Posts by Throughline Learning

#89 Stephanie Downey Toledo There are very few district leaders who feel as comfortable pioneering a new and compelling idea or co-designing with partners through messy, nascent work – all while holding the highest bar possible for her staff, students and families. Stephanie Downey Toledo is that Superintendent. I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with…

#90 Karen Barber I have interviewed a couple of leaders who have worked their way through the ranks from classroom teacher to superintendent. Their context, empathy, and expectations are a superpower! Karen Barber, Superintendent of Santa Rosa County Public Schools in Florida is that leader. So many gems in conversation #90! “I’ve spent 29 years…

#93 Cynthia Ritchie Back with more #100DistrictConversations this week! I’m excited to share this conversation with a Connecticut leader who is both innovative and practical. Conversation #93 is with Dr. Cynthia Ritchie, Superintendent of New London Public Schools. As I’ve gotten to know and learn from her this year, I’m impressed with how she builds…

#94 Leslie-Bernard Joseph What does it really mean to never stop learning? Leslie-Bernard Joseph has spent his career thinking about this question. From Teach For America(opens in new tab) to founding schools to pursuing a joint law and education degree, each experience has shaped how he thinks about adult learning, approaches problems, and creates conditions for…

#95 Tresha Ward #100DistrictConversations(opens in new tab) are sometimes just excuses to hang out with talented friends who do incredible work. Conversation #95 with Prospect Schools(opens in new tab) CEO Tresha Francis Ward(opens in new tab) was exactly that! A chance to see my Pahara(opens in new tab)-sister in action, and it was impressive. “When I…

#92 Anna Nolin It was a pleasure to sit down in person with Superintendent Anna Nolin at the ASU+GSV Summit last month. We’ve known and collaborated with Anna for years, from her time in Natick Public Schools to her work now leading Newton Public Schools, a member district in our first PEA²K cohort – a…

#91 Patrick Dunphy Career and Technical Education (CTE) has been stigmatized for a long time but it’s starting to get its due and for good reason! Traditional high school has a lot to learn from the authenticity of CTE programs and career pathway curriculum. I loved getting Patrick Dunphy’s perspective as Director of CTE for…

#84 Heath Rocha Conversation #84 with Superintendent Heath Rocha of Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District in California surfaced something I keep coming back to. Research-driven practices only reach their potential when supported by strong cycles of continuous improvement. As Heath scales this work across all departments, implementation gaps are the real obstacle, not vision…

#82 Armand Pires Posting another conversation this week as a lead up to the AASA #NCE2026 Conference in Nashville. Today, I’m posting conversation #82 with the Superintendent of Medway Public Schools, Armand Pires, Ph.D. As a long-time Superintendent in Medway, it was powerful to hear how Dr. Pires learns from past efforts, adjusting his approach…

#81 Chris Timmis Conversation #81 takes us to Michigan for a lesson in innovation iteration. When the resource carpet is pulled out from under you, how do you stay focused and passionate about the work? Chris Timmis is the current Superintendent of Dexter Community School District. “After 8+ years with Summit Learning, we are now…