K12 Ed Confidential

Join us for a powerful conversation with Dr. Rick Cobb, Superintendent of Midwest City–Del City Public Schools in Oklahoma. Dr. Cobb is a trusted voice in public education and a champion for students and the educators who serve them.Throughout his career, he’s been recognized for his commitment to educational excellence, equity, and building school environments where both students and staff can thrive. Known for his transparent leadership, community-centered approach, and unwavering advocacy for public schools, Dr. Cobb brings insight, clarity, and heart to every conversation.This episode is a must-listen for leaders who care about culture, communication, and the future of public education.

In this episode, Stuart Udell, CEO of Prometric, joins us to explore how assessment and credentialing are evolving to meet the needs of today’s K-12 learners. Stuart shares insights on creating student-centered assessments, the growing role of AI in education, and innovative ways to measure real student growth beyond traditional testing.The conversation dives into how certifications can open career pathways, why actionable data is critical for effective teaching, and how schools can adopt a more agile, responsive approach to assessment—one that keeps student learning and development at the center.

In this episode of K12 Ed Confidential, hosts Dr. Clayton Wilcox and Raymond J. McNulty sit down with Fred Bramante to discuss the changing landscape of education and the urgent need to create systems that ignite a true passion for learning.Fred shares his remarkable journey—from a struggling student to a nationally recognized voice in education reform—offering insights into how schools can better engage students and inspire lifelong curiosity. Together, they explore the power of personal learning plans, the promise of competency-based education, and the importance of connecting students’ passions with the skills they’ll need to thrive in the future.

In this episode of K12 Confidential, Dr. Clayton Wilcox and Raymond J. McNulty talk with L. Earl Franks, CEO of NAESP, about the new school year, the power of relationships, and the shift from content to skills-based learning. Together, they explore post-COVID challenges, balance in schools, and the future of educational leadership.

In this episode, we dive into the challenges and opportunities facing today’s superintendents—from tech innovation to building inclusive schools. Hear strategies and stories from the frontlines of education leadership, and discover how bold ideas are shaping the future of learning.

In this episode, hosts Dr. Clayton Wilcox and Dr. Ray McNulty are joined by Fred Bramante, longtime New Hampshire education leader, former Chair of the State Board of Education, and author of Off the Clock, for an eye-opening conversation on the future of personalized, competency-based learning.Fred shares lessons from his decades of leadership and unveils his latest vision: what if schools started by asking students what they want to learn—and then made that part of their personal curriculum? It’s a transformational idea that puts student interests and aspirations at the heart of education.Together, Fred, Dr. Wilcox, and Dr. McNulty explore how schools can move beyond traditional models to empower student voice, spark passion-driven learning, and create a more relevant, meaningful educational experience.Tune in for a powerful discussion on reimagining school from the student out—and how bold leadership can make it happen.

In this episode, host Dr. Clayton Wilcox is joined by Dr. Scott Menzel, Superintendent of Scottsdale Unified School District, and Matt Wenzel, Founder & CEO of Lebra, for a meaningful conversation about the central role of culture in school leadership.Together, they explore how visionary leadership and a commitment to belonging can transform school communities. Scott shares how student voice and teacher agency shape culture across his district, while Matt offers practical insights from his work at Lebra, helping schools and organizations create environments where every person feels seen, valued, and heard.Tune in for a powerful discussion on what it takes to build lasting culture, navigate resistance, and lead with purpose in today’s evolving educational landscape.

In this episode, hosts Dr. Clayton Wilcox and Ray McNulty are joined by Linsey Covert, Founder & Chief Impact Officer of TEAMology, for a powerful conversation on the critical role emotional health plays in shaping student success.TEAMology’s mission is to understand and improve emotional well-being so that every child has the foundation to thrive—not just in school, but throughout life. Linsey shares the story behind TEAMology’s creation, the growing need for emotional support systems in schools, and how her team is helping districts integrate these tools directly into classrooms.Together, Linsey, Dr. Wilcox, and Ray explore what it really means to educate the whole child and how schools can foster safe, supportive environments that elevate both learning and well-being.Tune in for an inspiring conversation on building stronger school cultures, empowering educators, and giving every student the emotional tools they need to succeed—now and into the future.

In this episode, hosts Dr. Clayton Wilcox and Ray McNulty are joined by Dr. Sandy Addis, Chairman of the National Dropout Prevention Center, and Thomas Hawkins, an education leader and advocate, for a deep conversation about one of the most pressing issues in education today—student attendance.From the earliest days of organized schooling to today’s complex educational landscape, strong attendance has been a key driver of student success and personal development. Yet, maintaining high attendance rates remains a persistent challenge, with chronic absenteeism affecting school ratings, student outcomes, and community well-being.Together, Dr. Addis, Mr. Hawkins, Dr. Wilcox, and Ray McNulty explore the roots of the attendance crisis, the barriers schools and students face, and practical, research-based strategies to re-engage students and communities.

