Brighter Together

In this inspiring episode of Brighter Together, I sit down with Lacy Hollingsworth, the director of special programs at Axtell ISD, to discuss their groundbreaking initiative, Lucky's Brew. This mobile coffee shop is designed to empower students with disabilities, giving them real-world employability skills while fostering community support. Lacy shares the journey from concept to execution, including securing funding through grants and local partnerships that made Lucky's Brew a reality. This episode is a testament to how innovative thinking and community collaboration can create meaningful opportunities for students. Join us as we explore the impact of Lucky's Brew and celebrate the potential of every student.

What if neuroscience could change how your school does social-emotional learning? In this episode, Renee Kolle, Superintendent of Old Mission Peninsula School in Michigan, shares how her team is using brain-based insights to meet the emotional needs of students and staff alike. From daily SEL lessons to staff-wide mindset shifts, Renee reveals what happens when schools lead with both heart and science. If you're looking to embed SEL into your culture—not just your calendar—this conversation is your roadmap.

What happens when a Christian high school decides that compliance isn’t enough? In this episode, Abrianne Castaneda, Educational Support Service Director at Calvin Christian High School, shares how her team is leveraging MTSS and personal curricula to empower every student’s journey. From removing academic roadblocks to customizing graduation plans, you’ll hear what’s possible when schools put strategy and heart into student support. A must-listen for school leaders, SPED directors, and anyone seeking smarter ways to serve diverse learners.

Dr. Vince Breunig, Superintendent of the School District of Lodi, believes that culture starts with the stories we choose to tell. In this episode, he reveals how celebrating small, daily wins — from indoor recess to hallway kindness — builds trust, pride, and alignment across an entire community. With humor, heart, and strategy, he shows how Lodi's social storytelling isn't fluff — it's leadership.

Superintendent Michelle Gill of Pine River Area Schools doesn’t sugarcoat the truth. In this episode, she shares what it’s like to lead a rural district where poverty is high, trust is broken, and the budget is missing. From student-led culture campaigns to 302 square miles of logistical challenges, Michelle shows what real leadership looks like when the system won’t budge. This conversation is raw, real, and a must-hear for anyone leading on empty.

In this enlightening episode of Brighter Together, I chat with Dr. Jerry Adams, the superintendent of Vega ISD in Texas, about his transformative vision for rural school success. Dr. Adams shares insights on fostering a culture of joy in education, emphasizing that true joy can be a powerful change agent, even amidst challenges. We delve into the innovative adoption of a four-day school week designed to enhance teacher morale and student performance while addressing budget constraints. Dr. Adams discusses how community support and a shared commitment to student success are vital, as well as the importance of maintaining quality time for families and educators alike. Join us as we explore how small changes can lead to big impacts in rural education and the vital role joy plays in the learning environment.

How do you lead a school district when trust has been lost? For Aaron Peña, Superintendent of Burnet Consolidated ISD, it starts by listening.

In this episode of Brighter Together, Peña reveals the culture of fear he inherited—where educators stayed silent to survive—and the bold, human-centered steps he’s taken to rebuild a climate of safety, dialogue, and shared leadership.

From confronting red tape to coaching leaders through discomfort, Peña's story is one every school administrator needs to hear. If you're leading change in a high-stakes, high-emotion environment, this conversation will meet you there.

Key themes:

- Transforming a compliance culture into a commitment culture

- Creating systems where teacher voice is celebrated, not punished

- Redefining leadership through transparency and reflection

- Building trust without losing accountability

You don’t have to lead alone. Peña’s approach is proof that cultural change is possible—when you start with empathy and move with intention.

What if the key to transforming transition services isn't a giant budget or a massive system overhaul... but one employer who says yes?

In this inspiring episode, Shannon DeLora, Transition Consultant at Muskegon Area ISD, reveals how powerful change starts with a single job site and grows into a community-wide movement. From job coaches who "work themselves out of a job" to students who find purpose, pride, and even outperform machines, Shannon shares the strategies, stories, and mindset shifts that are helping students with special needs step boldly into the workforce.

You'll hear:

- Why job coaches are more like talent scouts than babysitters

- What makes employers excited to hire students again and again

- How one student's chicken-battering skills beat corporate expectations

- What it takes to bring parents from fear to full-on pride

Whether you're building a transition program from scratch or looking to deepen community partnerships, Shannon's approach offers a blueprint rooted in dignity, vision, and trust.

This episode is a must-hear for school leaders, SPED directors, and anyone who believes students with disabilities deserve more than just a diploma—they deserve a future.

For years, SPED students were pulled out for support. But Amanda Unruh and her team at Boyd Elementary flipped the script—pushing in instead, co-teaching across grade levels, and seeing real transformation.

In this episode, Amanda shares how her campus went from isolated interventions to fully integrated inclusion—building confidence, raising expectations, and giving paraeducators the training and status they deserve. With practical strategies and real data wins, this is a blueprint for how collaboration can change everything.

If you’ve ever wondered whether inclusion works, Amanda’s answer is a resounding yes—with a roadmap to back it up.

In this episode of Brighter Together, I sit down with Hannah Frink, the Student Success Coordinator at Perham-Dent Public Schools in Minnesota. We explore how her district is redefining success through innovative programs like BARR (Building Assets, Reducing Risks) and TalkingPoints, which are fostering deeper connections between students, staff, and families. Hannah shares her insights on the importance of grace in education, emphasizing the need for compassion amid the pressures of today’s fast-paced environment. With impressive results, including significant reductions in absenteeism and failure rates, Perham-Dent is setting a remarkable example of community engagement and transformation in education. Join us as we discuss how building trust and breaking barriers can create a brighter future for students and educators alike.