When Dr. Lathan gathers with teachers and staff, there’s no script, no rigid agenda. Instead, there are open conversations. Dr. Lathan has created and implemented several programs that allow for both in-person and virtual interactions with stakeholders throughout the district, designed to give every community member a chance to be heard. One colleague, Teresa Bledsoe, explains how Dr. Lathan’s approach is seen in action, “She always listens to parents, staff, and others and demonstrates she is genuinely interested in their experiences and their expectations for the future.” Dr. Lathan’s commitment to listening, paired with visible follow-through, has reshaped how families, educators, and community leaders engage with the district.

Creating Access Through Communication

For Dr. Lathan, accessibility is more than a philosophy. She makes it a priority to reimagine how the district communicates. The shift toward open communication began during the pandemic when Dr. Lathan created an initiative called “Gather with Grenita” originally designed as a virtual event to allow for ‘face-to-face’ interactions during an unprecedented time. Gather with Grenita has now become a recurring event where employees can engage with her directly in a welcoming setting. “Staff have looked forward to it,” Dr. Lathan said. “It allows staff members across the district to log on at a time that works for their schedule and be heard.” The program’s informal, open-ended format allows employees to share challenges, ask questions, and offer ideas that influence district priorities. It has become a cornerstone of her leadership, fostering a culture in which employees feel valued and seen.

Dr. Lathan also developed “Superintendent Solutions,” a series of forums designed for honest, problem-solving conversations with different stakeholder groups. These gatherings take place three times a year with parents, quarterly with teachers and principals, and twice annually with students. Each meeting invites participants to raise pressing issues, identify areas to address in the district, and work together on solutions.

These sessions have led to concrete changes across Springfield Public Schools. For example, parents requested a reduction in the number of communication platforms, which prompted the district to streamline tools specifically for elementary and secondary campuses. Teachers asked for more choice in professional learning opportunities, resulting in a flexible “menu” of professional development offerings. “We listened to their suggestions for improvement and have tried to make changes that support them better in these areas,” Dr. Lathan explained.

To further enhance accessibility, Dr. Lathan holds open office hours every other month. Attendance is limited to 20 to 25 people, which creates a small, roundtable format where questions and concerns can be addressed directly. In one instance, a community member noted that fencing around a playground affected the visibility of a memorial. Dr. Lathan immediately arranged for staff to make adjustments so that the memorial remained a visible and meaningful part of the space.

Technology has also played a key role in Dr. Lathan’s communication system. Dr. Lathan implemented the “Let’s Talk” platform which provides a direct line for parents, staff, and community members to submit questions, concerns, or compliments to the appropriate district office, with responses required within 48 hours. Since its inception, over 10,000 messages have been received, each one offering insight into district priorities and trends.

“The progress has been real transparency. Transparency and open communication,” Dr. Lathan said. “When I interviewed for this position, I heard repeatedly that the district was not transparent, they were not accessible, and that more two-way communication was desired. One of my big goals was to truly work on that.”

These initiatives reflect Dr. Lathan’s belief that communication should not only be transparent but also responsive, with community voices directly shaping district decisions.

Partnerships That Expand Opportunities

Dr. Lathan knows that communication is only one piece of building a strong district. To truly serve students and families, she has worked to create partnerships that bring resources, real-world experiences, and career pathways into Springfield Public Schools.

The Alliance for Healthcare Education, for example, brings together Springfield Public Schools, CoxHealth, Missouri State University, and Ozarks Technical Community College to provide pathways for students into healthcare careers. High school juniors and seniors can earn college credit and professional certifications while completing their high school diploma, giving them a head start in a field facing workforce shortages. When explaining the creation of these partnerships, Dr. Lathan credits the shared goals of various community stakeholders as pivotal for the success of each program. “We don’t care who wins. We just want what’s best for our community, and we want a productive, effective workforce,” Dr. Lathan said.

Additionally, the district collaborates with Missouri State University through the Future Educators program, which introduces students to teaching careers early and builds a local pipeline of educators. Another initiative, Pathways for Paras, was developed in response to the district’s shortage of special education teachers. The program supports current paraprofessionals as they become certified, ensuring all students have access to qualified educators. Dr. Lathan has also forged partnerships beyond education, launching the Fly SPS program, which provides hands-on aviation experiences for students. These efforts demonstrate her belief that schools flourish when embedded in networks of support that extend well beyond the classroom walls.

Servant Leadership and Lasting Impact

Underlying all of Dr. Lathan’s initiatives is a servant leadership philosophy. “My approach to leadership is truly to be a servant leader. I do believe and know that I have been called to serve. And serving means giving of yourself to others,” she said. Dr. Lathan emphasizes collaboration, inclusivity, and the development of strong teams to work toward the goal of providing students with the best possible education and support. “I’m proud of Team SPS and the work that we’ve been able to do together. I’m proud of the work I’ve done with our school board, and I’m most proud of our community, how our community continues to rally around supporting public education.”

Dr. Lathan’s advice for other leaders wanting to make a positive change is practical and clear, “You cannot do it alone. You need colleagues who are willing to be candid and challenge you. You must also be the lead ambassador for your district and make it a priority to educate your community about what’s going on in your schools. Every school district in Missouri has outstanding things happening. We just need to spend more time telling our story.”

When asked what Missourians can do to support public education, she emphasized the importance of advocating for and ensuring funding, “You must have a successful and thriving school district to have a successful and thriving community.”

Through intentional communication, innovative partnerships, and a servant-leadership approach, Dr. Lathan has reshaped how Springfield Public Schools connects with students, families, staff, and the broader community. Her work is a model for leaders across Missouri and beyond, showing that positive change is possible when leaders listen, collaborate, and put the needs of their communities at the center of every decision.