In this episode, Dr. Clayton Wilcox and Ray McNulty sit down with Dr. Shari Camhi, Superintendent of Baldwin Union Free School District, to explore how her district has become a national model for media literacy, innovation, and future-ready education.Dr. Camhi shares the bold vision behind Baldwin’s groundbreaking work in student-centered media programs—highlighting how her team built a culture that empowers students to become storytellers, creators, and critical thinkers. From student-run broadcasts to curriculum integration, Baldwin is proving that when districts invest in meaningful media literacy, they prepare students not just for tests—but for life.Tune in to hear how intentional leadership, community partnerships, and a commitment to future-ready learning are reshaping what’s possible in K–12 education.

Join Clayton and Ray for a powerful conversation with Dr. Rick Surrency, one of the nation’s most innovative and forward-thinking superintendents.In this episode, Dr. Surrency shares how his leadership in Putnam County, Florida has helped transform education by creating real-world opportunities and building meaningful partnerships that prepare students for life beyond the classroom. An award-winning superintendent, Dr. Surrency has empowered a passionate team of educators to raise graduation rates and improve outcomes for every student.This is an inspiring discussion about visionary leadership, community collaboration, and what it truly means to put students first.

Join Clayton and Ray as they discuss the application of new technologies where fake news and deepfakes are more and more convincing and the voices students listen to more often than not seek to advance an agenda, a point of view or sell them the next best thing. A world in which Clayton and Ray propose that it has never been more in our students' interests to learn academic subjects, but also how to navigate misinformation using what they know from a strong background in the traditional academic subjects. A world where traditional subjects remain essential but take on new roles:Math helps detect statistical manipulation.Science builds the ability to assess research claims.Social studies provides historical context for misinformation’s impact.Language arts develops critical reading and thoughtful communication skills.

Dr. Clayton Wilcox and Ray McNulty sit down withDr. Mark Odsather, Superintendent of Pleasant View School District in California, for a thought-provoking discussion onbuilding a culture of transparency, collaboration, and shared accountability in education. They explore how fosteringinternal coherence andlateral accountability can drive bothindividual and collective growth, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of learners at every level. Tune in for insights on leadership, innovation, and the transformative power of a unified learning community.

Dr. Clayton Wilcox and Ray McNulty are joined by Dr. George Philhower for a powerful discussion on creating schools where students experience joy in learning and where education serves as a pillar of support for both communities and families. Together, they’ll explore how to design schools that foster engagement, inspire curiosity, and create meaningful, lasting impact for students and the communities they serve.

Dr. Clayton Wilcox and Ray McNulty continue their discussion on future-focused schools, emphasizing the importance of building bold visions for education and identifying the key characteristics that define transformative, future-driven schools.

Join Clayton and Ray as they talk with Superintendent Grishman about his leadership journey. Hank shares his vision, his commitment as essential elements in making lasting change. In a world where the tenure of many superintendents is short, Hank demonstrates that persistence, continuity and community are critical elements in creating lasting change which enables outstanding performance for students and staff. 

he best schools and districts aren’t stumbling into tomorrow. They are intentionally looking at what they are doing today that may or may not enable tomorrow. Leaders in these schools and districts recognize the need to stop some practices, improve some current practices and anticipate the changes of tomorrow. Ray and Clayton lay out a set of practices and tools in this podcast that will help today’s leaders better prepare to meet the challenge of becoming a future ready school or district. 

In today’s hyper-connected, fast-paced world, education must do more than just prepare students for tests—it must prepare them for the future. Join us as we explore what it means to build future-ready schools that care for students' needs today and anticipate the challenges of tomorrow. We'll discuss how district leaders can cultivate a culture and climate that balances the present with a vision for the future, with foresight teams, strategic leadership, and trust-building at the core. From artificial intelligence advancements to emerging trends, we’ll uncover the tools and mindsets needed to lead schools that empower every student for long-term success.

This episode explores building future-focused schools that bridge academic learning with real-world applications. How can we balance essential content with hands-on, project-based learning? What shifts are needed to prepare students for tomorrow’s careers while putting their needs first? Join us as we explore strategies for navigating the changes needed to build future-focused schools.

In this episode of the K12 EdConfidential podcast, hosts Ray McNulty and Clayton Wilcox introduce themselves and outline the vision for the series. They share updates on their recent work and provide a sneak peek into upcoming episodes. As the education landscape evolves, Ray and Clayton highlight the critical role of collaboration and the sharing of best practices in driving positive change for all students, with a focus on shaping the future of education.