It’s been SAId: Conversations on Leadership

In this episode of It’s Been Said, guest host Dana Schon turns the tables on SAI’s retiring Executive Director, Lisa Remy, to discuss her four-year leadership journey. Lisa reflects on the transition from school superintendent to executive director, comparing the experience to both a sunny day at the beach and a winding kayaking trip. She shares heartfelt thoughts on the resilience of Iowa's schoo...

As school administrators, navigating the unique complexities of school leadership can often feel isolating. In this episode of It's Been SAId, we dive deep into the critical role that SAI’s structured mentorship program plays in supporting, developing, and retaining principals, assistant principals, and superintendents across Iowa. Featuring an insightful panel discussion, the episode brings toget...

SAI’s Government Relations Director Dave Daughton provides weekly updates on the 2026 Iowa legislative session. This May 1st episode covers week sixteen.

In this episode of the It’s Been Said podcast, Dr. Dana Schon, associate executive director of professional learning for the School Administrators of Iowa, examines why leaders should intentionally slow down. Schon discusses how a "rushed busyness" can become a harmful norm, potentially leading to physical health issues like increased heart rates and diminished analytical thinking in the prefronta...

In this episode of the It's Been SAId podcast, School Administrators of Iowa Executive Director Lisa Remy speaks with three Iowa school leaders about the benefits of membership in national professional organizations. The guests—Brent Jorth (AASA), Cindy Barwick (NASSP), and Dana Nally (NAESP)—highlight how these organizations provide a broader perspective beyond the state level. Key benefits discu...

SAI’s Government Relations Director Dave Daughton provides weekly updates on the 2026 Iowa legislative session. This April 24th episode covers week fifteen.

In this special-edition Legal Vortex of the It's Been SAId podcast, Matt Carver, SAI's legal services director, discusses the complex topic of liability for school districts and their employees. Carver balances legal caution with reassurance, detailing the protections provided by Iowa law that allow educators to focus on students rather than the fear of litigation. The discussion covers: The Iowa...

SAI’s Government Relations Director Dave Daughton provides weekly updates on the 2026 Iowa legislative session. This April 17th episode covers week fourteen.

SAI’s Government Relations Director Dave Daughton provides weekly updates on the 2026 Iowa legislative session. This April 10th episode covers week thirteen.

In this episode of the It's Been SAId podcast, Dr. Dana Schon, associate executive director of professional learning for School Administrators of Iowa, discusses how poorly structured meetings can negatively impact the well-being and productivity of school leaders. She emphasizes the importance of defining the purpose and expectations of meetings to improve "leadership life fit". 🎙️ Episode Resour...

SAI’s Government Relations Director Dave Daughton provides weekly updates on the 2026 Iowa legislative session. This April 3rd episode covers week twelve.

In this special episode of the It's Been SAId podcast, Associate Executive Director of Professional Learning Dr. Dana Schon explores the transformative power of gratitude. Moving beyond the "work-life balance" cliché toward the concept of "life fit," Dr. Schon shares five practical strategies to cultivate daily appreciation: the color of the day, the green light strategy, the "first person you see...

SAI’s Government Relations Director Dave Daughton provides weekly updates on the 2026 Iowa legislative session. This March 27th episode covers week eleven.

In this reflective episode of It’s been SAId, Executive Director Lisa Remy hosts a roundtable discussion with retiring Iowa superintendents: Pella's Greg Ebeling, West Lyon's Shawn Kreman, and Burlington's Robert Scott. As they prepare to conclude their careers in June 2026, these veteran leaders look back on the dramatic evolution of school district leadership—from navigating increased public vis...

SAI’s Government Relations Director Dave Daughton provides weekly updates on the 2026 Iowa legislative session. This March 20th episode covers week ten.

In this episode of the It’s Been Said Podcast, SAI Legal Services Director Matt Carver discusses some common end-of-year legal issues that school administrators face. These issues include: Dealing with student behavior and reminding staff to remain calm and professional. Navigating requests to exclude parents or family members from end-of-year celebrations. Addressing requests to use alternative n...

SAI’s Government Relations Director Dave Daughton provides weekly updates on the 2026 Iowa legislative session. This March 13th episode covers week nine.

SAI’s Government Relations Director Dave Daughton provides weekly updates on the 2026 Iowa legislative session. This March 6th episode covers week eight.

In this special edition episode of the It's Been SAId podcast, Dr. Dana Schon, SAI's associate executive director of professional learning, explores the hidden drain on a leader's most valuable resource: cognitive energy. Using the relatable metaphor of a web browser cluttered with dozens of open tabs, Schon illustrates how unresolved tasks, lingering worries, and unrealistic self-expectations act...

SAI’s Government Relations Director Dave Daughton provides weekly updates on the 2026 Iowa legislative session. This Feb. 27th episode covers week seven.

In this special episode of It’s been SAId, Executive Director Dr. Lisa Remy sits down with her successor, Dr. Brad Buck, to discuss the upcoming leadership transition at the School Administrators of Iowa. Dr. Buck, the current Waukee superintendent and long-time SAI member, will take the helm this summer. Key highlights from their conversation include: The "Spark" for Change: Brad shares the perso...

SAI’s Government Relations Director Dave Daughton provides weekly updates on the 2026 Iowa legislative session. This Feb. 20th episode covers week six.

As districts navigate the second semester of the 2026 school year, Legal Services Director Matt Carver provides guidance on teacher licensure, performance remediation, and the complexities of employment termination in this latest edition of the It's Been SAId podcast. The conversation focuses on the critical legal procedures involved in managing teacher performance and contracts under Iowa law. Ca...

SAI’s Government Relations Director Dave Daughton provides weekly updates on the 2026 Iowa legislative session. This Feb. 6th episode covers week four.

In this special edition of the It’s Been Said podcast, Dr. Dana Schon, Associate Executive Director of Professional Learning with SAI, dives into a challenge familiar to many leaders: overthinking. From the "rethinking" that derails a morning workout to the complex rumination that follows a difficult conversation with staff or parents, Dana explores how overanalyzing can lead to decision fatigue,...