Summary: Dr. Jim discusses educational transformation with Dr. Bobbie Trevino Superintendent of Zapata County Independent School District. Explore how a district challenged by socioeconomic hurdles is fostering opportunities through education. Learn about initiatives that align curriculum, boost parent and student engagement, and empower local leadership. Trevino highlights the importance of student voice and community involvement in reshaping learning environments. This conversation offers insi...
Feb 04, 2025•39 min•Season 5Ep. 357
Summary: Join Dr. Jim and Dr. Donna DeSiato, Superintendent of East Syracuse Minoa Central School District, as they explore the creation of 21st-century schools tailored for a future workforce. Discover how strategic planning, innovation, and business partnerships are reshaping education with hands-on, experiential learning pathways in aviation, STEM, and financial literacy. Learn how Dr. DeSiato's district achieves impressive graduation rates through continuous improvement and community engagem...
Jan 31, 2025•36 min•Season 5Ep. 356
Summary: Dr. Jim is joined by Michael Cornell, Superintendent of Hamburg Central School District, to explore how prioritizing mental health can transform educational outcomes. Discussing Hamburg's groundbreaking initiative, Cornell shares the journey of transitioning focus from academic metrics to student well-being. By training all staff in youth mental health first aid, the district aims to recognize and address students' emotional needs. The episode delves into the importance of commitment ov...
Jan 31, 2025•30 min•Season 5Ep. 355
Summary: Superintendent Dr. Ryan Krohn shares how he transformed the struggling Palmyra-Eagle Area School District, focusing on community integration and sustainable practices. Discover how he engaged local businesses, leveraged grants, and applied design thinking to redefine district service offerings. Dr. Krohn discusses his leadership philosophy of ownership, agency, and responsibility, while emphasizing long-term solutions over short-term fixes. Explore how his innovative approach has driven...
Jan 30, 2025•37 min•Season 5Ep. 352
Join host CT and Dr. Ed Manansala, County Superintendent of El Dorado County, California, as they discuss transformative leadership in education. Dr. Manansala shares his strategies for fostering collaboration, driving systemic change, and empowering student voices. Learn how his data-driven approach and focus on resilient systems are helping to tackle challenges like chronic absenteeism. This conversation offers practical insights for leaders looking to create inclusive, adaptive environments t...
Jan 30, 2025•40 min•Season 5Ep. 353
Join host CT and Scott Kilgore, superintendent of Ingleside ISD, as they explore how leadership and systems thinking are transforming rural education. Scott shares his journey from teacher to superintendent, offering insights on building a collaborative, student-centered culture. Learn how he's addressing bilingual education challenges, integrating career pathways, and fostering community ties. This conversation offers valuable strategies for educational leaders looking to drive positive change ...
Jan 30, 2025•38 min•Season 5Ep. 354
Summary: Join Dr. Jim and guest Adam Magliari, superintendent of Mediapolis Community School District, as they dig into transforming small, rural school districts through systems thinking. Explore strategies for reducing burnout, boosting retention, and fostering leadership within tight-knit educational communities. Discover how Adam's experiences in Illinois and Iowa shaped his approach to building collaborative, goal-oriented teams and improving educational outcomes. This insightful conversati...
Jan 28, 2025•35 min•Season 5Ep. 351
Join CT as he talks with Dr. Trevor Greene, Superintendent of Yakima School District, about his unique approach to leadership and student empowerment. Dr. Greene discusses how he’s building a community-focused district by prioritizing student voice, fostering inclusivity, and creating pathways for real-world success. With initiatives like dual language programs, student-led policy-making, and strong community partnerships, Dr. Greene is reshaping education to ensure every student feels supported...
Jan 23, 2025•43 min•Season 5Ep. 350
Summary: Dr. Jim chats with Dr. Jeff Gorman, interim superintendent in Robbinsville, NJ, to explore the nuances of educational leadership and organizational transformation. With three decades in education, Dr. Gorman shares insights on fostering trust, dismantling silos, and leveraging talent to drive academic success. The discussion highlights the importance of consistent leadership, clear communication, and the impact of past educational frameworks. Listeners will gain valuable perspectives on...
Jan 23, 2025•43 min•Season 5Ep. 349
Summary: Join Dr. Jim as he hosts Jennifer Brown, Superintendent of Cadillac Area Public Schools, for a conversation on transforming a rural district in Northern Michigan into a future-ready educational environment. Discover how a failed referendum acted as a catalyst for change, leading to improved infrastructure, enhanced programming, and strong community and business partnerships. Jennifer shares insights into leadership transitions, the importance of communication, and balancing hands-on and...
