For this episode of Rethink Possible, host Bob McDowell sits down with Dr. Peter Olson-Skog, superintendent of School District 197 in Minnesota, to discuss the importance of developing and empowering principals to improve school outcomes. Peter shares his strategies for working closely with principals and creating a positive culture within the district. He also stresses the importance of understanding a principal's role and building trust to support them as equity-driven instructional leaders who are given the time and resources to focus on what truly makes a difference for students. This process has led to a stronger relationship between district leaders and principals, improved collaboration, and focused professional development opportunities for principals.

This episode of Rethink Possible features a conversation between host Bob McDowell and guest Jeremy Calles, superintendent of Tolleson Union High School District in Arizona. The discussion centers around the upcoming Commitment Day event where students from seven high schools will come together to share their plans for the future after graduation. Calles explains the inspiration behind this event and how it aligns with their strategic planning efforts to ensure all students are college and career-ready. His team started Commitment Day after realizing the potential negative consequences of university acceptance letters. The event helps the district encourage students to plan ahead for their futures as well as a way to build partnerships with external agencies.

In this episode of Rethink Possible, host Bob McDowell speaks with Dr. Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed, superintendent of Hopkins Public Schools. Rhoda shares her experience reimagining student success metrics in public schools. She explains that the current metrics, which mostly include standardized test scores, have flaws and do not accurately reflect the success of all students. Her district has taken steps to redefine metrics by involving stakeholders - students, parents, and colleges - to identify important traits for graduates and aligning with the concept of competency-based education. She, along with the district leadership team, focused on the goal of making school more relevant, engaging, and meaningful for students. They are currently identifying tools for assessing holistic competencies, such as social-emotional learning, and developing skills-based learning progressions aligned with their graduate traits.

In this episode of Rethink Possible, host Bob McDowell spends time with Dr. Renee Corneille, the Superintendent of Saint Anthony-New Brighton ISD 282. Renee discusses how her district embarked on a three-year process to overhaul their instructional framework. The process was initiated due to a change in state standards, which revealed a gap in the rigor of instruction in the district. Dr. Corneille shares her district's decision to move to a proficiency method of grading in math classes and the change in district departments since then. She also discusses how the decision affected professional development opportunities and offers advice for other superintendents looking to make a similar change.

In this episode of Rethink Possible, host Bob McDowell sits down with Ann-Marie Foucault, Superintendent of St. Michael-Albertville Schools. Ann-Marie shares how she engaged and cultivated relationships with community members to create a supportive coalition for the district. This episode includes her strategies for building trust and communicating effectively with legislators and community stakeholders while stressing the importance of putting students first and finding ways to control the district's narrative.

In this episode of Rethink Possible, host Bob McDowell talks with Dr. Stacie Stanley about implementing the reading program in Edina Public Schools. They discuss challenges and successes plus the importance of having a strong vision to create an effective reading ecosystem. Dr. Stanley also shares her experience aligning project benchmarks and the strategic plan while redefining metrics. The conversation digs into developing leaders' capacity for change management, building relationships with external partners, and developing data-driven training for teachers and coaches.

In this episode of Rethink Possible, host Bob McDowell connects with Tim Schochenmaier, Superintendent of Central Public Schools, about the importance of Career & Technical Education (CTE) in schools. Tim shares how he and his team reimagined their CTE program to include partnerships with local businesses and hands-on experiences while building awareness with students and businesses through hosting events like Trades Signing Day and forming a Manufacturing Trades Advisory Group.