Rethink Possible

In this episode, Bob talks with Dr. Tyrone Brookins, the assistant superintendent of South Washington County Schools. They discuss how the creation of a TOSA Dean position at the elementary level is way to attempt better support and create an administrative pipeline. Dr. Brookins shares how this role was created through repurposing 11 positions and creates the opportunity for principals to better focus on new math and social studies standards, manage changing demographics in schools, and improve student proficiency on state tests. The goal is for all principals to have a clear framework for instructional leadership and for the district to see increased student learning.

In this episode, Bob has a conversation with Dr. Alison Gillespie, assistant superintendent in White Bear Lake Area Schools about principals’ need for instructional leadership and how she led the development of White Bear Lake Schools plan to support them. She discusses the importance of creating a collaborative space for principals to learn from each other and using a new evaluation tool to provide a common language for instructional leadership. She also mentions the role of a principal coach in facilitating the process and how they track progress through individual check-ins for principal evaluation and development. Finally, she discusses the challenges and goals of driving professional development leadership capacity for principals.

Bob sits down with Assistant Superintendent Nate Swenson of Edina Public Schools for a conversation around the implementation of AI from an inquiry-based approach in schools. Nate discusses the implementation team starting from the position of declaring that AI is a powerful tool and put together a one page for staff to discuss roles, responsibilities, and ethical use of AI. As the main driver for the work, the team is representative of the district and includes people who are skeptical about AI. They conducted empathy interviews and surveys to better understand how people were feeling. For training, they are focusing on integrating AI in the classroom and making work more efficient. They have a communications plan in place to keep the community informed. The key to success is having the right people at the table, including representatives from all stakeholder groups, bringing leadership along, and keeping the school board informed and supportive. The district plans to create an AI implementation team and develop an AI use plan.

In this episode, Bob connects with Dr. Nick Lightfoot, assistant superintendent at Hopkins School District, who discusses his experience with policy development and monitoring for school districts. He shares examples of how policies are created and communicated with the community, and discusses the role of state statute, collective bargaining agreements, and school board governance in shaping policies. He also shares examples of internal and external challenges with policies as well as where to begin, resources to use, and mechanisms for tracking, monitoring, and updating policies and procedures.

In this episode, Bob sits down with Dr. Quennel Cooper, assistant superintendent for St. Louis Park Schools. Dr. Cooper began his career as an assistant superintendent six months ago and shares his journey in navigating and supporting building leaders. He talks about his role as an educational leader, the challenges he faces, and the lessons he has learned in his career. He also talks about the importance of communication and self-care in the education field, and how he aims to support and empower his team of principals. He shares his thoughts on the differences between leading in the elementary and secondary levels and his reflections on the first six months on the job.

Bob speaks with Nate Manaen, assistant superintendent for Eastern Carver County Schools about cultivating a collaborative culture for learning. They discuss the importance of time and space, the need for leaders to be skilled in various areas, and the importance of involving district leaders in the process. Cultivating collective ownership for school improvement implies the school district establishes a framework to support leaders in cultivating ownership. Time is the most crucial resource in this process; creating an organized structure of time offers teachers and leaders the space to carefully identify the root causes of student needs, research proven evidence practices, and design units of study for professional learning. To create better collective ownership for school improvement, leaders must start by developing trust and a strong relationship with their school team. Additionally, they should focus on problem-solving and creating a safe space for vulnerability.

In this episode, Bob talks with Andy Beaton, assistant superintendent for ISD 622. Andy shares how he implemented a weapons detection system in his district. He talks about the incident that prompted him to explore this option, as well as the challenges and considerations involved in implementing such a system. He also highlights the importance of communication and buy-in from leadership and staff in successfully implementing the system. Andy goes into detail about the implementation of a weapons detection system in a high school and explains the process of setting up the system and the steps taken to make it run smoothly. He talks about the need for leaders to believe in the importance of such a system, the need for conversations with the community, and the willingness to take risks. He also encourages others to visit their schools and see the system in action.

