Conversation #23 shows the power of professional learning frameworks and strategic partnerships when supporting teachers to scale deeper learning practices and AI innovation. I really appreciated hearing about the great work happening in Roanoke County Schools in Virginia from Michael Riley, Executive Director of Secondary Instruction. “Our Professional Learning Community (PLC) model, established in 2013,…

The role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a critical district position when it comes to professional learning procurement through contracts and partnerships. Conversation #22 with Caitlin Richard, CFO for Hartford Public Schools in Connecticut explores some complex challenges that district finance leaders face as they plan for scalable and sustainable professional learning in 2025….

We stayed local to Rhode Island for conversation #21 with two talented Warwick Public Schools leaders, Lisa Schultz and Patti Cousineau. We covered a lot of ground, digging into their multiple partnerships and challenges with freeing up teachers for professional learning time. “We’re seeing positive results from our focus on student discourse, data-driven instruction, and…

We are celebrating a key  milestone as we hit conversation #20 today! There has been so much learning in these #100DistrictConversations. For example, in today’s conversation with Myriam Ortiz, Chief of Community Engagement for Boston Public Schools, we learn the power of aligning organization expertise to school need. Myriam and her team have worked tirelessly…

I’m excited to post conversation #19 with Michael Nagler from the AASA, The School Superintendents Association conference in New Orleans this morning. Superintendent Nagler has an incredible vision for relevant, competency based learning and the professional learning structures and routines to support his educators, students, and families. “We’ve embraced a philosophy we call ‘The Mineola…

I love when the #100DistrictConversations project allows me the chance to catch up with friends who I haven’t had the opportunity to talk to in years. Conversation #18 reunited me with Tom Flanagan, Superintendent of Burlington School District in Vermont. Tom and I met when he was Chief Academic Officer in Providence Public Schools, and…

Heading north to Vermont for today’s #100DistrictConverations post, with Amy Minor, Superintendent of Colchester School District. I love how well Amy knows the history and evolution of her district’s professional learning practices and strategies as the former high school principal in her district. Thank you Megan Benay for making conversation #17 possible! “I’m incredibly proud…

I’m thrilled that I got to catch up with Rebekah Kim as conversation #16 for this series. Rebekah is the Associate Superintendent of Teaching & Learning in the Kent School District, a 25,000 student district just outside of Seattle, WA where she leads a team of 20 teaching and learning specialists across several departments. I…

If we are lucky in our professional journey, people will enter our lives at different stages and profoundly impact how we see and experience our role and work. Mark Comesañas has been one of those people for me. Mark is the Executive Director of My Brother’s Keeper Newark, where he is collaborating across numerous Newark…

Conversation #14 was an awesome exploration of the intersection between district process and stakeholder voice. Too often, as leaders, we are left trading one for the other. When we worry about moving quickly, then less stakeholder voice seems prudent, and if we want to make sure everyone is heard, then we fear progress and process…