Ep37 Jenn Sharek, Statewide Teacher of The Year Finalist: Leadership Development Podcast
Ep37 Jenn Sharek, Statewide Teacher of The Year Finalist: Leadership Development Podcast  
Podcast: LEADERSHIP MESSENGERS™ with Ovi Vasquez
Published On: Sat Feb 28 2026
Description: What questions do you want asked at in the show?HOST: This leadership development podcast is brought to you by: Ovi Vasquez, Inspirational Leadership Keynote Speaker. Fatherless farm boy from rural Guatemala—Inspiring teams to peak performance. He challenges teams to embrace change and step into bold leadership through leadership culture. He grew up in a village without electricity, learned English in two years, graduated from high school in three years, earned a B.A. in management, in two years.  Ovi has worked for Apple, Tesla, Salesforce, and Uber. He is a TEDx speaker, author, and social entrepreneur.GUEST BIO: Jenn Sharek, 2025 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year finalist, kindergarten teacher with 20 years of experience, literacy leader, and President of the Board at Teach My Kid to Read. Jenn is an advocate for structured literacy and evidence-based instruction, working locally and nationally to strengthen early reading systems. She blends stewardship, integrity, and high expectations to build stronger readers and stronger futures.Find our guest at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenn-s-a3b9a625aFind our host at: https://www.ovinspires.comLeadership Development Keywords: educational leadership, structured literacy, stewardship leadership, teacher development, early childhood leadership, accountability culture, psychological safety, evidence-based instruction, talent retention, values-driven leadershipLeadership Development Summary: In this episode, Jenn Sharek defines leadership as stewardship and influence used to uplift those without a voice. Drawing from her mother’s example, trusted educators, and her own transformation through structured literacy training, Jenn explains why courage, competence, and conviction drive real leadership. She challenges leaders to create safe spaces for truth, center decisions on children, and pursue excellence through reflection and growth.10 Takeaways on Leadership Development ✅ Leadership is stewardship ✅ Courage sustains integrity ✅ Competence requires lifelong learning ✅ Conviction centers the mission ✅ Excellence demands hard conversations ✅ Reflection prevents burnout ✅ Recognition builds culture ✅ Feedback fuels growth ✅ Strong readers build strong futures ✅ Be the leader you want to see5 Titles for Leadership Development ✅ Stewardship Over Status ✅ Stronger Readers, Stronger Leaders ✅ Courage, Competence, Conviction ✅ Excellence Requires Hard Conversations ✅ Lead With Integrity in the Classroom and Beyond5 Sound Bites for Leadership Development 🗣 “Leadership means stewardship.” 🗣 “Courage is not always popular.” 🗣 “Excellence is the expectation.” 🗣 “Clap for others and clap for yourself.” 🗣 “Stronger futures begin with stronger readers.”10 Chapters on Leadership Development 00:00 – Meet Jenn Sharek 01:35 – Leadership as Stewardship 02:54 – Role Models and Integrity 04:33 – Structured Literacy Transformation 06:44 – Family Influence 10:48 – Courage, Competence, Conviction 13:53 – Retaining High Performers 15:50 – Recognition and Culture 22:26 – Literacy Advocacy Work 27:02 – Final Leadership Message#OVinspires#LeadershipMessengers#leadership#communityLeadership Culture podcastExecutive leadership podcastEducational leadership podcastOrganizational leadership podcastProfessional Development podcastChange Management podcastCorporate leadership podcastSchool leadership podcastTop Leadership podcast for managersBuilding High-Performance Teams podcast