Episode 387

full
Published on:

10th Apr 2025

Authentic Leadership and Mental Health - Demonstrating Support for Students and the Community

Summary: Join C.T. and guest Dr. Kimberly Headrick, Superintendent of Medical Lake School District in Washington, as they explore the district's innovative approaches to supporting students and the community. This insightful conversation delves into Medical Lake's interconnected systems framework, which addresses the whole child through mental health services, social-emotional learning, and physical wellness. Dr. Headrick shares her journey as a lifelong member of the community and how her authentic leadership has fostered meaningful partnerships, transformed the district's approach to education, and established a community wellness center that serves students, families, and staff.

Key Takeaways:

  • Authentic Leadership: Dr. Headrick emphasizes the importance of authentic leadership and how it influences her leadership style.
  • Community-Grown Leader: Dr. Headrick's deep roots in the Medical Lake School District (growing up there, family of educators) significantly shape her commitment and understanding of the community's needs.
  • "Every Student, Every Day": The district's motto reflects a commitment to identifying and addressing the unique needs of each student.
  • Interconnected Systems Framework: Recognizing that academics are just one part of a child's well-being, the district uses a holistic framework addressing safety, belonging, social-emotional learning, and physical health.
  • Mental Health Emphasis: The district has made a conscious effort to expand mental health supports for students, families, and staff, especially since before Covid.
  • Mental Health Internship Program: The district partners with local universities to provide mental health internships, supervised by a district-employed therapist, offering crucial support in school buildings.
  • Wellness Center: A repurposed building serves as a wellness center, offering resources to students, families, and the community, including a hub for social worker interns.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

1:04 Community and District Overview

4:24 "Every Student, Every Day" Motto

9:09 Interconnected Systems Framework

14:58 Mental Health Internship Program

20:43 Community Wellness Center

25:00 Community Partnerships

30:00 Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)

35:00 Evolution of Education


Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Dr. Kimberly Headrick: linkedin.com/in/kimberly-headrick-48b70048

Music Credit: Shake it Up - Fesliyanstudios.com - David Renda



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About the Podcast

Engaging Leadership
Uncovering stories and strategies behind successful educational leadership
Each week we sit down with inspiring leaders who are transforming education and creating positive outcomes for students across the country.

In their own words, these leaders share their daily challenges, breakthrough moments, and the practical approaches they use to build and support student achievement.

Whether you're a principal, superintendent, or aspiring educational leader, you'll find actionable insights you can use right away.

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About your hosts

CheeTung Leong

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I'm committed to helping people live their best lives through work.

I'm one of the co-founders of EngageRocket, an HRTech SaaS startup and we are focused on helping organizations build empowered managers, engaged employees, and elite teams.

I'm a big nerd when it comes to economics and psychology and regularly use data and tech to help folks live their best lives.

I've been recognized by Prestige Magazine as one of the top 40 under 40 business leaders and have been featured in Forbes, Bloomberg, Business Insider, and Tech in Asia.

Jim Kanichirayil

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Your friendly neighborhood talent strategy nerd is the producer and co-host for The HR Impact Show. He's spent his career in sales and has been typically in startup b2b HRTech and TA-Tech organizations.

He's built high-performance sales teams throughout his career and is passionate about all things employee life cycle and especially employee retention and turnover.