DiscoverAn Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership PodcastNothing for Them, Without Them: Dr. Monique Darrisaw-Akil's Humble, Reflective Leadership
Nothing for Them, Without Them: Dr. Monique Darrisaw-Akil's Humble, Reflective Leadership

Nothing for Them, Without Them: Dr. Monique Darrisaw-Akil's Humble, Reflective Leadership

Update: 2025-07-29
Share

Description

📢 Encore Episode: A Must-Listen for School Leaders! 🎧

 

As educators across the country gear up for a new school year, we’re bringing back one of our most powerful conversations featuring Dr. Monique Darrisaw-Akil, Superintendent of the Uniondale School District in New York. 🙌

 

Dr. Darrisaw Akil led a massive cultural and educational shift in a district that had been facing significant challenges. This episode is full of honest reflections and practical leadership lessons. Here are 3 big takeaways:

 

🌿 Imperfect Leadership as a Strength
Dr. Darrisaw Akil defines an imperfect leader as someone "always reflecting, always searching internally." She shares how taking responsibility for a failed tech rollout actually built trust. 

 

📘 Equity = Opportunity + Support
Equity isn’t a buzzword for Dr. Darrisaw-Akil. It’s about making sure every child is prepared to lead, not just follow. She’s opened access to AP/IB courses, added summer supports and bootcamps, and even brings back alumni to mentor current students. 

 

🗣️ Community Voice + Data = Real Change
“Know your numbers, without judgment,” she says. But more importantly: “the answer is in the room.” Her strategic plan was built with families and students. Her motto? “Nothing for them. Without them.” 

 

🎙️ This episode is a must-listen for any leader looking to build authentic community partnerships and center equity every step of the way.

Follow Host Peter Stiepleman on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-stiepleman-76004819a/
Website: https://imperfectleader.com/

Youtube (video of conversation): https://www.youtube.com/@animperfectleaderleadershi5144/featured

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animperfectleader/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@animperfectleader 

------- 

An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by Yondr. 

Schools around the world are seeing the damaging effects of phones on student engagement, social development, and mental health.

Yondr has developed a unique product and program to allow schools to become phone-free, from arrival to dismissal.

Learn why 1 Million Students use Yondr every day.

MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS. MAXIMIZE LEARNING POTENTIAL.

Go to overyondr.com to learn more.

 <img height="166" src="data:image/png;base64,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

loading
00:00
00:00
x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

Nothing for Them, Without Them: Dr. Monique Darrisaw-Akil's Humble, Reflective Leadership

Nothing for Them, Without Them: Dr. Monique Darrisaw-Akil's Humble, Reflective Leadership

Dr. Peter Stiepleman