Jan 22, 2025•31 min•Season 5Ep. 348
Summary: Join Dr. Jim and Dr. Jill Ries as they explore effective communication strategies in small organizations. Dr. Ries, a seasoned educator and superintendent, shares insights on fostering transparency, building relationships, and applying the ladder of inference in decision-making. Discover how open dialogue and strategic planning can bridge execution gaps and enhance team collaboration. Learn practical steps for reshaping communication cultures, even in tight-knit settings, to boost stude...
Jan 21, 2025•32 min•Season 5Ep. 347
Summary: Dr. Jim explores financial turnaround strategies for school districts with declining enrollment alongside expert Doug Gee. With insights from Gee’s extensive experience, listeners learn about successful approaches to rebuilding community trust, enhancing student programs, and managing school finances effectively. Gee shares how relationship building, transparency, and strategic innovation — including introducing impactful programs like Project Lead the Way and AG/FFA — can transform and...
Jan 17, 2025•33 min•Season 5Ep. 346
Summary: Join CT as he engages with Dr. Daniel McGarry, Superintendent of Upper Darby School District, to discuss the impact of hands-on leadership in fostering an inclusive and thriving educational community. Dr. McGarry shares his inspiring journey from student to superintendent, emphasizing the importance of empathy, mentorship, and building authentic connections within a diverse district. Learn how he cultivates leadership from within, addresses challenges with collaboration, and creates opp...
Jan 16, 2025•43 min•Season 5Ep. 345
Summary: Join Dr. Jim as he explores the essential topic of preparing students for the future world of work with Dr. Justin Terry, Superintendent of Forney ISD. With insights into innovative educational approaches and facility design, Dr. Terry shares how his district integrates career, college, and community learning. Discover how fluid organizational structures and strategic community partnerships can transform education, driving student success beyond traditional metrics. Whether you're an ed...
Jan 15, 2025•34 min•Season 5Ep. 344
Summary: Join Dr. Jim as he explores the transformative power of AI in the K-12 education space with Dr. Brian Graham, Superintendent of Grand Island Central School District. Discover how AI tools are reshaping learning by enhancing critical thinking, reducing teacher workload through differentiated instruction, and overcoming challenges of integration in education. Dr. Graham shares insights on leveraging AI for improved student outcomes and maintaining educational integrity, even amidst change...
Jan 14, 2025•47 min•Season 5Ep. 343
Summary: Explore the transformative leadership journey of Mika Salas, superintendent of Carbon School District, as she discusses vital community roles beyond academic education. With Dr. Jim, Mika highlights strategies for building robust district cultures, prioritizing student well-being, and fostering collective teacher efficacy. Discover how innovative community partnerships and resource allocation can drive student success, especially in rural areas facing economic challenges. This episode u...
Jan 10, 2025•36 min•Season 5Ep. 342
Join CT as he chats with Dr. Ryan Saxe, Superintendent of Berkeley County Schools, about building a thriving school district. Dr. Saxe shares his vision for blending trust, innovation, and personalized learning to create a vibrant educational environment. Explore how he’s reshaping education with workforce development programs, leadership initiatives, and a focus on real-world readiness. Perfect for leaders seeking practical strategies to drive growth and engagement in schools. Key Takeaways: Cu...
Jan 09, 2025•38 min•Season 5Ep. 341
Summary: Join Dr. Jim and Glenn Robbins, Superintendent of Brigantine Public School District, as they chat about innovative strategies for integrating schools and communities. Discover how Robbins navigates challenges like declining enrollment and the pandemic to build successful school-business partnerships. Learn about the impactful Mr. Rogers project, where students enhance local businesses' digital presence and gain real-world skills. This conversation highlights the importance of practical ...
Jan 08, 2025•33 min•Season 5Ep. 340
Summary: Join Dr. Jim as he digs into leadership insights with Antonio Santana, Superintendent of the South Country Central School District. Discover how Antonio's immigrant background and diverse career path shaped his leadership approach, emphasizing community collaboration, equity, and high expectations. Explore his strategies for building unity in a socioeconomically diverse district and fostering transformative change. Antonio shares his journey of listening and engaging with various stakeh...
Jan 07, 2025•40 min•Season 5Ep. 339
Join CT as he chats with Superintendent Michael Laub about fostering trust, connection, and engagement at North Royalton City Schools. Discover how the district creates belonging through intentional culture-building, celebrating successes, and encouraging extracurricular involvement. Also listen to strategies for nurturing leadership with tools like 360 feedback and Clifton Strengths, creating a collaborative and inclusive environment. Perfect for leaders looking to inspire growth and connection...
