Beyond the Bell (Leading with Purpose) features Dr. Pam Hedgpeth, a respected Missouri education leader and former superintendent, now serving as Director of the Greater Ozarks Cooperating School Districts. Dr. Hedgpeth shares why she continues the work with passion—championing real-world learning and competency-based education through the Success Ready Student Network—and offers practical wisdom for leaders on building trust, sustaining change, setting healthy boundaries, and “being where your feet are.” The episode closes with a hopeful reminder: educators’ work matters, even when the impact isn’t immediately visible.

Beyond the Bell (Leading with Purpose) welcomes Dr. Will Darter, superintendent of the Everton R-3 School District in Missouri and author of The Empowered Rural Educator: Big Things Come From Small Schools. Dr. Darter shares his journey from “assistant to the custodian” as a kid to rural superintendency, then unpacks what makes rural leadership both challenging and powerful—tight resources, deep community ownership, and relationships that make the work personal. The conversation highlights building culture through trust and integrity, creating systems that reduce burnout (clarity of roles, fewer-but-better initiatives), and using AI as a practical time-saver for small-district leaders. The episode closes with a call to lead for significance over status, loving people well and stewarding schools with purpose.

Beyond the Bell (Leading with Purpose) features an encouraging conversation with Dr. Mario Acosta—award-winning educator, author, and national consultant—on what it really takes to build and sustain a strong school culture. Drawing from turnaround leadership, Dr. Acosta explains how leaders can diagnose culture before trying to change it, develop staff through the “scouts, sprouts, and sentinels” framework, and balance high expectations with genuine care by understanding the difference between culture vs. climate. Practical takeaways highlight trust-building, value alignment, accountability, and creating conditions where both students and staff can thrive.

What happens when a Portrait of a Graduate becomes more than a poster—and actually drives classroom practice, culture, and community trust?

In this episode of Beyond the Bell: Leading with Purpose, we sit down with Dr. Travis Bracht, Superintendent of the Affton School District and Missouri’s 2026 Superintendent of the Year, to explore how vision turns into sustained action.

Dr. Bracht shares how Affton’s community-driven Portrait of a Graduate shaped competency-based learning, aligned staff practices, strengthened student recognition, and built the trust needed to pass a major bond issue with overwhelming support. He also reflects on leadership well-being, staff culture, and why listening may be the most underrated leadership skill.

This conversation is packed with practical insight for superintendents, principals, and leadership teams seeking to align vision, systems, and people—while leading change with purpose and sustainability.

In this episode of Beyond the Bell – Leading with Purpose, we spotlight Dr. Amanda Boyer, a LiftED associate with extensive experience in special education leadership, co-teaching, inclusive practices, and behavior systems.

At LiftED, our work is grounded in sustained coaching over time—partnering with school districts as they build aligned systems that strengthen Tier 1 instruction, support inclusive practices, and address student behavior in meaningful, lasting ways.

This conversation is part of an ongoing associate spotlight series designed to share best practices and introduce the educators who support districts through LiftED’s coaching model. Dr. Boyer brings a practitioner’s perspective and a systems mindset to the work, offering insights especially relevant for superintendents, principals, and district leadership teams.

If you’re looking for practical leadership conversations focused on long-term impact—not quick fixes—this episode delivers.

In this powerful episode of Beyond the Bell – Leading with Purpose, Jim Cummins and Dr. Nathan Manley sit down with Ron Lankford, a legendary Missouri education leader whose nearly 50-year career shaped schools, communities, and statewide policy.

Dr. Lankford reflects on servant leadership, building trust with communities, navigating school finance reform, and mentoring the next generation of leaders. He also shares personal insights from his ongoing health journey and how it has deepened his sense of purpose, legacy, and faith.

This conversation is rich with wisdom for superintendents, principals, aspiring leaders, and anyone committed to leading with integrity and heart.

🔔 Topics include:

Leadership grounded in service

Community trust and long-term vision

Lessons from Missouri school finance reform

Mentorship and legacy

Leading with purpose through adversity

In this episode of Beyond the Bell – Leading with Purpose, Dr. Nathan Manley and Dr. Jim Cummins welcome Dr. Tracy Mitchell, Assistant Superintendent at Cassville Schools, for a thoughtful conversation on leadership, humility, and balance. Dr. Mitchell shares her journey from accounting to education, emphasizing servant leadership, strong work ethic, confidentiality, and clear communication. She reflects on the unique role of assistant superintendents, supporting principals, navigating superintendent transitions, and leading with empathy while maintaining consistency. The discussion also highlights sustaining joy in leadership, setting healthy work-life boundaries, and remembering the “why” behind serving students and communities.

In this episode of Beyond the Bell: Leading with Purpose, hosts Dr. Jim Cummins and Dr. Nathan Manley sit down with Dr. Matt Pearce, Superintendent of the Republic School District— a growing district in SW Missouri.

Dr. Pearce, shares experiences gained in the Springfield School District as a principal and how he grew into the superintendent role in Republic. He shares key leadership insights, how he takes care of himself and goes into detail about how "Rounding" has helped him build trust, find areas of improvement, and open communication lines. Dr. Pearce has valuable guidance for school leaders at any level of leadership. Additionally, did you know Dr. Pearce once played for Coach Andy Reid?

🎧 Subscribe to LiftED’s Beyond the Bell: Leading with Purpose for more authentic stories from leaders who are making a difference every day. Now available on Podbean, Apple Podcast, and Spotify.

In this episode of Beyond the Bell – Leading with Purpose, hosts Dr. Jim Cummins and Dr. Nathan Manley sit down with Dr. David Schmitz, the 2025 Missouri Superintendent of the Year, to explore what it truly means to lead with strategy, humility, and heart.

Dr. Schmitz, Superintendent of Lebanon R-III Schools and a U.S. Army Reserve Major (retired), shares how his philosophy of “results by design, not by default” shapes every decision he makes—from empowering teachers to clarifying expectations for students. With over 30 years in education, he reflects on how leadership is about lifting others, building systems that work, and ensuring schools are the lifeblood of their communities. Listeners will hear insights on strategic leadership, continuous improvement, and personalized learning, as well as authentic stories about collaboration, community pride, and maintaining balance between professional drive and personal priorities. Whether you’re a new principal, veteran superintendent, or aspiring leader, this conversation will inspire you to reexamine how clarity, purpose, and intentional systems can transform school culture and student success.

🎧 Beyond the Bell – Leading with Purpose is produced by LiftED, a leadership coaching and school improvement company committed to developing people-first leaders who make lasting impact.

In this episode of Beyond the Bell: Leading with Purpose, hosts Dr. Jim Cummins and Dr. Nathan Manley sit down with Dr. Michael Maclin, Superintendent of the Special School District of St. Louis County — a district serving over 25,000 students and employing nearly 6,000 educators and staff.

Dr. Maclin brings deep experience as a counselor, principal, and national consultant for large districts including Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Dallas. He discusses his leadership philosophy rooted in empathy over sympathy, the importance of leading through relationships, and the delicate balance between compassion and accountability. Listeners will hear powerful reflections on: Building trust and transparency in board–superintendent relationships Leading large, complex systems with integrity and purpose Maintaining personal balance while serving others Lessons from decades in education leadership — including his TEDx experience This inspiring conversation shines a light on how “people first” leadership can transform schools and strengthen communities.

🎧 Subscribe to LiftED’s Beyond the Bell: Leading with Purpose for more authentic stories from leaders who are making a difference every day.