Hire Ground

The Education System has a consistency problem. In this episode of Hire Ground, Christina Greenberg and Josh Czupryk sit down with a true titan of the field: Michael Moore. With a career spanning 52 years—from the classroom to the superintendent’s office to national leadership strategy—Moore has seen every initiative, reform movement, and pendulum swing the industry has produced.What emerges from this conversation isn't a simple trip down memory lane. Instead, it is a clear-eyed interrogation of why K12 leadership feels more fragile today than at any point in the last half-century. Moore and Greenberg dive into the "hard math" of sustainability and the structural crises currently threatening the teacher pipeline.In this episode, we explore:The Principalship Paradox: Moore contends that campus-level leadership has become so complex that even a seasoned superintendent might struggle to run a single building today. We discuss the new "policy storm" of social media, family dynamics, and shifting student needs that have fundamentally redefined the role.The Evolution of "Grow Your Own": How leadership development is moving away from structured, technocratic programs toward more organic, community-rooted pathways that prioritize relational trust.Austerity and its Aftermath: A look at the "policy storms" facing current districts. Moore offers a cautionary tale from the 2008 downturn, questioning whether districts are currently repeating the painful mistake of eliminating recruiting functions exactly when they need them most.AI vs. The Human Element: Is AI a near-term panacea for the teacher shortage, or simply a tool to reduce adult workload? Moore weighs in on where technology ends and the irreplaceable skill of a teacher begins.The 30% Pay Gap: We look at the rational barriers preventing talent from entering the profession and the "headcount math" required to actually move the needle on teacher compensation.Michael Moore’s perspective is rare: he is a veteran who refuses to be cynical. He argues that the field’s deepest problem isn’t a lack of good ideas—it is a chronic failure to stay committed to them. This episode is a must-listen for any K12 talent professional looking for a reminder that while the work is harder than ever, we already have the map; we just have to stay the course.Listen now and join the conversation on how we can finally start sticking with what works.

Brent Bushey has visited enough schools to know the difference between one that's working and one that isn't — and he says you can feel it before you see it. In this conversation, he shares what that feeling is made of, why the way we talk about teacher burnout may actually be making things worse, and what school leaders can do right now, inside whatever constraints they're working in, to build something worth staying for.

The K-12 world is changing faster than anyone can plan for, and the leaders who will thrive are those who can stay nimble without losing sight of what matters most: kids. In this episode, Christina sits down with Caitrin Wright, CEO of Silicon Schools Fund, to explore what great school leadership looks like at a moment when the pace of change is exponential.From the emergence of differentiated teacher roles to a potential renaissance of social entrepreneurship in education, Caitrin shares the bright spots she's seeing across the country, and what they mean for how we hire, develop, and think about talent in K-12 today.

In this episode, host Josh Czupryk sits down with Dacia Toll, co-founder and co-CEO of CourseMojo, to explore what it really takes to lead schools effectively in a post-COVID world. From rethinking how we hire and retain talent to leveraging technology for better student outcomes, Dacia shares hard-won insights from decades at the forefront of education leadership — and a fresh vision for what's possible. 

In this episode, hosts Christina Greenberg and Josh Czupryk explore how residency-based teacher training programs can tackle the growing teacher shortage - without sacrificing quality or affordability. Joined by Heather Kirkpatrick, Founder and President of Alder Graduate School of Education, the conversation unpacks what it actually takes to build a sustainable, community-rooted pipeline of educators who stay.

In this episode of Hire Ground, hosts Christina Greenberg and Josh Czupryk sit down with JoAnn Gama, founder of GEMS (Gama Education Management Services) and founder of IDEA Public Schools, to dive deep into school leadership, sustainability, and talent retention strategies. Joanne shares practical insights on building resilient educational systems, modeling sustainable leadership, supporting teachers through strong cultures, and creating clear leadership pipelines that keep great educators thriving for the long haul.

In this episode of Hire Ground, host Josh Czupryk sits down with Dr. Daniel Velasco, President and CEO of Ensemble Learning, for a practical, action-oriented conversation on what K-12 leaders can do right now to create welcoming, inclusive school environments where multilingual learners and families feel fully supported and valued. They dive into immediate steps for building trust through family engagement, establishing safe and welcoming spaces, implementing asset-based instructional practices, leveraging data for equitable student support, and hiring leaders with a non-negotiable multilingual mindset. The focus is clear: multilingualism is a powerful asset that strengthens every student and the entire school community when leaders act proactively to foster belonging and success.

