PMP453: Leading with Wellness in Mind with Dr. Angela Diggs

A Quick Note to Listeners:

Before this week’s interview, Will Parker answers a question from a student in Jen Schwanke’s graduate class at OSU.

The question is: Through your consulting work, what common human capital challenges do you see schools facing and how can principals proactively address them? (Question from Madeline Platfoot, 6th grade math teacher from Columbus, Ohio)

Listen in to hear his response and thank you for doing what matters!

Meet Angela Diggs

Dr. Angela Diggs is an educational consultant with a background in special education, school administration, and school psychology. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Kentucky State University, a Masters Degree in School Psychology from Governors State University; and a Doctorate in Education in Counseling Psychology from Argosy University. Dr. Diggs is known for her strong work ethic as well as her personable and down-to-earth leadership style. In addition to her work as an educational consultant, Dr. Diggs is a real estate agent, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and a mom to three children.

Interview: 

In this week’s episode of Principal Matters, Dr. Jen Schwanke speaks with Dr. Angela Diggs, a leader who has a background in special education, school administration, and school psychology— and even real estate. She is currently a director of special services at an elementary school district. 

The interview opens with Jen highlighting multiple hashtags that Dr. Diggs used on her LinkedIn profile. Each hashtag represents Dr. Diggs’s values and passions, including education as a gateway to success, the excellence and resilience fostered by Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and the importance of women in leadership, She also touches on leadership coaching and the significance of a growth mindset, as well as the need for mental health awareness and overcoming imposter syndrome.

As a Black woman in educational leadership, Dr. Diggs has faced unique challenges, including being seen and heard, dealing with microaggressions, and ensuring psychological safety . She learned to be more vocal and direct while remaining respectful . Dr. Diggs also stresses the importance of principals understanding special education law to advocate for students’ rights and navigate discipline issues effectively.

To maintain well-being, Dr. Diggs advises paying attention to the body’s signals and recognizing the importance of social and emotional intelligence in leadership. She shares her personal journey of recognizing and addressing stress, which led her to prioritize self-care and gamify the process of beating stress. She emphasizes the importance of balancing work with personal life, including family, exercise, and healthy eating. She encourages leaders to value diversity, prioritize relationships and trust, and see themselves as lifelong learners.

Thank you for listening to the entire conversation and for doing what matters!

Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-angela-diggs-332672201/

Website: https://www.leadingwell.online/

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