Leaders Learning From Leaders

Leaders Learning From Leaders

By SuperEvalEducation
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Leaders Learning From Leaders episodes

  • A Conversation with Dr. Charles Dedrick and Jacinda Hall Conboy, Esq. of the New York State Council of School Superintendents

    About Dr. Charles Dedrick

    Dr. Charles Dedrick, currently serving as the Executive Director at the New York State Council of School Superintendents (NYSCOSS), possesses a wealth of experience in education leadership. With over seven years in his current role, Chuck oversees the NYSCOSS’ operations, governance, and policy matters. He offers professional guidance, regional presentations, and fosters engagement with NYSCOSS. His career spans leadership roles as District Superintendent at Capital Region BOCES, Superintendent of Schools in Cohoes City School District, and Green Island School District. Chuck holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from The Sage Colleges-Sage Graduate School, along with several master's degrees and a bachelor's in Political Science from Excelsior University.

    About Jacinda Hall Conboy, Esq. 

    Jacinda Hall Conboy, Esq., known as "Jazz," is the dedicated General Counsel at the New York State Council of School Superintendents (NYSCOSS), serving in this role for over a decade. A proud graduate of Albany Law School of Union University, she expertly handles negotiations of superintendents' contracts and provides invaluable legal counsel. Jazz's commitment to education law extends to educating NYSCOSS members through her engaging legal seminars. She is the driving force behind the Council's Women's Initiative in New York, empowering women in leadership roles. Jazz's influence transcends borders as she leads workshops and discussions both statewide and nationally. Her outstanding contributions earned her the prestigious 2020 "Friend of AASA" award from the national superintendent's association, AASA, recognizing her exceptional dedication to advancing public education. Jazz remains an unwavering advocate for superintendents and a fervent champion for women in leadership.

    Overview:

    In this episode of Leaders Learning from Leaders, host Steve Barkley welcomes Dr. Charles Dedrick and Jacinda Conboy, Esq. from the New York State Council of School Superintendents (NYSCOSS). Chuck Dedrick serves as the Executive Director and Jazz Conboy is the General Counsel of NYSCOSS. The episode delves into their roles at the Council and their dedication to advocating for the success of children and communities served by their members.

    Key Topics Discussed in the Episode:

    1. Advocacy for Children: Chuck Dedrick emphasizes the Council's primary mission to support its members in their service to children and communities through advocacy. NYSCOSS is recognized as a respected advocate for education in New York State, known for its unwavering commitment to children's success.
  • Supporting Superintendents: Chuck and Jazz discuss their roles in supporting superintendents by providing professional development, mentorship, and guidance on leadership issues, including gender equity and women in leadership.
  • Educating the Public: The discussion touches on the importance of superintendents' role in educating their local communities and NYSCOSS’ focus on helping superintendents become effective communicators to address diverse needs across the state.
  • Recruitment Challenges: Chuck and Jazz highlight the recruitment challenges facing the superintendency positions, including the lack of candidates, especially in roles like school psychologists and mental health professionals, which is exacerbated by the post-COVID mental health crisis.
  • Succession Planning: The podcast explores how current superintendents can play a crucial role in mentoring and identifying the next generation of leaders, emphasizing the importance of diversity and opening doors for underrepresented groups.
  • Changing Leadership Perspectives: Chuck and Jazz discuss the need to broaden leadership perspectives and encourage leaders to see potential in people who may differ from them in various ways.
  • Diversity and Team Performance: The podcast concludes with a focus on the benefits of diversity in leadership teams and the importance of collaboration among superintendents to address challenges collectively.

    • The episode concludes with Chuck and Jazz sharing the website for NYSCOSS (nyscoss.org) for further information and resources. They expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to discuss their work and emphasized the significance of supporting superintendents in their mission to provide the best education for children.

    24 min
  • A Conversation with Dr. Luvelle Brown

    About Dr. Luvelle Brown

    Dr. Luvelle Brown is a highly accomplished educator with a diverse background in various educational roles. He currently serves as the Superintendent of the Ithaca City School District (ICSD) in Ithaca, New York, where he has overseen remarkable achievements during his tenure. Recognized as the 2017 New York State Superintendent of the Year, Luvelle Brown has received numerous accolades for his contributions to education.

    Among his many honors, Dr. Brown was acknowledged by TrustED as one of the nation's foremost educators and thought leaders. In 2022, he was honored with the prestigious Dr. Effie H. Jones Humanitarian Award. His recognition extends to the National School Boards Association, which named him a "20-to-Watch" and a "Difference Maker." Dr. Brown has also been honored with awards such as the Center for Digital Education Top 30 Award and the eSchool News Tech-Savvy Superintendent Award in 2014. His innovative leadership earned him a place among the nation's top 100 Innovative Superintendents, and he was invited to speak at President Barack Obama's 1st National Superintendent Summit at the White House.

    Apart from his educational roles, Luvelle Brown serves as an adjunct faculty member at SUNY Cortland and St. John Fisher College in New York. He is actively engaged in his community, having been recognized as the Tompkins County Distinguished Citizen in spring 2019. His community involvement includes serving as a term trustee at Ithaca College, a member of the Tompkins County Area Development Board, and a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He also co-founded the nationally acclaimed 100 Black Men of Central Virginia.

