#101 Leading with Empathy: A Journey to Empower Underserved Youth with Wanda Johnson

Thinking That Matters with Elizabeth Mahusay

Welcome back to another episode of Thinking That Matters! Today I have the privilege of introducing you to Wanda Johnson, the District Truancy Liaison for McKinney ISD. Wanda’s story is one of resilience, faith, and determination, and I’m so excited for you to hear it.

From her childhood in Gary, Indiana, to a career in Fortune 500 companies, and ultimately to her impactful role in McKinney ISD, Wanda’s journey has been shaped by challenges that she transformed into opportunities. She shares her experiences navigating personal hardships, such as raising two sets of twins, overcoming the pain of divorce, and finding ways to put her children through college—all while building a career centered on service and community impact.

Wanda now dedicates her life to helping students overcome barriers to education. With compassion and empathy rooted in her own life story, she collaborates with nonprofits, mentors, and community leaders to bring hope and practical solutions to underserved families. Her story is a powerful reminder of the difference we can make when we take the time to see, care, and support those around us.

Key Takeaways:

• The value of building community connections to support underserved students and families.

• Her role in addressing chronic absenteeism in schools and the challenges faced by students today.

• The miraculous ways her faith and community connections helped her and her children through tough times.

• Practical insights on overcoming rejection and cultivating empathy in leadership roles.

• Why asking students, "What brings you joy?" can ignite their passions and change their future.

• Ways you can get involved in making a difference for local students through mentorship and community programs.

From an idea four years ago to a community cornerstone: the McKinney ISD Community Resource Fair just welcomed 1,200+ attendees on October 17, 2024! Join us in supporting our underserved families each October.

Get to know Wanda Johnson:

Wanda Harris Johnson was born & raised in Gary, Indiana as Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 were growing up on the other side of town. My journey started as a Purdue University graduate and moving to McKinney, Texas in 1989 after meeting my husband in Chicago then moving to Texas.

Two sets of twins later and a divorce in 2009 spun me into an unfamiliar space of depression and brokenness. As a single mom, I started a job as a substitute teacher in McKinney ISD and in 2011 was hired as a campus liaison for 2 middle school helping the homeless and underserved students and families. It was there that I found my passion for helping students who are thrust into a life of poverty. For the last 4 years, I work for the district identifying at-risk students and helping them through barriers in order to become successful adults.

Thank you for tuning in! If you’d like to connect with Wanda, you can find her on LinkedIn or email her at [e-mail].

Remember: when you cultivate thinking that matters, you can live a life, build a business, and make a difference that truly matters.

If you find value in this episode, please share it with someone who might benefit from Wanda’s story, and leave us a review. Your support helps us reach more listeners and inspire others to embrace Thinking That Matters.

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Meet Elizabeth Mahusay:

Elizabeth grew up a self-starter who as a young woman prided herself on her independence and self-sufficiency. She found herself challenged to develop deep and meaningful relationships because of her prideful “know-it-all” approach to life and work. She projected that she was perfect yet struggled to deal with failure, thoughts of insecurity, and the feeling of inadequacy. Through her study of the Bible, time as an entrepreneur, and the accountability of some great mentors Elizabeth, is a transformed woman. Today, she passionately invests her time helping others transform their thinking.

Elizabeth is author of the recently published Transform My Thinking, God study on the book of Philippians. She has published over 170 YouTube videos and hundreds of Facebook Live videos ranging from topics of business building, daily encouragement/motivation, inspiration, marriage, and Bible exposition.

Connect with Elizabeth:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabethbmahusay

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ebmahusay/

• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ElizabethMahusay

• Website: https://elizabethmahusay.com/