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The Rachael Maves Podcast

by Rachael Maves, Parsec Education

This is The Rachael Maves Podcast where we strip away the layers and get to the raw, unfiltered stories behind the leaders shaping the future of education.

From the show's RSS feed, refreshed Apr 22, 2026. Source feed.

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Episodes

  1. Standards-Based Grading: Should Kids Get Zeros? | Dr. Scott Marion

    Should kids get zeros in K-12? A grade should show what a student knows. Dr. Scott Marion of the Center for Assessment joins Rachael Maves. They cover zeros, the 100-point grading scale and standards-based grading. It starts with South Carolina's new grading law. Then Rachael and Scott step back…

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  2. Breaking Burnout in K-12 featuring Dr. Melissa Sadorf

    What happens when being good at your job becomes the very thing hiding burnout? In this episode of The Rachael Maves Show, Dr. Melissa Sadorf joins Rachael to talk about the reality of wearing multiple hats in education, especially for leaders who are used to carrying it all. They explore how to...

  3. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Dr. Dennis Wiechmann

    In this episode of The Rachael Maves Podcast, Dr. Dennis Wiechmann, Superintendent of Sanger Unified School District, shares his journey in education and his focus on student well-being, equity, and continuous improvement. He discusses the challenges districts face today, including funding…

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  4. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Jacob Griscom

    In this episode of The Rachael Maves Podcast, Jacob Griscom shares his unconventional journey from going to school in Argentina to leading AI-driven software development in education. He explores how AI is transforming the future of learning and why true progress requires systemic change across...

  5. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Michael Krause

    In this episode of The Rachael Maves Podcast, Michael Krause shares his journey from substitute teacher to school board member and reflects on the lessons he has learned along the way. He discusses how the pandemic exposed longstanding learning gaps and why addressing academic recovery, mental...

  6. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Mary Cox

    In this episode of The Rachael Maves Podcast, Mary Cox, Superintendent of Core Butte Charter School, shares her journey as a third-generation educator and her passion for shaping future leaders. She reflects on her transition from teaching kindergarten to leading a high school model centered on...

  7. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Jeff Rice

    In this episode of The Rachael Maves Podcast, host Rachael Maves sits down with Jeff Rice, Founder of APlus+, to discuss the evolution of education and the growing movement toward personalized learning. Jeff shares how APlus+ has expanded to serve more than 128,000 students in California and why...

  8. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Dr. Angie Barfield

    Episode Notes Hosted by Rachael Maves Produced and Edited by Joseph Gustilo Executive Produced by Morgan Melton and Kimberly Tumambing Links Learn more about Parsec Education here.

  9. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Coach Joe Marino

    In this episode of The Rachael Maves Podcast, host Rachael Maves sits down with Coach Joe Marino to explore his unconventional journey into education and his deep commitment to helping students succeed. Coach Joe shares why building strong relationships and honoring different learning styles are...

  10. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Filiberto Camacho

    In this episode of the Rachael Maves podcast, Filiberto Camacho shares his inspiring journey in education, highlighting his commitment to student success and the importance of leadership grounded in compassion. He discusses his transition from a classroom assistant to an IT director, emphasizing...

  11. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Bob Eby

    In this episode of The Rachael Maves Podcast, host Rachael Maves sits down with Bob Eby, Chairman of the Tennessee State Board of Education, to discuss his journey in education and the evolving role of state-level governance. Bob shares insights into how the board sets educational standards,...

  12. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Peter Livingston

    In this episode of The Rachael Maves Podcast, Peter Livingston, an experienced K–12 superintendent, shares his journey in education and the lessons he’s learned along the way. He reflects on the power of relationships in leadership, the need to address post-pandemic learning loss, and the...

  13. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Dr. Cary Holman

    In this episode of The Rachael Maves Show, Dr. Cary Holman joins the conversation to explore the critical yet often unasked questions in education — starting with one essential inquiry: Are our students truly alright? Dr. Holman emphasizes the importance of student well-being, innovative learning...

  14. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring AJ Crabill

    In this episode of the Rachel Maves Podcast, AJ Crabill explores the true purpose of governance in education: representing community values rather than simply managing from above. He emphasizes that effective governance begins with listening to the community’s vision and aligning decisions with...

  15. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Jenny Lam

    Join host Rachel Maves as she sits down with Jenny Lam, a transformative education leader with over 25 years of experience. In this episode, Jenny shares her journey from being a first-generation college graduate to leading systemic changes in education. Discover her insights on bridging the...

  16. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Krista Woodgrift

    In this episode of the Rachel Maves podcast, we dive into the world of personalized education with Krista Woodgrift, superintendent and founding member of Sage Oak Charter Schools. Krista shares her journey from classroom teacher to leading a successful charter school network, emphasizing the...

  17. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Lindsay Tornatore

    In this episode of the Rachel Maves podcast, Lindsay Tornatore discusses her journey in education, emphasizing the importance of student belonging and engagement. She highlights the challenges of chronic absenteeism and shares innovative strategies being implemented in California to address this...

