How Identity Has Influenced a Principal at The SEED School of Los Angeles County's Career
Natale's career journey as a woman of color has been marked by periods of both pride and discouragement, where they felt the world wasn't always ready to embrace "a woman in all of her leadership," leading to experiences of discrimination and hardship. This prompted the development of resilience, the creation of safe spaces for reflection, and the building of a supportive community to navigate challenges.
Resilience, Leadership, Overcoming Challenges, Community Building, Identity
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Natale Mejia
Principal
The SEED School of Los Angeles County
UCLA Class 2010
The Johns Hopkins University, Class of 2013, MsEd. in Urban Education; USC, Class of 2020, Ed.D in Educational Leadership
Ethnic & Related Studies
Education
Education
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Natale's experience as a woman of color in education highlights the importance of resilience and self-reflection in navigating potential career challenges.
2. Building a supportive community of mentors and peers is crucial for overcoming adversity and maintaining motivation.
3. The world may not always be ready to embrace diverse leadership, so developing self-awareness and creating safe spaces for reflection are essential for career success
Transcript
As someone who identifies as a woman of color, how has that impacted how you navigate your career?
As a woman of color, I've had to learn a lot about myself over the years. There was a time in my career where I felt really proud and excited to be a Latina in education.
However, there was also a time when I felt discouraged. I realized the world is not necessarily ready to embrace a woman in leadership, and all that she may bring as a woman of color.
I've felt discrimination and otherness, experiencing many hardships through that lens. This has definitely made an impact on me, my identity, and how I navigate the world.
As a woman of color, I've had to learn to be resilient. I've had to learn how to create a safe space for myself to reflect and engage. I've also had to build my own community of cheerleaders to encourage me to keep moving forward despite the challenges I face.