Brighter Together

In this enlightening episode of Brighter Together, I sit down with Jim Kitchen, the deputy superintendent of Swartz Creek Community Schools, to discuss innovative strategies for enhancing student and staff well-being through trauma-informed care. Jim shares his journey from high school principal to district leader, emphasizing the importance of understanding the unseen challenges many students fac...

What does it take to lead a rural school when your hiring pool is shrinking and every role matters? In this episode of Brighter Together, Janet sits down with Lance Bagstad, District Administrator at White Lake School District, to uncover how his team is navigating some of education's biggest staffing challenges—with creativity, collaboration, and grit. From virtual academies to dual credit progra...

What if solving the education staffing crisis didn't require more funding, more mandates, or more burnout? In this episode, Eric Hoppstock, Superintendent at Berrien RESA in Michigan, reveals how one bold move—listening to the people already in the building—sparked a statewide teacher apprenticeship program that's rewriting the future of school staffing. You'll hear how thousands of paraprofession...

In this episode of Brighter Together, I sit down with Julia Mock, senior advisor and impact coordinator at Pathways High School, to discuss the transformative fifth year of high school. Julia shares insights into the school's project-based learning approach, where students engage in hands-on experiences like building boats and motorcycles, fostering not just academic skills but emotional intellige...

In this episode of Brighter Together, I sit down with Jason Gorst, the superintendent of Spencer School District in Wisconsin, to discuss the challenges and triumphs of education in a rural setting. We explore how the district is redefining success beyond traditional metrics like the ACT, focusing on diverse pathways for students, from college to trades and military careers. Jason shares insights...

In this thought-provoking episode of Brighter Together, I sit down with Rob Gregor, the superintendent of Yuba County Office of Education. We dive deep into the transformative role of therapy in shaping school culture and addressing the social-emotional needs of students post-COVID. Rob shares insights on how brain research influences educational strategies, particularly the developmental differen...

What if the test scores weren’t the point? In this episode, we go deep into how one Detroit school is flipping the narrative on education. From trauma-informed care to teacher wellness circles to building ‘solutionaries,’ this conversation is for every educator who’s tired of checking boxes and ready to change lives. Caitlyn Reames opens up about what real inclusion looks like when community and c...

Montana Guffey leads with one radical belief: students don’t change when we control them—they change when we connect with them. In this episode, Montana breaks down what it means to build culture through care, not compliance. From restorative practices to leadership transparency, she shares how her school transformed student engagement by focusing first on relationships. If you're tired of reactiv...

In this powerful episode of Brighter Together, Mike Seaman shares what happens when leadership starts with relationship—not control. As the incoming superintendent of Mayville Community Schools, Mike opens up about building trust with students, earning the support of staff, and inviting families and businesses into the heart of school culture. He doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff: toxic effects...

In this episode of Brighter Together, we dive into what real inclusion looks like—not just in policy, but in culture. Annie Fowler, Head of School at Hillsdale Preparatory, shares how her school cultivates belonging by focusing on every student’s capabilities—not just their needs. From trauma-informed practices to community-driven IEP design, she offers a blueprint for school leaders ready to move...

Texas was ahead of the curve on dyslexia education—until the rules changed. Now, educators are scrambling to redefine what ‘support’ really means. In this episode of *Brighter Together*, special education coordinator Cyndi Riggs shares the reality behind the new dyslexia law, what it’s costing educators, and what students need most right now. This isn’t just about compliance. It’s about courage—br...

In this episode of Brighter Together, we explore how community-driven models can empower special education outcomes in urban schools. Elaine Latimer shares her perspective from the front lines at Lindley Academy—where neighborhoods and schools form a powerful alliance. From turning student teachers into lifelong educators, to celebrating neurodiverse brilliance, this conversation reveals the simpl...

What if the problem in our schools isn’t change itself, but how we talk about it? In this episode of Brighter Together, superintendent Jonathan Royce opens up about leading Onstead Community Schools through transitions, tensions, and transformation. From shielding his staff from outside stressors to building a culture where communication isn't just encouraged—it's expected—Jonathan shares why empa...