  18. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Brittany Miller

    In this episode of the Rachel Maves Podcast, Brittany Miller, Chief Innovation Officer at the Southern Education Foundation, shares her journey from classroom teacher to national leader in outcomes-based contracting. She explains how aligning educational resources with clear student outcomes...

  19. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Dr. Liz Norton

    In this episode of the Rachael Maves podcast, Dr. Liz Norton shares her journey in education, discussing her early experiences, the importance of literacy, and the challenges facing education today, particularly in math and AI. She emphasizes the need for high-quality instructional materials and...

  20. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Erica Piedra

    In this episode of the Rachel Maves podcast, Erika Piedra, the executive officer for English learner services and multilingual programs at Fresno Unified School District, shares her inspiring journey in education. With 27 years of experience, Erika discusses her commitment to supporting English...

  21. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Dr. Gary Lily

    In this episode of the Rachel Maves podcast, Gary Lilly, the executive director of the Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents, shares his journey in education, the challenges facing public schools, and the importance of innovation in teaching. He discusses the impact of funding, the...

  22. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Tiffany Dellard

    In this episode of The Rachel Maves Podcast, guest Tiffany Dellard shares her inspiring journey in education. With over 20 years of experience, Tiffany opens up about her deep commitment to family engagement, the importance of supporting future educators, and the ongoing challenges within the...

  23. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Dr. Charity Plaxton-Hennings

    In this episode of the Rachel Maves podcast, our guest, Dr. Charity Plaxton-Hennings, discusses her journey into education, her background in neuropsychology, and the importance of social connection in fostering resilience among students. She emphasizes the impact of the pandemic on social...

  24. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Kristen Mandell

    In this episode of the Rachael Maves podcast, Kristen Mandell, principal of Southern California Flex Academy, shares her journey in education, emphasizing the importance of Social-Emotional support alongside academic success. She highlights the need for community and parental involvement in...

  25. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Roman Stearns

    In this episode, podcast guest Roman Stearns, founder of Scaling Student Success, discusses the need for systemic change in education, emphasizing the importance of graduate profiles that reflect community values and competencies. He speaks to the challenges posed by regulations and the lack of a...

  26. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Christine Feher

    In this episode, we delve into the pressing issue of mental health among youth in the post-pandemic era. Join us as Christine Feher, Superintendent and CEO of California Pacific Charter Schools, shares her insights on the rising anxiety and depression levels in young people. Discover how…

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  27. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Dr. Chris Hampton

    What if the key to educational equity isn’t a new program, but a willingness to disrupt the status quo? That’s the bold vision Dr. Chris Hampton brings to Kingsport City Schools. From missing 42 days of kindergarten to leading a top-performing district, Dr. Hampton’s story is proof that all...

  28. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Simone Charles

    On this week’s episode of The Rachael Maves Podcast, Dr. Simone Charles shares how Whitman Continuation (or as Dr. Charles calls it, Wonderful Whitman) is redefining success, one student at a time. From student-first design to restorative mindsets, this episode is a must-listen for anyone…

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  29. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Nadene Dermody

    Is it possible that the quietest students are the ones telling us the most? In this episode of The Rachael Maves Podcast, Rachael sits down with Nadene Dermody, Principal of Monterey County Home Charter School, to explore what it really takes to serve students who don't fit the traditional mold....

  30. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Dr. Ivan Duran

    How different would school feel if every student was truly seen? In this episode of The Rachael Maves Podcast, Rachael sits down with Dr. Ivan Duran, Superintendent of Highline Public Schools, to unpack how his own near-dropout experience and his parents’ struggles in the education system shaped...

  31. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Rody Boonchouy

    What happens when students know more than their teachers? In this episode of The Rachael Maves Podcast, Rachael sits down with Dr. Rody Boonchouy, Superintendent of Winters Joint Unified, to explore how global experiences, project-based learning, and a community-driven graduate profile are...

  32. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Elizabeth Brenner

    How far would you go to protect your students? In this episode of The Rachael Maves Podcast, Rachael sits down with Liz Brenner, Superintendent of Compass Charter Schools, to unpack what it really means to personalize education in a virtual world. Liz shares how her early experiences in urban...

  33. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Mike Freeman

    Want to know how a $500 scholarship set this leader on a path from classroom teacher to county superintendent? In this episode of The Rachael Maves Podcast, Rachael talks with Mike Freeman, County Superintendent at Shasta County Office of Education. Mike shares how the real work of leadership...

  34. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Max Silverman

    In this episode of The Rachael Maves Podcast, Rachael sits down with Max Silverman, Executive Director at the University of Washington’s Center for Educational Leadership. Max shares how coaching a fifth-grade basketball team led him to a career in education. From reimagining instructional...

  35. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Missy Testerman

    In this episode of The Rachael Maves Podcast, Rachael sits down with Missy Testerman, the 2024 National Teacher of the Year and ESL Specialist at Rogersville City School in Tennessee. Missy opens up about what first inspired her to teach, why relationships matter more than ever in today’s...

