In today’s episode, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Dr. Wendy Birhanzel, Superintendent of Harrison School District 2 in Colorado Springs. With more than 20 years in public education across California and Colorado, Wendy has led two elementary schools to National Blue Ribbon and National Title I Distinguished status and was recently honored with the 2025 AASA Women in School Leadership Award.

Wendy shares how her early teaching experience in South Central Los Angeles opened her eyes to deep inequities in education and set her on a mission to prove that a zip code should never define a student’s future. From transforming D2’s culture and retention to securing a $180 million bond and first-dollar free college, her leadership is rooted in a simple belief: potential is universal, opportunity is not.

Together, Aidan and Wendy dig into what it looks like to truly put kids first in a diverse, Title I community, co-author policy with students, embrace AI, and create real pathways to opportunity for all 13,000 “D2 kids”. 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Wendy’s path from a family of five generations of educators to South Central LA shaped her passion for equity and Title I schools.
• What it means to lead a “kids first” culture where the default question is, “What did students say about it?”

• How D2 moved from being seen as a “last choice” district to having some of the strongest staff retention and culture in the state.

• Why student voice is built into governance, including student board reps and students as co-authors of district policy.

• How D2 passed a $180 million bond and a mill levy override in a Title I community and used it to create pride, curb appeal, CTE spaces, and redesigned learning environments.

• What D2’s first-dollar free college model looks like and why it is a game changer for students who need to work while in school.

• How Wendy and her team are embracing AI, removing seat-time barriers, and expanding internships to make learning more relevant and future-ready.

• Leadership lessons on “owning your ugly,” building trust, and advocating at city, state, and national levels for more equitable systems.

Key Moments

07:27 Transforming D2’s Culture and Reputation

09:39 Building a Kids-First Culture

10:51 Student Voice at the Governance Table

11:44 Leading Through Presence and Connection

15:18 We Own Our Ugly

18:21 Passing a $180M Bond in a Title I Community

30:05 Embracing AI, Not Restricting It

31:40 Practical AI for Teaching and Learning

34:10 Rethinking Seat Time and Accountability

36:15 A Long-Term Vision Beyond Politics

40:39 Elevating Educators as Experts

Connect with Guest
Website: https://www.hsd2.org/

Connect with Us

Host’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aidan-mcdowell
Website: https://uniqlearn.co/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uniqlearn

If this episode sparked new thinking, please follow, rate, and review Beyond the Syllabus on your favorite podcast platform. It helps us grow and bring more authentic conversations with education leaders your way.

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus, Aidan McDowell sits down with Dr. Julie Williams, Deputy Superintendent of Fayetteville Public Schools, for a wide-ranging conversation about how schools can honor student strengths, expand real-world learning, and design environments that truly serve the whole child.

Dr. Williams shares the story behind Fayetteville’s middle school choice programs, including outdoor adventure and science-focused pathways that give students hands-on, interest-driven learning anchored in community experiences. From leveraging natural ecosystems to tapping into world-class arts and culture in Northwest Arkansas, she outlines what it looks like when a district builds programs around passion, inquiry, and authentic engagement.

The conversation also explores:

• The origins and impact of Fayetteville’s student choice model

• How outdoor and experiential learning shape confidence and curiosity

• The district’s hybrid virtual school and why real-time teacher connection matters

• Human-centered school design and the need to rethink schedules, staffing, and instructional models

• The future of personalized pathways, proficiency-based progression, and AI-supported teaching

Dr. Williams brings decades of experience, deep systems thinking, and an unwavering belief in student potential. Her insights highlight what’s possible when districts embrace curiosity, flexibility, and whole-child well-being as core design principles.

Key Moments

02:13 How the middle school choice program was born

04:42 Why passion and inquiry drive deeper student engagement

06:58 Early challenges in shifting to performance-based learning

09:11 Building teacher confidence through small, meaningful wins

11:27 How student autonomy transformed classroom culture

14:03 Community partnerships that expanded real-world learning

17:25 Supporting teachers as designers, not deliverers

19:54 Measuring success beyond traditional assessments

22:41 What families noticed first about the new approach

25:12 Julie’s advice for districts launching a choice program

Connect with Guest:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjulierwilliams

Connect with Us:

• Host’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aidan-mcdowell
• Website: https://uniqlearn.co/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uniqlearn

If this episode sparked new thinking, please follow, rate, and review Beyond the Syllabus on your favorite podcast platform. It helps us grow and bring more meaningful conversations your way.

