Educational Expert
Executive Coach
Systems Strategist
Faith-Walker
Humanitarian

Everyone has a calling. It is my belief you arrive on the planet with the gifts and talents to answer the call. My life’s purpose was clarified by wonderful people in my childhood.

Without hesitation, if not daily, weekly someone asks how did I begin speaking, teaching, and serving others. It all began with a neighbor, who encouraged me each day on my way home from school by asking, “What is that you have in your hand?” No matter what art work or writing or assignment that day, she always encouraged and inspired me with enthusiasm and kindness. That is where I began to learn the power of words. No matter how big or small, those words were like water and nourished my heart.

My parents and grandmothers were not only caring and courageous but cultivated a heart of service. My mother’s words, “Excellence has no color; always treat people the way you want to be treated” is a heart song that played as background music for my everyday choices. As a young girl my maternal grandmother would pick me up on weekends, and we would go to deliver bags, brown paper bags filled with peppermint candies, fruit, and tube socks to the elderly. When I asked why, she always encouraged, “You must give what you have in your hands.” So off we would go each week delivering those brown paper bags and words of encouragement.

My paternal grandmother often required me to memorize speeches for programs at church. She never allowed me to hold the paper in my hand, but would encourage me to look up, look out, and see the people. I don’t recall how many speeches I delivered as child, but I do remember the impact of those words. The smiles, the tears, the joy that came from words. Sometimes when delivered exactly as written, I would get the small nod from my grandmother and sometimes when delivered not so exactly I would get smiles and encouragement from the people. Nevertheless, I learned looking up and looking out not only allowed me to see people, but to trust and expect the best from humanity while giving my best.

Somewhere between the paper bags and speeches, I learned the power of giving whatever you have in your hand and heart. I learned that words were filled with the substance to create and cultivate hopes and dreams. I know the power of one word placed carefully on the canvas of imagination, it can transform lives. It has become my purpose and passion to see people and with words empower them to give what they have in their hands.

So as an educator, I often hear stories of people who grew up knowing they wanted to teach. You know the stories of people lining up their dolls and toys and conducting school. Well, that is not my story. I never wanted to teach. My mother and many relatives were teachers, and I decided this was not the life for me. Until one day a family friend shared these words, “You have the gift to teach. Teaching doesn’t just happen in a classroom”. Those words have rung true in my life and continue to do so today.

It is important to know we all have gifts. Yes, more than one. When I embraced the gift to teach, I found the world to be the classroom. Armed with this information, I recall preparing my first classroom with items from stores and salvage yards. Anything that would make learning relevant, I wanted in my classroom so that learners could see themselves doing and being what those items sparked in their imaginations.

As I continued to learn and grow as a young educator, moving from middle to high school, I was in pursuit of knowledge that would make me a better educator. You know, the kind of teacher who could teach all children no matter where they lived or who their parents were.

That pursuit opened my heart and possibilities to innovation and individuals, like Ralph Draper, William Spivey, Andrea Fields, and Richard and Becky Dufour. These educators not only had the gift to teach but the guts to transform education. Refusing to look for labels and design for deficits, led me to teach for 30 years opening some of the nation’s most innovative schools with children who were at promise.

Regina Owens is an internationally recognized presenter and practitioner who specializes in creating a culture of connectivity and collaboration while utilizing systems thinking.

Through innovative solutions and emerging technologies, she coaches and supports educators and administrators in transforming and working as a professional learning community.

As a former teacher, director, and executive director of curriculum and instruction, Regina has served in rural and urban schools, guiding their transformation to professional learning communities that resulted in local, state, and national recognition.

She served as the principal of innovative schools in Texas, a Virtual School and the Early College Academy both operated under the professional learning community philosophy, ensuring high levels of learning for all students.

Opening one of the first online professional learning communities brought together Regina’s life’s work of connecting learners and their passions to the work of the real world.

Today she serves working to promote passion-driven learning and global competencies that results in developing a heart of service and connected communities.

Regina is an inspirational transformative educational leader who believes in the “Genius of And,” educating both the head and the heart.

Helping students and educators discover who they are, value others, and advance humanity fuels her work with teachers and administrators as they work to create systems that actualize an inclusive culture and accomplish their purpose—high levels of learning that results in being prepared for life.

Regina earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from East Texas Baptist University. She went on to earn a master’s degree in educational leadership from Stephen F. Austin State University and is currently working to obtain a doctorate in educational leadership from Dallas Baptist University.

Certifications

• Priority Schools in a PLC At Work
• PLC At Work
• Transforming School Culture