Education Unlocked

Dr. Renae Bryant's career is a master class in never forgetting where you started. She began as a bilingual instructional assistant — sitting next to multilingual learners, watching firsthand what happens when a child's first language is treated as an asset instead of a deficit. Decades later, she leads a seven-county charter network across Southern California, sits on the faculty at Cal State Ful...

What does it really mean to grow leaders—not through hierarchy, but through humanity? Dr. Kimberly MacKinney joins Education Unlocked to share why authentic leadership begins with connection, purpose, and lived values. From identifying potential in people who don't yet see themselves as leaders to creating systems that empower multilingual learners, students of color, and at-promise youth, Dr. Mac...

On this episode of Education Unlocked , Dr. Tracie Tagamolila-Noriega shares her journey from growing up as the daughter of Filipino immigrants in a predominantly white neighborhood to becoming a leading voice in educational equity and leadership. Dr. Tagamolila-Noriega reflects on the transformative role Ethnic Studies played in helping her understand her own experiences and identity for the firs...

What does equity actually look like when it leaves the policy memo and reaches a student's day? On this episode of Education Unlocked , Dr. Erin M. Simon, Superintendent of Bellflower Unified School District, joins us to explore that question. She shares her journey from the classroom to county leadership and ultimately the superintendent's office, reflecting on the students who have shaped her ap...

Dr. Gordon Amerson went from baseball player to classroom teacher to superintendent of Val Verde Unified — and along the way he's thought hard about what actually makes leaders sustainable. In this episode of Education Unlocked, Sri and Gordon talk about AI in schools, leadership burnout, the power of mentorship, and why human connection is the non-negotiable anchor in a digital age. Gordon calls...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Pedro A. Noguera , Dean of the USC Rossier School of Education and one of the nation’s leading voices on equity, belonging, and community-driven school transformation. From his early years as a classroom teacher to leading one of the top schools of education in the country, Dr. Noguera shares what decades of research and lived experience have taught him about...

Lessons from the front lines of public education leadership with Dr. Vivian Ekchian. In this episode, we explore what it takes to lead complex school systems responsibly-advancing equity, supporting student success, and navigating change at scale.

Transformational leadership doesn’t happen in isolation-it happens in partnership. In this episode of Education Unlocked , we sit down with Dr. Terri Daniels , 2024 California Principal of the Year and NASSP Advocacy Champion, to explore how intentional leadership and authentic parent engagement can drive real, measurable student success. From policy to practice, Dr. Daniels shares lessons from ov...

In this episode of Education Unlocked , host Sri Narayanan sits down with Dr. Jessica Black , Expanded Learning Opportunities Coordinator at Riverside Unified School District, to explore what it truly means to lead beyond the bell. Dr. Black shares her journey from teaching some of the most marginalized students to designing districtwide systems rooted in empathy, access, and belonging. Together,...

Today’s episode features Elizabeth Oberreiter , a seasoned education leader with over a decade of experience supporting schools in their growth and improvement journeys. Elizabeth is known for her thoughtful approach to school quality, her deep respect for educators, and her ability to guide teams through meaningful reflection and change. Her work brings her into close partnership with diverse sch...

In this episode, Deputy Superintendent Dr. Ryan Smith breaks down what it really means to lead HR in a modern school district—far beyond paperwork, contracts, and compliance. Drawing on nearly 30 years in education leadership, Ryan shares how culture, courage, and people-centered systems shape every aspect of district success. He discusses the shift from traditional HR to strategic, purpose-driven...

In this episode, Chad Freeman, Assistant Director of Student Services at Alvord Unified School District, shares his journey from the classroom to district leadership-and the insights he’s gained along the way. We explore how Alvord is redefining student success through belonging, equity, and innovation in student services. From real stories of impact to the future of student support systems, Chad...

In this inaugural episode, I sit down with Superintendent Dr. Amy Alzina to unpack the real strategies that drive excellence at scale. We discuss how she builds a thriving school culture, leverages deep community partnerships, and leads with a clear, student-centered vision that has produced exceptional outcomes year after year. For superintendents, district leaders, and administrators looking for...