Thomas C. Murray concludes Season 7 of Leading Through Unprecedented Times with Dr. Scott Menzel, Arizona's 2024 Superintendent of the Year. They discuss the evolving landscape of education, the integration of AI, and the importance of accountability and transparency in public education. Menzel emphasizes courage and innovation in navigating challenges for student success. Listen to this episode to learn: - How districts should consider implementing artificial intelligence - How public schools can ensure accountability with taxpayer resources - The role innovation plays in modern learning experiences

Season 7, Episode 9 Sarah Frayer, an assistant principal in Washington DC, shares her journey in education, emphasizing the importance of student wellness and emotional support for staff. She advocates for creating a safe and welcoming environment for open discussions, prioritizing well-being, and ensuring teachers feel valued and heard, ultimately fostering a positive school culture. Listen to this episode to learn: - How educators can effectively support student well-being - What strategies can help create a positive school culture - How leaders can promote emotional well-being among staff

Dr. Quintin Shepherd, Superintendent of Pflugerville ISD in Texas, shares his journey as a superintendent, emphasizing community involvement and student ownership as keys to success. He advocates for a shift from engagement to ownership, encouraging schools to redesign experiences for students. Dr. Shepherd also discusses the implications of AI in education, stressing the need for policies that guide its use effectively. Listen to this episode to learn: - How community voice can improve educational outcomes - Effective strategies for student ownership in learning - How schools need to adapt to the rise of AI in education

Dr. Patricia Brent-Sanco discusses her role in promoting high-quality educational experiences for every child in an equity-focused system in Lynwood Unified School District in California. She emphasizes the importance of providing tailored support for diverse student needs and fostering inclusive environments for all. Her leadership team focuses on eliminating barriers, enhancing teacher training, and engaging families to ensure every student can thrive. Listen to this episode to learn: - How Lynwood is centering equity in the educational experience - How schools can better support a diverse set of student needs - Supporting teachers in creating high-quality experiences for all

Superintendent Dr. Erik Gundersen shares insights on leadership, emphasizing humility and connectivity. He discusses his journey from physics teacher to superintendent in New York, highlighting the importance of calculated risks and surrounding oneself with great people. He also addresses challenges in education, advocating for positive narratives and innovative programs like cyber security pathways for students. Listen to this episode to learn: - What are the key qualities of effective school leadership? - How can superintendents foster community connections? - What challenges do superintendents face today?

Assistant Superintendent and Author Megan Lawson discusses the importance of hope in education, emphasizing that hope is action-driven and involves setting meaningful goals, identifying pathways, and fostering resilience. She highlights the need for leaders to model vulnerability and positivity, as well as the reciprocal relationship between adult well-being and student success, ultimately advocating for authentic leadership. Listen to this episode to learn: - What are the key elements of the science of hope? - How can leaders model vulnerability effectively? - What's the relationship between adult well-being and student success?

Future Ready Faculty Member Ken Shelton discusses the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, emphasizing the need for ethical considerations, bias awareness, and effective policy development. He advocates for a learner-centered approach, urging educators to critically assess AI's role in solving specific problems and to ensure transparency in data usage and governance. As your district develops policy and protocols, you won't want to miss this deep dive into AI considerations! Listen to this episode to learn: - What are the different types of AI systems? - How can schools address bias in AI? - What should AI policy in education focus on?

Hamish Brewer shares his journey as an educator and principal, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, leadership, and listening. He advocates for creating supportive environments where students and staff can thrive, highlighting the need for love and understanding in education. Known as "The Skateboarding Principal," Brewer encourages educators to recognize their worth and impact in students' lives. Listen to this episode to learn: - What are the key traits of effective leadership? - How can educators create supportive environments for students? - What role does authenticity play in educational leadership?

Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket, an elementary principal in Maryland, emphasizes the importance of impacting one student at a time amidst educational challenges. She shares insights on leadership, the significance of connection, and maintaining work-life balance. Her experiences highlight the need for support networks and finding joy in the educational journey. Listen to this episode to learn: - How can principals effectively connect with their students? - What strategies can leaders use to maintain work-life balance? - Why is it important for educators to have support networks?

Season 7 of Future Ready's Leading Through Unprecedented Times features Dr. Randy Watson, Kansas's Education Commissioner. He shares his journey from teaching to leadership and emphasizes the importance of fostering hope in education. Dr. Watson discusses Kansas's vision for student success, focusing on individual paths, academic and soft skills, the critical role of stable leadership in schools, and most importantly, his message of HOPE! Listen to this episode to learn: - What are the key priorities for education in Kansas? - How does Dr. Watson define success for students? - What strategies are used to support school leaders in Kansas?

