Owning the Narrative: Leading with Transparency and Impact

Public education in Indiana is under attack.Not just through rhetoric, but through policies and platforms that threaten its future. Across the state, we’ve seen school choice initiatives expand aggressively, with more funding flowing to charter schools and private institutions. As a result, both students and resources are being pulled away from traditional public schools.

For example, Indiana Senate Bill 518, passed in 2025, requires public school districts to share property tax revenue with charter schools. This could divert more than $124 million from public districts over three years (Indiana Capital Chronicle, 2025).

This challenge is compounded by platforms like Eyes on Education, which allow users to report on schools without any verification. The result is a dangerous opening for misinformation to spread unchecked. It undermines trust in educators and harms school reputations. Critics have pointed out that many local officials weren’t aware of the complaints listed, while educators have voiced concerns about outdated or inaccurate reports that could unjustly damage schools and fracture trust between communities and educators (Indiana Capital Chronicle, 2024; The Guardian, 2024).

Legislatively, the threat goes even further. House Bill 1136, introduced in 2025, proposed dissolving several Indiana school districts, including Indianapolis Public Schools, and converting their schools to charter schools if more than 50% of students were already attending non-traditional schools. While the bill did not advance, it signals a growing interest in charter conversions that may resurface in future legislative sessions (Chalkbeat Indiana, 2025).

These aren’t hypothetical issues. They are happening here, and they are happening now.

And in this environment, one truth stands out more clearly than ever: school leaders in Indiana can no longer afford to stay silent.

The work happening in classrooms every day—the progress, the growth, the innovation, the care—deserves to be seen and understood. But it won’t be, unless we’re the ones who tell the story. Transparent leadership goes beyond internal clarity. It requires us to take ownership of the narrative before someone else twists it.

That’s where the Transparent Storyteller Avatar comes into play.

This final Avatar in the leadership framework equips leaders to communicate with intention. It empowers them to elevate what’s working, celebrate those doing the work, and bring external stakeholders into the story in ways that build trust, create partnerships, and protect public education from being misrepresented.

In the first three blogs, we explored bold thinking, strategic planning, and empowered people as drivers of change. Now, we turn our focus to how that change is shared—clearly, consistently, and credibly—with the world outside our walls.

Because when the public understands your impact, they are more likely to support it. And when your staff sees that story being told, they know their work matters.

Let’s look at what it means to lead through storytelling—and why your voice has never been more essential.

Why Telling Your Story Matters More Than Ever

Unfortunately, misinformation spreads quickly across social media, and with public education so often politicized, telling your school or district’s story has become much more than a branding effort. It is a proactive and defensive leadership strategy.

Every day, educators in Indiana create real, measurable impact in students’ lives. New programs launch. Gaps close. Opportunities expand. But when this work goes unseen—or worse, is distorted by outside narratives—the value of public education becomes diminished in the eyes of the very community it serves.

This is why storytelling isn’t optional. It is a leadership responsibility.

The Transparent Storyteller Avatar is not about spin or performance. It’s about owning your narrative. It’s about making visible what’s possible in public education and protecting the truth about the work happening in your buildings.

When you lead with honesty and clarity, three important things happen:

1. You honor your people. Staff are working harder than ever under increasingly complex conditions. Highlighting their work boosts morale and validates their efforts. Even informal recognition helps educators feel seen, and seen people stay engaged.

2. You build trust with your community. Families, board members, and voters want to know what’s happening in their schools. Transparent storytelling—highlighting both success and challenge—builds credibility. It helps turn skepticism into understanding and support.

3. You invite meaningful partnerships. When businesses, funders, and local organizations understand your impact, they’re more likely to support it. Your story becomes the bridge to grants, collaborations, and resources that strengthen your system.

In today’s landscape, visibility matters. If you don’t tell your story, someone else will—and they may not tell it accurately.

As a school leader, you have the perspective and platform to shape how your school is perceived. You don’t need to embellish the truth. You need to elevate it. Your story doesn’t need to be perfect—it needs to be real, clear, and told often.

That’s the heart of the Transparent Storyteller: leadership that brings the invisible into view and ensures the real story of public education is the one being heard.

The Anatomy of Transparent Storytelling

Telling your story well isn’t about flashy graphics or polished slogans. It’s about clarity, intention, and voice. The Transparent Storyteller doesn’t just communicate. They translate purpose into public understanding and progress into public belief.

What does effective storytelling look like?

It starts with clarity. Stakeholders need to understand what you’re doing and why it matters. Make sure your story clearly explains the changes taking place, how they connect to outcomes for students, and what success looks like. Avoid jargon. Speak plainly.

Next comes authenticity. Your story should reflect the whole truth—not just the high points. Be honest about what’s hard, what hasn’t worked, and what you’re learning. This vulnerability builds trust. When people see that you’re not just promoting success but reflecting on growth, they trust your leadership more.

Then comes consistency. Storytelling isn’t a single event. It’s a habit. It belongs in every part of your communication routine—from board meetings to newsletters, from social media to internal memos. The most trusted leaders communicate regularly and reliably. They don’t just show up when something’s wrong. They keep their communities informed and engaged all the time.

Finally, storytelling must serve a purpose. Every story should connect to something bigger. What does it reveal about your mission, your values, your vision for students? Purpose-driven storytelling reinforces identity. It helps people understand not just what you’re doing, but why you’re doing it.

Storytelling shouldn’t come from the top alone. It should reflect many voices. Invite staff to share classroom wins. Highlight student stories. Give families space to speak about their experiences. The most powerful stories are those told by the people living them every day.