In today’s episode, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Vicki Bayer, Superintendent of the Green Bay Area Public School District in Wisconsin. With over three decades in education, Vicki shares how her leadership journey—from classroom teacher to superintendent—has been grounded in trust, community partnership, and an unwavering belief in every child’s potential.

Together, they explore how Green Bay is redesigning learning around student needs, re-engaging the community after COVID, and maintaining hope and connection even through financial challenges. Vicki also shares the story behind Dr. Rosa Minoka Hill School, a model of second chances that redefines what it means to support all students.

From empowering teachers to lead with confidence to ensuring every learner has a pathway to graduation, this episode highlights what it takes to build a culture of trust, resilience, and belonging in public education today.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

- How Green Bay’s theme-driven culture—“Don’t Stop Believing,” “Together We Are One,” and “To the Stars”—helps unite staff, students, and community around shared purpose.

- Why investing in teacher trust and autonomy leads to stronger classrooms and higher student engagement.

- How Green Bay navigated major budget deficits through collaboration, transparency, and shared decision-making.

- The impact of Dr. Rosa Minoka Hill School, where expelled students are given a real chance to graduate and rejoin their peers.

- What proficiency-based learning looks like at the Northeast Wisconsin School of Innovation and why it’s helping redefine readiness for college, career, and community.

- Leadership lessons from Vicki on building hope, listening first, and centering every decision on what’s best for kids.

Key Moments

02:21 What Student Success Really Means

05:06 Leading Through Financial Challenges

07:37 Community Trust and Shared Leadership

11:16 Lessons from COVID and the Power of Teachers

15:38 Building Culture Through Shared Themes

18:09 Trusting Teachers as Professionals

22:54 Creating Second Chances: Dr. Rosa Minoka Hill School

25:30 Reengaging Students and Raising Graduation Rates

31:19 Rethinking the Traditional Classroom Model

33:17 Proficiency-Based Learning in Action

36:31 What’s Next for Green Bay Schools

Connect with Guest
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicki-bayer-069b3a17a/ 
Website: https://www.gbaps.org

Connect with Us
Host’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aidan-mcdowell
Website: https://uniqlearn.co/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uniqlearn

If this episode sparked new thinking, please follow, rate, and review Beyond the Syllabus on your favorite podcast platform. It helps us grow and bring more authentic conversations with education leaders your way.

In today’s episode, host Aidan McDowell sits down with Trish Sexton, the Chief Academic Officer for Lancaster County School District in South Carolina. With over three decades of experience in education, Trish shares her personal journey from a shy student and Navy family member to a passionate educator and district leader. Together, they explore how Trish’s background and her role as a mother of three has shaped her philosophy on teaching the whole child, building supportive school cultures, and prioritizing social-emotional wellbeing for both students and teachers. You’ll hear about Lancaster’s innovative learning walks, the power of community-driven education, and why celebrating both student and teacher growth matters now more than ever. 

From collaborative learning walks and strong PLCs to proactive supports, career pathways, and a renewed focus on trust and community, Trish describes a district leaning into practical, people-first improvement.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How culture and safety set the stage for learning, and why social-emotional well-being for students and staff sits at the top of Lancaster’s priorities.

  
  

• What learning walks look like when the focus is on student access and productive struggle, not pass–fail judgments of teachers.

  
  

• How PLCs and collective teacher efficacy raise expectations and results across classrooms.

  
  

• Why Lancaster is shifting from after-the-fact credit recovery to proactive on-ramps informed by everyday formative checks.

  
  

• A balanced view of technology and AI in classrooms, prioritizing rich student discourse and collaboration.

  
  

• How expanding CTE pathways and recognizing honors weighting for credentials widens options without GPA tradeoffs.

  
  

• Leadership mindsets that matter: “As goes the leader, so goes the culture,” “learn the work by doing the work,” and coaching for the long term.

• How a community-rooted district builds trust, celebrates wins, and keeps the focus on student impact.