In this episode of Hire Ground, hosts Christina Greenberg and Josh Czupryk explore the transformative power of neurodiversity in K12 leadership and hiring. Joined by David Flink, CEO and founder of the Neurodiversity Alliance, they discuss how recognizing and embracing cognitive differences can drive innovation, strengthen problem-solving, and build more effective teams. David shares his 26-year journey advocating for neurodiversity, personal stories from the front lines, and practical strategies for bias-free hiring, accommodations, and inclusive cultures that unlock everyone’s strengths—ultimately benefiting students, staff, and entire systems.

In Episode 10 of Hire Ground, host Josh Czupryk speaks with Niloy Gangopadhyay, Vice President for Teach For America's 35th Anniversary Summit. They reflect on TFA's 35-year legacy of producing more teachers and leaders than any other organization, while addressing current challenges in education. The conversation focuses on recapturing a positive, hopeful narrative around the profession, the critical role of community engagement and relationships, and how the upcoming summit aims to energize educators, boost retention, and catalyze future change. With emphasis on hope, optimism, purpose, and actionable outcomes, this episode highlights why inspiring the next generation is essential for equity and progress in K-12 education.

In this special episode of Hire Ground, host Josh Czupryk sits down with Dr. Brandi Nicole Chin from the Opportunity Trust to discuss her new book, Hope Is Not a Strategy: How Great Leaders Build Real Accountability (releasing January 14, 2026). They explore why high-performing schools maintain exceptional teacher retention rates, even through challenging times, and how leaders can shift from fear-based leadership to creating thriving adult cultures. Dr. Chin shares practical insights on involving teachers in the work, building differentiated staff retention and onboarding plans, elevating teachers as culture carriers, and using accountability as a tool for support—not surveillance—to drive consistent results for kids.This episode builds on the season's focus on solutions to teacher and leader burnout, emphasizing that when teachers thrive, students thrive.

In this episode of Hire Ground, hosts Christina Greenberg and Josh Czupryk explore the transformative impact of AI on K12 education and leadership. They discuss how educators' roles are evolving, the importance of higher-order skills, experiential learning, and preparing students for a dynamic workforce. Joined by renowned education innovator Michael Horn, they dive into disruptive trends like unbundled choice, career-connected learning, and the leadership qualities needed to thrive in this new era—from adaptability and curiosity to aligning talent with organizational moments.

Faculty are leaving the profession in record numbers - but some schools are bucking the trend. In Episode 8 of Hire Ground, Christina and Josh explore the power of lab schools, university partnerships, and innovative district models that keep great teachers in classrooms. Joined by Dr. Sally Gates Parish, they dive into post-COVID leadership realities, why retention starts with reimagining the faculty role, and how strategic, human-centered superintendents are building sustainable cultures that attract and keep top talent.

In this episode of Hire Ground, hosts Christina Greenberg and Josh Czupryk dive into the power of community engagement in K12 leadership. Drawing from real-world examples in Memphis and Oakland, they explore how authentic partnerships with families build trust, drive equity, and sustain schools amid challenges like enrollment pressures and political shifts. Joined by Kimi Kean, CEO and co-founder of Families in Action for Quality Education, they discuss shifting from paternalism to partnership, empowering parents as co-leaders, and why listening to community voices is non-negotiable for transformative education.

HEADLINES: ED is not abolished tomorrow. Congress still appropriates every dollar.What IS moving right now: $31 billion in annual grants — Title I, Title II, Title III, CSP, magnets, Indian Ed — shifting via Economy Act agreements to Labor, Interior, State, and HHS.Charter-specific bombshell: the Charter Schools Program and Title V-B facilities incentives just became the property of the Department of Labor.Big exhale: IDEA Part B ($15 billion) and OCR civil rights enforcement are staying put. No signed transfer agreements yet. That buys us 2025–26 and almost certainly 2026–27.WHAT TO DO:Your Director of Federal Programs needs immediate support. They will now have to navigate the remaining US Ed programs (IDEA), Labor, Interior, State, and HHSYour Chief Academics, Chief Financial, and Chief Operations will need to be well versed in Federal compliance and how it shifts since there are now many more stakeholders to report intoYour local and state relationships matter more than ever. Your Superintendent/CEO hires need to be able to build and maintain those relationships.You need a Chief Schools or Chief Academics who looks internally and runs the day-to-day while your CEO/Superintendent manages the external given how many more relationships are going to be critical to accomplish your mission to serve students, families, and communities.

