Telling Our Leadership Stories: Autoethnography Through Learning Stories
Presented by Dr. Annie White, Sunny Randel, & Keli Redd
Virtual Exclusive Presentation
AM Workshop: 10:30–11:45 AM PT
This presentation shares the experience of using Learning Stories as an authentic assessment in a doctoral educational leadership program through the creation of autoethnographic digital stories. Dr. Annie White will introduce the purpose and design of the Learning Story assessment and its role in fostering reflection, identity development, and educational leadership.
Presenters Kelli and Sunny Randel will share excerpts from their autoethnographic videos and reflect on the personal and professional impact of creating and sharing their Learning Stories. Together, they will discuss how the process deepened self-awareness, strengthened relationships within their doctoral cohort, fostered empathy across diverse lived experiences, and transformed their understanding of leadership.
The session will include a multimedia presentation featuring video excerpts and a slide deck, followed by small-group discussion using guided reflection questions and a facilitated whole-group debrief.. Participants will have the opportunity to consider how Learning Stories can cultivate belonging, strengthen professional communities, and serve as a meaningful assessment that honors identity, lived experience, and leadership development.
Dr. Annie White
Dr. Annie White is an Associate Professor of Early Childhood Studies at California State University Channel Islands. With extensive experience in Head Start, higher education, and workforce development, she is a passionate advocate for infant, toddler, preschool, and family child care educators. Her teaching and research center on Learning Stories as a transformative approach to authentic assessment, family engagement, and educator reflection. Dr. White has conducted research across diverse early childhood settings, influencing assessment practices and policy in California. A lifelong learner, she has participated in international study tours, including New Zealand, and holds a doctorate in Leadership in Education from UC Davis and Sonoma State University.
Sunny Randel
Sunny Randel lives in San Diego County and has dedicated her career to supporting students through special education and educational leadership. She currently serves as an Instructional Coach for a large virtual school, where she partners with educators to improve instructional practices and student outcomes. Sunny earned her Master's degree in Education from the University of Southern California (USC) and is passionate about promoting equitable learning opportunities for all students.
Keli Redd
Keli Redd is an experienced secondary educator and researcher dedicated to improving literacy instruction for P–12 students. With 18 years of high school teaching experience, her research focuses on instructional practices that support literacy outcomes for African American males in secondary classrooms. As both a classroom teacher and scholar, Keli hopes to explore bridging the gap between educational research and daily instructional practice. She looks forward to collaborating with peers and faculty at Cal State University at Channel Islands to advance equitable, evidence-based practices that inspire first-generation and continuing-generation students to pursue higher education.