Category: Podcast

MTSS-tering the System: Rebecca Burton on Creating Agile Support Structures That Serve All Learners

Rebecca Burton, Deputy Superintendent for Special Education and Student Services at Lemon Grove School District, joins us to discuss her deeply personal ‘why’ for education and how it fuels her passion for creating inclusive and equitable learning systems. This episode explores the critical role of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) in supporting diverse student populations,…
Read more

Pioneering Pathways: Jeff Hadley on Innovative Inclusion Programs & Career Readiness for Students of All Abilities

Dr. Jeff Hadley is the Superintendent of Avonworth School District in PA, a district nationally recognized for its innovative and inclusive approach to education. Dr. Hadley shares how Avonworth champions every student’s growth through unique programs like unified sports, the JAMbethekindkid movement, and a student-run coffee shop. This episode explores Avonworth’s groundbreaking World of Work…
Read more

Small School, Big Impact: Chandler Cross’s Commandments of Culture and Secrets to Student & Staff Success

Chandler Cross is the Assistant Superintendent of Shenandoah School Corporation, a high-performing rural district in Indiana with graduation rates consistently near 99%. His approach is simple but powerful: build strong relationships, create intentional systems, and never lose sight of the student experience. In this episode, Chandler shares actionable strategies behind Shenandoah’s success, including collaborative team…
Read more

Going Viral: Dr. Georgeanne Warnock on Leadership in the Age of Social Media

Dr. Georgeanne Warnock, Superintendent of Terrell Independent School District, is a forward-thinking leader committed to strengthening public education through connection, courage, and innovation. Grounded in the belief that public schools are the foundation of thriving communities, she leads with both strategy and heart. In this episode, we explore transformational change in action – from implementing…
Read more

Architecting Impact: Lisa Hartman on Building Systems That Transcend Leaders

Lisa Hartman, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment at Lewis Central Community School District in Iowa, is a visionary leader driven by a deep commitment to human-centered educational change. Passionate about collaborative systems improvement, she works to advance structures that meaningfully support students, educators, and communities. In this episode, we explore systems change in action…
Read more

Growing Enrollment, Growing Excellence: How Kirk Koennecke Sustains a Top-Ranked District

Kirk Koennecke is the Superintendent of Indian Hill Schools in Cincinnati, Ohio—one of the state’s highest-performing public school districts. With nearly 30 years in public education and recognition as the 2023 Superintendent of the Year by the National Association of School Superintendents, Kirk shares how Indian Hill has built an intentional leadership pipeline, elevated student…
Read more

Screening for Success: Julie Schafer’s Unique Approaches to Dyslexia Screening and Student Well-Being Spaces

Julie Schafer serves as the principal of Early Elementary school in Early ISD in Texas. She is leading success in every child’s education by implementing early dyslexia screenings for dyslexia intervention and training programs. She fosters open communication and collaboration among educators to drive the best possible learning outcomes.   Listen to our podcast with…
Read more

Failing Forward: How Steve Iglesias Builds Future-Ready Schools that Prepare Students for the Unknown

Steve Iglesias is the Chief Innovation Officer at Mater Brickell Academy in Miami, Florida. A former baseball coach turned educational innovator, Steve builds tech- and entrepreneurship-focused programs that expose every student to real-world tools and emerging fields. Grounded in his belief in “failing forward,” he designs learning experiences that prioritize resilience, problem-solving, and purpose over…
Read more

Creating Direction and Opportunity: Jeffrey D Hartmann’s Vision for Student-Centered Education

Jeffrey D. Hartmann, superintendent of Galion City Schools in Ohio, draws on his international experience to highlight the importance of establishing common direction among teachers and administrators as the foundation for effective learning. He prioritizes student-centered decision-making to ensure every child’s education is meaningfully impacted. Listen to our podcast with Jeffrey to learn more about…
Read more

From the Field to the Classroom: Bryan Ballenger’s Lessons in Leadership and Inclusion

Bryan Ballenger serves as the Superintendent of the Gustine Unified School District. Through his focus on innovative instructional practices, Bryan ensures that all students have access to equitable learning opportunities. By emphasizing teacher voice, emotional growth, and progress monitoring, he’s helping redefine how success is measured in schools.  Listen to our podcast with Bryan to…
Read more