In this episode, Bob talks with Dr. Robb Virgin, Assistant Superintendent for Eden Prairie Public Schools, about their "Future Ready LeadershipFramework." This approach to leadership, which focuses on inclusion, adaptiveness, and daily action, was created in response to the ambitious goals set by the district's strategic plan and academic vision. The framework is designed to be durable, applicable to all levels of leadership, and rooted in service to students and The district started a leadership development program to prepare for future leadership. They started by identifying core values and mapping out the existing leadership structure. Then, they created simulations to practice leadership skills and self-assessments to identify areas for growth. Dr. Virgin speaks to challenges and successes and how to make it personal, identify core values, and focus on authenticity and community in the process The framework focuses on three areas: instructional leadership, system leadership, and human-centered leadership. Virgin emphasizes the importance of Coherence, Actionability, and Personalization in making the framework effective and usable for staff. He also shares a useful tool for promoting continuous learning and grounding ideas in the framework.

On this Episode, Bob speaks with Felicia Thames, assistant superintendent for Eden Prairie Public Schools, focusing on elementary programming. Felicia talks about the importance of the human element in leadership and how it is crucial to create a safe space for conversations and discussions within the organization. believes in inclusion, belonging and value within an organization, and she focuses on making space for people to feel included and valued. As an assistant superintendent, she wants to know how leaders like to be led and what motivates them. When creating goals for the organization, she brings in different voices and perspectives to make sure everyone is included and interdependent on each other's strengths. Felicia discusses her team’s method of creating space and providing opportunities for leaders to practice and model the behavior with their teams.

In this episode, Bob speaks with Dave Haveman, the executive director of special services for Northeast Metro Independent School District 916. He shares his experience and strategies for successful leadership in special education, emphasizing the importance of knowing yourself, building a strong team, and ensuring compliance before focusing on best practices. He also discusses the importance of communication and trust in establishing a successful working relationship with district leaders. In his role with the intermediate district, Dave is a leader of a group that focuses on special services in multiple districts, talks about the importance of having emotional intelligence when working with colleagues and understanding their reactions to changes. He speaks to the significance of knowing your team and delegating responsibilities to different members based on their strengths. Dave shares how solid first leaders learn, teach, and model leadership for their employees, and some ways to benchmark and evaluate your leadership strategies. He also offers advice on starting discussions and creating norms for staffing and due process in your district.

In this episode, Bob speaks with Dr. Bryan Bass, the assistant superintendent in Osseo Public Schools. They discuss the importance of continuous improvement in schools and how it is operationalized through alignment of strategic goals, moving adults, and outcome metrics. Dr. Bass also talks about the significance of humanizing the work and creating space for leaders to effectively carry out their roles. He walks through the identified key strategic priorities and structured tools to communicate and align their efforts. Their process involves having leaders share their experiences and examples with others, with the goal of creating a consistent, coherent, and connected approach. Dr. Bass discusses the role of Continuous Improvement, the importance of having a clear understanding of the district's mission and vision, and making sure it aligns with your own personal mission. Dr. Bass emphasizes the importance of setting clear goals and metrics for improvement and regularly checking in on progress. He also stresses the need for self-care and balancing work and personal life to be effective in his role.

In this Episode, Bob talks with Tim Wald, Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations for White Bear Lake Area Schools in Minnesota. Tim talks about how his team moved from planning to implementation with regard to both facilities and programming in White Bear Lake area schools. He talks about the decision- making process when balancing between facilities and maintenance, and his experience leading a successful referendum for the district's facilities and programming changes. Communication and public involvement were key factors in the success of the project, which was faced with challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Tim discusses the challenges, successes, and lessons learned from the project, including the importance of community engagement, strategic planning, and leveraging best value in contracting processes.

Bob spends time with Dr. Kristine Flesher, superintendent of Orono Public Schools, learning about her experience of implementing a five-phase strategic planning process. The process includes a pre-planning phase, stakeholder input, core team planning, implementation, and process monitoring. Dr. Flesher describes the phases in detail and shares “Aha” moments. She further shares the importance of communication, including all voices, and finding the right facilitator for the community. Dr. Flesher also talks about the need for data points beyond academic measures, such as measuring connectedness and belonging.

In this episode, Bob talks with Dr. Michael Thomas, superintendent of Prior Lake Savage Area Schools, about strategic planning as a tool to bring a community together. Dr. Thomas discusses the importance of leading with your "why" in strategic planning, being data-informed, and empowering the community to take ownership of the plan. He also emphasizes the need for multiple stakeholders and perspectives to be involved in the process. Dr. Thomas shares the background work he did to involve the community, build a guiding coalition, and create a timeline for the process. He also talks about the role of communication, using a website and direct mailers to keep the community updated on the progress.

