What really happens when a new principal walks into a struggling school just two weeks before the year starts? Dr. Katrise Perera did exactly that, and what followed became a case study in transformational leadership grounded in faith, trust, and purpose.

In this episode of Transformational Educators, host Matthew Flippen sits down with Dr. Perera, now a superintendent, to unpack the story of how she led one of her district’s most challenged campuses through a culture shift that redefined belief, expectations, and outcomes. From building credibility as a first-time principal to leading with vulnerability and purpose, Dr. Perera offers a masterclass in what it takes to change school culture from the inside out.

Whether you're facing resistance, burnout, or the weight of schoolwide challenges, this story will remind you that transformation is possible, and it begins with trust.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Why Dr. Perera refuses to use the phrase “at-risk” for students
• The role of faith and purpose in leadership
• How to identify key influencers inside your building
• Why student voice must be part of school improvement
• Creating buy-in without top-down mandates
• The link between trust and accountability
• A real story of teacher transformation and redemption
• How shared vision builds sustainable change
• The emotional reality of school leadership
• What Dr. Perera still does every semester to stay grounded

BEST MOMENTS

00:03:36. “It’s kind of where I started this whole thing with student voice and having a student committee.”
00:04:15. “God has a way of putting you in a place where you really need to be.”
00:06:20. “I leaned on my faith… and my coaching ability to identify the influencers in the building.”
00:08:22. “That phrase ‘at-risk’… to me that puts the ownership on the kid to get better.”
00:13:12. “Had I listened to my predecessor about this individual, my students would have lost out on an amazing teacher.”
00:17:50. “What I can say to my board and the communities where I serve is that I gave my very best.”

Transformational Educators | School Leadership Stories

Thank you for listening to Transformational Educators, where we share real stories of servant leadership, trust-building, and purpose-driven change in schools.

🔗 Explore Gracelyn University’s online programs and leadership resources:
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https://zurl.co/EDveZ

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If today’s conversation inspired you to lead with courage and care, share it with another educator or school leader. Together we can build schools that truly transform lives.

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