Leadership Breakfast: Dr. Lisa Herring
On Tuesday, we hosted a virtual leadership breakfast with incoming Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Lisa Herring. A Spelman College graduate, Herring expressed excitement to be back in Atlanta in her new role starting July 1. Herring previously served as superintendent of Birmingham City Schools, where she oversaw significant improvements in student achievement.
In conversation with our Executive Director Rohit Molhotra, Herring touched on the importance of education to her family, her love for Atlanta, and how we can renew faith in the school system. Check out some of our favorite moments or watch the entire conversation below.
“Grandpa was illiterate his entire life.”
“My grandfather, my grandmother and my parents had a very intentional message to us about education. As high-functioning as my grandfather was- and at his funeral I stood up and said, ‘we are putting to rest one of the wisest men I have ever known in my entire life’- he made it clear the power and importance of education.”
-Dr. Lisa Herring
Faith Over Fear
“My message to Birmingham upon my arrival was faith over fear… When I say faith over fear, in other words, I don’t want you to be afraid to work, afraid to lead, afraid to innovate, afraid to embrace who people are. We don’t have space for that in public education. We’re working for children; they’re watching us and they’re learning from us."
- Dr. Lisa Herring
“The most powerful thing we can do when we are talking and engaging with young people is to be honest and tell the truth and own our own faults... Even more importantly, it is owning our imperfections.”
Why Now?
“To be in Atlanta now? With a season of pandemic and protest? And racial and social injustices? To lead Atlanta Public Schools? It’s bigger than me saying, let me apply. I just believe this is the time. We’ve been called, all of us- you, me, the folks in the chat- we've been called to do work at a time right now that's bigger than what I could have controlled.”
-Dr. Lisa Herring
“It’s my hope and prayer to be here for a long time but to immediately start making the difference that we know we have to see.”
