This panel discussion explores how public education is evolving through AASA’s Public Education Promise initiative, focusing on attracting, hiring, retaining, and rewarding top educational talent. Leaders from diverse districts share strategies, success stories, and resources to support school leaders nationwide.

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Related Resources: The Public Education Promise

Dr. Kristine Gilmore is a respected national leader in public education and serves as the Chief Leadership and Learning Officer at AASA, The School Superintendents Association. In this role, she guides the organization’s work to strengthen leadership development, expand professional learning, and support superintendents across the country. Her efforts include shaping national

Heidi Sipe has served as the Superintendent of the Umatilla School District since 2007. Born and raised in Eastern Washington, she began her work in Eastern Oregon in 2000 and developed a deep passion for rural education, especially for students of poverty and emerging bilingual students. Sipe is committed to After-School and STEAM programming to help students gain access to new ideas and develop interests in their communities, and beyond. Sipe previously chaired the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, served on the Oregon Taskforce on School Funding, was a founding councilor of the Oregon Educator Advancement Council and served two terms as Superintendent Advisor to the State Board of Education. She is currently on the Executive Committee for AASA, the national School Superintendents Association and served on the AASA Governance Committee for two terms.

Dr. W. Burke Royster became the 10th Superintendent of Greenville County Schools, the 42nd largest district in the nation, in 2012. His tenure as Superintendent has been marked by significant advances in student achievement, with a particular focus on improving the District’s graduation rate and ensuring that students are college- and career-ready. In a nod to the progress achieved under his direction, Dr. Royster has been named an Education Week “Leader to Learn From,” was selected as the South Carolina Association of School Administrators’ 2018 Superintendent of the Year, and in 2023 was named to Greenville Business Magazine’s “50 Most Influential” Hall of Fame. He serves on the Governing Board of AASA, The School Superintendents’ Association, and is an active member of the Large Countywide and Suburban District Consortium, having served as its chair.

This year-end review of the school superintendent association captures a pivotal year in which school leaders came together for extensive strategy conversations to define a clear path forward. Across these episodes, leaders reflect on navigating divisive times, responding to the pandemic’s lasting impact, and rising above personal biases to lead with purpose. The discussions emphasize listening deeply to families and students, prioritizing well-being as the foundation for learning, and rebuilding trust through transparency and action. Together, these strategic reflections reveal how leaders are shifting toward student-centered learning and real-world skills—moving from crisis response to intentional planning.

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This conversation explores the AASA’s Public Education Promise, focusing on the need for real skills in education that prepare students for the future. The discussion highlights the importance of community engagement, the role of workforce partnerships, and the shift from traditional academic assessments to skills-based learning. The speakers emphasize the need for educators to foster critical thinking, adaptability, and collaboration among students, ensuring they are prepared for careers that may not yet exist.

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Dr. Brian Troop became Superintendent of the Ephrata Area School District in July 2013. He served the District as Assistant Superintendent from January 2011 through June 2013. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Millersville University, a Master of Science Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Memphis, and a Doctorate in Educational Administration from Immaculata University. Additionally, he has earned his National Superintendent Certification from the American Association of School Administrators (AASA). He serves on the Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA) and is a member of its Innovative Teaching and Learning Committee. At the national level, he serves as the Lead Teacher for the East Coast Cohort of the AASA National Superintendent Certification Academy. He is also on the Board of the EdLeader21 Network Advisory Committee. Finally, Dr. Troop received the recognition of PASA 2023 Pennsylvania Superintendent of the Year.

John Malloy, Ed.D. is Senior Vice President, Leadership Network, AASA, The School Superintendents Association. John came to AASA after serving as superintendent of San Ramon Valley Unified School District (Calif.) for 4 years and prior to that, as the Director of Education (superintendent) at the Toronto District School Board in Toronto. John has an extensive background in education at all levels and is a fierce advocate for an equitable, accessible, quality public education. John has taken his vision for learning and student engagement to new heights in SRVUSD. He led the District to adopt their Strategic Directions, which now guide the definition of student success built upon the existing foundation of academic excellence. John prioritizes student voice, ensuring that students have space to share their stories and insights, and that all of the district’s work is guided by the experience and expertise of students, staff, parents/caregivers and the wider community. Developing leaders at every level of the organization is John’s passion and priority.

