I had the opportunity to work closely with Edna as we planned and facilitated assistant principal professional learning together. Edna consistently demonstrated a forward-thinking, strategic approach to leadership, grounded in a willingness to take thoughtful risks in service of continuous improvement.

One of her greatest strengths was her intentional use of assistant principal feedback to refine and elevate our learning experiences. She ensured that our sessions were not only relevant, but also responsive to the evolving needs of campus leaders. As a result, we saw stronger engagement, more meaningful collaboration, and a clear impact on leadership capacity across our group.

Edna’s ability to blend vision with action made her an invaluable partner, and her commitment to developing others had a lasting influence on both the quality of our work and the growth of the leaders we served.

It is my privilege to share my perspective on Edna Phythian and the impact of her work.

Edna’s ability to design and facilitate professional learning is exceptional. She has a unique gift for breaking down complex concepts into clear, manageable, and meaningful learning experiences that educators can immediately understand and apply. Her approach ensures that learning is not only accessible, but also actionable.

Equally powerful is the way Edna shows up in her work. She brings energy, insight, and a genuine ability to connect with others. She quickly builds relational trust, creating environments where individuals feel seen, supported, and comfortable engaging in the learning process.

While Edna is highly skilled, it is her humility that sets her apart. She creates spaces where educators can be authentic, ask questions, and grow without fear or hesitation. Her presence removes barriers and invites meaningful participation, which ultimately leads to deeper learning and impact.

Edna’s contributions have made a lasting difference in the educators and systems she has supported. Any organization would be incredibly fortunate to benefit from her expertise, leadership, and heart for people.

I had the opportunity to partner closely with Edna on several district initiatives and professional learning experiences, including Team Leader Academy and Critical Conversations training. In each of these settings, Edna consistently demonstrated a strong ability to design and facilitate meaningful learning that translated into real impact for our staff.

Edna is thoughtful, reliable, and deeply committed to her work. She has a unique strength in building relationships. She is attuned to how people feel and intentionally creates spaces where others feel included, valued, and supported. Her people-centered approach enhanced collaboration across teams and contributed to the success of our initiatives.

Her dedication to students and  teachers is evident in everything she does. Edna brings both professionalism and heart to her work, and any organization would benefit from her leadership in learning and development.

I have had the pleasure of partnering with Edna for nearly ten years as she developed professional learning for my staff of 80+. Her insightful and innovative approach brought the learning to life with even some of the driest topics, consistently producing valuable, actionable training that had an immediate impact on practices and perspectives. 

Edna does an outstanding job of collaborating throughout the planning process so ensure the scope and breadth of content are incorporated and highlighted appropriately, ensuring staff are actively engaged each time.

It has been a privilege to work alongside Edna and witness the impact she has on both educators and students. She is a deeply reflective practitioner who consistently works to meet the needs of her learners, from the planning stages through the evaluation of professional learning. This is especially evident in the way she facilitates professional learning experiences. She intentionally creates inclusive environments where every participant feels valued, heard, and supported.

When we launched the professional learning team in Plano, I was incredibly grateful to bring Edna on board. She leads with a servant’s heart, maintains a strong student-first perspective, and brings a level of creativity that elevates the work of the entire team.

Edna is one of the most impactful team members I have had the opportunity to work with. Beyond her contributions as a team member, she is a capable and trusted leader who is both efficient and effective in bringing the vision of a department or district to life. She has a unique ability to turn ideas into meaningful action, always grounded in what is best for learners.