In this episode, host Doug Roberts sits down with Dr. Melissa Dandy Walker, a digital learning specialist with Atlanta Public Schools, to explore the power of community, mentorship, and innovation in education. Melissa shares insights into her unique role supporting instructional technology bridging math education with digital tools and her creative approach to leadership. From launching initiatives like the district-wide Technology Innovation Competition to expanding opportunities for students ...
Jul 01, 2025•19 min•Season 6Ep. 4
In this episode of Stories from the Field, host Doug Roberts sits down with Dr. Devon Horton, Superintendent of DeKalb County Schools in Georgia, for a powerful conversation about transforming district culture, empowering educators, and creating systems that truly support students. Dr. Horton unpacks “H-PRIDE,” his district-wide framework centered on Humanization, Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Dignity, and Empathy. More than just a slogan, H-PRIDE is DeKalb’s cultural blueprint, redefinin...
Jun 24, 2025•18 min•Season 6Ep. 5
In this episode of Stories from the Field, host Doug Roberts sits down with longtime II superintendent member and author Dr. PJ Caposey , superintendent of both Meridian and Oregon school districts in Illinois. This candid conversation pulls back the curtain on what it really means to lead boldly, mentor intentionally, and manage the complexities of public education without losing yourself in the process. Caposey shares what it’s been like managing two very different districts at once, navigatin...
Jun 17, 2025•19 min•Season 6Ep. 4
In this episode, host Doug sits down with Dr. Frankie Pollock Jr., soon to earn his doctorate and currently serving as Senior Executive Director at Houston ISD in Texas. Together, they explore Dr. Frankie's groundbreaking research on the retention of Black male educators in urban school districts, the critical role of representation for all student groups, and what it takes to recruit and retain diverse talent in the classroom and beyond. Dr. Frankie Pollock Jr. shares powerful stories from his ...
Jun 10, 2025•21 min•Season 6Ep. 5
In this episode, host Doug sits down with Dr. Jermaine Dawson, Deputy Superintendent for Academic Services at the School District of Philadelphia. Together, they dive into the remarkable progress happening in Philly’s public schools under the leadership of Superintendent Dr. Tony B. Watlington, Sr. and the ambitious “Accelerate Philly” plan. Dr. Dawson shares firsthand insights on rising enrollment numbers, improved graduation rates, and the innovative strategies being used to support all learne...
Jun 03, 2025•26 min•Season 6Ep. 7
In this episode of Stories from the Field, host Doug Roberts is joined by Iranetta Wright, Superintendent Emeritus of Cincinnati Public Schools and founder of The Wright Way Leadership Group. This no-fluff, all-substance conversation covers what it takes to drive student outcomes and sustain yourself as a leader in today’s educational landscape. Wright shares how her tenure in Cincinnati defied the norms: leading the district to its best academic outcomes in over 15 years and outperforming peer ...
May 21, 2025•21 min•Season 6Ep. 1
In Season 5, Episode 9, of “Stories from the Field: The Superintendent Podcast,” Doug Roberts, the CEO & Founder of Institute for Education Innovation visits Dr. Alex Marrero, Superintendent of Denver Public Schools, to discuss tough decisions and how community connections enhance the coming-together of Denver for addressing the Whole Child and Social Emotional Learning.
Nov 08, 2023•46 min•Season 1Ep. 9
In Season 5, Episode 8, of “Stories from the Field: The Superintendent Podcast,” Doug Roberts, the CEO & Founder of Institute for Education Innovation visits Dr. Alex Marrero, Superintendent of Denver Public Schools, to have tough conversations about being a strong district leader looking out for his students and the Denver community, while maintaining equity and considering safety.
Nov 08, 2023•36 min•Season 5Ep. 8
In Season 5, Episode 7, of “Stories from the Field: The Superintendent Podcast,” Doug Roberts, the CEO & Founder of Institute for Education Innovation, visits Dr. Alex Marrero, Superintendent of Denver Public Schools, to discuss how safety and security are paramount in today’s school communities. Doug and Dr. Marrero review how difficult conversations must be had to invoke change while always considering equity.