In this episode, Bob talks with David Law, the superintendent of Minnetonka Schools, about engaging students in school policy and decision-making processes. Law discusses the importance of involving student voice in school leadership and how they have implemented this in Minnetonka Schools. He also shares tips for new leaders on how to be visible and involved in schools, and the impact this can have on student engagement and success. Superintendent Law talks about how essential it is to engage students in the decision-making processes of school boards. He emphasizes the importance of constantly "reinventing" and finding new ways to gather student voices. The district has implemented a variety of methods for student engagement, including having students present at board meetings, students on committees, and holding student forums on public policy issues. He emphasizes the importance of being intentional and setting expectations with the school board about the time and effort needed for success.

In this episode, Dr. McDowell talks with Dr. Eric Melbye, Superintendent, and Dr. Jenna Michler, Assistant Superintendent for Bloomington Public Schools. They discuss strategic planning and how to operationalize and implement it in school districts. They share insights from their experience in Bloomington Public Schools and stress the importance of building relationships, finding the right partners, and embracing patience while working toward long-term goals. The district has a clear strategic plan with key performance indicators (KPIs) and has aligned its goals with the plan. There is a focus on communication both internally and externally. They discuss how the district also has monthly collaboration meetings with building principals, cabinet members, and district leaders to discuss the plan and provide support.

Bob talks with Dr. Mike Redmond, the superintendent of Shakopee Public Schools, to explore the critical role of systemic structures within school districts. Dr. Redmond reflects on the importance of intentionally developing and refining these structures to ensure they align with the district's goals. He emphasizes that effective systems not only streamline processes but also foster strong connections within the community. By engaging people with relevant, meaningful content, these systems have the power to drive positive change. However, Dr. Redmond also notes the need for ongoing reflection—regularly assessing and refining the impact of these structures to guarantee they are contributing to the district's success. He shares several examples of how Shakopee Public Schools have approached planning, facilitating, and communicating these systems to achieve a cohesive and effective organization.

In this episode of Rethink Possible, host Bob McDowell interviews Dr. Matt Hillman, superintendent of Northfield Public Schools, who discusses using work teams as an employee engagement strategy after an employee survey highlighted a concern about opportunities to add input on decisions that affect their jobs. He shares why it is critical to be clear about the purpose and goals of using work teams, setting up systems for effective collaboration, and actively closing the loop by communicating and implementing the work teams' recommendations.

In this episode of Rethink Possible, host Bob McDowell talks to Anoka-Hennepin School District Superintendent Cory McIntyre about implementing structural organizational change. He emphasizes the importance of communication, authenticity, and empathy when leading through a period of change. He also discusses the logistics including planning and making difficult decisions. The district underwent significant budget reductions resulting in the loss of over 300 positions including senior leadership. Superintendent McIntyre shares his experience while offering advice for school leaders facing similar challenges. As a leader, he focused on transparency, assuming positive intent, and delivering feedback directly to help guide the process.

In this episode of Rethink Possible, host Bob McDowell interviews Superintendent Sara Paul of North Branch Area Public Schools and David Gryte, the president of the North Branch Education Association. They discuss their teacher-registered apprentice program that launched in their district as a partnership between the school district and the teacher's union in collaboration with local colleges. Their program addresses the teacher shortage by providing a pathway for paraprofessional educators and other non-licensed school staff to become licensed teachers. Tied into the district's strategic plan, the union, board, and administration all support this program and work together to ensure sustainability.

In this episode of Rethink Possible, host Bob McDowell connects with Dr. Josh Swanson, superintendent of Eden Prairie Schools, to discuss the importance of building community trust through continuity in the context of strategic planning. By involving all stakeholders and having a long-term vision, schools can strengthen trust and ensure they are delivering on their promises. Dr. Swanson describes how Eden Prairie Schools built community trust by maintaining a clear vision and direction while engaging and listening to stakeholders. He also highlights the importance of ongoing communication and key message reinforcement throughout the organization.

In this episode of Rethink Possible, host Bob McDowell talks with Dr. Troy Miller, the superintendent for New Richmond School District, about creating a student growth culture. Dr. Miller shares how to first identify priorities with the school board by leveraging data. To then successfully implement a student growth culture requires leaders to be committed to student growth, build excitement, empower teams, and have a clear strategic plan. Building a passionate and motivated team is key to making the shift toward student growth.

