Brighter Together

What happens when you mix dual credit programs, community connections, and a whole lot of encouragement? You get Anne Leslie Tijerina’s unique brand of purpose-driven education. In this episode of Brighter Together, Anne shares how Texas Early College High School is empowering students through the Texas Success Initiative, career-aligned pathways, and a deeply personal commitment to every learner—...

In this inspiring episode of Brighter Together, I sit down with Lacy Hollingsworth, the director of special programs at Axtell ISD, to discuss their groundbreaking initiative, Lucky's Brew. This mobile coffee shop is designed to empower students with disabilities, giving them real-world employability skills while fostering community support. Lacy shares the journey from concept to execution, inclu...

What if neuroscience could change how your school does social-emotional learning? In this episode, Renee Kolle, Superintendent of Old Mission Peninsula School in Michigan, shares how her team is using brain-based insights to meet the emotional needs of students and staff alike. From daily SEL lessons to staff-wide mindset shifts, Renee reveals what happens when schools lead with both heart and sci...

What happens when a Christian high school decides that compliance isn’t enough? In this episode, Abrianne Castaneda, Educational Support Service Director at Calvin Christian High School, shares how her team is leveraging MTSS and personal curricula to empower every student’s journey. From removing academic roadblocks to customizing graduation plans, you’ll hear what’s possible when schools put str...

Dr. Vince Breunig, Superintendent of the School District of Lodi, believes that culture starts with the stories we choose to tell. In this episode, he reveals how celebrating small, daily wins — from indoor recess to hallway kindness — builds trust, pride, and alignment across an entire community. With humor, heart, and strategy, he shows how Lodi's social storytelling isn't fluff — it's leadershi...

Superintendent Michelle Gill of Pine River Area Schools doesn’t sugarcoat the truth. In this episode, she shares what it’s like to lead a rural district where poverty is high, trust is broken, and the budget is missing. From student-led culture campaigns to 302 square miles of logistical challenges, Michelle shows what real leadership looks like when the system won’t budge. This conversation is ra...

In this enlightening episode of Brighter Together, I chat with Dr. Jerry Adams, the superintendent of Vega ISD in Texas, about his transformative vision for rural school success. Dr. Adams shares insights on fostering a culture of joy in education, emphasizing that true joy can be a powerful change agent, even amidst challenges. We delve into the innovative adoption of a four-day school week desig...

How do you lead a school district when trust has been lost? For Aaron Peña, Superintendent of Burnet Consolidated ISD, it starts by listening. In this episode of Brighter Together, Peña reveals the culture of fear he inherited—where educators stayed silent to survive—and the bold, human-centered steps he’s taken to rebuild a climate of safety, dialogue, and shared leadership. From confronting red...

What if the key to transforming transition services isn't a giant budget or a massive system overhaul... but one employer who says yes? In this inspiring episode, Shannon DeLora, Transition Consultant at Muskegon Area ISD, reveals how powerful change starts with a single job site and grows into a community-wide movement. From job coaches who "work themselves out of a job" to students who find purp...

For years, SPED students were pulled out for support. But Amanda Unruh and her team at Boyd Elementary flipped the script—pushing in instead, co-teaching across grade levels, and seeing real transformation. In this episode, Amanda shares how her campus went from isolated interventions to fully integrated inclusion—building confidence, raising expectations, and giving paraeducators the training and...

In this episode of Brighter Together, I sit down with Hannah Frink, the Student Success Coordinator at Perham-Dent Public Schools in Minnesota. We explore how her district is redefining success through innovative programs like BARR (Building Assets, Reducing Risks) and TalkingPoints, which are fostering deeper connections between students, staff, and families. Hannah shares her insights on the imp...

In this insightful episode of Brighter Together, I sit down with Bethany Smedley, Director of Talent Operations for Lighthouse Therapy, to explore the unique approach to recruiting therapists in the education sector. Bethany shares essential strategies for school leaders, emphasizing the importance of flexibility, patience, and clear communication in the hiring process. We discuss the challenges o...

