In this episode of Unlock 360°, host Wendy York Davoud talks with Dr. NaTasha Crain, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction at Marshall Independent School District. Dr. Crain shares her path from alt-cert English teacher to award-winning principal to district leader — and how her East Texas roots continue to shape her work.

Wendy and Dr. Crain dig into what it takes to redesign curriculum, strengthen Tier 1 instruction, support new teachers, and build shared belief across a district. You’ll hear how Marshall ISD is using data, clarity, and communication to lift student achievement and move multiple campuses out of improvement status.

Key Moments

00:55 Alt-cert entry into teaching and early English classroom experience

03:21 Moving from curriculum work into campus administration

03:58 Becoming an elementary principal and building culture and systems

04:32 Earning her doctorate while leading Jones Elementary

05:45 Visit from Marshall ISD and transition into district leadership

06:16 TABSE Principal of the Year and community-focused service

13:43 Redesigning curriculum with shared leadership and principal voice

15:53 Supporting early-career and alt-cert teachers across the district

21:20 Choosing Tier 1 instruction as the anchor for improvement

23:24 Defining explicit teaching and daily checks for understanding

24:39 Adopting Bluebonnet Math and iReady to target growth and intervention

33:41 Using the Clarity Framework to strengthen communication and expectations

Why You’ll Love This Episode

This conversation offers a blueprint for leaders working to rebuild instructional coherence, strengthen Tier 1 teaching, and support teachers with clarity and purpose. Dr. Crain shares how shared leadership, transparent communication, and intentional curriculum work can lift a district — even when campuses start far behind.

Her story is rooted in service, community, and deep belief in what students can do. You’ll walk away inspired and equipped with practical insights you can apply immediately.

Connect with Dr. NaTasha Crain

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-natasha-crain-337575b5/
Website: https://marshallisd.com

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Wendy York Davoud LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyryork
Lead Teach Learn 360 Website: https://leadteachlearn360.com
Lead Teach Learn 360 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lead-teach-learn-360%C2%B0/

About Unlock 360°

Unlock 360° is the podcast where school leaders and instructional trailblazers reveal how they are turning bold vision into sustainable action. Powered by Lead Teach Learn 360, each episode brings you inside the systems, strategies, and human stories that drive school improvement, one leader, one learner, one breakthrough at a time.

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