Jan 03, 2025•43 min•Season 4Ep. 338
Summary: Join Dr. Jim as he speaks with Chad Lewis, superintendent of Sycamore Community Schools, about the transformative journey from good to great, and then to elite. Discover how Chad navigates challenges of alignment, fostering relationships, and promoting innovative thinking across a high-performing district. Learn insights into establishing trust, handling productive conflict, and refining curriculum and culture. This engaging discussion offers actionable strategies for educational leader...
Dec 31, 2024•38 min•Season 4Ep. 336
Summary: Dr. Jim chats with Dr. Anna Alvarado to delve into her transformative journey from Chicago Public Schools to the rural-suburban Freeport School District. With over 35 years in education, Dr. Alvarado shares insights on aligning mission with action, fostering community engagement, and simplifying strategic priorities to drive academic excellence. Learn how she navigates leadership transitions, leverages key strategies for successful execution, and maintains flexibility in educational env...
Dec 31, 2024•36 min•Season 4Ep. 337
Summary: Dr. Jim explores talent attraction and retention strategies in rural K-12 districts with superintendent Deron Stender. With 33 years in education, Deron discusses creative solutions to staffing challenges, emphasizing the importance of mission alignment, cultural fit, and proactive planning. Highlighting Creston’s Learn and Earn program, he shares insights on building a strong educator pipeline despite budget constraints and geographic limitations. The episode emphasizes leveraging comm...
Dec 30, 2024•36 min•Season 4Ep. 335
Summary: Join Dr. Jim as he discusses the critical factors influencing educator retention with Ben Kirby, Superintendent of Forest Hills Public School District. Explore Ben's insights on fostering relationships, addressing onboarding challenges, and ensuring a supportive environment to retain educators beyond the pivotal first three years. Discover how effective leadership, safety measures, and celebrating successes contribute to a thriving educational community. With decades of experience in ed...
Dec 30, 2024•37 min•Season 4Ep. 334
Summary: Dr. Jim hosts Jeff Harrison, Superintendent of Brecksville Broadview Heights City Schools, to discuss overcoming chaos in leadership. Jeff shares his journey from athletic director to superintendent, emphasizing the importance of conflict management and active listening. He navigates challenges like the COVID-19 school reopening and teacher contract negotiations by fostering trust and psychological safety within teams. Listeners will gain insights into effective leadership strategies, i...
Dec 27, 2024•34 min•Season 4Ep. 333
Join CT as he dives into the world of data-driven leadership with Professor Timothy Drake, Associate Professor of Education Leadership and Policy at North Carolina State University. Discover how school leaders can transform overwhelming data into actionable insights that foster growth, inclusivity, and success. Timothy shares his proven framework for developing a data-informed mindset, honing data skills, and cultivating a data-driven culture within schools. This episode explores balancing intui...
Dec 26, 2024•36 min•Season 4Ep. 332
Summary: Join Dr. Jim as he chats about building a thriving school culture with Chris Piper, Superintendent of Troy City Schools. Discover how Chris transformed a status quo-focused environment into a vibrant, purposeful educational landscape. Chris shares insights from his strategic plan, emphasizing collaboration, intentional culture-building, and defining specific behaviors to enliven core principles. This episode digs into engaging leadership techniques and how fostering an environment of fu...
Dec 24, 2024•30 min•Season 4Ep. 331
Summary: Join Dr. Jim and Mike Molnar, Superintendent of Amherst Exempted Village School District, as they explore the balance between emergency response and addressing root causes. Learn how Mike's leadership journey, from a young principal to superintendent, is revolutionizing his district with a focus on servant leadership, structured organization, and strategic planning. Discover the impact of role clarity and shared vision on academic and community success, and how these principles can tran...
Dec 19, 2024•35 min•Season 4Ep. 330
Join CT and Dr. George Philhower, Superintendent of Eastern Hancock Schools, as they explore the transformative approach to education focused on four core promises: joy, connection, growth, and success. Dr. Philhower shares insights from his career, highlighting how Eastern Hancock Schools creates an environment where both students and educators thrive. Discover the district’s innovative programs, such as work-based learning, and how reimagining teacher evaluations prioritizes professional devel...
Dec 19, 2024•40 min•Season 4Ep. 329
Summary: Ken Crawford, an experienced superintendent overseeing two Iowa school districts, shares his strategies for managing the complexities of leading multiple districts. Ken discusses how he balances high energy with the practicalities of overseeing varied needs, from facilities to culture, in both urban and rural settings. He underscores the importance of clear role definitions, strong relationships, meticulous organization, and strategic planning. Discover Ken's actionable insights and the...
Dec 18, 2024•31 min•Season 4Ep. 328