EPISODE · May 15, 2026 · 34 MIN
S.5 | Ep. 8: Building One District, Not a Collection of Schools with Jamie Bente
from Unlock 360 · host Wendy York Davoud
In this episode, Wendy York Davoud sits down with Jamie Bente, Superintendent of Faribault Public Schools in Minnesota, to discuss district transformation, system coherence, and what it takes to unify schools around a shared vision.Since becoming superintendent in 2022, Jamie has led Faribault Public Schools through major organizational change, including district restructuring, strategic planning, and efforts to break down long-standing silos between campuses. Drawing on experience as a teacher, dean, assistant principal, principal, and now superintendent, Jamie shares the unique perspective he brings to district leadership and the lessons he has learned navigating change at scale.In this conversation, Jamie explains how Faribault shifted from operating like “multiple districts” into a more unified system focused on collaboration, consistency, and student-centered decision making. He also reflects on the importance of creating clear expectations through the district’s “playbook,” improving professional learning communities, and balancing autonomy with centralized systems.Key Moments04:36 Understanding district-wide education programs07:34 Implementing district-wide systems11:56 Evaluating teacher performance data15:37 Improving early childhood education setup17:57 Setting staff expectations21:17 Updating our vision plans22:59 Developing cross-grade teacher collaboration27:53 First guest from Minnesota32:21 Mentorship and career growth33:17 Mentorship from Jason WenschlagWhy You Will Love This EpisodeIf you are leading system-wide change or working to create stronger alignment across schools, this episode offers practical insight into navigating restructuring, improving collaboration, and building a shared culture. Jamie’s honest reflections on leadership, communication, and organizational change provide valuable takeaways for superintendents, principals, and district leaders alike.Connect with Jamie BenteWebsite: https://www.faribault.k12.mn.us/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-bente-59891493 Email: [email protected] Follow UsWendy York Davoud LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyryorkLead.Teach.Learn.360 Website: https://leadteachlearn360.comLead.Teach.Learn.360 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lead-teach-learn-360%C2%B0/About Unlock 360°Unlock 360° is the podcast where school leaders and instructional trailblazers reveal how they are turning bold vision into sustainable action. Powered by Lead.Teach.Learn.360, each episode brings you inside the systems, strategies, and human stories that drive school improvement, one leader, one learner, one breakthrough at a time.Enjoyed this conversation? Subscribe to Unlock 360° for more.
What this episode covers
In this episode, Wendy York Davoud sits down with Jamie Bente, Superintendent of Faribault Public Schools in Minnesota, to discuss district transformation, system coherence, and what it takes to unify schools around a shared vision.Since becoming superintendent in 2022, Jamie has led Faribault Public Schools through major organizational change, including district restructuring, strategic planning, and efforts to break down long-standing silos between campuses. Drawing on experience as a teacher, dean, assistant principal, principal, and now superintendent, Jamie shares the unique perspective he brings to district leadership and the lessons he has learned navigating change at scale.In this conversation, Jamie explains how Faribault shifted from operating like “multiple districts” into a more unified system focused on collaboration, consistency, and student-centered decision making. He also reflects on the importance of creating clear expectations through the district’s “playbook,” improving professional learning communities, and balancing autonomy with centralized systems.Key Moments04:36 Understanding district-wide education programs07:34 Implementing district-wide systems11:56 Evaluating teacher performance data15:37 Improving early childhood education setup17:57 Setting staff expectations21:17 Updating our vision plans22:59 Developing cross-grade teacher collaboration27:53 First guest from Minnesota32:21 Mentorship and career growth33:17 Mentorship from Jason WenschlagWhy You Will Love This EpisodeIf you are leading system-wide change or working to create stronger alignment across schools, this episode offers practical insight into navigating restructuring, improving collaboration, and building a shared culture. Jamie’s honest reflections on leadership, communication, and organizational change provide valuable takeaways for superintendents, principals, and district leaders alike.Connect with Jamie BenteWebsite: https://www.faribault.k12.mn.us/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-bente-59891493 Email: [email protected] Follow UsWendy York Davoud LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyryorkLead.Teach.Learn.360 Website: https://leadteachlearn360.comLead.Teach.Learn.360 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lead-teach-learn-360%C2%B0/About Unlock 360°Unlock 360° is the podcast where school leaders and instructional trailblazers reveal how they are turning bold vision into sustainable action. Powered by Lead.Teach.Learn.360, each episode brings you inside the systems, strategies, and human stories that drive school improvement, one leader, one learner, one breakthrough at a time.Enjoyed this conversation? Subscribe to Unlock 360° for more.
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S.5 | Ep. 8: Building One District, Not a Collection of Schools with Jamie Bente
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