Summary: Join Dr. Jim as he chats with Dr. Shaun McAlpin, superintendent of Orange Field ISD, about navigating leadership transitions. Drawing on 25 years of experience in the district, Dr. McAlpin shares insights on effective team alignment, gaining trust, and refining communication strategies within a close-knit educational community. Discover how to avoid the pitfalls of autopilot leadership and the importance of reflecting on personal leadership dynamics to drive transformation. Perfect for ...
Apr 09, 2025•36 min•Season 5Ep. 386
Summary: Join C.T. and guest Dr. Jill Gildea, CEO of Colorado Early Colleges, as they explore the transition from a traditional public school system to a charter network and the unique challenges and opportunities of leading a state-wide charter network. This insightful conversation delves into the network's focus on rigorous academics, personalized pathways, and student success stories, enabling students to graduate with industry credentials, associate degrees, and even bachelor's degrees—all a...
Apr 03, 2025•37 min•Season 5Ep. 385
Summary: Join C.T. and guest Dr. Derek Fialkiewicz Superintendent of Corbett School District in Oregon, as they explore the innovative approaches that have made Corbett a model for educational excellence. This insightful conversation delves into the district's use of multi-age classrooms, a four-day school week, and a no-grades policy for K-8 students. Key Takeaways: Multi-Age Classrooms: Corbett uses multi-age classrooms, where students of different ages learn together. This fosters mentorship ...
Mar 27, 2025•41 min•Season 5Ep. 384
Summary: Join C.T. and guest Dr. Michael Cardona, Superintendent of San Marcos CISD, as they delve into the critical importance of social-emotional learning and mental health in schools. This insightful conversation explores how San Marcos CISD addresses these challenges, particularly in the context of a rapidly growing and mobile community. Key Takeaways: Prioritizing Mental Health: Dr. Cardona emphasizes that students need to be mentally sound before they can be academically sound. This approa...
Mar 21, 2025•40 min•Season 5Ep. 383
Summary: Join Dr. Jim and Michael Ben-David, superintendent of Tenafly Public Schools, as they unpack the journey from good to great in K-12 education through systematized approaches. Discover how a focus on organizational clarity, role definition, and accountability can transform educational outcomes. With insights drawn from Michael's transition from law to education, the discussion delves into managing technology spend, aligning district priorities, and fostering an environment of engagement ...
Mar 18, 2025•39 min•Season 5Ep. 382
Summary: Dr. Jim chats with Adam Bisenius, superintendent of Galva Holstein and Shaylor Cressland Community School Districts in Iowa, to explore strategies for building a talent pipeline in rural education. They discuss the unique challenges faced by rural districts, emphasizing early recruitment from local colleges, leveraging community ties, and fostering a supportive school culture. Adam shares insights from his career in educational leadership and college coaching, underscoring the importanc...
Mar 13, 2025•30 min•Season 5Ep. 381
Summary: Join CT and guest Dr. Jennifer Root, Superintendent of Menifee Union School District, as they explore how her district is living up to its vision of "engaging young minds for limitless futures." This insightful conversation delves into building job-specific pathways for TK-8 students and developing soft skills (or core skills) to prepare them for high school, college, and beyond. Key Takeaways: "Engaging Young Minds": The district focuses on engaging students and preparing them for an u...
Mar 13, 2025•39 min•Season 5Ep. 383
Summary: Join C.T. and guest Michael Lamb, Superintendent of Little Elm Independent School District in Texas, as they explore the strategies behind running a school district with "straight A's." In this engaging conversation, Michael shares insights into managing growth, fostering relationships, and balancing quantitative rigor with human connection. Key Takeaways: "Straight A's" Philosophy (Simplified): Focus on Athletics, Arts, Academics, and Acquired Skills (CTE). Data-Driven (Concise): 50 me...
Mar 13, 2025•34 min•Season 5Ep. 382
Summary: Explore the inspiring story of transforming a struggling K-12 district with Dr. Jim and his guest, Justin Wagner, superintendent of the Woodbine Community School District. Discover how Justin's innovative and disruptive strategies, grounded in military structure and community engagement, led to a dramatic turnaround. Learn about the pivotal roles of public-private partnerships, community involvement, and adaptive education models in fostering personalized learning experiences. This epis...
Mar 07, 2025•38 min•Season 5Ep. 380
Summary: Dr. Jim chats with Dr. Marc Baiocco, superintendent at Clarkstown Central School District, to explore innovative education strategies for the 21st century. They dig into building learning ecosystems emphasizing global perspectives, financial literacy, and technology integration. Dr. Baiocco shares insights on overcoming technology challenges, fostering global connections, and preparing students for future work environments. Learn about creating programs that adapt over time and aligning...