In this episode of Hire Ground, hosts Christina Greenberg and Josh Czupryk sit down with Eric Hirsch, CEO of Ed Reports, to explore how high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) serve as a lifeline for K12 leaders. They discuss how HQIM drives teacher retention, stabilizes systems during leadership transitions, and reduces workload—creating sustainable conditions for success. The conversation also covers the evolving curriculum market, the balance of fidelity and innovation, and the exciting potential of AI to personalize teaching while keeping educators at the center.

In this episode of Hire Ground, hosts Christina Greenberg and Josh Czupryk tackle the growing crisis of leadership fatigue in K12 education. With teachers hesitant to step into school leadership and principals wary of central office roles, they explore how to make leadership sustainable again—amid political pressures, enrollment battles, and expanding demands. Joined by Natasha Trivers, current Executive Director of the Broad Center at the Yale School of Management and former CEO of Democracy Prep Public Schools. They discuss neurodiversity in teams, the importance of clarity and boundaries, and how to train the next generation of equity-driven, resilient leaders.

The political landscape in K12 education is more complex than ever, influencing classrooms, schools, districts, networks, and state-level systems. In this episode of Hire Ground, hosts Christina Greenberg and Josh Czupryk explore how political headwinds shape the K12 leadership profile and the critical role of state education agencies (SEAs) in driving student outcomes. Joined by Kunjan Narechania, CEO of Watershed Advisors and former leader at the Louisiana Department of Education and Teach For America, they discuss essential skills like coalition building, community engagement, and political savvy, alongside strategies for identifying and developing resilient leaders to navigate these challenges and foster positive education outcomes.

The K12 Leadership Profile has shifted since COVID. Can a leader compartmentalize? Can the communicate with clarity? Can they manage the external noise and keep their leaders, faculty, staff, students, and families focused on an academic north star? In this episode, we explore the Leadership Profile for K12 organizations, how the profile has shifted, and what you can do as you continue to identify, hire, and develop your leaders. We bring on Eric Thomas from Charter School Growth Fund (CSGF) to share his reflections on what they see from the 400+ schools across their portfolio.

Successful hiring matches between leaders and organizations aren't accidents—they stem from clear conversations about what a role entails, how it drives impact, and the skills that ensure success. In this Hire Ground episode, we explore the candidate's journey in selecting roles and the organization's side in choosing talent, emphasizing alignment on every detail for the best outcomes. Top organizations craft precise job descriptions outlining responsibilities, success metrics, and ideal candidate profiles. Savvy job seekers build resumes that spotlight results, link them to business wins, and showcase tangible contributions. This timeless recruiting wisdom faces a new twist: AI's disruption. But fear not—ethical AI can supercharge efficiencies, from automating initial screens to aiding interview prep and resume tailoring. Organizations can harness it while keeping human experts in the loop; candidates can use it to research companies and customize applications. Balance is key. Tune in to unpack how to define skills and profiles, leverage AI responsibly in your job search (from either side), and shine as the perfect fit—whether you're the employer or the applicant.

When will superintendents, CEOs, principals, and faculty look for 2026-27?It's earlier than you think. Listen to Episode One to go on a journey to Hire Ground with Christina and Josh as we talk about the start of the 2025-26 school year, how to support and actively retain your current leaders and faculty, and how to think ahead to hiring for 2026-27 using the data.Hire Ground is the essential podcast for K12 leaders and talent professionals navigating the ever-changing landscape of educational leadership hiring. Hosted by Christina Greenberg, CEO of Edgility Search, with over 20 years of executive search expertise, and Josh Czupryk, founder of Josh's K12 Jobs Blast, this podcast blends high-level data insights with real-world stories to uncover how to find, hire, and retain the right leaders for the right organizations at the right time.