John White, CEO - Great Minds

GIVEAWAY - send us a message and let us know your favorite thing about the Square Pizza Pod. We are giving away SchermCo swag to the first three people that send us a note!Dad. Husband. Marathoner.Deputy Chancellor, New York City Department of EducationState Superintendent, Louisiana Department of EducationTeach For America Board MemberChief Executive Officer, Great MindsJohn White has spent his career working at nearly every level of the education system, giving him a unique perspective on leadership, reform, and what it takes to create meaningful change at scale.In this episode of the Square Pizza Pod, Greg and John discuss lessons from Louisiana, the growth and future of Great Minds, the role of artificial intelligence in education, and why strong leadership requires both ambition and trust. John also reflects on how sports shaped his approach to teamwork, how his leadership style has evolved, and why the most important parts of teaching and learning must remain deeply human.In this episode, you’ll learn more about:How John’s experiences across classrooms, districts, states, and organizations shaped his leadership philosophyThe lessons he took from Louisiana’s education reforms and open-enrollment modelHow Great Minds is balancing rapid growth with quality, implementation, and student outcomesWhere artificial intelligence can support teachers and students—and where human interaction still matters mostWhy listening, trust, and coalition-building have become increasingly important throughout John’s careerHow sports, running, and team experiences continue to influence the way he leads Support the show