  
  

Key Moments

05:34 Avoiding Labels, Celebrating All Talents

06:15 "Shaping Education for Every Child"

10:30 Children as Leaders in Schools

14:35 "Promoting Collaborative Learning Walks"

16:22 "Building Collective Teacher Efficacy"

21:25 "Technology Aiding Targeted Learning Pathways"

25:34 Pathways to Success and Honors

29:19 Priorities: Safety, Access, Growth

30:38 "Building a Culture in Education"

33:56 "Celebrating Education and Growth"

37:13 "Passion and Community Focus

Connect with Guest:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trishcsexton 
• Website: https://www.lancastercsd.com/ 

Connect with Us:

• Host’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aidan-mcdowell
• Website: https://uniqlearn.co/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uniqlearn
  
  

If this episode sparked new thinking, please follow, rate, and review Beyond the Syllabus on your favorite podcast platform. It helps us grow and bring more meaningful conversations your way.

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus, host Aidan McDowell talks with Dr. David Miyashiro, Superintendent of Cajon Valley Union School District (CA) since 2013. Recognized by the White House and U.S. Department of Education as one of the nation’s top 35 district leaders in personalized learning, Dr. Miyashiro shares how Cajon Valley is redefining school around purpose, relevance, and student agency.

From districtwide initiatives like the World of Work program and TEDxKids@ElCajon to redesigned leadership culture and community partnerships, Dr. Miyashiro reveals how listening to students, staff, and community has fueled a bold new model of learning that connects every child to their strengths, interests, and future.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why listening to students and families—not just state metrics—changed the course of Dr. Miyashiro’s leadership.

  
  

• How Cajon Valley’s “World of Work” curriculum helps every student explore careers from kindergarten onward.

  
  

• Why trusting people—and believing they are inherently good—underpins strong school culture.

  
  

• How Cajon Valley’s schools became models for personalization and choice, including outdoor immersion, arts, dual language, and computer science academies.

  
  

• What we can learn from Switzerland’s youth apprenticeship model and how it’s shaping new ideas for U.S. high schools.

  
  

• Leadership lessons from the Ritz-Carlton and Google on employee engagement, service, and autonomy.

  
  

• The deeper question guiding Dr. Miyashiro’s work: How can we help students want to learn, not just comply?

Key Moments

03:09 Questioning the status quo

05:24 The test-prep trap

07:21 A wake-up call on outcomes

11:00 1:1 laptops, world as curriculum

15:27 Personalization for people

17:56 TEDxKids: every student’s story

20:32 World of Work, K–12 exploration

24:24 Qualcomm visit shifts mindsets

35:18 Swiss-style youth apprenticeships

46:00 Service culture from Ritz-Carlton

Connect with Guest:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmiyashiro 

Website: https://www.cajonvalley.net/domain/48 

Connect with Us:

• Host’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aidan-mcdowell
• Website: https://uniqlearn.co/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uniqlearn
  
  

If this episode sparked new thinking, please follow, rate, and review Beyond the Syllabus on your favorite podcast platform. It helps us grow and bring more meaningful conversations your way.

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus, host Aidan McDowell talks with Dr. Gordon Amerson, Superintendent of Valverde Unified School District (CA). A former minor-league baseball prospect turned lifelong educator, Dr. Amerson shares how his 25-year journey—from classroom teacher to superintendent, Gallup CliftonStrengths coach, and founder of Principal Ed & Office Hours that shapes a leadership philosophy rooted in relational trust, strengths-based development, and defined autonomy.

From districtwide SEL infrastructure (counselors, restorative practitioners, PBIS coaches, “recharge rooms”) to AI-enabled personalization, a multi-year community schools grant, and a new 2025 to 2030 strategic plan, he lays out a clear blueprint for balancing culture, care, and results.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why trust—self-trust, internal trust, and community trust—is a superintendent’s first job.

• How to shape culture so great instruction can happen every day (and why leaders are “environment shapers”).

• How Valverde is approaching AI for personalization—with teacher partnership, clarity of purpose, and responsible guardrails.

• A strengths-based playbook: develop gifts, don’t obsess over weaknesses.

• What “defined autonomy with accountability” looks like (freedom to lead within clear guardrails).

• The priorities driving improvement: ELA, math, and chronic absenteeism—with accountability in context.

• Why mental-health normalization (for students and adults) sustains leadership over the long haul.

