Welcome back to The Path Forward! In this milestone 100th episode, Dr. Rick Fernandez sits down with Dr. Keeley Boyer, Interim Superintendent of Ector County ISD. From her journey starting as a history teacher in Texarkana to leading one of Texas's most innovative districts, Dr. Boyer shares insights on teacher retention, principal development, and creating sustainable educational systems. Learn about Ector County's groundbreaking Principal Incentive Allotment program and how the district achieved having 44 teachers earning over $100,000 through strategic compensation. Don't miss this compelling discussion about growing talent from within and investing in educational excellence!

Host: Dr. Rick Fernandez

Guest: Dr. Keeley Boyer, Interim Superintendent, Ector County ISD

Time Stamps & Show Notes: 

(00:00 - 00:56) Introduction and Sponsor Message 

(00:57 - 01:21) Guest Introduction 

(01:22 - 02:51) Career Journey and Teaching Background 

(02:52 - 05:43) Oregon Experience and Educational Systems 

(05:44 - 07:29) Transition to Texas and Exeter County 

(07:30 - 09:50) Becoming Interim Superintendent 

(09:51 - 11:47) Community Engagement and Current Challenges 

(11:48 - 13:08) Teacher Recruitment Strategies 

(13:09 - 15:19) Principal Incentive Allotment Program 

(15:20 - 16:48) Personal Life and Hobbies 

(16:49 - 17:38) Community Events and School Spirit 

(17:39 - 19:20) Future Vision and Closing

#EducationalLeadership #TeacherCompensation #PrincipalLeadership #TeacherRetention #StrategicGrowth #ECISD #OpportunityCulture #TeacherIncentive #PrincipalDevelopment #TexasEducation #SchoolLeadership #GrowYourOwn #Episode100

Welcome back to The Path Forward! Tune in for an insightful conversation as Dr. Rick Fernandez sits down with Dr. Chris Chappotin to discuss educational leadership, mentorship, and transparency in decision-making. From his early career journey to balancing personal and professional life, Chris shares valuable insights on building momentum, teamwork, and leading through challenges like the pandemic.

Host(s): Dr. Rick Fernandez

Guest: Dr. Chris Chappotin

Time Stamps & Show Notes: 

(00:00 - 00:22) Introduction

(00:23 - 04:33) Career Path and Early Beginnings

(04:34 - 07:10) Faith and Service in Education

(07:11 - 09:02) Balancing Family and Career

(09:03 - 11:32) First Impressions and Community Engagement

(11:33 - 18:12) Mentorship and Leadership Development

(18:13 - 20:30) Balancing Personal and Professional Life

(20:31 - 22:42) Pouring into Others and Leadership Legacy

(22:43 - 27:46) Final Thoughts and Future Plans

Welcome back to The Path Forward podcast with Dr. Rick Fernandez! In this episode, Superintendent Roberta Trevino of Zapata County ISD, Texas joins the conversation. With a significant portion of the county living in deep poverty, Superintendent Trevino discusses her plans to address the challenges faced by the community, especially the youth. 

She shares her passion for breaking the cycle of poverty and the personal significance of leading the district she grew up in. The discussion talks about the challenges of building effective teaching staff leadership and the importance of finding the right team to drive success. 

Superintendent Trevino also highlights the value of careful restructuring and maximizing the team to better serve the students. By focusing on empowering tomorrow's leaders, the district's key goal this year is improving literacy, starting from pre-K. Every child needs a supportive adult on campus, emphasizing the crucial role of mentorship in student success. 

Explore the inspiring work happening in Zapata County under the leadership of Dr. Roberta Trevino! Don't miss out on this insightful episode!

Time Stamps & Show Notes:

(00:00 - 00:23) Introduction

(00:24 - 03:26) Dr Roberta’s Background

(03:27 - 08:13) Personal connection to the district 

(08:14 - 09:43) Leading the leadership team 

(09:44 - 14:05) Empowering students and advisory group 

(14:06 - 18:28) Literacy and student connections

(18:29 - 18:55) Closing

Welcome back to The Path Forward! In this episode, Dr. Rick Fernandez is joined by Dr. Joe Sanfilippo, former superintendent and leadership expert. They explore the importance of transparency and vulnerability in leadership. Dr. Sanfilippo shares insights from his extensive experience in education, discussing how the pandemic revealed strengths and weaknesses in leadership and how building momentum through transparency can help leaders gain trust. Tune in for a valuable conversation about leadership, vulnerability, and finding balance in the education sector.

Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation about leadership in education.

Host(s): Dr. Rick Fernandez

Guest: Dr. Joe Sanfilippo

Time Stamps & Show Notes: 

(00:00 - 00:40) Introduction 

(03:31 - 08:00) Transitioning to Leadership Coaching

(08:01 - 14:00) Life After Superintendency & Leadership Burnout

(14:01 - 22:00) Leadership During the Pandemic & Transparency

(22:01 - 30:00) Building Momentum & Delegating Leadership

(30:01 - 39:00) Leadership Evolution & Teamwork

(39:01 - 41:00) Outro

Welcome to this episode, where we look at Hutto ISD’s journey as it works toward becoming a leading district in Central Texas. Superintendent Jenny Neatherlin shares updates on the district’s steady growth and the strong community support that has helped maintain high standards. As Hutto ISD expands, the board is preparing for a new superintendent and the opening of a second high school, with a focus on developing staff to meet future needs. Board member Terrence Johnson highlights the board’s commitment to prioritizing students.

Tune in to learn about the vision guiding Hutto ISD as it moves toward a promising future.

