La Manda Broyles

Age: 32
Principal
Shaner Early Learning Academy

La Manda Broyles knows how to persevere and lead through good times and bad. She leads educators and young minds at USD 501’s new Shaner Early Learning Academy. La Manda is the former principal of State Street Elementary where she oversaw a staff of 100 and nearly 500 students. La Manda’s main priorities are to love, lead and learn.

La Manda is also dedicated to her husband’s nonprofit organization, Foster the Cause, which focuses on recruiting, training and supporting foster families. When she isn’t planning informational meetings and support groups, she is a leader at Topeka Bible Church’s ladies “IF Group.”

“I know that in order to make an impact on those around me, I must be willing to serve in whatever capacity meets the need that is presented.”

What is the most important characteristic that every leader should possess?
A servant’s heart. Sometimes, serving means doing, while other times it means listening and planning. At the end of the day, the team must know that their leader will do whatever job or task needs to be done and that their leader will always serve the needs of others before themselves.

What do you hope your legacy will be?
I want my legacy to consist of 6 words: La Manda shined the love of Christ.

What is your motivation?
My motivation is children. I tell everyone that I have two biological children and currently 103 by choice. Our children are the future! They deserve to blossom in an environment where they are loved, shown how much they matter, and given a solid educational foundation that will allow them to pursue their strengths and learn from their weaknesses.