Ep 2: A Conversation about Data Leadership with Bethany and Saleem Blevins episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 22, 2026 · 54 MIN

Ep 2: A Conversation about Data Leadership with Bethany and Saleem Blevins

from Data Talks: A Podcast from Data in Schools · host Paul Swanson and Matthew Savage

What happens when a second grader looks up at her teacher and says, "I don't want to do this anymore. I want to read"—even though her data says she's not ready?In this episode, educator duo Bethany and Saleem Blevins share hard-won wisdom from decades of school leadership about what data can tell us—and what it can't. From a pivotal moment with a struggling reader to the uncomfortable truth of putting teachers' test scores on a wall, they reveal how the numbers we chase can either illuminate the path forward or blind us to what matters most.You'll hear why your sixth graders might be your most valuable consultants, how "leading indicators" can save your team from a year of stress, and what it really takes to build a data culture where curiosity wins over fear.Whether you're a classroom teacher, school leader, or anyone who's ever wondered if the spreadsheet is telling the whole story—this one's for you.

What happens when a second grader looks up at her teacher and says, "I don't want to do this anymore. I want to read"—even though her data says she's not ready?In this episode, educator duo Bethany and Saleem Blevins share hard-won wisdom from decades of school leadership about what data can tell us—and what it can't. From a pivotal moment with a struggling reader to the uncomfortable truth of putting teachers' test scores on a wall, they reveal how the numbers we chase can either illuminate the path forward or blind us to what matters most.You'll hear why your sixth graders might be your most valuable consultants, how "leading indicators" can save your team from a year of stress, and what it really takes to build a data culture where curiosity wins over fear.Whether you're a classroom teacher, school leader, or anyone who's ever wondered if the spreadsheet is telling the whole story—this one's for you.

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Ep 2: A Conversation about Data Leadership with Bethany and Saleem Blevins

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This episode was published on January 22, 2026.

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What happens when a second grader looks up at her teacher and says, "I don't want to do this anymore. I want to read"—even though her data says she's not ready?In this episode, educator duo Bethany and Saleem Blevins share hard-won wisdom from...

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