David Law is the superintendent of Minnetonka Public Schools, one of the top school districts in Minnesota. Law earned a BA from Hamline University with a major in mathematics and a minor in education. His teaching career includes experiences in California and Minnesota at the middle school and high school level. In 1998, he began his administrative career. Law completed his K-12 principal and superintendent license at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, and earned his Juris Doctor from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota. In 2010, he was named assistant superintendent for White Bear Lake Area Schools.

In this discussion, we focus on the first principle of the Public Education Promise: Prioritizing student-centered learning. The conversation explores the shift from traditional teacher-led instruction to more engaging, project-based learning approaches that emphasize real-world applications and student involvement.The conversation also covers the AASA messaging guide created to help school leaders explain the Public Education Promise to key stakeholders.

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Karen Cheser, Ed.D., is the 2025 CoSN/AASA Digital Ed Superintendent of the Year, Superintendent of the Durango School District in Durango, CO and was previously superintendent of Fort Thomas Independent Schools and Deputy Superintendent/ CAO of Boone County Schools, in Kentucky. Before working in education as a teacher, coach, literacy and math specialist, and principal. Cheser was a Distinguished Educator and district administrator.

Valerie Truesdale joined AASA’s LN team in 2019 as assistant executive director responsible for guiding professional learning and leadership development. With years of experience in the superintendency and roles in instructional technology, she knows that professional learning through AASA’s Leadership Network can be a premier resource for school leaders to keep pace with the rapidly changing K-12 education ecosystem.

David Law is the superintendent of Minnetonka Public Schools, one of the top school districts in Minnesota. Law earned a BA from Hamline University with a major in mathematics and a minor in education. His teaching career includes experiences in California and Minnesota at the middle school and high school level. In 1998, he began his administrative career. Law completed his K-12 principal and superintendent license at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, and earned his Juris Doctor from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota. In 2010, he was named assistant superintendent for White Bear Lake Area Schools.

This conversation explores AASA’s Public Education Promise, a framework designed to guide education leaders in navigating the complexities of modern public education. The discussion highlights the importance of student-centered learning, real-life skills, teacher retention, community partnerships, and measuring success beyond traditional metrics. Education leaders share insights on how they are implementing these principles in their respective districts, emphasizing the need for collaboration and innovation in the face of challenges.

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Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney is the Superintendent of Schools for the Aldine Independent School District in Houston, Texas. Since taking the helm in July 2018, she has dedicated herself to the district’s over 60,000 students and nearly 9,000 employees, as well as the entire Aldine community. She began her career as a teacher at Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD in 1999 before eventually leading COCISD as superintendent from 2008 to 2013. In 2013, she was named Superintendent of Lufkin ISD. Dr. Goffney is the AASA president-elect.

David Law is the superintendent of Minnetonka Public Schools, one of the top school districts in Minnesota. Law earned a BA from Hamline University with a major in mathematics and a minor in education. His teaching career includes experiences in California and Minnesota at the middle school and high school level. In 1998, he began his administrative career. Law completed his K-12 principal and superintendent license at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, and earned his Juris Doctor from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota. In 2010, he was named assistant superintendent for White Bear Lake Area Schools.

Dr. Gustavo Balderas is President of the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents and President of AASA.Balderas has been and is involved in numerous state, regional, and national organizations and committees, including having served on the Oregon State Board of Education as a superintendent liaison, the AASA Executive Committee, Chiefs for Change Board, is a co-founder and inaugural president of the Oregon Association of Latino Administrators. Dr. Balderas is also a volunteer consulting superintendent for the Educational Research and Development Institute, Suburban School Superintendents, and the Institute for Educational Innovation national organizations.

This conversation focuses on the various initiatives and strategies that school leaders can implement to foster engagement and collaboration. The speakers share their experiences and insights on creating platforms for feedback, building trust, and empowering parents and students to take an active role in shaping their educational environments.

