The Nurturing Greatness Podcast

Episode 5 Description — Nurturing Greatness PodcastIn this episode of the Nurturing Greatness Podcast, we are joined by Deena Freeman, a dynamic educator and presenter from the February Nurturing Greatness Summit.Deena delivered a powerful and insightful session on the critical role school counselors play in nurturing greatness in students—centering relationships, inclusion, and student voice as essential components of success.With over twenty years of experience in student services, instructional support, and post-secondary planning, Deena brings a wealth of knowledge and real-world perspective to the conversation. She currently serves as a School Counselor at Queens Metropolitan High School, where she continues to advocate for and support students on their academic and personal journeys.In addition to her counseling work, Deena has also developed and taught courses in African American Studies, including AP African American Studies—creating space for culturally relevant learning and student empowerment.Although she didn’t initially plan to pursue a career in education, her upbringing as an Army brat and the influence of impactful educators helped shape her commitment to a relationship-centered, inclusive approach to student development.This episode is a powerful reminder of the role every adult in a school plays in helping students realize their full potential.How are you nurturing greatness?

In this episode of the - Nurturing Greatness Podcast, Dr. Tonya Breland and Dr. Erika Leak sit down with Dr. Marilyn Dunham. Dr. Dunham has devoted more than 25 years to the field of education. She currently serves as a school district administrator and is a founder of a charter school. She also serves as the board president of her local school district. Dr. Dunham truly understands systems.

In this powerful episode of the Nurturing Greatness Podcast, Dr. Erika Leak and Dr. Tonya Breland sit down with motivational speaker, culture architect, and founder of No Box Thinking, Jonathan Kegler—a dynamic voice redefining what’s possible for young people.Jonathan shares the story of what he calls his “gumbo of greatness”—a community of adults who poured belief, discipline, and love into him—and how that foundation fuels his work today. As a self-described “ultimate disruptor,” he challenges systems and mindsets that limit students, replacing them with asset-based approaches that recognize brilliance often overlooked.From launching a chess club that empowered students to compete beyond expectations, to reframing adversity through his mantra “win the day,” Jonathan offers a compelling vision for educators and leaders: see the gifts, amplify the voice, and build environments where students thrive.Woven with storytelling, faith, culture, and strategy, this conversation is both inspiring and instructive—a call to rethink how we nurture greatness in every child, every day.

In this episode of the - Nurturing Greatness Podcast, Dr. Tonya Breland and Dr. Erika Leak sit down with renowned educator and school leadership expert Principal Baruti Kafele for a powerful conversation about what it means to truly nurture greatness in students and schools.Principal Kafele shares reflections from his journey as an award-winning principal, author, and speaker, offering insight into how educators can recognize the brilliance that already exists within students. Together, the conversation explores leadership, identity, culture, expectations, and the responsibility educators carry to affirm the potential of every child.Through honest reflection and practical wisdom, this dialogue challenges educators and leaders to examine how school culture, instructional practices, and relationships either cultivate or constrain student greatness.This episode is a call to action for educators everywhere:See it. Speak it. Nurture it.If you believe that every student possesses brilliance waiting to be cultivated, this conversation will both inspire and challenge you.

In the inaugural episode of the - Nurturing Greatness Podcast, Dr.Tonya Breland and Dr. Erika Leak explore the powerful idea at the heart of their work: What does it truly mean to nurture greatness in others?Drawing from their personal journeys in education, leadership, and community, they reflect on the people who first nurtured greatness in them—teachers, mentors, family members, and leaders who saw potential before it was fully realized. Through storytelling and reflection, they discuss how those early influences shaped their commitment to helping students, educators, and school systems recognize and cultivate brilliance.This conversation sets the foundation for the Nurturing Greatness movement—challenging schools to move beyond compliance and toward environments where identity, belonging, high expectations, and purpose come together to unlock student potential.Whether you are an educator, school leader, parent, or community member, this episode invites you to consider a powerful question:Who first nurtured greatness in you—and how are you nurturing it in others today?