My conversation with Tamara Allen-Thomas, Superintendent of Clairton City School District outside of Pittsburgh, PA marks conversation #30! Today we explore a data-driven social emotional learning initiative focused on key indicators of student success. “Our commitment to Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is a core priority in our district’s comprehensive plan. Following Maslow’s hierarchy of needs,…

I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Greg Wyman, Superintendent of J.O. Combs Unified School District during conversation #29. Greg is no stranger to sharing his unique and thoughtful perspective with a broad audience. His Substack contains a wealth of insightful writing, and dives even deeper into some of the important themes that we touched upon during our…

Conversation #28 explores a district strategy for leveraging foundation relationships to fund partnerships with innovative professional learning organizations. Julie Moore is an energized and thoughtful district leader who has launched incredible programming with funding from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and others. As Assistant Superintendent of Innovation & Learning at Liberty Public Schools, outside of…

Conversation #27 is great example of a district leader building trust with partners and committing to a long term professional learning strategy that is both complex and paced for scale. Angela Holt, is the incredible Director of Curriculum & Development in Woonsocket, RI. “What does student-centered learning actually look like? It’s not just about putting…

Conversation #26 with Sean McKenna, Superintendent of Griswold Public Schools was fast paced and highly energetic. I love when leaders get so excited by the work that my typing fingers can’t keep up. Sean believes in the power of leaders at the district and building levels co-designing professional learning in teams to build buy-in and…

Today’s conversation marks 1/4 of the way to our goal of #100DistrictConversations! I had so much fun talking with and learning from Baninder Goomer, Chief Academic Officer of Elementary Education at Edison Township Public Schools in New Jersey. Conversation #25 centered on the power of stability and collaboration. When district leaders stick around, trust in…

Conversation #24 allowed me to catch up with Mario Andrade, Superintendent of Schools for Nashua School District in New Hampshire. I’ve known Mario since he was a Superintendent in Rhode Island during our Fuse RI Fellowship days. I’ve always appreciated his emphasis on adult mindsets and beliefs as critical drivers of school and district improvement. …

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…

#100DistrictConversations rolls on! I’m closing out the week with conversation #13 featuring Jeffrey Kitching. Jeff is a former Superintendent in Connecticut and he recently retired as Executive Director of EdAdvance, a non-profit in western CT that helps schools and communities by providing educational and community services including professional development for teachers. During our conversation, Jeff…

Conversation #12 was with the retired Superintendent of Old Saybrook Schools in Connecticut, Jan Perruccio. Jan left her Superintendent position after winning Connecticut Superintendent of the year honors in 2023. I really enjoyed Jan’s perspective. The final paragraph of this post is one of my favorite insights thus far! “When I’m making a professional learning…

Today through Friday I’m posting individual reflections from a group call with three current and former Connecticut Superintendents. Grateful to Throughline Learning‘s newest board member Paula Talty for making these fantastic connections. Conversation #11 was with Maureen Brummett who is the proud Superintendent of Newington Public Schools. Not only is Maureen the current Superintendent, but…