We’re looking forward to introducing you to Dr. NaTasha Crain. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning NaTasha, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I think a lot of people, especially leaders, and specifically Black women in leadership, are quietly struggling with the weight of expectation and exhaustion. There’s this unspoken pressure to always show up strong, to carry the title, lead the work, fix the problems, and still be accessible, polished, and available.
I know that struggle intimately. There have been seasons in my journey where I was praised for how well I was holding everything together—career, community, service—while silently navigating fatigue, imposter syndrome, and the emotional toll of operating in spaces that weren’t always designed for people who look like me.
Many of us are carrying invisible loads: the pressure to prove ourselves, the need to represent our communities with excellence, and the fear of disappointing others if we admit we’re tired or uncertain. And yet, we push forward because we feel like we have to.
What people don’t always say out loud is that they’re craving rest, validation, and the freedom to just be human without being questioned or diminished. They want to be seen, not just for their accomplishments, but for their effort, heart, and resilience.
I’ve learned that vulnerability is not weakness; it’s leadership. And the most powerful thing we can do is create space where others feel safe enough to say, “I’m not okay right now… but I’m still showing up.”
That’s part of my mission: to lead in a way that models authenticity, to create spaces that affirm others, and to leave a legacy where strength doesn’t require silence, and leadership always makes room for humanity.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello, I’m Dr. NaTasha Crain, an educator, transformative leader, and advocate for equity and excellence in public education. I currently serve as the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction for a vibrant school district in East Texas, where I lead districtwide efforts to strengthen instructional systems, support teacher and leader development, and ensure that all students have access to a high-quality education rooted in rigor, relevance, and relationship.
My career began in the classroom, but over the years, I’ve served as an assistant principal, principal, and instructional leader. These experiences helped shape my understanding of how systems, leadership, and instruction intersect and how to bring them into alignment to drive meaningful student outcomes. I am especially passionate about creating learning environments where both students and educators can thrive.
Outside of my professional role, I proudly serve as Chapter President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ®️, Epsilon Zeta Omega Chapter and as the Affiliate President of the Tyler Area Alliance of Black School Educators (TAABSE). Through these organizations, I lead impactful service initiatives and champion mentorship, professional growth, and advocacy for Black educators and underrepresented communities.
I’m a proud graduate of Jarvis Christian University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) that laid the foundation for my commitment to service, scholarship, and sisterhood. I later earned my doctorate in Learning and Organizational Change from Baylor University, a nationally recognized Research 1 (R1) institution, where I deepened my expertise in instructional leadership, systems thinking, and data-informed decision-making.
Currently, I’m in the early stages of building a consulting venture aimed at supporting school districts, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders through leadership development, instructional coaching, and strategic planning. My goal is to continue expanding my impact by helping others lead with clarity, purpose, and equity at the center.
My story is rooted in faith, perseverance, and an unwavering belief in the power of education to transform lives. I’m proud of the work I’ve done, but even more excited about what’s ahead.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Without a doubt, my mother saw me clearly before I could see myself. As a single parent raising me in rural East Texas, she poured belief into me every day. She saw leadership in my voice, strength in my compassion, and purpose in the way I carried responsibility—even before I had the confidence to see those things in myself. She constantly reminded me that where I came from didn’t determine how far I could go. Her faith in me laid the foundation for everything I’ve built in my life and career.
And then there was my 5th grade teacher, a woman whose name and presence I’ll never forget. She saw more than just a student who excelled academically; she saw someone with the heart of a leader. She gave me space to shine, opportunities to lead in the classroom, and affirmed me in ways that made me feel both capable and seen. She didn’t just teach content—she nurtured confidence. At a time when I was still finding my place in the world, she helped me believe I had one.
Later in life, professors at Jarvis Christian University and mentors along the way would echo those early affirmations, offering guidance, encouragement, and leadership opportunities that stretched my vision of what was possible. But it started with two powerful women: my mother and my 5th grade teacher. They saw the future in me, and I carry that vision with me every single day.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me the strength of my own resilience, the kind you don’t discover in the spotlight of success, but in the quiet, uncertain places where no one is watching and everything feels heavy.
Growing up with limited resources in a rural East Texas community, raised by a single mother who worked tirelessly to provide, I learned early that struggle doesn’t make you weak—it reveals your capacity. It taught me grit, empathy, and a deep awareness of how unseen challenges shape people’s lives. That perspective became the heart of my leadership: leading with compassion, listening deeply, and never underestimating the power of showing up for others.
Success can affirm you, but suffering refines you. It teaches you to lead from a place of humility, to find purpose in pain, and to keep going when things aren’t easy. It taught me that preparation, perseverance, and prayer carry more weight than perfection ever will.
Those moments of struggle, whether personal, academic, or professional, made me a better educator, a more grounded leader, and a more authentic human being. And I carry those lessons with me every day, especially when I’m standing in front of others who just need to know that their story, no matter how hard, is still worthy of success.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Authenticity and Integrity.
As a Black woman in educational leadership, I’ve learned that authenticity is not just a value, it’s a form of resistance and self-preservation. In spaces where I may be one of few, I carry the stories of those who came before me, the strength of my mother, and the pride of being a product of my community and my HBCU experience. I don’t take lightly the responsibility of leading while fully honoring who I am.
Authenticity means I show up fully and unapologetically—as a strategist, a visionary, a woman of faith, and someone deeply rooted in service. I don’t shrink myself to fit into rooms; I strive to expand them so others like me can enter. I believe that leadership grounded in truth, culture, and purpose creates a different kind of impact, one that resonates beyond titles or positions.
And equally, I protect integrity at all costs. It’s the compass that keeps me aligned when the pressure to compromise or conform is strong. Integrity means doing what’s right, even when it’s hard. It means keeping students at the center of every decision, honoring your word, and leading with both humility and conviction.
Together, authenticity and integrity shape not just how I lead, but why I lead. They remind me that real leadership isn’t about being accepted; it’s about being accountable, being principled, and being the kind of leader others can trust to make room for them, too.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I am absolutely doing what I was born to do, though I didn’t always know it.
Leadership wasn’t something I planned or even initially saw in myself. I never set out to be the one at the front of the room, making the hard calls or carrying the vision. In fact, for a long time, I was content to support quietly from behind the scenes, doing the work, lifting others, staying in the background. But somewhere along the way, others saw something in me: a calm strength, a voice that carried weight, and a deep commitment to doing what’s right.
I didn’t chase titles. I followed purpose. And with every opportunity, first as a teacher, then as an assistant principal, principal, and now an assistant superintendent, I began to realize that leadership was already in me. I just had to grow into it.
What I do today is rooted in calling, not compliance. I lead because I believe education has the power to transform lives, just like it transformed mine. I lead because students deserve systems that serve them, and educators deserve leaders who will advocate for them.
I wasn’t told to do this. I was called to it. And the legacy I hope to leave is simple: that I used my influence to lift others, to build what didn’t exist before, and to create spaces where people, especially those who look like me, feel seen, supported, and empowered to lead in their own way.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @dr_crain_actually
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-natasha-crain-337575b5
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ClassyCrain
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tashacrain?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Image Credits
Cover Photo Used:
Art of Being Productions
