This week on Solve for X, host Dr. Rick Fernandez sits down with Matt Schiel, a retired Tomball ISD board member and Texas education advocate known for his steady, no-nonsense approach to governance.

From why he first ran for the school board to what changed when COVID turned every decision into a no-win situation, Matt shares what it really looks like to lead through pressure while staying focused on students, staff, and community trust.

Rick and Matt dig into the realities behind superintendent leadership, why consistency matters more than flashy initiatives, and how schools have quietly taken on responsibilities that used to sit at home. They also tackle the voucher conversation in Texas, where the intended use may collide with what actually happens once money hits the system.

If you care about school governance, leadership under scrutiny, and how to simplify the work without losing the mission, this episode is packed with perspective and practical wisdom.

What You’ll Learn

• Why Matt ran for the Tomball ISD board and why he knew he wouldn’t stay forever

• How consistency from school boards can reduce chaos for superintendents and staff

• Why a superintendent role compares to a CEO or city manager and what critics often miss

• The unintended pressure COVID created and what leadership looks like when everyone is angry

• Why schools have become the catch-all for society and how that impacts learning

• The quiet power of parent involvement and why it tends to fade as students get older

• What voucher rollout could mean in practice, including unexpected sports academy models

• Why competition only works if everyone plays by the same rules and standards

• Advice for cabinet-level leaders presenting to boards: credibility, clarity, and no guesswork

  
  

• Why real change requires trust, time, and small wins before big shifts

Episode Timestamps

05:11 Consistent Leadership and Stadium Decision

07:02 Superintendent: A Small City CEO

10:26 School Leadership During Covid

14:56 "Back to Basics for Education"

16:48 Parental Involvement Key to Success

22:46 Education Vouchers and Accessibility

26:03 Maximizing Resources for True Competition

27:06 Homeschooling, Politics, and State Tests

31:56 "Advice for New School Leaders"

35:01 "Assessing Ideas Before Action"

37:30 "Start Small, Plan Long-Term"

39:39 "Unclear Spending Hinders Solutions"

Connect with Us

• Host’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rick-fernandez-40692434/
• Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerschool-group
  
  

Special Thanks

To Matt Schiel for sharing a grounded, community-first perspective on school board service, leadership consistency, and the realities districts face when politics and policy collide with day-to-day schooling.

Stay Connected

Follow, like, and subscribe to Solve for X for more stories where curiosity meets collaboration. Until next time—keep asking the right questions, and keep solving for X.

This week, our host Rick Fernandez sits down with Dr. Elizabeth Norton, a relentless leader and CTE workforce expert with a remarkable journey through the heart of Tennessee’s education system.

From her early days as a reading interventionist to leading statewide literacy initiatives and navigating the complexities of district support, Dr. Norton shares how her passion for impact guided every career move, even her recent leap into consulting and her work at the frontier of AI in education. Together, Rick Fernandez and Elizabeth Norton dig deep into the real-world challenges of creating coherence across massive systems, supporting teacher growth in an era of rapid technological change, and reimagining the high school experience for a future shaped by artificial intelligence and evolving workforce needs.

Whether you’re an educator, leader, or just curious about how big ideas become real solutions, this episode will spark a fresh perspective on transformation, continuous improvement, and what it takes to truly solve for X in today’s schools. So grab your coffee, and maybe some hot sauce, and get ready for an insightful journey with Dr. Elizabeth Norton!

What You’ll Learn

• Why coherence, structures, and routines are essential for leading large-scale improvement—and how leaders lose impact when those systems break down

• What it takes to lead continuous improvement effectively, including the role of after-action reviews, leading indicators, and disciplined follow-through

• Why AI literacy is now a leadership responsibility, not just a technology issue—and what district and school leaders need to understand right now

• How AI is poised to reshape teaching, assessment, and professional learning, moving schools toward process-based evaluation and project-based learning

• The emerging impact of AI on CTE pathways and workforce readiness, including which career clusters are most vulnerable to automation

• Why the future of high school depends on reimagining CTE, relevance, and postsecondary pathways, and how systems must evolve to keep students engaged

Episode Timestamps

04:14 "Building Coherence in Education"

07:18 "Building Coherence with Structure"

11:55 Tennessee's Push for AI Literacy

14:18 "AI Leadership for Everyone"

19:40 Rethinking Assessment in AI Era

21:27 "PBL: The Future of Learning"

25:51 AI as Lesson Thought Partner

27:32 AI's Impact on Career Clusters

31:42 "AI as Tool for Teacher Versatility"

33:57 "Challenges in Education Certification"

39:57 "Leadership through Growth and Empowerment"

42:37 "Improving Data Collection for Change"

Connect with Us

• Host’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rick-fernandez-40692434/
• Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerschool-group
  
  

Special Thanks

To Elizabeth Norton and the Tennessee Department of Education team for their commitment to helping districts navigate complex challenges with clarity, strategy, and a deep focus on student success.

