Rural Superintendents are some of the most creative and resourceful leaders. Conversation #60, with Dr. Beth Regulbuto, Superintendent of Southern Berkshire Regional School District, showcases her adaptive and community driven vision for improving educational opportunities via mindset shifts for teachers and students. “In our small regional district, we face a unique challenge: we are comprised…

Conversation #59, with Maureen Cohen, Ed.D, Superintendent of the Mendon-Upton Regional School District in Massachusetts reimagines adult learning while staying focused on the north star of student needs and experience. I could have done a full post just on the concept of Adult Learning Pathways. Thank you Lori Batista McEwen for nominating Superintendent Cohen. If…

I have been a High Tech High fanboy for years even though I have never personally made the pilgrimage to see their schools in action. Getting to speak with Diana Cornejo-Sanchez, CEO of High Tech High, during conversation #58 of #100DistrictConversations, was definitely the next best thing! There is an incredible vision and commitment to…

How often do you see Technology Directors attending curriculum training for teachers? That’s exactly what Bob Fishtrom and his tech team did at Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District. Conversation #57 of 100DistrictConversations has some great insights: “I have seen a significant shift in my sixth year here: after rebuilding our technology infrastructure, we…

This was our first interview with a Kentucky leader for the #100DistrictConversations project, and it was fantastic! Buddy Berry, Superintendent of Eminence Independent Schools is an innovative education leader with a strong north star for personalized learning. His investment in early adopters feels incredibly relevant for today’s AI implementation conversations. Thank you George Philhower for…

There are super tangible processes and takeaways driven by financial necessity featured in conversation #55 with Assistant Superintendent Lori Lofton of New Albany Plain Local Schools. I am loving the idea of “Bite-sized PD” based on teacher interest. “After navigating a significant fiscal cliff between 2014-2016, a core principle emerged to guide our district’s decision-making:…

We’re back with conversation #54, which was an incredible opportunity to get to know a leader who believes deeply that all students are capable of incredible things when adults believe in their potential, Superintendent Ana Aleman-Putman, of South Haven Public Schools in Michigan. “I grew up here and went to school in this town. I…

What a pleasure it was to catch up with Ana Riley, Superintendent of Bristol Warren Regional School District. Ana lights up when she talks about her district’s vision and action steps toward “learning environments where students are actively involved in the teaching and learning process.” “A key focus over the past three and a half…

My favorite part of #100DistrictConversations is when systems leaders catch me completely off-guard, sharing things I’d never expect to hear. When convo #52 with Bill Kimball, Superintendent of Maple Run Unified School District in Vermont, went deep on therapy dogs I was not prepared, yet delighted! 😁 “My approach is always to connect with parents…

Next 50 conversations here we come! First up at #51 is Kyleen Carpenter, Head of School at Blackstone Academy Charter School. If you are leading competency education or project-based learning efforts, then this post will be particularly valuable. This was a seven year process that persevered through COVID and is now bearing incredible fruit for…