The Superintendent Effect

What does it look like to put students at the center of school district leadership?

On this episode of The Superintendent Effect, host Anne Brown sits down with Dr. Dan Linford, superintendent of Davis School District in Utah, to explore how schools can create meaningful opportunities for every student.

In this episode, we discuss:

- Dan’s journey from high school English teacher to superintendent.

- How Davis School District is expanding career and technical education through its Catalyst Center.

- Why student belonging matters, including support for students experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity.

- How schools and families can better address student mental health.

- The importance of investing in school leaders through meaningful leadership development.

- Why communication, collaboration, and other human skills remain essential in a changing world.

Hear how the 2026 Utah Superintendent of the Year is leading a student-centered approach to leadership can strengthen schools, support families, and help young people discover their potential.

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#TheSuperintendentEffect #EducationalLeadership #StudentMentalHealth #StudentSuccess #DavisSchoolDistrict #Utah

Dr. Daniel Bittman, Superintendent of Edina Public Schools in Minnesota, joins Anne Brown for a great conversation about leadership, community partnerships, student opportunities, and the lasting impact of a superintendent.

With 17 years of experience as a superintendent and a career that has taken him from Minnesota to the Clark County School District in Las Vegas and the Minnesota Department of Education, Dr. Bittman shares lessons he has learned from leading school communities of vastly different sizes.

Listen today!

#TheSuperintendentEffect #SchoolLeadership #EdinaPublicSchools #Superintendent

Aaron Bayer, Superintendent of the Oregon Trail School District in Oregon, joins The Superintendent Effect to share his remarkable journey into education leadership and his vision for preparing students for the future.

Located east of Portland and at the base of Mount Hood, Oregon Trail serves nearly 4,000 students across a unique community that includes Sandy, Boring, Welches, Government Camp, and surrounding areas.

Aaron shares his personal journey from a difficult childhood and early struggles in school to becoming a superintendent who has spent 16 years serving the same district. He discusses the importance of resilience, building trust within a community, and focusing on the long-term impact educators can have on students.

Aaron's message is ultimately about helping students recognize the potential within themselves — and giving them the confidence and opportunities to turn that potential into their future.

#TheSuperintendentEffect #EducationLeadership #Superintendent #Oregon

Dr. Dallas LeDuff, Superintendent of the Barrow County School System in Georgia, joins The Superintendent Effect to share his journey from special education teacher to district leader and superintendent. With a commitment to students, educators, and the community he serves, Dr. LeDuff discusses what it takes to build a school system that supports every learner and prepares students for a successful future.Dr. LeDuff talks about mental health partnerships, supporting families, innovative CTE programs, and preparing students for the workforce of tomorrow. He also shares advice for new superintendents, including the importance of authenticity, collaboration, and remembering that education is a team sport.A few highlights from the conversation:• How Barrow County is investing in educator salaries to recruit and retain great teachers• The district’s growing mental health resources and partnership with the Cook Center• Hands-on CTE opportunities including drones, EVs, construction, culinary arts, and welding• How community employers can help shape the skills students need for the future• Dr. LeDuff’s advice for new superintendentsListen today! 🎧 #TheSuperintendentEffect #EducationLeadership #BarrowCounty #Georgia #CTE #strategicplan #BarrowCountySchoolSystem

In this episode of The Superintendent Effect, Ben Gilpin, Superintendent of Newaygo Public Schools in Michigan, shares his journey from classroom teacher to principal to superintendent and the lessons he’s learned along the way about leadership, culture, community, and supporting every student.

Ben discusses his first three years leading Newaygo Public Schools, including the work of bringing three buildings together as one district, strengthening professional learning communities, balancing a $1.3 million budget, improving systems and processes, and building a stronger school culture.

One of Ben’s central leadership philosophies is simple: “I got you.” He explains why healthy culture comes down to supporting one another and why leaders need to be willing to be vulnerable and let people see the person behind the title.

Listen today!

