Little Wins

In this episode of Little Wins , host Karen Borchert talks with Stacey Green , Elementary Principal and longtime leader at Stockton Grade School in rural Kansas. Stacey has served her district for 36 years and has been principal for 13 , leading a unique PreK–8 school where culture isn’t a strategy it’s the heartbeat of the building. Stacey shares practical, highly repeatable ways to build belongi...

In this episode, host Karen Borchert sits down with James Womack, Superintendent of Valley View Independent School District in North Texas , a small but mighty district serving about 930 students with deep community ties and high expectations. James brings more than 20 years in education and 14 years in leadership to his work, grounded in servant leadership, presence, and relentless belief in peop...

In this episode, host Karen Borchert sits down with Christopher Mason, Superintendent of Schools at Quitman ISD in East Texas , a district serving about 1,200 students with a deep sense of connection, pride, and belonging. With nearly two decades in education and a background that includes coaching, teaching history, and pastoral ministry, Christopher leads with empathy, deep listening, and a long...

In this episode, host Karen Borchert sits down with Jordan Perez, Superintendent of Russell USD 407 in Russell, Kansas , to talk about what it really means to lead with presence, purpose, and care. Jordan leads a small rural district serving about 750 students, where leadership stretches far beyond classrooms. From guiding a major bond election and facilities redesign to driving bus routes and coa...

In this episode, host Karen Borchert heads to western Kansas to talk with Superintendent Jamie Rumford of USD 466 Scott County Schools , where 4,000 people, 6,000 county residents, and more than 20,000 head of cattle define truly rural school life. Jamie has spent 30+ years in education and more than a decade as a superintendent, centering his leadership on trust, transparency, autonomy, and takin...

In this episode, host Karen Borchert sits down with Mr. Ben Meldrum, Superintendent of Blair Oaks R-II School District in Wardsville, Missouri, where excellence, pride, and community are not just words on a wall, but daily expectations. A former sales and marketing professional who found his way into education through a career center, Ben spent 13 years in the classroom before becoming an assistan...

In this episode, host Karen Borchert sits down with Shannon Shine, Superintendent of the Mohonasen Central School District in Rotterdam, New York, where servant leadership, shared decision-making, and human connection shape daily life. Shannon has led Mohonasen since 2018, navigating extraordinary challenges including the pandemic, districtwide culture shifts, and the sudden arrival of 70 English...

In this episode, host Karen Borchert sits down with Devon Graham, principal of grades 6–8 at Washington Parks Academy, part of the Cornerstone Schools network in the Detroit area. Washington Parks is a tuition-free public charter school where character education isn’t just a poster on the wall it’s built into every routine, relationship, and classroom. A longtime community member and former elemen...

In this episode, host Karen Borchert sits down with Bill Gallagher, Principal of Northshore High School in Slidell, Louisiana, where a diverse community, a family feel, and a whole lot of creativity shape daily life. A former coach who stepped into the principal role mid-pandemic, Bill has spent the last six years building a culture rooted in belonging, recognition, humor, and steady leadership th...

In this episode, host Karen Borchert sits down with Eric Filardi, principal at Mendenhall River Community School in Juneau, Alaska, a uniquely remote elementary school in the shadow of the Mendenhall Glacier reachable only by boat or plane. With 19 years of experience across New York, Abu Dhabi, and now Alaska, Eric shares how life-and-death logistics, extreme weather, and geographic isolation sha...

In this episode, host Karen Borchert sits down with Wade Stanford, Superintendent of Westwood ISD in rural Texas, a “small but mighty” district of just over 1,300 students where trust, empowerment, and relationships drive every decision. From navigating a 20–25% student mobility rate and growing homelessness to building a relational police department and a culture of “horizontal accountability,” W...

In this episode, host Karen Borchert sits down with Frank Macri, Superintendent of Voorheesville Central School District in upstate New York, a small, tight-knit community that “bleeds purple and gold” and treats the school as its gathering place. A Voorheesville resident for over 20 years and a former music teacher and jazz saxophonist, Frank shares how leading where you live changes everything h...

In this episode, host Karen Borchert sits down with Dr. Andy Crozier, Superintendent of Central Lee Community School District in rural southeast Iowa, a district where homegrown pride meets award-winning culture. A Central Lee alum himself, Dr. Crozier returned home to lead the district that shaped him and has spent the past decade proving that culture is a strategy. From visible leadership and we...

