DECEMBER 2024 | DR. CHRISTINA KISHIMOTO
Dr. Talisa Dixon is a long time educator who served in two superintendent seats in Cleveland Heights School District located in University Heights City, Ohio, and in the Columbus City Schools in Ohio, an urban school district of over 46,000 students. She served as a social studies teacher in Akron, Ohio before taking on Assistant Principal and Principal roles before rising to executive leadership. Dr. Dixon is a distinguished educational leader in her state of Ohio and nationally. She has recently joined the national Girls Policy Network (GPN) as a learning facilitator, working with high school girls of color around policy knowledge, empowerment and voice.
Enjoy the conversation with Dr. Kishimoto and Dr. Dixon below.
The following transcript has been edited for length and clarity.
Dr. Kishimoto
Hello, everyone. Happy holidays. I can’t believe it’s the end of the year. It is December 2024. Welcome to The Stories We Must Tell. I have with us yet another amazing leader, a national leader, sitting in Ohio. We are excited to have Dr. Talisa Dixon with us today. Welcome to Talisa.
Dr. Dixon
Thank you. I’m so glad to be here.
Dr. Kishimoto
It’s so much fun having some time to talk together. You and I were introduced not too long ago by a mutual friend, and we’ve just hit it off. I just love when this happens. This is the power of networking, isn’t it?
Dr. Dixon
I know it’s been so awesome getting to know you, working with you and to be one of the voices of equity. Oh my gosh, it’s awesome. Awesome.
Dr. Kishimoto
There are just so many incredible leaders throughout the nation. We focus on women leaders in particular, but we know that our many allies are doing incredible work. And so, we celebrate all of our superintendents, former superintendents, and executive leaders in education.
I want to talk a little bit about your work as a superintendent in Columbus City Schools and in Cleveland Heights and would love to just have you introduce yourself to the audience. What was that like? I know you retired. How does that retired title feel right now? I know I don’t like anyone using that title on me.
