For our milestone 50th episode of On the Subject, host Michael Vilardo sits down with Dr. Nicole Howard, Assistant Superintendent of Indian Prairie—Illinois’ fourth largest and one of its most diverse school districts. From growing up with a brother underserved by the system to becoming a math teacher and now a district leader, Dr. Howard shares a deeply personal and inspiring journey rooted in equity, innovation, and compassion. She discusses why flexibility in learning pathways matters, how we can empower teachers to bring their full selves to the classroom, and what a truly modern education system could look like by 2035. Plus, hear her give heartfelt shoutouts to the educators who shaped her own path. This conversation is packed with wisdom for anyone committed to designing schools that see all students.