Unlock 360

In this episode of Unlock 360, host Wendy York Davoud sits down with Ana Aleman-Putman, Superintendent of South Haven Public Schools, to discuss her full-circle journey from student in the district to leading it as superintendent. Growing up in a migrant worker family with 14 siblings, Ana shares how education transformed her family's future and why her parents' belief in the power of learning con...

In this episode of Unlock 360, host Wendy York Davoud sits down with Dr. Jeremy S. Owoh, Superintendent of Jacksonville North Pulaski School District, to explore how strong leadership, continuous improvement, and a relentless focus on students are driving success across his district. Drawing from a career that spans classroom teaching, school leadership, state-level education leadership, and distr...

Welcome to Season 5 of the Unlock 360 podcast by Lead. Teach. Learn.360! In this episode, Wendy York Davoud is joined by Chris Calabrese, Superintendent of Benicia Unified School District, for a conversation about leadership development, district sustainability, and the power of investing in people. Chris shares the unexpected story that led him into education and the personal motto that has guide...

In this episode, Wendy York Davoud sits down with Jamie Bente, Superintendent of Faribault Public Schools in Minnesota, to discuss district transformation, system coherence, and what it takes to unify schools around a shared vision. Since becoming superintendent in 2022, Jamie has led Faribault Public Schools through major organizational change, including district restructuring, strategic planning...

In this episode, Wendy York Davoud sits down with Dr. Theresa Rouse, Superintendent of Joliet Public Schools District 86, to explore what it truly takes to move a district forward when it feels “stuck.” With over three decades in education and experience spanning classrooms, site leadership, and district roles across multiple states and even internationally, Dr. Rouse brings a powerful perspective...

In this episode, Wendy York Davoud sits down with Dr. Ryan D. Smith, Deputy Superintendent of Bellflower Unified School District, to explore how districts can move beyond vision statements and build systems that truly reflect their core values. Dr. Smith shares his unique journey from a “lost” college freshman to a math teacher, coach, principal, superintendent, and now deputy superintendent, high...

In this episode, Wendy York Davoud sits down with Jim DuBois, Superintendent of Goshen Community Schools in Indiana, to explore how disciplined execution, strategic clarity, and whole-child support systems can transform district outcomes. Jim shares his journey from educator to superintendent, including his return from retirement to lead a district navigating community tension, financial constrain...

In this episode, Wendy York Davoud sits down with Rhett Ladner, Superintendent of Hancock County School District in Mississippi, to explore a leadership journey that redefines what it means to truly lead. With over three decades in education, Rhett shares how he moved from a results-driven, management-focused approach to one centered on relationships, culture, and purpose, and how that shift trans...

In this episode, Wendy York Davoud sits down with Dr. Keana Daughtry, Chief Academic Officer of Everman Independent School District, to explore what it really takes to strengthen instruction at scale. Dr. Daughtry shares her powerful journey from student learning struggles to reading specialist, turnaround principal, Region 11 leadership coach, and now district academic leader, always anchored in...

In this episode, host Wendy York Davoud sits down with Dr. Matthew Neighbors, Superintendent of Galveston ISD, to explore what it looks like to lead a district where community, culture, and continuous improvement are deeply connected. Dr. Neighbors shares his journey from 17 years in the classroom to the superintendency, and why he still approaches district decisions first through a teacher’s lens...

Welcome to Season 5 of the Unlock 360 podcast by Lead. Teach. Learn.360! In today’s episode, Wendy York Davoud sits down with Amy Graeber, Chief Instructional Officer for Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District, to explore the power of resilience, leadership, and healing after tragedy. Amy Graeber shares her inspiring journey through various roles in education, from paraprofessional to pri...

In the last episode of Unlock 360 Season 4, Principal Donnell Mayberry of Challenger Middle School in Lancaster, California, joins host Wendy York Davoud to share how he is transforming a historically punitive campus into a restorative, relationship-centered learning community. Drawing on years of experience with restorative justice in Oakland alternative schools, Donnell explains how “reset and a...

In this episode of Unlock 360°, host Wendy York Davoud speaks with Principal Christopher Medinger of Farragut Elementary School in Culver City, California. Chris shares his unconventional path into education, from coaching youth basketball to launching a K–8 charter school, designing a new campus, and eventually leading in Culver City Unified. He reflects on the power of parent partnership, the ro...