  36. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Stacey Cool

    In this episode of The Rachael Maves Podcast, Rachael sits down with Stacey Cool, Program Administrator for Curriculum and Instruction at Merced Union High School District. Stacey shares her inspiring journey from the Peace Corps to the classroom and how her global experiences shape her approach…

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  37. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring JC Bowman

    In this episode of The Rachael Maves Podcast, Rachael sits down with JC Bowman, Executive Director and CEO of Professional Educators of Tennessee. JC shares his powerful journey from the classroom to the Capitol, and why storytelling, advocacy, and AI are shaping the future of education. Episode...

  38. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Shoni Johnson

    In this episode of The Rachael Maves Podcast, Rachael sits down with Shoni Johnson, Curriculum and Accountability Director at Connecting Waters Charter School. With a unique background in education for two decades and also being involved in the healthcare, Shoni shares how she uses data…

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  39. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Nick Greer

    In this episode of The Rachael Maves Podcast, Rachael sits down with Nick Greer, Principal Consultant and Founder of Halocline Consulting and Guide at Fearless Guides. With over 21 years of experience in education and systemic reform, Nick shares his journey from science major to award-winning...

  40. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Bill Hite

    In this episode of The Rachael Maves Podcast, Rachael sits down with Dr. Bill Hite, President & CEO of KnowledgeWorks and former Superintendent of The School District of Philadelphia. With a career dedicated to transforming education, Bill shares his journey from coach to district leader and now…

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  41. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Sheryl Sisil

    In this episode of The Rachael Maves Podcast, Rachael sits down with Sheryl Sisil, Associate Superintendent of Educational Services for Madera Unified School District. Sheryl leads nine key departments dedicated to supporting student growth and academic success while championing inclusive and...

  42. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Jim Cowen

    In this episode of The Rachael Maves Podcast, Rachael sits down with Jim Cowen, Executive Director of the Collaborative for Student Success, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening K-12 education policies to drive better student outcomes. Jim shares his unique journey—from serving as a U.S. Naval...

  43. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Camden Iliff

    In this episode of The Rachael Maves Podcast, Rachael chats with Camden Iliff, Vice President of Engineering at Apollo Education Systems, who has spent over 25 years revolutionizing K-12 education technology. Camden shares his insights on the unsung heroes in education—the school and district…

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  44. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Dr. Angie Barfield

    In this episode of The Rachael Maves Podcast, Rachael chats with Sinead Kiley, a high school senior and student board member for Poway Unified School District, where she represents over 35,000 students. Sinead shares her passion for expanding opportunities for students, fostering mental health...

  45. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Jimena Mendez

    In this episode of The Rachael Maves Podcast, Rachael chats with Jimena Mendez, the first student elected to the Los Angeles County Board of Education, the largest regional education agency in the country. Jimena expresses her passion for amplifying student voices, advocating for diversity in...

  46. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Anika Yu

    In this episode of The Rachael Maves Podcast, Rachael sits down with Anika Yu, a first-year UC Berkeley student studying Political Economy on a pre-law track. Anika shares her journey as the 2023-2024 student board member for Dublin Unified School District, where she advocated for fair policies…

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  47. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Sinead Kiley

    In this episode of The Rachael Maves Podcast, Rachael chats with Sinead Kiley, a high school senior and student board member for Poway Unified School District, where she represents over 35,000 students. Sinead shares her passion for expanding opportunities for students, fostering mental health...

  48. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Timi Ilori

    In this episode of The Rachael Maves Podcast, Rachael sits down with Timi Ilori, a remarkable ninth-grade student at Liberty High School in Madera, California, who is already making waves as a leader and changemaker in her community. Timi shares her passion for fostering human connection, both on...

  49. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Dr. Marshall Baker

    In this episode of The Rachael Maves Podcast, Rachael speaks with Dr. Marshall Baker, Education Analyst Director at Parsec Education, who combines data-driven insights and strategic systems thinking to improve educational outcomes from cradle to career. Marshall shares highlights from his Measure...

  50. The Rachael Maves Podcast featuring Dr. Mary Cochron

    In this episode of The Rachael Maves Podcast, Rachael chats with Dr. Mary Cochron, founder of Metamer LLC and an expert in educational assessment. Dr. Cochron provides a glimpse into her Measure What We Value Summit keynote, “Humanizing Measurement Through the Compassionate Assessment Framework,”...

About this show

This is The Rachael Maves Podcast where we strip away the layers and get to the raw, unfiltered stories behind the leaders shaping the future of education.

Hosted by

Rachael Maves, Parsec Education

Produced by Morgan

Categories

Frequently asked questions

How many episodes does The Rachael Maves Podcast have?

The Rachael Maves Podcast has 74 episodes on PodParley. The most recent episode was published on October 30, 2026.

What is The Rachael Maves Podcast about?

This is The Rachael Maves Podcast where we strip away the layers and get to the raw, unfiltered stories behind the leaders shaping the future of education.

How often does The Rachael Maves Podcast release new episodes?

The Rachael Maves Podcast publishes every two weeks, based on its 74 episodes since March 2024.

Who hosts The Rachael Maves Podcast?

The Rachael Maves Podcast is created and hosted by Rachael Maves, Parsec Education.
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