Kyle Newton is the superintendent of Warren Local School District in rural southeastern Ohio, where he has spent over a decade aligning facilities, finances, and instructional strategy to better serve students and the community. Leading a district that spans 200 square miles with limited resources, Kyle has focused on building trust, strengthening community identity, and creating systems that support every learner.

Listen to our episode with Kyle as he shares insights on leading a rural school district, building a strong district brand, strengthening MTSS and special education supports, and collaborating across communities to advocate for rural education.

Chris Smith, Superintendent of Schools at Brownfield ISD, and Melissa Vera, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction, have spent nearly two decades turning a district where 86% of students are economically disadvantaged into a model for what's possible, including a 99.2% graduation rate and a teacher retention rate of 85% in a climate facing a major teacher shortage.

In this episode, Chris and Melissa share how they built a culture, rallying around their "CS Rise" mindset, that holds every student to high expectations, regardless of background. They dig into the systems behind their success: a dual-credit program that sends students to associate's degrees before high school graduation, a "Grow Your Own" teacher pipeline built in partnership with Texas Tech, and a district-wide commitment to equity for special education and emergent bilingual students. Chris and Melissa also open up about their personal "whys,” the moments and people that pulled them into education, and why they've turned down opportunities to lead elsewhere to see this work through in Brownfield.

Sophia Zhang, Yash Maheshwari, Claire Schwarzhoff, Myra Jain, and Nikita Narang, the Student Executive Board at Mountain View High School, are proving that some of the most important conversations about the future of education are being led by students themselves. As student leaders in one of California's top-ranked school districts, they are helping shape how schools navigate artificial intelligence while advocating for responsible innovation and student voice.

This episode explores how AI is transforming the classroom, including the opportunities and challenges of evolving classroom policies, AI literacy, and preparing for an AI-driven future. The conversation also examines what it means to build AI-resilient skills and careers, why ethical implementation matters, and how students can play a critical role in shaping the future of education.

Dr. Marc Puig, a dynamic superintendent in Robstown ISD near Corpus Christi, Texas, is renowned for his leadership philosophy centered on visibility, connection, and big-picture thinking. In this episode, Dr. Puig shares his deeply personal "why" for entering and staying in education, aiming to add brilliance and impact to every life he touches.

He discusses how this drive translates into fostering a "limitless future" for his students, even in an impoverished community, by creating transformative learning opportunities that expose them to new worlds. The conversation covers innovative programs like Picker Paths, designed to provide early career exposure, and his bold vision for integrating AI into public education, all while emphasizing the critical importance of a robust Tier 1 instruction.

Dr. Daniel Castagna, Superintendent of Chartiers Valley School District in Pennsylvania, believes that exceptional leadership requires authenticity, decisive action, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. Guided by a mission to create better opportunities for students, he has led a rapid transformation focused on AI integration, school safety, and student-centered innovation while empowering educators to embrace meaningful change.

This episode explores how Chartiers Valley is leveraging AI to support teachers, personalize learning, strengthen special education services, and improve campus safety, while balancing innovation with responsible financial stewardship. Dr. Castagna also shares his leadership philosophy on taking calculated risks, building trust through authentic relationships, and why waiting for perfect consensus often stands in the way of meaningful progress.

Aaron Moran, Superintendent of Tipp City Exempt Village Schools in Ohio, leads with a clear belief that every student can succeed when given the right opportunities and support. Drawing on more than two decades in education leadership, he is transforming district culture through intentional collaboration between teachers and a relentless focus on continuous improvement.

This episode explores Tipp City's approach to building a culture of growth, where inclusion means challenging every learner, professional development is driven by teachers, and collaboration is embedded into the school day. Aaron also shares how thoughtful school design can strengthen learning communities, why career exploration should begin long before high school, and how setting high expectations helps students and educators reach their full potential.

Dr. Kellen Adams, Superintendent of Leavenworth USD 453 in Kansas, brings a grounded and people-first approach to district leadership, shaped by his belief that public education can serve as a powerful equalizer for students. Leading a military-adjacent community through declining enrollment, rising student needs, and budget pressures, he focuses on protecting classroom impact while strengthening the systems and people that support student success.

This episode explores Leavenworth’s thoughtful approach to leadership, innovation, and whole-child support, including how AI can improve efficiency without replacing the human heart of education, how wraparound services help meet growing student needs, and why strong community partnerships are essential to supporting both educators and learners. 

What happens when schools stop banning AI and hand the keys to students? Join us for an exceptional episode featuring Jeremy Hill, an e-learning specialist at Richmond High School, and his remarkable tech team: high school students Sophie, JJ, Annabella, and Matt. This dynamic group leverages technology to support their school community and lead the integration of AI, showcasing students not just learning about, but actively implementing, responsible AI usage across the district.

This episode explores how they share their unique perspectives on AI as a critical thinking tool, the differences between general and purpose-built AI, and why schools should embrace, rather than ban, these emerging technologies. Tune in to hear candid insights from the front lines of AI integration in education.

In this episode, Cait Russell, COO of Multiple, shares her journey from occupational therapy to leading a nonprofit accelerator for autism-focused technology. She explores how innovation can scale impact beyond individual support, helping better serve neurodivergent individuals across education and employment.

The conversation highlights the need for more meaningful career pathways, inclusive hiring practices, and stronger connections between schools, employers, and emerging tech. Cait also offers insight into how startups are building tools that address real gaps—and why doing good and building sustainable businesses must go hand in hand.

Benjamin Franquiz, Assistant Superintendent for Special Education and Student Support Services, and Kathleen Petrenko, Director of Special Education, at Eastport-South Manor Central School District, are leading with a clear focus: every student matters. Through systems thinking and collaborative leadership, they align instruction, intervention, and student well-being to build a strong, inclusive special education program.

In this episode, they share how their district leverages AI, streamlines data practices, and strengthens family partnerships to better support both students and staff. Their approach shows how thoughtful innovation and clear priorities can drive meaningful impact. Hear their insights into improving efficiency without sacrificing quality, and staying relentlessly student-centered.