, and light from mentors shaped their journey. The narrative highlights the importance of recognizing the potential in others and the responsibility to uplift students. Ultimately, the speaker underscores that education is a shared experience, where both students and teachers learn from each other, akin to the beauty of a butterfly emerging from its transformative process.

Takeaways

• 🦋 The beauty of a butterfly symbolizes the transformative changes one undergoes to achieve greatness.
• 🌱 Personal growth relies heavily on the belief, wisdom, love, and light shared by others.
• 📚 Education is reciprocal; both teachers and students can learn from each other.
• 👩‍🏫 The impact of teachers can profoundly shape a student's self-perception and future.
• ✍️ Writing can be a powerful tool for self-expression and personal freedom.
• 🌟 High expectations from educators can inspire students to reach their full potential.
• 💡 Responsibility for one's education lies within oneself; external support is crucial but must be recognized.
• 🤝 Moments of connection and love between educators and students can have lasting effects on their lives.
• 🌈 The journey of education involves both struggles and triumphs, often shared between generations.
• 🏆 Recognizing and celebrating the achievements of students can validate the efforts of educators.

Q & A

What does the speaker mean by 'the sum is only as good as its parts'?

The speaker emphasizes that individual value is derived from the contributions and support of others in their life, highlighting the importance of community and mentorship.

Who are the four key ways the speaker describes how people impacted their life?

The speaker identifies belief, wisdom, love, and light as the four key ways people have poured into their life.

How did Miss Kali influence the speaker during high school?

Miss Kali recognized the speaker's potential and encouraged them to express themselves through writing, which ultimately helped the speaker discover their gift for writing.

What was significant about Mr. Walker's presence in the speaker's college experience?

Mr. Walker was the first African-American teacher the speaker had, and he instilled a sense of responsibility and respect, pushing the speaker to work harder and understand their identity.

What lesson does the speaker convey about education?

The speaker conveys that education is reciprocal; both teachers and students learn from each other, and it is important for educators to recognize the wisdom that students can offer.

How did the speaker's experience with students influence their decision to become a teacher?

The speaker was inspired by the positive impact their own teachers had on them and felt a responsibility to pour into their students in the same way.

What moment made the speaker realize the impact they had on their students?

The speaker felt validated when a former student traveled to invite them to their graduation, demonstrating the lasting influence the speaker had on that student's life.

What does the speaker mean by 'self-actualization' in the context of their experience with a former student?

Self-actualization refers to the realization of one's potential, and the speaker experienced this through the reciprocated love and acknowledgment from their former student.

How did the speaker's son play a role in their understanding of the teacher-student dynamic?

The speaker's son reminded them that the roles of teacher and student can switch, showing that children can offer valuable insights and encouragement to their parents.

What is the significance of the butterfly metaphor used by the speaker?

The butterfly metaphor illustrates the idea that beauty and success often come from difficult transformations, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging the struggles that lead to personal growth.