    Overview:

    In this episode of Leaders Learning from Leaders, host Steve Barkley interviews Dr. Luvelle Brown, the superintendent of Ithaca School District in New York State and author of "Culture of Love: Cultivating a Positive and Transformational Organizational Culture." Dr. Brown is a nationally recognized speaker and consultant with a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in education.

    The episode begins with an introduction of the guest, Dr. Luvelle Brown, who shares his background and passion for creating a more inclusive and loving educational environment. He highlights the unique characteristics of Ithaca, New York, a diverse and vibrant town known for its educational institutions.

    Key Topics Discussed in the Episode:

    1. Ithaca School District's Success: Dr. Brown discusses the significant improvements and successes achieved during his tenure as the superintendent of Ithaca School District. These include a rise in the graduation rate, elimination of achievement gaps, increased participation in extracurricular activities, and recognition for diverse enrollment in high-level academic courses.
  • Sense of Urgency: Dr. Brown emphasizes the importance of leaders feeling a sense of urgency when it comes to meeting the needs of young people. He describes how this sense of urgency has driven positive change in Ithaca.
  • Student-Centered and Equity-Focused Education: Dr. Brown discusses his involvement in the Learning 2025 National Commission on Student-Centered Equity-Focused Education, highlighting the importance of including students in decision-making and curriculum development. He emphasizes that such initiatives benefit all students.
  • Diversity Symposium of Thought Leaders: Dr. Brown talks about his role in organizing the Diversity Symposium of Thought Leaders, an event focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion in education. He underscores the need to create access and opportunities for everyone, regardless of their identities.
  • Culture of Love in Education: Dr. Brown delves into the concept of a "culture of love" in education, emphasizing that it goes beyond emotional connections and includes principles like patience, trust, caring, forgiveness, and commitment. He discusses the importance of incorporating these principles into school practices and policies.
  • Leadership as a Way of Being: Dr. Brown challenges the notion that leadership is solely defined by titles. He believes that leadership is a way of thinking, working, and living that involves facilitating change and inclusivity. He encourages educators to embrace an authentic journey toward creating positive change in education.
  • Inspiration for the Future: Dr. Brown draws inspiration from his ancestors and their fight for a better future. He hopes to inspire others to continue the work of creating an inclusive and equitable educational system.

    • Listeners are encouraged to reach out to Dr. Luvelle Brown via email at [email protected] to connect. Listeners can also learn more about Dr. Brown and his work by visiting his website: https://luvellebrown.com/

    This episode offers valuable insights into the importance of fostering a culture of love, equity, and inclusion in education and highlights Dr. Brown's commitment to creating a better educational future for all students.

    24 min
  • A Conversation With Dr. Jason Andrews

    In this podcast episode, Steve Barkley interviews Dr. Jason Andrews, the superintendent of Windsor Central School District in New York State. He shares the importance of collaboration, high expectations, and support within the district.

    The conversation covers several key topics:

    1. Andrews describes the transformation of Windsor Central School District, including improvements in graduation rates, performance on state assessments, and a focus on providing diverse opportunities for students. They emphasize the importance of creating a "future-ready" environment that empowers students to explore various pathways.
  • Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) significantly affect the district's success. Dr. Andrews emphasizes the importance of collaboration, focusing on student learning outcomes, and providing high levels of support to teachers and students. The district's commitment to the PLC process has led to positive results.
  • The role of school boards and community relationships is highlighted. Dr. Andrews discusses the critical role of the school board in setting the tone and culture of the district. He shares insights on guiding board conversations, providing governance-level information, and working collaboratively with the board to drive positive outcomes for students.
  • Andrews addresses challenges facing schools, such as societal polarization and misinformation, and the need for schools to address these issues. Additionally, he discusses the importance of clarity in measuring student learning and the need to define what success means for students in the education system.
  • The podcast concludes with Dr. Andrews sharing his perspective on school leadership. He encourages new leaders to persevere, emphasizing that while leadership can be challenging, the impact on students and the community is incredibly rewarding.

    • This interview reveals Dr. Andrews' dedication to creating a supportive, forward-thinking educational environment that empowers students, teachers, and the community.

    Watch the video version of this episode here. 

    Visit the SuperEval website.

    40 min
  • A Conversation with Dr. Kevin McGowan

    Kevin McGowan, Ed.D., is the Superintendent of the Brighton Central School District, a suburban district in Monroe County, New York. In addition to being highly ranked in New York State (NYS) and nationally, Brighton schools have been recognized as "Schools to Watch," Blue Ribbon award winners, and as a 2018 US News and World Report Gold Medal school. Throughout his work in each position, Dr. McGowan has focused on high-quality systems that provide consistency, accountability, and a focus on meeting the needs of all learners. Dr. McGowan established the commitment to "every student, every day, in every way" in leading the Brighton education community. Beyond his district leadership, Dr. McGowan has previously served on many boards, including as the President of the Monroe County Council of School Superintendents, the NYS Council of School Superintendents, and the Leadership for Educational Achievement Foundation. In 2023, Dr. McGowan was named NYS Superintendent of the Year and AASA National Superintendent of the Year.

    Watch the video version of this episode here. 

    Learn more about Dr. McGowan.

    Visit the SuperEval website.

    28 min

About Leaders Learning From Leaders

From the publisher's feed

Leaders Learning from Leaders is an engaging and insightful educational leadership podcast designed exclusively for leaders in the field of education. This dynamic podcast is created by seasoned leaders for leaders, providing a valuable platform to exchange ideas, share effective strategies, and explore the stories of education leadership challenges and success.