EduCurious Interview with Julie Conrad-Peters: Newly Appointed Superintendent of LWCS

EduCurious welcomes Julie Conrad-Peters, the new Superintendent of Lake Wales Charter Schools, just one workday before her official start on Monday, July 28th. Ms. Conrad brings 33 years of diverse educational experience, a profound passion for the field, and a "family first" philosophy that resonates deeply with the Lake Wales community.Ms.Conrad’s career journey has spanned various roles, from chemistry teacher to curriculum director and assistant superintendent of operations. Her extensive background ensures she's covered "just about everything in education." She is particularly excited to harness community engagement and build partnerships in Lake Wales, echoing her successful work in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where her tagline was "building community through education."A key focus for Ms. Conrad is transforming Lake Wales from "a system of charter schools" into "a charter school system." Drawing on her experience teaching graduate classes, she emphasizes three pillars for building strong partnerships and systems: an internal champion, an external champion (like the charter system office supporting individual schools), and outside partnerships including families, community organizations, and businesses.Ms. Conrad is most proud of successfully passing a $197.8 million referendum in her previous district, a testament to her ability to overcome obstacles and unify a community. She sees this experience directly transferring to Lake Wales, proving that "we can do it, and we can do things when we're working together."For her initial 90 days, Ms. Conrad is dedicated to learning about the community, staff, and individual schools, emphasizing relationship-building. Her ultimate goal is to establish a system-wide strategic plan by the end of the school year, providing a "north star" while allowing each school to maintain its unique identity.When it comes to recruiting quality educators, Ms. Conrad believes the best tool is engaged and passionate current staff, as their enthusiasm is contagious. She stresses the importance of providing staff with the necessary tools, clear expectations, and supportive connections.Ms. Conrad also shares her perspective on AI in education, advocating for leaning into it ethically to enhance learning and work, while ensuring the preservation of the crucial "personal touch" in communication and student interaction.With her approachable demeanor, deep experience, and clear vision, Superintendent Julie Conrad-Peters is poised to make a significant positive impact on the educational landscape of Lake Wales.Whether you're a teacher, a parent, or just EduCurious, join the community as we explore various educational topics and learn from each other. Subscribe so you’ll see the episodes when they drop! https://www.youtube.com/@Edu.Curious.Podcasts?sub_confirmation=1Be SocialWebsite: https://educuriouspod.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Edu.Curious.Podcasts Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EduCuriousPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/49IJd6WG083nXhZeQWt2hk?si=300fba40fb83456c Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/educurious-pods/id1798666772 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edu.curious.podcasts/ Email: [email protected] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@educuriouspods About EduCuriousEduCurious is an evolving platform dedicated to showcasing the incredible work of exceptional educators and delving into the complex issues facing education today. Through engaging podcasts and insightful interviews, EduCurious provides a space for educators to share their experiences, insights, and innovative approaches to teaching and learning.Inspiring educational podcasts & interviews. Connecting educators, fostering PD, & driving positive change.