Time Stamps & Show Notes

(00:00 - 00:22) Intro

(00:23 - 04:49) Vision for Hutto ISD’s Future

(04:49 - 05:29) Community and Service Standards

(05:29 - 10:26) Growth and Staff Expansion

(10:26 - 11:09) Getting to Know New Superintendent

(11:09 - 15:11) Plans for Second High School

(15:12 - 18:44) Community Engagement by School Board

(18:44 - 20:21) Focus on Students

(20:06 - 20:35) Closing

Welcome back to The Path Forward! In this episode, Dr. Rick Fernandez is joined by David Ritchey, where they discuss the powerful influence school boards have on the education system, from shaping policies to supporting student success. David shares his authentic leadership approach, reflecting on his past experience as a high school principal and his journey to becoming a superintendent. They also explore the importance of community engagement, drawing inspiration from Lamesa ISD's social media success, and the role of mentorship in guiding others to success. 

Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation about leadership in education.

Host(s): Dr. Rick Fernandez 

Guest: David Ritchey

Time Stamps & Show Notes: 

(00:00 - 00:45) Introduction

(00:46 - 02:00) School Board Impact

(02:01 - 04:10) Leadership and Personal Approach

(04:11 - 06:30) Experience in Education

(06:31 - 09:00) Community and Public Engagement

(09:01 - 11:30) Coaching and Mentorship

(11:31 - 13:30) Collaborative Efforts in Education

(13:31 - 15:20) Future Plans and Closing Remarks

(15:31 - 16:08) Outro

Welcome back to The Path Forward! In today's episode, Dr. Rick Fernandez chats with Dr. Bobby Ott, Superintendent of Temple ISD, about what it takes to lead a district and build strong community connections. Dr. Ott shares how he found his ideal role at Temple ISD, a district with 8,800 students from a wide range of backgrounds.

They dive into Temple ISD’s focus on career pathways and the importance of connecting schools with local industries to prepare students for real-world success. Dr. Ott also gives practical advice for future superintendents, stressing the importance of leadership that goes beyond titles.

Tune in for Dr. Ott’s insights on education, community, and a few lighter moments along the way! Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe!

Host: Dr. Rick Fernandez 

Guest: Dr. Bobby Ott, Superintendent of Temple ISD  

Time Stamps & Show Notes

(0:00 - 01:03) Introduction

(01:04 - 04:05) Dr. Bobby Ott & Temple ISD

(04:06 - 08:43) CTE Programs & Workforce Pipeline

(08:44 - 11:40) Consistency in Leadership

(11:41 - 15:56) Advice for Aspiring Superintendents

(15:57 - 16:29) Closing

Welcome back to *The Path Forward*! In today's episode, Dr. Rick Fernandez sits down with Mike Miles, Superintendent of HISD. Dr. Rick begins the conversation by exploring Mr. Miles' career background, his motivations for working in education, and the initiatives underway to improve school districts across Texas. Later, they discuss the “New Education System” in detail. We hope you enjoy this wisdom-filled and inspiring episode of The Path Forward!

Thank you for watching. Please like, subscribe, and comment!

Host: Dr. Rick Fernandez 

Guests: Mike Miles - Superintendent HISD

Time Stamps & Show Notes

(00:00 - 00:54) Introduction

(00:55 - 04:02) Career Background

(04:03 - 12:48) Leading the Charge on Systemic Change

(12:49 - 23:15) New Education System 

(23:16 - 40:19) Creating Accountability in Districts Across Texas

(40:20 - 45:56) Discussing the Bond

(45:57 - 53:09) Rapid Fire Questions

(53:10 - 54:14) Closing 

Welcome back to The Path Forward! In today's episode, Dr. Rick Fernandez sits down with Dr. Michelle Cavazos, Superintendent of Gregory-Portland ISD, and Zack Simmons, Board Member at Gregory-Portland ISD, at the TASA/TASB 2024 Conference. This episode explores the exciting developments happening at Gregory-Portland ISD and the district's future plans. Tune in to hear about the bright futures being built and much more!

Thank you for watching. Please like, subscribe, and comment!

Host: Dr. Rick Fernandez 

Guests: Dr. Michelle Cavazos, Superintendent of Gregory-Portland ISD

Zack Simmons, Board Member at Gregory-Portland ISD

Time Stamps & Show Notes

(00:00 - 01:00) Introduction

(01:01 - 04:07) State Of The District Experience 

(04:08 - 07:40) Early Childhood Center

(07:41 - 10:28) Training Students for Careers / Soft Skills

(10:29 - 14:48) Where Will GP be in 3 years

(14:49 - 15:10) Closing

Welcome back to The Path Forward! In today's episode, Dr. Rick Fernandez sits down with Dr. Matthew Neighbors, Superintendent of Galveston ISD, to explore what makes his city so special and the strong sense of community within the district. Dr. Neighbors highlights the district’s focus on outdoor education and shares exciting initiatives like acquiring land to preserve for future students. Tune in to discover how Galveston ISD is growing and evolving, with a forward-thinking approach that’s shaping the future of its students.

Thank you for watching. Please like, subscribe, and comment!

Host: Dr. Rick Fernandez 

Guest: Dr. Matthew Neighbors, Superintendent of Galveston ISD 

Time Stamps & Show Notes

(00:00 - 01:16) Introduction

(01:20 - 02:22) Galveston is a Booming City

(02:23 - 03:10) Journey that led to Galveston ISD

(03:11 - 06:32) Resilience in the Students

(06:33 - 10:25) Value in Outdoor Education

(10:26 - 16:01) More Social, Less Media 

(16:01 - 17:02) Teaching Overall Life Balance

(17:03 - 20:28) Continuous Growth at Galveston ISD

(20:29 - 22:39) Outro