• How to graduate students with multiple “phase-four” passions (from initial spark to well-developed interests).

Key Moments

03:11 Classroom: A Tapestry of Growth

08:52 Commitment to AI in Education

11:57 Overcoming Barriers in Education

14:13 "Shaping Education Through Growth Mindset"

19:12 Student Engagement Development Stages

23:09 Enhancing Student Support Post-Pandemic

25:16 Strategic Planning for Student Success

29:52 Empowering Self-Advocacy in Youth

33:31 Mental Health Strategies for Leaders

35:34 Leadership Retreat Focus: Building Trust

39:13 "Exciting Educational Leadership Commitment"

Connect with Guest:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gordonamerson 

Website: https://www.valverde.edu/en-US 

Connect with Us:

• Host’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aidan-mcdowell
• Website: https://uniqlearn.co/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uniqlearn
  
  

If this episode sparked new thinking, please follow, rate, and review Beyond the Syllabus on your favorite podcast platform. It helps us grow and bring more meaningful conversations your way.

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus, we talk with Dr. John Mulford, Superintendent of Fayetteville Public Schools in Arkansas. With decades of leadership experience and a deep personal commitment to relational trust, Dr. Mulford opens up about what it takes to create a school system that works for everyone — not just the high achievers.

He walks us through his district’s “Belonging Through a Culture of Dignity” initiative, its holistic Portrait of a Graduate, and how he’s applying lessons from business, psychology, and theology to transform public education. From rural equity challenges to staff burnout to graduate preparedness, Dr. Mulford shows us what it looks like when a superintendent leads with compassion and conviction.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why belonging is foundational to student success — and staff sustainability

• How Fayetteville is using the “Culture of Dignity” framework district-wide

• What it means to lead with vision, even when systems resist change

• How to balance strategic planning with emotional intelligence

• The importance of leadership development pipelines
  
  
• Ways to assess readiness beyond academic data

• How to keep teams aligned in the face of political pressure and resource strain

Key Moments

06:34 "Journey to Fayetteville School Leadership"

08:49 Vision Guided by Community Input

12:45 Servant Leadership: Developing Strengths

16:32 Building Relationships with Students

18:01 "Culture First, Time Later"

21:22 Elementary-Level Personalized Instruction Focus

24:53 Developing AI Plan for District

28:26 "Peer and College Tutoring Initiatives"

30:17 "Catching Up with AI in Education"

35:19 Fluid, Experiential, Themed Education

37:54 Autonomous Teamwork in Coaching

42:33 Prioritizing Effective Teaching Strategies

43:38 "Exciting Opportunities Collaboration Request"

Connect with Guest:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-mulford-b4bb702a

Connect with Us:

• Host’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aidan-mcdowell
• Website: https://uniqlearn.co/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uniqlearn
  
  

If this episode sparked new thinking, please follow, rate, and review Beyond the Syllabus on your favorite podcast platform. It helps us grow and bring more meaningful conversations your way.

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus, we head to rural Florida to hear from Dr. Richard Surrency, Superintendent of Putnam County School District. With decades of experience as a teacher, principal, and now district leader, Dr. Surrency brings a boots-on-the-ground perspective to one of the biggest questions in education today: How do we prepare students for a future that’s already changing?

We talk about transforming a traditional district into one grounded in career pathways, dual enrollment, and personalized purpose. From building a new ag-tech center to integrating soft skills into academic goals, Dr. Surrency shares how Putnam County is creating opportunities for every kind of learner — not just college-bound students.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Dr. Surrency’s experience as a CTE student shaped his career and philosophy

  
  

• What it means to lead with a "workforce-first" mindset in a rural school district

  
  

• The role of career academies and dual enrollment in student engagement

  
  

• Why schools must prioritize soft skills alongside test scores

  
  

• How to foster a sense of purpose in students, no matter their path

  
  

• Lessons in leadership, equity, and community partnership

  
  

• How Putnam County is measuring student success beyond traditional metrics

Key Moments

05:23 "Teachers as Effective Coaches"

08:38 "Linking Teaching with Learning"

12:37 Leadership Emerges on Playground

14:45 Transforming Education in Florida

16:58 Graduation Accountability and Expectations

21:53 "Listening Sparks STEM Program Creation"

24:00 "Leadership Through Visibility"

28:52 "Pilot Training and Space Careers"

30:50 Competitive Education Environment in Florida

35:39 Embrace Change Responsibly

38:02 Human Connection in Future Education

39:36 Graduate Panel Reflects on School Impact

Connect with Guest:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-surrency-221a69a5

Connect with Us:

• Host’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aidan-mcdowell
• Website: https://uniqlearn.co/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uniqlearn
  
  

If this episode sparked new thinking, please follow, rate, and review Beyond the Syllabus on your favorite podcast platform. It helps us grow and bring more meaningful conversations your way.

