S4E14 Josh Tovar Talks Leading by Example and Balancing Priorities

The Shut Up and Teach Podcast

What does it take to lead, particularly, lead a school? Josh Tovar has some ideas. On this episode, Josh talks about what it takes to be a leader of a school, how leading by example and focusing on what's best for kids (not always what's easiest for adults) can have a tremendous impact on a school. Listen here! . . . Josh Tovar is the proud son of Virginia and Jesus Tovar who immigrated from Cd. Juarez Chihuahua, Mexico in the late 70's. Raised in El Paso, Texas, he faced adversity as an emergent bilingual student who graduated at the bottom of his high school class. He knew he needed to change his life, so he enlisted in the United States Marines. After attending artillery school, he began attending UTEP, where he earned a BA in History and Minor in Education. He has been in the education system from pre-k to the university level. He was in the classroom for ten years and the last twenty-two years has been an administrator. He assisted in graduating all students who passed the state exam in 2008, turned around a medical magnet program and assisted in transforming a school of 2550 students from a D- to B- in three years. He currently is the proud principal of Memorial Pathway Academy in Garland ISD which supports EB students and those who might fall through the cracks in a comprehensive high school. He is the proud father of Cashew, Aaron and Matthew. He has been supported and married to Berernice. Finally, he knows that kids do not care how much you know until they know how much you care. Connect with Josh X: @MPA_GOJAGUARS X: @JTSPOTLIGHTS . . . Elijah Carbajal is a teacher who followed in the footsteps of teachers in his family. He has served as an educator in the state of New Mexico since 2014. He is passionate about growing students and teachers and has fulfilled this purpose through different roles. Elijah has experience as an elementary classroom teacher and a Title I reading interventionist, and he is currently an MLSS/MTSS Resource Teacher in his local school district. Along with being the host of The Shut Up and Teach Podcast, he is the author of the book A Place They Love. Elijah loves to spend time with his wife, Tracey, and his cat, Nala. Connect with Elijah Website: shutupandteachedu.com X: @carbaeli Instagram: @carbaeli TikTok: @carbaeli Facebook: Shut Up and Teach EDU . . . Here’s how you can get Elijah's book, A Place They Love: Creating a Healthy School Culture and Positively Impacting Students: EduMatch (Discount for orders of 10+ copies): A Place They Love Amazon: A Place They Love Barnes and Noble: A Place They Love #APlaceTheyLoveBook / #ShutUpAndTeach / #EduMatchBooks