Educate Me!

“I feel like I’m trying to create the world I thought I was born into”, goes a long way to telling you just how amazing of an educational leader and great human being our latest Educate Me! podcast guest, Dr. Tim Hudson, is. As a former classroom teacher, curriculum coordinator, chief learning officer, and now founder of Campus Pro Events, Dr. Hudson has dedicated his professional life to not only providing opportunities for every student to learn, but to ensuring equity for all. Which, in large part, is what makes him such an awesome guy! And his ‘Magic Wand’ answer might be the best we’ve ever had…

Perhaps the most powerful Educate Me! podcast episode we've ever recorded, because our guests' influence has unexpectedly, but necessarily, gone far beyond education leadership.Brenda Lewis, Ph.D. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-turner-a7b74522/#), Superintendent of Fridley Public School District (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-turner-a7b74522/#), MN, was thrust into the national and global spotlight earlier this year when ICE came to town. Dr. Lewis was presented with an unenviable task, but one that she embraced on behalf of her school district, her community, and in an effort to protect every child under her care.What motivates her? Where did the courage come from to lead in such challenging circumstances? And what would she do with a magic wand...

Perhaps the most powerful Educate Me! podcast episode we've ever recorded, because our guests' influence has unexpectedly, but necessarily, gone far beyond education leadership. Brenda Lewis, Ph.D. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-turner-a7b74522/#), Superintendent of Fridley Public School District (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-turner-a7b74522/#), MN, was thrust into the national and global spotlight earlier this year when ICE came to town. Dr. Lewis was presented with an unenviable task, but one that she embraced on behalf of her school district, her community, and in an effort to protect every child under her care. What motivates her? Where did the courage come from to lead in such challenging circumstances? And what would she do with a magic wand...

Passion. Purpose. Powerhouse! Dr. Jennifer Collier (https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjencollier/), Superintendent of Kansas City Public Schools (https://www.linkedin.com/company/kansas-city-public-schools/), Missouri, has the first two in abundance and consistently shows up as the third for her students, staff, and community. Setting high expectations for students, unifying the school district and city around academic purpose, and creating a culture of community togetherness to help pass a hugely historic Bond that will impact an entire generation: just a few of the things that define and characterize her leadership. This is one Educate Me! podcast episode you do not want to miss!

The Educate Me! Podcast is a platform for promoting leaders and supporters of public education who are helping elevate the work and positively impact student outcomes. Henrik Appert (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-turner-a7b74522/#), CEO and Founder of Magma Math (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-turner-a7b74522/#), fits that description perfectly. Our first international guest doesn't disappoint! With a unique schooling story that takes us through 3 countries + plenty of viewpoints regarding how best to support our teachers and education system as a whole today, Henrik makes for a fascinating visit. Enjoy! (Njuta! 🇸🇪) https://www.magmamath.com/

Our first two-fer episode! With roots in the Dominican Republic but very different paths through their student experience, cousins Dr. Ariel Lajara (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-ariel-lajara-6b6a8421b/) and Dr. Renato M Lajara (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-renato-m-lajara-b3206487/) careers now run in parallel as Assistant Superintendents in The School District of Philadelphia (https://www.linkedin.com/company/school-district-of-philadelphia/). Though distinct and unique, their individual journeys are equally remarkable. Both battled through a language barrier. Both cite some special teachers as essential advocates. And both have a steadfast commitment to paying it forward, helping every educator they mentor and support, and every student in their care, especially the most vulnerable in their urban setting.

Are we doing enough to support the seeming disparity in public education? Are students in poverty penalized by our current structures and assessments? What happens if AI replaces teachers? These questions and others are thoughtfully posed and explored by Dr. Zach Conrad (https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-conrad-89abb9a/), Director of Evaluation, Research, Assessments & Technology and Informational Services, at Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools (https://www.linkedin.com/company/kansas-city-kansas-public-schools/). Genuinely, one of the most fun and thought-provoking eps we've recorded to date, as Zach transparently shares his shortcomings as a student, before fearlessly tackling his misgivings re: how we're seeing and supporting students in public education today. A fascinating 'must listen!' episode!

How do you create a small community feel in the largest school district in Arizona? In this episode, Dr. Monica Mesa Ed.D. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-turner-a7b74522/overlay/create-post/#), Assistant Superintendent - soon to be Chief of Schools - at Mesa Public Schools (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-turner-a7b74522/overlay/create-post/#), with over 60,000 students and more than 80 campuses, has thoughts on that very topic. Growing up in a small rural town in New Mexico, Dr. Mesa appreciates the safety and security she enjoyed as a student, both in and out of the classroom. And as a leader today, she considers how to celebrate the collective strength and exciting diversity of such a large school system, while ensuring every student is seen and their learning journey feels personal.

Want to broaden your education world view? This EducateMe! episode welcomes a world traveler in Dr. Khrisslyn Goodman (https://www.linkedin.com/preload/#), Executive Director of Research, Evaluation & Assessment at Eastern Carver County Schools (https://www.linkedin.com/preload/#). Khrisslyn brings a unique view to public education in the United States, with an unorthodox journey that has culminated in her teaching and leading in Minnesota. Her unique view extends to her scope of work, also, with engagement in just about every aspect of her school district.

