In this episode, our host, Dr. Tamara L. Thomas sits down with the inspiring Dr. Deanna Townsend Smith, an influential leader with over two decades of experience in public education, equity, and strategic leadership. From her beginnings as a recreational therapist to her transformative work turning around struggling schools and her current role as Senior Director of the Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity, Dr. Townsend Smith’s journey is fueled by a deep-rooted mission: to ensure every child receives a sound, basic education.

Together, they explore urgent issues shaping K-16 education, from resegregation and discipline disparities to the vital importance of diverse educator workforces and equitable resources. Dr. Townsend Smith shares the guiding mission of the Dudley Flood Center, her philosophy of eradicating inequities, and how events like the annual Color of Education Summit serve as catalysts for policy, practice, and community-driven change.

You’ll hear powerful insights on how school districts can become more intentional about educational equity, how storytelling and the arts amplify marginalized voices, and practical ways listeners, educators, families, and community members alike can contribute to building better, more inclusive schools. Dr. Townsend Smith’s passion and wisdom are sure to leave you encouraged and ready to take action in your own community. So, settle in as we dive into this rich conversation on creating educational opportunity for all.

Key Moments
03:41 Unexpected Path to Education Leadership
06:25 "Inaugural Director Heeds Call"
12:30 Intentional Planning Drives Global Change
15:50 Equity Profiles Drive Systemic Change
20:07 Color of Education Impact
20:59 "Community Learning for Lasting Solutions"
24:46 Storytelling: Tool for Democratic Engagement
28:39 "Community's Role in Education"
33:49 Community-Inspired Discipline Reform
38:27 Redefining Community Engagement
39:59 "Serve and Embrace Community Needs"
45:36 Inspiring Future Generations
48:31 "Advocating Educational Equity and Growth"

Why You’ll Love This Episode:
A Journey Rooted in Purpose: From her beginnings as a recreational therapist to becoming the Senior Director of the Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity, Dr. Deanna Townsend-Smith shares how her path was shaped by resilience, mentorship, and a deep commitment to children.
Confronting Inequities Head-On: Dr. Townsend-Smith identifies seven pressing disparities in education, such as discipline practices, resegregation, and access to rigorous courses, and explains how districts can create lasting change by tackling them with intentionality.
Turning Vision Into Action: Learn how the Dudley Flood Center partners with schools and communities to design equity profiles, build frameworks for change, and hold leaders accountable for making progress toward a sound, basic education for every child.
The Color of Education Summit: Get a preview of this powerful annual convening where students, educators, elders, and community voices come together. Dr. Townsend-Smith shares how storytelling, art, and collective narratives are at the heart of this year’s theme.
Hope That Endures: Through faith, history, and a belief in possibility, Dr. Townsend-Smith reminds us why the work matters and how communities can sustain one another in the fight for equity and opportunity.

Connect with Guest - Dr. Deanna Townsend-Smith
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-deanna-townsend-smith-4b025447
Website: https://floodcenter.org/

Connect with Host - Dr. Tamara Thomas
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-tamara-thomas-2204b113/
Website: https://drtamaralthomasconsulting.com/
Thanks for listening to the M-TIP Podcast. Keep striving, continue reflecting, and remember real change starts with one committed leader. That could be you.

In this episode, host Dr. Tamara L. Thomas sits down with Dr. Anthony Lewis, superintendent of Durham Public Schools and a nationally recognized advocate for equity and innovation in education. Hailing from Talladega, Alabama, Dr. Lewis draws upon his remarkable journey, from special education teacher to influential district leader to share candid insights on legacy leadership, servant leadership, and navigating uncertainty in public education.

Together, Dr. Thomas and Dr. Lewis explore how leaders can create a lasting impact that transcends their tenure, the importance of empowering every voice in a school community, and how to steer districts through financial challenges while staying true to the mission of student success. Dr. Lewis opens up about his personal roots, the foundational moments that shaped his approach, and the bold vision he holds for the future of Durham’s students. Get ready for an inspiring conversation packed with practical wisdom, stories of resilience, and a powerful call to keep students at the center of every decision.

Let’s make the impossible possible, join us for an episode that will leave you rethinking legacy and leadership in education.

