Influential Women Profiles LaToshia Cannon: Assistant Principal At Harriet Tubman Elementary School

WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, September 4, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Educational Leader, Foster Parent, and Advocate Champions Student Success, Family Engagement, and Youth Empowerment

LaToshia Cannon is an experienced educational leader, advocate, foster parent, and certified life coach whose more than two decades in education have been defined by service, relationship-building, and a deep commitment to helping children and families thrive. Through her work in school leadership, special education, foster care, and youth advocacy, she has developed a career centered on meeting people where they are, building trust, and creating opportunities for growth.

LaToshia earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Howard University, establishing an academic foundation in communication and special education. Early in her career, she transitioned from working as an educational aide into special education teaching, where she worked closely with students requiring individualized support. These early experiences strengthened her understanding of the unique academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs of children, particularly those considered at risk.

Today, LaToshia serves as an Assistant Principal at Harriet Tubman Elementary School in Washington, D.C. Her responsibilities focus heavily on instructional leadership, early childhood education, and special education support. Within a school community that includes a significant population of multilingual learners and families experiencing housing instability, she plays an important role in strengthening relationships between schools and families.

Her approach to educational leadership is grounded in trauma-informed care and culturally responsive practices. LaToshia works to help families understand the mental health and educational needs of their children while connecting parents with resources and encouraging them to advocate effectively. Rather than approaching families from a position of judgment, she emphasizes partnership and works to communicate that she is on their side, with the well-being and growth of their children as a shared priority.

For LaToshia, leadership is ultimately about people. While professional titles may define her responsibilities, she believes her ability to connect with others is what truly defines her work. She takes pride in showing up consistently, approaching difficult circumstances with empathy, and maintaining joy in the work of serving children and families.

Her commitment to young people extends well beyond the school environment. LaToshia is also a foster parent and certified life coach who is dedicated to supporting youth transitioning out of the foster care system. Her foster parenting journey began informally long before she became licensed in 2008, and since then, she has fostered teenagers and provided stability, guidance, and support to young people navigating complex circumstances.

Through foster parenting, LaToshia has gained a deeper appreciation for the importance of restoring dignity to children who may enter a home carrying experiences of trauma, instability, and loss. She believes every child deserves to be seen and valued as a whole person rather than being defined by their circumstances or experiences within the system. She also emphasizes honoring children’s family histories without judgment while helping them develop healthier futures grounded in healing and self-awareness.

Her philosophy is rooted in the belief that every child has a “superpower.” For LaToshia, part of the responsibility of adults is helping young people discover their strengths and potential, even when progress takes time. She recognizes that meaningful growth may require patience, repetition, consistency, and hard work, but she remains committed to walking alongside young people rather than attempting to “save” them.

LaToshia is also developing a book titled Dear Black Girl, You Are Normal, a project that reflects her commitment to identity, individuality, and empowerment. Through the work, she seeks to reinforce the importance of embracing who one is and challenging perceptions that can cause young women to question their identity or sense of belonging.

LaToshia attributes her success to resiliency, a willingness to learn, and an open-minded approach to challenges. She believes that when something does not work the first time, there is always a way to find another solution. Sometimes, that simply requires greater creativity. Positivity has also played an important role in helping her navigate difficult circumstances.

Perhaps most significantly, LaToshia credits the relationships and communities she has built throughout her career. She surrounds herself with strong professionals who have helped guide and support her along the way. She recognizes that she may not always know exactly what needs to be done, but with the right guidance, she is willing to learn and get the job done. These experiences have contributed to the development of the strong and resilient leader she is today.

One of the most valuable pieces of career advice LaToshia has received is that she does not have to fix everything. As someone who naturally wants to help others, she acknowledges that she once carried problems that were not hers to solve. Learning to establish healthy boundaries helped her understand that supporting others does not require overextending herself. Instead, effective support can mean listening, providing guidance, and allowing individuals the opportunity to grow through their own experiences.

That lesson has strengthened her leadership and helped her establish greater balance between her professional and personal life. It has also reinforced her understanding that sustainable service requires taking care of oneself while continuing to care for others.

For young women entering education, foster care, or related service professions, LaToshia’s message is straightforward: do not give up. She acknowledges that the work can be difficult, but believes it is deeply meaningful and worthwhile. She encourages young professionals to educate themselves about trauma and mental health so they can better understand the lived experiences of the children and families they serve.

She also cautions against viewing children as charity cases or individuals who need to be rescued. Instead, she believes young people need guidance, structure, love, resources, and consistent support while they develop their own strengths. At the same time, LaToshia emphasizes the importance of protecting one’s own mental health through therapy, support systems, or other healthy outlets. In her view, people cannot consistently pour into others if they are not taking care of themselves.

Within education, LaToshia recognizes that schools face significant challenges in meeting students’ increasingly diverse academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs while also supporting educator well-being. Multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and children affected by trauma or housing instability may require highly individualized support, while educators face increasing expectations and accountability.

Yet LaToshia also sees tremendous opportunity. Advances in instructional strategies, intervention, inclusive practices, data, and technology provide schools with more tools than ever to personalize learning and improve outcomes. She believes strong family partnerships and student-centered support are equally important components of successful education.

As a school leader, she is focused on building systems that empower teachers, strengthen collaboration, and ensure students receive the support necessary to thrive academically and socially. She believes that when schools create inclusive environments and invest in both educators and students, they can produce meaningful and lasting results.

At the foundation of LaToshia’s professional and personal life are service, integrity, trust, relationships, growth, and faith. She believes leadership means helping others reach their full potential and creating opportunities for success. Integrity and transparency guide her decisions, while trust and relationships allow her to create environments where people feel valued, heard, and supported.

Growth remains another central value. LaToshia is committed to continuous learning and self-improvement, viewing challenges as opportunities for development. Faith serves as her compass, guiding her to lead with compassion, humility, and purpose.

Across every dimension of her work, LaToshia Cannon remains focused on one overarching mission: serving others and helping young people and families build stronger, healthier, and more supported futures. Whether she is leading educators, advocating for families, caring for foster youth, or mentoring the next generation, she continues to demonstrate that meaningful leadership begins with empathy, trust, resilience, and a willingness to walk alongside others.

Learn More about LaToshia Cannon:

Through her Influential Women profile, https://influentialwomen.com/connect/LaToshia-Cannon

Influential Women

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