In this episode, host Karen Borchert sits down with Dr. Adam Magliari, Superintendent of Mediapolis Community School District in southeast Iowa — a rural district of just under 1,000 students, where pride runs deep and connection fuels everything. A former PE teacher and longtime high school principal, Dr. Magliari brings both heart and systems thinking to leadership. His doctoral research on teac...

In this episode of Little Wins, host Karen Borchert sits down with Matt Smith, Principal of Kiski Area Senior High School in Pennsylvania, a hometown leader proving that joy and connection can transform school culture. A proud Kiski graduate himself, Matt returned to lead his alma mater 30 years later with a clear philosophy: be visible, be authentic, and celebrate every win, big or small. From mu...

In this episode of Little Wins , host Karen Borchert sits down with Chris Smith, Superintendent of Ellicott School District 22 in Calhan, Colorado. Nestled under the shadow of Pikes Peak, Ellicott is a rural district where Chris’s leadership story comes full circle—he’s not just the superintendent, but also a proud graduate, former teacher, and lifelong community member. Chris shares how his journ...

In this episode of Little Wins , host Karen Borchert sits down with Dr. Ricky Stephens, Superintendent of Keene Independent School District in Keene, Texas, a small district doing big things through culture, character, and connection. Over his 13 years leading Keene ISD, Dr. Stephens has shaped a district guided by one simple but powerful promise: Every child, every need, every day. From launching...

In this episode of Little Wins , host Karen Borchert sits down with Maria Libby, Superintendent of Five Town CSD and MSAD 28 in Camden, Maine. With a background that spans teaching, environmental advocacy, outdoor education, and now district leadership, Maria brings a rare blend of curiosity, compassion, and courage to her work. She shares how culture, for her, “isn’t optional”—it’s built intentio...

In this episode of Little Wins , Karen Borchert sits down with Troy Hopkins, superintendent of North Stonington Public Schools in North Stonington, Connecticut. In a small district with just two buildings and 750 students, Troy leads with heart, humor, and a clear belief that culture, risk-taking, and visibility are the work. Troy shares how being a student again—literally taking quizzes alongside...

In this episode of Little Wins, host Karen Borchert sits down with Dr. Jessica Sonntag, Superintendent at Hinckley-Big Rock CUSD #429 in Illinois. Leading a small, close-knit district with deep community roots, Dr. Sonntag shares how intentional choices, calming spaces, personalized support for staff, and a bold “phones away, bell-to-bell” policy are restoring attention, dignity, and joy to learni...

In this episode of Little Wins, host Karen Borchert sits down with Grant W. Gellert, Assistant Principal at MaST Community Charter School in Philadelphia. With nearly two decades at MaST, beginning as an English teacher and now leading the high school. Grant shares how deep roots and responsive leadership shape a culture where students and teachers thrive. From innovative learning spaces and stude...

In this episode of Little Wins , Karen Borchert sits down with Dr. Jeremy Davidson, Superintendent of Elsberry R-II School District in rural Missouri. Leading a district of just over 800 students, Jeremy brings a steady and deeply relational approach to leadership, where visibility, respect, and care are non-negotiables. Jeremy shares how his district’s move to a four-day school week has supported...

In this episode of Little Wins, Karen Borchert sits down with Dr. Albert Lee Byrom, superintendent of Poth ISD in rural Texas. A former San Antonio police officer turned educator, Dr. Byrom brings a servant-leadership mindset to his district of fewer than 1,000 students. His journey from patrol car to principal to superintendent is grounded in one belief: visibility, empowerment, and trust are the...

In this episode of Little Wins, Karen Borchert sits down with Dr. Nick Fitzgerald, superintendent of Canajoharie Central School District in upstate New York. As just the sixth superintendent in the last hundred years, Nick leads a small rural district with a deep sense of tradition and an equally bold vision for the future. Nick shares how his team has built a culture of care through social–emotio...

In this episode of Little Wins , Karen Borchert sits down with Sarah Harless, principal of Bear Lake School in Michigan, where the entire K–12 community is housed under one roof. With 24 years of experience at Bear Lake—serving in roles from Title I aide to teacher to principal—Sarah brings a rare depth of perspective on what it takes to cultivate trust, resilience, and respect in a small but migh...