In this episode of Brighter Together, titled "The Teachers Who Stay: What They All Have in Common," I sit down with April Harris, the special education coordinator at Meridian World School in Round Rock, Texas. We delve into the critical issue of teacher retention, exploring the challenges educators face in balancing passion with financial realities. April shares her insights on the importance of...

In this episode of Brighter Together, we explore how students are learning the most essential life skills—without a textbook in sight. Aesthetic education and social-emotional learning come to life at Kalamazoo Country Day School, where students don’t just see art, they meet it. Emma Bennett, the school’s aesthetic educator and SEL coordinator, shares how her classroom doesn’t look like a traditio...

What if the dream of fully inclusive education wasn’t just a dream? In this episode of Brighter Together, we explore a radical vision with Heather Rupert, Special Education Coordinator and School Psychologist at Penn Hills Charter School. What happens when entrepreneurship meets equity in a K–8 classroom? Heather reveals how students—some as young as five—are interviewing for jobs, running real bu...

In this episode of Brighter Together, I sit down with Wade Callaway, the superintendent of Gruver ISD in Texas, to explore the power of relational leadership. Wade shares his unexpected journey from basketball coach to superintendent and the transformative initiatives he's championed, like the unique farm scholarship program that funds students' post-secondary education. We discuss the challenges...

In this episode of Brighter Together, I sit down with Wade Callaway, superintendent of Gruver ISD in Texas, to explore how a focus on school culture can transform educational outcomes. Wade shares his journey from basketball coach to superintendent and the innovative strategies he has implemented to support both educators and students. We discuss the challenges of financial constraints and the cre...

What if your general education teachers were your best inclusion advocates? In this episode of Brighter Together, we explore a full inclusion model that's worked for over two decades. From peer-to-peer leadership classes to the unseen emotional impact of the pandemic on young learners, this conversation dives into the real-life strategies that make schools more humane, supportive, and effective. W...

Dr. Tameka McKeithan isn’t just talking about care—she’s building systems around it. In this powerful episode, she breaks down what trauma-informed leadership looks like when it’s embedded into the DNA of school culture. From equipping educators with empathy tools to transforming discipline into connection, Dr. McKeithan shares how schools can become healing spaces—starting at the leadership level...

Join me, Janet Courtney, on this episode of Brighter Together as I sit down with Walter Reese, Director of Student Development and Special Education at University Prep School in Detroit. In "SPED Is Not a Place. It’s a Promise," we explore Walter's journey from aspiring doctor to passionate educator and advocate for diverse learners. With over 550 students across nine schools, Walter shares his in...

In this episode of Brighter Together, I sit down with Ian McPhet, the superintendent of Avison Global Leadership Academy, to discuss his bold vision for education amidst adversity. After devastating fires destroyed their campuses in Pasadena, Ian shares how the community has rallied to support students and staff, many of whom lost their homes. We explore the innovative approaches Avison is taking,...

In this episode of Brighter Together, titled "Walk With Them Before You Lead Them: The Culture Blueprint Every Principal Needs," I sit down with Alisha Love, the director of student experience at University Prep Schools in Detroit. Alisha shares insights into the CREW Experience, a foundational pillar of University Prep, designed to foster community, culture, and connection among students and staf...

In this episode of Brighter Together, I sit down with Tomas Hanna, the Associate Superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia, to explore the transformative initiatives reshaping public education. We delve into the district's strategic plan, Accelerate Philly, aimed at providing students with choices and opportunities to pursue their passions. Tomas shares insights on the importance of cr...

In this episode of Brighter Together, I sit down with Shannon Stine, superintendent of Lake Norman Charter Schools in North Carolina. We explore how this pioneering charter school, the largest in the state, creates a microcosm of the world by embracing neurodiversity and fostering leadership and service from kindergarten through high school. Shannon shares insights into the school's mission-driven...