You're going to be hard-pressed to find a more energetic Educate Me! guest (or one with a longer list of responsibilities making up his 12-word job title!) than Bill Bass (https://www.linkedin.com/in/williambass/) of Parkway Schools (https://www.linkedin.com/company/parkway-school-district/), and ISTE (https://www.linkedin.com/company/isteofficial/) President of the Board of Directors. As an educational leader, Bill not only brings his positive energy and enthusiastic focus to his home state of Missouri, he also travels the U.S., evangelizing in school districts and at Ed conferences across the country. But today, he found the time to talk to us 😊

From humble beginnings, a determined young Mike Miles embarked on a distinguished college journey. From there, to the military. Then diplomacy. Before his third career as an educator saw him rise through the ranks to now leading the 8th largest school district in the nation, Houston USD, TX. How do you move a system of that size, ensuring positive growth and impact across the entire community? And what did Mike learn along his professional path that helped inform his beliefs as to how to successfully tackle this huge challenge?

Dr. Bill Daggett, Ed. D., is the Executive Chair of both the Successful Practices Network and the National Dropout Prevention Center, as well as being a nationally and internationally renowned educational speaker, and trusted partner and consultant to Superintendents and district leadership teams in hundreds of school systems across the United States. But Bill’s beginnings in education as a student were much less auspicious. Despite challenges with dyslexia and an understandably impacted attitude to learning during his K-12 journey, in college, one professor helped change everything…

A native of Colorado, a product of the Colorado education system (Go Denver Public Schools!), someone who has dedicated their life to teaching, learning, and leading, and who has risen to the position of the Centennial State's Commissioner of Education, Susana Cordova! Susana is as humble as she is smart, and it's that combination that makes listening to her story so compelling. From the importance of her family, who shaped her, to the teachers who provided opportunities for her to realize her full potential, from her time in the classroom as a teacher herself to the highest seat in Colorado's education system...what a journey! Thanks for providing us a glimpse of it, Susana. 📚

A new author, a trusted consultant, an award-winning educational leader; Marlon Styles, Jr. does it all! From his early days as a student with energy enough to tackle a jungle gym in his classroom before taking on long division, to the nationally renowned educational speaker that we enjoy today, inspiring audiences domestically and internationally, you can't help but be motivated to MAKE YOUR MOVE with Marlon! https://marlonstyles.com/ https://marlonstyles.com/make-your-move

Dr. Ivan Duran, Ed. D., Superintendent of Highline Public Schools, WA, may not have had the best experience of school as a student, but those early challenges helped inform and shape the incredible educational leader he has become.Because compassion and a commitment to honoring every student's heritage are chief among the things Ivan values most, every teacher in his district has a focus on knowing every student's name, strength, and need.

Dr. Cory Steiner is the Superintendent of ⁠Fargo Public Schools, in Fargo, ND, and he might get you fired up more than any other episode so far! From his rural roots to big city Fargo, throughout his career, Cory has sustained a passion for public education and a commitment to making it work for every student in his school system - and his enthusiasm and evangelism shines through!

Pam Betten is the Chief Academic Officer for Sunnyside Unified School District in Tucson, AZ, leading the Curriculum & Instruction Department and supervising all of K-12 schools. With over two decades of experience as a principal and district leader, Pam demonstrates a deep commitment to transforming education through inclusive practices and an intense focus on learning - as you'll hear in this ep!

On this episode, we have another of those amazing educational leader 'switch hitters'. Education Partners Executive Vice President ⁠Mike Poore⁠ has, as a former Superintendent, led several school districts very successfully, and now comes alongside them as a trusted consultant.Thanks for sharing your fascinating story, Mike, and for demonstrating what humility, compassion, and a genuine interest in others looks like.

In this visit, Dr. Karen Cheser, Superintendent of Durango School District 9-R, discusses the positive difference she has strived to make both with students in her native Kentucky and in new-er home state of Colorado. Karen also shares a unique favourite teacher story, as well as the focus and drive that can come from the Japanese idea of Ikigai / 生き甲斐.

Dr. Tracy Weeden has always been driven by a simple but profound belief: everyone deserves the chance to live a life of purpose, free from the barriers that have held too many back for far too long. She's all about creating opportunities and empowering individuals in mind, body, and spirit to pursue their God-given purpose with confidence and resilience.But what lit that servant-leader fire in her belly, and who helped stoke it along the way? www.upstreameducation.orghttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-l-weeden-7a952a29/

In his more than 28 years serving public education, Dr. Michael Thomas has demonstrated himself to be a visionary leader, skilled in operational, managerial, and program development, and an effective educator and mentor. Today, his expert knowledge sees him sought out by his Public Ed peers and those within the not-for-profit and philanthropic sectors. But Michael's story as a student might make all of this appear unlikely...https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-j-thomas-ed-d-87a72916/

Uly Navarrete, Executive Director of the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS), shares his education journey in our inaugural episode. Uly discusses the teacher that was both his #1 champion and biggest nemesis, why organization is more important than numbers when it comes to advocacy, and his surprising suggestion for helping to make public education just that little bit better.https://alasedu.orghttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ulyssesnavarrete