Mar 06, 2025•39 min•Season 5Ep. 378
Summary: Join Dr. Jim as he chats with Dr. Aaron Pena, Superintendent of Burnett Consolidated Independent School District. Explore the challenges and insights involved in transitioning to a superintendent role, emphasizing the necessity of delegating responsibilities for organizational growth. Dr. Pena shares his experiences of aligning district priorities with board and community interests while mentoring his cabinet for future success. Gain invaluable perspectives on maintaining strategic focu...
Mar 06, 2025•33 min•Season 5Ep. 379
Summary: Join C.T. and guest Dr. Cara Malone, Chief of Schools for Hutto Independent School District (ISD) in Texas, as they delve into tackling the teacher shortage with an innovative apprenticeship program. Explore strategies for cultivating future teachers from within the community, providing employment, support in higher education, and practical skills training. Discover how Hutto ISD's approach fosters a sustainable pipeline of qualified teachers and addresses the challenges of a fast-growi...
Mar 06, 2025•40 min•Season 5Ep. 376
Summary: Join C.T. and guest Dr. Brad Hunt, Superintendent of Coppell ISD, as they explore connecting with over 13,000 students and fostering strong relationships. Explore strategies for staying close to students, hearing their voices, and building engagement through various communication channels. Discover how Dr. Hunt uses student advisory groups, Zoom calls, social media, and the "I Lead" leadership program to connect with students and gather valuable feedback. This insightful conversation of...
Mar 06, 2025•36 min•Season 5Ep. 377
Summary: Explore the vital role of economic development in enhancing district performance as Dr. Jim discusses with Dr. Kathy Dinger, a seasoned school superintendent. Kathy shares her journey from affluent to challenging districts and the impactful strategies that foster community and business support. Learn how breaking down silos and forming partnerships with local businesses can drive educational success. Discover the benefits of integrating economic development into strategic planning, impr...
Feb 28, 2025•37 min•Season 5Ep. 375
Summary: Join Dr. Jim as he explores the role of Cooperative Educational Service Agency (CISA) 7 with Dr. Colleen Timm. Serving 38 school districts in Northeast Wisconsin, Dr. Timm shares insights on supporting rural superintendents, overcoming high turnover, and fostering communication and purpose-driven leadership. Delve into strategies for embedding purpose throughout organizations, the vital role of onboarding, and empowering educators as leaders to drive student outcomes. Whether you're in ...
Feb 28, 2025•35 min•Season 5Ep. 374
Summary: Join CT and Dr. Jason Cochran, Superintendent of Krum ISD, as they explore how strong school culture drives student success. Learn how transparency, servant leadership, and community engagement help schools grow while staying true to their values. This insightful conversation offers practical strategies for leaders to enhance student outcomes through communication and commitment to excellence. Key Takeaways: School Culture Shapes Success – A strong, values-driven culture positively impa...
Feb 27, 2025•39 min•Season 5Ep. 373
Summary: Join host CT and Dr. Raymond Sanchez, Superintendent of Public Schools for the Tarrytowns, as they explore the transformative impact of the Princeton Plan on educational equity and leadership. Learn how this innovative model fosters inclusivity by restructuring schools based on grade level rather than geography, ensuring equal access to resources for all students. Dr. Sanchez shares insights on the critical role of school facilities in student success, the power of community trust, and ...
Feb 26, 2025•34 min•Season 5Ep. 372
Summary: Join Dr. Jim and education leader Al Betry as they discuss innovative strategies for addressing educator shortages in K-12 school districts. Discover how CESA 9 in Tomahawk, Wisconsin, develops successful "grow your own" programs to attract and retain teaching talent. Al shares insights on transitioning paraprofessionals, career changers, and substitutes into educational roles while emphasizing the importance of culture and community engagement. Learn about the impact of post-COVID tren...
Feb 25, 2025•36 min•Season 5Ep. 371
Summary: Dr. Jim dives deep into strategic leadership with Dana Addis, superintendent of Hudson City Schools, exploring how to move beyond test scores as the sole measure of success. Dana shares insights into implementing the Portrait of an Explorer initiative, emphasizing creative learning opportunities and fostering a unified district spirit. By focusing on experiential and inclusive education, the district has achieved record-breaking performance. Discover how Dana and his team navigate chall...
Feb 21, 2025•38 min•Season 5Ep. 369
Summary: Join Dr. Jim as he sits down with Natasha Adams, superintendent of West Claremont School District. Discover how the district leapt from the bottom 25% to the top 40% in state performance while maintaining low spending. Adams shares her approach to fostering future-ready leaders, building community consensus through innovative interactive town halls, and shifting district culture towards impact and inclusivity. Learn about the strategies and mindsets that helped transform a diverse distr...