Stay Connected

Follow, like, and subscribe to Solve for X for more stories where curiosity meets collaboration. Until next time—keep asking the right questions, and keep solving for X.

In this episode of Solve for X, host Dr. Rick Fernandez welcomes Tatiana Ciccarelli, National Solutions Director at Edmentum. A former special education and middle school math teacher from New York City, Tatiana shares how her classroom experience, family conversations about money, and leap into edtech shaped her view of what real college and career readiness should look like for today’s students.

From portraits of a graduate and durable skills to VR-driven trades training and virtual internships, this episode dives into how districts can rethink CTE—not as a track for “some students,” but as life readiness for all. You’ll hear how schools can partner with local businesses, leverage trusted vendors, and use technology to create pathways where students graduate employable, adaptable, and prepared to pivot in a fast-changing economy.

What You’ll Learn

- Why every educator has “the longest CTE experience ever” just by being in schools

- How early conversations about financial literacy, ROI, and student debt can change postsecondary choices

- What “durable skills” (grit, resilience, numeracy, financial literacy) students need to navigate multiple careers

- Ways to use VR, virtual internships, and community partnerships to make trades and pathways relevant

- Why tight budgets make flexible, educator-first partners more important than ever

Episode Timestamps
00:00 Texas hot sauce cold open & welcome to Solve for X
00:30 Meet Tatiana Ciccarelli, National Solutions Director at Edmentum
01:23 From family of educators to special education math teacher in NYC
03:17 Leaving the classroom and discovering transferable skills
07:34 CTE trends, portraits of a graduate, and durable skills
10:10 Rebranding CTE and talking ROI, debt, and “life readiness”
18:12 Virtual internships, VR for trades, and overcoming logistics
25:13 Leveraging business partners and vendors for student pathways
30:42 Who’s the family “CEO” and closing reflections

Connect with Us
Host’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rick-fernandez-40692434/

Special Thanks
To Tatiana Ciccarelli and the Edmentum team for their work advancing CTE, durable skills, and educator-first solutions that help students move confidently from classroom to career.

Stay Connected
Follow, like, and subscribe to Solve for X for more stories where curiosity meets collaboration.

Until next time—keep asking the right questions, and keep solving for X.

In this episode of Solve for X, host Dr. Rick Fernandez welcomes Max Rombado, Legislative Director at Raise Your Hand Texas. A proud Houstonian and Springwoods High alum, Max brings deep experience navigating the Capitol and advocating for policies that strengthen public education across the state.

From landmark teacher pay raises to the controversial expansion of school choice, Max unpacks what the latest legislative session means for educators, families, and communities. With clarity and candor, he breaks down the complexity of HB2 and HB8, and shares why the fight for public education funding is far from over.

Whether you’re a district leader, teacher, or policymaker, this episode offers insider perspective on the forces shaping Texas classrooms—and what’s at stake in the years ahead.

What You’ll Learn

● The key provisions of HB2 and what teacher retention and incentive allotments mean for salaries statewide

● Why timing and inflation complicate district budgeting despite new funding

● The creation of the ABC (Allotment for Basic Costs) and its impact on school operations

● Teacher certification challenges—and how new rules could reshape the workforce

● How HB8 reforms accountability, testing, and the STAAR system

● What Texas’ first school choice bill (SB2) means for families, districts, and the future of public education

● Why funding gaps still leave Texas far from national averages, and what it will take to catch up

Episode Timestamps

00:42 Meet Max Rombado, Raise Your Hand Texas

02:01 Legislative priorities: school funding, accountability, and choice

03:48 Teacher retention allotment explained

05:37 How much funding is allocated for teacher pay raises

07:26 The ABC allotment: covering operational costs

11:45 Inflation and the limits of new funding

13:29 Teacher certification challenges and incentives

14:58 The new three-test system: STAAR to Student Success Tool

18:21 School choice in Texas: SB2 and its implications

21:01 Private schools, charters, and shifting dynamics

22:32 Advocacy and getting involved with Raise Your Hand Texas

Connect with Us
● Host’s LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rick-fernandez-40692434/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rick-fernandez-40692434/)

Special Thanks
To Max Rombado and the Raise Your Hand Texas team for their commitment to strengthening public education and advocating for teachers, students, and communities statewide.

