In this episode of the Exit Interview podcast, host Dr. Asia Lyons welcomes Dr. Cletis Allen, an educational thought leader with over 13 years of experience in teaching, curriculum development, and educational consulting. Dr. Allen shares her unique journey into education, starting with an initial interest in nursing before discovering her passion for teaching and advocacy.
Dr. Allen discusses her teaching career in Georgia, working with early elementary students and high ESOL populations, and her transition into curriculum writing and professional development. She highlights the importance of culturally responsive literacy instruction and her doctoral research on the interconnectedness of content, teachers, learners, and learning spaces.
The conversation explores Dr. Allen’s decision to leave the classroom and pursue consulting, the challenges and support she encountered from family and colleagues, and the broader context of Black educators navigating career transitions. Dr. Allen offers insights on the need for representation in curriculum decision-making, the value of teacher voices in unions and policy, and practical advice for educators considering consulting or entrepreneurship.
The episode also features shout-outs to influential educators in Dr. Allen’s life, including her mother and a longtime friend, and concludes with Dr. Allen reflecting on the sources of her joy: food, family, friends, and the fulfillment she finds in her work and personal growth.
Listeners are left with actionable gems about building a consulting business, the importance of networking and professional organizations, and the courage to pursue new paths in education.