Feb 21, 2025•39 min•Season 5Ep. 370
CT discusses educational innovation with Dr. Jason Hewitt, Superintendent of Shepherd Independent School District in Texas. Discover how a rural district is overcoming challenges by embracing technology and collaborative teaching through the APEX program. Learn about efforts to attract top talent, enhance student performance, and foster teacher teamwork. Hewitt highlights the importance of adaptability and communication in leadership, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. This conversation ...
Feb 20, 2025•42 min•Season 5Ep. 368
Summary: Dr. Jim and Dr. Christopher Timmis discuss redefining student success beyond test scores, emphasizing engagement and personalized learning. Drawing from experience in both underperforming and high-achieving districts, Dr. Timmis shares insights on fostering student choice, community involvement, and innovative educational models. Discover how Dexter Community Schools transformed by focusing on student happiness, purposeful learning, and personalized educational pathways. Learn about the...
Feb 19, 2025•32 min•Season 5Ep. 367
Summary: Dr. Jim explores the underrepresentation of women in K-12 leadership roles with Dr. Carrie Hruby, a seasoned educator and advocate for women leaders. They discuss systemic barriers, including gender bias and confidence gaps, and ways to cultivate a supportive environment for aspiring women leaders. Hruby shares insights on implementing leadership development programs like the Learn and Lead Academy, emphasizing mentorship and experiential learning. By addressing biases and creating inte...
Feb 17, 2025•39 min•Season 5Ep. 366
Summary: Dr. Jim and Dr. Ryan Laager explore how to transform strategic planning in K-12 education by simplifying complex documents into actionable plans. With insights from Ryan's experience as superintendent in Belle Plaine, Minnesota, they dive into anchoring strategies on culture and assessing real impact. Discover the importance of finding a defining anchor, such as culture, and asking critical questions to ensure strategic items truly make the district better. This episode offers valuable ...
Feb 14, 2025•37 min•Season 5Ep. 365
CT discusses educational transformation with Dr. Chris Allen, Superintendent of Midway ISD in Texas. Explore how a high-achieving district is shifting from rote learning to critical thinking and experiential education. Learn about initiatives that integrate real-world applications, foster future-ready skills, and balance academic and behavioral interventions. Dr. Allen highlights the importance of student agency, leadership development, and community engagement in modern education. Key Takeaways...
Feb 13, 2025•44 min•Season 5Ep. 364
Summary: Dr. Jim explores how education systems can evolve to meet future workforce demands with Ohio superintendent Dr. Robert Hunt. They discuss reshaping school structures to enhance student engagement and relevance, emphasizing practical skills through community and business partnerships. Hunt shares insights from his strategic planning experience, focusing on building trust and aligning educational priorities with community expectations. Tune in for insights on fostering meaningful learning...
Feb 12, 2025•31 min•Season 5Ep. 363
Summary: Dr. Jim discusses the transformative power of collective efficacy in K12 education with Dr. Paul Enderle, superintendent of Oak Lawn Hometown School District 123 in Illinois. They explore how focusing on a singular strategic goal can drive impactful change in student growth and development. Paul shares insights from his district’s journey, emphasizing servant leadership and the importance of a systems approach to education. Discover how aligning on high-yield strategies and implementing...
Feb 11, 2025•35 min•Season 5Ep. 362
Summary: Join Dr. Jim and Frank Schofield, superintendent of Logan City School District, as they explore the vital link between effective onboarding and employee retention. Discover how revamping the onboarding process can enhance teacher engagement, foster strong leadership connections, and improve student outcomes. Gain insights into building a collaborative culture by overcoming disconnected leadership, utilizing Gallup's engagement tools, and implementing ongoing support structures. Listen i...
Feb 07, 2025•40 min•Season 5Ep. 361
Host CT speaks with Dr. Robert Sormani, Superintendent of Mainer ISD, about leadership strategies that drive student success. Mainer ISD, a diverse district excelling in academics, arts, and athletics, prioritizes shared values, school choice, and career-focused pathways. Dr. Sormani shares his philosophy of "defined autonomy," empowering educators to innovate within clear structures. His journey from teacher to superintendent highlights the power of problem-solving, action-driven leadership, an...
Feb 06, 2025•42 min•Season 5Ep. 360
Join CT as he discusses educational transformation with Dr. Buddy Berry, Superintendent of Eminence Independent Schools, and how his district embraces a “Disney World of Education” approach. Discover how Eminence creates magical learning experiences by prioritizing culture, engagement, and personalization. Dr. Berry shares how “Surprise and Delight” strategies, immersive classroom transformations, and a Disney-level commitment to excellence keep students excited to learn. From scenting the schoo...
Feb 06, 2025•39 min•Season 5Ep. 358