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Rethinking School Leadership & Purpose with Dr. Richard Surrency
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.
View all episodes
By Aidan McDowellIn 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.