Stay Connected
Follow, like, and subscribe to Solve for X for more stories where curiosity meets collaboration. Until next time—keep asking the right questions, and keep solving for X.

In this episode of Solve for X, host Dr. Rick Fernandez welcomes Russ Johnson, CEO of Tessera Technology Group and Trustee at Lorena ISD. With over 30 years in education and leadership, Russ shares how districts can strengthen school safety, sustain superintendents, and prepare students for meaningful careers—while keeping community and care at the center.

From balancing technology and trust to supporting leaders under pressure, this episode explores what it takes to lead through change and protect what matters most in public education.

What You’ll Learn

• Why school safety starts with people, not just products

• How districts can move from reaction to prevention after crises

• The rising stress on Texas superintendents and how boards can help

• Why leadership wellness should be part of every district’s accountability

• How smaller districts can create workforce pathways through partnerships

• The link between community trust, school culture, and strong leadership

Episode Timestamps

00:00 Welcome to Solve for X — “Risk it to get that biscuit”
01:17 Meet Russ Johnson, CEO of Tessera Technology Group and Lorena ISD Trustee
02:10 What Tessera solves for: building safety through collaboration
03:20 The three pillars of school safety—facilities, tech, and the human factor
05:10 Avoiding reactionary decisions: the “pendulum effect” after tragedy
07:00 Balancing security and culture: keeping schools welcoming
09:10 Superintendent wellness and why it’s often overlooked
11:45 The politics of leadership—pay, pressure, and sustainability
14:20 Preparing students for the workforce through innovation and partnerships
20:00 Closing reflections—why educator voices must stay loud and united

Connect with Us

Host’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rick-fernandez-40692434/

Special Thanks

To Russ Johnson and the Tessera Technology Group team for their work advancing safer schools, stronger leadership, and sustainable education in Texas.

Stay Connected
Follow, like, and subscribe to Solve for X for more stories where curiosity meets collaboration.
Until next time—keep asking the right questions, and keep solving for X.

In this episode of Solve for X, host Dr. Rick Fernandez welcomes Jonathan Wachtel, Co-Founder of OurCo. With a background spanning journalism, diplomacy, and public affairs, Jonathan shares how OurCo helps districts move beyond one-off surveys to ongoing, moderated community engagement—so leaders can take the pulse before big decisions, not after the backlash.

From sentiment tools and push notifications to anonymous input and district-level branding, Jonathan explains how superintendents, boards, and school teams can use real-time feedback to build trust, reduce crisis noise, and make faster, smarter calls.

What You’ll Learn

• Why continuous engagement beats sporadic surveys for decision-making

• How moderation tools keep discourse productive (not performative)

• Ways districts use OurCo for pay systems, wraparound services, and student voice

• How real-time polling informs board meetings and crisis comms

• Branding, privacy, and anonymity: building trust while getting honest input

• Using OurCo to market your district amid school choice and consolidation pressures

• Cost and time advantages vs. traditional survey consultants

• How nonprofits and statewide orgs can align far-flung members quickly

Episode Timestamps

00:00 Cold open & welcome to Solve for X
00:51 Meet Jonathan Wachtel + why the name “OurCo”
02:16 What OurCo solves: social + sentiment for real-time decisions
03:21 Use cases: HISD, wraparound services, and student voice
04:53 Moderation & controls: keeping engagement constructive
06:44 From journalism to K-12: avoiding scandals with proactive comms
09:23 What’s different about OurCo: engagement loop + live dashboards
12:36 Competing for families: branding, outreach, and community consensus
14:56 Trust & privacy: data ownership, options for anonymous input
19:26 Getting started: customization, pricing value, and broader use cases

Connect with Us
Host’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rick-fernandez-40692434/

Special Thanks
To Jonathan Wachtel and the OurCo team for helping education leaders listen first, decide wisely, and build durable community trust.

Stay Connected
Follow, like, and subscribe to Solve for X for more stories where curiosity meets collaboration.
Until next time—keep asking the right questions, and keep solving for X.

