Dr. Laura Latta

In this episode, Chris and Michelle introduce the brilliant Dr. Laura Latta, Executive Director of the Tulsa Higher Education Consortium—who Chris has aptly nicknamed “the queen of collaboration.”

From there, Michelle and Laura dive into a powerful conversation about leading with empathy in education. Laura shares her belief that education is people work, not a system where you plug in inputs and expect predictable outcomes. It’s human, relational, and deeply complex.

They explore how psychological safety creates space for innovation, how communities of practice can break through isolation, and why reclaiming teacher agency is essential. Laura reminds us that educators are icons, innovators, and often the “parent profession”—creating something from nothing every single day.

Highlights from the conversation include:
✨ “It just takes one friend.”
✨ “Teaching is the parent profession.”
✨ “You can reclaim agency in your work.”
✨ “Education is people work.”

Chris and Michelle return at the end to unpack the conversation and reflect on the heart of Laura’s message. This episode is a meaningful reminder of the emotional depth, creativity, and community that fuel the work of educators every day.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Creating Spaces for Recognition

03:37 Introducing Dr. Laura Lata

04:30 Laura's Journey in Education

08:14 Balancing Perspectives in Education

11:34 Communities of Practice in Higher Education

13:23 Real-World Examples of Collaboration

19:28 Navigating Bureaucracy and Tradition

28:21 Addressing Educator Exhaustion

34:09 Fostering Psychological Safety for Innovation

43:11 Facilitating Authentic Conversations

47:10 Reclaiming Educator Agency

54:20 The Heart of Education: Connection and Community

57:52 Celebrating the Role of Educators

01:00:23 Reflections on the Conversation

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Oxygen for Educators is produced by Ripplemaker Project and proudly sponsored by Tacky Box.

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