Season 1 Episode 11: From Chalkboards to Change Makers: Lessons in Leadership from 40+ Years in Education with Lois Bubb

What does leadership look like in a classroom, and how do everyday teaching behaviors shape lives far beyond school walls? In this heartwarming and deeply personal episode of Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Change Makers, Dr. Esther C. Bubb sits down with her sister, Ms. Lois Bubb, a beloved educator whose 40+ years of teaching and mentoring have shaped thousands of lives across Grenada. Ms. Bubb shares stories from her journey into teaching, the values that anchored her through challenges, and the moments that reminded her why education is a calling, not just a job. From cultivating positive classroom cultures and supporting struggling learners to balancing discipline with compassion and honoring cultural identity, this conversation highlights how leadership shows up in daily actions. Together, they explore how classrooms become leadership labs, how compassion and consistency transform student behavior, and how cultural identity influences how we teach, learn, and lead. Listeners will hear stories of: A quiet student whose simple act of gratitude changed the course of Lois’s career How modeling respect and setting clear expectations became pillars of her classroom Why embracing mistakes, persistence, and small wins builds confident learners How restorative practices and family engagement lead to healthier school communities The leadership values that sustained her through challenging seasons: integrity, resilience, empathy, service, and consistency Whether you’re an educator, a leader, a parent, or someone who believes in the power of human connection, this episode, rooted in humanity, equity, and care, will touch your heart and strengthen your practice. Ms. Bubb’s Bio: Ms. Lois Bubb spent over forty years in the classroom, touching the lives of countless students with her kindness, wisdom, and unwavering dedication. Since beginning her teaching journey in 1983, she has been more than an educator; she has been a mentor, a guide, and a source of inspiration. Her instruction spanned multiple disciplines, with specialization in Mathematics. Generations of students remember her not only for the lessons she taught in Mathematics, but also for the encouragement she gave when they doubted themselves, and the joy she brought to learning. Her classroom was always a place of warmth, where curiosity was celebrated and every student felt seen and valued. Ms. Bubb’s ability to make each child believe in their true potential, and her passion for ensuring that no child was left behind,  has left a lasting impact, with many of her former students crediting her influence for their success in life. Colleagues admire her generosity of spirit and her willingness to share her experience, while members of the wider community cherish her as a role model who gave her heart to education. Even after four decades, Ms. Bubb’s passion for teaching never dimmed. Her legacy is not measured only in years, but in the thousands of lives she has shaped with her compassion, patience, and love for teaching and learning. She will always be remembered as a teacher who gave her very best, and whose impact will continue to flow through the generations she inspired.