Episode 24: Jonathan Santos Silva - The Liber Institute
ABOUT JONATHAN AND THE LIBER INSTITUTE
Jonathan Santos Silva has been a trouble-making, system-breaking leader in education for over 12 years. You may know him from his work as Founder of The Liber Institute and as Chairman of The Bored of Ed Podcast, but Jonathan can also be credited with contributions to the Cambiar Catalyst Fellowship and South Dakota’s Native American Achievement Schools. Jonathan has been recognized for his work as a classroom teacher, founding school leader, and leadership coach, and is a sought after speaker due to his engaging and uplifting style. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Northeastern University and an M.A. in Education Administration from the University of South Dakota and currently resides on the outskirts of He Sapa (the Black Hills of South Dakota) with his wife, four children, and two rez dogs.
The Liber Institute believes that success cannot be determined for a people; it has to be determined by a people. As such, The Liber Institute leverages its time, talent, and treasure (coaching, community-building, creative facilitation, and cash) to help BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color) leaders pursue innovative ideas for school and community transformation.
EXCERPT FROM PODCAST
“And so, I am intentional about emboldening because, number one, people ask me what I mean. Whereas empower, people think they know what you mean. And I'm able to say I'm not empowering anyone because I can't give them power that they already possess, and the reason we do coaching and why I like it so much is because it is all about kind of drawing out what's already in people.”
- Jonathan Santos Silva