When done well, transparent storytelling strengthens your internal culture and builds external support. It becomes a leadership tool, not just a communications strategy.

But to fully unlock its power, you need to do more than share stories. You need to leverage them.

Making Your Story Work for You

Once you’ve shaped a clear narrative around your work, the next step is to use it strategically. Storytelling isn’t only about celebration. It’s about unlocking opportunity, extending your influence, and ensuring sustainability.

Your story should work as hard as your strategy.

Leaders who activate the Transparent Storyteller Avatar understand that well-told stories open doors. They deepen trust. They increase visibility. They position your school or district as a place of growth and purpose. And this matters—especially when you’re looking to build support from funders, board members, partners, or prospective staff.

How do you make that happen?

• Start with your systems. Don’t wait for the big wins. Use regular tools such as your website, newsletters,or  board reports to share ongoing progress. Turn social media into more than an announcement feed. Use it to explain the “why” behind your work and spotlight the people involved.

• Make storytelling a leadership habit. Build storytelling into your rhythm. Include wins in staff meetings. Add a “story of the week” to internal updates. Encourage team leaders to document impact in real time.  Storytelling isn’t just for external stakeholders—it boosts morale and helps your people stay connected to the mission.

• Give your team tools to use. Many staff want to share their stories but don’t know how. Offer a simple format—like “challenge, action, result”—and invite them to contribute. Create pathways for staff to help tell your district’s story alongside you.

• Tie your story to growth. Use stories in your grant writing. Share outcomes when seeking partnerships. When launching new efforts, connect the initiative to what’s already been working. A well-crafted story builds confidence. And confidence attracts support.

At its best, storytelling becomes an extension of your leadership voice. It transforms quiet success into visible momentum. It helps your internal vision become a shared, public belief.

But remember, if you don’t tell your story, someone else will. And they may not get it right.

That’s why your role isn’t just to tell the story—it’s to own it. Do it with purpose, with structure, and with courage.

When You Don’t Tell the Story—Others Will

Here’s the reality: when a clear narrative isn’t present, assumptions take over. And those assumptions are rarely accurate, fair, or flattering.

If schools and districts don’t actively share what they’re doing, misinformation spreads. It’s especially dangerous in today’s polarized environment. Misunderstandings about curriculum, behavior, test scores, or isolated incidents often become the dominant storyline—while real progress stays hidden.

This isn’t just a communications issue. It’s a matter of trust. And trust is the most valuable currency in school leadership.

We’ve seen it happen. A single social media post gets out of hand. One offhand comment at a board meeting becomes a headline. One vague article becomes the thing parents remember. Meanwhile, months of effort go unnoticed.

Transparent storytelling prevents this.

It’s not about reacting. It’s about staying ahead. It’s about sharing your values, your direction, and your impact before someone else defines them for you.

When communities hear from you regularly, they’re less likely to be misled. They ask better questions. They extend more trust. They engage with more context.

And the risk isn’t just external. If your staff don’t see their work reflected in your school’s larger story, they can begin to disengage. Culture suffers. Energy fades. People start to question whether what they’re doing really matters.

The Transparent Storyteller doesn’t wait for pressure to build. They lead with honesty and optimism. They show what’s working. And in doing so, they protect everything their team is working hard to build.

Conclusion: Tell the Story. Lead the Future.

Your work matters. Your staff’s effort matters. Your students’ growth matters.

And in this moment—when public education is under scrutiny and too often misunderstood—how you tell your story has never mattered more.

The Transparent Storyteller Avatar isn’t just about communication. It’s about leadership. It’s about stepping into the space between perception and reality and choosing to lead with truth, with clarity, and with purpose. It’s about recognizing your people, showcasing your progress, and shaping how your school or district is understood by your community and beyond.

This blog series has explored what bold, adaptive leadership looks like in today’s environment. From the Innovative Risk-Taker to the Strategic Visionary, from the Cohesive Connector to the Leadership Cultivator, we’ve seen how different leadership Avatars work together to drive change.

The Transparent Storyteller brings it all full circle.

Because when the story goes untold, progress often goes unseen.

If your voice isn’t in the conversation, others will fill the silence.

And if your community doesn’t understand what’s working, they’re far less likely to stand with you when it counts.

So here’s the invitation:

•  Don’t wait.

•  Share the win.

•  Celebrate the journey.

•  Acknowledge the growth.

•  Lead with transparency.

•  And show the world that public education isn’t just surviving—it’s leading.

If you’d like to see what this kind of leadership looks like in action, check out the work EES Innovation is doing with districts across Indiana. Visit districtshowcase.com to see how Transparent Storytellers are helping turn vision into impact and how your story could be the next one we help amplify. If you want to hear more about The 5 Avatars of Educational Leadership, you can find Dr. Langevin’s book on Amazon. 

References

Chalkbeat Indiana. (2025, January 8). Indianapolis Public Schools opposes bill that would dissolve district. https://www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025/01/08/indianapolis-public-schools-opposes-bill-dissolve-district/

Indiana Capital Chronicle. (2024, February 6). Rokita’s new “Eyes on Education” portal prompts pushback from Indiana school officials. https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2024/02/06/rokitas-new-eyes-on-education-portal-prompts-pushback-from-indiana-school-officials/

Indiana Capital Chronicle. (2025, February 21). Indiana bill to shift more dollars from traditional publics to charter schools earns Senate approval. https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2025/02/21/indiana-bill-to-shift-more-dollars-from-traditional-publics-to-charter-schools-earns-senate-approval/

The Guardian. (2024, February 15). Indiana education tipline criticized for spreading misinformation. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/feb/15/indiana-ag-eyes-on-education-tipline