In this episode of The Leader's Lounge, we explore what leadership looks like during a life-changing health challenge. Our guest, Jackie Levine, shares her journey through chronic kidney disease and a kidney transplant while serving as a school HR leader and how the experience reshaped her approach to resilience, empathy, trust and supporting others through difficult times.

In this episode of The Leader's Lounge, we explore what it truly means to be an HR partner in today's school districts. From building meaningful relationships and supporting employees beyond onboarding to tackling today's workforce challenges, our guests Dr. April Sutherland & Chalita Middleton, share practical insights on leadership, collaboration and how HR can make a lasting impact across an organization.

In this episode of The Leader Lounge, we sit down with Gita Patel of 27J Schools to discuss how a district-created, job-embedded alternative teacher licensure program is transforming recruitment, retention and workforce development. Learn how 27J attracts career changers, creates meaningful pathways for current employees and builds sustainable teacher pipelines through innovative partnerships and grow-your-own strategies. 

What leaders think, say, and do directly impacts hiring, retention and team performance. In this episode, Merit Kahn, our 2026 School HR Summer Boot Camp Keynote speaker, shares practical communication strategies that help school HR leaders ask better questions, lead with confidence, and build stronger teams using her Mindset, Mechanics, Motion framework.

In this episode, John Davis of Q360 Workforce Solutions joins us to discuss how managed service providers (MSPs) help school districts streamline staffing, vendor management, credentialing and reporting. Learn how a centralized approach can increase efficiency, visibility, and support workforce planning in PK–12 education.

In this episode, our guest Angela Wise-Landman explores how intentional relationships can transform school HR from a process-focused function into a force that shapes culture. From building stronger staff connections and navigating difficult conversations to creating meaningful onboarding experiences and improving retention, this conversation dives into practical ways HR leaders can cultivate workplaces where educators feel supported, connected and valued.

In this episode, Wendell Sumter explores how HR leaders can move beyond simply managing people to influencing culture from the inside out through emotional intelligence, courageous conversations and the daily practices that sustain leadership energy. Listeners will leave with practical insights on how to build trust, protect their energy, and lead with courage in the face of uncertainty.

In this week’s episode, Ali Stinson shares what it really takes to build an HR chatbot that actually works for schools. From simplifying complex benefits questions to creating a tool employees can trust, this conversation is full of practical insights and real-world lessons. Hear what worked, what didn’t and how thoughtful chatbot design can make a meaningful difference for both employees and HR teams.

How can schools hire not just to fill positions—but to build teams that stay and thrive? In this episode, Patty Grow shares insights on aligning hiring practices with district vision, creating a more intentional and collaborative process and partnering with school leaders to make stronger staffing decisions. We explore how equity and inclusion drive better outcomes for students—and how data can support smarter, more strategic hiring.

In this episode of AASPA’s Promising Practices Podcast Series, Jocelyn Cosgrave shares insights on creating and using AI chatbots to support HR teams, streamline communication and improve efficiency.