Scaling Impact: District-Level Leadership and Innovations in Special Education with Dr. Sanzeri

In this episode of Leadership Voices, host Jacob Geller sits down with Dr. Christopher Sanzeri, Assistant Director of Specialized Student Services – Curriculum & Instruction in Elgin Area School District U-46, the second largest district in Illinois.Christopher opens up about his path from student-athlete and aspiring social studies teacher to special education leader, sharing how a paraeducator role changed his career trajectory and sparked a mission to scale high-impact instruction beyond a single classroom.Together, they explore what it takes to lead specialized services in a complex, multilingual district where 120+ languages are spoken, about half of students are multilingual learners, and dual language programming is a defining strength. Christopher also shares how U-46 is navigating major systemwide shifts, including school closures, capital improvements, boundary changes, and moving 6th grade into middle school, while staying focused on belonging, early foundations, and academic growth.From post-pandemic screen reduction to MTSS, culturally responsive instruction, and innovative program redesign, this conversation highlights how thoughtful systems work can create better outcomes for students, educators, and communities.Key Moments03:45 From Athlete to Special Educator08:56 School Closures and Community Impact12:21 "Special Educators: Driving School Improvement"14:42 "Prioritizing Hands-On Learning"19:36 "Belonging Leads to Academic Success"22:09 District Literacy and Cultural Responsiveness25:37 Balancing Centralization vs. Local Autonomy28:26 Tracking Growth and Student Proficiency33:47 Streamlining Staff Roles for Equity37:55 "Multi-Abilities Classroom Launch Plan"39:40 "Impactful Design and Intentionality"Connect with  Dr. Christopher SanzeriWebsite: https://www.u-46.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-sanzeri-8a4a2b93 Follow UsJacob Geller LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-geller-0bb133101/?originalSubdomain=ca Paper LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/paperlearning/ About Leadership Voices PodcastLeadership Voices is where host Jacob Geller speaks with education leaders and innovators about the future of schools, uncovering stories and strategies that create meaningful impact.Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Leadership Voices for more conversations on leadership, culture, and the future of learning.