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Denise Diaz is the Executive Director at the Clark County School District. Her leadership is grounded in the belief that strong family and community partnerships are essential to student achievement. Diaz has led the development of sustainable, districtwide systems of support that center families as co-creators in education. Through intentional programming and capacity building, she helped shift mindsets and elevate the role of families as key stakeholders in the learning process.

Eder Joseph, is Assistant Superintendent Burlington County Institute of Technology. Joseph is an enthusiastic school leader with over 20 years of experience. He has a history of providing leadership in the area of organizational leadership, curriculum development, professional development, career and technical education programs, and student engagement.

Sylvia Mitchell, Ph.D., is the Superintendent of Legacy Traditional Schools—Texas. Dr. Mitchell brings 24 years of invaluable experience as an educational leader to her new role. Her extensive background includes serving as a principal, superintendent, and vice president of schools, where she has consistently supported educators in achieving positive outcomes for students, particularly in underserved communities.

David Law is the superintendent of Minnetonka Public Schools, one of the top school districts in Minnesota. Law earned a BA from Hamline University with a major in mathematics and a minor in education. His teaching career includes experiences in California and Minnesota at the middle school and high school level. In 1998, he began his administrative career. Law completed his k-12 principal and superintendent license at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and earned his Juris Doctor from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota. In 2010, he was named assistant superintendent for White Bear Lake Area Schools.

In this episode of AASA Radio, educational leaders discuss the lessons they learned from the pandemic and how the experience changed the way they lead their districts. The panel explores the transformative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on public schools and shares the successful strategies they’ve embraced for fostering resilience, innovation, and well-being. The group emphasized the importance of building the right infrastructure and capacity for both students and staff to thrive in an AI-driven world, as well as the role of strategic planning in preparing students for future challenges. The episode concludes with advice for education leaders on integrating technology into their practices effectively.

Dr. Gustavo Balderas is President of the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents and President of AASA. Balderas has been involved in numerous state, regional, and national organizations and committees, including having served on the Oregon State Board of Education as a superintendent liaison, the AASA Executive Committee, the Chiefs for Change Board, and is a co-founder and inaugural president of the Oregon Association of Latino Administrators.

Dr. Brandi Kelly is a superintendent, author, speaker, and consultant. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Kelly is dedicated to empowering leaders to inspire growth, create positive change, and cultivate environments where success thrives. Dr. Kelly has received numerous accolades for her leadership, including the NAESP Distinguished Elementary School Principal Award and the Middle School Principal of the Year Award.

Dr. Jeremy S. Owoh is Superintendent of Schools at Jacksonville North Pulaski School District. Owoh’s mission is to bridge educational disparities through cutting-edge instructional practices. Owoh serves as President of the ISTE+ASCD Board of Directors.

Dr. Barbara Sargent is the superintendent of the Hermon School Department in Hermon, Maine. She served as Principal of Village School and Orchard Hills School in Montgomery Township, NJ for six years, earning a NJ Principal of the Year recognition in 2003. As Assistant Superintendent for the Madison School District, Barbara partnered with amazing educators to enrich the district curricula and lead academic initiatives that elevated Madison High School in state rankings.

In the first episode of AASA Radio for 2025, school leaders from across the United States discuss the challenge of leading school districts during divisive times. Hosted by the President of the American Association of School Administrators, the panel shares insights, staying focused on student outcomes, leveraging technology like AI in education, and navigating the current political and social challenges of the moment. They also discuss strategies for balancing competing perspectives and staying resilient in the face of uncertainty.

Twitter: @Supt_Balderas | @m_salazarzamora | @DrAlexMarrero | @larawadem | @Jonharper70bd | @BAMRadioNetwork

Dr. Gustavo Balderas is President of the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents and President of AASA.Balderas has been and is involved in numerous state, regional, and national organizations and committees, including having served on the Oregon State Board of Education as a superintendent liaison, the AASA Executive Committee, Chiefs for Change Board, is a co-founder and inaugural president of the Oregon Association of Latino Administrators. Dr. Balderas is also a volunteer consulting superintendent for the Educational Research and Development Institute, Suburban School Superintendents, and the Institute for Educational Innovation national organizations.