In the final episode of Season 6 of Leading Through Unprecedented Times, Nicki Slaugh and Eric Sheninger discuss strategies for personalizing education to better meet the needs of each learner. The guests dive deep into the importance of a dynamic partnership between teachers and students, where learning is tailored to each student's strengths, interests, and needs. Their approach aims to foster a more engaging and effective learning environment, moving away from one-size-fits-all methods. Nicki Slaugh shares insights from her experience as a middle school principal, highlighting the impact of personalized learning on student outcomes. Eric Sheninger, an award-winning educator and author, complements this with examples from his work in various educational settings, illustrating how personalized learning can be implemented on a larger scale. Together, they provide practical advice and actionable steps for educators looking to adopt personalized learning strategies in their own classrooms. Listen to this episode to learn: - The need for dynamic partnerships between teachers and students for effective personalized learning. - The importance of tailoring learning experiences to individual students' strengths, interests, and needs. - Practical examples and strategies for implementing personalized learning in different educational settings. - The positive impact of personalized learning on student engagement and outcomes.

Leading a school requires balancing multiple roles and creating an environment where teachers and students thrive. Massachusetts Principal of the Year, Andrew Rebello, the Assistant Superintendent-Principal, at Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School focuses on building strong community partnerships, providing mental health support, and empowering teachers to be experts in their classrooms, fostering a culture of excellence and engagement. Listen to this episode to learn: - How they create a culture where teachers and students want to come to school - What strategies they use to support student attendance and mental health - How their approach to leadership contributes to the school's high graduation rate

Melody Hawkins (@MHawkinsEDU), the 2021 National University Teacher of the Year, shares her journey from a science background to becoming a teacher and leader, emphasizing the importance of teacher motivation, empathetic leadership, and social-emotional learning. In this episode, Melody addresses: - As a science facilitator, how she approaches building relationships and trust with other teachers. - Strategies she recommends for school leaders to prioritize instructional leadership. - How she incorporates social-emotional learning into her work with educators and community organizations. For more on Harmony (SEL) Academy, visit: https://harmony-academy.org.

Meeting students where they are and intentionally addressing their needs is the key to equity and effective teaching, according to Principal Kafele, in Episode 9 of Season 6. He emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and assessing one's own leadership to continuously improve. In this episode, Principal Kafele addresses: - How can a new assistant principal or principal effectively assess and shift the culture of a school? - What strategies can principals use to address adult behaviors and mindsets that hinder a positive school culture? - What is the focus of his upcoming book, and how does it challenge school leaders to reflect on their instructional leadership?

Superintendent Dr. Donya Ball (@SuptDonya) emphasizes the importance of normalizing the "storms" of leadership, building a culture of work-life balance, and fostering curiosity and open-mindedness among educators to overcome challenges and drive positive change. You won't want to miss this incredible episode of the LTUT podcast! Dr. Ball will address: - How can school and district leaders effectively navigate the "storms" of leadership? - What strategies does Dr. Ball recommend for maintaining work-life balance as a female superintendent? - How can leaders cultivate a culture of curiosity and open-mindedness among their teams?

Building capacity for instructional leadership is crucial, requiring strategic frameworks, empowering teams, and seeing culture through others' eyes to avoid undercurrents. Join Future Ready Faculty member Jimmy Casas (@Casas_Jimmy) as he dives into: - What are the key strategies for building instructional leadership capacity? - How can school leaders effectively see culture through the eyes of others? - What are the important considerations for hiring and onboarding new teachers?

Creating a sense of belonging for students is critical, as it can impact their leadership skills, academics, and overall school experience. Principals should actively seek student voice, embrace diversity, and go beyond just providing access to truly engage the school community. Join PA High School Principal, Dr. Dennis Williams as he wrestles with: - How can principals foster a sense of belonging in their schools? - What are the benefits of creating an inclusive environment for students? - How can schools effectively engage families and the broader community?

Establishing a universal floor of academic excellence for all students, while addressing systemic inequities through data-driven, evidence-based practices, is crucial to ensuring equitable access and opportunity. You won't want to miss Dr. Robin Avelar La Salle, CEO of Orenda Education, dive deep into equity-related practices! Check out Episode 5 of Season 6 to understand: - What are the three "fierce questions" that Dr. Avelar La Salle discusses in addressing systemic inequities? - How does Dr. Avelar La Salle suggest school and district leaders can grow their knowledge base to better understand and address issues of educational equity? - What are the common systemic inequity traps that Dr. Avelar La Salle and her co-author identify in their book "Where Equity Lives"? Listen/Subscribe: https://FutureReady.org/leading #FutureReady

Superintendent Dr. David Law emphasizes the importance of creating a child-centered, empowering, and innovative learning environment that celebrates excellence, fosters experiential learning, and empowers both students and staff. Check out Episode 4 of Season 6 to learn: - How does Minnetonka Public Schools promote experiential learning and prepare students for the real world? - What strategies does Superintendent David Law use to empower and support his staff? - How does Minnetonka Public Schools foster a sense of belonging and community among students and families? Listen/Subscribe: https://FutureReady.org/leading #FutureReady

In Episode 3 of Season 6 of Future Ready's Leading Through Unprecedented Times, Dr. Julie Mitchell (@_JulieMitchell_) superintendent of Rowland Unified School District in California, discusses effective leadership, student voice, empathy interviews, family engagement, and shares incredible advice for aspiring school leaders. She emphasizes the importance of being vulnerable, caring for students, and staying grounded in purpose. Her dedication to serving students shines through her work! You won't want to miss this episode!