The Superintendent Effect

Dr. Karen Cheser, Superintendent of Durango School District 9-R in Durango, Colorado, joins host Anne Brown, President and CEO of the Cook Center for Human Connection, to discuss how visionary leadership is transforming education for students, families, and the entire community.

From innovative career pathways and maker-spaces to workforce housing for educators, mental health initiatives, and creating a shared "Portrait of a Graduate," Dr. Cheser shares how schools can prepare students not just for graduation, but for life, too.

Learn how community partnerships, future-focused learning, and servant leadership are helping Durango become one of Colorado's highest-performing school districts.

#TheSuperintendentEffect #EducationalLeadership #PublicEducation #SchoolLeadership #FutureReadyStudents #K12Education

Katy Xenakis-Makowski, Superintendent of Johannesburg-Lewiston Area Schools in northeast Michigan, joins host Anne Brown to discuss how strong relationships, community partnerships, and steady leadership have transformed opportunities for students in a rural district.

From creating an on-campus health clinic and expanding Career & Technical Education programs to building a community field-house and helping students earn college credits before graduation, Katy shares how thoughtful leadership can create lasting impact.

She also explains why her leadership philosophy is simple:

"Go slow to go fast."

Connect with Superintendent Xenakis-Makowski:

- LinkedIn: Katheen (Katy) Xenakis-Makowski

- Facebook: Johannesburg-Lewiston Area Schools

- Instagram: @Johannesburglewistonschools

#TheSuperintendentEffect #EducationLeadership #SchoolLeadership #RuralEducation #StudentSuccess #EducationalInnovation #Michigan

Dr. Tom McKee, Superintendent of Rudyard Area Schools in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, joins Anne Brown to discuss the unique opportunities and challenges of leading a rural school district serving nearly 700 students across 400 square miles.

In this episode, Dr. McKee shares his journey from preschool teacher to superintendent at age 28, how Rudyard students are earning college credits and career certifications before graduation, and why schools must work to remove barriers created by geography and poverty. He also discusses the growing mental health needs of students, supporting families through Parent University, and what it means to serve as the heart of a rural community.

#TheSuperintendentEffect #RuralEducation #EducationalLeadership #StudentSuccess

Dr. Randy Russell, Superintendent of Freeman School District in Washington State, joins Anne Brown to reflect on his 38-year career in education and his final year leading the Freeman community after 15 years as superintendent.

Serving a close-knit rural district just south of Spokane, Dr. Russell shares how strong relationships, leadership stability, and community trust have helped Freeman achieve exceptional outcomes, including a 95% graduation rate. He also discusses leading through a school shooting, community wildfire, and the challenges of the pandemic while prioritizing student well-being and mental health.

This conversation is filled with practical leadership lessons, heartfelt stories, and reflections on what it means to put students first.

Listen to his story today!

#SuperintendentEffect #EducationalLeadership #K12Education #SchoolLeadership

Mr. David Law, Superintendent of Minnetonka Public Schools in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and recent President of AASA (the national association representing more than 13,000 superintendents) joins CEO Anne Brown from Cook Center for a conversation on the future of education.

Mr. Law shares his unique journey through math education, law school, and school leadership, and discusses what sets Minnetonka apart: a thriving dual language immersion program in Chinese and Spanish, innovative experiential learning pathways, and a forward-thinking approach to AI in the classroom.

He also speaks candidly about the challenges of teacher wellness and why simply "getting back to basics" may not be enough to prepare the next generation of students.

This is a conversation you don't want to miss.

🎧 Listen today!

#SuperintendentEffect #EducationLeadership #Minnetonka #Minnesota #Superintendent

Dr. Meredith Nadeau, Superintendent of School Administrative Unit #21 (SAU #21) in Hampton, New Hampshire, joins us for an inspiring conversation about what it truly means to lead with purpose on the seacoast. Overseeing five small districts and nearly 2,000 students — with six school boards and 23 school board members, Dr. Nadeau brings a remarkable depth of experience to the role.