Dr. Martha Salazar-Zamora has served as an educator in Texas for over 37 years and as the Superintendent of Schools in Tomball ISD since 2017. She is a trailblazer and is the first female Superintendent of TISD and the first Hispanic Superintendent of Tomball ISD. Zamora was recognized as the 2023 Texas Superintendent of the Year, representing Region 4, as well as a 2024 AASA National Superintendent of the Year Finalist. Dr. Salazar-Zamora not only leads a fast-growth district but one of the highest academic achieving districts in the State of Texas, all while maintaining strong financial management practices.

Dr. Alex Marrero has served as the Superintendent of Denver Public Schools since Spring 2021. He oversees Colorado’s largest school district, which includes nearly 85,000 students and 14,000 staff across over 200 schools, and has a budget of $1.45 billion. As the son of a Cuban refugee and a Dominican immigrant, Dr. Marrero understands firsthand and advocates for the diverse needs of his students. Under his leadership, the district has achieved its highest-ever graduation rates and seen the implementation of its first-ever equity-based strategic plan.

In this AASA Radio episode, Dave Schuler, the executive director of AASA, focuses on mental health awareness in educational settings. Our distinguished guests include Superintendents Shari Camhi (Baldwin, N.Y.), Tobin Novasio (Hardin, Mont.) as well as Paul Imhoff and Ann Levett discussing initiatives in their respective districts aimed at improving student and staff mental health. Programs range from school mindfulness and wellness centers to parent engagement initiatives and partnerships with mental health organizations. The episode highlights the importance of developing relationships, creating supportive ecosystems, and integrating mental health awareness into the educational framework.

Dr. Paul Imhoff has been a public educator for over 30 years, earning his Bachelor’s and Doctor of Education Degrees from Miami University and his Master’s Degree from the University of Dayton. Imhoff was an Ohio superintendent for 16 years, serving the Mariemont Schools in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the Upper Arlington Schools in Columbus, Ohio. He was selected as the Ohio Superintendent of the Year in 2018 and was the President of AASA in 2021/2022. Currently, Imhoff serves as the Director of Government Relations for the Buckeye Association of School Administrators, Ohio’s Superintendent Association. In addition, Imhoff is active in the AASA Leadership Network, leading the Mental Health Cohort and the Eastern States Consortium, and is a veteran of the Ohio Army National Guard.

Dr. M. Ann Levett of AASA is a career educator who has served at every level in education, from teacher to Superintendent to School Board member in K-12 education, and in faculty and administrative positions in higher education.

Dr. Shari L. Camhi is the superintendent of Baldwin School District and past president of the National School Superintendent’s Association (AASA). She also serves on the National Assessment Governing Board. With more than 30 years’ experience in both education and business, Dr. Camhi has received numerous accolades and recognition for her innovative contributions to K-12 instruction, including Education Week’s “Leaders to Learn From,” NSPRA’s “New Superintendent to Watch,” Education Dive’s “Administrators to Watch.”

David Schuler is a highly experienced, successful and well-regarded educational leader. He was a superintendent for 22 years prior to taking on the Executive Director role at AASA. He has served in rural, urban and suburban settings, including 17 years as superintendent of High School District 214, Illinois’ largest high school system.

It's dawning on the education community that general artificial intelligence will have a major impact on education and the world at large. What are the big questions school leaders will need to ask and answer to ensure their schools and students are ready to thrive in the age of GAI?

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Keith R. Krueger is CEO of the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), nonprofit professional association organization that serves as the voice of K-12 EdTech leaders in North America.  CoSN’s mission is empowering educational leaders to leverage technology to realize engaging learning environments.

He was selected by Ed Tech magazine for it’s 2021 K-12 IT influencers.  In 2016 Technology & Learning selected him as one of the “big 10” most influential people in ed tech, and the Center for Digital Education identified him as a Top 30 Technologist/Transformer/Trailblazer.  In 2008 he was selected by eSchool News as one of ten people who have had a profound impact on educational technology over the last decade.  In 2016 he received a Special Recognition award from the Council of Great City Schools.