Leading with Equity: Derek Mitchell on the Principal Matters Podcast
We believe that every child—regardless of background—deserves a high-quality education. That belief is at the heart of our work, and it was powerfully reinforced in a recent episode of Principal Matters: The School Leaders Podcast, featuring our very own, Dr. Derek Mitchell.
Dr. Mitchell brings a wealth of experience and passion to his role, having dedicated his career to equity-centered school improvement. Since 2009, he has worked tirelessly to enhance the skills of educators and school leaders, ensuring that marginalized communities receive the support they need to thrive. Holding a PhD in educational psychology from UCLA, Dr. Mitchell credits his mother for inspiring his academic journey—a journey that has led him to advocate for systemic change in education.
A Journey Rooted in Experience
Dr. Mitchell's leadership extends across major educational organizations, including the Oakland Unified School District and Prince George’s County. Under his guidance, Partners in School Innovation has received support from esteemed organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, further amplifying its mission to close educational equity gaps.
Yet, Dr. Mitchell’s career path has been anything but conventional. In his podcast interview, he reflects on his diverse background, which includes professional dancing and co-founding a software company. His early education in Chicago—where he saw firsthand the disparities between resource-rich and resource-poor schools—became a defining moment that shaped his commitment to ensuring all children have access to quality education.
Empowering School Leaders with a New Mindset
During the interview, Dr. Mitchell shares key strategies for school leaders working to transform learning environments. Among them:
Shifting from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset – Recognizing that communities already possess great strength and potential.
Recognizing the inherent brilliance within students and educators – Valuing the assets that already exist rather than focusing solely on deficits.
Applying the "Skill, Will, and Way" framework – A structured approach to navigating challenges in education, ensuring that both educators and students have the support they need to succeed.
His message underscores the critical role of leadership, community, and collaboration in creating lasting change, particularly in under-resourced schools.
Continue the Conversation
Dr. Mitchell’s insights serve as a powerful reminder that effective leadership and innovative thinking can transform schools. We invite you to join our community, where educators, leaders, and advocates are actively sharing their expertise and collaborating to drive meaningful change.
Together, we can continue to learn, grow, and create lasting impact in education.
A promotional graphic for episode PMP437 of the "Principal Matters" podcast featuring Dr. Derek Mitchell. The graphic has a beige background with a professional headshot of Dr. Mitchell, a Black man with a gray beard, wearing a gray suit and patterned tie, sitting against a tufted background. The text reads, "PMP437: Partners in School Innovation with Dr. Derek Mitchell." The bottom of the image includes the website "WILLIAMDPARKER.COM or wherever you listen to podcasts!" and the "Principal Matters" podcast logo, which features a photo of the hosts, a man and a woman smiling.
