The whole IEI team comes on to introduce this episode, which features Jeff Patterson of Gaggle, Jess Gartner of Allovue, Megan Harney of MIDAS, and Berj Akian of Classlink. We reflect on the good things that happened during an otherwise terrible year, and we look forward to 2021! 

This episode features a panel discussion from our final Fall 2020 IEI Retreat at Suncadia, WA, featuring:

Dr. Susan Enfield, Highline Public Schools

Ms. Heather Bybee, Director of Curriculum, Spokane Public Schools

Eric Westendorf, Founder, Learnzillion and former principal

Chris Blevins, iStation

This episode has some holiday cheer and a little bit of festive spice, as these talented educators talk about the challenges and opportunities we face in trying to attack the equity challenge in teaching and learning. These are practitioners and change agents who walk the walk. 

Have a Merry Christmas if you're celebrating!

This panel from IEI's Fall 2020 Hybrid/Virtual Superintendent Retreat in Georgia examines the challenges of school finance during the pandemic, what we know and what we don't know.  Doug Mesecar of Strategos Consulting and Jessica Gartner, Founder/CEO of Allovue, give insight on the federal funding landscape and advice to district leaders and vendors for how to best ride out the fiscal uncertainty and challenges.  

IEI Member superintendent Leigh Ann Putman of Metro Atlanta RESA in GA co-moderates with IEI CEO Doug Roberts.  Kevin Mitchell of Audio Enhancement also contributes to the discussion.

4 IEI superintendents discussed the challenges we slayed this year and the lessons we learned, originally recorded at our IL Fall Superintendent Retreat at Eagle Ride Resort in Galena, IL.  The panel was moderated by Dr. Andy Crozier, Superintendent of Central Lee CSD, IA.  The panel included:

Dr. Tad Everett, Sterling Public Schools, IL

Dr. Sarena Shivers, Superintendent Emeritus and Executive Director of Michigan Association of School Administrators

Mr. Michael Munoz, Superintendent of Rochester Public Schools, MN

Panel discussion from IEI's Summer Symposium on social/emotional and physical health strategies being deployed in districts across the country, featuring:

Justin Jennings, CEO, Youngstown Public Schools, OH

Dr. Quintin Shepherd, Superintendent, Victoria ISD, TX

Dr. Shai Fuxman, EDC

Dr. Rob Darzienkiewicz, M.D., Hazel Health

Stephanie Taylor, Presence Learning

Alex Meis, Kinvolved

This discussion from IEI's Summer Symposium at The Biltmore is moderated by Ms. Traci Davis, Superintendent Emeritus and advisor to IEI, and features 3 great superintendents, Dr. Mark Bedell of Kansas City (MO), Dr. Luvelle Brown of Ithaca (NY), and Dr. Gregory Hutchings of Alexandria (VA), as well as Dr. Brian Kingsley, CAO of Charlotte-Mecklenburg.  

Dr. Jody Barrow, pioneer IEI member, sits down with Doug to kick off Season 2 of Talk Supes (and CEOs) with only 1 month left in the superintendent's chair. Dr. Barrow delayed his retirement 3 months to help his district through the pandemic and transition things to a new leader. We reflect back on a long successful career delivering results for students and their families. 

Dr. Howard Koenig, superintendent of Central Islip UFSD on Long Island, NY, reflects back on his 40+ years as a superintendent.  This is not Howard's first attempt to retire, but this time it may stick. Howard and Doug talk about Howard's long career as a champion for public school students and we reflect on the leadership challenge of a generation as Howard's colleagues carry into the fall with plans to respond to the pandemic. Thank you for your distinguished service to public school students, Dr. Koenig!

Journey with Doug to Iowa, where schools had just begun resuming sports even though it as already summer break! Tim has been through many challenges in his career of superintendenting, and he shares how he is applying those lessons learned to this current situation.  Tim also talks about how the Black Lives Matter and anti-racism discussions have made their way to his mostly white rural district. 

2-fer!  

Doug visits first with longtime friends and partners at Allovue with some thoughts to chew on related to the impending fiscal challenges facing schools due to COVID.  Then he sits down with Dr. Rob Darzynkiewicz, Chief Medical Officer at Hazel Health, about the slippery slope involved with minimizing exposure to COVID when we bring kids back into buildings.