Nov 08, 2023•38 min•Season 5Ep. 7
In this episode of, “Stories from the Field: The Superintendent Podcast,” Melissa Crawl, Member Success Manager and Sara Croll, Vice President of Institute for Education Innovation, discuss the behind-the-scenes of being a superhero superintendent and leaving a legacy of change for their respective school districts. Melissa interviews Dr. April Grace, Superintendent Tom Burton, and Superintendent James Grossane, while Sara interviews Dr. Tim Mitchell about how leadership always matters, and all ...
Oct 27, 2023•38 min•Season 1Ep. 4
In this episode of Stories from the Field: The Superintendent Podcast, Doug Roberts, Founder and CEO of the Institute for Education Innovation, visits Dr. Mark Bedell, Superintendent of Anne Arundel County Public Schools in Annapolis, Maryland, to hear how a Flag Policy turns into building better relationships in the district and community.
Sep 08, 2023•40 min•Season 5Ep. 2
In this episode of Stories from the Field: The Superintendent Podcast, Doug Roberts, Founder and CEO of the Institute for Education Innovation, visits Dr. Mark Bedell, Superintendent of Anne Arundel County Public Schools in Annapolis, Maryland, to hear how a Flag Policy turns into building better relationships in the district and community.
Sep 08, 2023•33 min•Season 5Ep. 1
In this episode of Stories from the Field: The Superintendent Podcast, Sara Croll, Vice President of the Institute for Education, visits Dr. Quintin Shepherd, Superintendent of Victoria Independent School District in Victoria, Texas, to hear how a disaster and a meeting called the breakfast bunch created an opportunity for the school district to be champions of equity.
Sep 08, 2023•29 min•Season 5Ep. 3
In this episode of Stories from the Field: The Superintendent Podcast, Sara Croll, Vice President of the Institute for Education Innovation, visits Dr. Quintin Shepherd, Superintendent of Victoria Independent School District in Victoria, Texas, to hear how a disaster and a meeting called the breakfast bunch created an opportunity for the school district to be champions of equity.
Sep 08, 2023•29 min•Season 5Ep. 2
In this episode of Stories from the Field: The Superintendent Podcast, Sara Croll, Vice President of the Institute for Education, visits Dr. Quintin Shepherd, Superintendent of Victoria Independent School District in Victoria, Texas, to hear how a disaster and the breakfast bunch created an opportunity for the school district to be champions of equity.
Sep 08, 2023•32 min•Season 5Ep. 1
Jess Gartner, CEO of Allovue, and Doug Roberts, CEO, and Founder of the Institute for Education Innovation, discuss Ed Finance.
Sep 13, 2022•45 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Dr. Gina Cinotti, Superintendent at Saddle River Public Schools, and James Tager, Superintendent at Bangor Public Schools, discuss returning to school in the 2022-2023 school with Doug Roberts, CEO of the Institute for Education Innovation.
Sep 06, 2022•33 min•Season 4Ep. 2
US Secretary of Education, Dr. Miguel Cardona, sits down with Mark Benigni, Superintendent at Meriden Public Schools, on July 13th, 2022 for a fireside chat at the Institute for Education Innovation's Summer Symposium in Newport, RI. Doug Roberts, CEO and Founder of IEI, moderates a QA between IEI members and Dr. Cardona.
Aug 30, 2022•36 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Dwight Jones, former Superintendent of Clark County School District, and Stephen Murley, former Superintendent of Green Bay Area Public School District, sits down with IEI CEO/Founder Doug Roberts to reflect on the end of the 2022-2023 school year and their thoughts on retiring from the Superintendency. This episode is our last of Season 3; Season 4 will begin on August 2nd, 2022.
Jun 30, 2022•43 min•Season 3Ep. 29
Kaya Henderson, CEO of Reconstruction and former Chancellor of the District of Columbia Public Schools, joins IEI CEO/Founder Doug Roberts to discuss her tenure in the DC public school system and her new edtech company, Reconstruction. Reconstruction, a technology company offering K-12 supplemental curriculum, offers a selection of online courses in educational subjects that center on Black contributions to our national and global society.