When Autumn Mattson stepped into leadership, she brought more than strategy—she brought herself. As superintendent of Creative Technologies Academy, Autumn shares what it means to lead with transparency, courage, and community-first values. From her now-famous 'Pause. Listen. Lead.' bracelet mantra, to redefine leadership through servant-hearted presence, Autumn offers a refreshing vision of what...

In this episode of Brighter Together, I sit down with Shanina Draughn, head of Macomb Montessori Academy, to explore a revolutionary perspective in education: prioritizing the human experience over mere academic performance. Shanina shares her journey from traditional teaching methods to embracing the Montessori philosophy, emphasizing the importance of allowing children to guide their own learnin...

In this episode of Brighter Together, I sit down with Ana Andrade, the Family Engagement and Community Outreach Manager at the United Community Center in Milwaukee. Ana shares her inspiring journey in family engagement, emphasizing the power of believing in parents to create lasting generational change. We explore the vital role parents play as a child's first teacher and how community programs br...

In this episode of Brighter Together, I sit down with Dr. Robert Sormani, superintendent of Manor ISD in Texas, to explore the district's ambitious vision for ensuring every student is college, career, and military ready by 2029. We delve into innovative programs like Project SEARCH, which empowers students with disabilities to gain job skills and independence. Dr. Sormani shares the impressive ac...

What does it take to expand a charter school—and actually make it work for multilingual students and special education? Dr. Leslie Sparacello, Superintendent of Cedars International Academy, breaks down her bold leadership playbook for inclusive, high-impact education. From co-teaching to language supports to mentoring the next generation of principals, she’s building a system that works on purpos...

In this episode of Brighter Together, I sit down with Dr. Teddy Clevenger, the superintendent of Bartlett ISD in Texas, to discuss his innovative approach to overcoming challenges faced by rural schools. Dr. Clevenger shares insights on the importance of building strong relationships, fostering a supportive community, and prioritizing servant leadership. He introduces the "Grow Your Own" program,...

How do you lead when your district covers 100 miles and your staff drives 40 minutes just to get to school? In this grounded and energizing episode, Nathan Wescott, Director of Special Services at Lincoln County School District #2, shares how he builds trust, retains staff, and builds systems that support both the brain and the heart. From early childhood to SEL, from mentorship to bus routes, Nat...

What if your morning drop-off didn’t feel like a panic attack in slow motion? In this hope-filled episode, Shayna Stuempfig, LCSW and Berkeley-based therapist, walks us through the SPACE model—a parent-led approach to reducing childhood anxiety without forcing kids into therapy. She shares how schools and caregivers can work together to reduce accommodations that feed anxiety, and instead use love...

What happens when we stop blaming families and start transforming systems? Patty Garcia, Assistant Director at ESC Region 14 and host of the Sped Talk podcast, brings a refreshing, no-excuses voice to this episode of Brighter Together. Drawing from her background as a teacher, coach, and SPED administrator, Patty breaks down how Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) must be rooted in compassion—n...

In this episode of Brighter Together, I sit down with Martin DuBois, the superintendent of Reading Community Schools in Michigan. Martin shares his insights on the vital role of community support in education and discusses the challenges and triumphs he faces in special education. He emphasizes the importance of helping even one student, as it can have a generational impact. We explore current ini...

How do you build a culture people want to stay in? In this joy-filled and fiercely intentional episode, Dr. Jeanetta Cooper, Principal of Horizon Science Academy Twin Cities, opens up about how she built a staff culture that retains over 80% of teachers year after year—without burning them out. Her approach? Greet your staff every morning. Greet your students at the door. Send them off at the end...

In this episode of Brighter Together, I sit down with Dr. Brett Geithman, the superintendent of Larkspur-Corta Madera Elementary School District. Together, we explore the ambitious vision that will shape the district through 2036. Dr. Geithman shares insights into their strategic planning process, emphasizing the importance of empowering staff through dedicated professional development. He discuss...

In a small Texas town surrounded by cotton fields, Superintendent Mandy Traylor is rewriting what it means to prepare students for the real world. From launching a self-defense program that empowers teen girls to bust zip ties and build confidence, to orchestrating “Adulting 101” classes that teach everything from interview etiquette to basic car maintenance, Mandy isn’t waiting on policy reform....