From teaching fourth grade in Compton to founding a KIPP elementary school in Newark, Joanna Belcher has spent her career building schools and supporting leaders who believe every student deserves opportunity. 

In this episode of The Stronger Podcast, Mike Montoya sits down with Joanna Belcher, Regional Superintendent at the KIPP Foundation, to discuss the leadership lessons she has learned along the way. Joanna reflects on the moments that shaped her approach to leadership, including the power of seeing excellence firsthand and why curiosity remains one of the most important habits for leaders. 

They also explore what it takes to build strong teams, support school leaders across a national network, and stay focused on what matters most for students. 

Listen in for a thoughtful conversation about leadership, curiosity, and the work of building schools that help students thrive. 

 
Chapter:

00:56 🎙️ Want a Podcast Just Like This One? Check Out www.podcastsmatter.com

01:35 🏫 Joanna’s Role at KIPP and Leading Across 28 Regions

06:09 🌱 Growing Up in Pennsylvania and Finding Teach For America

10:54 🚀 The Moment Joanna Saw What Excellence Looks Like

19:38 📚 Find support for writing your impact-driven book at www.booksthatmatter.org

21:02 🤝 Curiosity, Mentorship, and Building Strong Teams

25:48 🧠 Why Curiosity Matters for Leaders

26:50 ⚡ What COVID Taught Joanna About Leadership

31:53 🎯 Helping School Leaders Focus on What Matters Most

38:08 ⚖️ When a Health Crisis Changed Joanna’s Perspective

42:50 🌍 If you are a leader or a changemaker looking for support, check out www.geniusdiscovery.org

45:17 🔭 What’s Ahead for KIPP

48:43 🎧 Find More Podcasts That Matter at www.podcastsmatter.com

Links:
Website: www.kipp.org

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/joannabelcher
KIPP Foundation LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/kipp-foundation

If you’d like to learn more about Joanna Belcher’s work or follow the broader work happening across KIPP schools, connect with her on LinkedIn or explore the KIPP website through the links above. 

Connect with Mike: www.linkedin.com/in/mmsc

Stronger Consulting: strongerconsulting.com

Publish a Book That Matters:  booksthatmatter.org

Start a Podcast That Matters:  podcastsmatter.com

Go from Expert to Thought Leader: geniusdiscovery.org 

For more great podcasts like this one, visit https://podcaststhatmatter.org

Stay strong.