The District Dialogue

In this episode of District Dialogue, host Julian Fitzgerald sits down with Chris Wood, Career Technical Instructor for San Francisco Unified School District. A former residential remodeler turned educator, Chris has spent years building a construction trades pathway at John O’Connell High School that connects carpentry skills with real-world projects, union jobs, and community impact.

From tiny homes and rainwater catchment systems to skate obstacles and “mud kitchens” for preschoolers, Chris shares how hands-on, public-facing projects can fund a program, engage students who don’t see themselves in traditional classrooms, and open doors to living-wage careers.

Key Moments

00:00 Welcome, show overview & guest introduction

00:51 From builder to educator: how Chris “semi-retired” into teaching

02:47 Preparing students for union carpentry and commercial construction work

03:45 Reality check: hard, dirty work—and why opportunity still draws students in

42:31 Advice for students: advocate for yourself, ask early, not at the last minute

43:12 The Salesforce Tower story: persistence, networking, and getting students on site

45:27 Parting wisdom: just show up, “just do it,” and try before you decide you can’t

Why You’ll Love This Episode
If you are a CTE leader, classroom teacher, or district administrator looking to make hands-on learning sustainable and meaningful, this episode is full of practical ideas. You’ll hear how to design projects that fund themselves, build authentic partnerships with city agencies and contractors, and teach soft skills that matter as much as any measurement or cut. It’s a grounded, honest look at what it really takes to help students move from “I don’t know” to proud, career-ready builders.

Connect with Chris Wood

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-wood-b6a9b712

Connect with Us
Host’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julian-fitzgerald-r-471155149
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cxmmunity
Company Website: https://www.cxmmunityfoundation.org/

This episode is a playbook for how schools can use hands-on, community-serving projects to fund programs, build soft skills, and open real career pathways while keeping student growth at the center.

Subscribe to District Dialogue wherever you get your podcasts to hear from the educators and innovators shaping the future of learning.

In this episode of District Dialogue, host Julian Fitzgerald sits down with David Wildy, Chief Technology Officer for Dublin Unified School District in California. With experience spanning higher education and K–12, David shares how districts can keep learning first while navigating 1:1 devices, AI adoption, cybersecurity, and equitable tech access. 

From managing phishing threats to empowering teachers through short-form PD, this episode is a masterclass in balancing innovation, security, and human connection.

Key Moments

05:09 Generative AI: breakthrough tech in uncharted waters

07:42 Using AI to support training and streamline district work

10:45 Cybersecurity realities: phishing, fake invoices, and staff awareness

14:27 Building proactive defense through monitoring and endpoint control

18:23 From carts to 1:1: how the pandemic reshaped classroom tech

19:32 Why Chromebooks remain the most secure and scalable choice

25:08 Teacher PD that works: micro-learning over long workshops

37:25 Closing the digital divide with connected devices and student equity

51:42 Leadership mindset: remove barriers, stay connected to those you serve

Why You’ll Love This Episode
If you’re a district leader, technologist, or educator seeking balance between innovation and safety, this episode offers practical steps for managing AI, protecting data, and designing equitable systems that keep students at the center.

Connect with David Wildy

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-wildy-mpa-ba41b95

Connect with Us
Host’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julian-fitzgerald-r-471155149
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cxmmunity
Company Website: https://www.cxmmunityfoundation.org/

This episode is a playbook for how schools can innovate safely and equitably without losing sight of what matters most: student success.

Subscribe to District Dialogue wherever you get your podcasts to hear from the educators and innovators shaping the future of learning.

In this episode, host Julian Fitzgerald sits down with Emily Miller, the newly appointed Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE) at Dover Area School District in Pennsylvania. With a unique background spanning corporate America, classroom teaching, and now CTE leadership, Emily shares her passion for creating real-world pathways to success for students of all ambitions.

From the urgent demand for skilled electricians and partnerships with major employers, to hands-on projects like student-built submarines and the changing face of vocational ed, Emily gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how her district is connecting students, community, and industry. Whether you’re an educator, policymaker, parent, or simply someone interested in the future of education, this conversation is packed with practical insight, and inspiration about what it takes to prepare the next generation for thriving careers in both traditional trades and emerging tech fields.

Key Moments:

05:44 Hands-On Skills Boost Engineering Careers

07:31 Early Career Opportunities in Digital Entertainment

10:33 Community Service Through CTE Partnerships

15:02 Flexible CTE Course Selection

18:22 Career Shift to Education Reform

19:49 Evolving Views on Vocational Training

22:32 Alternative Pathways to Success

26:07 "Pathways to Success After High School"

30:36 Dover CTE Best Practices Insight

33:50 Expanding CTE Programs Vision

35:58 AI's Role and Human Necessity

41:33 Comprehensive Education for Innovation

44:12 Promoting Collaborative Career Education

Why You’ll Love This Episode:

If you’ve ever questioned how schools can expand real opportunities for every student, this episode with Emily Miller will resonate deeply. As Dover Area School District’s new CTE director, Emily shares how hands-on learning. Whether it’s building submarines, designing with CAD, or earning industry certifications, gives students confidence and purpose beyond graduation. You’ll hear about powerful partnerships with local employers, career signing days, and the balance between traditional trades and future-focused fields like cybersecurity and AI. Emily’s perspective blends practical solutions with inspiring stories of students finding their path, showing how CTE can truly transform lives. Whether you’re an educator, employer, or parent, this conversation will open your eyes to what future-ready education looks like.

