Liza Holland
“I believe that we invest in education to create informed, productive citizens who can contribute meaningfully to our society and democracy.”
Q: Name | Location | Years in Education
Liza Holland | Lexington, KY | depends on how you count! 19 years
Q: Tell us the story of your journey to becoming an educator. What are the significant waypoints along that path?
I am an education advocate, specializing in communications, connections, and meeting facilitation. I came to education as an involved parent in P-12 as a PTA local, district, and state leader, which gave me experience in schools at all levels. I found myself having the role of “designated parent” on several statewide education committees. Often the one in the room with my hand up to say, you know teachers don’t have time for this, right? I soon got into education advocacy, heading up an” Our Kids Can’t Wait” funding campaign I knew education was my true calling. Since then, I have been an education consultant for United Way of the Bluegrass, the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence, and UK Center for Next Generation Leadership, which gave me an overall perspective from cradle to career. I now host the Education-Perspectives podcast and currently work as a consultant with Fayette County Public Schools in Career and Technical Education and an amazing Deeper Learning initiative.
Q: Who inspired you (friend, family, coach, mentor, guide, sponsor, advisor) to become an educator, and/or get involved in education?
I have been inspired by so many teachers and administrators along the way. Dr. Lu Young, Dr. Justin Bathon, Stu Silberman, Dr. Tom Shelton, Dr. Ron Chi, and many more. One of my great mentors is Dr. Joyce Juntune of Texas A&M. She introduced me to creative thinking
Q: When (and where) do you feel you are most likely to succeed as you practice your educational art, and your educational craft?
“I function best as a connector and facilitator. My goal is to be a bridge between education and business/industry.”
Q: What are the skills you feel most confident using in your life, and work in education?
Asking good questions, helping others to dream big, systems design, and storytelling.
Q: What are the most significant challenges you are working to overcome as you define what school could be?
Coming late to education, building a reputation and credibility so I can work in the space. I have had to “create my own lightning” as it were.
Q: Describe some of the most rewarding moments in your time in education; those crazy days when you knew you were having an impact...and it felt really good.
From my education advocacy days, some of the best work for me was working with families in the Urban Family Engagement Network. Helping families see how to navigate the school system and understand how they can be advocates was powerful.
I was a member of the Site Based Decision Making Council at a school where I fought to keep the librarian and was able to make my case effectively so the decision went that way. Some thought it would be better to have more intervention specialists. I thought the need for ALL students to understand what a quality source is and how to research, especially in the world we live in, was more important.
“With United Way, I worked with middle school students doing Ashoka Youth Venture - watching what kids can do to be changemakers was huge. Students are so capable when they are empowered with voice and choice.”
One of my favorite projects was an after-school program I started called STEM Sparks, where I really tasted deeper learning. I collaborated with business people to make science experiences that were really applicable. My favorite (and also those of the kids) was a session with an accident reconstruction specialist. We went to his garage to see crashed cars and the fire department came and did a demo of the jaws of life. We then moved into the conference room and Mr. Kirk led a discussion around the physics of accidents and how they recreate crashes for presentation in a court of law. Kids talked to me for weeks after this.
Now I most enjoy working on helping to change how school is delivered to better meet the needs of our society today.
Q: What do you most want to learn from this global online community of your fellow educator-leaders?
WSCB fills my cup. It is marvelous to hear the great work that is going on worldwide. I appreciate the variety of perspectives. I want to keep learning about where it works!
Q: What is something quirky that you love about yourself and would help other community members to get to know you?
Hmm, I am a serious ocean lover who speaks Swedish and loved the opportunity to live overseas in Belgium and Ireland for a time.
Q: Ben Franklin supposedly said, "Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise." You might think Ben was full of baloney, but we are wondering when YOU are most awake, alive, productive, creative, and/or reflective. Early morning, late at night, some other time?
Totally a night owl. I like slow mornings and I really roll in the afternoon and evening. Tried several times in my life to become a lark, learning to embrace my strengths!
Q: Cold night, snow out, warm fire, hot beverage, or hot day, white sand beach, shorts and slippers, cold beverage?
Anywhere by the ocean, cold or hot.
Q: The coolest thing that happened to me today (the day I am filling out this form) was…
I had a series of great meetings - the kind that really move things forward. We started a pilot project to work with local groups in cybersecurity to have them brainstorm about what skills and knowledge it would take to truly succeed in their industry. The plan is to map that so we can integrate instructional design to support the desired outcome.
Q: And finally, what do you think is the purpose of education? (Clearly not a small question, but we hope you enjoy responding!)
Love this question. I believe that we invest in education to create informed, productive citizens who can contribute meaningfully to our society and democracy