In this episode, we dig into the science of reading and why early literacy is the foundation for everything else. Dr. Nadeau shares her journey from pre-med student to middle school English teacher to special educator, and how her hands-on work with the Wilson Language Program shaped her lifelong commitment to teaching every child to read. We also explore SAU #21's forward-thinking work in AI ethics, student-led mental health initiatives, and the district's innovative Extended Learning Opportunities — from drone pilot licenses to biomedical research — that are helping students forge their own paths to graduation.

Whether you're an educator, a parent, or a community leader, this episode will leave you energized and reminded that real, lasting change happens one relationship at a time.

#SuperintendentEffect #EducationLeadership #ScienceOfReading #SAU21 #NewHampshire #MentalHealthInSchools #AIInEducation #PublicEducation #SchoolLeadership #EdLeaders

Dr. Melissa Stager, Superintendent of Clinton Township School District and former educator at the New Jersey Department of Education, joins Chief Strategy Officer Mark Welling on The Superintendent Effect to discuss her lifelong commitment to strengthening public education and expanding opportunity for every student.

In this special episode, Dr. Stager shares the story behind her district's ambitious "80 Percent in 3" literacy initiative, her approach to empowering teachers through grassroots leadership, and why protecting student mental health resources remains a non-negotiable priority.

She also opens up about the mentors who shaped her career, what it truly means to lead with purpose, and her belief that every child — regardless of zip code — deserves access to a quality public education.

Don't miss her story.

Dr. Cory Steiner, Superintendent of Fargo Public Schools, joins Anne Brown to reflect on his leadership journey, from rural Northern Cass to one of North Dakota's largest urban districts. He shares the philosophy driving his work: removing barriers for families, pioneering mental health services in schools, and championing the idea that every adult in a building is an educator.

Dr. Steiner also opens up about the Portraits of a Learner, Educator, and Leader framework, the role vulnerability plays in authentic leadership, and a deeply personal story about accountability and the community that showed up for him when it mattered most.

A candid conversation about hope, trust, and what it truly means to put students first.

In this episode of The Superintendent Effect, host and Anne Brown sits down with Dr. Nick Migliorino from Norman Public Schools in Oklahoma for a powerful conversation about visionary leadership, community partnership, and what it truly means to serve students and families.

Dr. Migliorino shares his unconventional journey to the superintendency from aspiring nurse to teacher, technology innovator, and now a transformational district leader in Norman. He reflects on nearly two decades with Norman Public Schools and the bold initiatives shaping the future of education, including a groundbreaking $50 million aviation academy that is redefining student opportunity.

The conversation also dives into the realities of student and staff mental health, the impact of technology on emotional well-being, and why strong systems of support are no longer optional in today’s schools. With insight, humor, and authenticity, Dr. Migliorino offers a compelling look at leadership rooted in relationships, saying “yes,” and dreaming beyond limitations.

This episode is a must-listen for educators, administrators, and anyone passionate about the future of schools and communities.

#SuperintendentEffect #EducationLeadership #MentalHealthInSchools #CommunityPartnership #StudentSuccess

In this episode of The Superintendent Effect, host and Anne Brown sits down with Dr. Nick Migliorino from Norman Public Schools in Oklahoma for a powerful conversation about visionary leadership, community partnership, and what it truly means to serve students and families.

Dr. Migliorino shares his unconventional journey to the superintendency from aspiring nurse to teacher, technology innovator, and now a transformational district leader in Norman. He reflects on nearly two decades with Norman Public Schools and the bold initiatives shaping the future of education, including a groundbreaking $50 million aviation academy that is redefining student opportunity.

The conversation also dives into the realities of student and staff mental health, the impact of technology on emotional well-being, and why strong systems of support are no longer optional in today’s schools. With insight, humor, and authenticity, Dr. Migliorino offers a compelling look at leadership rooted in relationships, saying “yes,” and dreaming beyond limitations.

This episode is a must-listen for educators, administrators, and anyone passionate about the future of schools and communities.

#SuperintendentEffect #EducationLeadership #MentalHealthInSchools #CommunityPartnership #StudentSuccess