Operationalizing Your Values:

In this episode, we sit down with Natalie Crow, the trailblazing current Coordinator in Richardson ISD, North Texas. Natalie shares her inspiring journey from feeling isolated and overwhelmed early in her career to building one of the most supportive and sustainable school-based SLP teams around.

Listeners will learn how Natalie turned big ideas into concrete systems — from tailored appraisal tools and intentional goal-setting processes to professional learning communities (PLCs) designed specifically for SLPs. Her approach is rooted in the mantra "many hands make light work," and she shows how shared leadership and collaboration can transform both staff culture and student outcomes.

You'll hear about how Natalie and her team operationalized their core values (literally spelling SHINE!) and used books like Dare to Lead and The Multiplier Effect to guide decision-making, grow leaders from within, and advocate powerfully for their team.

Whether you're an experienced leader or stepping into leadership for the first time, this episode offers practical ideas for building trust, fostering a culture of growth, and creating systems that help people stay — and thrive.

Key takeaways:
- The power of operationalizing values — how aligning decisions and systems to shared values strengthens culture and supports consistency.

- Why “many hands make light work” became a guiding philosophy to reduce burnout and create a place people want to stay.

- The creation of a customized appraisal tool and portfolio approach that offers authentic, specific feedback rather than a “one size fits all” model.

- How shifting from traditional top-down supervision to mentorship, coaching, and goal-setting grows both skills and confidence.

- Strategies for creating effective Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) for SLP “singletons” to reduce isolation and foster authentic connection.

- Lessons from Dare to Lead and The Multiplier Effect on leading with vulnerability, avoiding “accidental diminisher” tendencies, and inspiring shared ownership.

- The importance of designing systems that lighten the load — for better student services and to help recruit and retain high-quality SLPs.

- A culture of active contribution: empowering each team member to meaningfully shape resources and support district-wide impact.