OnYourMark Podcast

In today’s episode, host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with Margaret Marotta Smith, Superintendent of Haverhill Public Schools, and Bonnie Antkowiak, Principal in Haverhill Public Schools. Together, they share how Haverhill is building stronger, more coherent literacy systems across grade levels, from early reading instruction to secondary literacy and high-dosage tutoring. Mindy, Margaret, and Bonnie d...

In today’s episode, host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with Dr. Theresa Rouse, Superintendent of Joliet Public Schools District 86 in Illinois. With more than 30 years in education and 16 years as a superintendent, Dr. Rouse reflects on her journey from classroom teacher to district leader and shares how a commitment to equity, cultural proficiency, and whole-child support has shaped nearly a decade of...

In this episode, host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with Dr. Toni Jones, Superintendent of Greenwich Public Schools in Connecticut, for a deep and honest conversation about what it really takes to build successful early literacy programs in schools. Dr. Toni Jones shares her remarkable career journey across different states and countries, and how those diverse experiences shaped her commitment to equity...

In today’s episode, host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with Dr. NaTasha Crain, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction at Marshall Independent School District in East Texas. With her entire career rooted in East Texas public schools, Dr. Crain shares how her journey from secondary English teacher to elementary principal to district leader—has shaped her belief in strong Tier 1 instruction...

In today’s episode, host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with Kelly Elrod, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and Continuous Improvement in Anderson School District 5 (South Carolina). With 35 years in education—spanning early childhood special education, literacy coaching, school turnaround leadership, and district-level roles—Kelly shares what it takes to rebuild coherent systems after COVID while...

In this episode, host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with Dr. Rick Surrency, Superintendent of Putnam County School District in Florida, and Laura France, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction. Together, they share how a district once labeled “in decline” moved from a 54.9% graduation rate and multiple failing schools to over 92% graduation and zero schools in failing status. Mindy, D...

Mindy Sjoblom sits down with Danae Reynolds, Executive Director of Curriculum & Instruction at Palo Alto Unified School District, to explore how a high-performing district dug beneath its overall scores to confront unfinished learning and better support student groups who weren’t yet meeting grade-level expectations. Danae shares how Palo Alto Unified built the Every Student Reads Initiative—g...

In this episode, host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with Dr. Edie Sohigian, Executive Director of Elementary School Education for Sampson County Schools in North Carolina. Together, they dig into Edie's journey from major urban school districts to leading in a rural setting, exploring the unique challenges and opportunities of each. The conversation unfolds around resource divides, leadership strategies...

In today’s episode, host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with Dr. Jerry D. Hollingsworth, Superintendent of Eagle Mountain-Saginaw Independent School District in Northwest Fort Worth, Texas. With more than three decades in education, Dr. Hollingsworth shares how listening, consistency, and community trust are driving the district’s next chapter of growth. From a district-wide “listening tour” to implement...