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…

I’m so pleased that my good friend and longtime collaborator, Grace Magley, outgoing Director of Digital & Personalized Learning in Natick Public Schools, is conversation #50! Grace has incredible vision for what technology should do to support good pedagogy and she builds partnerships as well as anyone in the space. “For much of my career,…

In the winter of 2018, Brian Greenberg gave me a tour of sites that Silicon Schools Fund was supporting. We visited Navigator Schools, and I can remember their nascent middle school model sparking big ideas. Conversation #49 gave me a chance to check in seven years later with now CEO & Superintendent Caprice Young. It’s…

When Jonathan Vander Els connects you with someone you just know it’s going to be an incredible conversation. I really enjoyed hearing George Philhower, Superintendent of Eastern Hancock Schools speak about the ways his district is “re-professionalizing teaching”. This is conversation number #48 of our #100DistrictConversations initiative – we are almost halfway there! “Our district…

Incredibly excited that conversation #47 highlights a truly inspirational Executive Director who is absolutely beloved by her students, families, and school community. Watching Jessica Waters move through the hallways of Nowell Academy is powerful – seeing student faces light up as she greets each by name. “Nowell was founded in 2013 to provide pregnant and…

My conversation with Laurie Regan, Assistant Superintendent of the Attleboro School District in Massachusetts was wide-ranging. The district is making a lot of exciting moves collectively by empowering leaders and educators to leverage their expertise and share in the decision-making process. “Our current professional learning focus is on ensuring students actively hold the cognitive load…

In conversation #45, Dr. Erick Pruitt, Superintendent of Ankeny Community School District in Iowa shares how principal empowerment and accountability drives all professional learning decisions in his district. When superintendents hold a clear vision, commitment to operationalizing that vision, and a track record of implementation experience, great things can happen! “I believe every school needs…

Conversation #44 with Steven Morrone, Assistant Superintendent of Westerly Public Schools has some great examples of a district braiding its professional learning funding to increase coaching capacity. It was also a chance to reminisce and remember legendary Rhode Island Superintendent, Barry Ricci, who passed way too early, but whose sage advice still lives on. “I…

Wow! You know how some conversations tend to stick with you for days? Well, conversation #43 with Michael Barnes, Superintendent of Mayfield City School District was just that. If you’re curious to hear more from Michael he has several published books. His new book, Winning: Lessons on Life, Learning, and Leadership will be out soon….

It’s incredibly fitting that conversation #42 with Dr. Dr. Tom Kenworthy and Dr. Dr. Liz Viveiros is going live the day after the announcement of our Fuse AI network and offerings. They lead the Portsmouth School Department in Rhode Island and you’ll see how our original Fuse RI Fellowship led them to design an incredible…