Episode 17: Lean Forward 

In this episode, Mike draws parallels between the five elements of "Chi Running": run tall, lean forward, land on mid-foot, run from the core, and relax line up with principles of effective leadership. This comparison connection emphasizes the need for balance for sustainable progress leading educational organizations.

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Episode 16: Protective Factors

Using the lens of his June, 2017 commencement address, Mike uses this week's podcast to reflect on the protective factors and relationships that helped him overcome adversity. He cites research out of Georgetown University that finds that the presence of protective factors in students' lives are often powerful predictors of future success. Finally, he asserts that it is the responsibility of educators to strive to provide these protective factors to students in need.  

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Episode 15: Confronting the Dropout Stigma

In this week's special episode, Mike is joined by CASDA faculty member Gregg Weinlein who spent the entirety of his 36 year career working with at-risk students. They discuss graduation rates, interventions, and how schools and the education system often fails and then stigmatizes its most vulnerable students. What are your thoughts on graduation? And what are you doing to serve the students in your district with the greatest needs?

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Episode 14: The August Graduate

This week, Mike shares a moving story of a student who overcame systemic inequities to graduate in August. He questions the efficacy of relying on 4-year graduation rates as a benchmark for district accountability and success. What are your thoughts on August graduation? Do you think that 4-year graduation rates meaningfully reflect a school's educational efforts? We would love to hear from you.  

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Episode 13: Making Our School Truly Safe 

This week, Mike reflects on the shooting at Columbine High School in 1999, how ideas about school safety have evolved since that tragic event and how making schools truly safe for all students requires positive relationships grounded in empathy. What do you think it will take to make our schools truly safe? 

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Episode 12: Leadership Communication

This week, Mike discusses the importance of educational leaders actively communicating with their school community, and shares three effective frames for thinking about the communications process. 

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Episode 11: Finding Your Leadership Voice

This week, Mike discusses the evolution of his leadership voice and reflects on its roots in both childhood and early professional experiences. He also emphasizes the need to empower students to find their voice and develop agency so that they can become the leaders of tomorrow.  

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Episode 10: The Reading Leader 

This week, Mike shares how Ralph Ellison's The Invisible Man sparked his interest in literature and how "Aqualung" by Jethro Tull helped him relate to poetry.  He also explores NYSED's recent Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education guidelines and encourages educators to seek out texts and delivery platforms that engage with the culture of our diverse youth. How does what you read influence your leadership?

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Episode 9: Intentionality 

This week, Mike discusses the foundation of his approach to leading with intentionality. He shares how his childhood shaped the "who" and "why" he brought to his work as an educational leader.  

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Episode 8: "In Case of Emergency... "

This episode continues Mike's discussion of the social-emotional needs of educators. He reflects on how despite his perception that he effectively "compartmentalized," his work stress and frustration impacted his home and family. 

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Episode 7: The Social-Emotional Learning Needs of Educational Leaders

In the latest episode, Mike reflects on a period during his career where personal loss and professional responsibility took a toll on his social-emotional well-being.  

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Episode 6: What Good Schools Can Do for Communities

In the latest episode, Mike explores the relationship between  superintendents of schools and the communities they serve. He  discusses the use of community equity audits as a means of soliciting feedback from and developing strong relationships with community members. Click here to read more on community equity audits.

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Episode 5: The Pedagogy of Hope

In the fifth episode of this series, Mike digs into the work of C.R. Snyder on hope theory both as it relates to student achievement and as a component of an equity-centered, culturally responsive education. Click here to read more. 

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Episode 4: Start with Who

Our fourth episode contemplates how educators must reflect and examine their own identities, privileges and relationships to power if they are going to meaningfully advance the cause of equitable education for all students. 

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Episode 3: Embracing Bold Leadership

Our third podcast explores the necessity of bold leadership to advance equity and make positive and lasting change in schools. 

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Episode 2: Exploring Odds-Beating Schools 

Our second mini podcast discusses college and career readiness and its alignment with elements in culturally responsive schools.   

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Episode 1: It's Time to Lay it All Out

The inaugural podcast in the Superintendent Virtual Collaborative Series introduces the group and explores feelings of isolation common to many superintendents. But you aren't alone!