Welcome to Real Talk Leadership!

"I am so thankful for Dr. Heywood! She is wonderful!! She created such a safe space to talk about what can be a challenging topic. She was so thoughtful in the reading she

gave us and her presentations each class. Her storytelling and research taught us so much about different subgroups and the racism/ discrimination they may face. Dr.

Heywood also gave our cohort the space to share out stories and learn from each other."

"Dr. Heywood demonstrates what it means to effectively create a psychologically safe learning environment and facilitate DEI work. Her syllabus is thoughtfully designed to break down a complex topic into manageable parts, pairing carefully selected readings with visually engaging slide decks that incorporate both text and video. The course

structure utilized various formats, including lecture, breakout rooms, and discussions, in a way that felt both predictable and engaging, and fostered meaningful participation.

Her residency was also exceptionally well-planned and impactful."

"Dr. Heywood created one of the most powerful and meaningful learning experiences I’ve had, not just in this program, but in all my years of education. I graduated with my bachelor’s degree and master's degree and I honestly can’t remember a professor who had such a profound impact on me. It’s hard to pinpoint just one thing that made her teaching stand out,it was the way she held the learning space, the level of professionalism she brought, her deep content knowledge, the thoughtful reading selections, the

personal storytelling, and the genuine care she showed for every student in the room. She had an incredible ability to guide us through complex and emotionally challenging

material in a way that felt safe, respectful, and with kindness. I always felt like I could show up as myself, ask hard questions, and be vulnerable in the space she created

where learning and growth truly mattered. Dr. Heywood didn’t just teach this course, she modeled what it means to lead with integrity, empathy, and courage."

"I cannot talk more highly about this course with Dr. Heywood. I wish all educators could take this course! She gave us the language to talk about hard things and to reflect on our own biases. We learned and grew through the curriculum and are in a really good place to continue our journey and to be antiracist leaders at our schools. Each of our schools should be grateful to Dr. Heywood for the education that our cohort is bringing back."

"Beyond the content itself, I’ve learned a great deal by observing her leadership, in particular how she builds culture and cultivates a collaborative learning environment. In my opinion, Dr. Heywood is a standout instructor and a great model for what this program should strive for. It has been a true pleasure learning from her, and I sincerely hope our paths cross again in the future."

"Dr. Heywood, thank you for making what could be a very difficult topic to discuss accessible by having creating a safe environment. I’ve learned so much from you from your

experiences and I look forward to brinGing what I learned through my district."

 "Dr. Heywood is a wonderful professor and human being! Her depth of knowledge, respect for humankind, and simple kindness are inspiring and motivating. I would gladly take another course with her and recommend her to others." 

 
"The material itself was strong, but it would not have had nearly the same impact without the professor’s insight, delivery, and presence, she truly brought the work to life."