In this episode of Solve for X, host Dr. Rick Fernandez welcomes David Sturtz, K12 Program Director at Woolpert. With a career spanning classroom teaching, educational services, and large-scale capital planning, David brings a rare perspective: he’s seen firsthand what students need one-on-one, and how district-level decisions can either expand or limit those opportunities.

From tutoring kids in their living rooms to advising districts facing multimillion-dollar facility decisions, David’s journey reflects both passion and pragmatism. In this conversation, he shares the hard truths about declining enrollment, the hidden costs of spreading resources too thin, and why equity in practice—not just in theory—should drive every major district decision.

Whether you’re an educator, policymaker, or community leader, this episode challenges assumptions and offers a blueprint for sustainable, student-centered planning.

What You’ll Learn

• How David’s unusual path from tutoring and missionary teaching led to K12 facilities planning

  
  

• The demographic and economic forces driving school consolidation nationwide

  
  

• Why predictable quality—not flashy programs—is the key to community trust

  
  

• How districts can avoid common pitfalls when tackling consolidation and bond programs

  
  

• Case studies from Texas, North Dakota, and beyond that highlight innovative facility solutions

  
  

• The difference between equity as a buzzword and equity as a measurable, actionable plan

  
  

• Why community engagement must go beyond “fear management” to true co-creation

  
  

• How to choose the right partner for strategic facility planning—and avoid costly missteps

Episode Timestamps

02:16 Assess, Plan, Design, Build: Woolpert’s Full Lifecycle Approach

03:30 From Tutoring Startup to Facilities Planning

07:16 The National Challenge of Declining Enrollment

11:49 The Biggest Mistakes Districts Make in Consolidation

13:53 Predictable Quality Over Flashy Programs

17:14 Equity in Practice: Lessons from Arlington ISD

21:06 Why Shared Career Tech Centers Beat “Mini Programs”

Connect with Us

• Host’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rick-fernandez-40692434/
• Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerschool-group

Special Thanks

To David Sturtz and the Woolpert team for their commitment to helping districts navigate complex challenges with clarity, strategy, and a deep focus on student success.

Stay Connected

Follow, like, and subscribe to Solve for X for more stories where curiosity meets collaboration. Until next time—keep asking the right questions, and keep solving for X.

In the premiere episode of Solve for X, host Dr. Rick Fernandez welcomes Navy Counselor First Class Petty Officer Brenda Robinson—a dynamic leader, first-generation service member, and career recruiter. From a spontaneous visit to a Navy office during high school to managing critical electrical systems aboard an aircraft carrier, Brenda shares her unconventional path into the military. Her story unfolds with humor, heart, and a clear-eyed look at what it takes to thrive in a high-stakes, high-opportunity environment like the U.S. Navy.

This conversation goes beyond uniforms and ranks. Brenda opens up about advancing through the enlisted ranks, navigating leadership as a young Latina, balancing dual military life with family, and charting a future in healthcare—all while earning her degrees with Navy support. Whether you’re curious about military life, passionate about career development, or simply love a story of resilience and reinvention, this episode delivers insight, inspiration, and a few surprises along the way.

What You'll Learn

• How Brenda accidentally walked into her Navy career—and never looked back

• The truth about Navy boot camp (Hint: It's not like the movies)

• How the Navy fosters leadership and career advancement, from E1 to E6 and beyond

• The surprising overlap between shipboard electrical systems and civilian trades

• Why military service can be a springboard to careers in STEM, healthcare, and beyond

• The role of women and Latinas in reshaping the face of the armed forces

• What it’s like to be dual military and how the Navy supports family life

• How duty stations get assigned (including how to land in sunny San Diego or Japan!)

Time Stamps

03:31 "Unexpected Challenges of Boot Camp"

07:40 Path to E5 Advancement

10:18 Rapid Advancement in Navy Ranks

14:18 Aircraft Carrier Work Center Specialties

17:01 Navy Skills: Versatile Career Paths

19:04 Versatile Skills for Employment

25:06 "Finding Your Local Navy Recruiter"

25:52 Tribute to Armed Forces

Connect with Us

Host’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rick-fernandez-40692434/

Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerschool-group

Special Thanks

To Brenda Robinson and all service members for their dedication, service, and continued pursuit of excellence—on and off duty.

Stay Connected

Follow, like, and subscribe to Solve for X for more stories where curiosity meets collaboration.
Until next time—keep asking the right questions, and keep solving for X.