The Liber Institute

02/19/2025

🌟 Celebrating our partners at Maȟpíya Lúta Elementary School for their incredible commitment to Lakȟóta language revitalization!

Last week, they reached an inspiring milestone by distributing 60 specially crafted Lakȟóta language books to every K-2 family during parent-teacher conferences. These beautiful resources were created by their talented curriculum team to support young learners both at school and home.

The books include three thoughtfully designed series:
• Wičhóiye Wówapi - building reading confidence through high-frequency words
• TPR Wówapi - encouraging family conversations
• Wówapi2Yawa - community-focused readers

Thank you to the entire Maȟpíya Lúta team for their tireless work in ensuring the next generation grows up strong in their language and culture! 🙏

Maȟpíya Lúta Elementary Distributes Lakota Language Books to Families

10/01/2024

What a phenomenal weekend at Dr. Erica Jordan-Thomas' 7 Figure Educator Live in Atlanta! From sharing insights on the Client Success Panel to celebrating a 6-figure month, this event was truly transformative for me. My personal highlight? Hearing Lamar Tyler, an Ebony Magazine Power 100 entrepreneur, shout, "Jonathan was cookin' yesterday!” from the conference stage!🔥

Grateful for the perfect blend of serious learning and joyous celebration. Remember, as Frederick Douglass say, we must "pray with our feet" - pairing our dreams with disciplined action.

Thank you, Dr. EJT, for your invaluable coaching and for creating a space where Black education entrepreneurs can thrive. Here's to building successful, sustainable, and impactful businesses together!

07/03/2024

“Another new initiative?!!"

As educational leaders, we know that groan all too well. When strategies are disconnected from the realities that our students, staff and communities face daily, even the most well-intended efforts miss the mark.

That's why The Liber Institute champions a discovery-first approach. We partner with you to truly understand your local context through:

🙌 Empathetic listening to stakeholder experiences
🌳 Uncovering the root causes behind your challenges
🧭 Framing the questions that will lead to targeted solutions

Our discovery process paves the way for strategies arising organically from those you serve, rather than disjointed top down initiatives. If you're ready to swap fragmented efforts for sustainable impact, we'd love to explore a discovery partnership. DM me to learn more!

06/21/2024

Tre Johnson's article on the challenges facing Black-led nonprofit organizations resonates deeply. We are navigating these same headwinds at The Liber Institute.

While disheartening, this moment calls for perseverance and adaptation. This is an opportunity to build resilience, diversify support, and amplify new voices in this space. At Liber, we are emphasizing fee-for-service models and exploring sustainable alternatives to traditional philanthropy.

📣 To my network: Your support in spreading the word about Liber's work is crucial! We are seeking partnerships with schools, districts, and mission-driven organizations committed to educational equity, and we get excited about leaders who are willing to lean into empathy building (engaging community), design thinking, and other people-first approaches.

How can we collectively ensure the longevity of organizations working towards educational equity?

by Tre Johnson, Senior Fellow, External Affairs Uh, and when I wake up I recognize you're lookin' at me for the pay cut - Kendrick Lamar, ‘Alright’ ‘Alright’ came out in 2015. At the time, the song seemed to augur that we were headed towards a collective better time, particularly as Black Am...

05/23/2024

3 Things Martial Arts Taught Me About Leadership 🥋

Like many kids, I fell in love with the martial arts watching larger-than-life action stars on both the big and small screen: Bruce Lee, the Power Rangers, Snake Eyes, Ryu… you name ‘em! Since then, I've found myself continuously drawn back to some form of martial arts to train, teach, and learn.

At first glance, martial arts may seem worlds apart from educational leadership. But look closer and you'll find a wealth of transferable lessons that any educator or administrator could leverage:

💪🏾Resilience from Setbacks
Every martial artist knows the sting of taking a fall or tapping out during training. It's humbling but also instills resilience. The mat doesn't move for anyone - you have to get back up, shake it off, and try again. Leading is no different. Setbacks are inevitable, but resilience determines whether you grow through them or let them stop momentum.

🧱Value of Fundamentals
Martial arts training spends an inordinate amount of time mastering basic strikes, stances, and movements before being introduced to anything complex. It's tempting to want to skip ahead, but coaches know strengthening fundamentals yields exponential returns. The same applies to leadership - are you taking strategic approaches to sharpening fundamental skills and systems?

🧠Growth Mindset
The moment you get comfortable is the moment your growth stagnates in martial arts. There's always another level and areas to refine. Exemplary leaders know there's no "arriving" - there's only the perpetual journey of learning, evolving, and leveling up alongside your team.

While rolling on a mat may seem far removed from walking school hallways, the underpinning mindsets, habits, and principles enabling mastery apply universally. Perhaps your own hobbies or passions hold surprising lessons about what it takes to lead. The pursuit of growth and excellence translates across any discipline.

🤔 What insights from your unique journeys could shape how we approach educational leadership? I'd love to hear your perspectives.