Key Moments

07:22 Roots of Servant Leadership

11:03 Mentorship Shaping Courageous Leadership

20:33 "Removing Barriers for Staff Success"

26:05 "Refocus: Leveraging Partnerships for Progress"

31:06 Workplace Challenges and Transparency

37:30 Inclusive Two-Way School Communication

39:30 "Student-Centered Leadership Engagement"

45:59 Urgent Education Reforms Needed

49:16 Critical Thinking Over Critical Race Theory

55:57 Student-Centered Decision Making

01:00:16 "Legacy Leadership Insights"

Why You’ll Love This Episode:

Legacy in Action: Dr. Anthony Lewis doesn't just talk about legacy, he lives it. From special education classrooms to the superintendent’s seat, his journey is a blueprint for leadership rooted in purpose, equity, and enduring impact.

Student-Centered, Always: Whether he’s riding the school bus or sitting in on cafeteria conversations, Dr. Lewis defines leadership by showing up. Hear how he turns visibility into accountability and why his office is wherever his students and staff are.

Equity with Urgency: In the face of budget cuts, staffing concerns, and political pressures, Dr. Lewis models how to lead with courage, clarity, and conviction, centering the most marginalized voices without compromise.

Systems Built to Last: Learn how Durham Public Schools is building people, not just programs. Dr. Lewis unpacks how he’s developing leadership at every level to ensure the work endures long after his tenure.

Real Talk, Real Stakes: From a heartbreaking student story about literacy to a vision where every child thrives regardless of zip code, this episode reminds us why the work matters and what it takes to get it right.

Connect with Guest - Dr. Anthony Lewis

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dranthony-lewis-phd

Connect with Host - Dr. Tamara Thomas
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-tamara-thomas-2204b113/
Website: https://drtamaralthomasconsulting.com/

Thanks for listening to the M-TIP Podcast. Keep striving, continue reflecting, and remember real change starts with one committed leader. That could be you.

In this insightful episode, Amy Miller, District Director of Integrated Academic and Behavior Systems (IABS) and board-certified psychologist, pulls back the curtain on what it takes to implement MTSS with fidelity in a large, diverse district. From scaling supports across 56 schools with a three-person core team to tackling chronic absenteeism and behavior reform through restorative practices, Amy offers more than theories; she shares tested solutions and lived realities.

Backed by over 25 years of systems design experience and a commitment to equity, Amy emphasizes the importance of aligned leadership, creative staffing, community trust, and responsive professional development. If you’ve ever wondered how districts can use MTSS to address both academic gaps and climate challenges, this episode is your playbook.

Key Moments

05:04 – State vs. District Perspective: The value of side-by-side support

10:28 – High Schools and MTSS: Why sustainability is the biggest hurdle

13:34 – Two-Tier Model for High Schools: Pragmatic structures for student success

14:52 – Tier 1 Instruction as a Districtwide Priority: Messaging from the Superintendent

16:52 – Top Implementation Barriers: Funding, retention, and onboarding

20:25 – Reimagining District Support: Customer service mindset from the central office

24:20 – Restorative Practices as Tier 1 Behavior Supports: Building relationships systemically

28:00 – Making MTSS One Framework, Not Many Initiatives

31:15 – Attendance Interventions That Center Relationships Over Punishment

34:44 – Engagement Tree Model: Linking SEL, attendance, behavior, and academics

38:00 – School Improvement Plans & NC Star: Making data actionable

42:21 – Panorama, Progress Monitoring & FAM Assessments: Tools and trust

44:32 – PD That Hits Home: Real data, real students, real-time coaching

Why You’ll Love This Episode:

Ground-Level Truth, Top-Level Strategy: Amy unpacks both the theory and the day-to-day lift of implementing MTSS in a resource-strapped reality.

Restorative, Not Reactive: Learn how Durham is integrating restorative practices directly into its MTSS framework, shifting both beliefs and behavior.

From Silos to Systems: This episode demonstrates what true systems thinking looks like—where data, relationships, and leadership converge to drive meaningful change.

Connect with Guest - Amy Miller
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-miller-ed-s-67566329

Connect with Host - Dr. Tamara Thomas
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-tamara-thomas-2204b113/
Website: https://drtamaralthomasconsulting.com/

Thanks for listening to the M-TIP Podcast. Keep striving, continue reflecting, and remember real change starts with one committed leader. That could be you.