#TheSuperintendentEffect #EducationalLeadership #Newaygo #Michigan

Dr. Terry Brenner — Grand Forks, North Dakota | Grand Forks Public Schools

In this episode of The Superintendent Effect, Dr. Terry Brenner shares how Grand Forks Public Schools is creating new pathways for students through STEM, drone and aeronautics programs, career education, mental health supports, and innovative approaches to teaching and learning.

Dr. Brenner discusses the district’s new Career Impact Academy, its partnership with Grand Forks Air Force Base, strategies for connecting every student with a caring adult, and how the district is working to make it “almost impossible to fail.”

Listen today!

#NorthDakota #GrandForks #Superintendent #EducationalLeadership #STEM #Drones #ASL

Dr. Robert Mungo, Superintendent of Mount Holly Township School District in Mount Holly Township, New Jersey, joins The Superintendent Effect for a conversation about family engagement, leadership, resilience, and building stronger communities.

Dr. Mungo discusses the difference between family involvement and true engagement, his own journey to the superintendency, breaking generational cycles, and how his understanding of leadership has evolved over time.

His message is simple but powerful: leadership is ultimately about people and the impact we leave behind.

#TheSuperintendentEffect #SchoolLeadership #NewJersey #MountHollyTownship

Erin Kane, Superintendent of Douglas County School District in Colorado, joins Anne Brown on The Superintendent Effect to discuss leading one of Colorado's largest school districts through a rapidly changing educational landscape.

Superintendent Kane shares her unconventional journey from engineering and the high-tech industry to education leadership, as well as how Douglas County is embracing AI, expanding career pathways, and making mental health and student well-being a central part of its strategic vision.

In this episode, Erin discusses:

• Why schools can't afford to close the door on AI
• How Douglas County is helping students use AI safely, ethically, and intelligently
• The importance of purpose, hope, and optimism for today's students
• How 90+ career pathways are giving students more options for life after high school
• Why culture and climate are the accomplishments she's most proud of
• How intentional relationship-building has transformed her leadership
• Why superintendents need to focus on both today's challenges and tomorrow's possibilities

Follow Erin Kane:

• Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/DCSDK12 
• Instagram@DCSD_Super@the_real_dougcoschools
• X@DCSDK12
• LinkedINhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/douglas-county-school-district

#TheSuperintendentEffect #EducationLeadership #AIinEducation #DouglasCounty #Colorado

Ben Kirby, Superintendent of Forest Hills Public Schools in Kent County, Michigan, joins host Anne Brown to discuss how strong relationships create stronger schools and powerful communities.

In this episode, Ben shares his leadership journey from classroom teacher to superintendent, explains how Forest Hills is uniting three unique attendance areas into one collaborative district, and discusses the importance of investing in school culture, staff engagement, and future-ready learning opportunities.

You'll also hear how Forest Hills is expanding STEM education, health sciences, career pathways, and student-centered learning while keeping family, relationships, and community at the heart of every decision.

📲 Follow Ben and Forest Hills Public Schools:

Facebook: @⁠fhps.net⁠

Instagram: @foresthillspublic AND ⁠@benkirbysup1fhps⁠

X: ⁠@ForestHillsPS⁠ 

#SuperintendentEffect #EducationalLeadership #PublicEducation #SchoolLeadership #K12Education #EducationPodcast #Michigan

Ben Kirby, Superintendent of Forest Hills Public Schools in Kent County, Michigan, joins host Anne Brown to discuss how strong relationships create stronger schools and powerful communities.

In this episode, Ben shares his leadership journey from classroom teacher to superintendent, explains how Forest Hills is uniting three unique attendance areas into one collaborative district, and discusses the importance of investing in school culture, staff engagement, and future-ready learning opportunities.

You'll also hear how Forest Hills is expanding STEM education, health sciences, career pathways, and student-centered learning while keeping family, relationships, and community at the heart of every decision.

📲 Follow Ben and Forest Hills Public Schools:
Facebook: @fhps.net
Instagram: @foresthillspublic AND @benkirbysup1fhps
X: @ForestHillsPS 

#SuperintendentEffect #EducationalLeadership #PublicEducation #SchoolLeadership #K12Education #EducationPodcast #Michigan