Jun 28, 2022•46 min•Season 3Ep. 28
Dr. Luvelle Brown, superintendent of Ithaca CSD (NY) joins Doug with co-panelists Dr. Gustavo Balderas of Beaverton Public Schools (OR) and Traci Davis (Superintendent Emeritus from Nevada) to preview the discussions they will lead, along with their colleague, Dr. Mark Bedell of Anne Arundel County Public Schools (MD), at IEI's "Creating Leaders for Equity and Inclusion" summit in Ithaca, NY July 22-24. Registration for educators is at capacity, but listeners can get on the waitlist for free. Th...
Jun 17, 2022•31 min•Season 3Ep. 27
In this episode of Education Thought Leaders, IEI's CEO, Doug Roberts, is joined by Adam Phyall, Director of Technology and Media Services; Carl Hooker, CEO of Hooker Tech; and Kevin Hogan, host of The Hogan Report as they discuss the benefits of emerging technology due to the pandemic and more.
Jun 14, 2022•53 min•Season 3Ep. 26
In this episode of Education Thought Leaders, IEI's Director of Partner Relations, Tiffany Law, speaks with the Superintendent at Port Chester Schools, Dr. Aurelia Henriquez, and the Assistant Superintendent at Cambridge Public Schools, Dr. Barbara Mullen to discuss the struggles and successes of women in leadership roles. This special episode is a preview of IEI's upcoming Women in Leadership Workshop on Long Island, New York. You don't have to be a woman to benefit from the conversation. Liste...
Jun 07, 2022•44 min•Season 3Ep. 25
In this episode of IEI Thought Leaders, CEOs, Toni Shub of QoreInsights, Linsey Covert of Teamology, and Kimberly Moore of Go Together, join Doug Roberts, CEO of IEI, and Jim McVety, founding member at Spark, to discuss their experience as first-time attendees at an IEI summit. Curious about what one of IEI's events is like? Listen to the episode to find out!
May 24, 2022•51 min•Season 3Ep. 24
In this episode of Education Thought Leaders, Doug connects with his long-time friend and CEO of Open Up Resources and Ignite! Reading, Jessica Reid Sliwerski. Listen to the episode to find out how Jessica started and manages two highly successful companies and how she balances it all. Learn more about Open Up Resources here . Learn more about Ignite! Reading here .
May 09, 2022•56 min•Season 3Ep. 23
In this episode of Education Thought Leaders, Doug Roberts speaks with three current students of the IEI:Lead Aspiring Superintendent Institute and asks them about their experience as aspiring superintendents. Dr. Barbara Mullen, Lindsay Stewart, and Darian Byrd recently attended the Spring Cohort's culminating event on Coronado Island, San Diego where they met their instructors in person and participated in instructional sessions and mock interviews. Listen now to hear about their experience!...
May 03, 2022•34 min•Season 3Ep. 22
This is a special episode of our 5 Minutes of Fame segment during our Spring 2022 Summit on Coronado Island. Eight incredible superintendents take the stage to tell us about lessons they have learned and the achievements they are most proud of. Listen to hear what these superintendents have to say.
Apr 26, 2022•57 min•Season 1Ep. 18
The IEI Family gets together to discuss their time at the ASU + GSV Summit in San Diego on April 4-6. Find out what the team has to say about their time at the summit, the trends they noticed, and Doug's excitement about Byrds.
Apr 19, 2022•41 min•Season 1Ep. 18
A round robin "group keynote" from IEI superintendents telling great stories about the work they've done this year to the assembled IEI Spring Superintendent Summit in Colorado Springs. In this episode, you'll hear from: Dr. Dwight Jones, Denver Public Schools, CO Mr. Ken Dyer, Dougherty County Schools, GA Mr. Todd Dugan, Bunker Hill CUSD, IL Dr. Shanna Downs, Gilmer County Schools, GA Dr. Tim Mitchell, Riverside CUSD, IA Mr. Mike Daria, Tuscaloosa Public Schools, AL Mr. Dan Cox, Rochester Publi...
Apr 14, 2022•53 min•Season 2Ep. 20
IEI CEO, Doug Roberts is back on this episode of IEI Thought Leaders where he is joined by Dr. Danny Merck of Pickens County School District in South Carolina and Dr. Kari Kumpulainen of the University of Oulu in Finland. Listen here to learn more about the Finnish Method and how it found its way into the Pickens County School District.
Apr 06, 2022•33 min•Season 1Ep. 18