In this episode of Rethink Possible, host Bob McDowell speaks with Dr. Noel Schmidt, the superintendent of Rock Ridge Public Schools, who shares how to focus on the importance of two key strategies in managing change in education: going slow to go fast and finding out what the average person really thinks. Noel highlights how he and his team implemented strategies to uncover the opinions of the majority rather than the negative few. Superintendent Schmidt dives into the process of consolidating two school districts and building new facilities while developing new programs and connecting with the community to strengthen the project-based learning systems.

In this episode of Rethink Possible, host Bob McDowell talks with Christine Tucci Osorio, superintendent of School District 622 in Minnesota, about the importance of empathy in leadership and effective communication within all levels of the organization. She shares her perspective on building trust, fostering a positive workplace culture, seeking feedback, and continuously improving as a leader. Superintendent Osorio discusses how to ensure everyone's voice is valued and the need for leaders to connect with each other to build resiliency. She also emphasizes the importance of staying true to one's own personality and surrounding oneself with diverse thinkers to better understand and address any issues within the culture.

For this episode of Rethink Possible, host Bob McDowell sits down with Dr. Peter Olson-Skog, superintendent of School District 197 in Minnesota, to discuss the importance of developing and empowering principals to improve school outcomes. Peter shares his strategies for working closely with principals and creating a positive culture within the district. He also stresses the importance of understanding a principal's role and building trust to support them as equity-driven instructional leaders who are given the time and resources to focus on what truly makes a difference for students. This process has led to a stronger relationship between district leaders and principals, improved collaboration, and focused professional development opportunities for principals.

This episode of Rethink Possible features a conversation between host Bob McDowell and guest Jeremy Calles, superintendent of Tolleson Union High School District in Arizona. The discussion centers around the upcoming Commitment Day event where students from seven high schools will come together to share their plans for the future after graduation. Calles explains the inspiration behind this event and how it aligns with their strategic planning efforts to ensure all students are college and career-ready. His team started Commitment Day after realizing the potential negative consequences of university acceptance letters. The event helps the district encourage students to plan ahead for their futures as well as a way to build partnerships with external agencies.

In this episode of Rethink Possible, host Bob McDowell speaks with Dr. Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed, superintendent of Hopkins Public Schools. Rhoda shares her experience reimagining student success metrics in public schools. She explains that the current metrics, which mostly include standardized test scores, have flaws and do not accurately reflect the success of all students. Her district has taken steps to redefine metrics by involving stakeholders - students, parents, and colleges - to identify important traits for graduates and aligning with the concept of competency-based education. She, along with the district leadership team, focused on the goal of making school more relevant, engaging, and meaningful for students. They are currently identifying tools for assessing holistic competencies, such as social-emotional learning, and developing skills-based learning progressions aligned with their graduate traits.

In this episode of Rethink Possible, host Bob McDowell spends time with Dr. Renee Corneille, the Superintendent of Saint Anthony-New Brighton ISD 282. Renee discusses how her district embarked on a three-year process to overhaul their instructional framework. The process was initiated due to a change in state standards, which revealed a gap in the rigor of instruction in the district. Dr. Corneille shares her district's decision to move to a proficiency method of grading in math classes and the change in district departments since then. She also discusses how the decision affected professional development opportunities and offers advice for other superintendents looking to make a similar change.

In this episode of Rethink Possible, host Bob McDowell sits down with Ann-Marie Foucault, Superintendent of St. Michael-Albertville Schools. Ann-Marie shares how she engaged and cultivated relationships with community members to create a supportive coalition for the district. This episode includes her strategies for building trust and communicating effectively with legislators and community stakeholders while stressing the importance of putting students first and finding ways to control the district's narrative.

In this episode of Rethink Possible, host Bob McDowell talks with Dr. Stacie Stanley about implementing the reading program in Edina Public Schools. They discuss challenges and successes plus the importance of having a strong vision to create an effective reading ecosystem. Dr. Stanley also shares her experience aligning project benchmarks and the strategic plan while redefining metrics. The conversation digs into developing leaders' capacity for change management, building relationships with external partners, and developing data-driven training for teachers and coaches.

In this episode of Rethink Possible, host Bob McDowell connects with Tim Schochenmaier, Superintendent of Central Public Schools, about the importance of Career & Technical Education (CTE) in schools. Tim shares how he and his team reimagined their CTE program to include partnerships with local businesses and hands-on experiences while building awareness with students and businesses through hosting events like Trades Signing Day and forming a Manufacturing Trades Advisory Group.