05/21/2024

Finding Light Inward 💡

As a team doing meaningful work, The Liber Institute is always seeking ways to nurture connection - within ourselves, with each other, and to the impact we aspire to create. Recently, we adopted a beautiful ritual inspired by a seminar with Dr. Jeffrey Duncan-Andrade and yung pueblo's book "inward."

“Inward” is a collection of poetry, quotes and prose that guides readers on a journey of self-love, letting go, and discovering the wisdom that arises when we truly know ourselves. It's an invitation to healing, transformation, and freedom.

The practices we've borrowed from JDA is having someone pick a number at the end of our meetings, and then reading that page aloud as a reflective closing. The words resonate differently for each person, yet leave us feeling grounded and bonded as a team.

A sample poem that landed for me:

"the greatest gift
sadness gave me
was the motivation
to transform"

There's such power in reclaiming rituals that connect us to our humanity and the lineage of those who came before. By infusing ancient whispers into our modern work, we replenish our souls.

I'd highly recommend experiencing "inward" - whether adopting a communal reading practice like ours, or simply opening its pages and receiving the nourishment within.

Have you discovered books, poems, or practices that have become unexpected sources of inspiration and renewal for your team? I'm always eager to learn more grounding rituals to bring our whole selves to this work.

05/09/2024

🌟 Appreciating Todd County School District 🌟

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work alongside the Todd County School District on two transformative projects that have filled my heart with joy and purpose.

Firstly, our collaboration on the leadership project has been nothing short of inspiring. Together, we've embarked on a journey to build a common vision and shared commitments between the board and administrative staff, led by a phenomenal new superintendent with years of experience in the district. Through laughter, fun, and moments of vulnerability, we've broken down barriers, strengthened connections, and created a space where a powerful shared vision is emerging. It's a testament to the power of collaboration and the strength of a community united by a common goal.

Secondly, our work with the middle school has been equally rewarding. By focusing on embracing student-centered learning, we've witnessed firsthand the incredible impact of believing in and supporting teachers. True leadership, as exemplified by the school's administration, isn't about getting your way; it's about serving others and equipping them with the resources and skills they need to thrive. The growth and transformation we've seen within the middle school community serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration for what is possible when leaders prioritize the needs of their educators and students.

As we reflect on the meaningful progress we've made together, we are filled with gratitude and excitement for the journey ahead. Our partnership with Todd County School District continues to deepen and evolve, and we are committed to fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence that benefits every member of the school community.

Thank you, Todd County, for your unwavering dedication, passion, and commitment to creating positive change in education. Together, we are making a difference and shaping a brighter future for all students! 🎓💫

04/30/2024

🔍 Collecting + Analyzing Data 📈

As the school year winds down, it's time to start thinking about how we can improve our processes for next year. One of the most important things we can do is collect and analyze data.

Data can help us identify areas where we're doing well and areas where we need to improve. It can also help us track our progress over time and make informed decisions about our school or system.

Here are a few questions to get you started:

✏️ What data do we currently collect?
✏️Is it all numbers or are we also collecting qualitative data (empathy work)?
✏️Is there any data we're not collecting that we should be?
✏️How can we improve our data collection and analysis processes?
✏️Whose voices and perspectives are privileged? Missing?

By taking the time to collect and analyze data, we can make informed decisions that will help our schools run more smoothly and effectively. And if you’d like some help, holler at The Liber Institute!

04/22/2024

💻 Strategic planning + Monitoring 📝

Strategic planning and monitoring might not be the most exciting part of a leader's job, but their impact and importance are undeniable.

They provide the blueprint for where your school or district is headed, ensuring everyone is aligned, and progress is being made.

As we approach the end of the current school year, it's an opportune time to reflect on your goals and aspirations for the upcoming year. Here are some questions to ponder:

💭 What does your ideal school or district look like?
💭 How can you partner with students/staff/families to better meet their needs?
💭What changes need to be made to achieve your goals?

Engaging in strategic planning and monitoring sets your school or district up for success. It enables you to have a roadmap to follow, make informed decisions, and stay accountable for progress.

04/19/2024

🌟 "We are fortunate to have Liber as leaders in this field. Their student-centered vision is making a positive difference." - client feedback 🌟

It's an honor to be recognized as leaders in the field! Our student- and community-centered approaches drive everything we do, and we're grateful for the opportunity to make a positive difference in education.

Ready to center students, elders, and community in your educational vision? Let's connect and explore how The Liber Institute's approach can help drive success in your school or system!

04/15/2024

👓 Setting Vision 🔭

The most impactful educational leaders inspire and equip their teams to reach new heights. As you push for a strong finish to this year and begin planning for next, what bold vision will you set WITH your staff, students, and community? Consider these questions:

💡 What do students/families/elders want or expect from education?
💡 How can your school or system better honor the hopes and dreams of its community?
💡 What future-ready skills and competencies will your students need to thrive?

Engage others in crafting a vision that ignites passion and sparks innovation in your school community. Embrace the opportunity to shape the future of education. And DM me or reach out to The Liber Institute if you would like some help!