In this episode of Beyond the Syllabus, we sit down with Dr. Greggory R. Slate, Superintendent of Davidson County Schools in North Carolina, who brings both vision and lived leadership experience to this essential transformation. With a background in school improvement, trauma-informed practice, and a personal journey shaped by loss, Dr. Slate shares why the heart of education must shift from test scores to relationships, purpose, and well-being.

Whether you're leading a district, coaching teachers, or simply wondering how schools can evolve to meet the real needs of students and educators—this episode is rich with insight, humanity, and hope.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why “the industrial model” still dominates public education — and what it’s costing us

• How Davidson County is prioritizing teacher autonomy, student agency, and human connection
  
  
• The role of authentic assessment and rethinking what accountability can look like

• How Dr. Slate’s early experience with tragedy shaped his passion for mental health and purpose-driven leadership

• What it means to “lead with grace” in a system under pressure

• Why true school improvement starts with psychological safety and relationships—not mandates

Key Moments

05:15 "Seeking Educational Challenge and Application"

06:41 Unexpected Path to Education Leadership

11:34 "Building and Tapping Talent"

13:51 "Effective Leadership: Aligning Practice and Impact"

16:32 Davidson County's Tech Education Leap

20:52 AI and Agriculture Integration

22:57 Encouraging Academic Exploration

28:59 Character Education: Empathy Through Action

32:23 Listening Leader Focused on Improvement

33:37 Education Leadership: Listen and Sustain

Connect with Guest:

LinkedIn: [email protected]

Connect with Us:

• Host’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aidan-mcdowell
• Website: https://uniqlearn.co/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uniqlearn
  
  

If this episode sparked new thinking, please follow, rate, and review Beyond the Syllabus on your favorite podcast platform. It helps us grow and bring more meaningful conversations your way.

In the debut episode of Beyond the Syllabus, we sit down with Rick Cohen, Chief Academic Officer of Edison Township Public Schools and a leading voice in translating the science of learning into real-world classroom practice. From his beginnings in juvenile detention centers to becoming a published expert on metacognition, Rick shares how understanding our own thinking can transform not only student outcomes—but teacher well-being too.

Together, we explore how teaching students to manage their thoughts and emotions empowers them to take ownership of their learning. Rick unpacks how his district is using metacognitive strategies to improve student achievement, reduce teacher burnout, and reimagine what meaningful education looks like—from alternative schools to mainstream classrooms.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What metacognition really is and why it’s more than a buzzword
• How teacher burnout connects to student self-regulation
• Why personalization starts with purpose
• How to measure thinking (yes, really)
• Why content is less important than the skills students build through it
• How Edison Township is making metacognition a district-wide practice
• Why "What do you want to learn?" might be the most important question in education

Key Moments

03:54 Direct Your Self-Talk Mindfully
07:19 From Detention Center to Education
09:51 Academic Success Inspires Publication
14:27 Expanding Emotional Intelligence in Health
16:40 Innovative Student-Centric Education Approach
20:37 Student Assessments on Social Issues
25:02 Essential Thinking Skills for Kids
27:56 Empowering Teachers and Students
29:00 "Identifying Personal Research Motivation"
33:56 "Educational Pathways and Perspectives"
36:11 Customizing Learning in Immigration Unit
39:55 Promoting Metacognition as a Habit

Connect with Guest:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-cohen-906820119

Connect with Us:

• Host’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aidan-mcdowell
• Website: https://uniqlearn.co/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uniqlearn
  
  

If this episode sparked new thinking, please follow, rate, and review Beyond the Syllabus on your favorite podcast platform. It helps us grow and bring more meaningful conversations your way.