Connect with Emily Miller:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-miller-4489826/ 
Company Website: https://www.doversd.org/ 

Connect with Us:
Host’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julian-fitzgerald-r-471155149
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cxmmunity
Company Website: https://www.cxmmunityfoundation.org/

This conversation is a blueprint for how education can actually meet the moment.
Subscribe to District Dialogue wherever you get your podcasts to hear from the educators and innovators shaping the future of learning.
Thanks for tuning in and welcome to the dialogue.

In this episode of District Dialogue, host Julian Fitzgerald connects with Shawn Lucena, Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE) at Nacogdoches Independent School District in Texas. Shawn shares his unconventional path into education, complete with setbacks, resilience, and rediscovering his calling in a school library, and how those lived experiences now fuel his leadership in building career pathways for students. 

From expanding programs in high-demand trades to creating real-world impact through community partnerships, Shawn offers a candid look at how CTE can transform both students’ futures and local economies. He also opens up about the rewards of seeing students grow from middle schoolers into confident young professionals, and the importance of aligning education with both workforce needs and community well-being.

Key Moments

07:53 Exploring Career Technical Education

11:56 "Addressing Digital Entertainment Gaps"

20:10 Community Bonding Through Washer Toss

25:23 Networking Through Community Engagement

32:24 "Seeking Direction and Growth Opportunities"

34:00 Building Impactful Education Programs

43:22 Career Exploration for Young Students

50:07 Computer Programming and Robotics Training

53:34 Free Dual Credit for CTE Students

58:04 Building Strong Professional Networks

Why You’ll Love This Episode

If you have ever wondered how schools can better prepare students for life beyond graduation, this episode is for you. Shawn Lucena brings an honest, down-to-earth perspective that blends personal storytelling with practical solutions for one of education’s biggest challenges: connecting classrooms to careers. You will hear inspiring success stories, from students signing career “letters of intent” to building homes and community projects that leave lasting legacies. Shawn also sheds light on emerging opportunities in tech, construction, and healthcare, while championing the human side of teaching: relationships, resilience, and purpose. Whether you are an educator, policymaker, parent, or simply passionate about the future of work, this conversation will leave you with fresh insights and hope for how CTE can create lasting change

Connect with Shawn Lucena

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-lucena-054b07325 

Company Website: https://www.nacisd.org/ 

Connect with Us

Host’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julian-fitzgerald-r-471155149

Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cxmmunity

Company Website: https://www.cxmmunityfoundation.org/

This conversation is a blueprint for how education can actually meet the moment.

Subscribe to District Dialogue wherever you get your podcasts to hear from the educators and innovators shaping the future of learning.

Thanks for tuning in and welcome to the dialogue.

In the first episode of District Dialogue, host Julian Fitzgerald sits down with Kali Beach, Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE) for Pitt County Schools in North Carolina. With roots in agricultural education and a career built on bridging students to real-world opportunities, Kali brings a refreshingly candid and future-focused perspective to what modern career education should look like.

Together, they unpack the evolving role of CTE in today's schools—from dismantling outdated stigmas about “vocational” tracks to exploring the high-value, high-demand pathways that actually align with student interests and 21st-century industry needs. Kali shares actionable insights on how districts can connect classrooms to careers, leverage esports and digital media to build transferable skills, and prepare students not just for jobs—but for lifestyles they want to live.

Key Moments

04:31 Rebranding Vocational Education

09:24 Promoting Work-Based Learning Programs

11:26 Esports Program Development Insight

14:47 "Gaming Industry's Value and Growth"

19:05 Facilitating Real-World Career Connections

20:46 Rethinking Career Choices

24:06 Adapting Curriculum for Modern Needs

30:02 Adapting Skills for Future Tech

31:41 Balancing Teaching and Industry Growth

35:29 Enhancing Classroom with Real-World Engagement

38:32 Consider CTE for Student Exploration

42:07 Student Internships Boost Career Success

43:50 Enhancing Student Work-Based Learning

47:19 Enhancing CTE Outreach Collaboration

50:29 Prof. X: Inspiring Learning Opportunity

Why You’ll Love This Episode

If you're an educator, school leader, policymaker, or parent wondering how to prepare students for a rapidly shifting economy, this episode delivers.

Kali Beach doesn’t just talk about career readiness; she lives it. With warmth, expertise, and a deep understanding of both rural and urban district dynamics, she lays out how CTE can evolve from an elective “extra” into a powerhouse engine for workforce development. Expect candid discussion, practical frameworks, and inspiring stories about students who’ve gone from welding classes to building community college facilities and from gaming hobbies to professional esports pathways.

Connect with Kali Beach

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kali-beach-98b084347

Connect with Us

Host’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julian-fitzgerald-r-471155149

Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cxmmunity

Company Website: https://www.cxmmunityfoundation.org/

This conversation is a blueprint for how education can actually meet the moment.

Subscribe to District Dialogue wherever you get your podcasts to hear from the educators and innovators shaping the future of learning.

Thanks for tuning in and welcome to the dialogue.