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A Quick Note to Listeners:
—- The Question of the Week is supported by Summer Pops Math Workbooks.
Principals, when students practice math over the summer, math scores go up. What’s your summer math plan this year? A great way to start is by ordering FREE summer workbook samples at Summer Pops Workbooks.com. —-
Before this week’s interview, Jen Schwanke and Will Parker answer a listener question with a five minute response.
The question is: What are some of the successful methods for building actionable, sustainable systems regarding behavior and academics?
Listen in to hear their response and thank you for doing what matters!
Dr. Amanda Austin is the Director of the Iberville Math, Science, and Arts (MSA) Academy East in St. Gabriel, part of East Iberville High School’s magnet program. With 15 years of experience in STEAM education across elementary, middle, and high school levels, Dr. Austin brings a wealth of expertise to her role. She holds a Bachelor’s in Sociology from LSU, a Master of Arts in Teaching from Louisiana College, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Lamar University.
A key achievement was reopening North Iberville High School after it was closed for over a decade, transforming it into a thriving STEM-focused institution. Dr. Austin, a recent participant in the Louisiana Superintendent’s Academy and ASCD’s Champion in Education cohort, is dedicated to ensuring all students reach their potential through teamwork and strong leadership. She has also been recognized as the 2025 Louisiana State Principal of the Year.
Inspiration for Current Work:
When Dr. Austin was in college, she originally planned to become a lawyer. Her mother was an educator for 40 years, and Dr. Austin says that education is in her blood. After participating in student teaching, Dr. Austin realized that teaching is her calling. She went on to teach for three years in her hometown. Throughout her career, Dr. Austin has sought out challenges and this has impacted her role at her current school; through her leadership her school has grown over 60 new students at her school this semester. Reflecting on what she is most proud of in her work, she says that she is most proud of the impact and the relationships she’s had as an educator.
Experience in Leadership:
While considering what takeaways she would want listeners to know from her own leadership experience, Dr. Austin emphasizes the importance of relying on others for support. Other leaders, she says, will often have the same goal in mind as you: to serve the school and help it thrive. Leaning on those around you will further those goals more so than working on your goals alone. Another takeaway that Dr. Austin emphasizes is the importance of the relationship between Principal and AP. She talks about how she wants her relationship with her AP to always be one of coaching, for them to be able to challenge her and think like her.
Advice for New Leaders:
Considering advice that she would give to a new or aspiring leader, Dr. Austin reiterates the importance of teamwork. She warns listeners that they will burn out very quickly if they do not have a team to rely on. Another point she emphasizes is the importance of keeping the main thing the main thing. Student achievement should be the first and foremost area of focus for all school leaders, as ultimately it is what teachers and school leaders alike are there for.
Staying Motivated:
Finally, Dr. Austin has some advice for veteran leaders: Keep your flame lit. Sometimes this means that you have to change up your circle, so that the mindset of others does not cloud your passion. She reminds listeners that if they want to make positive change, they need to be around other people who think similarly. A skill that Dr. Austin has honed is her ability to find the silver lining to try to change people’s perspectives as a method of helping them keep their flame lit. Additionally, Dr. Austin reminds leaders of the importance of continuing to learn from and ask questions of other veteran leaders. Utilizing their knowledge is imperative in helping move forward in one’s leadership journey. Lastly, Dr. Austin reminds leaders of the importance of their time.
Staying Connected:
- Dr_amandaaustin on all platforms
- Connect to her on her school page
