What makes an effective school leader? Artwork

Teachers' Voices

Teachers are one of the most influential and powerful forces for equity, access and quality in education. They provide children and young people with the knowledge, skills, attitude and tools needed to reach their full potential. Teachers' Voices is a podcast series from BOLD, the digital platform on learning and development. Join Nina Alonso as she shares powerful stories from teachers around the world, talking in their own words about their experiences, and listen in on inspiring conversations with international experts on learning and child development. If you're a parent, teacher, or just someone interested in learning and development, this podcast is for you. For more information, visit bold.expert

All Episodes

Teachers' Voices

What makes an effective school leader?

February 04, 2025 • BOLD and Nina Alonso • Season 4 • Episode 2

What support do teachers need from their leadership teams? How does school leadership impact children’s learning?

In this episode, Nina first hears from Shulammite Ajayi, a science teacher in Nigeria. Encouragement from her school leader helps Shully to motivate her students. “ When teachers are encouraged, when teachers are well-equipped with tools, with 21st century strategy, teachers want to work.”

Jazzera Muneer is a special educator in India. “Inclusive education should not be a privilege, but a standard practice across all schools”, she tells Nina. Jazzy believes that inclusive education starts with inclusive school leadership.

Next, Nina hears from Egoitz Etxeandia, a Spanish teacher. “School principals and school leaders are one of the pillars and the most important stakeholders to transform education.” Leaders build the environment for teachers to innovate in, he says.

Nina then speaks to four members of the African Centre for School Leadership in Rwanda. Regional coordinator Fay Hodza tells Nina that “effective school leaders brings back the dignity to the teacher”. Nina also hears from technical lead Chantal Kabanda Dusabe, and education advisors Joselyne Cyiza Kirezi and Etienne Ntawigira. They tell Nina how strengthened school leadership can improve learning outcomes and wellbeing for teachers and learners.

Join the Teachers' Voices WhatsApp group and read the community guidelines.

Guests and resources

Shulammite Ajayi on LinkedIn

Jazzera Muneer on LinkedIn

Egoitz Etxeandia on LinkedIn

Fay Hodza on LinkedIn

Chantal Kabanda Dusabe on LinkedIn

Joselyne Cyiza Kirezi on LinkedIn

Etienne Ntawigira on LinkedIn

African Centre for School Leadership website, on LinkedIn, on Facebook, on X

VVOB Rwanda website, on Facebook, VVOB on X

School leadership in Africa

School Leadership for Equitable Quality Education