In this episode of Unlock 360°, host Wendy York Davoud speaks with Principal Katherine Hunt of McAlester Public Schools, a veteran educator with more than 40 years of service. Kathy shares her journey from classroom teacher to principal, the influence of her father’s legacy, and what it meant to transform a former junior high into a warm and joyful elementary campus. She discusses her belief that...

On Unlock 360°, host Wendy York Davoud talks with Dr. Samuel Bonsu Jr., Principal of Krum High School in Krum ISD, Texas. From accidentally entering education through a “you need to come back to Texas” phone call to leading a fast growing 4A high school, Dr. Bonsu’s story is rooted in mentors, faith, and servant leadership. He shares how his core mantra, love, learn, serve, and lead, shows up in d...

In this episode of Unlock 360°, host Wendy York Davoud sits down with Assistant Superintendent Timothy Ray of Catoosa Public Schools in Oklahoma to explore how thoughtful systems, teacher leadership, and steady change are shaping the future of the district. Timothy shares his journey from classroom teacher and award winning assistant principal to district leader, and describes how Catoosa is using...

In this episode of Unlock 360°, host Wendy York Davoud sits down with Principal Guadalupe Montañez of Deanna Davenport Elementary in Canutillo ISD, a border community school that has made meaningful strides by strengthening culture, deepening teacher collaboration, and using high quality instructional materials with fidelity. Guadalupe shares how intentional practices, instructional support, and a...

In this episode of Unlock 360°, host Wendy York Davoud sits down with Jonathan Eggerman, Deputy Superintendent of Pine Tree ISD, to explore how proximity, relationships, and everyday leadership practices are fueling major growth across the district. Jonathan shares his path from Arkansas coach and principal to deputy superintendent in East Texas, and how Pine Tree ISD has built a culture where lea...

In this episode of Unlock 360°, host Wendy York Davoud talks with Principal Harley Webb of Bridge Creek High School in Bridge Creek Public Schools, Oklahoma. Harley shares her journey from Texas small town and college softball to high school principal, and how one student who could not read shifted her sense of responsibility as a leader. Wendy and Harley explore how Bridge Creek is tackling post...

In this episode of Unlock 360°, host Wendy York Davoud talks with Dr. NaTasha Crain, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction at Marshall Independent School District. Dr. Crain shares her path from alt-cert English teacher to award-winning principal to district leader — and how her East Texas roots continue to shape her work. Wendy and Dr. Crain dig into what it takes to redesign cur...

In this episode of Unlock 360°, host Wendy York Davoud talks with Dr. Katie Jarnot, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction at Eagle County School District. She shares how her team is guiding the district through change, navigating the recovery from Covid, and strengthening systems that support equitable learning for all students. Wendy and Dr. Jarnot explore the district’s shift t...

In this episode of Unlock 360° , host Wendy R. York Davoud sits down with Carrie Reed , Deputy Superintendent of Splendora ISD in Texas. Carrie’s story moves from fourth-grade classroom teacher to principal, to briefly leaving public education entirely, and then returning with a renewed sense of purpose — now serving as deputy superintendent in the district where she once graduated and taught. Fro...

In this episode of Unlock 360°, host Wendy York Davoud talks with Dr. Julie Williams, Deputy Superintendent of Fayetteville Public Schools. With 36 years in education from rural Missouri to a region anchored by Fortune 500 companies, Dr. Williams shares how operational decisions can dramatically enhance equity, safety, sustainability, and student wellbeing. From redesigning restrooms to eliminate...

In this episode of Unlock 360°, host Wendy R. York Davoud sits down with Harrison Gillaspy, Principal of Piney Woods Elementary School in Splendora ISD. Harrison’s leadership journey moved quickly to four schools in one year giving him a unique, on-the-ground understanding of how systems, culture, and clarity impact student learning. Now in his second year as principal, he shares how Piney Woods i...

In this episode of Unlock 360°, host Wendy R. York Davoud sits down with Eric Holt, Principal of Lago Vista Middle School in Texas. With experience as a teacher, coach, AP, and now long-serving principal, Eric shares how clarity, consistency, and culture shape the middle school experience for every learner. From simplifying instructional expectations to balancing grace with high standards, Eric of...